Shopify Plus has positioned itself as the go to ecommerce platform for high growth businesses that need more control, better scalability, and advanced features. At first glance, the platform looks like a straightforward upgrade. Shopify’s website lists a base monthly fee of 2000 dollars, and for many online business owners, that feels manageable until the hidden costs start to surface.
The truth is, Shopify Plus pricing goes well beyond the base fee. Most ecommerce brands discover this only after launching or migrating their store. Whether it is transaction fees for using a third party payment provider, ongoing development costs for checkout customizations, or the rising price of paid apps, the total cost can quickly climb much higher than expected.
That is not to say Shopify Plus is not powerful. It absolutely is. But understanding how the pricing structure works is essential. The monthly cost you pay Shopify will depend on your monthly revenue, sales volume, business model, and even your choice of payment gateway.
This guide breaks everything down clearly from licensing fees and payment processing fees to customization and compliance costs. If you are evaluating Shopify Plus in 2025, we will help you make a confident and informed decision by uncovering the full picture.
And if you are wondering whether there is a more flexible ecommerce platform without these ongoing costs, you are not alone. That is one reason why many businesses choose WooCommerce as a smarter and scalable alternative, and we will touch on that too.
Shopify Plus Cost in 2025: What You Are Really Paying
Let’s look beyond the headlines and break down what Shopify Plus costs actually means in 2025. While the official base fee is set at 2000 dollars per month, that figure only applies to businesses making less than 800000 dollars in monthly revenue. Once your store exceeds that threshold, Shopify Plus charges a percentage of your monthly sales instead.
This is where many ecommerce business owners are caught off guard. The pricing shifts from a flat monthly fee to a variable platform fee that increases with your growth. The structure is simple on paper but has serious financial implications.
Here is how it works:
- If your monthly revenue is under 800000 dollars, you pay a flat fee of 2000 dollars.
- If your revenue goes beyond that, Shopify Plus takes 0.25 percent of your monthly sales.
- The maximum you can be charged is capped at 40000 dollars per month.
For example, if your online store generates 500000 dollars a month, you stay at the base rate. But if you are making 1 million dollars per month, your fee becomes 2500 dollars. If you are making 10 million dollars, you hit the cap and pay 40000 dollars per month.
This pricing model rewards smaller high performance businesses but can quickly escalate for fast growing brands. It is important to factor in this shift when calculating your total cost, especially if your sales are trending upward.
Also keep in mind that this platform fee only covers the use of Shopify Plus itself. It does not include transaction fees, credit card fees, custom development, or app subscriptions. Those will add up and should be planned for carefully in your monthly budget.
What Is Included in the Shopify Plus Subscription Fee
Now that you know how Shopify Plus pricing is calculated, the next question is what exactly are you paying for. At the base level, Shopify Plus is designed to offer more power, flexibility, and support compared to standard Shopify plans. But while the platform does unlock a suite of advanced tools, not everything comes ready to use out of the box.
Here is what your monthly Shopify Plus subscription gives you:
- Unlimited staff accounts, so your entire team can work in the backend without restrictions
- Access to exclusive automation tools like Shopify Flow, Launchpad, and Shopify Scripts
- A dedicated Merchant Success Manager to assist with strategy, setup, and support
- Full control over the checkout experience using script editing for discounts and dynamic pricing
- Enhanced API access for custom builds or headless commerce configurations
- Support for expansion stores and international selling through Shopify Markets or multi store setups
These features are ideal for high volume online stores that need custom workflows, bulk order handling, or international support. However, having access to these tools does not mean they are automatically implemented. Most businesses will still need to invest in development services to configure them properly.
For example, Shopify Scripts lets you customize checkout logic, but it requires coding knowledge. Shopify Flow is powerful for automation, but it takes time and effort to build flows that actually drive results.
The key takeaway is that while the Shopify Plus fee unlocks more possibilities, realizing their full potential will likely require outside help, custom development, or third party apps. These are not included in the monthly price, and they can quickly increase your overall cost of running the store.
Shopify Plus vs Standard Shopify Plans: Is the Upgrade Worth It
One of the biggest decisions growing ecommerce brands face is whether to stick with Advanced Shopify or make the jump to Shopify Plus. On the surface, the upgrade seems logical if your business is scaling fast. But the real value depends on what your store actually needs and how much extra cost you are prepared to handle.
Let us compare the core Shopify plans to Shopify Plus to see where the differences really show up.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Transaction Fees | Staff Accounts | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Shopify | 39 dollars | 2.00 percent | 2 | Essential ecommerce tools |
| Shopify | 105 dollars | 1.00 percent | 5 | Professional reports and more integrations |
| Advanced Shopify | 399 dollars | 0.50 percent | 15 | Advanced reports and shipping discounts |
| Shopify Plus | 2000 dollars+ | 0.25 percent or less | Unlimited | Automation, custom checkout, API access |
At first glance, Shopify Plus seems like the obvious choice if you want premium tools. But here is the truth. For many mid sized ecommerce businesses, Advanced Shopify offers more than enough features at a fraction of the cost.
