Choosing the right Shopify pricing plan can be a game-changer for your business. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur just starting out or a seasoned merchant looking to scale, understanding Shopify’s pricing structure is essential to maximize your investment. A common question many have is, is Shopify free? While Shopify offers a free trial, it requires a subscription to unlock its full potential, with each plan coming with its own set of features, transaction fees, and benefits
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Shopify pricing in 2024, helping you make an informed decision. From basic setups to enterprise-level solutions, you’ll discover which plan fits your needs and how to get the most out of your subscription.
What to Expect in This Article:
- A comprehensive comparison of Shopify’s pricing plans.
- Insights into hidden costs like transaction fees and apps.
- Real-life scenarios to help you pick the perfect plan.
So, what makes this Shopify pricing plans review different?
When you search for terms like "Shopify pricing" or "Shopify store cost," you’ll likely find reviews from so-called “website builder” experts. We’ve personally used both WooCommerce and Shopify for over five years, so this review comes from an experienced perspective. As official Shopify Experts (featured in the Experts Marketplace), our goal is not to persuade you but to provide a clear, unbiased breakdown of Shopify’s pricing, helping you make an informed decision.
Unfortunately, many high-ranking reviews are outdated, only updated with new dates to appear current. For example, a Shopify pricing review from May 2023 might still feature information from August 2020. This makes it harder for readers to get accurate, up-to-date insights, which is what we aim to provide in this review.
Shopify now supports over 2,000,000 merchants worldwide, including a growing number of Shopify B2B businesses, a milestone they celebrated with a video for reaching one million users last year We recommend watching the video to get a better sense of Shopify's global community.
Update Dec 16, 2024: Shopify offers a 3-day free trial, followed by a $1/month charge for the next 3 months. Learn More.
Like many top articles, we use Shopify affiliate links, but rest assured that content quality is our top priority.
Shopify Pricing
Many new merchants wonder, is Shopify free? While Shopify offers a free trial, transitioning to a paid plan is necessary to unlock its full potential. Shopify offers various pricing plans, but understanding the Shopify fee associated with each plan is crucial for budgeting effectively.
Here’s a quick overview of the four most popular Shopify plans. Shopify’s pricing structure is straightforward: you pay a fixed monthly fee and a transaction fee, which varies based on the plan you choose.
- Basic: $39/month + 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction
- Shopify: $105/month + 2.6% + 30¢ per transaction
- Shopify Advanced: $399/month + 2.4% + 30¢ per transaction
- Plus: $2,300/month on a 3-year term with competitive rates for high-volume merchants
These fees apply when using Shopify Payments, powered by Stripe. Note that Shopify Payments is only available in select countries. Click here to check eligibility.
If you're just starting out and don't have the capital for a full store, you can opt for the Shopify Starter plan at just $5 per month. This plan is designed for selling directly through social media platforms.
Shopify Pricing Caculator
Evaluating the Shopify fee structure helps you choose the right plan for your needs.
Choosing the right Shopify plan can be tricky, but with PageFly's Shopify Pricing Calculator, it’s easier than ever to make an informed decision. This free tool helps you estimate the total cost of your Shopify plan, including app fees, transaction costs, and additional expenses tailored to your store's needs. Whether you're a new merchant or scaling your business, the calculator ensures you're prepared for every financial detail.
Try the Shopify Pricing Calculator now and take control of your budget planning!
Shopify Plans and Features
Shopify provides a variety of plans, each designed to meet the needs of different types of businesses. But which Shopify plan is best for your business? From basic features for new entrepreneurs to advanced tools for scaling enterprises, each plan offers something unique.
Below, we’ll break down the details of each plan to help you understand the features and benefits they provide, so you can choose the one that best suits your business goals and budget.
Basic
Monthly Cost: $39
Card rates starting at:
- 2.9% + 30¢ USD online
- 2.6% + 10¢ USD in person
- 2% 3rd-party payment providers
Key features
- Full online store
- Unlimited products
- Basic reporting
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Up to 5 staff accounts.
Ideal for
Small businesses starting online.
Shopify
Monthly Cost: $105
Card rates starting at:
- 2.7% + 30¢ USD online
- 2.5% + 10¢ USD in person
- 1% 3rd-party payment providers
Key features
- All Basic features
- Professional reports
- Up to 15 staff accounts
- Lower transaction fees
Ideal for
Growing businesses needing advanced tools.
Advanced
Monthly Cost: $399
Card rates starting at:
- 2.5% + 30¢ USD online
- 2.4% + 10¢ USD in person
- 0.6% 3rd-party payment providers
Key features
- All Basic features
- Advanced reporting.
- Up to 15 staff accounts
- Third-party shipping rates
- Lower transaction fees
Ideal for
Established businesses with complex operations.
