How much does Shopify charge?
Shopify starts at $39/month for Basic, $105/month for Shopify, and $399/month for Advanced. If you do not use Shopify Payments, extra transaction fees apply: 2%, 1%, or 0.5% by plan. In the US, Shopify Payments starts at 2.9% + $0.30 per online card transaction.
Last verified May 2026 · Feebite Editorial · Independent fees calculator
feebite.com reviews pricing independently using public information and fee comparisons.
Quick Verdict
Rating: 4.2/5
Best for: merchants who want a polished all-in-one ecommerce platform with strong checkout, app integrations, and room to scale.
Not ideal for: sellers on tight margins who dislike monthly software costs, paid apps, and extra fees when not using Shopify Payments.
Fees & Pricing — The Full Picture
Shopify is straightforward at first glance: you pay a monthly subscription, then payment processing on each sale. The catch is that Shopify can become meaningfully more expensive if you use a third-party payment gateway instead of Shopify Payments.
Here are the main published plan prices and the extra transaction fees Shopify adds when you do not use Shopify Payments.
| Plan | Monthly price | Extra transaction fee if not using Shopify Payments |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $39/mo | 2% |
| Shopify | $105/mo | 1% |
| Advanced | $399/mo | 0.5% |
If you use Shopify Payments in the US, the known online card rate is:
| Payment method | Fee |
|---|---|
| Shopify Payments (US online cards) | 2.9% + $0.30 |
That means your real cost depends on two things:
- Which monthly plan you choose.
- Whether you can and want to use Shopify Payments.
Why the payment setup matters
This is the part many new merchants underestimate. On Basic, the difference between using Shopify Payments and using another gateway is not just your processor’s own fee — it is also Shopify’s additional 2% transaction fee. On the Shopify plan, that extra fee drops to 1%. On Advanced, it drops again to 0.5%.
For some businesses, that alone can justify moving up a plan later. But you should not upgrade purely for prestige — only if the lower extra fee and other plan features actually save money overall.
Simple cost examples
Below are simplified examples to show how the fee structure works. These examples use only the published figures above and do not assume any hidden discounts or app costs.
| Scenario | Monthly plan cost | Payment fee structure | What you pay to Shopify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic + Shopify Payments | $39/mo | 2.9% + $0.30 per online card sale | $39/mo + processing |
| Shopify + Shopify Payments | $105/mo | 2.9% + $0.30 per online card sale | $105/mo + processing |
| Advanced + Shopify Payments | $399/mo | 2.9% + $0.30 per online card sale | $399/mo + processing |
| Basic + third-party gateway | $39/mo | Your provider’s fees plus 2% extra to Shopify | $39/mo + 2% extra + processor fees |
| Shopify + third-party gateway | $105/mo | Your provider’s fees plus 1% extra to Shopify | $105/mo + 1% extra + processor fees |
| Advanced + third-party gateway | $399/mo | Your provider’s fees plus 0.5% extra to Shopify | $399/mo + 0.5% extra + processor fees |
The honest take on pricing
Shopify is not the cheapest way to sell online. It is one of the cleanest and most scalable, but that is different.
The base plans are manageable for established stores, yet can feel expensive for very early-stage sellers. And while Shopify Payments is convenient, merchants who need a different gateway can get hit twice: once by their payment processor, and again by Shopify’s additional transaction fee.
That does not make Shopify bad value. It just means the platform is best when you value simplicity, ecosystem depth, and proven ecommerce infrastructure more than ultra-low operating costs.
Key Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Ecommerce |
| Pricing | Basic $39/mo, Shopify $105/mo, Advanced $399/mo |
| Free plan | No |
| Founded | 2006 |
| HQ | Ottawa, Canada |
| Best feature | Mature all-in-one ecommerce platform with strong ecosystem and checkout flow |
| Worst limitation | Extra transaction fees of 2% / 1% / 0.5% if you do not use Shopify Payments |
How It Compares
Shopify competes less on “lowest fees” and more on convenience, integrations, and merchant infrastructure. Here is the practical comparison angle:
| Name | Fee | Best For | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| WooCommerce | Typically no fixed platform fee, but hosting and extensions add cost | Sellers who want full control and can manage a more hands-on setup | Usually cheaper on paper, but less streamlined |
| BigCommerce | Monthly subscription model with built-in ecommerce features | Brands that want a hosted store with fewer app dependencies in some cases | Strong alternative if you want hosted ecommerce without Shopify’s exact fee structure |
Shopify generally wins on ease of launch and ecosystem depth. WooCommerce can be more flexible and sometimes cheaper, but it is less plug-and-play. BigCommerce is the closest hosted alternative for merchants comparing serious store platforms rather than side-hustle tools.
Pros
- Clear published base pricing: $39, $105, and $399 per month is easy to understand upfront.
- Shopify Payments keeps payment setup simple, with a known US online card rate of 2.9% + $0.30.
- Strong app and theme ecosystem makes it easier to expand functionality without rebuilding your store.
- Good fit for businesses that want one central system for products, checkout, orders, and storefront management.
- Scales better than many beginner website builders when your catalog, traffic, or operational complexity grows.
Cons
- No free plan, so the meter starts running at $39/month even for small or pre-launch sellers.
- Extra transaction fees of 2%, 1%, or 0.5% apply if you do not use Shopify Payments.
- Total cost can climb quickly once you add premium themes, apps, or advanced workflows.
- It is polished, but not necessarily the lowest-cost option for merchants with narrow margins or unusual payment needs.
Who Should Use Shopify
Perfect for: businesses that want a serious ecommerce platform, prefer a hosted all-in-one setup, and are comfortable paying monthly for convenience, reliability, and a large app ecosystem.
Skip it if: you are testing a tiny side project, need to minimize fixed costs, or specifically want to use an external payment gateway without absorbing Shopify’s added transaction fees.
How to Get Started
- Choose the right plan. Start with Basic at $39/month unless you already know you need a higher-tier setup.
- Decide on payments early. If available for your business, compare Shopify Payments against any third-party gateway before launch.
- Estimate your all-in cost. Include monthly subscription, payment processing, possible extra transaction fees, and any apps you realistically need.
- Launch lean first. Keep your setup simple, validate your store, and only move up to Shopify or Advanced if the economics make sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Shopify cost per month?
Shopify’s main plans are $39/month for Basic, $105/month for Shopify, and $399/month for Advanced. There is no free plan. Your true monthly cost can be higher once you include payment processing and any extra apps or themes your store needs.
What are Shopify’s transaction fees if you do not use Shopify Payments?
If you use a third-party payment gateway, Shopify adds an extra transaction fee based on your plan: 2% on Basic, 1% on Shopify, and 0.5% on Advanced. That is on top of whatever your external payment processor charges, which can make total selling costs significantly higher.
What does Shopify Payments charge in the US?
For US online card payments, the known Shopify Payments rate is 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. This can be simpler and often cheaper than using a third-party gateway, because it avoids Shopify’s extra transaction fees of 2%, 1%, or 0.5% depending on your plan.
This review was last updated May 2026. Fees and availability may change — always check Shopify's website for the latest information.