Unless you need full checkout customization, B2B wholesale features, or automation across multiple stores, the additional benefits of Shopify Plus may not justify the leap in monthly cost. Advanced Shopify still gives you detailed reporting, lower transaction fees than the Basic plan, and the ability to scale without the overhead of a variable platform fee.
If your monthly revenue is still under one million dollars, and you are not running multiple international stores, staying on the Advanced plan could help you save significantly while still meeting your core business needs.
As you grow, you can reassess whether the benefits of Shopify Plus align with your goals or if there is a better path forward, like WooCommerce, which offers full flexibility without a fixed monthly subscription at all. We will get to that soon.
The Real Cost of Running a Shopify Plus Store
Now that we have covered the base subscription and what it includes, it is time to look at the actual cost of operating a Shopify Plus store. Spoiler alert; it goes far beyond the two thousand dollar monthly fee.
Many ecommerce businesses sign up expecting a flat rate. What they discover later is that the true cost includes layers of fees and services that vary by business model, tech stack, and growth stage.
Let us break down the most common ongoing expenses you should expect:
Transaction Fees
If you are not using Shopify Payments as your default gateway, Shopify will charge an extra 0.15 percent on every transaction processed through a third party provider. For businesses using PayPal, Stripe, or Authorize Net, this can add up quickly.
Credit Card Processing Fees
Even when you use Shopify Payments, you still pay processing fees. In the United States, this is typically 2.15 percent plus 30 cents per transaction. If your monthly revenue is high, these fees become a major part of your overall cost.
Paid Apps and Plugins
Most growing Shopify Plus stores rely on multiple third party apps to manage marketing, upsells, subscriptions, analytics, and more. Tools like Klaviyo, Recharge, and Rebuy can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars each month depending on your usage.
Development and Customization
To unlock advanced Shopify Plus features like Scripts or a headless frontend, most businesses need help from a developer or an agency. This can involve one time builds and ongoing maintenance that range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.
International and Multi Store Fees
If you sell in multiple countries, Shopify Plus allows you to create expansion stores. But each store comes with its own license fee, which is typically another two thousand dollars per month. Add in currency conversion fees and localization tools, and costs grow fast.
When all these pieces come together, the average monthly cost of running a fully functional Shopify Plus store is often fifteen thousand dollars or more. This number can fluctuate based on your sales volume, store size, app stack, and development needs.
If your store is in a high growth phase and bringing in significant revenue, this investment may be worth it. But if you are still growing or working with tight margins, it is worth exploring more cost efficient platforms like WooCommerce that offer greater control and lower recurring costs.
What Drives Up the Total Cost of Shopify Plus
While the two thousand dollar monthly fee may seem manageable at first, there are several hidden layers that increase the actual cost of running a Shopify Plus store. Here is a breakdown of the main cost drivers:
Third Party Transaction Fees
If your store uses a third party payment provider like PayPal, Stripe, or Authorize Net instead of Shopify Payments, Shopify charges an additional 0.15 percent on every transaction. This may sound small, but it adds up quickly for stores with high monthly sales. The more you grow, the more you pay in extra processing fees without any added value.
Security and Compliance Costs
Operating a global ecommerce store means staying compliant with various regulations such as GDPR, PCI, and tax laws. While Shopify Plus offers helpful features, most businesses still invest in third party tools or services to manage legal compliance. These security and compliance costs are ongoing and essential to protect your business and customer trust.
App Costs from Third Party Tools
Shopify Plus does not include advanced marketing, analytics, or subscription tools out of the box. High growth businesses usually rely on third party apps like Klaviyo, Rebuy, or Recharge. These apps can cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per month, making them a significant part of your overall budget.
Development and Customization Costs
Features like custom checkout, Shopify Functions, or API integrations often require expert developers. Whether you hire a freelancer or an agency, the development costs can range from one time setup fees to long term maintenance. The more complex your store, the more you will need to budget for customization.
Expansion Stores and Licensing Fees
If you operate in multiple countries and use separate storefronts, each expansion store usually requires its own Shopify Plus license. That means you could be paying two thousand dollars per store, every month. Combined with other international selling expenses, this structure can multiply your base monthly fee very quickly.
Variable Platform Fee Based on Monthly Revenue
Shopify Plus pricing is not fixed for all stores. Once your monthly revenue exceeds eight hundred thousand dollars, you are charged 0.25 percent of total sales. This variable platform fee continues to rise with your business performance, making budgeting difficult and turning success into higher platform costs.
Currency Conversion and Cross Border Selling Fees
If you sell internationally, Shopify charges a currency conversion fee of up to 1.5 percent per transaction through Shopify Payments. This is on top of any third party payment gateway fees. Add in duties, import taxes, and localization services, and the costs of cross border selling can quickly cut into your profits.
Ongoing Maintenance Costs and Hidden Fees
Beyond setup, you will need to maintain your apps, codebase, custom scripts, and integrations. Whether it is updating a Shopify theme or managing new compliance rules, these ongoing costs are easy to overlook but always necessary. Hidden fees also appear during upgrades, migrations, or large traffic events if your store needs more support.
