Many new merchants ask one common question before launching a store: “How much does Shopify actually cost?”

Many new merchants ask one common question before launching a store: “How much does Shopify actually cost?”

The simple answer is that Shopify has a monthly plan fee. But the real answer is bigger than that. Your final cost can include payment processing fees, third-party transaction fees, apps, themes, domains, POS tools, taxes, marketplace integrations, currency conversion, and other ongoing expenses.

So, when you calculate Shopify pricing, you should not only look at the subscription price. You should calculate the full cost of running and growing your online store.

In this guide, we will break down Shopify pricing in 2026, explain how much Shopify takes from each sale, compare plans, show real fee examples, and help you understand which costs you should prepare for.

Quick Summary

Shopify’s main pricing plans in 2026 include Basic, Grow, Advanced, and Shopify Plus. The Starter plan may also be available depending on your region and account status.

On Shopify’s US pricing page, the common monthly pricing is:

1. Basic: $39/month, or $29/month with annual billing
2. Grow: $105/month, or $95/month with annual billing
3. Advanced: $399/month, or $360/month with annual billing
4. Shopify Plus: starts from $2,300/month

Shopify usually charges merchants in two major ways:

1. Payment processing fees
2. Extra third-party transaction fees, if Shopify Payments is not used

For example, on a $100 online domestic sale through Shopify Payments, Shopify may take around $2.55 to $3.20, depending on your plan.

But your total Shopify cost can also increase through apps, premium themes, Shopify POS, Shopify Tax, domains, marketing tools, automation software, and marketplace fees.

Does Shopify Take a Cut From Sales?

Yes, Shopify does take a cut from sales, mainly through payment processing fees.

If you use Shopify Payments, you pay the card processing fee connected to your plan. If you use an outside payment gateway instead, Shopify may charge an extra transaction fee on top of the gateway’s own fee.

This is why your payment setup matters a lot. Two stores can use the same Shopify plan but pay different fees depending on the payment provider they choose.

In most supported regions, Shopify Payments is usually the more cost-friendly option because it can remove Shopify’s additional third-party transaction fee.

Shopify Plans in 2026

Shopify offers several plans for different business sizes. Some plans are made for beginners, while others are designed for growing brands, high-volume sellers, or enterprise businesses.

Starter Plan

The Starter plan is mainly for simple selling. It is useful for creators, influencers, or small sellers who want to sell through social media, messaging apps, or product links.

It is not the best choice if you want a complete online store with full customization, advanced design, full product pages, and stronger ecommerce features.

Starter can be good for testing an idea, but most serious ecommerce businesses will eventually need Basic or a higher plan.

Basic Plan

The Basic plan is the first full Shopify store plan. It gives you a complete ecommerce website with product pages, checkout, hosting, SSL security, access to Shopify apps, and all essential online selling features.

Basic is usually a good starting point for new brands and small businesses.

Typical US pricing:

1. $39/month with monthly billing
2. $29/month with annual billing

For Shopify Payments in the US, the online card rate is commonly around:

2.9% + $0.30 per transaction

If you use a third-party payment provider instead of Shopify Payments, Shopify can add an extra transaction fee, commonly around 2% on the Basic plan.

Basic is affordable for beginners, but as your sales grow, the higher payment rate can become expensive.

Grow Plan

The Grow plan is for stores that are already getting consistent sales and need better features than Basic.

Typical US pricing:

1. $105/month with monthly billing
2. $95/month with annual billing

The main benefit of Grow is lower payment processing fees and better reporting.

For US merchants using Shopify Payments, the online card rate is commonly around:

2.7% + $0.30 per transaction

The third-party transaction fee is also lower than Basic, commonly around 1%.

Grow can become more profitable than Basic when your monthly revenue becomes high enough that the lower transaction fees save more money than the extra subscription cost.

Advanced Plan

The Advanced plan is built for larger stores that need better analytics, lower fees, international selling tools, and more control over operations.

Typical US pricing:

1. $399/month with monthly billing
2. $360/month with annual billing

For US merchants using Shopify Payments, the online card rate is commonly around:

2.5% + $0.30 per transaction

The third-party transaction fee is also lower than Basic and Grow, commonly around 0.6%.

Advanced is not necessary for most small stores. But for stores with high monthly revenue, international sales, advanced reporting needs, or complex operations, it can make sense.

Shopify Plus

Shopify Plus is Shopify’s enterprise-level plan. It is designed for large brands, high-volume stores, B2B companies, multi-store businesses, and businesses that need advanced customization.

