Shopify is one of the leading eCommerce platforms used by entrepreneurs around the world to start, run, and grow their businesses. It offers a wide range of features, tools, and resources to help you build and customize your online store, manage your orders, payments, and shipping, and market your products to your target audience.
However, like any other platform, Shopify charges fees for its services, which can vary depending on your business needs, goals, and budget. Understanding Shopify pricing and fees is crucial for anyone looking to start an online store or switch to a new e-commerce platform. Shopify offers several pricing plans with different features and fees, so it’s important to know which plan is the best fit for your business needs and budget.
In this article, we’ll explore the latest Shopify pricing and fees for 2023, and help you understand how they can affect your eCommerce journey.
Shopify Pricing Plans
Shopify offers 3 main pricing plans for its users, ranging from basic to advanced features and services. Here’s a summary of each plan, along with its pricing and main features.
Features
| Plan Name | Basic Shopify | Shopify | Advanced Shopify |
| Online Store | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Unlimited Products | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 24/7 Support | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Discount Codes | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Free SSL Certificate | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Gift Cards | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Professional Reports | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Abandoned Cart Recovery | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Advanced Report Builder | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Third-party Calculated Shipping Rates | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Customized Checkout | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Unlimited Staff Accounts | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Advanced Automation and Customization | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Dedicated Account Manager | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Customizable APIs and Integrations | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Enterprise-grade Security and Performance | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Each plan offers a different set of features and benefits, depending on your business needs and budget. Be sure to consider these features when choosing a pricing plan that best suits your online store.
Pricing and fees
| Plan Name | Basic Shopify | Shopify | Advanced Shopify |
| Monthly Fee | $25 | $65 | $399 |
| Transaction Fees | 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction | 2.6% + 30¢ per transaction | 2.4% + 30¢ per transaction |
| Credit Card Rates | 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction | 2.6% + 30¢ per transaction | 2.4% + 30¢ per transaction |
| Shopify Payments Fee | 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction | 2.6% + 30¢ per transaction | 2.4% + 30¢ per transaction |
| Chargeback Fees | $15 per chargeback | $15 per chargeback | $15 per chargeback |
| API Calls | 0.5% of transaction value | 0.25% of transaction value | 0.15% of transaction value |
| Shopify POS Lite | Included | Included | Included |
| Shopify POS Pro | $89 per month | $89 per month | $89 per month |
It’s important to note that transaction fees are waived if you use Shopify Payments as your payment gateway. Additionally, the credit card rates vary depending on the credit card provider used. When choosing a pricing plan, be sure to consider the pricing and fees associated with each plan to ensure it fits within your budget.
Who should use
Here are some recommendations on who should use each Shopify pricing plan.
- Basic Shopify Plan:
This plan is best suited for small businesses that are just starting out and have a limited budget. If you have a small product catalog and do not require advanced features, the Basic Shopify plan may be a good fit for you.
- Shopify Plan:
This plan is ideal for growing businesses that need more advanced features, such as gift cards and professional reports. If you are looking to expand your sales channels beyond your online store, the Shopify plan may be a good fit for you.
- Advanced Shopify Plan:
This plan is designed for larger businesses that require advanced features and customization options, such as third-party calculated shipping rates and customized checkout. If you have a large product catalog and require advanced reporting and automation options, the Advanced Shopify plan may be a good fit for you.
Ultimately, the best Shopify pricing plan for your business depends on your specific needs and budget. Be sure to consider your business size, product catalog, and desired features when choosing a plan that best fits your needs.
Additional Shopify Fees
In addition to the monthly subscription fees and some listed fees mentioned above for each Shopify pricing plan, there are several additional fees you should be aware of when using the platform. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common fees.
Fees for using third-party payment gateways
If you choose to use a third-party payment gateway, such as PayPal or Stripe, to process transactions on your Shopify store, you will be charged a fee by both the payment gateway and by Shopify. The fee charged by Shopify varies based on the pricing plan, while the fee charged by the payment gateway varies based on the provider.
Shipping fees and how they are calculated
Shopify provides several shipping options, including carrier-calculated shipping rates and manual shipping rates. If you use carrier-calculated shipping rates, the cost of shipping will be automatically calculated based on the weight and destination of the order. If you use manual shipping rates, you will need to set up your own shipping rates based on your preferred shipping carriers and methods.
Fees for using Shopify apps
Shopify provides a marketplace of apps that can be used to extend the functionality of your store. Many of these apps are free, but some may require a one-time or recurring fee to use.
Fees for using Shopify themes
Shopify provides a variety of themes that can be used to customize the look and feel of your store. Most themes are free, but some may require a one-time or recurring fee to use.
It’s important to keep these fees in mind when budgeting for your Shopify store, as they can add up quickly. Be sure to review the pricing and fees associated with each feature before making a decision on whether to use it in your store.
Managing Shopify Pricing and Fees
Once you’ve chosen a Shopify pricing plan and are aware of the associated fees, it’s important to manage your costs effectively to ensure your business stays profitable. Here are some tips for keeping track of, reducing, and optimizing your Shopify pricing and fees.
- Keep track of your Shopify pricing and fees:
One of the best ways to manage your costs is to keep track of your expenses. Shopify provides detailed reports that allow you to see your monthly subscription fees, transaction fees, and other costs associated with running your store. Review these reports regularly to ensure you’re aware of your expenses and can make informed decisions about where to allocate your budget.
- Reduce Shopify pricing and fees:
There are several ways to reduce your Shopify pricing and fees, including:
- Choosing a lower-priced pricing plan that still meets your needs
- Using Shopify Payments as your payment gateway to avoid transaction fees
- Negotiating with third-party payment gateway providers to lower their fees
- Using free Shopify apps instead of paid ones
- Using free Shopify themes instead of paid ones
- Optimize your Shopify pricing and fees:
In addition to reducing your costs, it’s also important to optimize your pricing and fees to maximize your profits. Consider these strategies below:
- Offer free shipping for orders over a certain amount to encourage customers to spend more
- Bundle products together to increase the average order value and offset transaction fees
- Use upselling and cross-selling techniques to encourage customers to add more products to their cart
- Offer discounts and promotions to incentivize customers to make a purchase
- Tips and tricks for managing Shopify pricing and fees:
Here are some additional tips and tricks for effectively managing your Shopify pricing and fees.
- Set a budget and stick to it to avoid overspending
- Monitor your store’s performance regularly to identify areas where you can improve efficiency and reduce costs
- Use Shopify’s built-in analytics tools to track your sales and expenses and identify areas for improvement
- Experiment with pricing and promotions to find what works best for your business
By following these tips and tricks, you can effectively manage your Shopify pricing and fees and ensure your business stays profitable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Shopify offers a variety of pricing plans to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes and budgets. Each plan comes with its own set of features and benefits, as well as associated pricing and fees. Understanding these costs is essential for effectively managing your business’s finances and ensuring profitability.
Additionally, there are several additional fees to be aware of, such as transaction fees, Shopify Payments fees, third-party gateway fees, shipping fees, app fees, and theme fees. By keeping track of these fees and taking steps to reduce and optimize them, you can effectively manage your Shopify pricing and fees.
Overall, Shopify is a powerful e-commerce platform that can help businesses of all sizes succeed online. By carefully selecting the right pricing plan and managing your costs effectively, you can leverage Shopify’s tools and features to grow your business and achieve your goals.
