Starting an online business with Shopify is a great way to reach customers worldwide, but before you dive in, you should understand the costs involved. Whether you’re a beginner or scaling an existing business, knowing your expenses upfront will help you plan better and maximize profits.
In this blog, we’ll break down how much it costs to run a Shopify store—from subscription plans and transaction fees to additional costs like apps, marketing, and themes.
1. Shopify Pricing Plans
Shopify offers different pricing tiers based on your business needs:
| Plan | Cost (Per Month) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify Starter | $5 | Selling on social media & messaging apps |
| Basic Shopify | $39 | Small businesses & beginners |
| Shopify | $105 | Growing businesses |
| Advanced Shopify | $399 | Scaling businesses with high-volume sales |
| Shopify Plus | Starts at $2,000 | Large enterprises |
If you’re just testing the waters, Shopify offers a $1/month trial for the first three months on Basic, Shopify, and Advanced plans.
2. Shopify Transaction Fees
Shopify charges transaction fees unless you use Shopify Payments (Shopify’s built-in payment processor). Here’s what to expect:
- Shopify Payments: No extra transaction fees (only credit card processing fees apply).
- Third-Party Payment Providers (PayPal, Stripe, etc.): Additional fees apply depending on your plan:
- Basic: 2.0% per transaction
- Shopify: 1.0% per transaction
- Advanced: 0.5% per transaction
If you process a lot of sales, using Shopify Payments can save you money in the long run.
3. Shopify Credit Card Processing Fees
If you use Shopify Payments, you’ll still need to pay credit card processing fees:
| Plan | Online Credit Card Fee | In-Person Credit Card Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction | 2.7% per transaction |
| Shopify | 2.6% + 30¢ per transaction | 2.5% per transaction |
| Advanced | 2.4% + 30¢ per transaction | 2.4% per transaction |
If you use a third-party payment provider, additional fees may apply.
4. Additional Costs of Running a Shopify Store
A) Domain Name
- Shopify provides a free default domain (e.g.,
yourstore.myshopify.com), but a custom domain looks more professional. - Costs range from $10 – $20 per year (via Shopify or third-party providers like GoDaddy).
B) Shopify Themes
- Free themes are available, but premium themes cost between $100 – $400 (one-time fee).
- Custom-designed themes cost significantly more ($1,000+ if hiring a developer).
C) Shopify Apps & Plugins
- While Shopify has built-in features, many store owners install apps to enhance functionality.
- Apps range from free to $300/month or more, depending on their features (e.g., SEO, email marketing, subscriptions).
- Expect to spend around $20 – $100/month on essential apps.
D) Marketing & Advertising
- Shopify itself doesn’t charge for marketing, but you’ll likely invest in:
- Facebook/Instagram Ads: $5 – $50/day or more
- Google Ads: $10 – $100/day or more
- Email Marketing (e.g., Klaviyo, Mailchimp): $20 – $150/month
- SEO & Content Marketing: Free (DIY) or $500 – $2,000/month (if outsourcing)
E) Inventory & Fulfillment
- If you sell dropshipping products, your suppliers handle fulfillment.
- If you stock your own products, consider costs like:
- Manufacturing or purchasing inventory
- Warehouse storage fees
- Shopify’s Fulfillment Network (costs vary)
F) Shopify POS (For Physical Stores)
- If you run a physical store, you’ll need Shopify POS hardware.
- Shopify POS Pro costs $89/month per location.
- Additional costs for card readers, barcode scanners, and receipt printers apply.
Total Estimated Cost to Run a Shopify Store
Your total costs depend on your business size and needs. Here’s a rough breakdown:
| Expense Category | Low-End Cost | High-End Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify Subscription | $5/month | $399+/month |
| Transaction Fees | 2.0% per sale (if using PayPal, Stripe, etc.) | 0% (if using Shopify Payments) |
| Domain Name | $10/year | $20+/year |
| Themes | Free | $400+ (one-time) |
| Apps & Plugins | Free | $100+/month |
| Marketing & Ads | $50/month | $1,000+/month |
| Inventory | Varies | Varies |
On average, expect to spend $50 – $500+ per month depending on your store’s size and marketing efforts.
Is Shopify Worth It?
Yes! Shopify provides everything you need to run a successful online business, from an easy-to-use interface to powerful integrations. While costs can add up, you can start lean and scale up as you grow.
How to Minimize Shopify Costs:
✅ Use free Shopify themes before upgrading.
✅ Stick to essential apps and avoid unnecessary add-ons.
✅ Optimize for organic traffic (SEO, social media) to reduce ad spend.
✅ Use Shopify Payments to avoid transaction fees.
If you’re serious about eCommerce, Shopify is one of the best platforms to launch and scale your online business.
Final Thoughts
Running a Shopify store isn’t free, but costs can be managed strategically. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to expand, understanding your expenses will help you make informed business decisions.
💡 Have questions about Shopify costs? Drop a comment below!