Shopify Pricing Plan: How to Choose the Right Plan for Your Small Business

December 12, 2025

For many small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, figuring out Shopify’s pricing plans can feel overwhelming. With monthly subscription fees, payment processing charges, and optional app costs, it’s easy for unexpected expenses to creep in and affect your profit margins.

Selecting the correct Shopify plan, one that aligns with your store size, sales activity, and future growth, can be the deciding factor between a smoothly scaling business and unnecessary expenses.

Shopify’s pricing model includes various subscription tiers and additional fees that support businesses in building, running, and expanding their ecommerce stores. Choosing the right plan ensures you get the tools and support you need while staying within your budget.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about Shopify Pricing, including:

• What Shopify pricing is and why it’s important
• A simplified breakdown of all Shopify plans
• Tips on selecting the ideal Shopify pricing plan
• Answers to common concerns about Shopify’s pricing structure

Whether you’re starting a brand-new business or preparing to scale, this guide will help you understand Shopify’s pricing clearly and choose the best plan for your store’s success.

Let’s get started and make sense of Shopify pricing once and for all.

Key Takeaways

• Starter Plan begins at $5/month, great for selling via social media and messaging apps.
• Basic Plan costs $29/month billed annually, and includes full store features like themes, a blog, and 24/7 support.
• Grow Plan (formerly “Shopify”) is $79/month billed annually, offering standard reporting, multi-market selling, and up to 5 staff accounts.
• Advanced Plan is $299/month billed annually, featuring advanced reporting, 15 staff accounts, and third-party calculated shipping rates.
• Shopify Plus starts at $2,300/month, designed for enterprise-level brands needing advanced customization.
• Transaction fees vary widely from 5% on Starter to 0.6% on Advanced (when not using Shopify Payments).
• Annual plans provide up to 25% savings, though require an upfront payment.
• Extra expenses like premium themes, apps, and domains may increase your overall cost.
• Begin with a lower plan, test free apps/themes, and upgrade as your business grows to access better tools and reduced processing fees.

What is Shopify Pricing?

Shopify uses a subscription-based (SaaS) model, where merchants pay a monthly or yearly fee to access its ecommerce tools. These include hosting, storefront customization, secure checkout, inventory management tools, marketing features, and thousands of third-party apps.

Although Shopify’s Basic plan starts at $39/month, and Shopify Plus begins at $2,300/month, the subscription alone isn’t the only cost to consider. Extra charges like transaction fees, themes, domains, and app subscriptions can influence your total spending.

Some examples:

• Basic plan payment processing: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction (unless using Shopify Payments)
• Domain costs: around $15/year
• Premium theme prices: $180–$500
• App subscriptions: typically $5–$70/month, depending on features

As the best Shopify development agency, we’ve seen clients optimise costs by starting with free themes, such as Dawn, and free Shopify apps. This approach helps ensure that businesses don’t overspend on unnecessary features and that they’re only paying for the services that truly add value to their store.

Shopify pricing includes:

• Transaction fees
• Theme and app costs
• Add-ons like advanced analytics, staff accounts, or shipping solutions

Note: Shopify also offers a $1/month trial for the first three months, perfect for testing before making a long-term commitment.

Why Understanding Pricing Matters for Your Business

Understanding Shopify pricing is important for your business because it directly influences your profit, growth, and overall efficiency.

Choosing the right plan and pricing approach helps you avoid paying for features you don’t need while still giving you access to the tools required to grow your store properly.

Here are the 5 key pricing points you should know:

First, pricing impacts your profit margins. Even small changes in your product pricing can increase your profits without needing more sales.

But setting prices too low can reduce your margins, especially when you consider Shopify’s transaction fees and app costs. Knowing these expenses helps you price your products correctly and maintain steady profits.

Second, understanding Shopify’s plans and fee structure helps you avoid unexpected or rising costs.

For example, transaction fees differ based on your plan and payment method, and some recent updates have increased fees for certain merchants.

Knowing this helps you plan your budget better and pick a plan that fits your sales and growth level.

Third, your pricing strategy affects how customers see your brand.

