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Shopify is a hosted e-commerce platform that lets you build an online store, take payments and manage orders from one dashboard. You pay a monthly plan fee plus payment processing fees. Shopify handles hosting, security and checkout, so you don’t need to code.
Last updated: October 2026 · How we researched this: we checked Shopify’s official pricing page and help docs, then compared its plans and fees with WooCommerce, Wix and Ecwid.
Key takeaways
- Shopify is software you rent (SaaS). You don’t install it or manage a server.
- Plans start at $29/month billed yearly ($39 monthly), checked October 2026. New users can usually try it for 3 days, then $1/month for 3 months.
- Card fees drop on higher plans. Upgrading only pays off once your sales are large enough.
- This page explains what Shopify is. For our full verdict, read our Shopify review.
What is Shopify?
Shopify is a Canadian commerce company founded in Ottawa. Its online store platform launched in 2006. Today it powers stores of every size, from one-person side projects to large brands on Shopify Plus.
In plain terms, Shopify gives you four things in one place:
- A storefront: a website built from a theme, with your products, pages and blog.
- A checkout: Shopify’s checkout, with cards, wallets and other payment methods.
- An admin: where you add products, track inventory, fulfil orders and see reports.
- Sales channels: you can also sell in person with Shopify POS and on social and marketplace channels.
How does Shopify work?
Shopify works like a rented shop in a busy mall. You pay rent (your plan), decorate the space (your theme), stock the shelves (your products) and the mall handles security and the building.
Step by step
- Sign up and pick a plan. Start on the trial, then choose Basic, Grow or Advanced.
- Choose a theme. Shopify has free and paid themes. You edit them with a drag-and-drop editor.
- Add products. Upload photos, prices, variants (size, color) and stock levels.
- Set up payments. Shopify Payments is the built-in option in supported countries. Other providers are allowed but add a fee.
- Set shipping and taxes. Create shipping zones and rates; Shopify can help calculate tax.
- Connect a domain and launch. Buy one through Shopify or connect your own.
Need the detailed version with settings? See our guide on how to set up your Shopify store.
Apps add extra features
The Shopify App Store adds features such as reviews, email marketing, upsells and print-on-demand. Many apps charge their own monthly fee, so budget for them. Our list of best free Shopify apps helps you start without extra costs.
Shopify plans and fees in 2026
These are the US prices on the official Shopify pricing page (checked October 2026). Prices differ by country.
| Plan | Monthly billing | Yearly billing (per month) | Online card rate | Fee if not using Shopify Payments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $39 | $29 | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2% |
| Grow | $105 | $79 | 2.7% + 30¢ | 1% |
| Advanced | $399 | $299 | 2.5% + 30¢ | 0.6% |
| Plus | from $2,300 | — | 2.25% + 30¢ | 0.2% |
Shopify says there are no setup fees. The extra fee in the last column only applies when you use a third-party payment provider instead of Shopify Payments.
Which Shopify plan is cheapest for your sales?
Most guides just list the plans. The useful question is when an upgrade pays for itself. Here is a simple example with yearly billing, Shopify Payments, and a $50 average order.
| Monthly sales | Basic total | Grow total | Advanced total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 (100 orders) | $204 | $244 | $454 |
| $25,000 (500 orders) | $904 | $904 | $1,074 |
| $50,000 (1,000 orders) | $1,779 | $1,729 | $1,849 |
Each total is plan fee + card percentage + 30¢ per order. The rule of thumb: Grow saves money on card fees once you sell more than about $25,000 a month online. Before that, Basic is cheaper, unless you need Grow’s extra staff accounts or reports.
Who is Shopify for?
Shopify is a good fit if you:
- Want to sell physical products without managing hosting or security.
- Plan to grow and may add in-person sales, wholesale or more channels later.
- Prefer a large app ecosystem and many agencies and freelancers who know the platform.
- Run a dropshipping or print-on-demand business that relies on apps.
Who should NOT use Shopify
- Content-first sites that sell a few items. A blog with a simple store plugin may be cheaper; see our Shopify vs Wix vs WordPress comparison.
- Sellers of only digital downloads or courses. Tools like Payhip or SendOwl are simpler.
- People who already have a website and just want to add a cart. Ecwid can be embedded into an existing site.
- Very tight budgets where app costs would pile up.
Shopify limitations to know
- App costs add up. Many key features (advanced reviews, subscriptions, bundles) come from paid apps.
- Third-party payment fee. Using a gateway other than Shopify Payments adds 0.2% to 2% per sale.
- Theme code uses Liquid. Deep design changes need a developer who knows Shopify’s template language.
- You rent the platform. You can export products and orders, but you cannot move your theme or apps to another platform.
Shopify vs alternatives at a glance
| Platform | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify | Hosted store builder | Product brands that want to scale |
| WooCommerce | Free WordPress plugin (you pay hosting) | WordPress users who want full control |
| Wix | Website builder with e-commerce | Small shops that need a nice site fast |
| Ecwid | Store you embed into any site | Adding a shop to an existing website |
Shopify FAQ
Is Shopify free to use?
No. Shopify usually offers a short free trial (3 days, then $1/month for 3 months on most plans in October 2026). After that you pay a monthly plan fee, starting at $29/month billed yearly.
Does Shopify take a percentage of sales?
Yes, through card processing fees, from 2.9% + 30¢ on Basic down to 2.25% + 30¢ on Plus. If you use a payment provider other than Shopify Payments, Shopify also adds a 0.2% to 2% fee.
Do I need my own website to use Shopify?
No. Shopify hosts your store and gives you a free myshopify.com address. You can connect your own domain at any time.
Is Shopify good for beginners?
Yes. You can launch a store without code using themes and the built-in editor. The main learning curve is choosing apps and setting up shipping and taxes correctly.
Conclusion
Shopify is a hosted platform that bundles a store, checkout and admin into one monthly plan. It suits product sellers who want to grow without running servers. Start on Basic, watch your card fees, and upgrade only when the numbers say so. For pros, cons and our verdict, read the full Shopify review.
