Shopify Pricing (2026): Plans, Fees & Real Costs

Last updated: February 2026

Shopify offers five pricing plans in 2026: Starter ($5/mo), Basic ($39/mo), Grow ($105/mo), Advanced ($399/mo), and Plus (from $2,300/mo). But the subscription is only part of the cost. Transaction fees, payment processing, apps, and development can double or triple your monthly spend. This guide breaks down every cost, compares every plan, and includes a free calculator so you can see what Shopify will actually cost your business.

In this post, you’ll learn:

• The real costs of running a Shopify store
• How to choose the right Shopify plan for your business
• Insider tips to save money on Shopify fees
• The latest winter 26' updates for your store

For ease of navigation, the guide is split into three parts:
- Part I: What You Need to Know About Shopify Pricing
- Part II: Shopify Plans Pricing and Review
- Part III: How Much Does It Cost to Build a Shopify Website or Migrate to Shopify?

In short, if you want to maximize your ROI on Shopify, you’ll love this guide.

Let’s dive in.

Key Takeaways:

• The plan is the easy part; the real monthly cost shows up in payment fees, apps, and add-ons.
• The #1 profit leak is stacking of fees when using third-party gateways.
• There’s a point where upgrading reduces total cost (we’ll show the break-even).
• International selling comes with additional costs that most merchants miss.
• Your fastest win is usually app stack cleanup.

Shopify Pricing Calculator

Our custom Shopify cost calculator makes it easy to see exactly what you’ll pay each month based on your revenue, average order value, and chosen plan. Instead of guessing at Shopify pricing or manually crunching Shopify fees, this calculator does the math for you in seconds.

It shows estimated orders, transaction fees, and your total monthly Shopify cost so you can compare plans with confidence. Use this Shopify pricing calculator as a quick way to understand what running your store will really cost.

Shopify plan Basic Grow Advanced Shopify Plus

Select a plan to apply the correct fees.

Monthly revenue Select revenue $5,000 $10,000 $25,000 $50,000 $100,000 $250,000 $500,000 $1,000,000 Other (Enter custom value)

Choose your estimated monthly gross revenue.

Average order value (AOV)

Enter your typical order value in USD.

—

Estimated Orders / Month

+

—

Estimated Transaction Fees

=

—

Total Monthly Cost

Grow: $105/mo + 2.6% + $0.30 per order.

Want a custom cost estimate for your store? Our team can build a full cost projection based on your catalog, traffic, and growth goals. Get a Custom Estimate →

Now let’s break down Shopify fees and plans in detail so you can see how the numbers add up behind the calculator results.

Shopify Pricing Explained: Fees, Processing & Hidden Costs

First, let’s cover the basics of how to shop for Shopify.

Here is a breakdown of each Shopify plan updated for 2026.

To test out Shopify, we need to set up a demo account first.

Does Shopify Offer a Free Trial?

Yes! Shopify offers a 3-day free trial, followed by a 1-month trial for $1 without a credit card. Use this period to explore the platform and set up your store.

If you opt for a paid plan during the trial, you won’t be charged until the trial ends, and all your work will be saved.

Now is an ideal time to secure a business domain if you haven't already.

Shopify Plans Overview

Shopify offers five distinct plans, each with unique features and pricing.

• Starter: $5/month: For selling via social, messaging apps, and shareable product links (the successor to Shopify Lite / Buy Button-style selling).
• Basic: $39/month: The entry-level plan for a full online store (best for solo entrepreneurs).
• Grow (formerly called 'Shopify' plan in many guides): $105/month: Built for growing businesses and small teams that need stronger reporting and more operational features.
• Advanced: $399/month — Designed for scaling brands that need deeper reporting, more automation options, and advanced capabilities.
• Shopify Plus: from $2,300+/month — Enterprise plan; listed as $2,300/month (3-year term) or $2,500/month (1-year term) for standard setups, with variable platform fees for more complex/higher-volume businesses.

Prices above are shown in USD (US list pricing). Shopify prices vary by country and billing term, check Shopify’s pricing page for your region.

We'll break down each plan further in this post.

Shopify pricing includes several components: subscription cost, payment fees, app fees, and transaction fees.

So far, we’ve covered what you’ll need to pay Shopify to keep the lights on. But you also have payment processing and transaction fees to think about.

How Shopify Payments Works (And Why It Affects Your Fees)

To sell online, you need a payment processor, which involves transaction fees. These fees are separate from Shopify’s subscription costs and should be included in your budget.

Revenue-Based Plans vs. Shopify’s Approach

Shopify’s Unique Approach: Unlike some platforms, Shopify doesn't enforce revenue-based plans, relying instead on revenue from Shopify Payments.

Offering Alternative Checkout Methods

Whether you use Shopify Payments or another payment gateway, you can still offer customers various checkout options. These include Shop Pay, PayPal, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, Apple Pay, and more.

When you are a smaller merchant using an external payment processor, these fees might make sense when looking at Shopify as a whole, as part of an expense and revenue analysis. At some point, though, as a merchant grows, it becomes cost-effective to switch to Shopify Payments to reduce those fees.

