Shopify is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms in the world, known for its sleek design, beginner-friendly setup, and massive app ecosystem. The advertised pricing seems simple, but with payment gateway fees, theme upgrades, and essential third-party app installations, many entrepreneurs are caught off guard by running a Shopify store with added costs.
This guide explains those hidden expenses in detail, helping you budget smartly and scale your store without financial surprises.
What are Shopify’s Pricing Tiers?
Shopify now lets you start for free and then continue at $1 monthly for the first 3 months. After the introductory period, you can pay monthly or annually, with a 25% savings when billed annually. It also requires a larger upfront investment that many first-time merchants may find restrictive. You can start with no credit card needed by simply entering your email address to begin a free trial.
Shopify offers four primary plans: Basic, Shopify, and Advanced.
Basic – $19/month (billed yearly).
Designed for solo entrepreneurs. Includes 10 inventory locations, 24/7 chat support, global selling across three markets, and POS Lite. Third-party payment provider fees start at 2%.
Grow – $49/month (billed yearly)
Built for small teams. Adds five staff accounts on top of the Basic features. Also supports 10 inventory locations, three global markets, POS Lite, and 24/7 chat. Third-party card rates start at 1%.
Advanced – $299/month (billed yearly)
It is best for scaling businesses. It offers 15 staff accounts, enhanced 24/7 support, advanced localization, and market expansion (3 included, $59/month per additional). It also includes POS Lite. Third-party card rates start at 0.6%.
Plus – $2,300/month (on 3-year term)
Ideal for complex, high-volume merchants, it comes with 200 inventory locations, priority phone support, localized selling in up to 50 markets, unlimited staff, a customizable checkout, and up to 200 POS Pro locations. It also supports B2B selling.
At first glance, these plans appear straightforward, offering core features like product management, SSL security, and access to the Shopify App Store. However, many essential tools are not included in the basic tier. For example, detailed reporting and custom shipping rates are only available on higher tiers. Advanced staff permissions may require a plan upgrade or integration with a third-party app.
Shopify Plan Comparison Table
| Plan | Monthly Price | Staff Accounts | Inventory Locations | 3rd-Party Fees | Global Markets | POS | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $19 | 1 | 10 | Enhanced localization, better support, and scalable for mid-sized businesses | 3 | Lite | 24/7 chat support, entry-level selling, SSL, product management |
| Grow | $49 | 5 | 10 | 1% | 1% | Lite | Adds team collaboration, same markets, and POS support as Basic |
| Advanced | $299 | 15 | 10 | 0.6% | 3 + $59/mo/add | Lite | Enhanced localization, better support, and scalability for mid-sized businesses |
| Plus | $2,300 | Unlimited | 200 | Competitive | 50 | Pro | Priority phone support, B2B selling, advanced checkout, 3-year contract only |
Alternative Shopify Solutions
In addition to the core subscription plans, Shopify offers more specialized options for businesses with specific selling needs. These plans provide affordable ways to begin without committing to larger monthly expenses.
Starter – $5/month: A minimal plan for social media and messaging-based selling.
Retail – $89/month: For in-person retail with advanced inventory, staff, and loyalty features.
Note: All prices may vary depending on your store location.
The Impact of Transaction Fees on Your Profit Margin
One of the most significant and often misunderstood costs is transaction fees. If you use Shopify Payments, you’ll avoid the extra charges. But if you prefer or are required to use a third-party payment gateway like PayPal, Stripe, or Authorize.net, Shopify adds a fee on top of the payment processor’s standard rates.
This might not sound like much initially, but for high-volume stores or businesses with thin margins, these additional charges can significantly reduce profits if you plan to scale or sell low-cost products at volume.
Shopify App Costs for Features
Shopify’s power comes from its vast App Store, which allows merchants to extend their store’s functionality in countless ways. These possibilities range from adding product reviews and upselling tools to integrating email marketing platforms like Klaviyo or page builders like PageFly.
However, most of these tools come with a monthly subscription fee. While some apps offer a free plan, many switch to paid tiers as your store grows. The combined cost of essential apps can easily exceed $10 to $200 per month, especially if you’re layering multiple tools to cover marketing, analytics, customer service, and shipping functions.
Premium Themes and the Cost of Visual Branding
Shopify offers a selection of free themes, but many merchants upgrade to premium themes to match their brand and improve performance. A professional theme can cost a one-time fee between $180 and $350.
Beyond that, you might also consider hiring a designer or developer to create a custom storefront, which can cost anywhere from $500 to several thousand dollars. These visual improvements are often necessary to build trust, boost conversion rates, and differentiate your store in a competitive market.
