Shopify Pricing 2026: How Much Does Shopify Cost, Really?

Shopify's plans start at USD 29 per month. That's just the cheapest tier, though - and the subscription fee is only part of the total cost. Payment processing fees, paid apps, premium themes, and other optional expenses can all add to your monthly bill. So, how much does it cost to run a Shopify store, really?

We'll break down Shopify's pricing plans and the additional costs you should factor in, so you can plan your budget with a clear idea of what to expect.

A Shopify store costs at least $29 per month — that's the current price of the cheapest plan when billed annually. Even if the entry-level plan is enough for your needs, though, you'll probably end up paying more than that, since the monthly subscription is only one part of the total cost.

Before we look at the plans in detail, let's break down at the main factors that affect the total cost:

Let's look at each of these ____ in detail:

Shopify offers three standard plans: Basic, Shopify, and Advanced (there's a fourth plan called “Plus,” but it’s an enterprise-level solution for larger companies). Here's a breakdown:

For the most part, the core features (like unlimited products and sales channels) are the same across all tiers. The real differences are in the staff accounts and the payment processing fees.

“Basic” is the entry-level plan and covers all the fundamentals. You can list unlimited products and sell across any sales channel with no limits on revenue.

The biggest limitation is that you don't get any staff accounts, so this plan is strictly for solo entrepreneurs. You also have limited API access (which can make some complex app integrations difficult) and you miss out on advanced international tools like localized storefronts or multi-currency payouts.

If you’re working with a team, you’ll eventually need to upgrade to the “Grow” plan, which includes five staff accounts. Aside from the extra accounts, the features are mostly identical to the Basic plan. You still won’t get the high-end tools for international selling, though your transaction fees for credit cards will be slightly lower.

The “Advanced” plan is designed for larger, international businesses. It supports up to 15 staff accounts and includes the global tools that the cheaper plans lack. For example, you can create localized storefronts for specific countries and accept payments in multiple local currencies.

Once you start selling, a slice of every sale goes toward fees. There are two types of fees you need to know about: transaction fees charged by Shopify, and processing fees charged by the payment gateway. Here's the difference:

If you use Shopify Payments, you won't pay any Shopify transaction fees. However, if you choose a third-party payment provider such as PayPal, Stripe, or Klarna, Shopify charges an additional transaction fee on each sale.

The exact fee depends on your subscription plan:

Every time a customer pays for an order, you'll pay a payment processing fee. The exact amount depends on your Shopify plan, the payment provider you use, and the customer's payment method.

Most payment methods charge a fixed fee plus a percentage of the transaction value. Here are the rates for Shopify Payments:

If you use a third-party payment provider, check its website for the latest rates and terms. While payment processing fees are often similar across providers, using a third-party gateway triggers Shopify's additional transaction fees, as explained above. Again, that's why Shopify Payments is usually the cheaper option.

Beyond the monthly subscription and transaction fees, there are several other expenses that can impact your bottom line.

While Shopify allows you to publish a store (for free) under a “myshopify.com” address, a professional business needs a custom domain. You can buy one through Shopify for around $14 a year, or connect one from a third-party provider. Either way, it’s a small but necessary annual expense.

Shopify's extensive app store has an app for almost everything, but very few of the good ones are free. Costs vary wildly: some are just a few dollars, while others can run into the hundreds. If you aren’t careful, your “app stack” can easily end up costing more than your actual Shopify plan.

Shopify offers a handful of free themes, but most themes in the Shopify Theme Store are paid. Prices typically range from $100 to $400 as a one-time purchase.

Shopify is a “no-code” solution, but some customizations still require coding. If you need a custom layout or a specific feature that apps can't handle, you might need to hire a developer. Freelance Shopify developers typically charge between $80 and $160 per hour.

Once you start selling physical products, you'll also need to account for shipping costs. These aren't paid to Shopify but to your shipping carrier, such as DHL or UPS. Shopify offers reduced, pre-negotiated rates through its carrier partnerships.

You'll also need to decide whether to charge customers for shipping or include the cost in your product prices. Offering free shipping can increase conversions, but you'll need to factor those costs into your pricing to protect your margins.

Unlike marketplaces like Amazon or Etsy, Shopify doesn’t come with a built-in audience. If you want your store to actually get found, you’ll need a dedicated budget to drive your own traffic via social media or Google Ads.

To keep your books in order, you’ll likely need professional accounting software or a tax professional to help with filing. Between tracking your sales and staying on top of your tax obligations, this administrative overhead is a necessary cost of doing business.

Comparing the cost of different ecommerce website builders can be tricky, since every provider uses a different pricing model, and subscription costs are only part of the equation. Still, the monthly subscription is the easiest cost to compare across providers.

To make the comparison as fair as possible, we defined three typical store scenarios and compared what each provider would charge in those situations:

Here's the result:

For small stores, Shopify's base subscription is on the higher side. But unlike some cheaper ecommerce platforms, the Basic plan already includes most key features, and there are no product or revenue limits. Aside from the lower staff account limit and the higher payment processing fees, the Basic plan has few major limitations. If you're running a small store on your own, it may be all you ever need.

Keep in mind that this comparison only covers subscription costs. It doesn't include payment and transaction fees, paid apps, premium themes, domains, or marketing expenses, all of which can have a significant impact on your total costs.

Shopify offers three standard plans (Basic, Grow, and Advanced), plus the enterprise-level Plus plan. The standard plans range from $29 to $399 per month, with discounts available if you pay annually. The subscription is only one part of the total cost, though. Payment and transaction fees, paid apps, premium themes, domains, and marketing tools can all increase your monthly expenses.

While Shopify isn't the cheapest ecommerce platform, its Basic plan already includes most of the features businesses need to launch and grow an online store. There are no product or revenue limits, and the main reasons to upgrade are additional staff accounts and lower payment processing fees. As your sales volume increases, the lower fees can easily offset the higher subscription cost.

If you're comparing ecommerce platforms, don't focus on the subscription price alone. A cheaper platform may require paid add-ons or higher-tier plans to match the features Shopify includes out of the box. If you're still weighing your options, check out our roundup of the best Shopify alternatives.