How Much Does It Cost to Run a Shopify Store: A Comprehensive Guide

Your business is thriving, and you’re finally ready to dive into the world of e-commerce. One of the most important decisions you’ll make at this stage is choosing the right Content Management System (CMS) to build your online store.

While there are several well-known CMS options like WordPress, Wix, and others, Shopify often stands out for entrepreneurs due to its ease of use, robust built-in features, secure infrastructure, and beautifully designed templates.

So, if you’re considering launching your online store with Shopify, you’re already on the right track. But naturally, you need to know some facts about running a Shopify store:

• How much does Shopify cost in 2025?
• Are there any hidden Shopify fees you should be aware of?
• Which Shopify pricing plan is the best for your business?

We’ve got you covered with this in-depth, SEO-optimized guide on Shopify pricing plans, including a detailed breakdown of features, transaction fees, and hidden charges.

Why Shopify? The Value of an All-in-One E-commerce Platform

While free or open-source CMS platforms may seem cost-effective at first, they usually require additional investments in hosting, security, premium themes, and plugins. These “hidden” costs can quickly add up.

On the other hand, Shopify offers an all-in-one e-commerce solution with integrated hosting, security, payment gateways, inventory management, and more, making it a streamlined and cost-effective option for both beginners and growing businesses.

Overview of Shopify Pricing Plans in 2025

Shopify offers multiple subscription tiers tailored to different business sizes and needs. Each plan comes with a 14-day free trial, so you can explore the features before committing.

Plan	Price (Billed Annually)	Best For
Basic Shopify	$29/month	Beginners & startups
Shopify	$79/month	Growing e-commerce businesses
Advanced Shopify	$299/month	High-volume & scaling businesses
Shopify Plus	Custom pricing	Enterprises with high-volume sales
Shopify POS Pro Add-on	$89/month	For advanced in-person retail operations

💡 Tip: Shopify POS Pro is ideal for retailers selling both online and in physical stores.

Shopify Transaction & Payment Processing Fees

Understanding Shopify’s payment processing fees is key because it directly affects your profit margins. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Plan	Online Card Rate (Domestic)	In-Person Rate (Shopify POS)	Third-Party Payment Fee
Basic Shopify	2.9% + 30¢	2.6% + 10¢	2%
Shopify	2.6% + 30¢	2.5% + 10¢	1%
Advanced Shopify	2.4% + 30¢	2.4% + 10¢	0.6%

📝 Note: Using Shopify Payments eliminates third-party transaction fees, so it’s often the most cost-effective choice.

Plan-by-Plan Breakdown with Features and Benefits

Basic Shopify Plan – $29/month (Billed Annually)

Ideal for: New online sellers, freelancers, and small businesses

Features:

• 1 e-commerce storefront
• Unlimited product listings
• 2 staff accounts
• 10 inventory locations
• 24/7 customer support
• Shopify POS Lite
• Free SSL certificate
• Discount code creation
• Localized global selling (up to 3 locations)
• Basic sales tax automation and label printing
• Abandoned cart recovery

Payment Fees:

• Online: 2.9% + $0.30 per domestic sale
• In-person (POS): 2.6% + $0.10
• Third-party gateway (e.g., PayPal): 2%

Pros:
Affordable entry-level pricing
Unlimited product uploads
Access to all essential store functions
Includes cart recovery and tax calculation

Cons:
Higher transaction fees
Limited reporting and automation

🔍 Use Case: If you’re just starting out with a few products and testing the waters of e-commerce, this plan covers all the basics without overwhelming you.
Read More: How to Build a Shopify Store App Using React Native

Shopify Plan – $79/month (Billed Annually)

Ideal for: Growing businesses looking to scale

Features (Includes all Basic features plus):

• 5 staff accounts
• Professional sales and performance reports
• Better shipping discounts (up to 88%)
• Gift card functionality
• Lower transaction fees

Payment Fees:

• Online: 2.6% + $0.30
• In-person (POS): 2.5% + $0.10
• Third-party gateway: 1%

Pros:
More staff access
Gift cards for promotions
Better analytics and insights
Lower per-transaction costs

Cons:
Still lacks advanced custom reporting
Monthly cost jump compared to Basic

🔍 Use Case: If your business is gaining momentum, this plan gives you the tools to optimize sales and manage operations more effectively.

