To set up subscriptions in WooCommerce, install a subscriptions plugin (commonly WooCommerce Subscriptions) and activate it. Next, go to WooCommerce → Settings → Payments and enable a gateway that supports recurring payments (like Stripe or WooPayments). Then create a new product and choose Simple subscription or Variable subscription. Set the price, billing interval (monthly/yearly), and optional sign-up fee or free trial. Publish the product, place a test order in sandbox/test mode, and confirm renewal orders generate correctly.

Yes, WooCommerce is free in its core version. WooCommerce’s official website says the plugin is free to download and free to modify, and its documentation also refers to the free, core WooCommerce plugin.

However, building a full online store can still cost money. You may need to pay for hosting, a domain name, premium themes, paid extensions, payment gateway fees, shipping tools, or marketing services. So, WooCommerce itself is free, but the total cost of running a store depends on the extra features and services you choose. It is free to start, but advanced store needs can increase the budget.

WooCommerce is a company behind the WooCommerce eCommerce platform, best known for its WordPress plugin that helps businesses sell online. It builds and maintains WooCommerce core, plus related tools like WooCommerce Payments, extensions, and support resources. WooCommerce focuses on open-source commerce, giving store owners flexibility and control while using WordPress. The brand is part of the broader WordPress ecosystem and works closely with hosting partners, developers, and merchants to power online stores worldwide.

If you want the best WooCommerce Analytics plugin, Metorik is often the top choice for store owners who need deeper reporting than WooCommerce core—with real-time dashboards, segmentation, cohorts, subscription reporting, exports, and automated digests.

If you mainly need built-in reporting inside WordPress, WooCommerce’s own Analytics & Sales Reports (WooCommerce Admin) is solid for core reports, filters, CSV exports, and a customizable dashboard—without adding another paid tool.

For multi-channel analytics (ads + attribution + unified dashboards), consider Glew.

WooCommerce manages stock by tracking inventory levels for individual products and variations. When stock management is enabled, you can set stock quantity, backorder permissions, and low stock thresholds. As customers place orders, WooCommerce automatically reduces the stock count and sends notifications when inventory is low or out of stock. It also prevents overselling by limiting purchases based on availability. You can manage inventory globally or at the product level. Additionally, settings allow automated restock status updates after order cancellations or refunds, helping store owners maintain accurate stock records and streamline product availability.

To create a new product in WooCommerce, navigate to Products > Add New in your WordPress dashboard. Enter the product name and description. Under the Product Data section, select the product type (simple, variable, etc.), and set the price, SKU, stock status, shipping options, and product attributes. Add images, assign product categories, and tags. Finally, click Publish to make the product visible in your store. You can also add variations or custom attributes if your product requires them.