Compare · Shops, online stores and POS
SME AI Office vs WooCommerce
WooCommerce is free, open-source store software for WordPress that you host yourself; SME AI Office is a ready-made Singapore shop website, POS, stock and back office, with a free plan.
Prices checked 30 September 2026
The short answer
Choose WooCommerce if you already run a WordPress site, want open-source code that a developer can change freely, and are happy to pick and look after your own hosting and extensions. WooCommerce puts hosting at about US$25 to US$350 a month for most stores.
Choose SME AI Office if you want a shop that works the day you sign up, with nothing to host or update, a POS, one stock count, accounting and a free PayNow QR. It is free, with a 0.5% fee only on card and automatic PayNow payments, against at least US$300 a year of hosting at WooCommerce's lowest quoted figure.
Side by side
| SME AI Office | WooCommerce | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free. A small 0.5% platform fee, only on card and automatic PayNow paymentsYour own PayNow QR and cash: no fee | Free plugin; hosting about US$25–350 a month, extensions US$29–299 a year eachRanges as given on woocommerce.com/pricing |
| Free plan | Yes, for good. Website, shop, POS and stock, no card, no cap on sales; a small smeaio.com mark | Free, open-source software; you pay for hosting and any paid extensions |
| Hosting and updates | Nothing to install or host; your site is live at smeaio.com/s/yourname | Runs on WordPress, on hosting you choose and look after |
| Card payments | Through your own Stripe account: Stripe's fee plus 0.5% on Free, 0% on Pro 365 | WooPayments works in Singapore; about 2.50–2.90% + 30¢ per transactionFee as quoted on woocommerce.com/pricing; country rates differ |
| PayNow | Free PayNow QR for the exact amount on every order, straight to your bank, on every plan | Through a payment extension you choose and set up |
| POS at the counter | POS included free in the browser: barcode scanner, cash, PayNow QR, card on your own terminal | In-person payments and POS available in Singapore through WooPayments |
| Changing it | Pages you tick, rename and order; work built for you through Done for you | Open-source code you or a developer can change, plus an extensions marketplace |
Which one fits
SME AI Office fits when
- You want a shop that works on day one, with no hosting, plugins or updates to look after.
- You sell at a counter in Singapore and want the POS and website on one stock count.
- You want every sale in your accounting and a free PayNow QR on every order.
WooCommerce fits when
- You already run a WordPress site and want the shop inside it.
- You want open-source code and a developer free to change anything.
- You want to pick your own host, theme and extensions.
Free. A small 0.5% platform fee, only on card and automatic PayNow payments.
Questions
Is SME AI Office cheaper than WooCommerce in Singapore?
Usually, yes. WooCommerce itself is free, but you pay for hosting, which WooCommerce puts at about US$25 to US$350 a month for most stores, plus US$29 to US$299 a year for each paid extension. SME AI Office is free with hosting, the shop, POS and stock included; a small 0.5% fee applies only to card and automatic PayNow payments.
What is a simpler alternative to WooCommerce in Singapore?
SME AI Office is a ready-made shop for Singapore: sign up and your website and online shop are live at smeaio.com/s/yourname, with a POS for the counter, one stock count and accounting. There is nothing to install, host or update, and it is free to start with no cap on sales.
Does SME AI Office accept PayNow like WooCommerce?
Every SME AI Office order carries a free PayNow QR for the exact amount, paid straight to your bank, on every plan, with nothing to install. On WooCommerce, payment methods come from the extension you choose; WooPayments handles cards and works in Singapore.
Can I use WooCommerce POS in Singapore?
Yes. WooCommerce says in-person payments and point of sale through WooPayments are live in Singapore. SME AI Office also includes a POS on its Free plan: it runs in the browser, works with a barcode scanner, and records cash, a PayNow QR or card on your own terminal.
Can I move from WooCommerce to SME AI Office?
Yes. Send us the link to your WooCommerce store, or a product spreadsheet exported from it, and we copy your products, prices and photos across and set up your website free, on any plan. Your WooCommerce site stays up until you are happy. WhatsApp us on +65 9613 7676 and we help you move it over.
What does WooCommerce do that SME AI Office does not?
WooCommerce is open source, so a developer can change anything, and it has an extensions marketplace and the whole WordPress world of themes. SME AI Office uses set website looks, has no plugins or app store and no courier integration; work built around one business is Done for you.
WooCommerce facts are from woocommerce.com/pricing, woocommerce.com/singapore, WooCommerce: in-person payments and POS in 13 new countries, checked on 30 September 2026. Prices are as shown there. WooCommerce is a trademark of WooCommerce, Inc.. SME AI Office is not connected with WooCommerce.