What’s new from Shopify's Winter '26 Edition

• Shop Pay expansion in more markets: Shopify continues expanding Shop Pay features internationally, including the availability of Shop Pay Installments in additional regions (notably the UK, with longer terms).
• Shop Pay and Global-e for international orders: Shopify Managed Markets (powered by Global-e) supports Shop Pay for international customers only if you’re using Shopify’s upgraded checkout experience and meet the requirements for Managed Markets.
• Apple Pay is an accelerated checkout option that can appear alongside Shop Pay at checkout
• Switching to Shopify Payments with “zero downtime” + faster onboarding: Shopify has improved the ability to switch from third-party processors to Shopify Payments without interrupting checkout, and streamlined onboarding (localized forms, clearer guidance, less back-and-forth).

Shopify Transaction Fees by Plan: What You'll Pay

Shopify encourages the use of Shopify Payments for seamless integration and cost savings. If unavailable in your region, consider the impact on transaction costs and discuss custom arrangements with your Shopify Plus account executive.

Most eCommerce transactions incur a set fee, usually around $0.30, plus a percentage of the order value. When setting up payments on Shopify, you have two main options:

1. Use Shopify Payments
2. Use a Third-Party Payment Processor

Option 1: Shopify Payments

• Primary Gateway: If you choose Shopify Payments as your primary gateway, you can also add a third-party processor (e.g., FirstData) as a secondary option.
• No Transaction Fees: Manual payment methods like cash, cash on delivery (COD), and bank transfers do not incur transaction fees.
• Shopify Plus Perk: For Shopify Plus merchants, the transaction fees for all additional, secondary payment methods are waived. This includes methods like Shop Pay, Shop Pay Installments, PayPal Express, and manual payment methods.

Option 2: Third-Party Payment Processor

• Additional Fees: If you opt for a third-party payment provider, you'll pay their processing fees plus an additional Shopify transaction fee. These fees cover Shopify's cost of integrating with external payment providers.
• Fee Structure: Additional Shopify transaction fees vary by plan and are shown in the table below. They are charged only when you use a third-party payment provider.

To check if your payment provider is supported, navigate to your Shopify Admin, go to Settings, and select Payments>Payment Methods in Shopify

Shopify Transaction Fee Calculator Example

Remember that higher-tier Shopify plans offer lower rates for higher sales volumes, and they also reduce or eliminate Shopify’s additional transaction fees if you use a third-party payment provider

To calculate your potential Shopify credit card fees, follow these steps:

1. Estimate your monthly sales volume
2. Choose a Shopify plan
3. Decide on your payment provider
4. Use Shopify's fee calculator or this formula:
   (Transaction fee % x Sales) + (Per-transaction fee x Number of transactions)

Example:

• Monthly sales: $10,000
• 100 transactions
• Basic Shopify plan with Shopify Payment
  

Calculation

(2.9% x $10,000) + ($0.30 x 100) = $290 + $30 = $320 in fees

For now, just remember that there are two rate structures for Shopify Payments: one for online sales and one for in-person sales. Cash on delivery and bank transfers don't incur a payment processing fee. To help make your calculation easy, below is the summary of Shopify fees you pay depending on the plan you are using:

Pro Tip - as your sales grow, consider upgrading your plan to potentially reduce overall costs.

Note that:

• On Shopify Plus, Shopify states third-party transaction fees are waived globally when Shopify Payments is primary; and if a third-party processor is primary, Shopify charges 0.20% per transaction for security/compliance
• If Shopify Payments is activated, then PayPal and manual payment methods are excluded from third-party transaction fees

By understanding these options and fee structures, you can choose the most cost-effective payment setup for your Shopify store.

Shopify Payments: Pros, Cons & What to Watch For

To summarize, here are the key advantages and disadvantages of using Shopify Payments:

For Shopify Plus Merchants Not Using Shopify Payments

If you’re a Shopify Plus merchant but choose not to use Shopify Payments, you should be aware of the following:

Transaction Fees Apply: Standard transaction fees will apply for orders processed through third-party payment providers. Shopify Plus merchants are not automatically exempt from these fees.

Custom Pricing: Shopify Plus has custom pricing, which may include negotiated transaction fees. However, the merchant would still pay fees associated with their chosen third-party payment provider, in addition to any applicable Shopify transaction fees.

No Fee Waiver: You won’t benefit from the transaction fee waiver that Shopify Plus merchants using Shopify Payments as their primary gateway receive.

Additional Costs: Merchants may miss out on integrated features and potential cost savings that come with using Shopify Payments, such as simplified payouts and reporting.

Bottom Line: If you choose a third-party payment provider instead of Shopify Payments, you'll incur additional fees from Shopify on top of your payment provider's charges.

Other Shopify Fees

Currency Conversion Fees

When accepting payments in a currency different from your payout currency, Shopify charges a currency conversion fee:

• 1.5% for stores in the US
• 2% for stores in other countries
. This fee is applied after the currency conversion rate has been calculated.

PayPal Wallet for Shopify Payments:

• 3% currency conversion fee in the US and France when capturing payment in a non-domestic currency (this is separate from the standard Shopify Payments conversion fee table).

International Transaction Fees

It's important to note that international customers may be charged additional fees by their banks or credit card issuers, even when paying in their local currency. These fees are not controlled by Shopify.

Marketplace Connect Fees


If you use Shopify Marketplace Connect to sell on platforms like Amazon or eBay, you get 50 free synced orders per month. After that, there's a 1% fee per order, capped at $99 per month.

