What Is a Shopify Plan Comparison?
A Shopify plan comparison estimates each plan’s monthly cost by adding the subscription fee to payment processing fees. Comparing the total—not just the advertised plan price—shows when a higher-tier plan’s lower processing rate may offset its higher subscription fee.
Your order value matters because Shopify also charges a fixed fee per transaction. Your payment method matters because using a third-party gateway can add a Shopify fee on top of that provider’s own processing charges.
Shopify Plan Comparison Formulas
Estimated monthly orders = Monthly revenue ÷ Average order value
Monthly cost with Shopify Payments =
Monthly plan fee
+ (Monthly revenue × card processing rate)
+ (Estimated monthly orders × $0.30)
Monthly cost with a third-party gateway =
Monthly plan fee
+ (Monthly revenue × card processing rate)
+ (Estimated monthly orders × $0.30)
+ (Monthly revenue × Shopify’s additional gateway fee)
The listed processing rates are 2.9% + $0.30 for Basic, 2.6% + $0.30 for Shopify, and 2.4% + $0.30 for Advanced. Shopify’s additional fee for using a third-party gateway is 2.0%, 1.0%, or 0.6%, respectively; your gateway may charge its own fees as well.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter Monthly revenue, your estimated sales total through Shopify for a typical month.
- Enter Average order value, the average amount customers spend per order. The calculator uses revenue and this figure to estimate the number of transactions and fixed per-order fees.
- Set Use Shopify Payments to match your checkout setup. Turn it off if you use a third-party gateway so the comparison accounts for Shopify’s additional gateway fee.
- Compare each plan’s estimated total monthly cost. Recalculate with a peak-season month or a different order value to see how sensitive the result is to sales volume and order count.
Step-by-Step Example
A Shopify store selling skincare earns $12,000 per month, with an average order value of $60, and uses Shopify Payments.
Estimated orders: $12,000 ÷ $60 = 200 orders
| Plan | Subscription | Percentage fee | Fixed fees | Estimated monthly total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $29 | $12,000 × 2.9% = $348 | 200 × $0.30 = $60 | $437 |
| Shopify | $79 | $12,000 × 2.6% = $312 | 200 × $0.30 = $60 | $451 |
| Advanced | $299 | $12,000 × 2.4% = $288 | 200 × $0.30 = $60 | $647 |
At this sales level, Basic costs $14 less than Shopify and $210 less than Advanced per month. These estimates exclude gateway fees beyond Shopify’s own charges, refunds, and other store expenses.
When Does a Higher-Tier Plan Cost Less?
A higher plan becomes cheaper when its processing-fee savings exceed the extra subscription cost. With annual billing and Shopify Payments, the estimated break-even points are:
| Comparison | Extra monthly plan fee | Processing-rate savings | Approximate revenue break-even |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic → Shopify | $50 | 0.3 percentage points | $16,667/month |
| Shopify → Advanced | $220 | 0.2 percentage points | $110,000/month |
These thresholds assume the same sales are processed on each plan. The fixed $0.30 per-order fee is the same across these plans, so it does not change the comparison when order volume stays constant. With monthly billing, the subscription-price differences are larger, moving those break-even points to approximately $22,000 and $147,000 in monthly revenue.
Price is only one part of the decision: higher-tier plans may include features your store needs, while a lower monthly total may leave less room for other expenses. Track plan and payment costs alongside your wider store budget; the U.S. Small Business Administration’s finance guidance covers managing business finances, and the IRS explains deductible business expenses. For a broader view of recurring costs, use the Shopify Total Cost of Ownership Calculator. If you are weighing a third-party provider’s own processing rates, compare them with the Shopify Payments vs Gateway Calculator.
6 Tips to Compare Shopify Plans
- Change monthly revenue from $15,000 to $18,000 to test whether crossing the Basic-to-Shopify break-even point changes the cheapest plan.
- Change average order value from $40 to $80 while holding revenue steady. The estimated order count—and therefore the total fixed transaction fees—will change.
- Turn off Use Shopify Payments to see how Shopify’s added third-party gateway fee affects each plan. Include your provider’s separate fees when making the final comparison.
- Compare annual and monthly billing before committing. Annual billing lowers the subscription fee, but monthly billing may suit a store that is testing a new business model or wants more flexibility.
- Run a seasonal scenario: enter a forecast month at $30,000 in revenue, then compare it with a quieter month. A plan that is cheapest during a promotion may not be cheapest year-round.
- Include apps and other recurring costs in your broader budget. Use the Shopify App Stack Cost Calculator to estimate app spending per month and per order.
- Check whether a plan’s features justify its cost. If your sales approach Shopify Plus territory, use the Shopify Plus Break-Even Calculator before comparing an upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Shopify cost per month?
Shopify plans cost $29–$299 per month on annual billing or $39–$399 per month on monthly billing, before payment processing and other store expenses. Processing fees of 2.4%–2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction can make the total cost substantially higher, depending on sales and order volume.
Which Shopify plan is best for my store?
The lowest-cost plan depends on your revenue, order value, payment method, and billing cycle. Basic often suits lower-volume stores, while a higher plan can become cheaper when its lower processing rate offsets the larger subscription fee; this calculator estimates that crossover for your inputs.
What are Shopify transaction fees?
With Shopify Payments, Basic charges 2.9% + $0.30, Shopify charges 2.6% + $0.30, and Advanced charges 2.4% + $0.30 per transaction. Using a third-party gateway adds a Shopify fee of 2.0%, 1.0%, or 0.6%, respectively, in addition to the gateway’s own fees.
Should I pay annually or monthly for Shopify?
Annual billing reduces the plan fee: Basic is $29 instead of $39 per month, Shopify is $79 instead of $105, and Advanced is $299 instead of $399. The tradeoff is flexibility: monthly billing costs more but avoids committing to an annual term, so compare the savings with how certain you are about keeping the plan.
Do I need Shopify Payments?
No, but Shopify adds a plan-dependent fee when you use a third-party gateway, and that provider may charge its own processing fee too. Shopify Payments is often less expensive overall when it avoids the added Shopify fee, but compare both providers’ complete fee schedules rather than assuming the gateway’s advertised rate is the full cost.
About This Calculator
The Shopify Plan Comparison Calculator was built for Shopify merchants by Luis Dev Studio. For help comparing your store costs, contact us or explore our Shopify services.
Updated by Luis Gonzalez · Aug 2, 2026