Shopify and WooCommerce are two of the biggest names in ecommerce. Each offers distinct strengths depending on your technical needs and business model. But when it comes to payment processing, especially for high-risk merchants, neither platform is equipped to support the real needs of modern merchants operating in regulated or complex industries.
At Corepay, we work with merchants across the US, UK, and EU to provide secure, scalable payment solutions that plug directly into both Shopify and WooCommerce. If you’re trying to grow, protect your business, and stay compliant, this guide breaks down where each platform starts to fall short and how we fill the gap at Corepay.
Corepay Supports Woocommerce & Shopify Merchants
At Corepay, we work with high-risk merchants on both Woocommerce & Shopify. Our integration is seamless and we can get you up and running swiftly.
Shopify Payment Processing Overview
Shopify makes it easy to get started. Their built-in gateway, Shopify Payments, is powered by Stripe. For low-risk businesses, it’s fast and convenient. However, businesses in regulated categories like supplements, telemedicine, adult, or CBD are blocked from using Shopify Payments and are often denied service altogether.
*Looking to sell CBD on Shopify? Learn more here.
Pros:
- Built-in payments powered by Stripe
- Simple onboarding for low-risk merchants
- Accepts all major credit cards and wallets like Apple Pay
Cons:
- No support for high-risk verticals
- Controlled by Stripe’s internal risk policies
- High fees when using third-party processors
- Limited options to customize checkout or integrate external gateways
WooCommerce Payment Processing Overview
WooCommerce is more flexible by design. As an open-source plugin for WordPress, it gives merchants full control over how they run their store, including which gateway they use. But while WooCommerce offers more freedom, it still leans on mainstream processors that do not allow high-risk transactions.
Pros:
- Total control over gateway and checkout configuration
- No additional platform fees
- Supports subscriptions, invoicing, and unique billing models
Cons:
- Not built to support high-risk processing out of the box
- Complexity increases with third-party tools and hosting responsibilities
- Stripe, PayPal, and most default plugins restrict high-risk categories
- Ongoing security and PCI compliance are the merchant’s responsibility
Comparison Table: Shopify vs WooCommerce Payments
| Feature | Shopify Payments | WooCommerce Payments |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Complexity | Low | Medium to High |
| Customization | Limited | Extensive |
| Built-in Gateway | Yes (Stripe) | Yes (Stripe via WooPayments) |
| Support for High-Risk | No | No |
| Fees (Domestic) | 2.9% + $0.30 | 2.9% + $0.30 |
| Fees (International) | ~3.9% + $0.30 | 3.9% + $0.30 (+FX fees may apply) |
| Third-Party Gateway Support | Limited (Corepay integrates | Full |
| Best For | Low-risk, fast setup | Developers, custom needs |
High-Risk Merchants: Why Shopify and WooCommerce Fall Short
If your business is classified as high-risk by banks or card brands, neither Shopify Payments nor WooCommerce’s default gateway options will work. Both Shopify and WooCommerce rely heavily on Stripe and PayPal. These processors enforce strict prohibited lists and routinely shut down high-risk accounts without warning.
This includes merchants in:
- Nutraceuticals and supplements
- Compounded telemedicine and prescription delivery
- Adult content and toys
- Coaching, webinars, and continuity offers
- CBD, vape, and other regulated product categories
Whether you’re in one of these verticals or planning to expand into them, using Shopify or WooCommerce without a high-risk processor puts your store at serious risk of account closure, lost revenue, and damaged reputation.
Where Corepay Comes In
Corepay is built for high-risk merchants. We understand your model, your regulatory hurdles, and the approval process required to keep you online and compliant. Our team works directly with acquiring banks that support regulated verticals and provides the infrastructure to plug into both Shopify and WooCommerce.
Through our proprietary gateway, Netvalve, Corepay offers:
- Seamless plugin support for Shopify and WooCommerce
- Gateway redundancy and advanced transaction routing
- Built-in fraud tools and chargeback mitigation
- Fast onboarding with industry-specific underwriting
- Full vaulting and tokenization for recurring billing
- Payment orchestration
We take care of everything in-house, from compliance review to gateway setup. You get full control of your checkout without risking a shutdown from Stripe, PayPal, or other traditional providers.
High-Risk Payment Integration Table
| Platform | Default Gateway | High-Risk Support (Third Party) | Corepay Compatibility |
| Shopify | Stripe | No | Yes |
| WooCommerce | Stripe | No | Yes |
Final Thoughts
Shopify is a strong option for quick, low-risk ecommerce launches. WooCommerce gives developers and power users the customization they need. But when you operate in a high-risk space, neither platform can support your payments on its own.
Corepay is your reliable partner for high-risk ecommerce. Whether you’re already live on Shopify or WooCommerce or just getting started, we’ll help you stay online, get approved, and scale with peace of mind.
Looking to integrate Shopify or WooCommerce with high-risk payment processing? Reach out to Corepay today.