Shopify Plus pricing starts from around:

$2,300/month

However, Plus pricing can become custom depending on the business size, revenue, contract, features, and setup requirements.

Shopify Plus can include benefits such as:

1. Advanced checkout customization
2. B2B selling features
3. Higher API limits
4. More automation
5. Multiple storefront support
6. Enterprise-level support
7. More flexibility for large operations

For most small and medium stores, Shopify Plus is not needed. But for enterprise businesses, it can reduce operational complexity and support large-scale growth.

Shopify Cost Comparison Table

PlanMonthly PriceAnnual PriceShopify Payments Online RateExtra Third-Party FeeBest ForStarterCheck availabilityN/ADepends on regionCheck regionSocial selling and product linksBasic$39/month$29/month2.9% + $0.302%New stores and small brandsGrow$105/month$95/month2.7% + $0.301%Growing storesAdvanced$399/month$360/month2.5% + $0.300.6%High-volume storesPlusFrom $2,300/monthFrom $2,300/monthOften lower/customCustomEnterprise brands

These prices and rates are based on Shopify’s US pricing structure. Pricing can vary by country, payment method, currency, tax rules, and Shopify account status. Always check Shopify’s official pricing page before publishing final numbers.

How Much Does Shopify Take From a $100 Sale?

The amount Shopify takes depends on your plan and payment gateway.

Here are simple examples using Shopify Payments for a $100 domestic online sale.

Basic Plan Example

Sale amount: $100

Shopify Payments rate: 2.9% + $0.30

Calculation:

1. 2.9% of $100 = $2.90
2. Fixed fee = $0.30
3. Total fee = $3.20

You receive:

$96.80 before product cost, shipping, taxes, apps, and other expenses

Grow Plan Example

Sale amount: $100

Shopify Payments rate: 2.7% + $0.30

Calculation:

1. 2.7% of $100 = $2.70
2. Fixed fee = $0.30
3. Total fee = $3.00

You receive:

$97.00 before other business costs

Advanced Plan Example

Sale amount: $100

Shopify Payments rate: 2.5% + $0.30

Calculation:

1. 2.5% of $100 = $2.50
2. Fixed fee = $0.30
3. Total fee = $2.80

You receive:

$97.20 before other expenses

Plus Plan Example

Sale amount: $100

Shopify Payments rate example: 2.25% + $0.30

Calculation:

1. 2.25% of $100 = $2.25
2. Fixed fee = $0.30
3. Total fee = $2.55

You receive:

$97.45 before other costs

What Happens If You Use a Third-Party Payment Gateway?

If you do not use Shopify Payments, Shopify may charge an extra third-party transaction fee.

For example, if you are on the Basic plan and use an outside payment gateway, Shopify may charge an extra 2% transaction fee.

For a $100 order:

1. Shopify extra transaction fee = $2.00
2. External gateway fee = depends on the provider
3. Total fee = Shopify fee + external payment processor fee

This means using an external payment gateway can become more expensive, especially on lower Shopify plans.

That is why merchants should compare the total payment cost, not only the monthly Shopify subscription.

Why Shopify Charges Fees

Shopify fees help cover the tools and infrastructure needed to run an online store.

These include:

1. Secure hosting
2. SSL certificate
3. Shopify checkout
4. Payment infrastructure
5. Fraud analysis
6. Store admin system
7. Platform updates
8. App and theme ecosystem
9. POS tools
10. Security and reliability

A self-hosted ecommerce website may look cheaper at first, but you would still need to pay for hosting, security, maintenance, payment gateway setup, updates, developer support, and integrations separately.

Shopify combines many of these services into one platform, which is why the subscription fee alone does not tell the full story.

Other Shopify Costs You Should Budget For

Shopify’s monthly plan is only one part of the total cost. Most stores also pay for several other tools and services.

1. Apps

Many Shopify stores use apps for:

1. Product reviews
2. Email marketing
3. Upsells
4. Cross-sells
5. Bundles
6. SEO
7. Analytics
8. Order tracking
9. Subscriptions
10. Loyalty programs
11. Inventory management
12. Dropshipping
13. Fulfillment

Some apps are free, but many charge monthly fees. As your store grows, app costs can become higher than your Shopify subscription.

A small store may only need a few apps. A larger store may spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars monthly on apps.

2. Themes and Design

Shopify offers free themes, and they are enough for many new stores.

