Marketeros: Many have asked me about the best e-commerce platforms. While there are hundreds of them. I leave
Scotland email lists some recommended and a brief evaluation of their characteristics.
In a sentence, the main difference between Shopify and WordPress is that Shopify is an online tool / service, while WordPress is independent software that you need to install yourself.
To use Shopify, all you have to do is go to Shopify.com and register to get an account. Once this is done, you just need to make a quick setup and your e-commerce store will be up and running.

To use WordPress as your e-commerce platform, on the other hand, requires many more steps:
First, you must buy a domain and a web hosting account where you can install the default version of WordPress.
1. You have to choose a theme for your website plus a handful of add-ons to take care of things like SEO, integration of social networks and other things.
2. After that, you need an add-on such as WooCommerce to provide you with all the e-commerce functions (those that are not incorporated in WordPress upon departure).
3. Finally, you must go through the configuration process of your e-commerce store (details of the store, integration of payment gateway, products, etc.). Those can take a time of their own too.
And last but not least, with Shopify, you also get support, which means that you should always find a problem with the platform, you can simply contact the support team, and they (probably) will solve it.
With WordPress, there is no support, per se.
Think of it this way, Shopify is like going to IKEA, buying a table from the shelf and then simply assembling it at home. WordPress is like going to the hardware store, buying planks, nails, glue, tools and then going back home and building the table yourself.