Starting an online business is an exciting journey, but early decisions often shape long-term success. Choosing the right Shopify plan is one of those critical steps. It affects not just your monthly costs, but also the tools you’ll have to showcase products, manage orders, and grow your brand.
With multiple plans and fees to compare, the process can feel overwhelming – especially for entrepreneurs juggling many roles. This guide cuts through the confusion with a straightforward breakdown of Shopify’s 2025 pricing, tailored for smaller businesses aiming to grow smartly.
Shopify Pricing at a Glance
- Most small businesses need the Basic plan, which costs $39 per month if paid monthly, or $29 per month if paid annually.
- For a small business owner, total Shopify costs typically range from $50 to $200 per month.
- To save money and grow smarter, stick with Shopify Payments (no extra fees), choose annual billing for up to 30% savings, and scale into Grow or Advanced only when your sales volume justifies it.
How Much Does Shopify Cost Industry-Wise?
Every small business has unique needs.
While the basic Shopify website development costs are fixed, your true monthly spend depends on your industry, sales volume, and the tools you need.
Here’s how costs typically look across common small business types:
1. Bakery or Café
- Best Plan: Basic Shopify ($39/month or $29 annually)
- Essential Extras: POS system for in-store sales, local delivery/pickup app, branded domain.
- Estimated Monthly Cost: $70–$150
- Tip: Stick with free themes and use Shopify Payments to cut down on transaction fees.
2. Clothing Boutique or Handmade Goods Seller
- Best Plan: Basic or Grow plan (upgrade once sales increase).
- Essential Extras: Premium theme for branding, Instagram/Facebook sales channels, and an inventory management app.
- Estimated Monthly Cost: $100–$200
- Tip: Invest early in a polished theme -visuals drive fashion sales.
3. Publishing House or Bookstore
- Best Plan: Basic Shopify (upgrade to Grow if team size or orders expand).
- Essential Extras: Pre-order apps, multi-channel selling (Amazon/online marketplaces), SEO add-ons.
- Estimated Monthly Cost: $80–$180
- Tip: Use annual billing to save ~30% -publishing has thin margins, so every dollar counts.
4. Local Service Business (e.g., Cleaning, Salon, Fitness Trainer)
- Best Plan: Shopify Lite ($5/month) or Basic (if you want a full website).
- Essential Extras: Booking app, calendar integration, branded domain.
- Estimated Monthly Cost: $50–$120
- Tip: If you don’t need a full store, Shopify Lite with buy buttons + booking integrations is enough.
Bottom line: No matter your industry, expect Shopify costs for small businesses to realistically fall between $50–$200 per month. What changes is where the money goes – bakeries prioritize POS and delivery tools, boutiques invest in branding, publishers need multi-channel selling, and service providers focus on bookings.
How Much Does Shopify Cost Industry-Wise?
Shopify offers five plans designed for varying business sizes and needs. Here is a straight forward explanation of each:
Great for solopreneurs who want to start small. It lets you sell on social media, add buy buttons to an existing site, and use Shopify POS Lite for in-person sales.
Shopify Lite -$5/month
Great for solopreneurs who want to start small. It lets you sell on social media, add buy buttons to an existing site, and use Shopify POS Lite for in-person sales.
Basic Shopify -$39/month ($29/month annually)
Perfect for new or smaller online stores. You get a full website, unlimited products, two staff accounts, and multi-channel selling across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon.
Key Highlights:
- Free SSL certificate for site security
- Manual order creation
- Up to 77% shipping discounts with label printing
- Sales tax calculations
- Inventory tracking across 10 locations
Payment Fees:
- 2.9% + 30¢ per online transaction
- 2.6% + 10¢ for in-person POS sales
This plan provides a solid foundation without unnecessary extras – ideal for startups and micro-businesses.
Shopify Grow -$105/month ($79/month annually)
Designed for growing stores ready to scale. It includes everything in Basic plus:
- Up to 5 staff accounts
- Website performance reports
- Gift card support for customer loyalty
- Deeper POS integration
- Up to 88% shipping discounts with insurance
Payment Fees:
- 2.7% + 30¢ online
- 2.5% + 10¢ in-person
A good fit if you’ve moved beyond the basics and need stronger tools for team collaboration and scaling.
Advanced Shopify -$399/month ($319/month annually)
Best for higher-volume businesses managing larger teams or complex operations.
What’s Included:
- Up to 15 staff accounts
- Advanced custom reporting and analytics
- Shopify Flow automation for routine tasks
- Real-time carrier shipping rates at checkout
- International features: multi-currency, duty/tax calculations, and Shopify Markets support
- Lower payment fees (2.4% + 30¢ online, 2.4% + 10¢ in-person)
This plan suits expanding businesses selling across regions and needing advanced logistics.
Shopify Plus -Custom (starting around $2,300/month)
Built for enterprise-level sellers with high sales volume and complex operations.
Unique Features:
- Custom pricing model
- Unlimited staff accounts
- Dedicated Merchant Success Manager
- Advanced automation with Flow, Launchpad, and Script Editor
- Fully customizable checkout
- Multi-store and global selling capabilities
- Higher API limits for integrations
Ideal for brands that need enterprise-grade support, automation, and global expansion tools.
Start with what fits today, and upgrade smartly as your business scales, ensuring you always have the tools and support to succeed.
💰 Start Smart with the Right Shopify Plan
Avoid overpaying and launch faster with expert guidance from WebyKing. We’ll help you choose, set up, and optimize your Shopify store for success.
