Shopify Pricing & Plans 2024: Complete Cost Breakdown & Comparison | Global Ecommerce

Shopify Pricing Overview

Shopify offers transparent, scalable pricing designed to grow with your business. Whether you’re just starting out or running an established ecommerce operation, there’s a plan that fits your needs and budget. Understanding Shopify’s pricing structure helps you make an informed decision and budget accurately for your online store.

Quick Pricing Summary

💰

Basic Plan

$39/month
Perfect for new stores and solo entrepreneurs starting their ecommerce journey.

📈

Shopify Plan

$105/month
Ideal for growing businesses with multiple staff members and professional reporting needs.

🚀

Advanced Plan

$399/month
Built for scaling businesses with high volume sales and advanced requirements.

Shopify Plus

From $2,300/month
Enterprise solution for large-scale operations and high-growth brands.

💡 What’s Included in Every Plan

All Shopify plans include essential features that would otherwise cost hundreds of dollars separately:

  • Secure web hosting with 99.99% uptime
  • Free SSL certificate for secure transactions
  • Unlimited products and bandwidth
  • 24/7 customer support via chat, email, and phone
  • Mobile-optimized online store
  • Sales channels (online store, social media, marketplaces)
  • Abandoned cart recovery
  • Discount codes and gift cards
  • Point of Sale (POS) capability
  • Manual order creation

All Shopify Plans Explained

Shopify offers four main pricing tiers, each designed for different business stages and requirements. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what each plan offers and who it’s best suited for.

Basic
$39/month
Everything you need to start selling online
  • Unlimited products
  • 2 staff accounts
  • Up to 4 locations
  • 24/7 support
  • Online store + blog
  • Sales channels
  • Manual order creation
  • Discount codes
  • Free SSL certificate
  • Abandoned cart recovery
  • Professional reports
  • Advanced reports
Learn More
Advanced
$399/month
Advanced features for scaling businesses
  • All Shopify features
  • 15 staff accounts
  • Up to 8 locations
  • Advanced report builder
  • Lowest transaction fees
  • Third-party calculated shipping
  • Custom reports
  • Advanced analytics
  • Best shipping discounts
  • Priority support
Learn More

Basic Plan – $39/month

The Basic plan is Shopify’s entry-level offering, designed for entrepreneurs and small businesses just starting their ecommerce journey. Despite being the most affordable option, it includes all essential features needed to launch and run a successful online store.

Who Should Choose the Basic Plan?

  • New Entrepreneurs: First-time store owners testing their business idea
  • Solo Sellers: Individual entrepreneurs managing everything themselves
  • Side Hustles: Part-time businesses with limited budgets
  • Low-Volume Stores: Businesses expecting fewer than 100 orders per month initially
  • Budget-Conscious Startups: Those wanting to minimize monthly expenses while building their business

Complete Feature List

✅ What’s Included

  • Unlimited Products: Add as many products as you want with no restrictions
  • 2 Staff Accounts: You plus one team member can access the admin
  • 4 Inventory Locations: Manage stock across multiple warehouses or stores
  • Online Store: Professional storefront with customizable themes
  • Blog Functionality: Built-in blogging for content marketing
  • Sales Channels: Sell on Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, and more
  • 24/7 Support: Live chat, email, and phone support anytime
  • POS Lite: Sell in person with basic point-of-sale features
  • Discount Codes: Create promotional codes for customers
  • Manual Order Creation: Process phone/email orders manually
  • Abandoned Cart Recovery: Automatically email customers who leave items in cart
  • Basic Reports: Track sales, traffic, and basic analytics
  • Free SSL Certificate: Secure checkout with HTTPS encryption
  • Fraud Analysis: Built-in tools to identify risky orders
  • Marketing Automation: Send automated emails to customers

Transaction Fees & Processing Costs

Payment Method Fee
Shopify Payments (Online) 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction
Shopify Payments (In-Person) 2.7% per transaction
Third-Party Payment Gateway 2% additional fee + gateway’s own fees

