WooCommerce vs SamCart
WooCommerce is an open-source WordPress ecommerce plugin with a free core, extensible marketplace, and developer APIs for custom stores. SamCart is a SaaS, conversion-focused checkout platform with hosted CheckoutOS, upsells/order bumps, AI content tools, and built-in course hosting.
Last updated
The summary above and the “Which should you choose?” section are written with AI from our two listings. The tables and answers come straight from the listings. Prices and features change, so check each vendor's website before you decide. How we use AI
At a glance
| Listing | WooCommerce | SamCart |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free plan | From $79/mo |
| Cheapest paid plan for a year | Not listed | $711 a year |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Free trial | No | Yes, 7 days |
| Works with | WooCommerce | Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce |
| Features | 6 features listed | 7 features listed |
| Integrations | 8 integrations listed | 6 integrations listed |
| Public API | Yes | Yes |
| Business size | Startup, SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | Startup, SMB, Mid-Market |
| Listing data checked | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 |
Pricing compared
SamCart
- Core $79/mo $711/yr billed yearly · 7-day free trial
- Pro $199/mo $1,791/yr billed yearly · 7-day free trial
- Done For You Custom pricing
Features compared
Both list 4 of these features. 2 are listed only for WooCommerce. 3 are listed only for SamCart.
| Feature | WooCommerce | SamCart |
|---|---|---|
| API | Listed | Listed |
| Dashboard | Listed | Listed |
| Reporting | Listed | Listed |
| Webhook | Listed | Listed |
| Mobile | Listed | Not listed |
| Multi-channel | Listed | Not listed |
| A/B Testing | Not listed | Listed |
| AI | Not listed | Listed |
| Analytics | Not listed | Listed |
Platforms and integrations
Ecommerce platforms
| Platform | WooCommerce | SamCart |
|---|---|---|
| WooCommerce | Listed | Listed |
| BigCommerce | Not listed | Listed |
| Shopify | Not listed | Listed |
Integrations
Both list 6 of these integrations. 2 are listed only for WooCommerce.
| Integration | WooCommerce | SamCart |
|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics | Listed | Listed |
| Klaviyo | Listed | Listed |
| Mailchimp | Listed | Listed |
| PayPal | Listed | Listed |
| Stripe | Listed | Listed |
| Zapier | Listed | Listed |
| Listed | Not listed | |
| ShipStation | Listed | Not listed |
More details
| Detail | WooCommerce | SamCart |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Open-source core is free; costs come from hosting, paid extensions (annual fees), and payment processor fees; WooCommerce does not charge platform fees or revenue share. | SaaS subscription with monthly and yearly billing (yearly billed at 25% off); separate custom enterprise/done-for-you offering; transactional processing fees for payments via SamPay. |
| Support | Documentation, support forums, official support/contact forms, Customer Success and enterprise consulting, community and agency partners | Email and in-app chat support are provided; optional dedicated live strategy support is available as a paid add-on. Live support specialists for the dedicated support add-on are available 9:00-17:00 CT, Monday–Friday; general support hours for standard plans are not specified in the provided content. |
| Security and compliance | Payments are processed via chosen gateways (PCI scope depends on provider and integration method). WooCommerce site references privacy, refund, and support policies; compliance responsibilities vary with hosting, extensions, and processors. | SamCart advertises 99.9% uptime and links to a Security page; specific compliance certifications (PCI, SOC, GDPR statements) are not detailed in the provided excerpts and should be confirmed on the security documentation page. |
| Product maturity | Mature and widely adopted open-source ecommerce platform with a large ecosystem and marketplace; cited adoption metrics on site indicate millions of stores. | Mature commercial SaaS product with claimed usage by 75,000+ businesses and $8B+ in processed transaction data powering AI recommendations; offers multi-tier plans and an enterprise service. |
| Not a good fit for | Not a good fit for merchants who want a fully managed, zero-maintenance SaaS ecommerce solution with hosting included and no WordPress management. | Not a good fit for organizations that require a free-forever plan or need a full-featured POS/inventory ERP solution. |
Pros and cons
From each app's App4Ecom listing.
WooCommerce
Pros
- Open-source core with no platform fees or revenue share
- Flexible choice of payments, hosts, and third-party tools
- Large extensions and themes marketplace for incremental features
- Transparent pricing model where you pay only for hosting, extensions, and processing
Cons
- Requires a WordPress site and hosting management (not fully managed SaaS)
- Total cost depends on hosting, extensions, and custom development
- Complex stores may require developer resources and ongoing maintenance
- Plugin compatibility and performance depend on hosting and extension choices
SamCart
Pros
- High-converting, mobile-first CheckoutOS designed to reduce friction and lift conversions.
- Integrated AI assistant ("Sam") that drafts sales pages, product content, and designs based on $8B of transaction data.
- Built-in revenue optimization tools: global order bumps, one-click upsells, and A/B testing to increase AOV.
- Subscription Saver and cart abandonment recovery to recover failed payments and stalled carts.
- Native course hosting, customer portal, affiliate center, and integration engine reduce need for multiple platforms.
Cons
- Advanced growth and optimization features (upsells, order bumps, A/B testing, Subscription Saver) require the Pro plan.
- Core plan limits team access to 1 seat; Pro plan expands to 10 seats (additional seats require higher tiers or enterprise).
- Done-for-you/enterprise offering requires contacting sales; pricing not published.
- Dedicated live strategy support is an optional paid add-on ($19/mo) rather than included on lower plans.
- Specific compliance details (e.g., PCI/GDPR statements) are not detailed in the provided pages.
Which should you choose?
Choose WooCommerce if you need full control, extensibility, and a free open-source core on WordPress; choose SamCart if you want a hosted, conversion-first checkout stack with built-in upsells, Subscription Saver, and native course hosting.
WooCommerce: Merchants and agencies running WordPress sites who need a highly customizable ecommerce platform and control over hosting and checkout.
SamCart: Course creators, coaches, digital product sellers, membership operators, and small-to-midsize DTC brands who want a hosted, conversion-first checkout with built-in upsells and subscription recovery.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, WooCommerce or SamCart?
SamCart lists paid plans from $79/mo. WooCommerce lists a free plan but no paid plan prices, so ask its team for a quote to compare.
Do WooCommerce and SamCart have a free plan?
WooCommerce lists a free plan; SamCart doesn't. SamCart offers a 7-day free trial.
Which platforms do WooCommerce and SamCart work with?
WooCommerce works with WooCommerce. SamCart works with Shopify, WooCommerce and BigCommerce. Both work with WooCommerce.
What features do WooCommerce and SamCart have in common?
Both list API, Dashboard, Reporting and Webhook. Only WooCommerce lists Mobile and Multi-channel. Only SamCart lists A/B Testing, AI and Analytics.
Do WooCommerce and SamCart have an API?
Yes, both list a public API.
Where this data comes from
WooCommerce
Listing data refreshed September 19, 2026.
- woocommerce.com/pricing Official website
- developer.woocommerce.com Official website
- woocommerce.com Official website
SamCart
Listing data refreshed September 25, 2026.
- samcart.com/pricing Official website
- samcart.com Official website
- developer.samcart.com Documentation