If you’re running a fast-scaling brand or managing a high-volume eCommerce operation, you’ve probably heard of Shopify Plus — the enterprise-level version of Shopify’s powerful platform. But with all the extra features and flexibility it offers, there’s one question that inevitably comes up: How much does Shopify Plus actually cost? We’ve got the answer for you – right here.
How Much Does Shopify Plus Cost?
Shopify Plus typically costs between $2,300 and $2,500 per month for the base subscription. However, the total cost can be significantly higher depending on various factors such as the number of expansion stores, custom development, third-party integrations, monthly app subscriptions, and ongoing technical maintenance.
To help you clearly understand what makes up the full cost of Shopify Plus and why it can add up quickly, we’ve prepared a detailed summary table below. Take a look — and in the following sections, we’ll break down each type of cost so you can budget accordingly.
| Category | Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify Plus Subscription | $2,300–$2,500/month | $2,300/month (3-year contract), $2,500/month (1-year contract) |
| Expansion Stores | $0–$250/store/month | First 9 expansion stores are free. $250/month per store beyond that |
| Transaction Fees | 0%–0.2% per transaction | 0% if using Shopify Payments; 0.15–0.20% if using third-party gateway |
| Credit Card Fees (US) | 2.15%–3.15% + $0.30 per transaction | Depends on card type (Visa vs. Amex, etc.) |
| Premium Theme (one-time) | $150–$500 | Optional, more design features |
| Custom Theme Design | $1,000–$15,000+ (one-time) | From tweaks to full custom themes |
| Custom Development | $500–$20,000+ (one-time or phased) | Adds advanced functions or integrations |
| Maintenance (ongoing) | $500–$6,000/month | Freelancers/retainers: $500–$2,000; In-house dev: $3,000–$6,000/month |
| App Costs | $20–$1,000+/month per app | $500–$1,000+/month total for many Plus users |
| Third-party Integration | Free–$200/month or $1,000–$20,000+ | Depends on pre-built app vs. custom integration |
Shopify Plus Pricing Breakdown
A. Fixed monthly costs on Shopify Plus
When you sign up for Shopify Plus, you’re subscribing to a premium version of Shopify designed for fast-growing or high-volume businesses. Unlike regular Shopify plans (like Basic, Shopify, or Advanced), Shopify Plus gives you more control, support, and performance — but at a higher cost.
Let’s break down the two main types of fixed monthly fees you’ll need to consider:
1. Shopify Plus Subscription Fee
This is your base monthly cost for accessing Shopify Plus. Think of it as your “membership fee” to use the platform.
So, how much does it cost?
- $2,300 per month if you commit to a 3-year contract
- $2,500 per month if you choose a 1-year contract
This fee includes full access to all the enterprise-level features that Shopify Plus offers, such as:
- A dedicated Launch Engineer to help you get set up
- Advanced automation tools like Shopify Flow
- Access to the Shopify Plus Partner network
- Custom checkout with Shopify Scripts
- Up to 9 expansion stores (more on this below)
Important notes:
- This is a flat fee, meaning it doesn’t change based on how many products you sell or how much revenue you generate — unless you’re on a revenue-based plan (more rare and negotiated for huge businesses).
- You will pay this fee every month, even if you’re just starting and haven’t made any sales yet.
2. Expansion Store Fees (If Applicable)
An expansion store is an extra Shopify Plus store under your account. You might want additional stores if you:
- Sell in multiple countries or regions and want different languages or currencies
- Run separate brands or business units
- Want to test new markets or concepts without affecting your main store
Shopify Plus includes your main store + up to 9 expansion stores at no extra cost. If you need more than 9 extra stores, you’ll pay: $250 per store per month beyond the 9 included.
For example, if you run 12 stores in total (1 main + 11 expansions), your extra store fees would be:
- 2 extra stores × $250 = $500/month
- So your total monthly cost becomes $2,300 (or $2,500) + $500 = $2,800–$3,000
B. Transaction & Payment Processing Fees
On Shopify Plus, there are two main types of fees you need to know when it comes to transactions:
1. Transaction fees
This is a fee Shopify may charge just for using their platform to process a sale — it’s separate from credit card fees.
- If you use Shopify Payments (Shopify’s own built-in payment system), Shopify charges no transaction fee.
- If you use a third-party payment gateway like PayPal, Stripe, Authorize.net, Shopify will charge 0.15% to 0.20% per transaction.
- Example: If a customer buys something for $100 using PayPal, Shopify may charge an extra $0.20.
⚠️ Special considerations: If you process over $1M/month, Shopify may offer custom rates (e.g., lower than 2.15%) — but only through a Plus account manager.
2. Credit Card Processing Fees
These are fees charged by credit card companies (Visa, MasterCard, etc.) when a customer pays you with a card. These go to the payment processor, not Shopify.
- United States rates via Shopify Payments:
- 2.15% + $0.30 per transaction for Visa, MasterCard, Discover
- 3.15% + $0.30 per transaction for American Express, International cards
Example calculations:
- $100 order paid with Visa → $2.15 + $0.30 = $2.45
- $100 order paid with Amex → $3.15 + $0.30 = $3.45
Rates vary by country.
C. Design & Development Costs
Shopify Plus gives you a powerful, flexible platform — but how your store looks, feels, and works is up to you. Costs can be one-time or ongoing.
1. Premium theme purchase
Shopify offers free themes, but premium themes from the Shopify Theme Store range from $150–$500. This is a one-time cost.
2. Custom theme design
If you want a fully unique look, you can hire an agency or designer to build a custom Shopify theme. Costs:
- Light customization (tweak a theme): $1,000–$3,000
- Fully custom theme from scratch: $5,000–$15,000+
Example: A beauty brand with a custom homepage, mega menu, and mobile-first design might pay around $7,000.
3. Custom development
Adding special features not included by default (product customizers, wholesale pricing rules, custom checkout flows, etc.):
- Basic tweaks (layout, buttons): $500–$1,500
- Mid-level features (filters, quizzes, custom carts): $2,000–$5,000
- Advanced development (apps, logic, integrations): $5,000–$20,000+
4. Ongoing maintenance & updates (Recurring cost)
Maintenance includes bug fixes, seasonal updates, app/theme updates, and performance optimization. Costs:
- In-house developer: ~$3,000–$6,000/month
- Freelance/agency retainer: ~$500–$2,000/month
D. App & Integration Costs
To extend functionality, you’ll likely use apps and integrations.
1. Shopify Apps (Monthly Subscription Fees)
Costs vary by app:
- Basic apps: $20–$200/month
- Enterprise/high-traffic apps: $500–$1,000+/month
📌 Important: Shopify Plus merchants often spend $500–$1,000+ per month on apps alone.
2. Third-party integrations
Connecting Shopify to ERP, CRM, accounting, or other platforms:
- Pre-built integrations: Free–$200/month
- Custom integrations: $1,000–$20,000+, depending on complexity
Final Talk: Is Shopify Plus Really Worth It?
If you’re scaling fast, need advanced features, or run multiple stores, yes — Shopify Plus is worth it. You get powerful tools, dedicated support, and flexibility to grow.
If you’re small or don’t need complex features, you might not get full value from the price tag.