Clear and competitive pricing attracts customers and builds trust, while inconsistent pricing can drive them away.
Shopify’s flexible pricing options let you adjust your prices based on market trends without harming your reputation.

Finally, understanding pricing allows you to use Shopify’s features more effectively, from inventory tools to marketing features, so you can get better results from your store.

With the right plan, you can automate tasks, reduce cart abandonment, and use data to improve your pricing strategy.

Overview of Shopify Pricing Plans (2025)

Shopify provides several pricing plans tailored to businesses at different growth stages, whether you’re just launching your first store or managing a large-scale brand that needs more advanced capabilities.

Knowing what each plan offers and identifying which one matches your business needs is essential for keeping costs under control and scaling your store smoothly.

Here are the current Shopify pricing plans:

• Starter Plan: $5/month
• Retail Plan: $89/month
• Basic Plan: $39/month (or $29/month when billed annually)
• Grow Plan (previously the Shopify Plan): $105/month (or $79/month billed annually)
• Advanced Plan: $399/month (or $299/month billed annually)
• Shopify Plus: Starts at $2,300/month

Shopify monthly pricing plan:

Shopify yearly pricing plan:

Now let’s take a closer look at each Shopify pricing plan in detail:

1. Starter Plan:

The Starter plan costs $5/month and is perfect for new entrepreneurs who want a fast and easy way to start selling. With this plan, you can sell directly through social media platforms, messaging apps, or a basic online store.

Key Features:

Selling on Social Media & Messaging Apps:
This plan is great for selling on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and WhatsApp.

Mobile POS (Point of Sale):
It includes the Shopify POS Lite app, allowing you to accept in-person payments and manage orders.

Basic Store Customization:
You get a simple online store, but customization options are more limited compared to higher Shopify plans.

Link-in-Bio Tool:
You can create a “link in bio” page—similar to Linktree—to showcase multiple product links in one place for your social media profiles.
Transaction Fees:

• In-person: 5%
• Online: 5% + 30¢

Best For:
New sellers experimenting with products or selling mainly through DMs, WhatsApp, Instagram, or TikTok.

Plan details: https://www.shopify.com/starter

2. Retail Plan

The Retail plan costs $89/month and is designed for businesses with physical stores that need more advanced POS features.

Key Features:

24/7 Retail Support:
Retail plan users get round-the-clock support from Shopify.

Unlimited POS Staff Logins:
You can add as many staff accounts as needed in the POS system, making team management easier.

Store Pickup Options:
Easily handle and fulfill pickup orders directly from your Shopify POS.

Order Management in POS:
View and manage all orders in one place through the POS, helping staff track, process, and fulfill orders efficiently.
Transaction Fees:

• In-person: 2.6% + 10¢
• Online: 2.9% + 30¢

Best For:
Physical storefronts or businesses selling both online and in-store.

Plan details: https://www.shopify.com/pos/pricing

3. Basic Plan

The Basic plan costs $39/month (or $29/month when billed annually) and is ideal for new online stores that need a full-featured eCommerce website with all the essential tools.

Key Features:

Online Store:
Includes a complete online store with a customizable theme editor so you can design your brand’s website.

Unlimited Products:
You can add and sell as many products as you want.

Unlimited Bandwidth:
No limits on data usage, allowing your store to handle traffic smoothly.

2 Staff Accounts:
Add up to two staff members and manage their access in the Shopify admin.

24/7 Support:
Get support anytime through Shopify’s chat assistance.

Abandoned Cart Recovery:
Automatically sends reminders to customers who leave items in their cart, helping you recover more sales.

Transaction Fees:

• In-person: 2.6% + 10¢
• Online: 2.9% + 30¢

Best For:
New online businesses that want a complete and reliable eCommerce setup.

4. Grow Plan

The Grow plan (previously known as the Shopify Plan) costs $105/month (or $79/month when billed annually) and is designed for growing businesses that need more advanced tools and improved transaction rates.

Note: As of April 9, 2025, the “Shopify” plan was renamed to the “Grow” plan.

Key Features:

Staff Accounts:
Allows up to 5 staff accounts, compared to only 2 on the Basic plan.

