How to create a Shopify checkout in WooCommerce

You can bring a Shopify-style checkout to your WooCommerce store by installing a checkout plugin that replaces the default multi-step process with a faster, two-column flow. This guide compares the two best plugins for the job, WooCommerce Fast Cart and CheckoutWC, with real pros, cons and setup steps for each.

WooCommerce and Shopify are the two most popular ecommerce platforms. Over 6.3 million websites worldwide use WooCommerce, accounting for 23% of all online stores, largely because it's free, open-source, and runs on the flexible WordPress platform.

One aspect of Shopify that even WooCommerce store owners love is the checkout process. It's fast, user-friendly, and highly optimized for high conversion rates.

Fortunately, you don't have to migrate platforms to get that experience. In this guide, I'll compare the two plugins I recommend for bringing a Shopify checkout to WooCommerce, and show you how to set each one up.

Plugin options at a glance

Before digging into setup steps, here's how the main options for a Shopify checkout for WooCommerce compare. That includes the two plugins covered in this guide, alongside three other WooCommerce checkout plugins you'll see mentioned elsewhere.

Plugin	Checkout style	Order bumps	Free option	Best use case
WooCommerce Fast Cart	Popup cart with optional one-page checkout	Cross-sells via linked products	No	Stores that want the fewest possible steps
CheckoutWC	Two-column, Shopify-inspired templates	Built in	No	Stores that want a polished multi-step checkout
FunnelKit	Funnel-based one-page or multi-step checkout	Built in, with upsells	Limited free version	Stores building sales funnels
Fluid Checkout	Two-column, distraction-free layout	Not built in	Yes, free on WordPress.org	Budget-conscious stores
ShopPress	Shopify-style checkout and cart bundle	Depends on add-ons	No	Shopify-style branding across the whole store

What's so special about the Shopify checkout page?

The checkout process is a critical part of any online monetary transaction. This is the point where customers decide whether to complete the purchase or abandon their cart. Shopify's checkout page is widely regarded as one of the best in the ecommerce industry, and for good reason.

The best checkout experience focuses on making the process as easy, fast, and reliable as possible. Shopify does this perfectly, with a clean, user-friendly design in a two-column layout (see Shopify's own checkout settings documentation for how it's configured). This largely explains why it has one of the highest conversion rates and lowest cart abandonment rates.

Here are some of the key features of the checkout experience that make it stand out, and why you should consider creating a WooCommerce Shopify checkout. For more inspiration, browse these checkout page examples.

Shopify checkout features

Related tutorial: How to build a Shopify store from start to finish.

Problems with the default WooCommerce checkout

I've shown you why the Shopify checkout process is one of the platform's major selling points among business owners. But you're probably still wondering "Why implement WooCommerce Shopify checkout?" The answer is simple: The default WooCommerce checkout comes with a few optimization issues. Let's examine them.

• Poor user experience The default WooCommerce checkout can be rather confusing and frustrating for customers. In most cases, the checkout process is lengthy. And the customer doesn't get to see a progress bar that shows their current stage in the process.
• Bland design (depending on the theme) Except for certain premium WooCommerce themes, the WooCommerce checkout page is not very visually appealing. Important design elements like call to action button text, preset field text, and guest checkout options often need some improvement. Also, there are no clear calls to action to guide customers through the process.
• Lack of customization options Another issue is that when it comes to the checkout page, WooCommerce doesn't allow you to move things around so much. Quite in contrast with the platform's high customizability. Granted, it's possible to customize the checkout page using code, the WooCommerce checkout block, or third-party plugins. But this can be challenging and time-consuming.
• A less focused layout The classic WooCommerce checkout is a single column, so shoppers scroll back up to check their order details. The newer block checkout (shown above) adds two columns, but it still shows the full billing form upfront, with your theme's header around it.

In the end, what you get is a checkout page that is hard to navigate, visually unappealing, and limited in terms of customization. This can result in low conversion rates and potential revenue loss. You can avoid this by configuring a WooCommerce Shopify checkout.

Shopify checkout vs default WooCommerce checkout

Lining the two up side by side makes it clear why so many store owners search for a WooCommerce checkout like Shopify in the first place. The default WooCommerce checkout works, but it's missing several things Shopify includes out of the box.

Checkout element	Shopify	Default WooCommerce
Layout	Two-column, order summary always visible	Single column, order details above the fields
Order review	Updates live as you edit	Usually needs a page reload
Express payments	Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay shown by default	Depends on which gateway plugins you install
Mobile flow	Built mobile-first	Mobile-friendly if your theme supports it
Checkout fields	Minimal, with autofill	Full billing and shipping form by default
Distractions	Stripped-back, product-focused design	Often includes header, footer and sidebar widgets
Setup effort	None, built in	Needs a plugin or custom code to match

Next, I'll tell you about two plugins which are designed to close that gap and bring similar benefits to the WooCommerce checkout.

One-page vs multi-step Shopify-style checkout

Before you pick a plugin, decide whether a one-page checkout or a multi-step flow fits your store better. A one-page or popup checkout works best for single-product stores, impulse buys, and any store where the goal is to get from "Add to cart" to "Paid" in as few clicks as possible.

