Shopify Costs – Fees, Plans, Apps & Other Pricing

When choosing Shopify as your ecommerce platform, understanding its pricing structure is cimportant for making informed decisions about your online business. This guide breaks down the Shopify pricing plans comprehensively, answering the question ‘how much does Shopify cost’ by covering all costs, features, and additional charges. By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped to choose the best Shopify plan and get started with your online business.

Overview of Shopify Pricing Plans

Shopify offers a variety of pricing plans to cater to different business sizes and needs. How much is Shopify per month? The plans range from $5 to $399 per month, providing flexibility for both startups and established enterprises to find a suitable option.

Shopify Pricing Table (TL;DR Version)

Below is a detailed comparison of Shopify’s pricing options, highlighting the key features and costs associated with each plan:

PlanMonthly CostTransaction FeesShipping DiscountsStaff AccountsFeatures
Shopify Starter Plan$52.9% + 30¢/transactionNoneN/ASell on social media, basic analytics, limited support
Basic Shopify Plan$392.9% + 30¢/transactionUp to 77%2Online store, free SSL, manual order creation, access to Shopify App Store
Shopify Plan$1052.6% + 30¢/transactionUp to 88%5Custom reports, advanced tools, lower transaction fees, professional reports
Advanced Shopify Plan$3992.4% + 30¢/transactionUp to 88%15Advanced reports, import taxes, lowest transaction fees, custom reports
Shopify Plus (Enterprise)$2,000+Varies by contractCustomUnlimitedEnterprise-level features, dedicated support, advanced customization
Shopify pricing plans and costs

1. Shopify Starter Plan: The Basics

The Shopify Starter Plan is an entry-level option designed for individuals or businesses looking to start selling online without the need for a full-fledged ecommerce website. Priced at just $5 per month, this plan is perfect for those who want to integrate Shopify Payments with their existing website or social media profiles, allowing them to accept payments easily.

Price: $5/month

Features:

  • Sell online through social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, or integrate Shopify with an existing website.
  • Basic analytics to track sales performance and customer engagement.
  • Easy setup without the need for a full ecommerce website builder.
  • Access to basic support, sufficient for small-scale operations.

Who Should Use It:

  • The Shopify Starter Plan is ideal for influencers, artists, and small-scale sellers who want to monetize their online presence without significant overhead. It’s also a great option for those testing the waters before committing to a more comprehensive plan.

Limitations:

  • Lacks the advanced ecommerce features available in higher-tier plans.
  • Limited support options compared to other plans.
  • No access to a full Shopify store, which means you’re limited to selling through existing channels or social media.

Overall, the Shopify Starter Plan is an affordable way to begin selling online, making it an excellent choice for those who want to get started with minimal investment.

2. Basic Shopify Plan: Comprehensive Features for Small Businesses

The Basic Shopify Plan, often referred to as the basic plan, is the most affordable full-fledged ecommerce plan offered by Shopify, priced at $39 per month. This plan provides everything a small business needs to set up and manage an online store, making it an ideal choice for startups and small ecommerce businesses looking to establish an online presence.

Price: $39/month

Key Features:

  • Online store with unlimited product listings and a fully functional ecommerce website.
  • Access to the Shopify App Store, where you can install various Shopify Apps to enhance your store’s functionality. Popular apps include tools for inventory management, customer support, and marketing automation.
  • Free SSL certificate included, ensuring your store is secure and trusted by customers.
  • Support for up to 2 staff accounts, allowing you to delegate tasks within your Shopify admin.
  • 77% shipping discounts with major carriers like USPS, UPS, and DHL, helping reduce fulfillment costs.
  • Shopify Payments integration with transaction fees of 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction, which can be reduced by upgrading to higher-tier plans.

Who Should Use It:

  • The Basic Shopify Plan is perfect for small businesses that need a comprehensive ecommerce solution without the complexity and cost of higher-tier plans. It’s ideal for businesses just starting online or those transitioning from other platforms.
  • Additional Considerations:
  • While the Basic Shopify Plan offers a robust set of features, businesses that require advanced reporting or more extensive customization might find it limiting. However, it’s an excellent starting point for most small businesses and provides room for growth.

The Basic Shopify Plan provides a solid foundation for small businesses looking to establish and grow their online store. With essential features and tools, this plan is a cost-effective option for businesses aiming to scale their operations over time.

3. Shopify Plan: Advanced Features for Growing Businesses

The Shopify Plan is the most popular choice among businesses that have outgrown the Basic Shopify Plan and need more advanced features to manage and scale their operations. Many businesses often ask, how much does Shopify cost? Priced at $105 per month, this plan offers a balanced mix of affordability and functionality, making it ideal for growing ecommerce businesses.

