- Shopify charges a monthly subscription ($39-$2,000+) plus payment processing fees (2.4-2.9% + $0.30 per transaction with Shopify Payments).
- If using external processors (Stripe, PayPal): Shopify adds an extra 0.5-2% transaction fee on top.
- Total cost: roughly 3-5% of gross revenue + flat monthly. Use Shopify Payments to avoid double-fees.
Shopify's Fee Structure
| Plan | Monthly | Online card rate (Shopify Payments) | External transaction fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $5 | 5% + $0.30 | n/a (limited features) |
| Basic | $39 | 2.9% + $0.30 | 2.0% |
| Shopify | $105 | 2.6% + $0.30 | 1.0% |
| Advanced | $399 | 2.4% + $0.30 | 0.5% |
| Plus | $2,000+ | Negotiable | Negotiable |
Total Fee Examples
$30 Sale on Basic Plan with Shopify Payments
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Customer pays | $30.00 |
| Shopify Payments fee (2.9% + $0.30) | -$1.17 |
| You receive | $28.83 |
| Net % | 96% |
$30 Sale on Basic Plan with External Processor (e.g., PayPal)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Customer pays | $30.00 |
| PayPal fee (2.9% + $0.30) | -$1.17 |
| Shopify external transaction fee (2.0%) | -$0.60 |
| You receive | $28.23 |
| Net % | 94% |
Key insight: avoid Shopify's external transaction fee by using Shopify Payments.
Fee Comparison at $50K Annual Revenue
| Plan | Annual subscription | Annual payment fees (with Shopify Payments) | Total annual cost | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic ($39/mo) | $468 | $1,450 + 1500*$0.30 = $1,900 | $2,368 | 4.7% |
| Shopify ($105/mo) | $1,260 | $1,300 + $450 = $1,750 | $3,010 | 6.0% |
| Advanced ($399/mo) | $4,788 | $1,200 + $450 = $1,650 | $6,438 | 12.9% |
At $50K, Basic is cheapest. Upgrade only when you need higher-tier features.
When to Upgrade Plans
| Plan | Upgrade trigger |
|---|---|
| Basic → Shopify | $50K-$300K annual revenue (the lower processing rate offsets monthly cost) |
| Shopify → Advanced | $300K-$2M annual revenue + need advanced reports |
| Advanced → Plus | $2M+ annual revenue + custom checkout / multi-store |
Hidden / Variable Fees
- Apps — most stores spend $50-$500/month on apps (Klaviyo, Loox, ReConvert, etc.).
- Themes — paid themes: $200-$400 one-time.
- Custom domain — $14-$19/year via Shopify or use existing.
- Email marketing — Klaviyo: $0-$1,000+/month based on list size.
- Ads — varies wildly: $500-$50K/month.
- Currency conversion — Stripe charges ~2% for international payments.
How to Reduce Shopify Fees
- Use Shopify Payments (not external processors) — avoids the extra 0.5-2% fee.
- Stay on Basic plan until you exceed $50K-$100K revenue.
- Limit apps — audit monthly app spend; cancel unused.
- Negotiate at Plus tier — fees are negotiable for $2M+ stores.
- Pay annually — saves ~10% on subscription.
Shopify vs Other Platforms — Fee Comparison
| Platform | Monthly | Transaction fee | Payment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify Basic | $39 | 0% (Shopify Payments) | 2.9% + $0.30 |
| BigCommerce Standard | $39 | 0% | ~2.9% via PayPal/Stripe |
| WooCommerce | $0 (+ hosting $5-$50) | 0% | ~2.9% via Stripe |
| Wix Business | $36 | 0% | ~2.9% |
| Squarespace Commerce | $36 | 0% | ~2.9% |
| Etsy | $0 | 6.5% | 3% + $0.25 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the cheapest Shopify plan?
Starter ($5/month) for selling via social media (no full store). Basic ($39/month) for full Shopify store.
Can I avoid Shopify's transaction fees?
Yes — use Shopify Payments instead of external processors. This eliminates the 0.5-2% Shopify markup.
Are Shopify apps expensive?
Most stores spend $50-$500/month on apps. Klaviyo (email) and reviews apps are usually the biggest costs.
Can I get a discount on Shopify?
Yes — pay annually (saves ~10%). New users get 3-day free trial + $1/month for 3 months.
Does Shopify charge for refunds?
Shopify keeps the payment processing fee on refunds (you don't get the 2.9% back). Plan accordingly.
Key Takeaways
- Basic ($39/mo) + Shopify Payments (2.9% + $0.30) = standard cost for new stores.
- Use Shopify Payments to avoid extra 0.5-2% external transaction fee.
- Apps add $50-$500/month to total cost.
- Upgrade to Shopify ($105) at ~$50K-$100K revenue for better processing rates.
- Pay annually for ~10% savings.
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