Starting an online store is an exciting step for any business owner. However, figuring out the true Shopify cost can feel a bit like chasing a moving target. In 2026, the world of e-commerce has changed. Most stores now use high-speed tools and AI features. This makes it vital to know your monthly recurring costs before you start. The price you see on the website is only the beginning. Smart sellers look at transaction fees, apps, and hosting expenses to see the full picture.
A store making $50,000 a year can spend over $10,000 in the first year. This total includes the Shopify website design cost and other premium tools. You can lower these platform subscription costs by choosing the right plan level. Using Shopify Payments is another great way to save a lot of money. DevSphere Technologies helps brands build stores that earn more and cost less to run.
Monthly vs. Annual Shopify Cost 2026 Breakdown
The first part of your Shopify store setup is choosing a platform subscription. In 2026, Shopify will have several tiers to fit different business sizes and needs. One simple way to lower your Shopify cost is to pay for a full year. This choice gives you a 25% discount on all of the standard plans.
Shopify Starter
The Starter plan is perfect for creators, small businesses, and startups without a full site. It lets you sell products through social media links or messaging apps. You get a basic payment processor, but you cannot customize the look of a store.
Shopify Basic
The Shopify Basic plan cost is still the top choice for most new brands. It costs $29/mo annually or $39/mo monthly for a full website and unlimited products. This plan is best for people starting an online store making under $10,000 a month.
Shopify Grow
The Shopify standard plan price is often called Shopify Grow in the current 2026 market. It is built for teams and offers five staff accounts plus better sales reports. This plan lowers your credit card fees, which helps you keep more profit as you grow.
Shopify Advanced
The Shopify Advanced Shopify cost is an investment for businesses that need deep data. It costs $299/mo annually and includes custom reports plus fifteen different staff accounts. High-volume stores save thousands here because the transaction fees are much lower than other plans.
Shopify Plus
Major brands use Shopify Plus pricing, which starts at $2,300/mo for a three-year deal. It offers unlimited staff, wholesale tools, and a checkout that you can fully customize. Large companies doing over $1M in sales often need our Web Development Services for this tier.
Shopify Plan Comparison Table
| Plan Tier | Monthly Fee | Annual (per mo) | Transaction Fee | Staff | Best For |
| Starter | $5 | N/A | 5% | 1 | Social Selling |
| Basic | $39 | $29 | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2 | Startups |
| Grow | $105 | $79 | 2.7% + 30¢ | 5 | Scaling Brands |
| Advanced | $399 | $299 | 2.5% + 30¢ | 15 | High Volume |
| Plus | Custom | $2,300+ | Negotiable | ∞ | Enterprises |
Transaction Fees
Knowing your Shopify transaction rates is very important for your budget. These fees often cost more than the actual monthly plan price itself. This Shopify commission rate is taken from every single sale that you process.
The Shopify Payments Advantage
Using Shopify Payments as your payment gateway will save you a lot of money. If you use it, Shopify will not charge you an extra “third-party fee.” Without it, you pay an extra 0.5% to 2% penalty on every single order.
Point of Sale
If you sell items in person, your Shopify POS costs will depend on your needs. POS Lite is free with every plan, but POS Pro costs $89/month per location. This adds to the e-commerce website price for brands that have physical store locations.
Apps, Themes, and Maintenance
There are other costs beyond the Shopify monthly cost that you must plan for. These “hidden” fees can quickly add up and affect your Shopify maintenance cost.
- Shopify Theme Cost: A good premium Shopify theme in 2026 costs between $150 and $400. These are one-time customization charges that make your store look and work better.
- Shopify App Costs: Most stores need apps for SEO, customer reviews, and marketing tools. You should plan to spend $50–$350/mo on your total app costs.
- Domain Registration: A custom web address usually costs between $10 and $20 every year.
- Shopify Website Design Cost: Professional Shopify store development cost can be $3,000 to $25,000 for a custom site.
Some sellers look into custom WordPress development to get more control over their content. While WordPress has lower hosting expenses, it does not have the “all-in-one” feel of Shopify.
TCO Calculator: $50,000 Store Example
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is the best way to see the Shopify cost. Let us look at a store that makes $50,000 in sales each year.
- Basic Plan Annual Cost: $348 (Paid all at once)
- Transaction Fees: $1,750 (Based on average order sizes)
- Monthly Apps: $1,200 ($100 per month on average)
- Theme and Domain: $320 (One-time theme and annual domain)
- Total Year 1 Cost: $3,618
A store making $500,000 a year will find the Advanced plan is a better deal. The lower payment processing fees save more money than the higher cost of the plan.
Global Pricing: US vs. Canada vs. Europe
The Shopify monthly expenses can change based on where your business is located.
- United States: You pay the standard prices that are listed above.
- Canada: Prices are in CAD and often include extra taxes like HST/GST.
- Europe: Prices usually include VAT, which makes the Shopify Basic plan cost feel higher.
Sellers who sell to other countries also pay a 1.5% to 2% currency fee. Many brands use our Content Marketing Services to get free traffic and lower these costs.
How to Cut Your Shopify Cost
- Annual Billing: Pay for the year at once to save 25% on your bill.
- Use Shopify Payments: This stops the 2% fee that third-party gateways charge you.
- Check Your Apps: Many themes in 2026 have features that take the place of apps.
- Free Marketing: Use free Social Media Marketing tools before you buy any expensive software.
If you want to grow without high costs, our SEO Services focus on organic reach. This helps you stop spending so much money on paid ads. Get a Quote Today to see how we can help your store perform better.
Conclusion Shopify Cost
Finding the right Shopify cost in 2026 means looking at more than just the monthly plan. You must understand how transaction fees and app costs work together to affect your profit. Planning your strategy before you start is the key to a successful store. Whether you are starting an online store or moving from another site, we are here to help.
DevSphere Technologies provides WordPress development services and custom Shopify builds that focus on speed. We make sure you do not waste money on things you do not need. Get a Quote Today and let us build a store that grows your business and saves you money.
FAQs
How much does Shopify take from a $100 sale?
On the Shopify Basic plan, Shopify takes about $3.20 from a $100 sale with Shopify Payments. If you use a different gateway like PayPal, the cost can go up to $5.20 or more. This happens because Shopify adds a 2% fee on top of what the other provider charges you. Picking the right payment processor is the best way to keep more of your hard-earned money.
Is there a monthly fee to sell on Shopify?
Yes, you must pay a monthly fee between $5 and $2,300 to use the Shopify platform. This platform subscription covers your web hosting and the basic tools you need to sell items online. Keep in mind that app costs and sales fees are billed on top of this base price. Most new sellers start with the Basic plan at $39 each month to keep things simple.
Is Shopify worth the cost for a small business?
Shopify is worth the cost because it is an all-in-one tool that handles the hard technical work for you. You do not have to worry about security or hosting because Shopify takes care of everything automatically. While the monthly fee might look high, the time you save makes it a great deal. For small business startups, it is better to focus on selling than on fixing a website.
Do I need an LLC to run a Shopify store?
You do not need an LLC to start, but having one is a smart move for your protection. It keeps your personal money separate from your e-commerce platform costs and helps with your taxes. Some higher-level payment gateways also require you to have a formal business license to use them. Most successful sellers in the US eventually form an LLC to look more professional to their customers.
What is the rule of 40 in Shopify?
The Rule of 40 is a way to see if your e-commerce business is actually healthy. It says that your growth rate plus your profit margin should add up to at least 40%. This helps you balance your store setup costs with the money you are actually taking home. If your growth is 30% and your profit is 15%, your score is 45%, which is very good.
