Woocommerce

WordPress and WooCommerce are not direct alternatives. WordPress is the website platform used to build and manage a site. WooCommerce is a plugin that adds online store features to WordPress. If you only need a blog or business site, WordPress alone is enough. If you want to sell products or accept online payments, WooCommerce is the better choice because it provides cart, checkout, order, and shipping tools. In most cases, the best setup is WordPress combined with WooCommerce for e-commerce.

WooCommerce turns a WordPress site into an online store. It lets you add products, set prices, manage inventory, and create a checkout page. You can accept payments using gateways like cards or PayPal, set shipping rules, and handle taxes. WooCommerce also manages orders, customer accounts, coupons, and emails for receipts and updates. With extensions, you can add subscriptions, bookings, memberships, and more. It’s a flexible eCommerce plugin that helps you sell physical or digital products directly from WordPress.

WooCommerce handles payments through payment gateways you enable in WooCommerce → Settings → Payments. Each gateway connects your store to a payment processor or bank, so customers can pay by card, wallet, bank transfer, or cash on delivery. During checkout, WooCommerce sends the order total and customer details to the gateway for approval. If the payment succeeds, WooCommerce updates the order status and triggers emails. You can also manage refunds, payment notes, and transaction details from the order screen, depending on the gateway you use.

WooPayments (WooCommerce Payments) works by letting your store process card payments directly on your checkout page. You connect it to your WordPress site, complete account verification, and then customers can pay using credit or debit cards. Orders, refunds, payouts, and disputes are managed inside your WooCommerce dashboard. Payments are processed by its payment partner, and your earnings are deposited to your bank account on a payout schedule. You can also track transactions, handle chargebacks, and review payment analytics from the same place.

To set up payments in WooCommerce, go to WordPress Dashboard → WooCommerce → Settings → Payments. Enable the payment methods you want, like WooCommerce Payments, PayPal, Stripe, or bank transfer. Click each method to enter required details, such as API keys or account login. Set your currency in WooCommerce → Settings → General. Then place a test order in sandbox/test mode to confirm checkout works, emails are sent, and the order status updates correctly.

WooCommerce Payments is an official payment solution made for WooCommerce stores. It lets you accept credit and debit cards directly on your checkout page, without sending customers to another site. You can manage payments, refunds, disputes, and payouts inside your WordPress dashboard. It also supports popular payment methods in some regions, plus features like saved cards and subscription payments (when used with supported tools). It’s designed to make online payments simple, fast, and easy to manage.

To set up PayPal in WooCommerce, go to WordPress Dashboard → WooCommerce → Settings → Payments. Find PayPal (or WooCommerce PayPal Payments) and click Set up/Manage. Connect your PayPal Business account, or enter your PayPal email and required API details if asked. Choose settings like sandbox mode (for testing), payment actions, and checkout buttons. Save changes, then run a test order to confirm PayPal appears at checkout and completes payments successfully.

Yes. WooCommerce has its own payment solution called WooPayments. It’s built by Automattic (the company behind WordPress.com) and is designed to work directly inside your WooCommerce dashboard. You can accept credit and debit cards, manage refunds, view payouts, and track transactions without leaving WordPress. Availability depends on your country, and fees vary by region. If WooPayments is not available where you are, you can still use other gateways like Stripe or PayPal.

The best payment gateway for WooCommerce globally is Stripe. It supports major credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, and provides robust fraud protection, while also integrating seamlessly with WooCommerce. PayPal is another top option because many customers trust it and it offers fast checkout. If you want a WooCommerce-native setup, WooPayments is simple and tightly integrated in supported regions. For the best results, offer Stripe + PayPal together. Choose based on your target countries, fees, payout speed, chargeback handling, and customer checkout experience.