Key takeaways
- The Shopify plan is only part of the cost. Themes, apps, payment fees, domain, design and marketing add up.
- Check shopify.com/pricing for current plan prices, since they change and vary by region and billing period.
- Payment processing fees apply to every sale, and extra transaction fees can apply if you do not use Shopify Payments.
- The biggest variable is design, setup and marketing, not the subscription.
- Start lean, track real sales and add paid apps only when they solve a measurable problem.
The short answer
There is no single price. A Shopify store has fixed costs that you pay regardless of sales, variable costs that grow with sales, and one-off costs to build and launch. Shopify’s own plan prices are published on its pricing page and can change, so we do not quote numbers here that could be out of date.
What matters for budgeting is understanding each category and deciding which ones you need on day one.
1. The Shopify plan
Shopify offers several plans, commonly Basic, Grow and Advanced, with Plus for large businesses. Higher plans lower the card processing rate and add features such as more staff accounts and advanced reporting. Annual billing is usually cheaper per month than monthly billing. Shopify typically offers a free trial, so check the current terms.
For most new stores, the entry plan is enough. Upgrade when reporting, staff accounts or fees justify it.
2. Payment processing and transaction fees
Every sale carries a card processing fee, usually a percentage plus a fixed amount that depends on your plan and country. If you use a third-party payment gateway instead of Shopify Payments, Shopify may add its own transaction fee on top. Include these in your pricing, because they come out of each order.
3. Theme and design
Shopify has free themes, and many stores launch well on one of them. Paid themes from the Theme Store carry a one-off licence fee. The larger design cost is time or services: customising layouts, building product page templates, writing copy and creating good imagery.
- DIY: lowest cash cost, highest time cost.
- Freelancer or agency: a custom build costs more but is often faster and more conversion-focused.
4. Apps
Many apps charge a monthly subscription. Reviews, email marketing, subscriptions, upsells, search and loyalty tools can quickly add up. Each app can also add scripts that slow the store.
Add an app only when you can name the problem it solves and the number it should improve. Remove apps you no longer use.
5. Domain, email and legal pages
A custom domain is a small annual cost. Professional email, privacy policy, terms, returns and shipping policy pages are required for trust and, in many places, for legal compliance. Shopify provides policy templates, but have them checked for your region and products.
6. Products, photography and inventory
Stock, packaging, product photography and samples are often the largest start-up cost for a physical product business. Good photos and clear descriptions influence conversion more than most paid features.
7. Marketing and traffic
A store with no traffic makes no sales. Budget for advertising, content, email and social media. Paid channels such as Google Ads and Meta Ads need a testing budget and tracking. Plan on spending time or money to bring visitors in.
A simple budget template
| Cost | Type | How to estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify plan | Monthly | Current price on shopify.com/pricing |
| Payment fees | Per sale | Percentage of revenue plus fixed fee |
| Theme | One-off or free | Free theme or licence fee |
| Apps | Monthly | Total of subscriptions you actually use |
| Domain and email | Annual | Registrar price |
| Design and setup | One-off | DIY time or a quote from a developer |
| Products and photos | One-off and ongoing | Stock cost, samples, shoot |
| Marketing | Monthly | Ad spend plus management |
Add them up for the first three months, not just the first month. That shows how many sales you need to break even.
How to think about profit, not just cost
Revenue is not profit. For each product, subtract product cost, shipping, payment fees, returns and advertising cost to see what you actually keep per order. Only then can you judge what you can afford to spend on a store build or on ads.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a Shopify store?
It depends on the plan, theme, apps, products, design and marketing. The Shopify subscription is only part of it. Check shopify.com/pricing for current plan costs, then add domain, payment fees, any paid apps, product stock or sourcing and your marketing budget.
How much does a Shopify store cost per month?
The monthly cost is the plan fee plus any app subscriptions, plus ongoing marketing. Payment fees are charged per sale rather than monthly. Prices vary by plan, region and whether you pay monthly or annually.
Is Shopify free to try?
Shopify has generally offered a free trial period for new stores, but terms change by region and over time. Check the current offer on Shopify’s website before you start.
Do I need to pay for a Shopify theme?
No. Shopify includes free themes that work well for many stores. Paid themes add extra layouts and features for a one-off fee. A theme alone does not guarantee sales, so product pages and content still matter.
What are Shopify transaction fees?
If you use a payment gateway other than Shopify Payments, Shopify may charge an additional transaction fee on each order. Card processing fees from the payment provider are separate. Check your plan and region for the current rates.
How much does it cost to hire someone to build a Shopify store?
Quotes vary with scope: a template setup is much cheaper than a custom design with integrations and conversion work. Ask for a written scope that lists pages, templates, apps, tracking and what is excluded.
Can I run a Shopify store without spending on ads?
Yes, but growth is usually slower. Organic search, email, social content and marketplace listings can bring traffic without ad spend, although they take time and effort. Many stores combine both.
Is Shopify worth it compared with WooCommerce?
It depends on your skills and needs. Shopify is easier to run and hosts everything for you. WooCommerce on WordPress gives more control but needs hosting, maintenance and security work. Compare total cost and time, not only the sticker price.
Where we can help
If you would like a scoped quote for your store, these are the services that apply.
Keep reading
Plan your Shopify store with us
Tell us what you sell and who you sell to. We will recommend a lean setup and quote after a free audit.
Written by the MAQ Digital Media team. Platform features, policies and interfaces change often, so check each platform’s current help documentation before acting on any step. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.