Shopify Tax Fees


For US-based stores or those selling to US customers, Shopify Tax is free for the first $100,000 in sales per calendar year. After that, there's a 0.35% fee on transactions where tax is calculated, capped at $0.99 per order and $5,000 per year.

Note: Shopify Tax is not available on Basic Tax as of July 1, 2025

Store credit and gift cards can trigger third-party transaction fees

For Shopify stores created on or after May 12, 2025, Shopify states that orders using store credit or gift cards can be charged third-party transaction fees on the amount paid with those methods. This does not apply to stores created before that date, while Shopify Plus stores that use Shopify Payments as the primary method have transaction fees waived for all other payment methods, including store credit and gift cards.

Remember, these fees are in addition to your monthly subscription costs for using the Shopify platform.

The exact amount you'll pay in transaction fees depends on your chosen plan, payment provider, and sales volume. It's always a good idea to calculate potential fees based on your expected sales to determine the most cost-effective option for your business.

Bottom Line: Shopify Payments offers numerous benefits, including a straightforward setup, diverse payment options, and no additional transaction fees for certain methods.

However, consider potential downsides such as transaction fees, high chargeback rates, industry limitations, and account suspensions.

While transaction fees are waived for additional payment methods for Shopify Plus merchants using Shopify Payments as their primary gateway, this benefit may not extend to other plans.

Shopify Plans Compared: Features, Pricing & Best Fit

Now: The moment you’ve been waiting for. Here’s a breakdown of plan pricing, as well as the pros and cons of each plan.

Monthly/Annual Shopify Plan Costs

This is the “pay to play” cost for a Shopify website. There are five tiers, ranging from $5 per month for the Shopify Starter plan (which we are not covering here) to $2,300+ per month for Shopify Plus.

You’re billed monthly by default, but you can also opt into a one-year, two-year, or three-year plan for the Plus plan. All cycles are prepaid at the beginning of the term.

Pro Tip: Extending your billing period to annual instead of monthly can help to save 25% on your Shopify Subscription.

Below is a summary of the four most popular Shopify plans, along with each plan's cost breakdown and key features that differentiate one from the other, and the pros and cons of each Shopify Plan:

Not sure which Shopify plan fits your business? We help merchants pick the right plan and avoid overpaying. Schedule a Free Consultation →

Next, let's break down each Shopify plan in detail and look at its Pros and Cons.

Shopify Basic Plan: Pricing, Features & Who It's For

Price: $39/mo (or $29/mo with annual billing)
Inventory Locations: Up to 10
Payment & Transaction Fees: 2.9% + 0-30¢ per payment. Basic Shopify is exactly what it says on the tin: the essentials for getting your online store up and running. It's the go-to choice for entrepreneurs ready to dive into eCommerce with a fully-functional store.

What You Get:

• A dedicated online store
• Customizable theme with free SSL certificate
• Basic analytics tools
• Up to 2 staff accounts

The Big Wins:

Your Own eCommerce Website

• Dedicated URL (e.g., yourstore.myshopify.com)
• Full product catalog
• Customer account management

Brand It Your Way

• Access to Shopify's theme editor
• Create a unique shopping experience

Security Sorted

• Free SSL certificate
• HTTPS encryption
• Builds customer trust with that little padlock icon

Analytics 101

• Live View: Real-time store activity monitoring
• Acquisition Reports: Track user sessions and traffic sources

The Limitations:

• Restricted Reporting: You'll get a taste of inventory, behavior, and marketing data, but not the full buffet.
• Limited Staff Accounts: Only 2 accounts might be tight as you grow.
• Fees: Higher processing and third-party transaction fees than the upper tiers

Is It Right for You?

Basic Shopify is perfect if:

• You're new to eCommerce
• You're in a niche market
• You're not ready to commit to eCommerce as your primary income source

Pro Tip: While Basic gives you a solid start, consider upgrading to the Shopify plan if you're eyeing a competitive market sector.

Bottom Line: Basic Shopify gives you the essentials to launch and run a professional online store. It's a great starting point, but keep in mind that as your business grows, you might find yourself craving more advanced features and analytics. Remember, in eCommerce, data is king.

While Basic Shopify gives you a peek into your store's performance, the higher tiers offer a more comprehensive view of your business landscape.

Shopify Grow Plan: Pricing, Features & Who It's For

Price: $105/mo (or $79/mo with annual billing)
Inventory Locations: Up to 10
Payment & Transaction Fees: 2.7% + 30¢ per payment. The Shopify plan is where things start to get serious. It's packed with everything from the Basic plan, plus some juicy extras.

What You Get:

• Everything in the Basic plan
• Better shipping discounts and insurance
• 5 staff accounts (up from 2 in Basic)
• Access to advanced reporting tools

The Big Win: Better Data

The real game-changer here? Advanced analytics. Let's break it down:

ABC Analysis Report

Website Cart Analysis

• Shows which products customers often buy together
• Perfect for fine-tuning your product recommendations

Customer Tracking Reports

• Reveals the customer journey from first click to purchase
• Helps you understand which marketing efforts are paying off

The Downsides

• Still missing some features available in Advanced plan
• Higher monthly cost than Basic

Is It Right for You?

