Shopify is one of the leading eCommerce platforms in the industry.
Whether you’re just starting your online store or looking to scale your business, understanding Shopify’s pricing structure is important for making informed decisions about your eCommerce journey.
In this article, we explore the features, benefits, and pricing tiers of Shopify’s plans to help you choose the perfect fit for your business needs and budget.
How Much is Shopify?
The cost of Shopify depends on the plan. You have three main Shopify plans and two additional ones. The costs vary from $29 per month to $2000 per month.
Its flexible subscription options, which can be tailored to accommodate businesses with distinct sizes and unique needs, are what makes it so brilliant.
The Shopify plans are as follows:
- Shopify Starter,
- Basic Shopify,
- Shopify,
- Advanced Shopify,
- Shopify Plus.
Here is a detailed overview of Shopify’s pricing plans:
Shopify Starter ($5/month)
The Shopify Starter Plan offers a cost-effective solution for individuals looking to begin selling on Shopify. Users can start with a free trial, followed by a promotional rate of $1 per month for the next three months.
This plan is particularly suitable for sellers with a smaller inventory who are interested in exploring the features of Shopify.
Some of the features include:
- A quick start in just a few clicks,
- The ability to post listings on social media platforms,
- 24/7 Shopify support,
- Performance metrics,
- Order management,
- And more.
Basic Shopify ($29/month)
At a monthly fee of $29, the Basic Shopify Plan is favored by aspiring online sellers and startup businesses.
The plan provides all the necessary tools for launching a new online store, making it an affordable option for those just beginning their eCommerce journey.
Some of the features include:
- The possibility to start an online store,
- Unlimited products,
- 24/7 Shopify customer service,
- Sales channels,
- 1 public storefront,
- 10 inventory locations,
- Standard analytics,
- Manual order creation,
- Discount codes,
- Free SSL certificate,
- Gift cards,
- And more.
Shopify ($79/month)
The plan, priced at $79 per month, is tailored for businesses experiencing growth. It builds on the features of the Basic plan, adding advanced options such as professional reports and reduced credit card fees.
The options included in this plan enable businesses to streamline their operations and manage expansion more effectively.
Some of the features include:
- The possibility to start an online store,
- Unlimited products,
- 5 staff accounts,
- 24/7 Shopify customer service,
- Sales channels,
- 1 public storefront,
- 10 inventory locations,
- Standard analytics,
- Manual order creation,
- Discount codes,
- Free SSL certificate,
- Gift cards,
- And more.
Advanced Shopify ($299/month)
The Advanced Shopify Plan, priced at $299 per month, is designed for larger businesses or those handling high-volume sales.
The plan includes everything from the Standard package, as well as high-end features like an advanced report builder and third-party calculated shipping rates, allowing large-scale enterprises to operate more efficiently.
Some of the features include:
- The possibility to start an online store
- Unlimited products,
- 15 staff accounts,
- Enhanced 24/7 Shopify customer service,
- Sales channels,
- 1 public storefront,
- Up to 1,000 inventory locations,
- Custom reports and analytics,
- Manual order creation,
- Discount codes,
- Free SSL certificate,
- Gift cards,
- And more.
MORE: How do Shopify reports work?
Shopify Plus ($2000/month)
Shopify Plus gives the user the ability to scale their business and control everything from one place. Shopify Plus offers a more powerful customer connection and gives a more flexible opportunity for sellers to optimize their stores.
Some of the features include:
- The possibility to start an online store,
- Third-party system integration,
- Enhanced 24/7 Shopify support,
- Store optimization,
- Front-end to back-end optimization,
- Global expansion,
- And more.
MORE: What is Shopify Plus?
Shopify Pricing Plans – Which is Best?
The question of which Shopify plan is best for you largely depends on the individual needs and circumstances of your business.
For small businesses and entrepreneurs opening a Shopify store, Shopify Basic offers a robust toolkit of essential features.
However, as your business grows and evolves, you might find that the Shopify Standard or Advanced plans, with their additional features and functionalities, align better with your developing needs.
