Shopify Costs, Plans, and Fees Explained

Starting an online store is an exciting adventure, but choosing the right platform can feel a little overwhelming. Don’t worry! Shopify offers a 3-day free trial, allowing you to explore its features before making a commitment. In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through Shopify’s pricing, plans, and fees to help you determine whether it’s the perfect fit for your business.

Why Choose Shopify?

Shopify is known for being user-friendly, flexible, and scalable — perfect whether you’re just starting out or already running a growing business.

Even if you're a complete beginner, you don’t need to be a tech expert to set up your store. Shopify offers countless apps, professional themes, and customizable features, allowing you to create an online shop that's as unique as your brand.

Imagine Shopify like a pizza — you get to choose your own toppings (features and apps) to build exactly the online store you envision.

How Much Does Shopify Cost?

Let’s break it down: Shopify charges monthly fees, but these cover almost everything you need to keep your store running smoothly, including:

-Web hosting

-Software updates and maintenance

-Security certifications (SSL)

It’s like having a full-time tech team working behind the scenes while you focus on growing your business.

In addition to monthly fees, there are transaction fees when customers make purchases. However, if you use Shopify Payments, you can significantly reduce or even eliminate some of these additional charges.

What’s Included in Shopify’s Costs?

Here’s what you get with your Shopify subscription:

-Hosting and Server Maintenance: Your shop stays online and loads quickly.

-Security Updates: Protect your shop and customer data with free SSL certificates.

-Continuous Software Improvements: You’ll always have the latest features without doing any manual updates.

Plus, you get access to Shopify’s App Store, where you can extend your shop's functionality with apps for marketing, shipping, inventory management, and more.

Overview of Shopify Pricing Plans (2025)

Shopify offers several pricing plans, each designed for businesses at different stages. Let's take a closer look:

1. Shopify Basic — Perfect for New Entrepreneurs

Cost: €36/month
Transaction Fees: 2.1% + €0.30 for European cards, 2% for external payment providers.

The Shopify Basic plan is ideal if you’re launching your first online store or running a small business. It provides everything you need to get started:

Unlimited products

Blog functionality

Basic reports

Free SSL certificate

Discount codes

24/7 customer support

However, keep in mind that Shopify Basic doesn’t include advanced automation features or in-depth reporting. Think of it as a reliable starter kit — enough to launch and grow your store, but you might want to upgrade once your sales increase.

2. Shopify Plan — Best for Growing Businesses

Cost: €105/month
Transaction Fees: 1.8% + €0.30

The standard Shopify Plan builds upon the Basic plan and is perfect for scaling your business:

Everything in Basic, plus:

Professional reports

Gift cards

Enhanced workflow automation (Shopify Flow)

Up to 5 staff accounts

With this plan, you can automate many repetitive tasks, create detailed sales reports, and offer gift cards to customers — which is great for holiday sales or special promotions.

It’s the most popular choice among Shopify users because it offers the perfect balance between features and costs.

3. Shopify Advanced — For Established Businesses

Cost: €384/month
Transaction Fees: 1.6% + €0.30

The Advanced Shopify Plan is designed for businesses that are scaling fast and need advanced functionality:

All features from the Shopify Plan, plus:

Advanced reporting and analytics

Third-party calculated shipping rates at checkout

Up to 15 staff accounts

If you're managing large inventories, multiple warehouse locations, or complex logistics, this plan gives you the flexibility and tools you need to operate efficiently.

It’s like upgrading from a sedan to a sports car — faster, more powerful, and ready for serious performance.

4. Shopify Plus — Enterprise Solution for Large-Scale Businesses

Cost: Starting from approximately €2,000/month (custom pricing)

Shopify Plus is the premium offering for enterprises and large online retailers. It offers:

All Shopify features with customization at scale

Advanced API integrations

Dedicated account management and launch support

Unlimited staff accounts

Multi-currency selling

Full control over checkout customization

Shopify Plus is ideal for brands processing thousands of orders per day or those needing extensive integrations with third-party software.

Think of it as buying a fully customized luxury vehicle — tailored exactly to your business’s unique needs.

How to Save on Shopify Fees

If you want to maximize your profits, managing fees carefully is crucial. Here’s how you can save:

Use Shopify Payments: By using Shopify’s integrated payment system, you avoid additional transaction fees from third-party payment providers.

Annual Plans: Pay for a full year upfront and save up to 25% on your subscription.

Optimize your plan: As your sales increase, upgrading to a higher plan with lower transaction fees can actually save you money in the long term.

Pro Tip: Always re-evaluate your plan as your store grows. Shopify makes it easy to upgrade or downgrade your plan whenever needed.

When Should You Upgrade Your Shopify Plan?

-You should consider upgrading your Shopify plan when:

-Your sales volume increases, and you want lower transaction fees.

-You need advanced reporting to better understand your customer data.

-You want to automate repetitive tasks to save time.

-You plan to expand your team and need more staff accounts.

-You require advanced shipping or tax solutions.

Starting small and upgrading when necessary is a smart way to manage costs while scaling your business responsibly.

Summary: Which Shopify Plan is Right for You?

Choosing the right Shopify plan depends on the size of your business, your specific needs, and your growth ambitions:

Just starting out? Shopify Basic is your best bet.

Growing steadily? The Shopify Plan offers the tools to scale.

Running a larger operation? Shopify Advanced provides professional-grade functionality.

Managing a high-volume business? Shopify Plus is your ultimate solution.

No matter where you are in your journey, Shopify offers the flexibility to grow with you.

Ready to launch your dream store?
👉 Start your 3-day free Shopify trial today and see for yourself if it’s the right ecommerce platform for you!