A multi-step checkout, with a progress bar and clearly separated sections, works better for stores with complex orders. It also suits stores with multiple shipping options or a wider product range, where customers want to double-check details before paying. If you want to go further and skip the cart page entirely, my guide to one-page WooCommerce checkout covers that approach in more depth.

Of the two methods in this guide, WooCommerce Fast Cart is built for the one-page, popup approach. CheckoutWC can do either, depending on which template you apply. For a closer look at the multi-step option, my guide to adding a multistep checkout to WooCommerce walks through the full setup.

My take: One of the main reasons WooCommerce stores consider migrating to Shopify is Shopify's checkout conversion rate. However, Shopify's checkout is only customizable on the Plus plan, which costs thousands of dollars a month and is built for enterprise stores rather than smaller ones. Setting up a Shopify-style checkout in WooCommerce gets you the best of both: The speed and polish of Shopify's checkout, plus the flexibility WooCommerce is known for. I'd point agencies and single-product stores that want the fewest possible clicks toward Fast Cart's popup checkout. Stores that want a Shopify-identical multi-step layout with built-in order bumps are better served by CheckoutWC.

How to create a WooCommerce Shopify checkout

Ready to start enjoying the benefits of a WooCommerce Shopify checkout? The easiest way to do this is to use a third-party WooCommerce plugin. There are many checkout plugins in the WordPress ecosystem. And I've tested a good number of them extensively.

In this section, I'll walk you through 2 methods of setting up WooCommerce Shopify checkout. Each method uses one of the two plugins I mentioned above. With either, you can set up a streamlined express checkout experience in a few minutes, even without prior experience.

Method 1 - WooCommerce Fast Cart

Our top recommendation for creating a WooCommerce Shopify checkout is to use WooCommerce Fast Cart. The plugin brings all the best things about the Shopify checkout experience (and even more) to WooCommerce. By configuring checkout with this plugin, you create a faster, more visually pleasing, and user-friendly experience.

WooCommerce Fast Cart doesn't copy Shopify. Instead, it achieves the same benefits by displaying the WooCommerce checkout in an on-page popup window. The first benefit here is that customers can now create their orders more quickly.

In other words, they get to complete their order from the same page where they clicked the "Add to cart" button. This is even faster than the Shopify checkout.

Here are some of its key WooCommerce Shopify checkout features.

Features and pros of using Fast Cart

How to create a WooCommerce Shopify checkout with Fast Cart

The first step to creating a WooCommerce Shopify checkout is to grab your copy of the WooCommerce Fast Cart plugin.

Once you've gotten your WooCommerce Fast Cart license, you can now download the plugin as a ZIP file. You'll also receive an email with your license key. You'll use this key to activate the plugin later within your WordPress dashboard.

Next, upload and activate the plugin in your WordPress dashboard. Then go to WooCommerce → Settings → Fast Cart and enter the license key from your email. If you need more detail, follow the installation guide.

Now that the plugin is activated, it has automatically replaced the default WooCommerce cart page. Let's tweak things a little bit.

Configuring the popup WooCommerce checkout

Next, go to WooCommerce → Settings → Fast Cart and scroll down to the 'Content' section.

Each section allows you to customize your cart in different ways. Here are a few important ones:

• Content Here, you can choose the floating cart's layout (sidebar or centered popup), the elements to add to it (product images, prices, etc.), or enable auto-open. You can check Allow fast checkout to optimize the WooCommerce Shopify checkout even further.
• Cart icon You can choose to display a small floating cart icon either at the top, center, or bottom right corner of the page. Shoppers can then click this icon to see the full sidebar.
• Replace pages This option replaces the default cart page with the floating cart.

When you're done, click Save changes.

That's it! You've configured your WooCommerce Shopify checkout. You can test the new checkout results by heading over to the shop page on the front end. The results should look like this.

Method 2 - CheckoutWC

The second plugin we recommend for creating a WooCommerce Shopify checkout is CheckoutWC. The plugin is easy to set up and gives you a polished, Shopify-inspired checkout in minutes.

Just like Fast Cart, CheckoutWC replaces the default WooCommerce checkout. You get a clean, modern design with templates based on Shopify, Stripe, and other proven checkout flows. The plugin handles the look and feel while WooCommerce stays in charge of the order data.

Features and pros of using CheckoutWC

How to create a WooCommerce Shopify checkout with CheckoutWC

You can get started with CheckoutWC by purchasing CheckoutWC from checkoutwc.com. Next, install and activate the plugin in your WordPress dashboard.

CheckoutWC swaps out the default WooCommerce checkout as soon as it's activated. Go to WooCommerce → CheckoutWC to pick a template, adjust colors, and toggle features like the side cart.

Once you're happy with the settings, save your changes. Test the checkout on the front end to make sure everything looks the way you want.

Comparison between Method 1 and Method 2

WooCommerce Fast Cart and CheckoutWC help you to create a WooCommerce Shopify checkout in a very similar way. Both plugins replace your default checkout immediately after they're installed and activated. This means you don't need to do much to set the new optimized experience in motion.