To aid your decision-making process, we’ve prepared a comparative analysis of every Shopify plan. This breakdown will enable you to identify the right fit for your business and check out all Shopify fees.
| Plan | Monthly Price | Best For | Key Features | Additional Staff Accounts | Inventory Locations | Custom Apps | 3rd Party Calculated Shipping Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $29 | Aspiring online sellers and startup businesses | Essential features for launching a new online store | X | 10 | Standard | X |
| Shopify | $79 | Growing businesses | Advanced features like professional reports, lower fees | 5 | 10 | API PII access + $29/yr | X |
| Advanced | $299 | High-volume sales, larger businesses | Advanced report builder, third-party shipping rates | 15 | 10 | API PII access + $29/yr | Yes |
| Shopify Plus | Custom pricing | Enterprise-level businesses | Advanced features, dedicated support, customization options | Contact Shopify for information | Contact Shopify for information | Contact Shopify for information | Yes |
MORE: How to brand your Shopify store
How Much Does Shopify Take Per Sale?
On top of the monthly subscription, Shopify charges transaction fees for every sale made through your store – unless you’re using Shopify Payments, their proprietary payment gateway.
For each transaction made by a third-party provider, the Basic Shopify plan incurs a fee of 2.9% plus 30 cents, the Standard plan incurs 2.7% and 30 cents, and the Advanced 2.5% and 30 cents.
These fees contribute to maintaining the seamless operation of your online store. Despite the influx of visitors, whether ten or a million, Shopify ensures that your site remains stable and accessible.
Do you know how to sell on Shopify? Learn from these best Shopify stores (there are 100 inspiring stores to get you started).
MORE: How many Shopify stores can I have?
What is Shopify’s Gross Merchandise Volume?
Let’s take a closer look at Shopify’s GMV statistics:
Shopify’s Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) has experienced fluctuations from Q1 2020 to Q1 2023, without a consistent growth trajectory.
In Q1 2020, the GMV was $17.4 billion, which surged to $41.1 billion by Q4 2020. Following this period of growth, the GMV experienced a decline and then increased again in the subsequent year, reaching $54.1 billion in Q4 2021.
However, in Q1 2022, the GMV dropped to approximately $43.2 billion, only to rise significantly to $61 billion in Q4 2022. In Q1 2023, the company witnessed another decline in GMV, which fell to $49.6 billion.
MORE: How to Promote Shopify Store: 14 Strategies
How to Save on Shopify
Want to keep your Shopify costs down? There are strategies to achieve that. Opting for yearly plans instead of monthly ones could offer considerable savings.
Check out the table below that demonstrates the percentage of money saved when choosing annual plans:
| SHOPIFY PRICING PLANS | SHOPIFY BASIC | SHOPIFY STANDARD | SHOPIFY ADVANCED |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify Cost Per Month | $39 | $105 | $399 |
| Shopify Cost Per Month for One Year (paid upfront) | $29 | $79 | $299 |
| Amount saved | 25% | 25% | 25% |
Using Shopify Payments helps avoid additional transaction fees. Lastly, choosing a plan that fits your needs like a glove ensures you’re not shelling out for features you don’t require.
MORE: How much does a Shopify store cost?
Shopify Discounts
Right now, you can save up to 50% in your first year when using Shopify if you buy a yearly plan. And don’t forget about the free trial, and an additional three months for only $1 per month.
Shopify Hidden Fees
Shopify’s pricing is generally transparent, but there are some costs that may not be immediately apparent, often referred to as “hidden fees.” Here are some of the potential additional costs to be aware of:
- Transaction fees,
- Credit card processing fees,
- Third-party payment gateway fees,
- App store fees,
- Theme costs,
- Domain name fee,
- Shipping costs on orders,
- Fees of additional features.
MORE: How does Shopify compare to Shopify Plus?
Takeaway Points
Shopify’s flexible pricing structure aims to accommodate businesses of all sizes, with monthly subscription fees and optional transaction charges. Strategic decisions, such as annual subscriptions or employing Shopify Payments, can help keep these costs under control.
But before you start actually setting up your store theme, it’s a good idea to come up with a great business name. Our Shopify Business Name Generator simplifies this process, allowing you to register the perfect name and launch your store seamlessly.
Despite associated costs, Shopify’s adaptable pricing and strategic options empower businesses to control expenses.
This balance of affordability and value underscores why Shopify remains a top choice, supporting businesses from inception to expansion.