Standard Reporting:
Includes standard reports to help you track performance in areas like sales, products, and customer activity.

24/7 Support:
Access Shopify’s support team through chat anytime.

Abandoned Cart Recovery:
Sends automated emails to customers who leave items in their carts to help recover lost sales.

Gift Cards & Discounts:
Create gift cards and offer discounts to boost sales.

Multi-location Inventory:
Track and manage inventory across multiple locations.

Transaction Fees:

• In-person: 2.5% + 10¢
• Online: 2.7% + 30¢

Best For:
Growing businesses that need more staff access, improved analytics, and better rates.

5. Advanced Plan

The Advanced plan costs $399/month (or $299/month when billed annually) and is designed for established businesses with higher sales volume and more complex operational needs.

Key Features:

Up to 15 Staff Accounts:
Gives access to more team members for managing the store.

Unlimited Bandwidth & Products:
Supports heavy traffic and lets you add unlimited products.

Carrier-Calculated Shipping:
Integrates with third-party shipping carriers to display real-time shipping rates and options at checkout.

Markets:
Includes 3 markets by default, with the option to upgrade to as many as 50 markets for an additional fee.

24/7 Support:
Get round-the-clock support through Shopify’s chat service.
Transaction Fees:

• In-person: 2.4% + 10¢
• Online: 2.5% + 30¢

Best For:
Businesses with high order volumes, international shipping needs, or advanced reporting requirements.

6. Shopify Plus

Shopify Plus starts at $2,300/month for a 1-year contract and is built for enterprise-level businesses, high-volume merchants, and large retailers that need advanced features and scalability.

Key Features:

Customizable Checkout:
Shopify Plus lets you fully customize the checkout experience, including access to the checkout.liquid file.

Unlimited Staff Accounts:
Ideal for large teams, allowing unlimited staff logins and permission control.

B2B & Wholesale Support:
Comes with built-in features for B2B and wholesale selling, making it simpler for businesses that sell to other businesses.

24/7 Priority Support:
Includes priority assistance with 24/7 phone support.

Advanced Reporting & Analytics:
Provides deeper reporting options and customizable analytics to help you make informed, data-driven decisions.
(For more insights, see guides on Shopify Analytics or Shopify vs Google Analytics.)

Transaction Fees:

• You pay your payment processor’s fees
• Plus 0.20% per transaction to Shopify for security and compliance

Note: Exact pricing and details may vary. It’s best to contact Shopify’s sales team for the most current information.

Plan details: https://www.shopify.com/plus/pricing

Best For:
High-growth, enterprise brands that need advanced customization, automation, and top-tier support.

Monthly vs. Annual Shopify Pricing

1. Monthly Shopify Pricing

Monthly billing is flexible and doesn’t require long-term commitment, making it a good choice for new businesses still testing their products or sales strategy.

Benefits:

• Cancel anytime with no long-term contract
• Good for trying Shopify before fully committing
• Easy to switch plans as your business grows
• Lower upfront cost (pay month-to-month)

Drawbacks:

• Slightly higher monthly cost
• No savings for long-term use
• Easier to lose track of recurring charges

Example:
A new store on the Basic plan pays $39/month, totaling $468/year, which is more expensive than the annual option.

2. Annual Shopify Pricing

Annual billing offers notable savings in exchange for upfront commitment. If you’re sure Shopify is the right platform for your business, it’s the more cost-efficient choice.

Benefits:

• Up to 25% savings compared to monthly billing (depends on the plan)
• Better for annual budget planning
• Fewer recurring payments to manage
• Sometimes includes extra promotions (like longer trials)

Drawbacks:

• Full payment is required upfront
• Harder to downgrade or cancel mid-year
• Less flexibility for new businesses still experimenting

Example:
The Grow plan costs $105/month or $1,260/year when billed monthly. With the annual discount, it may drop to about $948/year, saving you over $300.

Pro Tip:
Start with monthly billing during your launch phase. Once your sales stabilize and you’re confident Shopify is the right platform, switch to annual billing to save money.