How Much Does Shopify Cost Industry-Wise?
Understanding Shopify’s payment and transaction fees is vital for small business owners looking to manage costs and maximize profits.
Shopify fees fall into two categories: payment processing fees and additional transaction fees, depending on your plan and payment method.
Payment Processing Fees (Shopify Payments):
- Online transactions: From 2.9% + 30¢ on Basic Shopify to 2.4% + 30¢ on Advanced.
- In-person transactions: Lower rates, typically 2.6% + 10¢ for Basic, with further reductions at higher tiers.
Additional Transaction Fees (if not using Shopify Payments):
- Basic Shopify: 2% per transaction
- Shopify Grow: 1% per transaction
- Advanced Shopify: 0.5% per transaction
- Shopify Plus: Usually 0%
Summary Table of Shopify Fees by Plan
| Plan | Monthly Fee | Online Payment Fee | In-Person Fee | Shopify Transaction Fees (if NOT using Shopify Payments) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify Lite | $5 | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2.6% + 10¢ | 2% |
| Basic Shopify | $39 / $29 annually | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2.6% + 10¢ | 2% |
| Shopify (Growth) | $105 / $79 annually | 2.7% + 30¢ | 2.5% + 10¢ | 1% |
| Advanced Shopify | $399 / $319 annually | 2.4% + 30¢ | 2.4% + 10¢ | 0.5% |
| Shopify Plus | Custom | Custom (usually lower) | Custom | 0% |
Choosing Shopify Payments can save substantial money, especially for small businesses operating on tight margins. Knowing your plan’s fee structure helps optimize price setting, reduce overhead, and forecast net profits more accurately.
What Other Costs Should You Expect?
Beyond Shopify’s plan fees and payment processing, small business owners should budget for a few extra expenses that often catch newcomers by surprise. Think of this as your behind-the-scenes look at what most store owners wish they had known before launching.
1. Shopify Apps
Many apps enhance your store’s functionality — from marketing and SEO to inventory and automation. While free options exist, premium tools often cost between $10–$50+ per month. Review your app list regularly to remove unused or duplicate tools.
2. Themes
Free Shopify themes are a great starting point, but if you want your store to stand out, premium themes typically range from $100 to $350. It’s a worthwhile investment once your brand grows and design or UX becomes a key selling factor.
3. Domain Name
A custom domain (around $10–$20 per year) instantly builds brand credibility and customer trust. It’s a small cost that delivers big value for professionalism and recognition.
4. POS System
Shopify’s built-in POS Lite supports basic physical sales, but if you need advanced features or more flexibility, expect additional fees unless you’re on Shopify Plus.
5. Custom Development Services
Sometimes, DIY only goes so far. Hiring expert Shopify development services can help you set up your store properly, add custom features, and scale efficiently. Getting quotes early helps avoid unexpected costs down the road.
6. Marketing & Packaging
To grow your brand, you’ll likely invest in ads, branded packaging, and inserts. Start small with Facebook or Google Ads, test what works, and scale gradually to keep costs in check.
7. Maintenance Costs
Regular upkeep — updating apps, monitoring site performance, and improving security — keeps your store running smoothly. Treat maintenance as a small but steady investment that prevents bigger issues later.
How to Manage and Optimize Costs on Shopify?
Starting with a plan that fits your current business size is essential – just enough features, without paying for extras. Gradually upgrade as sales and team size grow.
Start app usage conservatively – focus on free or affordable tools that offer high impact. Smart SEO investments with Shopify SEO services help reduce ad spends by drawing organic traffic.
Always prefer Shopify Payments to avoid extra transaction fees from third-party gateways.
Bundling services like Shopify setup, development, and SEO through professional providers such as WebyKing helps consolidate costs and prevent scattered expenses – saving money and hassle in the long run.
Grow Your Shopify Store Without Guesswork
From plan selection to SEO and scaling -WebyKing helps small businesses turn Shopify into a sustainable growth engine.
Your Shopify Journey Made Simple with WebyKing
Choosing the right Shopify plan goes far beyond picking a price tag. It’s about aligning costs with your unique business goals and growth potential while avoiding costly pitfalls. Starting lean with a plan like Basic Shopify and smartly scaling up keeps your store agile and resilient.
At WebyKing, we specialize in partnering with small businesses to tailor Shopify development and SEO strategies, ensuring every dollar invested drives real growth. With expert guidance, your eCommerce journey becomes not just manageable but enjoyable and rewarding.
Your online store deserves a foundation that grows with you. Start smart, plan well, grow confidently, and let WebyKing be your trusted ally on this exciting path
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade or downgrade my Shopify plan anytime?
Absolutely! Shopify allows flexible monthly plan changes so your store can keep pace with growth or scaling needs.
Will I face hidden fees after selecting a Shopify plan?
Though plans are transparent, costs like app subscriptions, domain renewals, payment processing, and premium themes add up. Planning a full budget is essential.
Does Shopify support selling both online and in physical stores?
Yes, integrated Shopify POS solutions let you sell seamlessly across channels with live inventory sync.
Which payment gateways are best for small businesses?
Shopify Payments offers convenience and lower fees. Alternative gateways like Stripe are options, but may attract extra Shopify transaction fees.
Should I hire experts for Shopify setup and SEO?
Professional help, such as Shopify development services and Shopify SEO services from companies like WebyKing, can save time, optimize performance, and boost sales.