The Shopify plan is ideal if:

• eCommerce is a significant part of your income
• You need detailed data to make informed decisions
• You're managing a team (remember, you get 5 staff accounts)

Bottom Line: If you're serious about growing your eCommerce business, the Shopify plan gives you the tools to make it happen. It's the sweet spot for many growing businesses.

Shopify Advanced Plan: Pricing, Features & Who It's For

Price: $399/mo (or $299/mo with annual billing)
Inventory Locations: Up to 10
Payment & Transaction Fees: 2.5% + 30¢ per payment. Advanced Shopify is the turbo-charged version of the platform, designed for businesses scaling fast and needing serious firepower.
Additional Shopify transaction fee (third-party providers): 0.6%

What You Get:

• Everything in the Shopify plan
• Advanced reporting and custom report building
• Third-party calculated shipping rates
• Up to 15 staff accounts
• Shopify Markets capability
• Lower transaction fees

The Big Wins:

Better Data

• Access to all lower-tier reports 
• Custom report builder
• Predicted values for certain customer reports

Advanced Shipping

• Third-party calculated shipping rates
• Real-time quotes based on carrier credentials

Staff Expansion

• 15 staff accounts (up from 5 in Shopify plan)
• Manage up to 8 locations

Better Payment Processing Fees

• Lower transaction fees
• Potentially significant savings for high-volume sellers

Customer Reports You'll Love:

• Customers over time
• First-time vs. returning customer sales
• Customers by location
• Returning customers
• One-time customers
• Customer cohort analysis
• Predicted spend tier

The Only Downside:

• Price Tag: At $399/month, it's a significant jump from the Shopify plan

Is It Right for You?

Advanced Shopify is perfect if:

• You're processing a high volume of sales
• You need custom reporting capabilities
• Third-party calculated shipping rates are crucial for your business
• You're managing a larger team across multiple locations

Pro Tip: Crunch the numbers. If your sales volume is high enough, the lower transaction fees could offset the higher monthly cost.

Bottom Line: The advanced reporting, lower fees, and expanded capabilities can provide the edge you need in a competitive market. Remember, it's not just about having these features – it's about using them to drive your business forward. If you're ready to dive deep into data, optimize your shipping, and scale your team, Advanced Shopify could be your ticket to growing your eCommerce business..

Shopify Plus Plan: Pricing, Features & Who It's For

Price: Plus starts at $2,300 USD/month on a 3-year term (billed yearly) and is contract-based, with pricing varying by terms and setup.
Payment & Transaction Fees: 2.15% + 30¢ per payment (negotiable)
Inventory Locations: Up to 200 (more available on request). Shopify Plus is the crème de la crème of Shopify's offerings, designed for high-volume merchants and enterprise-level businesses.

What You Get:

• Everything in the Advanced plan
• Unlimited staff accounts
• Exclusive apps for streamlined store management
• Enhanced checkout branding and customization
• 24/7 priority support
• Access to premium educational content

Shopify Plus Only Features:

B2B built into Shopify

• Native B2B suite (companies, locations, catalogs, B2B pricing/workflows)
• Run B2B + DTC in one store (or separate stores if needed)

Internationalization Tools

• 1 main store + 9 expansion stores included under the organization
• Custom domains for each market (.co, .ca, .uk, .com, etc.)
• Multipass for seamless customer login across platforms

Advanced Marketing 

• Flow: Automate customer segmentation and targeted marketing 
• Launchpad: Coordinate multiple changes for major sales events
• AI-powered personalization and search functionalities

Customization/Performance

• Improved API functionality
• Custom checkouts with features like autocomplete
• Ability to handle massive traffic spikes

The Only Downsides:

• Price Tag: Not for the faint of heart or light of wallet
• Multiple Store Management: Can be complex, especially internationally
• App Fees: Can add up with multiple stores (but often negotiable)
• Customization Limits: Some aspects of the platform remain locked down

Is It Right for You?

Shopify Plus is perfect if:

• You're processing millions in annual sales
• You need enterprise-level features and support
• You're expanding internationally
• You require advanced automation and customization

Pro Tip: If you're not quite at an enterprise level, start with a lower tier and upgrade as you grow. The jump to Plus is significant, both in features and cost.

Bottom Line: Shopify Plus is the Ferrari of eCommerce platforms. It's packed with powerful features that can supercharge your online business, especially if you're operating at a high volume or expanding globally.

While it comes with a hefty price tag, for the right businesses, the advanced capabilities and dedicated support can more than justify the cost.

Remember, with great power comes great responsibility (and potential complexity). But if you're ready to play in the big leagues of eCommerce, Shopify Plus gives you all the tools you need to succeed on a global scale.

Additional Popular Shopify Services

Shopify POS

Shopify POS is Shopify's attempt at unified commerce (as Shopify calls it). But it is not just an attempt. More and more brands are ditching old-school POS' and opting for Shopify POS. One such brand is GAP's Banana Republic, which moved all 300 US stores to Shopify POS.

What is Shopify POS?

Shopify POS is billed as the “most versatile retail POS for unifying in-store and online sales,” and it lives up to that claim. With over 1 million businesses using Shopify to integrate their sales channels, many see year-over-year revenue growth of 30%.

