Shopify offers several monthly packages with fixed and variable costs. The basic subscription starts at €25 per month, but other fees are added depending on your usage. This article details the actual rates to help you choose the option that’s right for your business.
The different Shopify subscriptions
Shopify offers three standard packages for creating your online store. Each package includes free hosting and an SSL certificate.
Basic
- 33€ per month (25€ annual fee)
- 2 user accounts
- Comprehensive features to get you started
- Recovery of abandoned baskets
- Discount codes and gift cards
Shopify
- 88€ per month (66€ annual fee)
- 5 user accounts
- Detailed professional reports
- Sales performance analysis
Advanced
- 384€ per month (289€ annual payment)
- 15 user accounts
- Customizable advanced reports
- Automatic calculation of customs charges
The Basic package already offers all the features you need to sell online. Higher packages are distinguished by lower transaction fees and more advanced analysis tools.
Transaction fees with Shopify Payments
Shopify Payments is the platform’s native payment solution. It eliminates the additional transaction fees that Shopify charges with other gateways.
For European cards :
- Basic: 1.5% + €0.25 per transaction
- Shopify: 1.3% + €0.25 per transaction
- Advanced: 1.1% + €0.25 per transaction
For international cards :
- Basic: 2.7% + €0.25 per transaction
- Shopify: 2.6% + €0.25 per transaction
- Advanced: 2.4% + €0.25 per transaction
In case of chargeback, Shopify charges 15€. This fee is refunded if the dispute is resolved in your favor. For sales in foreign currency, a conversion fee of 2% is added to the transaction fee.
Transaction fees are not refunded when you refund an order. Shopify Payments remains the most economical option in most cases.
Shopify commissions with external gateway
If you use an external payment solution such as Stripe or PayPal, Shopify adds transaction fees to those of your gateway.
Shopify commissions:
- Basic: 2% per transaction
- Shopify: 1% per transaction
- Advanced: 0.6% per transaction
Example with Stripe: Stripe charges 1.5% + €0.25 for European cards. On the Basic package, you therefore pay 3.5% + €0.25 in total (1.5% to Stripe + 2% to Shopify).
Example with PayPal: PayPal charges 2.9% + €0.35. On the Basic package, the total cost is 4.9% + €0.35.
These cumulative costs make using an external gateway less advantageous than Shopify Payments. The native solution cancels Shopify commissions and offers competitive rates.
Which package to choose according to your sales
Your choice of subscription depends mainly on your monthly sales volume. Tapering transaction fees make some packages more profitable above a certain threshold.
For starters (under €10,000/month): The Basic package is more than enough. Native features cover all essential needs. You only pay transaction fees on your actual sales.
Growing (€10,000 to €50,000/month): The Shopify package becomes attractive. Lower transaction fees offset higher subscription fees. Professional reports help you analyze your performance.
High volume (over €100,000/month): The Advanced package offers the best value for money. Low transaction costs generate significant savings on high sales.
You can change your package at any time as your business grows. There’s no commitment on the three standard subscriptions.
Choosing the right package is a strategic decision for your business. A Shopify web agency like KNR supports companies in the fashion, luxury and beauty sectors in this selection. The agency analyzes your projected sales volume, functional requirements and growth objectives to identify the most cost-effective subscription. KNR then takes charge of the complete set-up and optimization of your store to maximize conversions right from the launch.
Shopify Plus: the business offer
Shopify Plus is aimed at businesses with several million euros in annual sales. Prices start at €2,000 per month, with a 12-month commitment.
Exclusive features :
- Fully customizable checkout
- Advanced automation with Shopify Flow
- Simplified multi-boutique management
- Dedicated APIs for complex integrations
- Dedicated support team
Transaction fees :
- Shopify Payments: 1.0% + €0.25 (European cards)
- External gateway: 0.2% Shopify commission
Shopify Plus is rarely justified by transaction fees alone. Exclusive features must generate enough additional sales or savings to offset the €2,000 monthly investment.
Companies with complex internationalization needs or very high transaction volumes are generally well served by this offer.
Cost of Shopify applications
Apps extend Shopify’s native functionality. Most offer a monthly subscription model on top of your main package.
Typical applications budget :
- Start-up: €50 to €100 per month
- Growth: €200 to €500 per month
- High volume: €500 to €1,000 per month
Paid applications allow you to add features such as loyalty programs, product personalization and recurring subscriptions. Numerous free applications are also available.
Fees are usually charged directly by Shopify and appear on your monthly invoice. Some applications also charge a commission on the sales they generate.
