The Short Answer: Shopify's monthly subscription fees range from $39 for the Basic plan to $2,300+ for Shopify Plus. But the total cost of running a Shopify store depends on more than your monthly plan. Transaction fees, third-party apps, themes, and your custom domain all add to what you will actually spend.
If you are launching a new ecommerce website or thinking about migrating to Shopify, understanding these costs upfront helps you pick the right Shopify plan and avoid surprises down the road. This guide breaks down every line item so you can estimate what Shopify will actually cost your business.
Shopify Pricing Plans at a Glance
Shopify offers four main plans plus an enterprise option. The prices below reflect what you will pay with monthly billing. If you pay yearly, Shopify gives you a 25% discount on the Basic, Grow, and Advanced plans.
All plans come with a 3-day free trial, and Shopify currently offers your first three months for just $1/month after the trial ends. That gives new store owners time to set up their Shopify store, explore the Shopify admin, and test the platform before committing to a full monthly subscription.
What Each Plan Includes
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Basic Plan ($39/month)
The Shopify Basic plan is where most small businesses start. You get a fully customizable online store, a blog, shipping discounts up to 77%, and access to Shopify Payments. It includes 24/7 chat support and inventory management for up to 10 locations. If you are building your first Shopify store, this plan covers the basics without overpaying for features you do not need yet.
Grow Plan ($105/month)
Formerly called the "Shopify" plan, Grow adds 5 staff accounts, better shipping discounts (up to 88%), and more detailed reporting. This is a good fit for small businesses that have moved past the startup phase and need more tools to manage a growing operation and multiple sales channels.
Advanced Plan ($399/month)
Advanced Shopify unlocks the lowest transaction fees, third-party calculated shipping rates, up to 15 staff accounts, and custom reporting. If your business handles high order volumes and sells across multiple markets, this plan gives you the advanced features and data you need to manage at scale.
Shopify Plus Plan ($2,300+/month)
The Shopify Plus plan is built for enterprise brands. It includes a fully customizable checkout, unlimited staff accounts, up to 200 POS locations, and B2B/wholesale functionality. Pricing is quote-based and tied to a 1-year or 3-year subscription. Businesses that process millions in annual sales revenue typically land here.
Transaction Fees and Payment Processing
One of the biggest ongoing costs with any ecommerce platform is payment processing. If you use Shopify Payments (Shopify's built-in payment gateway), you avoid extra transaction fees. But you will still pay credit card processing rates, which vary by plan:
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If you use a third-party payment provider instead of Shopify Payments, Shopify charges an additional fee on top of whatever your payment gateway charges. That extra cost adds up, so most store owners stick with Shopify Payments when it is available in their country.
How Transaction Costs Affect Your Bottom Line
To put this in perspective, a store on the Basic plan doing $10,000/month in online sales would pay roughly $320 in credit card processing fees. Moving to the Grow plan drops that to about $300. The savings grow as your sales revenue increases, so it is worth recalculating your transaction costs when you are deciding whether to upgrade.
Additional Costs Beyond Your Monthly Fee
Your monthly subscription fee is just the starting point. Here are the other costs to factor in when estimating your total cost.
Custom Domain
Shopify does not include a free custom domain. You can purchase one directly through Shopify or from a third-party registrar. Expect to pay $14 to $20 per year for a standard .com domain. Having your own custom domain is a basic best practice for building credibility with customers and improving your search presence.
Shopify Themes
Every Shopify plan comes with free themes, but premium Shopify themes from the Shopify Theme Store typically cost between $150 and $400 as a one-time purchase. A well-designed theme can improve your conversion rate and user experience, so it is often worth the investment, especially if you want your store to stand out.
Third-Party Apps
The Shopify App Store has thousands of third-party apps that extend your store's functionality. Many apps are free, but popular options for email marketing, reviews, subscriptions, and upsells can range from $10 to $300+ per month. App costs are one of the most common surprises for new store owners, and they can add up quickly. Audit your apps regularly to make sure you are only paying for what you actually use.
Shipping Costs
Shopify offers built-in shipping rate calculations and discounted rates through its carrier partnerships. Your actual shipping cost depends on your products, packaging, and where you ship. You can set up a shipping profile with custom shipping zones and shipping methods, or use calculated rates from carriers like USPS, UPS, and DHL. On the Advanced and Plus plans, you also get access to third-party calculated shipping rates at checkout.
Shopify Integration and Custom Development
If your business needs a Shopify integration with an accounting system, ERP, or other tools in your tech stack, you may need custom integrations built by a developer. Costs vary widely depending on complexity, but this is something to plan for if your operations rely on connected systems.
Tips for Managing Your Shopify Cost
Keeping your Shopify cost under control comes down to picking the right plan and avoiding unnecessary extras.
- Start with the plan that fits your current needs. You can always upgrade as your business grows. Most small businesses do well on the Basic plan for the first year.
- Use Shopify Payments. Avoiding third-party payment provider fees saves you 1% to 2% on every transaction.
- Pay yearly. The 25% discount on annual billing adds up. On the Basic plan alone, that saves you $120 per year.
- Audit your apps. Review your Shopify App Store subscriptions every quarter. Remove anything you are not actively using.
- Take advantage of the free trial. Use the 3-day free trial and $1/month introductory period to test features before committing.
So, What Will Shopify Actually Cost You?
The total cost of a Shopify store depends on your plan, your sales volume, the apps you need, and how much customization your business requires. For most small businesses, expect to spend between $39 and $150 per month when you factor in your monthly subscription fee, a few apps, and a custom domain. Higher-volume stores on the Advanced or Plus plans will spend more, but the lower transaction fees and advanced features typically justify the cost as your sales revenue grows.
If you are building or scaling a Shopify store and want to make sure you are getting the most out of the platform, 20North can help. Our team handles everything from Shopify development and ecommerce SEO to conversion rate optimization. Get in touch to see how we can help your online store grow.