Price: $105/month

Key Features:

  • Includes all features from the Basic Shopify Plan, plus additional advanced tools such as custom reports that provide deeper insights into business performance.
  • Lower transaction fees of 2.6% + 30¢ per transaction when using Shopify Payments, which can result in significant savings for high-volume businesses.
  • Support for up to 5 staff accounts, allowing more team members to access and manage the store.
  • Professional reports that offer detailed analytics on sales, customer behavior, and marketing performance, helping businesses make data-driven decisions.
  • Enhanced customer support, including access to priority support channels, ensuring that issues are resolved quickly and efficiently.
  • Up to 88% shipping discounts with major carriers, further reducing order fulfillment costs.

Who Should Use It:

  • The Shopify Plan is ideal for businesses experiencing growth and needing more robust tools to manage increasing sales and customer demands. It’s also suitable for businesses that require more sophisticated reporting and analytics to optimize their operations.

Additional Considerations:

  • This plan is a significant step up from the Basic Shopify Plan in terms of cost and features. However, the investment is justified for businesses that require more advanced capabilities and support.

The Shopify Plan strikes an excellent balance between cost and functionality, providing growing businesses with the tools they need to scale effectively while maintaining control over their operations.

4. Advanced Shopify Plan: Comprehensive Solutions for Large Businesses

The Advanced Shopify Plan, also known as Shopify Advanced, is designed for large ecommerce businesses with complex needs and high sales volumes. Priced at $399 per month, this plan offers the most comprehensive set of tools available in the standard Shopify plans, making it ideal for businesses that require advanced features and the lowest possible transaction fees.

Price: $399/month

Key Features:

  • All features included in the Shopify Plan, plus advanced reporting tools that allow businesses to create custom reports tailored to their specific needs.
  • The lowest transaction fees of 2.4% + 30¢ per transaction with Shopify Payments, which can result in substantial savings for businesses processing a large number of transactions.
  • Support for up to 15 staff accounts, making it easier to manage large teams and delegate tasks efficiently.
  • Advanced shipping features, including the ability to calculate import taxes and duties automatically for international orders, simplifying global sales.
  • Priority customer support, ensuring that any issues are addressed quickly and effectively, minimizing downtime.
  • The ability to handle complex inventory management and analytics, making it ideal for businesses with large product catalogs and intricate operational needs.

Who Should Use It:

  • The Advanced Shopify Plan is perfect for large businesses that require comprehensive tools to manage their operations at scale. It’s particularly well-suited for businesses with significant online sales, international shipping needs, and a large workforce.
  • Additional Considerations:
  • While this plan offers the most extensive set of features available in the standard Shopify plans, it’s also the most expensive. Businesses should carefully consider whether they need all the features provided, as the Shopify Plan might be sufficient for many high-volume merchants.

The Advanced Shopify Plan provides the highest level of functionality within Shopify’s standard offerings, making it the go-to choice for large, complex ecommerce businesses that need advanced tools to manage their operations efficiently.

5. Shopify Plus: Enterprise-Level Pricing and Features

Shopify Plus is Shopify’s enterprise-level solution, offering a customizable and scalable platform designed to meet the needs of high-volume merchants. Starting at around $2,000 per month, Shopify Plus provides advanced features and dedicated support, making it the ideal choice for large enterprises and rapidly growing businesses.

Price: Starting around $2,000/month

Key Features:

  • Includes all features from the Advanced Shopify Plan, plus access to additional enterprise-level tools and support.
  • Dedicated account management with a Shopify Plus consultant who offers strategic advice and optimization tips to help your business succeed.
  • Shopify POS Pro integration for advanced point-of-sale capabilities, ideal for businesses that operate both online and offline.
  • The ability to manage multiple online marketplaces under a single account, simplifying the management of international stores and global sales channels.
  • Advanced customization options, including access to Shopify’s APIs and the ability to fully customize the checkout process, providing a tailored shopping experience.
  • Enhanced security features and compliance tools, ensuring that your store meets all necessary regulatory standards.
  • Access to the Shopify Plus Academy, a resource hub with training materials, courses, and best practices tailored to enterprise-level businesses.

Who Should Use It:

  • Shopify Plus is ideal for enterprise-level businesses that require a scalable, customizable platform capable of handling high traffic and sales volumes. It’s also suitable for businesses with complex operational needs, such as managing multiple storefronts or selling in multiple currencies.

Additional Considerations:

  • The Shopify Plus plan is a significant investment, but it offers unparalleled flexibility and support for large businesses. It’s important for enterprises to carefully assess their needs and ensure that they will fully utilize the features provided by Shopify Plus.

With Shopify Plus, businesses gain access to the most advanced tools and resources available, allowing them to scale their operations globally and meet the demands of a rapidly growing customer base.

Additional Costs: Shopify Payments and Third-Party Providers

Understanding the costs associated with Shopify fees, Shopify Payments, and third-party payment providers is crucial when selecting the right plan for your business. These fees can significantly impact your overall Shopify cost, depending on how you process payments.