Shopify POS Lite is included with all plans, or you can upgrade to Shopify POS Pro for $89/month (included with Shopify Plus)

The table below gives a clearer picture of what

Shopify Shipping

Shopify Shipping helps you save money and manage inventory by calculating shipping rates, creating labels, and tracking deliveries. It streamlines orders, tracks packages, adds insurance, and offers discounts on international shipping.

Benefits of Shopify Shipping:

• Discounted Rates: Significant savings with USPS, UPS, and DHL.
• Streamlined Process: Manage shipping directly from your Shopify admin, reducing errors.
• Multiple Options: Supports standard, express, and international shipping.
• Real-Time Rates: Display accurate rates at checkout to reduce cart abandonment.
• Shipping Insurance: Protect shipments against loss or damage.
• Improved Customer Experience: Accurate rates and reliable delivery options enhance customer satisfaction.
• Integrated Tracking: Customers can easily track their orders, reducing customer service inquiries.

Pro Tip: To utilize your negotiated carrier rates on Shopify, you must be subscribed to either the Shopify Advanced or Shopify Plus Plan.

Shopify Email

Shopify Email allows you to send branded campaigns to target audiences. You can create, schedule, send, track, and report on each email.

Shopify Email Pricing:

• Send up to 10,000 emails per month for free.
• $1 for every additional 1,000 emails.

Benefits of Shopify Email:

• Seamless Integration: Manage email campaigns within Shopify admin.
• Easy-to-Use Templates: Customizable templates match your store’s branding.
• Automation and Scheduling: Set up automated campaigns and schedule emails in advance.
• Detailed Analytics: Track open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates.
• Cost-Effective: Affordable way to reach customers and drive sales.
• Targeted Campaigns: Use customer segmentation for targeted messaging.

Shop App for Shopify Merchants

The Shop App and Shop Pay have become essential tools for Shopify merchants. In 2026 the Shop App is a cornerstone of the Shopify ecosystem, revolutionizing the eCommerce experience for both merchants and customers. It is actually one of my favorite Shopify tools.

Seamless User Experience

The Shop App offers an intuitive interface where customers can browse, purchase, and track orders, reducing friction in the buying journey and boosting conversion rates.

One-Click Checkout

With Shop Pay integration, customers complete purchases with one click, reducing cart abandonment and encouraging repeat purchases. This means more sales and a higher average order value for Shopify Plus merchants.

Brand Discovery and Loyalty

The Shop App helps users discover and follow their favorite brands, receive updates on new products, sales, and exclusive offers. This direct communication builds stronger customer relationships and increases lifetime value.

Advanced Merchandising Opportunities

Shopify Plus merchants can create custom collections, showcase featured products, and offer personalized recommendations based on browsing and purchase history.

Order Tracking and Post-Purchase Experience

The Shop App’s order tracking sets a new industry standard, allowing customers to track all orders in one place, enhancing satisfaction and reducing support inquiries.

Competitive Edge

Not utilizing the Shop App puts Shopify Plus merchants at a significant disadvantage. As more consumers prefer the convenience of the Shop App ecosystem, businesses outside this network risk losing a growing segment of digital-savvy shoppers.

Real-World Impact

Routine purchases, like dog food, are increasingly made through Shopify stores via the Shop App. Its ease of use and fast checkout make it the go-to choice for many consumers, highlighting the app’s importance in modern eCommerce.

By fully embracing the Shop App, Shopify Plus merchants can streamline their sales process and provide a superior shopping experience that keeps customers coming back.

Shopify Markets

If you’re selling globally, Shopify Markets lets you run multi-currency, multi-language, and local domains from a single store, often at a lower cost and with a cleaner setup than running multiple expansion stores. For eligible U.S. brands, Managed Markets (Markets Pro) can reduce operational overhead by handling duties/taxes and localized payments via Global-e, but it adds per-order fees that should be modeled in your total cost.

Here is an overview of the pricing:

Shopify Markets

• No monthly or setup fee.
• Charges are applied only when you use international features such as currency conversion and duties:
  • Currency conversion: 1.5% per transaction, added to customer pricing.
  • Duties & taxes calculation: 0.85% per transaction when using Shopify Payments, or 1.5% with alternative payment gateways.

Shopify Markets Pro / Managed Markets

• No monthly or setup costs. Charges are per international order:
  • 6.5% transaction fee, added to customer pricing, which bundles payment processing, duties, taxes, shipping, fraud protection, and local payment methods
  • Currency conversion fee: 2.5% per transaction, also passed on to the customer

A Word on the Cost of Shopify Apps

While Shopify provides a robust platform, many merchants enhance their store's functionality and user experience by adding apps. But it's crucial to understand the costs associated with these apps.

Free vs. Paid Apps

Shopify offers both free and paid apps. Free apps are a great starting point but often come with limitations. You might need to upgrade to a paid version for more features.

Monthly Subscription Fees

Most paid Shopify apps run on a subscription basis. Monthly fees can range from a few dollars to several hundred dollars. Always consider how these recurring costs will affect your overall budget.

One-Time Purchases

Some apps can be bought with a one-time fee. This can be more cost-effective in the long run. But evaluate the app’s longevity and potential updates before making a purchase.

In-App Purchases and Additional Fees

After buying an app, you might encounter in-app purchases or extra fees for premium features, higher usage limits, or additional support. Read the fine print to understand the full cost implications.

Bundled Services

Some app developers offer bundles that package multiple apps or features at a discounted rate. This can provide significant savings if you need several apps from the same developer.

