When choosing an eCommerce platform, one of the most important—yet often overlooked—considerations is security. Your online store handles sensitive customer data, including payment information, so protecting that data isn’t just a best practice—it’s a legal and business imperative. Two of the most popular platforms in the space, Shopify and WordPress (with WooCommerce), offer different approaches to security. But is Shopify more secure than WordPress? Let’s break it down.

Hosted vs. Self-Hosted Security

The biggest difference between Wordpress vs Shopify Security is how they’re hosted. Shopify is a fully hosted, all-in-one eCommerce platform. That means the company manages all the backend security for you—everything from server infrastructure to PCI compliance and SSL encryption is handled by Shopify’s internal teams.

WordPress, on the other hand, is self-hosted. When using WooCommerce, you’re responsible for setting up and maintaining your own hosting environment. That includes installing SSL certificates, ensuring firewall protection, and staying up-to-date with WordPress core, theme, and plugin updates. This gives you more control—but also more responsibility and risk.

Built-In Protections and Updates

Shopify automatically updates its software behind the scenes. Store owners don’t need to worry about applying patches or security fixes—Shopify handles that globally across its entire infrastructure. This reduces the chance of vulnerabilities and keeps your store protected against emerging threats.

With WordPress, updates are not automatic unless you configure them that way. Many site owners delay updates due to fear of breaking the site or plugin conflicts, which creates windows of vulnerability. Outdated themes, plugins, or WordPress versions are among the top reasons WordPress sites get hacked.

PCI Compliance and Payment Security

Shopify is Level 1 PCI DSS compliant out of the box. This means that any Shopify store is automatically aligned with the strict standards required to process credit card information securely. Shopify also provides built-in SSL for every store, which encrypts customer data and adds a visible layer of trust (the padlock icon in the browser bar).

WordPress and WooCommerce do not offer PCI compliance by default. Store owners must work with their hosting provider and payment gateways to meet compliance requirements. While it’s possible to make a WooCommerce site PCI compliant, it involves more manual configuration and technical expertise.

Plugins vs. Closed Ecosystem

WordPress offers a massive ecosystem of plugins for nearly every function—but that’s a double-edged sword. Many security breaches happen through vulnerable or poorly coded plugins. Store owners must be vigilant about which plugins they use, how often they’re updated, and whether they come from trusted developers.

Shopify, on the other hand, uses a more tightly controlled app ecosystem. While the selection may be smaller, Shopify reviews apps more carefully and enforces higher standards, reducing the chances of vulnerabilities being introduced to your store through third-party code.

Final Verdict

Both Shopify and WordPress can be secure platforms—but Shopify is generally considered the more secure option for most users. Its hosted infrastructure, automatic updates, built-in PCI compliance, and closed app ecosystem create a strong security foundation with less day-to-day management required. WordPress, while powerful and flexible, puts the burden of security on the store owner. For businesses that want peace of mind and enterprise-grade protection without a technical team, Shopify offers a clear edge in security.