"How much does a Shopify store cost?" The honest answer is anywhere from about $30 a month to tens of thousands of dollars. The useful answer depends on what you need. This guide breaks down every cost so you can budget realistically.
1. Shopify Plan Fees
Shopify's current plans (prices in USD, as listed by Shopify):
- Basic: $39/month, or $29/month billed yearly.
- Grow: $105/month, or $79/month billed yearly.
- Advanced: $399/month, or $299/month billed yearly.
- Plus: from $2,300/month.
Plus card processing fees (for example, 2.9% + 30¢ on Basic in the US with Shopify Payments). Prices vary by country and can change, so check Shopify's pricing page.
2. Theme
- Free themes: $0. Good quality, but your store may look like many others.
- Premium themes: usually a one-time cost of around $200 to $500.
- Custom theme design: a bespoke design and build costs significantly more and depends on scope.
3. Apps
Most stores use several apps for reviews, email marketing, upsells, subscriptions, shipping and more. Monthly app costs commonly range from $0 to a few hundred dollars. Keep an eye on this; app fees are the cost that grows quietly over time.
4. Development and Setup
This is where costs vary most. Typical project types:
- DIY setup: your own time, plus a theme and apps.
- Theme setup and customisation: a developer sets up a premium theme, adds your branding, configures products, collections, payments, shipping and taxes.
- Custom design and build: unique design, custom sections, advanced product pages, integrations.
- Migrations: moving from WooCommerce, Wix, Squarespace or Magento, including products, customers, orders and SEO redirects.
- Custom features: wholesale pricing, product configurators, checkout rules or custom apps.
Rates vary widely by developer location and experience. Rather than guessing, it's best to get a quote based on your exact needs. A good developer will explain what drives the price.
5. Ongoing Costs
- Shopify plan and app fees.
- Domain name (around $15 to $20 a year).
- Maintenance: theme updates, new sections, fixes, seasonal changes.
- Marketing: ads, email, SEO and content.
Where People Overspend
- Installing too many apps "just in case".
- Paying for a fully custom design before validating the product.
- Cheap builds that need to be redone a year later.
- Skipping SEO setup, then paying more for ads.
Where It's Worth Investing
- A fast, mobile-friendly theme setup.
- Great product pages: photos, descriptions, reviews and clear shipping info.
- Correct tax, shipping and compliance setup from day one.
- Analytics and tracking that work, so you know what's selling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start a Shopify store on a small budget?
Yes. Basic plan, a free theme and a few free apps can get you started for very little upfront.
Is Shopify cheaper than WooCommerce?
Shopify has higher monthly fees but lower hosting, security and maintenance overhead. See Shopify vs WooCommerce.
How long does it take to build a Shopify store?
A theme-based store can launch in one to three weeks. Custom builds take longer.
Want a clear price for your Shopify store? Tell me what you need and I'll send a fixed quote and timeline. Shopify development services or get a free quote.
Got a project in mind?
Tell me what you need — I’ll respond within 24 hours with a realistic plan and timeline.