Tips for Selecting Shopify Apps

There are a few things that you should consider when selecting a Shopify app for your store:

Compatibility

Ensure any app you consider is compatible with your current setup. Some apps might not work well with certain themes or other installed apps, leading to potential conflicts.

Reviews and Ratings

Check reviews and ratings before installing an app. Feedback from other merchants can provide valuable insights into the app’s performance, reliability, and customer support.

Customer Support

Good customer support is crucial, especially if an app is critical to your store’s operations. Look for apps with responsive support teams and comprehensive documentation.

Trial Periods

Many paid apps offer a free trial period. Use this time to evaluate the app’s features and performance before committing to a subscription.

Data Privacy and Security

Ensure the app complies with data privacy regulations and does not compromise your store's security. Verify how the app handles customer data and whether it integrates securely with Shopify.

Regular Updates

Choose apps that are regularly updated to ensure compatibility with the latest Shopify features and security standards. An unmaintained app can become obsolete or vulnerable to security threats.

You can build your own custom apps

Custom apps are now more accessible than ever. Starting in Q1 2026, you can use Shopify's sidekick extension to connect your app to the platform’s AI and even instruct the AI to assist with creating custom apps.

Why and when you might need a custom Shopify app

Here are some reasons why merchants might opt for a custom app:

• Merchants with unique workflows that aren’t addressed by public apps.
• Integrating with custom ERP, CRM, or other proprietary systems.
• Custom apps can be designed to meet specific security and compliance requirements.
• Custom apps can be optimized for better performance and scalability.

Find out in detail what custom apps your store needs and how to find the right development in our full guide on Shopify App development.

The Bottom Line: Understanding the cost implications of Shopify apps is equally important. From free options to high-end subscriptions, knowing what to expect can help you budget effectively and make informed decisions.

By weighing these pros and cons, you can determine if Shopify Payments and the associated apps are the right fit for your business.

Shopify Website Cost: Development, Migration & Build Pricing

Choosing a Shopify plan is step one. Building or migrating your store is where the real investment starts.

Whether you are launching a new site or migrating from Magento, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, or another platform, you need a team to handle the work that matters: custom design, data migration, SEO preservation, ERP and PIM integrations, marketing tool setup, and UX optimization. That is what determines whether your customers find what they need and keep coming back.

We have been doing this since 2010. The numbers below reflect what it actually costs based on our experience in the US market including our proposals and other Shopify agencies and clients we talk to.

Starter Shopify Website Cost: $15,000 to $20,000

Best for merchants moving from another platform like WooCommerce, Wix, Squarespace, or launching their first store. You get a prebuilt theme with basic customizations, a branded style guide, and the essentials: product catalog setup and migration, shipping configuration, marketing channels, email integration, Google Analytics, QA, and a seven-day warranty.

Discovery includes about 4 hours of consultation and goal setting. A front-end developer handles theme setup and customization. Shopify's built-in customizer only gets you so far.

This level works for straightforward migrations or new builds. But it will remain a basic site.

Custom Shopify Website Cost: $30,000 to $50,000+

For growing brands migrating from platforms like Magento or BigCommerce, who need more than a template swap. This tier adds custom UX/UI design, 24 hours of discovery, 32 hours of design auditing, and a branded style guide.

You get designed pages for Home, PDPs, category pages, CMS pages, and checkout (within Shopify's limits), plus five templates. Migrations at this level include data migration with SEO preservation, advanced integrations, advanced search and filtering, enhanced ecommerce analytics, and SEO consulting. Warranty extends to 15 days.

Platform: Shopify Advanced or Shopify Plus.

Enterprise Shopify Website Cost: $60,000 to $200,000+

For established merchants with complex operations migrating from platforms like Magento, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, or Commercetools. This is the full build.

Discovery alone includes 48 hours of consultation and 64 hours of design auditing. Design is completely custom. You get 20 custom CMS pages, ten templates, and the integrations enterprise merchants need: Klevu for advanced search, ShipperHQ for custom shipping rules, Elevar for Google Tag Manager, data migrations with customized field mapping, Google Shopping product feeds, PPC consultation, and a dedicated QA team.

Migrations at this level typically involve complex catalog structures, custom tax rules, multi-channel configurations, and the preservation of years of SEO equity. That is where our 15 years of experience make the biggest difference.

Warranty: 30 days. Platform: Shopify Advanced or Shopify Plus.

Note: These prices reflect US market rates. Costs may vary by region.

Planning a Shopify build or migration? As a Shopify Premier Partner, we've launched 500+ stores. Talk to Our Team →

Ongoing Shopify Costs: Monthly Maintenance & Support Fees

Unlike other platforms like Magento and WooCommerce, which require updates and patching, SaaS platforms like Shopify pass these tasks to the platform itself.

Therefore, merchants who use a SaaS platform find the aspect of not having to do any upgrades or patches very appealing and cost-saving; however, that doesn’t mean that no monthly retainer is needed for Shopify.

To calculate the monthly cost of running a Shopify website, you need to consider several fixed costs: the Shopify license fee, app costs, credit card processing fees, transaction fees, and more. In addition to these, retaining an experienced Shopify agency for ongoing maintenance and updates is crucial.