They also both offer a clean design with a more user-friendly interface. CheckoutWC retains the same two-column layout that Shopify uses. However, Fast Cart delivers a faster and more efficient checkout experience. The difference between both tools is evident in two areas.

• Fast Cart completely eliminates the need to visit a separate checkout or cart page. It automatically opens an on-page popup cart immediately after the customer clicks "Add to cart." You can also enable checkout right within the popup cart. This speeds up the checkout process and boosts your store's conversion rate.
• Fast Cart supports one-page checkout right out of the box. Again, this is faster and more efficient. CheckoutWC can do multi-step or single-page, depending on the template you pick.

It's hard to go wrong with either plugin. Both deliver a user-friendly WooCommerce Shopify checkout experience with plenty of customization options. But with Fast Cart's better-optimized process, you're more likely to see a positive impact on conversion rates.

Best practices for optimizing the Shopify-style checkout

For even better results, you can apply these store optimization tips alongside whichever plugin you choose. Baymard Institute's checkout usability research backs up most of these, and together they'll help you further improve user experience, reduce cart abandonment, and increase conversion.

Streamline the checkout fields

Shorter forms convert better, so remove the fields you don't need. If your store uses the default WooCommerce block checkout, you can show, hide or require the optional company, apartment and phone fields directly in the editor. Fast Cart supports the block checkout, so those changes appear in its popup automatically.

For anything beyond that, such as adding or reordering fields, use a free plugin like Checkout Field Editor alongside Fast Cart. CheckoutWC handles this itself: Its built-in field editor lets you add text, dropdown, radio and checkbox fields, with optional fees.

Use express payment buttons

Show Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other express options above the regular form fields. They let returning customers check out in one or two taps instead of typing out their details again.

Keep only essential fields

Every extra field is a reason for a customer to abandon the form. Ask for what you need to fulfil the order and nothing more, and hide fields like a second address line unless a customer needs them.

Show the order summary

Keep the cart contents, quantities, and total price visible throughout checkout. Customers shouldn't need to scroll back or open a new tab to check what they're buying.

Make mobile checkout easy

Test your checkout on a phone, not just a desktop screen. Buttons need to be large enough to tap accurately, and fields should trigger the right keyboard (numeric for a card number, for example).

Add trust signals

Display security badges, accepted payment logos, and a clear returns policy near the payment button. This reassures customers at the exact moment they're deciding whether to hand over their card details.

Let customers edit the cart

Allow quantity changes and coupon entry from within the checkout itself, so customers don't have to leave the page and lose their progress to fix a mistake.

Test the checkout before launch

Place a real test order with every payment method and shipping option you offer. A broken field or a missing gateway at checkout is one of the fastest ways to speed up WooCommerce checkout abandonment, so catch it before customers do.

Frequently asked questions about WooCommerce Shopify checkout

Can you use Shopify checkout with WooCommerce?

Not the exact Shopify checkout itself, since that's built into Shopify's platform. But you can recreate the same speed and layout in WooCommerce using a plugin like Fast Cart or CheckoutWC, both covered in this guide.

How do I make WooCommerce checkout like Shopify?

Install a checkout plugin such as WooCommerce Fast Cart or CheckoutWC, then configure the layout, fields, and payment options to match a Shopify-style two-column or popup design. Both plugins replace your default checkout automatically once activated.

Is a one-page checkout better than a multi-step checkout?

It depends on your store. A one-page or popup checkout suits single-product stores and impulse buys, while a multi-step checkout with a progress bar suits stores with more complex orders or shipping options.

Which WooCommerce plugin creates a Shopify-style checkout?

WooCommerce Fast Cart and CheckoutWC are the two plugins covered in this guide. Fast Cart focuses on a popup cart and one-page checkout, while CheckoutWC offers two-column templates modeled on Shopify.

Can WooCommerce support Shop Pay?

WooCommerce doesn't natively support Shop Pay, since it's a Shopify-specific payment option. Instead, you can offer equivalent express payment methods like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal to make WooCommerce checkout like Shopify. If you use Stripe as your payment gateway, Stripe Link is a good alternative: It saves customer payment details for fast, one-click checkout, similar to how Shop Pay works on Shopify.

Boost your conversion rate with a WooCommerce Shopify checkout

A fast and hassle-free checkout remains a major priority for ecommerce business owners. WooCommerce is popular, cost-effective, and feature-rich, but the default checkout can be slow and leaves a lot to be desired. Fortunately, you can improve this by creating a WooCommerce Shopify checkout.

Picking between the two plugins comes down to how your store operates. It also depends on how few clicks you want between browsing and paying:

• WooCommerce Fast Cart: It eliminates the need to go to a separate checkout page by opening an on-page popup cart.
• CheckoutWC: It replaces the default WooCommerce checkout with a more user-friendly two-column, Shopify-style checkout.

Both plugins deliver a fast and optimized checkout experience similar to Shopify. But Fast Cart does it a step further with the faster same-page popup approach.

Ready to create a WooCommerce Shopify checkout today? Pick the plugin that matches your store: WooCommerce Fast Cart for the popup approach, or CheckoutWC for a multi-step Shopify layout.