How Shopify Plus Compares to Other Enterprise Ecommerce Platforms
Choosing the right ecommerce platform is not just about features. It is also about cost, flexibility, control, and how well it fits your business model. Shopify Plus may be one of the most popular names in the space, but it is not the only enterprise solution out there.
Let’s compare Shopify Plus with other leading platforms like WooCommerce, Magento, BigCommerce Enterprise, and Salesforce Commerce Cloud to see how they stack up.
| Platform | Best For | Starting Cost | Customization Level | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify Plus | Fast scaling brands | $2,000 per month and up | Moderate | Very easy |
| WooCommerce | Custom ecommerce experiences | Varies by setup | High | Moderate |
| Magento (Adobe Commerce) | Large businesses with dev resources | $22,000 per year and up | Very high | Complex |
| BigCommerce Enterprise | B2B and high volume sellers | $500 to $2,500 per month | High | Moderate |
| Salesforce Commerce Cloud | Large global brands | $300,000+ per year | High | Complex |
Shopify Plus offers simplicity, speed, and built in hosting, which is great for teams without a technical background. But it comes with recurring fees, limited control over server-side code, and rising costs as your revenue increases.
WooCommerce, on the other hand, is fully open source. You own your data, hosting, and storefront entirely. It allows endless customization without being tied to a specific monthly license. This makes it a popular choice for brands that want full freedom and scalability on their own terms.
At Seahawk, we help businesses migrate from Shopify to WooCommerce to lower ongoing costs and unlock deeper customization. For stores that want to build something truly unique and future proof, WooCommerce remains one of the best options available today.
Want Full Control Over Your Online Store?
Explore Seahawk’s WooCommerce Development Services for scalable, affordable solutions tailored to your business needs.
When Shopify Plus Makes Sense for Your Online Business
Shopify Plus is not for everyone, but for the right kind of online business, it can be a powerful platform that pays off in time saved, conversions gained, and scaling made simple. To decide whether it is a smart investment, you need to consider your current revenue and business model, your technical needs, and how much complexity your team can handle.
Here is when Shopify Plus is genuinely worth considering:
1. Your online business generates over one million dollars in annual revenue
At this point, the benefits of lower transaction fees, priority support, and automation tools can start to offset the high monthly subscription cost. Many higher volume businesses switch to Shopify Plus because the improved infrastructure supports more traffic, sales, and backend users without performance issues.
2. You need advanced checkout customizations
Shopify Plus gives you access to Scripts and Shopify Functions, which allow you to create custom discounts, flexible payment logic, tiered shipping rates, and other enhancements at checkout. These checkout customizations are not available on lower tier plans and are ideal for businesses with unique pricing models or customer segments.
3. You manage multiple storefronts or sell in multiple countries
If your business operates across different regions, Shopify Plus supports expansion stores and Shopify Markets. These features make it easier to localize your content, currencies, taxes, and checkout experience while maintaining centralized management.
4. You want to streamline backend workflows with automation
Shopify Flow and Launchpad let you automate inventory updates, customer segmentation, scheduled promotions, and more. For teams dealing with high order volume, these automations reduce manual work and prevent costly errors.
5. You are scaling fast and want a platform that grows with you
Shopify Plus is designed to handle flash sales, product launches, and viral traffic without slowing down. It is often chosen by fast growing direct to consumer brands that want an all in one system without worrying about technical infrastructure.
When Shopify Plus Might Not Be the Right Fit
Despite its features, Shopify Plus is not ideal for every business. If your monthly sales are below the enterprise threshold, the total cost of using Shopify Plus can outweigh its benefits. The fees charged, from base subscriptions to additional transaction fees and app costs, can quickly eat into your profits, especially if your business model depends on tight margins.
Stores that do not require advanced checkout customizations or international expansion can usually get everything they need from Advanced Shopify or even WooCommerce. Smaller teams may also find it overwhelming to manage the setup, development, and ongoing demands of Plus.
For most early-stage brands, it makes more sense to stay lean and flexible. That way, you can reinvest in product development, customer experience, and marketing, without committing to a high monthly fee that does not yet deliver a strong return.
In short, timing is key. Shopify Plus should match both your growth and your goals.
Final Thoughts
Shopify Plus offers a powerful ecommerce infrastructure, but understanding the full picture is essential before committing. While the base price may seem reasonable, the actual investment often includes project costs, setup fees, and rising credit card fees that scale with your transactions. Add in third party apps, custom builds, and even hosting fees if you go headless, and the monthly spend can grow quickly.
For many businesses, especially those still building their brand or working within tighter margins, Shopify Plus may not offer the best return. The platform is most beneficial for large teams with complex workflows, automation needs, and high volume traffic that justifies the total cost.
Before upgrading your Shopify account, take a closer look at your current sales, operations, and budget. Consider whether a more flexible platform like WooCommerce could help you scale without the same financial pressure. At Seahawk, we help brands make that choice with confidence.