Plus
Monthly Cost: Starting at $2,300
Card rates: Competitive rates for high-volume merchants
Key features
- Enterprise solutions
- Customizable checkout
- Dedicated account management
- Advanced automation
- Unlimited staff accounts
Ideal for
High-volume enterprises and large-scale retailers.
Shopify Pricing Plans in the different Markets
While the Shopify Plus pricing remains consistent across all markets, the costs for the other three plans—Basic, Shopify, and Advanced—can vary depending on your location. A detailed Shopify plan comparison can help you understand the pricing and features of each option across key regions. In this section, we’ll explore how these plans are priced in key regions to help you make an informed decision based on your market.
Shopify US Pricing Plans
For US-based businesses, Shopify operates under the .com domain, with the following pricing:
- Basic Shopify: 39 USD
- Shopify: 105 USD
- Advanced Shopify: 399 USD
These prices reflect the standard monthly fees for each plan available to businesses in the United States.
Shopify UK Pricing Plans
For UK-registered businesses, Shopify offers pricing plans that can be converted using xe.com. Based on the current exchange rates:
- Basic Shopify: £25
- Shopify: £65
- Advanced Shopify: £344
These rates reflect the approximate costs after conversion from the standard USD pricing.
Shopify Australia Pricing Plans
For Australian businesses, Shopify offers the following subscription rates:
- Basic Shopify: $56 AUD
- Shopify: $149 AUD
- Advanced Shopify: $575 AUD
These are the standard monthly fees for each plan available to Australian businesses.
Visit Shopify AUS pricing page
Shopify Singapore Pricing Plans
For businesses in Singapore, Shopify offers the following pricing plans:
- Basic Shopify: $39 SGD
- Shopify: $132 SGD
- Advanced Shopify: $531 SGD
These are the standard monthly fees for each plan available to businesses in Singapore.
Visit Shopify Singapore Pricing page
Shopify France / Germany Pricing Plans
For businesses in France and Germany, which are part of the Eurozone, the Shopify pricing plans are as follows:
- Basic Shopify: $39
- Shopify: $65
- Advanced Shopify: $399
These are the standard monthly rates for both countries.
Additional Shopify Store Costs: Key Details
Shopify base fee - an online store & 24/7 customer support service
Shopify’s base fee starts at $39 per month for the Basic plan, which includes an easy-to-use online store builder and 24/7 customer support. There’s no bandwidth limit, meaning you can handle any amount of traffic without extra fees.
New users may face a learning curve, but Shopify’s 24/7 support is available via phone, chat, email, and forums, regardless of time zone.
Shopify also ensures high-speed, secure performance with global CDN-hosted images, offering fast load times worldwide—a vital feature for international businesses.
Source: fastly.com
Abbreviation - POP - Point Of Presence. Used in server hosting providers. Source.
In summary, Shopify offers three subscription options:
- Shopify Basic: $39/month (Ideal for new businesses)
- Shopify: $105/month
- Shopify Advanced: $399/month
These plans cater to businesses at different growth stages, offering increasing features as you upgrade.
Shopify transaction fee
Shopify Payments supports major credit and debit cards like VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and more. Depending on your Shopify plan, a transaction fee is applied. You may wonder why this fee exists, but it covers security checks to ensure each transaction is legitimate, protecting your business from fraud.
If you prefer not to use Shopify Payments, there are many alternative payment gateways based on your store’s location.
Transaction fees per plan:
- Shopify Basic: 2.9% of the value of the transaction + 30 cents.
- Shopify: 2.6% of the value of the transaction + 30 cents.
- Shopify Advanced: 2.4% of the value of the transaction + 30 cents.
Shopify theme cost
Shopify theme pricing ranges from free to $350, with 12 months of customer support typically included. Your choice depends on your budget and business needs. Shopify offers well-designed free themes and direct email support. For beginners, it's worth exploring the free themes available on the Shopify Themes Marketplace, which features options optimized for popular niches like fashion, cosmetics, and restaurants.
Read more: Top 30 Shopify Themes Free + Premium: A Complete Review
Shopify apps (Optional)
This is sometimes overlooked in the grand scheme of Shopify pricing.
Shopify apps are often overlooked when considering the total cost. For example, if you're using the Shopify Basic Plan with the free "Brooklyn" theme but want to add a free shipping announcement in the header, and your theme doesn't support it, you'll need a third-party app like Quick Announcement Bar by Hextom. While this could add to your costs, the app offers a free plan that covers basic functionality.
Quick Announcement Bar pricing
The good news is that many apps offer free trials or even free plans to help you get started. A smart approach is to begin with apps offering free plans, then as your business grows and you make your first few sales, consider upgrading to paid versions. Currently, there are over 10.000+ free apps available to help new stores get off the ground.
What if you’re short on time and need to start making a profit quickly? In that case, you can delegate app selection to Shopify Experts, though it’s an added cost.