But if you want a more professional design, better branding, or advanced layout options, you may need:

1. A paid Shopify theme
2. Custom theme development
3. Landing page design
4. Conversion-focused store design
5. UI/UX improvements

A paid theme is usually a one-time cost. Custom development can cost much more depending on the complexity.

3. Domain Name

A professional store needs a custom domain.

For example:

yourbrand.com

Domain costs are separate from Shopify’s monthly subscription. Usually, domains are billed yearly.

4. Shopify POS

If you sell offline or in a physical store, you may need Shopify POS.

Shopify POS Lite is included with many Shopify plans, but POS Pro can cost extra per location.

You may also need retail hardware such as:

1. Card reader
2. Barcode scanner
3. Receipt printer
4. Cash drawer
5. Label printer

So, retail sellers should include POS and hardware costs in their budget.

5. Shopify Tax

Shopify Tax can help merchants calculate and collect sales tax.

The cost can depend on sales volume, region, and tax rules. For example, Shopify Tax may be free until a certain sales threshold, and after that, a small percentage fee may apply on taxable orders.

Tax pricing and rules can change, so merchants should always check Shopify’s official tax pricing page for updated information.

6. Marketplace Selling Fees

If you sell through marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, Walmart, or Etsy using Shopify integrations, you may have additional fees.

These can include:

1. Marketplace commissions
2. Integration fees
3. Fulfillment fees
4. Advertising fees
5. Marketplace payment fees

So, if you sell on multiple channels, Shopify fees are only one part of your total selling cost.

7. International and Currency Fees

International selling can add extra costs.

These may include:

1. Currency conversion fees
2. International card fees
3. Cross-border payment fees
4. Duties and import taxes
5. Local tax tools
6. Country-specific payment charges
7. Bank-side fees

If you sell globally, you should calculate the full landed cost of each order, not just Shopify’s subscription and transaction fee.

8. Chargebacks and Disputes

Chargebacks can also create extra costs.

If a customer disputes a payment, you may pay a chargeback fee depending on your country and payment provider.

To reduce chargeback risk, merchants should keep:

1. Clear return policies
2. Tracking numbers
3. Delivery proof
4. Customer communication records
5. Accurate product descriptions

Shopify Payments vs Third-Party Payment Gateways

Your payment gateway choice can have a big impact on your total Shopify cost.

Shopify Payments

When Shopify Payments is available in your country, it is usually the easiest and most cost-effective option.

Benefits include:

1. No extra Shopify third-party transaction fee for supported payments
2. Easier setup
3. Integrated payment dashboard
4. Faster management inside Shopify
5. Simple payout tracking

Third-Party Gateways

Third-party gateways can be useful if Shopify Payments is not available in your country or if you need a specific local payment method.

However, they can become more expensive because you may pay:

1. Gateway’s own processing fee
2. Shopify’s additional transaction fee
3. Possible currency or bank fees

For many merchants, the best setup is to use Shopify Payments as the main payment processor and keep other payment methods like PayPal as secondary options if customers expect them.

When Should You Upgrade Your Shopify Plan?

Upgrading your Shopify plan increases your monthly subscription cost, but it can reduce your transaction fees and unlock better features.

The right time to upgrade depends on your sales volume, reporting needs, payment setup, and business goals.

Starter to Basic

Upgrade from Starter to Basic when you need:

1. A full online store
2. Better branding
3. Product pages
4. Custom design
5. A professional storefront
6. More ecommerce features

Starter is good for simple selling, but Basic is better for a serious ecommerce business.

Basic to Grow

Grow can make sense when your sales become consistent and the lower processing fee saves enough money to justify the higher monthly plan.

Many stores review this decision when they reach steady five-figure monthly revenue.

Grow to Advanced

Advanced can be useful when you need:

1. Better reports
2. More international selling tools
3. Lower payment fees
4. More operational control
5. Higher sales volume support

This plan is usually better for stores that are already scaling.

Advanced to Shopify Plus

Shopify Plus is usually not only about saving fees. It is more about enterprise-level needs.

You may consider Plus when you need:

1. Custom checkout
2. B2B features
3. Multiple storefronts
4. Higher API limits
5. More automation
6. Dedicated support
7. Complex integrations

For large brands, Plus can be worth the cost because it saves time, improves flexibility, and supports bigger operations.

Why Shopify Costs Grow as Your Store Scales

At the beginning, Shopify can look affordable. But as your store grows, your total cost usually grows too.