💰 Monthly Cost Example

Scenario: Online store doing $5,000 in monthly sales using Shopify Payments

Monthly Subscription: $39

Payment Processing (2.9% + 30¢): ~$164

Total Monthly Cost: ~$203

Effective Cost: 4.06% of revenue

Limitations to Consider

  • Staff Accounts: Limited to 2 accounts (suitable for solo or two-person teams only)
  • No Professional Reports: Cannot access detailed sales analytics and custom reports
  • Higher Transaction Fees: Pay more per transaction compared to higher plans
  • Limited Gift Cards: Cannot create custom gift cards (available on higher plans)
  • Basic Shipping Discounts: Lower shipping rate discounts compared to other plans

✅ When to Upgrade from Basic

Consider upgrading to the Shopify plan when:

  • You need more than 2 staff accounts
  • Monthly sales consistently exceed $5,000 (lower transaction fees offset higher subscription)
  • You want professional reports for data-driven decisions
  • You need to offer gift cards to customers
  • International selling becomes a significant part of your business

Shopify Plan – $105/month

The Shopify plan (often called the “Standard” plan) is the most popular choice among Shopify merchants. It strikes the perfect balance between features and affordability, making it ideal for growing businesses ready to scale their operations.

Who Should Choose the Shopify Plan?

  • Growing Businesses: Stores with consistent monthly sales of $5,000-$20,000
  • Small Teams: Businesses with 3-5 team members needing admin access
  • Data-Driven Merchants: Those who rely on detailed analytics for decision-making
  • International Sellers: Businesses expanding to global markets
  • Professional Operations: Merchants wanting advanced features and lower fees

Key Advantages Over Basic Plan

👥

5 Staff Accounts

Accommodate a growing team with more admin access for employees managing different aspects of your business.

📊

Professional Reports

Access detailed sales, customer, inventory, and financial reports to make informed business decisions.

💳

Lower Transaction Fees

Save 0.2% on every transaction with Shopify Payments (2.7% + 30¢ vs 2.9% + 30¢).

🎁

Gift Cards

Create and sell custom gift cards to increase revenue and attract new customers.

Professional Reports Included

One of the most valuable features of the Shopify plan is access to professional reports:

  • Sales Reports: Track sales by product, channel, location, and time period
  • Customer Reports: Understand customer behavior, lifetime value, and purchase patterns
  • Inventory Reports: Monitor stock levels, best sellers, and reorder points
  • Financial Reports: Analyze profit margins, taxes collected, and payment breakdowns
  • Marketing Reports: Measure campaign effectiveness and ROI
  • Behavior Reports: Understand how visitors navigate your store

Transaction Fees & Processing Costs

Payment Method Fee Savings vs Basic
Shopify Payments (Online) 2.7% + 30¢ 0.2% lower
Shopify Payments (In-Person) 2.5% 0.2% lower
Third-Party Gateway 1% additional fee 1% lower than Basic

💰 Cost-Benefit Analysis

Scenario: $10,000 in monthly sales

Basic Plan Total Cost:

Subscription: $39
Processing (2.9% + 30¢): ~$319
Total: $358/month

Shopify Plan Total Cost:

Subscription: $105
Processing (2.7% + 30¢): ~$299
Total: $404/month

Additional Investment: $46/month for professional reports, more staff accounts, and better features

International Selling Features

The Shopify plan unlocks powerful international commerce capabilities:

  • International Pricing: Set different prices for different countries
  • Multiple Currencies: Display prices in customer’s local currency
  • International Domains: Create region-specific domains (e.g., yourstore.co.uk)
  • Currency Conversion: Automatic conversion at checkout
  • Tax Management: Handle complex international tax requirements

✅ Why Shopify Plan is Most Popular

The Shopify plan represents the sweet spot for most businesses:

  • Professional features without enterprise pricing
  • Transaction fee savings offset the higher monthly cost at moderate sales volumes
  • Professional reports provide insights to grow faster
  • Accommodates small teams without paying for unused accounts
  • Gift cards boost customer retention and acquisition
  • International features enable global expansion

