Shopify Fees in 2025: Plans, Payment Processing & Hidden Costs Explained
Shopify powers 4.8M+ stores in 2025—but what’s the real cost? From $5 starter plans to $399 advanced options (plus hidden fees), this no-fluff guide breaks down everything you need to know before you launch.
Thinking of launching your store on Shopify but worried about hidden costs? You're not alone.
With over 4.8 million stores powered by Shopify worldwide, it's one of the go-to platforms for e-commerce in 2025. But let’s be honest—its pricing is not exactly plug and play. Between monthly plans, transaction fees, credit card rates, and sneaky add-ons, the costs can pile up fast if you’re not careful.
So, how much does Shopify really cost in 2025?
Whether you are just getting started or scaling like a pro, this guide breaks down everything, from base plans to checkout fees and third-party charges, so you can budget smart and sell smarter.
Let’s break it all down.
Shopify pricing plans (2025)
Shopify offers three core monthly plans, plus a starter and enterprise option:
| Plan | Monthly price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $5 | Selling via social/D2C links |
| Basic | $39 | New stores with low volume |
| Shopify | $105 | Growing brands with more sales |
| Advanced | $399 | Scaling stores with analytics needs |
| Shopify Plus | Custom | Enterprises with custom solutions |
An expert tip: Pay annually and save up to 25% on most plans.
These plans include a mix of features like product listings, customer reports, abandoned cart recovery, and discount codes. But the real cost differences often come from payment and transaction fees.
Payment processing fees: What Shopify takes per sale
Shopify charges you a percentage every time you make a sale, which depends on your plan and payment method:
Using Shopify payments-
- Basic: 2.9% + 30¢
- Shopify: 2.6% + 30¢
- Advanced: 2.4% + 30¢
Using third-party gateways (like PayPal, Stripe)-
- Additional 1%–2% per transaction (on top of their own fees)
So, if you are not using Shopify Payments, your fees stack up fast.
For instance,
If you sell a $100 product on the Basic plan using PayPal:
- Shopify takes $2.90
- PayPal takes another ~$3.20
- You are left with ~$93.90
What about the starter plan?
The $5/month Starter Plan is ultra-basic and best for creators or beginners selling through DMs, bio links, or QR codes.
- No online store
- No advanced branding or analytics
- Shopify Payments only (2.9% + 30¢)
It’s perfect for testing products or selling through Instagram, but you’ll outgrow it quickly if you want full eCommerce features.
Are there any hidden Shopify fees?
Short answer: Yes—if you’re not paying attention.
Here’s what else might cost you:
- Apps & Themes: Many apps charge monthly (anywhere from $2 to $100+)
- Premium Themes: One-time cost of $180–$350
- International Fees: Cross-border and currency conversion charges
- Shipping Label Fees: Shopify offers discounted rates, but it's still a charge
- Chargebacks: $15 per dispute (unless you win it)
An average Shopify store spends $60–$120/month on paid apps alone.
Scaling? Let’s talk Shopify plus
If you are doing $ 1 M+ in annual revenue, Shopify Plus might be your next step.
- Custom pricing (usually starts at $2,000/month)
- Lower fees (as low as 1.5% per transaction)
- Access to checkout customization, advanced automation, dedicated support, and more
It’s powerful, but only worth it when your sales volume justifies the investment.
Curious to know more about Shopify numbers? Read our latest Shopify Statistics to stay ahead.
Shopify vs. WooCommerce vs. BigCommerce (2025)
Below, we have compared Shopify with other platforms like WooCommerce, BigCommerce to help you make an informed decision.
| Feature / Cost | Shopify | WooCommerce | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $5/mo (Starter), $39/mo (Basic) | Free plugin; hosting ~$10–$25/mo | $29.95/mo (Standard) |
| Hosting Included | Yes | No – self-hosted (extra cost) | Yes |
| Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very beginner-friendly) | ⭐⭐ (Requires WordPress knowledge) | ⭐⭐⭐ (Slightly more complex than Shopify) |
| Customization | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Highly customizable) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Themes | Free + $180–$350 premium | Free + $30–$130 premium | Free + premium themes available |
| Transaction Fees | 0% with Shopify Payments; 1–2% otherwise | 0% (only gateway fees apply) | 0% |
| Payment Options | Shopify Payments + 100+ gateways | PayPal, Stripe, many others | PayPal, Stripe, Amazon Pay, more |
| Average Monthly Costs | $39–$150+ (plan + apps) | $30–$100+ (hosting, plugins, maintenance) | $39–$150+ (plan + add-ons) |
| Scalability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (depends on setup) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Support | 24/7 Live Chat & Phone | Community support is limited by hosting | 24/7 Live Chat & Phone |
Which one is best for you?
- Choose Shopify if you want a plug-and-play store with built-in hosting and payments.
- Choose WooCommerce if you are comfortable with WordPress and desire total control.
- Choose BigCommerce if you prefer a hosted solution with robust built-in features and no transaction fees.
Final thoughts
Shopify can be affordable—or pricey—it depends on how you use it. While the platform starts at just $5, fees scale with your growth, and it’s easy to overlook the recurring app or transaction costs.
The best way to avoid surprises?
- Choose the right plan for your business stage
- Use Shopify Payments when possible
- Track your app spending
With the right setup, Shopify remains one of the most scalable, reliable platforms to grow your eCommerce business in 2025 and beyond.
FAQs
Start with the Starter Plan at $5/month—perfect for creators or influencers selling through social or messaging apps. Just keep in mind, it doesn’t include a full online store. For a basic website, the Basic plan ($39/month) is the next step up.
Yes, but only if you use Shopify Payments, which is Shopify’s in-house payment gateway. If you choose PayPal, Stripe, or another third-party provider, Shopify adds an extra 0.5% to 2% fee depending on your plan.
While Shopify has a generous app ecosystem, most serious store owners spend between $50 to $150/month on essential tools, like email marketing, upselling, reviews, or SEO apps. Some free apps exist, but functionality can be limited.
Not exactly "hidden," but easy to overlook. Shopify offers a handful of high-quality free themes. However, most professional-looking themes cost a one-time fee of $180 to $350, depending on features and customization flexibility.
Only if you're scaling big—we’re talking $ 1 M+ in annual revenue. Shopify Plus starts at $2,000/month, offering powerful API access, advanced automations, priority support, and custom checkout experiences. For enterprises, it's worth every penny. For smaller stores? Stick with Advanced or lower plans.
Yes. Shopify Payments availability, currency conversion fees (1.5% typical), and local tax rules can all impact your final monthly costs. It’s smart to review Shopify’s country-specific pricing and payment options.
Absolutely. As your revenue grows, upgrading to higher-tier plans reduces transaction fees. Shopify also offers annual billing discounts (up to 25%) if you're ready to commit long term.
Source
- Shopify Pricing
- Shopify. Help Center| Plan Features
- Shopify UK Blog. E-commerce Website Cost
- WooCommerce. How much does it cost to run a store?
- BigCommerce. Pricing and plan information
Manisha is a Data-Driven Marketing Expert who turns numbers into narratives and ad clicks into conversions. With a passion for performance marketing and a sharp eye for analytics, she helps brands cut through the noise and maximize their impact in the digital space.
Leszek is the Digital Growth Manager at Feedink & Cropink, specializing in organic growth for eCommerce and SaaS companies. His background includes roles at Poland's largest accommodation portal and FT1000 companies, with his work featured in Forbes, Inc., Business Insider, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, BBC, and TechRepublic.
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