Fee Overview

Fee Type Details
Starter Plan ($9/mo) Best for social selling and text-based selling. Includes Shopify POS Lite and the ability to sell on channels like Buy Button.
Basic Shopify ($29/mo) Best for new ecommerce stores. Includes 2 staff accounts, unlimited products, and 24/7 support.
Shopify Plan ($79/mo) Best for growing businesses. Includes 5 staff accounts, gift cards, and professional reports.
Advanced Shopify ($299/mo) Best for scaling businesses. Includes 15 staff accounts, advanced report builder, and third-party calculated shipping rates.
Shopify Plus (Custom) Enterprise solution for high-volume merchants. Custom pricing, dedicated support, and automation tools.

Key Takeaway

Monthly subscription range

Pro Tips

ðŸ’Ą Tip: Start with Basic Shopify ($39/mo) and upgrade only when your revenue justifies it. Use the 25% annual billing discount to save $117/year. Track your monthly revenue and upgrade when the fee reduction pays for itself.

ðŸ’Ą Tip: Compare plans based on transaction fee savings, not just monthly cost. At $20K/month in sales, upgrading from Basic to Shopify saves $200/month in fees — making the $66/month price difference essentially free.

ðŸ’Ą Tip: Use our Shopify calculator to compare all plans side-by-side. Factor in your expected monthly revenue, average order value, and payment gateway preference to find which plan maximizes your net profit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Shopify plan is best for beginners?

Basic Shopify at $39/month is the best plan for beginners starting their first ecommerce store. It includes unlimited products, 2 staff accounts, 24/7 support, and abandoned cart recovery. You can always upgrade later as your business grows — there's no penalty for starting small.

How do Shopify plan prices compare to competitors?

Shopify's pricing is competitive with BigCommerce (starting at $39/mo) and Squarespace Commerce ($36/mo). However, Shopify's ecosystem has more apps, themes, and integrations. WooCommerce is free but requires hosting ($20-50/mo), security, and maintenance. Total cost of ownership often makes Shopify comparable or cheaper.

When should I upgrade from Basic to Shopify Plan?

Upgrade when your monthly sales exceed $10,500 through external payment gateways. At this point, the 1% transaction fee savings ($105/month difference) covers the $66/month plan upgrade cost. You'll also gain gift cards, professional reports, and 3 additional staff accounts.

Are there any hidden fees on Shopify plans?

Shopify's subscription plans have no setup fees, no bandwidth fees, and no transaction fees when using Shopify Payments. Hidden costs to consider: premium themes ($100-350), apps ($0-500+/month), and additional staff accounts beyond the limit ($15-$50/account/month). Transaction fees only apply when NOT using Shopify Payments.

Key Takeaways

  • Use Shopify Payments to eliminate the 2% external gateway fee — saves $200+/year at $10K revenue.
  • Upgrade to Shopify Plan ($105/mo) once you exceed $1,000/month in sales — the 1% fee reduction pays for itself.
  • Annual billing saves 25% vs monthly ($39 vs $49/mo on Basic). Use our Shopify calculator to compare plan costs.

Calculate Your Fees

Get precise fee calculations for your items.

Open Fee Calculator →

Data Methodology & Disclaimer

Fee data and benchmarks in this article are sourced from official platform documentation and cross-referenced with publicly available rate schedules as of April 2026. Calculations use standard fee formulas; individual results vary based on product category and specific listing details.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Check the latest rates at each platform's official seller fees page. Fee structures reflect publicly available information as of April 2026 and are subject to change. Always verify current rates before making financial decisions.