Additional Features

  • Shopify POS Pro: Advanced point-of-sale features for retail locations
  • Better Shipping Rates: Up to 88% off carrier rates (vs 77% on Basic)
  • 5 Store Locations: Manage inventory across more locations
  • Priority Support: Faster response times from support team

⚠️ When to Consider Advanced Plan Instead

Upgrade to Advanced if:

  • Monthly sales consistently exceed $20,000
  • You need custom report building capabilities
  • Your team requires more than 5 staff accounts
  • You need third-party calculated shipping rates
  • Transaction fee savings justify the higher cost ($399/month)

Advanced Plan – $399/month

The Advanced plan is Shopify’s premium offering for established businesses with high sales volumes and sophisticated requirements. It provides the lowest transaction fees, advanced reporting capabilities, and features designed for scaling operations.

Who Should Choose the Advanced Plan?

  • High-Volume Sellers: Businesses doing $20,000+ in monthly sales
  • Larger Teams: Companies with 6-15 employees needing admin access
  • Multi-Location Businesses: Retailers with multiple physical locations or warehouses
  • Data-Intensive Operations: Businesses requiring custom analytics and advanced reporting
  • Complex Shipping Needs: Companies needing third-party calculated shipping rates

Premium Features

📈

Advanced Report Builder

Create custom reports with any data points you need. Build sophisticated analytics dashboards tailored to your business.

💰

Lowest Transaction Fees

Save an additional 0.2% on every transaction (2.5% + 30¢), adding up to significant savings at high volumes.

📦

Third-Party Calculated Shipping

Show real-time shipping rates from carriers at checkout, improving accuracy and customer trust.

👥

15 Staff Accounts

Support larger teams with granular permission controls for different roles.

Advanced Report Builder Capabilities

Unlike the pre-built professional reports on the Shopify plan, the Advanced plan lets you create custom reports:

  • Custom Metrics: Define your own KPIs and data points
  • Advanced Filtering: Segment data by multiple parameters
  • Data Visualization: Create charts, graphs, and visual representations
  • Export Options: Download data in various formats for external analysis
  • Scheduled Reports: Automatically generate and email reports
  • Cross-Analysis: Compare multiple data sets simultaneously

Transaction Fee Comparison

Payment Method Advanced Shopify Basic
Shopify Payments (Online) 2.5% + 30¢ 2.7% + 30¢ 2.9% + 30¢
Shopify Payments (In-Person) 2.4% 2.5% 2.7%
Third-Party Gateway 0.5% additional 1% additional 2% additional

💰 ROI Calculation Example

Scenario: $50,000 in monthly sales

Shopify Plan Costs:

Subscription: $105
Processing (2.7% + 30¢): ~$1,379
Total: $1,484/month

Advanced Plan Costs:

Subscription: $399
Processing (2.5% + 30¢): ~$1,279
Total: $1,678/month

Additional Investment: $194/month for advanced features

Processing Savings: $100/month in lower transaction fees

Net Additional Cost: $94/month for premium features

Third-Party Calculated Shipping Rates

This Advanced-exclusive feature provides significant benefits:

  • Real-Time Carrier Rates: Display exact shipping costs from USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL at checkout
  • Accuracy: Customers see precise shipping costs based on their address and package details
  • Transparency: Build trust by showing actual carrier rates
  • Reduced Errors: Eliminate under or overcharging for shipping
  • Multiple Options: Let customers choose between shipping speeds and carriers

Additional Advanced Features

  • 8 Inventory Locations: Manage stock across more warehouses or stores
  • Best Shipping Discounts: Up to 88% off carrier rates
  • Priority Support: Fastest response times and dedicated assistance
  • Advanced Fraud Analysis: More sophisticated tools to protect against fraud
  • Custom Checkout Scripts: (with Shopify Plus features in some regions)

✅ Break-Even Analysis

The Advanced plan becomes cost-effective when:

  • Sales Volume: Typically around $25,000-$30,000/month in sales
  • Team Size: When you need 6+ staff accounts
  • Reporting Needs: When standard reports aren’t sufficient for decision-making
  • Shipping Complexity: When accurate real-time shipping rates are essential
  • Growth Stage: When scaling operations justify premium tools

⚠️ Consider Shopify Plus If…

The Advanced plan might not be enough if you:

  • Process more than $1 million annually
  • Need extensive custom development and integrations
  • Require wholesale B2B functionality
  • Want to launch multiple stores under one account
  • Need dedicated account management and support

Shopify Plus – Enterprise Solution

Shopify Plus is the enterprise-level ecommerce platform designed for high-volume merchants and rapidly growing brands. Starting at $2,300 per month with custom pricing based on revenue, it offers unlimited customization, dedicated support, and advanced features not available on standard plans.

Who Needs Shopify Plus?

  • High-Volume Businesses: Companies processing $1M+ annually
  • Enterprise Brands: Large corporations with complex requirements
  • Rapid Growth Companies: Businesses experiencing explosive growth
  • Multi-Brand Operations: Companies managing multiple storefronts
  • B2B + B2C Sellers: Businesses serving both wholesale and retail customers

Exclusive Plus Features

🎨

Unlimited Customization

Complete control over your store’s code, checkout, and customer experience with advanced API access.

🤝

Dedicated Support

Launch engineer, merchant success manager, and priority 24/7 support from Plus specialists.

🏪

Multiple Stores

Manage up to 10 stores from one account, perfect for different brands or international markets.

Advanced Automation

Shopify Flow for complex workflow automation and Launchpad for scheduled sales events.

Pricing Structure

Starting Cost: $2,300/month minimum

Pricing Model: Custom pricing based on revenue tiers

  • Flat monthly fee for stores under certain revenue thresholds
  • Revenue-based pricing for high-volume merchants
  • Negotiable terms for enterprise contracts
  • Transaction fees negotiable (often lower than Advanced plan)

💡 Plus ROI Considerations

While Plus is significantly more expensive, it delivers value through:

  • Lower Transaction Fees: Negotiated rates can save thousands monthly at high volumes
  • Increased Conversion: Checkout customization can boost conversion rates 10-30%
  • Operational Efficiency: Automation saves hours of manual work daily
  • Scalability: Handle flash sales and traffic spikes without performance issues
  • Multi-Store Efficiency: Manage multiple brands without multiple subscriptions

Notable Shopify Plus Customers

Shopify Plus powers some of the world’s most successful ecommerce brands:

  • Gymshark – Fitness apparel brand
  • Allbirds – Sustainable footwear company
  • Kylie Cosmetics – Beauty brand
  • Fashion Nova – Fast fashion retailer
  • Rebecca Minkoff – Luxury fashion brand

Complete Plan Comparison

This comprehensive comparison table helps you see all plan differences at a glance:

Feature Basic Shopify Advanced Plus
Monthly Price $39 $105 $399 $2,300+
Online Card Rate 2.9% + 30¢ 2.7% + 30¢ 2.5% + 30¢ Custom
In-Person Card Rate 2.7% 2.5% 2.4% Custom
Staff Accounts 2 5 15 Unlimited
Inventory Locations Up to 4 Up to 5 Up to 8 Unlimited
Products Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
24/7 Support Priority
Online Store
Sales Channels
Abandoned Cart Recovery
Discount Codes
Gift Cards
Professional Reports
Advanced Reports
Third-Party Calculated Shipping
International Pricing
Shopify Flow
Launchpad
Wholesale Channel
Dedicated Support

Transaction Fees & Payment Processing

Understanding transaction fees is crucial for accurate cost projections. Shopify’s fees vary based on your plan and chosen payment processor.