Shopify Maintenance Services

These services can be broken down into the following categories:

Shopify Theme Updates

The frequency of theme updates will depend on how proactive you are with your Shopify website and how often you need to change and adapt the look and feel of your site based on user behavior.

From our experience, some typical retainer packages for Shopify sites are:

• Basic Shopify Site: For a basic Shopify site, you might need around 8 hours of updates per month. At an average agency rate of $120 per hour, this would cost approximately $960 per month.
• Custom Shopify Site: For a custom Shopify site, a retainer of around 24 hours per month is usually sufficient. This would cost about $2,880 per month at the same hourly rate.
• Enterprise Shopify Site: For larger, enterprise-level sites, you might need up to 40 hours of updates per month, costing around $4,800 per month.

Here's a table with the prices you should expect to pay to maintain your Shopify website operating optimally:

General UI/UX and Digital Marketing Consulting

Successful merchants continuously analyze user behavior and adjust their websites accordingly. This ongoing optimization includes user interface/user experience (UI/UX) improvements, eCommerce growth strategies, and more.

Here’s a breakdown of typical retainers for these services:

• Basic Package: Includes monthly UI/UX updates, basic analytics review, and minor optimizations. Typically requires about 10 hours per month, costing around $1,200 per month.
• Standard Package: Includes more comprehensive services like detailed analytics, email marketing automation, and basic conversion rate optimization (CRO). Usually requires about 20 hours per month, costing around $2,400 per month.
• Premium Package: Covers all aspects of eCommerce growth, including in-depth analytics, advanced CRO, detailed customer acquisition strategies, and full-scale email marketing automation. This package might require about 40 hours per month, costing around $4,800 per month.

Again, here is a table with the prices you should expect to pay when hiring a digital marketing agency to optimize your website:

Custom eCommerce Solutions

For larger merchants, Shero offers bespoke eCommerce growth and optimization services. These custom solutions are tailored to the unique needs of your business and can include a combination of UI/UX enhancements, strategic eCommerce consulting, and ongoing website maintenance.

• Custom Retainer: Depending on your specific requirements, custom retainers can range from $6,000 to $12,000+ per month. This includes a dedicated team of specialists who will work closely with you to ensure continuous growth and optimization.

Bottom Line: Investing in ongoing maintenance and support for your Shopify site is essential for sustained success. By selecting the right retainer package based on your business needs, you can ensure your site remains up-to-date, user-friendly, and optimized for growth.

How to Estimate Your Total Shopify Cost

First, do a general Shopify Review: learn everything you can about the platform, read online reviews, and ask merchants who use Shopify how satisfied they are with it. Here’s a list of general best practices when considering whether a Shopify site is best for you.

Prepare a budget for your website launch or migration.

Building an online store is an investment, just like creating a brick-and-mortar store. There are various Shopify pricing options depending on your needs, which can add up depending on your level of customization.

Designing, building, and successfully launching a website on Shopify for an established business requires time and advanced development knowledge. Replatforming can be even more complicated, especially when it comes to maintaining your SEO. If another agency tells you they can do your project in a week, don’t believe them.

In the same vein, you get what you pay for. If an estimate falls far below the industry average, be skeptical. Your site likely will, too.

Hourly rates for Shopify development services range from $15 to $250 per hour and are factored into your overall Shopify pricing. This will depend on whether you hire a freelancer or an agency.

Recently, I even heard of an agency that would not touch projects for less than $250K.

Offshore or freelance developers can create your Shopify website for much cheaper, but there’s always a tradeoff. Whether your site will be launched on time or will work as promised is a gamble.

Your business is a worthy investment; invest in the right partner from the start. Switching partners to rescue a stalled-out, half-completed, or poorly built site can become an expensive nightmare.

You need a serious agency that will stand behind its work and become your long-term partner.

That said, here is a condensed list with the steps I would suggest you follow to determine the best Shopify pricing plan for your business:

Steps to determine Shopify pricing -

1. Identify Your Budget - Assess how much you can allocate to a Shopify plan monthly, keeping future scalability in mind.
2. Evaluate Your Business Needs - List out the essential features your business requires, such as advanced reporting or third-party integrations.
3. Understand Transaction Fees - Examine the transaction fees associated with each plan and consider using Shopify Payments for lower fees.
4. Basic Shopify Plan Consideration - Check if the Basic plan provides the necessary eCommerce functionalities for your business.
5. Keep Growth in Mind - For a steadily growing business, look into the standard Shopify plan for its balance of cost and advanced features. Estimate future sales to gauge how quickly you might need to upgrade to a higher-tier plan.
6. Evaluating Established Business Needs - If you're an established and rapidly growing business, the Advanced Shopify plan offers enhanced analytics and lower transaction fees.
7. Enterprise Level - For very large businesses, explore the Shopify Plus plan for its advanced customization, dedicated support, and scalability.
8. Feature Comparison - Look at the above side-by-side comparison of plan features to determine what best fits your evolving business demands.
9. Customer Management - Investigate each plan's capabilities for managing customer relationships and data to foster retention.
10. Marketing Tools - Analyze the marketing tools provided and how they can aid in customer acquisition and retention.
11. Sales Channels - Ensure the plan supports all sales channels you intend to use, including social media and marketplaces.
12. Custom Checkout - For high-volume businesses, evaluate the benefit of custom checkout options available in Shopify Plus.
13. Support Services - Consider the level of customer support available at each pricing tier.
14. Long-term Needs - Think about your long-term business goals and how each plan can support these ambitions.
15. Free Trial - Take advantage of Shopify’s free trial to test out the functionality of plans before committing.
16. Consult Reviews - Read customer reviews and case studies for insight into other merchant experiences with each plan.
17. Cost-Benefit Analysis - Conduct a cost-benefit analysis for each plan, factoring in all associated costs and anticipated benefits.
18. Third-party Apps - Consider any third-party apps you might need for additional functionalities and their compatibility.
19. Detailed Reporting Needs - If handling large data sets, opt for higher-tier plans that offer advanced reporting tools and a custom report builder.
20. Negotiate with Shopify - For Shopify Plus plans, negotiate with Shopify for custom processing rates tailored to your business.
21. Final Decision - Choose a plan that aligns closely with your current needs while providing pathways for future scalability.