  • Shopify Payments:
  • Shopify Payments is Shopify’s native payment gateway, offering the advantage of no additional transaction fees beyond the standard credit card processing rates.
  • The transaction fees vary by plan: Basic Shopify (2.9% + 30¢), Shopify Plan (2.6% + 30¢), and Advanced Shopify Plan (2.4% + 30¢).
  • This integration simplifies payment processing, allowing you to manage transactions, refunds, and payouts directly within your Shopify admin.
  • Third-Party Payment Providers:
  • If you choose to use a third-party payment provider such as PayPal or Stripe, additional transaction fees will apply, ranging from 0.5% to 2% depending on your plan.
  • While third-party providers may offer specific features or better rates for international transactions, the extra fees can increase your overall costs.

Choosing between Shopify Payments and third-party providers depends on your business needs. For most businesses, Shopify Payments is the most cost-effective option due to its seamless integration and lower fees.

Shopify Apps and Themes: Customization Costs

To fully customize and enhance your Shopify store, you may need to invest in Shopify Apps and premium themes. These add-ons provide essential functionality but can also significantly impact your Shopify costs.

Shopify Apps:

  • The Shopify App Store offers a wide range of apps that can add functionality to your store, from marketing automation tools to inventory management systems.
  • Many apps have monthly fees, ranging from a few dollars to several hundred dollars depending on the app’s complexity and features.
  • Examples of popular apps include Oberlo for dropshipping, Klaviyo for email marketing, and Yotpo for customer reviews.

Premium Themes:

  • The Shopify Theme Store offers a variety of free and premium themes, with premium themes typically costing between $140 and $180.
  • Premium themes provide more advanced design options, better mobile responsiveness, and enhanced customization features, helping your store stand out.
Premium themes on the Shopify theme store

Additional Costs:

  • Besides apps and themes, you might incur costs for custom development, particularly if you need features or integrations that aren’t available through existing apps.

While customization options can add to your overall Shopify cost, they are essential for creating a unique shopping experience that aligns with your brand and meets your customers’ needs.

Domain Registration and SSL Certificates

A custom domain and SSL certificate are critical for establishing a secure and professional ecommerce store. These elements enhance your brand’s credibility and ensure secure transactions.

Custom Domain:

  • You can purchase a custom domain through Shopify, typically costing around $14 per year.
  • A custom domain is essential for building trust with customers and establishing a professional online presence.

SSL Certificate:

  • Shopify includes a free SSL certificate with all plans, ensuring secure transactions and protecting customer data.
  • An SSL certificate is also important for SEO, as search engines prioritize secure sites.

These features are crucial for any ecommerce business, providing a seamless and secure shopping experience that builds customer trust.

Final Points

When pricing Shopify, it’s important to consider the costs associated with both the Lite and Pro versions of Shopify’s Point of Sale (POS) systems.

While Shopify itself is not free, it offers a 3-day free trial for users to create a store and explore available features.

The Basic Shopify Plan offers up to 77% shipping discount with major carriers like USPS, UPS, and DHL, helping reduce fulfillment costs.

This guide offers a comprehensive overview of each Shopify pricing plan and the associated Shopify costs. By understanding the features and limitations of each plan, you can choose the one that best suits your ecommerce business and ensure your store is set up for success.

Popular Questions

Below are some most common questions we get asked.

What is the difference between the Shopify Starter Plan and the Basic Shopify Plan?

The Shopify Starter Plan is a minimalistic option priced at $5 per month, designed for individuals who want to sell products through social media platforms or an existing website. It doesn’t include a full ecommerce website or access to many of Shopify’s advanced features. The Basic Shopify Plan, on the other hand, costs $39 per month and provides a complete online store setup, including unlimited product listings, Shopify Payments integration, and access to the Shopify App Store.

What are the transaction fees for each Shopify plan?

Transaction fees vary depending on the plan:

Shopify Starter Plan: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.
Basic Shopify Plan: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.
Shopify Plan: 2.6% + 30¢ per transaction.
Advanced Shopify Plan: 2.4% + 30¢ per transaction.
Shopify Plus: Transaction fees vary based on the custom agreement.

If you use a third-party payment provider, additional fees apply (0.5% to 2% depending on the plan).

Is Shopify Plus worth the investment for large businesses?

Shopify Plus is designed for high-volume merchants and large enterprises, offering advanced features like Shopify POS Pro, custom checkout options, and dedicated support. While the starting price is around $2,000 per month, it’s worth the investment for businesses that require a scalable and highly customizable ecommerce platform with extensive support and resources.

Can I switch between Shopify plans as my business grows?

Yes, Shopify allows you to upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time to better suit your business needs. For example, you can start with the Basic Shopify Plan and move to the Shopify Plan or Advanced Shopify Plan as your business expands. Changing plans is straightforward, and Shopify will prorate the charges accordingly.

Are there any hidden costs associated with Shopify plans?

While Shopify’s pricing is transparent, there are additional costs to consider, such as:

Shopify Apps: Many apps in the Shopify App Store come with monthly fees.
Premium Themes: If you choose a premium theme from the Shopify Theme Store, you’ll pay between $140 and $180.
Custom Domain: Purchasing a domain through Shopify typically costs around $14 per year.
Third-Party Payment Fees: If you use a payment provider other than Shopify Payments, additional transaction fees will apply.