How to Choose the Right Shopify Pricing Plan for Your Business

With six different Shopify plans available, picking the right one can feel challenging especially if you’re trying to balance limited budgets with big growth goals.

The key is to choose a plan that fits your current stage of business, your expected growth, and the tools you need to run your store effectively.

Before moving to the next section, here’s how Shopify plans typically align with different business stages:

Testing a product idea?
The Starter plan is perfect. It lets you sell directly on Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and other messaging platforms.

Ready to launch your full online store?
The Basic plan is the right choice. It gives you everything you need to build your website, manage orders, and grow affordably.

Seeing steady traffic and regular sales?
Move up to the Grow plan for improved reporting, better shipping rates, and more staff accounts.

Scaling quickly or operating from multiple locations?
The Advanced plan is designed for this. It provides stronger analytics and tools to handle larger teams, logistics, and global operations.

Running a high-volume or enterprise-level business?
Shopify Plus is the best fit. It offers advanced customization, automation, and dedicated support for businesses generating high six-figure to seven-figure revenue.

Addressing Common Objections About Shopify Pricing Plans

When choosing Shopify as your eCommerce platform, it’s normal to have concerns or questions about its pricing. Here are answers to some of the most common objections to help you make the right decision.

1. Is Shopify Too Expensive for Beginners?

Shopify may seem pricier than some alternatives at first, especially if you’re just starting out on a limited budget.
However, Shopify offers affordable options—starting at $5/month for the Starter plan (ideal for social media selling) and $29/month for the Basic plan when billed annually.

These plans include important features like unlimited products, multiple sales channels, and 24/7 support—features many cheaper platforms either don’t include or charge extra for.

With Shopify’s strong infrastructure, security, and scalability, the cost becomes a smart investment for entrepreneurs who want to grow seriously.

2. What if I Outgrow My Plan?

Shopify is built to scale with you. You can upgrade your plan anytime directly from your admin dashboard without losing data or interrupting your store.

As your sales increase, you can move from Basic to Grow, then to Advanced or Shopify Plus for enterprise-level needs.
This flexibility ensures you always pay for the features you need—nothing more, nothing less.

3. Is Shopify’s Pricing Worth It for Me?

Whether Shopify is worth the investment depends on how you use its features. The platform includes hosting, security, payment processing, marketing tools, and customer support all in one system.

When you consider the time saved on maintenance and the potential increase in sales from built-in features like abandoned cart recovery and multi-channel selling, Shopify often provides strong value for money.

Plus, Shopify frequently offers promotions—such as $1/month for the first three months—so you can try it with minimal risk.

4. Will I Need to Hire Shopify Developers to Get the Look or Functionality I Want?

Shopify’s drag-and-drop themes and app integrations make it easy for most store owners to build a professional website without coding.

However, if you need advanced customization, unique features, or special integrations, hiring a Shopify developer can be helpful.

We offer expert Shopify development services tailored to your requirements to ensure your store looks great and functions perfectly.

Learn more here: Shopify Development Services

Conclusion

Choosing the right Shopify pricing plan may seem like a big step, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur starting or a fast-growing eCommerce brand, Shopify has flexible pricing options that can grow with your business.

The most important thing is to understand what your business needs right now while keeping future growth in mind. From the $5/month Starter plan to the advanced Shopify Plus solution, there’s a plan for every stage.

As you explore Shopify, be sure to check out our powerful Shopify apps designed to make store management easier and boost your performance.

ShipZip is one of our top tools—giving you complete control over shipping rules, store pickup, and local delivery without needing a developer. Thousands of merchants rely on it to cut cart abandonment and improve customer satisfaction.

Another must-have tool is AIOD (All-In-One Discount). It allows you to create 8+ types of automatic discounts—like free gifts, BOGO deals, and volume-based offers—without writing any code. It’s an easy way to improve conversions and increase your average order value.

If you have any questions about Shopify pricing plans, feel free to leave a comment below. We’d be happy to help you on your eCommerce journey.

Manish Khilwani

Author

Co-Founder at BrainStream Technolabs, he focuses on building people-first, scalable eCommerce and digital products that help brands grow with clarity and innovation.