Data-Driven Comparison • Real Cost Analysis
Shopify vs Custom eCommerce in Kenya
Which platform is best for your Kenyan business? We break down the real costs, features, and long-term implications of Shopify, WooCommerce, and custom development.
Quick Answer for Kenyan Businesses
Custom Development
Best for most Kenyan businesses
40% Cheaper
Than Shopify over 3 years
You Own It
No platform lock-in
Comparison
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
See how custom development stacks up against Shopify and WooCommerce.
| Feature | Custom (NexaUI) Recommended | Shopify | WooCommerce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | KES 45K - 350K | KES 0 | KES 20K - 100K |
| Monthly Cost | KES 0 - 10K | KES 3K - 30K | KES 2K - 10K |
| Transaction Fees | 0% | 2% + payment fees | 0% |
| Ownership | Full ownership | Platform owns | Full ownership |
| Customization | Unlimited | Limited | High |
| M-Pesa Integration | Native | Third-party plugin Extra fees apply | Plugin required |
| Support | Local team | Email only | Community |
| Scalability | Unlimited | Plan limits | Server dependent |
Total Cost
3-Year Cost Comparison
The real cost of ownership over 3 years. Shopify looks cheap upfront, but...
Custom (NexaUI)
BEST VALUE
Upfront:KES 120,000
Monthly (hosting):KES 10,000
Transaction fees:KES 0
3-Year Total:KES 480K
You own everything
No transaction fees
Unlimited customization
Native M-Pesa
Shopify
MOST EXPENSIVE
Upfront:KES 0
Monthly (plan + apps):KES 20,000
Transaction fees (2%):KES 8,000
3-Year Total:KES 1,008K
Platform owns your store
2% transaction fees
Limited customization
M-Pesa via plugin (extra fees)
WooCommerce
MIDDLE GROUND
Upfront:KES 50,000
Monthly (hosting + plugins):KES 15,000
Transaction fees:KES 0
3-Year Total:KES 590K
You own everything
No transaction fees
Plugin compatibility issues
Slower than custom
Custom saves you KES 528,000 vs Shopify over 3 years
That's enough to hire a full-time employee or invest in marketing
Decision Guide
When to Choose Each Platform
Honest advice on which platform makes sense for different scenarios.
Choose Custom If:
- You're selling primarily to Kenyans (M-Pesa is critical)
- You want to own your platform
- You want to avoid monthly fees
- You need custom features
- You want better long-term value
Choose Shopify If:
- You're selling internationally (multi-currency)
- You have zero upfront budget
- You need to launch in 24 hours
- You don't mind monthly fees
- You're okay with platform lock-in
Choose WooCommerce If:
- You already have a WordPress site
- You're comfortable with WordPress
- You need blog + store integration
- You can manage plugins yourself
- You don't mind slower performance
Ready to Build Your Custom Store?
Save 40% vs Shopify. Own everything. Native M-Pesa integration. Launch in 14-21 days.