---
title: "Custom Order Status: Free vs Pro Versions Compared"
description: "Free vs Pro for Additional Custom Order Status for WooCommerce: the full toolkit is free; Pro adds automated emails."
url: "https://wpfactory.com/docs/difference-between-pro-and-free-version/"
updated: "2026-09-26"
category: Pro Features
---

# Custom Order Status: Free vs Pro Versions Compared

## Difference between the free and Pro versions

[Additional Custom Order Status for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/item/order-status-for-woocommerce/) gives you a full custom order status toolkit for free. The Pro version adds one thing: automated emails when an order changes status. This article shows exactly what is in each version, verified against the plugin.

### Feature comparison

| Feature | Free | Pro |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Create custom order statuses | Yes | Yes |
| Number of statuses | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Text and background color styling | Yes | Yes |
| Add statuses to bulk actions | Yes | Yes |
| Include statuses in reports | Yes | Yes |
| Order list and preview action buttons (with icons) | Yes | Yes |
| Order options (editable, paid, valid for payment, date paid, downloads) | Yes | Yes |
| Status sorting (edit dropdown, list, preview, bulk) | Yes | Yes |
| Override default WooCommerce statuses | Yes | Yes |
| Delete status with fallback | Yes | Yes |
| **Automated emails on status change** | No | **Yes** |

**Note:** Custom Order Status does not send SMS messages. The only feature reserved for Pro is the per-status email on status change.

### Which version do you need?

- Choose the **free** version if you want to create, style, sort, and control custom statuses, including action buttons and order behavior.
- Choose **Pro** if you also want each status to email the customer, your team, or both, when an order reaches it.

### Ready to add emails?

Everything except status emails is free. Upgrading to [Custom Order Status](https://wpfactory.com/item/order-status-for-woocommerce/) Pro takes a couple of minutes. [Get Custom Order Status Pro](https://wpfactory.com/item/order-status-for-woocommerce/).

Related articles

- [Configuring Custom Order Status Emails](https://wpfactory.com/docs/email-and-sms-configures/)
- [Custom Order Status Email Placeholders Reference](https://wpfactory.com/docs/woocommerce-order-status-email-placeholders/)
- [Deleting a Custom Order Status Safely](https://wpfactory.com/docs/woocommerce-delete-order-status-fallback/)
- [Send WooCommerce Emails on Custom Order Status Change](https://wpfactory.com/docs/proactive-email-setup/)
- [WooCommerce Custom Order Status Behavior Settings](https://wpfactory.com/docs/configure-order-statuses/)