Shopify powers over 4 million online stores. But how much does it actually cost?
The answer isn’t just the monthly subscription. Between credit card processing, transaction fees, and apps, your actual costs can be two to three times higher than advertised.
This guide breaks down every Shopify fee in 2026 so you know exactly what you’ll pay.
Quick Summary: Shopify Fees at a Glance
Subscription Plans:
- Starter: $5/month (social selling only)
- Basic: $29/month (yearly) or $39/month
- Grow: $79/month (yearly) or $105/month
- Advanced: $299/month (yearly) or $399/month
- Plus: $2,300+/month (enterprise)
Credit Card Processing:
- Online: 2.5%–2.9% + 30¢
- In-person: 2.4%–2.6% + 10¢
Third-Party Payment Fees:
- 0.6%–2% extra if you don’t use Shopify Payments
Additional Costs:
- Apps: $0–$500+/month
- Themes: $0–$400 one-time
- Domain: $11–$81/year
| Plan | Monthly | Online CC Rate | In-Person Rate | 3rd Party Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Basic | $29–$39 | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2.6% + 10¢ | 2.0% |
| Grow | $79–$105 | 2.7% + 30¢ | 2.5% + 10¢ | 1.0% |
| Advanced | $299–$399 | 2.5% + 30¢ | 2.4% + 10¢ | 0.6% |
| Plus | $2,300+ | Custom | Custom | 0.2% |
Calculate Your Shopify Fees
Use this calculator to estimate your total monthly Shopify costs based on your revenue and plan:
$29
Subscription
$350
Processing
$379
Total Cost
3.8%
of Revenue
Shopify Subscription Plans Explained
Starter Plan ($5/month)
Sell through social media and messaging apps without a full storefront. Includes unlimited products and Shopify’s checkout, but no online store or shipping discounts.
Best for: Creators selling a few products through Instagram or TikTok.
Basic Plan ($29–$39/month)
The starting point for most sellers. Pay $39/month or save 25% annually ($29/month).
Includes: Full online store, unlimited products, 5 staff accounts, 10 inventory locations, up to 77% shipping discounts, 24/7 support.
Credit card rates: 2.9% + 30¢ online, 2.6% + 10¢ in-person.
Best for: New sellers or stores under $10K/month revenue.
Grow Plan ($79–$105/month)
Designed for stores gaining traction. Lower processing rates and professional reports.
Includes: Everything in Basic, plus professional reports and up to 88% shipping discounts.
Credit card rates: 2.7% + 30¢ online, 2.5% + 10¢ in-person.
Best for: Stores doing $10K–$50K/month.
Advanced Plan ($299–$399/month)
Built for scaling operations with the lowest standard processing rates.
Includes: Everything in Grow, plus custom reports, 15 staff accounts, and third-party calculated shipping.
Credit card rates: 2.5% + 30¢ online, 2.4% + 10¢ in-person.
Best for: Stores doing $50K+/month where lower rates offset the subscription.
Shopify Plus ($2,300+/month)
Enterprise tier with negotiable rates and a 3-year commitment.
Includes: Unlimited staff, 200 inventory locations, customizable checkout, dedicated support, B2B features.
Best for: Stores doing $500K+/month or complex B2B operations.
Credit Card Processing Fees
Payment processing is typically your largest variable cost.
Online Transaction Rates
| Plan | Standard Cards | Premium Cards | International |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 2.9% + 30¢ | 3.5% + 30¢ | +1.0% |
| Grow | 2.7% + 30¢ | 3.3% + 30¢ | +1.0% |
| Advanced | 2.5% + 30¢ | 3.1% + 30¢ | +1.0% |
| Plus | Custom | Custom | Custom |
Premium cards include American Express, corporate cards, and high-rewards cards.
International cards add 1% when issued outside your country.
In-Person Rates (POS)
| Plan | Rate |
|---|---|
| Basic | 2.6% + 10¢ |
| Grow | 2.5% + 10¢ |
| Advanced | 2.4% + 10¢ |
Alternative Payment Methods
- PayPal: 3.49% + 49¢
- USDC/Crypto: 2.5%–2.9% + 30¢
- Shop Pay Installments: ~5–6%
Third-Party Payment Provider Fees
If you use a processor other than Shopify Payments, Shopify charges extra:
| Plan | Additional Fee |
|---|---|
| Basic | 2.0% |
| Grow | 1.0% |
| Advanced | 0.6% |
| Plus | 0.2% |
Example: Basic plan with PayPal (3.49% + 49¢) = 5.49% + 49¢ total per transaction.