Shipping, Fulfillment, and Label Printing Fees
Shopify’s built-in shipping options provide discounts for carriers like USPS, UPS, and DHL, but only in certain countries. If you’re operating internationally or require more advanced shipping options, you’ll likely need to integrate third-party tools like ShipStation, Easyship, or a fulfillment provider like Printful.
Shipping costs include label printing tools, carrier fees, return processing, and inventory syncing. As you scale, these operational fees can become one of your most significant ongoing expenses, especially if you offer free shipping to remain competitive.
The Cost of Selling Internationally with Shopify
Expanding your Shopify store internationally is a great way to increase revenue, but it also brings additional expenses. Shopify Markets, a tool for global selling, can simplify the process but doesn’t eliminate costs like currency conversion fees, international tax handling, language translation, and geolocation-based content delivery.
Currency conversion alone typically costs around 1.5%, and you may need to pay for apps that handle duties, VAT, and customs declarations. These tools are essential for delivering a localized experience, but they do add to your bottom line.
The Hidden Costs of Growth with Shopify
As your business grows, so do your expenses. You may need to upgrade to a higher Shopify plan or even transition to Shopify Plus, which starts at $2,000 per month. You’ll also face increased costs from larger email marketing lists, higher app usage tiers, additional staff accounts, and advanced inventory or CRM systems.
Many stores also invest in customer service tools like Gorgias, live chat support, or dedicated analytics dashboards, all of which require monthly fees. These tools become indispensable as order volume and customer expectations rise.
How to Keep Shopify Costs Under Control?
Managing these expenses doesn’t mean limiting your growth. It means making wise decisions from the start. Begin with only the apps and features you need, and review your app usage monthly to eliminate redundancy.
Consider using all-in-one tools that bundle multiple features, and make sure you’re entirely using the capabilities of your current Shopify plan before upgrading. Monitoring your billing dashboard and staying on top of third-party subscriptions can help avoid bloated costs over time.
Is Shopify Still a Good Investment in 2025?
Despite the hidden costs, Shopify remains one of the most reliable and scalable e-commerce platforms. It’s ideal for direct-to-consumer brands, subscription businesses, drop shipping, and multi-channel retail.
The key to success is understanding that Shopify is not just $39 monthly. It is a business platform. Like any serious business tool, investment is justified when used strategically. If you budget wisely and scale mindfully, Shopify can be worth it.
Know Before You Grow with Shopify
Shopify’s pricing is like an iceberg. What you see on the surface doesn’t reflect everything beneath. With transaction fees, app costs, shipping charges, and global sales tools, it’s easy to overlook your monthly expenses.
But knowledge is power. Now that you know where the hidden costs are, you can make smarter decisions, plan your budget accurately, and build a Shopify store that doesn’t just survive but thrives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the most common hidden costs in Shopify?
The most common hidden costs in Shopify include transaction fees (especially if you don’t use Shopify Payments), monthly app subscriptions, premium theme purchases, third-party gateway charges, and scaling expenses such as email marketing, advanced analytics, and customer support tools.
Does Shopify charge additional fees for using PayPal or Stripe?
Yes. If you use third-party payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, or Authorize.net instead of Shopify Payments, Shopify adds an extra transaction fee of up to 2%, depending on your plan. This is in addition to the fees charged by the payment provider itself.
Is Shopify Plus worth the $2300 monthly fee?
Shopify Plus is designed for enterprise-level businesses with high-volume sales and complex operational needs. It includes automation (Shopify Flow), advanced permissions, B2B tools, and priority support. The investment can be worth it for large e-commerce brands. For smaller stores, the standard Advanced Shopify plan is more cost-effective.
Can I run a Shopify store without using paid apps?
Running a Shopify store using only free apps and built-in features is possible, especially if you’re just starting. However, as your business grows, you’ll likely need paid apps to expand functionality, such as SEO optimization, email marketing, upselling, or advanced inventory control.
How do I reduce my monthly Shopify expenses?
You can reduce Shopify expenses by consolidating apps with overlapping features, using bundled all-in-one tools, sticking with free themes until you’re ready to upgrade, regularly auditing your billing dashboard, and choosing Shopify Payments to avoid extra fees. Also, remove any unused or underperforming plugins and keep your tech stack lean.
Are premium Shopify themes a one-time cost?
Yes, premium themes from the Shopify Theme Store are typically a one-time purchase ranging from $180 to $350. However, if you hire a developer for customizations or purchase third-party themes, you may incur ongoing maintenance costs.
What’s the average total monthly cost of running a Shopify store?
For most small to mid-sized stores, the monthly cost ranges from $150 to $500 once you factor in the Shopify subscription, paid apps, transaction fees, and operational tools. Larger businesses or those scaling globally may see costs exceed $1,000 per month.