Shopify Payments (Recommended)

Shopify Payments is the built-in payment processor that offers the best rates and integration:

Transaction Type Basic Shopify Advanced
Online Credit Card 2.9% + 30¢ 2.7% + 30¢ 2.5% + 30¢
In-Person Credit Card 2.7% 2.5% 2.4%

Third-Party Payment Gateways

If you use PayPal, Stripe, or another payment gateway instead of Shopify Payments, you’ll pay additional transaction fees:

Plan Additional Transaction Fee
Basic 2.0%
Shopify 1.0%
Advanced 0.5%
Plus 0.15%

⚠️ Hidden Costs of Third-Party Gateways

When using third-party payment processors, you pay BOTH:

  • The gateway’s own processing fees (e.g., PayPal charges 2.9% + 30¢)
  • Plus Shopify’s additional transaction fee

Example on Basic Plan:
PayPal fee: 2.9% + 30¢
Shopify fee: 2.0%
Total: 4.9% + 30¢ per transaction

Cost Comparison Example

💰 Processing Fees on $100 Sale

Scenario Fee You Receive
Basic + Shopify Payments $3.20 $96.80
Shopify + Shopify Payments $3.00 $97.00
Advanced + Shopify Payments $2.80 $97.20
Basic + PayPal $5.20 $94.80

Additional Costs to Consider

Beyond the monthly subscription and transaction fees, factor these potential costs into your budget:

🌐

Domain Name

Cost: $14-20/year
Your custom domain (yourstore.com) purchased through Shopify or external registrar.

🎨

Premium Theme

Cost: $180-400 one-time
Optional premium themes for advanced design and features. Free themes available.

🔌

Apps & Plugins

Cost: $0-300+/month
Many apps are free, but premium apps for marketing, SEO, and functionality add up.

📧

Email Marketing

Cost: $10-50/month
Email marketing tools like Klaviyo or Mailchimp (some free tiers available).

📸

Product Photography

Cost: $200-2,000
Professional product photos (one-time or per product). DIY option available.

📱

Marketing & Ads

Cost: $100-5,000+/month
Facebook, Google, Instagram ads, and influencer marketing.

Estimated Total Monthly Costs

Business Stage Minimum Realistic Growth Phase
Subscription $39 $105 $399
Apps $0 $50 $150
Marketing $100 $500 $2,000
Processing Fees $150 $350 $1,500
Total/Month $289 $1,005 $4,049

How to Save Money on Shopify

Reduce your Shopify costs with these proven strategies:

1. Annual Billing Discounts

✅ Save Up to 25% with Annual Payment

Basic Plan: $39/month → $29/month (annual) = $120/year savings
Shopify Plan: $105/month → $79/month (annual) = $312/year savings
Advanced Plan: $399/month → $299/month (annual) = $1,200/year savings

2. Use Shopify Payments

Avoid additional transaction fees by using Shopify Payments instead of third-party gateways. This saves 0.5%-2% per transaction.

3. Start with Free Themes

Shopify’s free themes are professionally designed and fully functional. Save $180-400 by starting with a free theme and upgrading later if needed.

4. Carefully Select Apps

  • Start with free apps and upgrade only when necessary
  • Regularly audit and cancel unused apps
  • Look for apps with free tiers or trials
  • Many features can be achieved without expensive apps

5. DIY Product Photography

Use natural lighting and a smartphone camera to create quality product images. Invest in professional photography as you grow.

6. Optimize Marketing Spend

  • Start with organic social media and content marketing
  • Test small ad budgets before scaling
  • Focus on email marketing (high ROI, low cost)
  • Leverage influencer collaborations and partnerships

💡 Smart Budgeting Strategy

Start lean and scale up:

  • Month 1-3: Basic plan, free theme, minimal apps
  • Month 4-6: Add essential apps, test marketing
  • Month 7+: Upgrade plan as sales justify, invest in growth

Shopify Cost Calculator

Estimate Your Monthly Costs

Use this calculator to estimate your total monthly Shopify expenses based on your expected sales volume.

Estimated Monthly Costs

$404

Subscription: $105

Processing Fees: $299

Effective Cost Rate: 4.04% of revenue

Which Plan is Right for You?