Use Shopify Payments whenever possible to avoid these fees.
Additional Shopify Fees
Domain Registration ($11–$81/year)
Buy through Shopify or connect an existing domain from a registrar like Namecheap.
Themes ($0–$400)
Free themes work well for most stores. Premium themes are $150–$400 one-time. Custom development costs extra.
Apps
Most stores use 5–15 apps. Typical cost: $50–$300/month.
| Category | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Email marketing | $0–$300 |
| Reviews | $0–$100 |
| SEO tools | $0–$80 |
| Shipping | $0–$200 |
| Accounting | $0–$100 |
Shopify Email
- Free: First 10,000 emails/month
- After: $0.001 per email
Marketplace Connect
For selling on Amazon, eBay, or Walmart through Shopify:
- Free: First 50 orders/month
- After: 1% of order value (capped at $99/month)
Shopify Tax
- Free: First $100K US sales/year
- After: 0.35% (capped at $5K/year)
Point of Sale Pro ($89/month)
Advanced retail features per location. Included for up to 20 locations on Grow/Advanced with Shopify Payments.
Hidden Costs
- Theme customization: Developer work runs $500–$5,000+
- Photography: $25–$100 per product professionally
- Migration: $500–$5,000 from another platform
- Learning curve: 20–40 hours to master Shopify
- Advanced cart recovery: $30–$100/month for apps
- Currency conversion: 1.5% markup on international sales
Real Cost Scenarios
New Seller ($5K/month revenue)
| Cost | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Basic Plan | $29 |
| Processing | ~$160 |
| Apps | $50 |
| Total | ~$240 |
Effective rate: 4.8% of revenue
Growing Store ($25K/month revenue)
| Cost | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Grow Plan | $79 |
| Processing | ~$710 |
| Apps | $150 |
| Total | ~$940 |
Effective rate: 3.8% of revenue
High-Volume ($100K/month revenue)
| Cost | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Advanced Plan | $299 |
| Processing | ~$2,650 |
| Apps | $300 |
| Shopify Tax | ~$300 |
| Total | ~$3,550 |
Effective rate: 3.5% of revenue
Enterprise ($500K/month revenue)
| Cost | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Plus | $2,300 |
| Processing | ~$11,000 |
| Apps | $500 |
| Total | ~$14,200 |
Effective rate: 2.8% of revenue
How to Reduce Fees
- Pay annually: Save 25% on any standard plan
- Use Shopify Payments: Avoid the 0.6%–2% third-party fee
- Audit apps quarterly: Cut what you’re not using
- Calculate upgrade break-even: Grow makes sense at $25K+/month revenue
- Negotiate on Plus: Come with volume data and competitive quotes
Shopify vs Competitors
| Platform | Monthly | Transaction Fee | CC Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | $29–$299 | 0–2%* | 2.5%–2.9% | E-commerce focus |
| Wix | $29–$59 | None | 2.9% | Simple stores |
| Squarespace | $27–$49 | 0–3% | 2.9%–3.0% | Design-focused |
| BigCommerce | $39–$299 | None | 2.5%–2.9% | Large catalogs |
*Only if not using Shopify Payments
FAQ
What percentage does Shopify take per sale?
2.5%–2.9% + 30¢ through Shopify Payments. Add 0.6%–2% if using third-party processors.
Is Shopify free to start?
3-day free trial, then $1/month for 3 months. Regular pricing after.
Which plan is best for beginners?
Basic at $29/month. Upgrade to Grow when you hit $25K/month.
Can I avoid transaction fees?
Use Shopify Payments to avoid the third-party fee.
Is Shopify worth it for small businesses?
For most e-commerce businesses, yes. The platform, ecosystem, and reliability justify the cost.
The Bottom Line
Shopify’s real cost is more than the subscription:
- Small stores ($5K/month): ~$240/month (4.8% of revenue)
- Growing stores ($25K/month): ~$940/month (3.8% of revenue)
- High-volume ($100K/month): ~$3,550/month (3.5% of revenue)
Processing fees—not the subscription—are your biggest cost. Choose your plan based on when lower rates offset the higher subscription.
Track Every Shopify Fee Automatically
Taxomate connects your Shopify store to QuickBooks or Xero, automatically categorizing every fee, refund, and transaction. No spreadsheets. No guessing.