The Future of Shopify

Shopify's continued growth and commitment to innovation and AI were highlighted in the Winter 26 Editions among 150+ product updates. The main takeaways are:

AI becomes an operating layer in the admin
Shopify’s big bet is that eCommerce teams will run day-to-day work through Sidekick, not just “get answers.”

• Sidekick Pulse: proactive recommendations + next steps based on your store + market trends.
• Build workflows via plain English: describe what you want automated, and Sidekick builds it in Shopify Flow.
• Generate custom analytics reports inside the ShopifyQL editor (faster “answer” time for operators).
• Theme edits via prompts: tell Sidekick what to change; it updates the theme.

Testing and simulation move into core Shopify
Winter ’26 adds two “de-risk launch” tools that are directly tied to conversion and revenue outcomes.

• Rollouts: schedule theme changes and run A/B tests from the admin.
• Shopify SimGym: simulates shopper behavior with AI agents using data from “billions of purchases,” and gives recommendations before launch.

Agentic commerce is now a reality
Shopify is explicitly preparing storefronts for AI-driven shopping journeys, not just traditional search + ads.

• Shopify Agentic Storefronts: manage how your brand appears in AI chats; products become discoverable in major AI shopping surfaces (with more channels coming).
• Developer tools for AI shopping: Catalog API + Checkout MCP, plus “Checkout Kit for web” to render checkout in agentic flows.

B2B takes the center stage
Winter ’26 continues Shopify’s push to make B2B operationally complete, especially around payments.

• ACH payments for B2B at checkout via Shopify Payments with the ability to charge saved accounts from the admin.
• Payment requests per fulfillment: separate payment requests for each shipment in multi-shipment orders.
• Store credit for B2B is issued at the company location level.
• Dynamic payment terms + deposits using apps powered by Shopify Functions (Plus).

Retail/POS keeps accelerating
Shopify is still investing hard in retail reliability and speed of in-store ops.

• POS Hub: new hub positioned as providing “wired reliability” + processing power.
• POS customization in one editor (customer display, smart grid, receipts, lock screen).
• Subscriptions on POS (via the Shopify Subscriptions app).
• Quick count on POS for inventory scanning and updates (POS Pro).
• Same-day delivery with Uber Direct on POS (Plus; US/Canada/France).

Shopify network expansion
One of the most “Shopify-ish” parts of Winter ’26 was the push toward discovery and selling through Shopify’s network.

• Shopify Product Network (US-only): surface products from other Shopify brands across search/collections/emails/post-purchase and earn commission.
• Shopify Collective expansion: now available in 36 additional countries

Final Verdict: Which Shopify Plan Should You Choose?

As discussed (in this long post 😊), choosing the right Shopify plan or estimating how much it will cost you to build a website on Shopify involves a deep understanding of your business needs, a thorough evaluation of available features, and strategic foresight into your business's growth trajectory. The steps and information outlined here should ensure that you choose wisely, leveraging Shopify's capabilities to optimize operational efficiency and boost profitability.

If you need help choosing a Shopify Plan or migrating your eCommerce store to Shopify, please feel free to contact us.

As a certified Shopify Premier Agency, we can connect you with Shopify much faster than through traditional Shopify channels, and we often have insights into different promos Shopify runs.

Related Posts

• The Definitive Guide to Shopify B2B & Wholesale: This guide breaks down exactly how to use Shopify for B2B, whether you’re on the Shopify Plus or Standard plan, migrating from another platform, or looking to level up how you sell wholesale online.
• 20 Best Examples of Successful Shopify Plus Websites: 20 of the most innovative and successful Shopify Plus stores, offering insights into what sets them apart and how they’ve leveraged the platform to drive significant growth
• What B2B Buyers Expect From Your Shopify Store and How to Deliver It: In this article, we break down exactly what modern B2B buyers expect and how Shopify merchants can meet and exceed those expectations.
• Migrating to Shopify (2026 guide): All you need to know about migrating your B2B or D2C store to Shopify and an overview of what your ROI will be.
• What is a Shopify Developer & How to Learn Shopify Development:
  Master Shopify development for ambitious Shopify developers or thriving online businesses – how to craft Shopify apps and personalize Shopify themes
• Top Shopify Agencies in the US: Explore the best US-based Shopify agencies for starting, migrating, or growing your Shopify store, with expert insights and tailored solutions

F.A.Qs about Shopify Pricing