More Sales Mean More Processing Fees

Even if the percentage stays the same, higher sales volume means higher total payment fees.

A store making $10,000/month pays much less in processing fees than a store making $100,000/month.

More Features Mean More Apps

As your business grows, you may need apps for reviews, subscriptions, returns, bundles, loyalty, advanced analytics, customer support, shipping, and automation.

These app costs can add up quickly.

International Selling Adds More Complexity

Selling in multiple countries can bring extra costs for taxes, duties, currencies, payment methods, translations, and logistics.

Retail Selling Adds POS Costs

If you sell in person, you may need Shopify POS Pro, hardware, and retail tools.

Enterprise Growth Adds Development and Integration Costs

Large stores often spend more on custom development, APIs, automation, analytics, ERP integrations, and technical support.

That is why merchants should calculate total cost of ownership, not just the monthly Shopify plan.

How to Reduce Shopify Costs

Here are practical ways to keep your Shopify costs under control:

1. Use Shopify Payments where available
2. Choose the plan based on your sales volume
3. Pay annually if your cash flow allows
4. Review app subscriptions regularly
5. Remove apps you no longer use
6. Avoid apps that duplicate the same features
7. Track payment fees and profit margins
8. Reduce chargebacks with clear policies
9. Use automation to reduce manual work
10. Compare plan break-even points as revenue grows
11. Check official Shopify pricing before making long-term decisions

Is Shopify Worth the Cost?

For Small Businesses

Shopify Basic can be worth it for small businesses because it includes hosting, checkout, SSL, payment tools, themes, apps, and store management in one place.

If you use a free theme, limited apps, and Shopify Payments, your starting cost can stay manageable.

For Growing Brands

Grow and Advanced can be worth the higher monthly fee when lower payment rates, better reports, and stronger features help protect margins.

At this stage, merchants should pay close attention to app costs, payment fees, and operational efficiency.

For Enterprise Stores

Shopify Plus is expensive, but it can be valuable for large brands that need advanced checkout control, B2B, automation, multiple stores, and enterprise support.

For enterprise merchants, the real question is not only “How much does Shopify cost?” but also “How much time and complexity can Shopify save?”

FAQ

How much does Shopify cost per month?

In the US, Shopify Basic is commonly $39/month, Grow is $105/month, Advanced is $399/month, and Shopify Plus starts from around $2,300/month. Annual billing can reduce the monthly equivalent price.

Does Shopify take a percentage of every sale?

Yes. Shopify takes payment processing fees when customers pay by card. If you use an external payment provider instead of Shopify Payments, Shopify may also charge an additional third-party transaction fee.

Can I avoid Shopify transaction fees?

You cannot avoid payment processing fees completely because every ecommerce store needs a payment processor. However, you may avoid Shopify’s extra third-party transaction fees by using Shopify Payments where available.

How much does Shopify take from a $100 sale?

For a $100 domestic online sale through Shopify Payments, Shopify may take around:

1. Basic: $3.20
2. Grow: $3.00
3. Advanced: $2.80
4. Plus: about $2.55

This depends on your plan, country, payment method, and card type.

Does Shopify refund processing fees when I refund a customer?

Refund rules can vary by country and payment provider. In many cases, payment processing fees may not always be returned to the merchant. Merchants should check Shopify’s official payment and refund documentation for their region.

Are Shopify apps included in the monthly plan?

Some apps are free, but many Shopify apps charge extra monthly or usage-based fees. App costs are separate from Shopify’s subscription fee.

Is Shopify good for beginners?

Yes. Shopify is beginner-friendly because it includes hosting, checkout, security, themes, apps, and admin tools in one platform. However, beginners should still budget for apps, domain, design, payment fees, and marketing.

Which Shopify plan is best for a new store?

For most new ecommerce stores, Basic is usually the best starting point. Starter can work for simple social selling, but Basic is better for a full online store.

Final Thoughts

Shopify pricing is not only about the monthly subscription. The real cost depends on your plan, payment provider, sales volume, apps, design, tax tools, POS needs, marketplace channels, and international selling setup.

For new merchants, Basic is often enough to start. As sales grow, Grow or Advanced can help reduce payment fees and unlock stronger features. For enterprise brands, Shopify Plus can provide the flexibility and scale needed for complex ecommerce operations.

The smartest approach is to calculate Shopify’s total cost based on your actual business model, not just the visible monthly price. Always compare plan fees, payment fees, app costs, and operational costs before choosing or upgrading your Shopify plan.