Choose your Shopify plan based on your current situation and growth trajectory:

Choose Basic Plan If:

  • You’re just starting your ecommerce business
  • Monthly sales are under $5,000
  • You’re managing the store solo or with one partner
  • You want to minimize monthly expenses
  • You don’t need advanced analytics yet

Choose Shopify Plan If:

  • Monthly sales are $5,000-$20,000
  • You have a small team (3-5 people)
  • You need professional reports for decision-making
  • You’re selling internationally
  • You want to offer gift cards
  • Lower transaction fees justify the higher cost

Choose Advanced Plan If:

  • Monthly sales exceed $20,000
  • You have a larger team (6-15 people)
  • You need custom reporting and analytics
  • Real-time calculated shipping is essential
  • You manage multiple locations
  • Transaction fee savings offset the subscription cost

Choose Shopify Plus If:

  • Annual revenue exceeds $1 million
  • You need extensive customization
  • You’re managing multiple brands/stores
  • You require B2B wholesale functionality
  • You need dedicated support and account management

🎯 Decision Framework

Use this simple decision tree:

  1. Just starting? → Basic Plan
  2. Making consistent sales ($5K+/month)? → Shopify Plan
  3. High volume ($20K+/month)? → Advanced Plan
  4. Enterprise scale ($1M+/year)? → Shopify Plus

Remember: You can always start lower and upgrade as you grow. It’s better to start lean and scale up than overspend on features you don’t need yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Shopify plan later?
Yes, you can upgrade or downgrade your plan anytime. Upgrades take effect immediately, while downgrades apply at the start of your next billing cycle. There are no penalties for changing plans.
Are there any setup fees or hidden costs?
No, there are no setup fees or hidden charges. You pay only the monthly subscription, transaction fees, and any optional add-ons (apps, premium themes) you choose. All pricing is transparent and displayed upfront.
Is the free trial really free?
Yes, Shopify offers a 3-day free trial with no credit card required. You get full access to all features during the trial. After the trial, many merchants can access an extended trial at $1/month for the first three months.
Do I save money with annual billing?
Yes, significant savings are available. Annual billing saves 10% on Basic plan, 25% on Shopify plan, and 25% on Advanced plan compared to monthly billing. Two-year contracts offer even deeper discounts.
What payment methods can I accept?
Shopify supports all major credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay, and over 100 payment gateways worldwide. The exact options depend on your location.
Are transaction fees charged on refunds?
No, when you refund an order, Shopify returns the transaction fee. However, the payment processor (like Shopify Payments) typically keeps their processing fee, though some processors refund it.
Can I use my own payment gateway?
Yes, you can use any of Shopify’s 100+ supported payment gateways. However, using third-party gateways incurs additional transaction fees (0.5%-2% depending on your plan) on top of the gateway’s own fees.
What happens if I cancel my subscription?
Your store remains accessible until the end of your current billing period. After that, your store is paused and becomes inaccessible to customers. You can reactivate by resuming your subscription. Your data is preserved.
Are there volume discounts for high-sales stores?
Shopify Plus offers custom pricing for high-volume merchants. For standard plans, transaction fees decrease as you upgrade plans (2.9% → 2.7% → 2.5%), which provides effective volume discounts.
Do I need to pay for SSL certificates?
No, all Shopify plans include free SSL certificates for both your primary domain and any additional domains. This ensures secure transactions and is included in your subscription at no extra cost.
How much do apps typically cost?
App costs vary widely. Many apps are free, while premium apps range from $5-100+/month. Most successful stores spend $50-200/month on apps. Start with free apps and upgrade as needed.
Is Shopify worth the cost for beginners?
Yes, Shopify offers excellent value for beginners. The all-in-one platform eliminates the need for separate hosting, security, and technical infrastructure. When compared to building a custom solution, Shopify is significantly more cost-effective.

Ready to Choose Your Perfect Shopify Plan?

Start with a free trial to test all features before committing. You can always upgrade or downgrade as your business grows. Most merchants find their ideal plan within the first 3 months of operation.

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