Evaluate your real needs before installing paid applications. Shopify’s native features are often enough to get you started.
Domain name and related costs
A professional domain name enhances your store’s credibility. Shopify lets you buy one directly on the platform.
. domain name
- Via Shopify: €10 to €20 per year
- Via external registrar: €3 to €15 per year
- Automatic configuration if purchased on Shopify
Hosting : Hosting is included in all Shopify packages. There are no additional fees for store performance or bandwidth.
SSL certificate: The SSL certificate is free and automatically activated. It secures transactions and displays the HTTPS protocol in your store’s URL.
Buying your domain from an external registrar like OVH means you’re not dependent on Shopify. DNS configuration is simple, with instructions provided by the platform.
Calculate the real cost of your store
The total price of a Shopify store combines several variable elements. Here’s how to estimate your real monthly budget.
Example of a start-up boutique (€5,000 sales/month):
- Basic subscription: €33
- Shopify Payments (1.5%): €75
- Applications: €50
- Total: approximately €158/month
Example of a growing boutique (€30,000 sales/month):
- Shopify subscription: €88
- Shopify Payments (1.3%): €390
- Applications: €200
- Total: approximately €678/month
Example of an established boutique (€150,000 sales/month):
- Advanced subscription: €384
- Shopify Payments (1.1%): €1,650
- Applications: €500
- Total: approx. €2,534/month
These estimates include Shopify and application costs only. Add your marketing, logistics and production costs to obtain your overall budget.
Save on Shopify fees
There are several strategies for reducing your monthly Shopify costs without sacrificing essential functionality.
Annual payment: Annual payment reduces the subscription by 25%. You save €96 a year on the Basic package, €264 on Shopify, and €1,140 on Advanced.
Shopify Payments mandatory: Using Shopify Payments eliminates additional commissions of 0.6% to 2% depending on your package. Savings become substantial with higher sales volumes.
Free apps first: Explore free apps before investing in paid solutions. Many apps offer a free package that’s enough to get you started.
The right package: Choose the package that matches your actual volume. Switching to Advanced too soon wastes money. Staying on Basic too long increases your transaction costs.
Analyze your monthly costs regularly to identify opportunities for optimization.
Shopify packages comparison chart
| Features | Basic | Shopify | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | 33 (€396/year) | 88 (€1,056/year) | 384 (€4,608/year) |
| User accounts | 2 | 5 | 15 |
| Unlimited products | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Accommodation included | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| SSL certificate | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Recovery of abandoned baskets | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Discount codes | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gift cards | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Basic reports | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Professional reports | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Customizable reports | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Calculating customs charges | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Shopify Payments fees (EU cards) | 1,5% + 0,25€ | 1,3% + 0,25€ | 1,1% + 0,25€ |
| External Gateway Commission | 2% | 1% | 0,6% |
| Commitment | Without | Without | Without |
Note: All packages include 24/7 customer support, integrated blog, sales channels (social networks, marketplaces), and fraud analysis.
FAQ
Can I test Shopify for free before subscribing?
Shopify offers a 3-day free trial, followed by a €1 per month period for the first 3 months. This offer allows you to set up your store and test all features without commitment. A credit card is required, but there are no direct debits during the trial period.
Do Shopify fees apply to cancelled or refunded orders?
Shopify Payments transaction fees are not refunded on order refunds. Shopify commissions (2%, 1% or 0.6% depending on the package) apply only to finalized sales. Orders cancelled before payment are not subject to any fees.
What happens if I exceed my Shopify package?
Shopify plans have no product, bandwidth or order limits. You never pay overage fees. Only transaction fees increase in proportion to your sales. The system automatically adapts to your growth without service interruption.
Does Shopify charge VAT on subscriptions?
Yes, Shopify adds French VAT (20%) to the prices displayed. A Basic subscription at €33 therefore costs €39.60 incl. VAT. Shopify Payments transaction fees already include VAT in the percentage displayed. Check your monthly invoices for details of taxes applied.
Can I temporarily suspend my Shopify subscription?
Shopify offers a “Pause and Build” package at €9 per month. Your store becomes invisible to the public, but you retain access to administration to prepare for your reopening. This option is ideal for seasonal activities or restructuring periods without losing your data.
Conclusion
Shopify’s price per month depends on your sales volume and the features you need. The Basic package at €25 per month (annual payment) is perfect for getting started. Higher packages become profitable as your sales increase, thanks to lower transaction fees.
Use Shopify Payments to avoid extra commissions and benefit from the best rates. Add only the applications you need for your business. You can change your package at any time as your online store grows.