Advanced Shopify Plan – $299/month (Billed Annually)

Ideal for: Large, high-volume businesses

Features (Includes all previous features plus):

• 15 staff accounts
• Custom reports and advanced analytics
• Third-party calculated shipping rates
• Expand into additional markets ($59/month each)
• Priority customer support
• 10x checkout capacity

Payment Fees:

• Online: 2.4% + $0.30
• In-person (POS): 2.4% + $0.10
• Third-party gateway: 0.6%

Pros:
Lowest transaction fees
Market expansion support
Advanced tools for scaling
High performance for large stores

Cons:
Significant monthly cost
Market expansion features incur extra fees

🔍 Use Case: If you’re managing a high-revenue store with large sales volumes and a global customer base, this is the plan you need.

Are There Any Hidden Shopify Fees in 2025?

Yes — and no. Shopify is transparent, but many sellers overlook additional costs beyond subscription and transaction fees.

1. Theme Costs

• Shopify offers 10 free themes.
• Premium themes from Shopify Theme Store: $150–$350.
• Third-party templates: Up to $500+.

2. Domain Name Registration

• Custom domains via Shopify: $14–$40/year.
• Third-party domains: $10–$100/year.

3. Shopify Apps

• Some are free, others range from $9 to $999/month.
• Apps are essential for email marketing, upselling, reviews, etc.

4. Email Marketing

• 2,500 free emails/month included.
• Additional emails: $0.001 each — very affordable.

5. Shopify Marketplace Connect Fees

• 50 synced orders/month free.
• 1% per additional order (max $99/month).

6. Shopify Tax Fees

• Free for up to $100,000 in sales annually.
• After that: 0.35% per taxed transaction (capped at $0.99/order or $5,000/year).

📝 Note: While Shopify’s App Store covers most use cases, businesses with unique needs, like custom product builders, advanced reporting, or backend automation, often benefit from custom-built solutions. In such cases, e-commerce app development can fill the gaps..

 

Real-World Example: What Will Shopify Cost You?

Let’s break down what Jessica, an entrepreneur selling handbags, pays:

• Plan: Basic Shopify – $29/month
• Theme: Prestige ($380 one-time)
• Transaction Fees: 2.9% + $0.30 per sale
• Third-Party Gateway Fee (e.g., PayPal): 2%

For a $100 sale:

• Shopify Fee = $2.90 + $0.30 = $3.20
• Gateway Fee = $2
• Total deductions = $5.20

Jessica earns $94.80 per sale, minus other monthly and design-related costs.

Which Shopify Plan is Right for You?

Choosing the right Shopify plan depends on your:

• Business size and budget
• Expected sales volume
• Need for reporting, automation, or global selling
• In-store vs online selling needs

Business Stage	Recommended Plan
Just Starting	Basic Shopify
Scaling	Shopify
Large Enterprise	Advanced Shopify or Shopify Plus

Final Thoughts: Shopify Pricing 2025 Recap

Shopify is a powerful, scalable e-commerce platform trusted by millions of businesses worldwide. Although its pricing involves more than just a flat monthly fee, its all-in-one ecosystem makes it worth the investment, especially when you’re aiming for growth.

Still unsure which plan to pick? Let our Shopify Development Experts at LuminoGuru guide you in building a custom, high-converting online store.

FAQs

1. Which Shopify plan is best for beginners?
   The Basic Shopify plan at $29/month is ideal for beginners. It includes all essential tools to launch an online store, including product listings, payment processing, and cart recovery.
2. Does Shopify charge transaction fees?
   Yes, Shopify charges transaction fees unless you use Shopify Payments. Fees vary by plan and payment method, ranging from 2.9% to 2.4% per transaction plus fixed charges.
3. Can I use my own domain name with Shopify?
   Absolutely. You can either buy a domain directly through Shopify or connect an existing one from another registrar like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains.
4. Are there free themes available on Shopify?
   Yes, Shopify offers 10 free professionally designed themes. You can also purchase premium themes from the Shopify Theme Store or third-party platforms for advanced customization.
5. Is Shopify suitable for physical retail stores?
   Yes, with Shopify POS, you can sell in-store. For advanced features like inventory management across locations, consider adding the POS Pro add-on for $89/month.