Shopify vs WooCommerce vs CounterDesk
· 3 min read · Last checked October 2026
In short
Shopify and WooCommerce are global store builders with huge app and theme choices. CounterDesk is built for Sri Lankan sellers: your store plus order management, cash on delivery, district delivery charges and real profit, set up for you for Rs 4,900 a month on the Launch Offer. Choose Shopify or WooCommerce for unlimited design freedom; choose CounterDesk to run your orders in one place.
CounterDesk is our product, so we have tried to be fair. Where Shopify or WooCommerce is the better choice, we say so.
Side by side
| Shopify | WooCommerce | CounterDesk | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | From $25 ($19 yearly), plus app fees | Hosting, plugins, developer time | Rs 4,900 (Launch Offer), Rs 6,900 (Standard), everything included |
| Extra fee per sale | 2% on Basic (no Shopify Payments here) | None | None from CounterDesk |
| Setup | You do it | You or a developer | We do it, live in 2 to 3 days |
| Cash on delivery | Through apps | Through plugins | Built in |
| Delivery charges by district and weight | Through apps | Through plugins | Built in |
| WhatsApp and Instagram orders | Not in the same list | Not in the same list | Same list as store orders; filter by channel |
| Real profit per order | Not built in | Not built in | Built in |
| Design freedom | Thousands of themes | Almost unlimited | Edit colours, fonts, banners and sections; not a free-form builder |
Where Shopify and WooCommerce win
If you want a completely unique design, sell to many countries, or need special features from an app store, Shopify or WooCommerce gives you more choice. They are also good if you only need a shop window and handle orders some other way.
Where CounterDesk wins
Most Sri Lankan sellers do not just need a website. They need to manage orders from Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok and phone calls, collect cash on delivery, charge the right delivery fee for each district, and know what they really earned. CounterDesk does all of that in one place, with your store included, and we set it up for you.
Which should you choose?
- Choose Shopify for the fastest global store with endless apps, if the dollar costs work for you.
- Choose WooCommerce if you have WordPress skills and want full control.
- Choose CounterDesk if you sell in Sri Lanka through social media and a store, and want orders, delivery, payments and profit handled in one place.