Quick check: Best Shopify Apps To Increase Sales
Shopify store services cost (Optional)
If you have the time, you can design and customize your store yourself. However, if your budget is flexible but time is tight, hiring Shopify Experts can save valuable hours. Many merchants use the Shopify Experts Directory to find professionals who can assist with store setup, design, and customization.
Simplified Comparison Table: Shopify vs. Competitors
Choosing the right e-commerce platform is crucial for your business's success. While Shopify is a popular choice, it’s essential to see how it stacks up against other major platforms like WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Wix. Below is a simplified comparison of these platforms, focusing on key aspects such as pricing, ease of use, customization, and scalability to help you make an informed decision.
| Feature | Shopify | WooCommerce | BigCommerce | Wix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Starts at $39/month | Free (with hosting & plugins) | Starts at $29/month | Starts at $29/month |
| Ease of Use | User-friendly, no coding | Requires technical skills | Moderate learning curve | Drag-and-drop simplicity |
| Customization | Limited without apps or code | Highly customizable | Built-in, moderate flexibility | Limited customization |
| Transaction Fees | 0% with Shopify Payments | Varies by gateway | 0% | 0% (processing fees apply) |
| Scalability | Suitable for all business sizes | Scalable but resource-intensive | Designed for scalability | Best for small to medium businesses |
| Support | 24/7 support | Community & paid options | 24/7 support | Limited, priority on higher plans |
Tips to Save on Your Overall Shopify Cost
Here, we’ve laid out 2 big tips that can help you to save money on your Shopify cost.
Tip #1 – Subscribe to Shopify’s Annual Plan
Prepaying for 1, 2, or 3 years can save significant money. For example, after testing the Basic Plan for two months, upgrading to the 1-year plan saved $36, with the first payment discounted to $291.37. This resulted in a $173.33 saving due to Shopify's 25% discount for the first year.
Step 1 - Log in to your Shopify store
And click on ‘Settings’, followed by ‘Plan’.
Step 2 - Click on the ‘choose plan’ button.
Step 3 – Choose Your Yearly Shopify Plan (1, 2, or 3 years)
You have the option to save money on your Shopify subscription by choosing a yearly plan. For example, our store is on the Shopify Basic Plan ($39/month):
1-year option: Pay $348 and save $112 with a 25% discount for the first year.
As for the payment method, you can pay with a credit card or PayPal.
Tip #2 - Pause your Shopify store.
Did you know you can pause your Shopify store if you need a break? Shopify keeps your store online but disables the checkout, allowing you to retain all your hard work while taking a step back. The best part? You save on your monthly subscription fees. Instead of paying $39 to $399 per month, you can pay as little as $9 per month (to keep and update the store) or $0 (just to keep it active).
To access this option, go to Shopify Admin > Settings > Plan and permissions and scroll to the bottom.
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Shopify Pricing Plans - What’s the Total Shopify Cost?
The total cost of Shopify varies depending on your business needs. There are two main considerations: the initial investment and monthly recurring costs, which depend on your experience and eCommerce goals.
For New Businesses:
Initial Investment:
Hiring a Shopify Expert: $200–$500
Total: ~$300Monthly Recurring Costs:
Shopify Basic Plan: $39
Essential apps: ~$50
Total: ~$100 per month
Signup Shopify with 3 Days Free Trial
I’m a serious entrepreneur and ecommerce is my full-time business:
Initial investment Shopify pricing:
- If you have a larger budget from previous online investments, and/or a stricter time schedule for your newest enterprise, Shopify Experts can be the solution. Advanced consultation and functions for serious business pursuers costs $500 initially and then up to $1,000 for the store building.
Shopify monthly recurring costs:
- Shopify plan: $105
- Shopify theme: $180
- Essential Shopify apps: $50
- Advanced Shopify apps: $250
In total:
- Initial investment Shopify pricing: $1,000
- Shopify monthly recurring costs: ~ $400 per month
Signup Shopify with 3 Days Free Trial
We’re an enterprise with a primary focus on ecommerce and online channels:
To be honest, we’re not Shopify Plus experts, but our solution, PageFly, serves 5,900+ active Shopify Plus merchants. If you’re interested to know what Shopify Plus and PageFly can do for you, then feel free to drop our team an email at happytohelp@pagefly.io.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Shopify plan is crucial to setting your business up for success. From the Starter plan for simple social selling to Shopify Plus for enterprise-level needs, there’s an option to fit every business size and goal. By carefully evaluating your requirements and leveraging Shopify’s robust features, you can ensure a seamless and profitable online store experience.
Invest wisely, and watch your e-commerce journey thrive with Shopify!
Learn More about Shopify plans from other partners resources:
- Avada.io - Shopify Basic plan review
- Avada.io - Shopify Advanced plan review
