Your Shopify plan isn't just a subscription, it's the foundation of your online growth. Choosing the right one affects everything from how easily you manage day-to-day tasks to how confidently you scale and serve your customers. If you're unsure where to begin or whether Shopify Plus is worth considering, this guide is for you.
I'll walk you through the key differences between Shopify's standard plans and Shopify Plus, including the features, pricing, and scenarios where an upgrade might make sense.
Standard Shopify plans: accessible and scalable
Shopify offers three main plans for small to medium businesses:
- Basic: best for individuals, startups, and side businesses getting online for the first times.
- Grow: best for small businesses looking to grow with more tools and reporting.
- Advanced best for medium to large-sized businesses needing more complex reporting and shipping options
These plans include everything you need to launch and manage a professional online store:
- Unlimited products and sales channels
- Clean, mobile-friendly themes
- Shopify’s secure checkout and hosting
- Access to Shopify’s app marketplace
- Transaction fees decrease as you move up the plan tiers when using Shopify Payments
You can start small and upgrade as your business grows. Even on Basic, you get access to Shopify Payments, marketing tools, and a range of reporting features.
New to Shopify? Start strong with our Shopify site design service.
Shopify Plus: built for enterprise and high-growth brands
Shopify Plus is a fully featured solution for businesses with advanced needs. It’s designed for:
- Large-scale brands
- B2B and wholesale businesses
- International stores with multi-store needs
- Companies needing advanced integrations or custom checkout flows
Here’s what sets Shopify Plus apart:
- Unlimited staff accounts and up to 20 inventory locations
- 9 expansion stores (great for global businesses or multiple stores)
- Advanced customisation (checkout, theme, functions)
- Access to Shopify functions and APIs
- Wholesale features, automation tools, and launchpad
- Dedicated account manager and 24/7 priority support
- Lowest transaction fees available, especially when using Shopify Payment
Shopify plan comparison table
Let's dissect the key factors essential that e-commerce brands need to consider when choosing between Shopify and Shopify Plus:
| Feature | Shopify (Basic / Grow / Advanced) | Shopify Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Theme customisation | Theme editor + access to Liquid programming tools | Full control from core Shopify to headless commerce |
| Online store with the world’s most converting checkout experience | Standard checkout | Fully customisable checkout |
| Unlimited Products | Yes | Yes |
| Staff accounts | Basic plan: 2 Shopify plan: 5 Advanced plan: 15 |
Unlimited |
| Locations | Up to 5 | Up to 20 |
| Multiple currencies | Yes | Yes |
| Sales channels (social channels & marketplaces such as eBay and Amazon) | Yes | Yes |
| POS |
POS Lite POS Pro for additional cost |
POS Pro included |
| Apps | Shopify app marketplace | Shopify app marketplace Additional Shopify Plus certified app partners |
| Analytics | Standard analytics | Advanced plan with custom reports & analytics Custom reports & analytics |
| Help & Support | 24/7 live chat | 24/7 live chat Dedicated account manager & priority support by phone or email, plus merchant success program |
| Shipping Calculation | Only available for Advanced plan | Yes |
| Advanced customisation to Shopify Checkout | No | Yes |
| B2B / Wholesale Channel | No | Yes |
| Launchpad | No | Yes |
| Custom app built with Shopify Functions | No | Yes |
| Free expansion stores | No | 9 free expansion stores |
| Exclusive API access & endpoints | No | Yes |
| Bot Protection | No | Yes |
| Shopify Plus Academy | No | Yes |
| Pricing | Basic plan: AUD $42/mo Shopify plan: AUD $114/mo Advanced plan: AUD 430/mo |
Custom pricing: USD $2,300/mo (3 year term) |
| Transaction fees | Highest on Basic, lower on Shopify, lowest on Advanced (when using Shopify Payments) |
Lowest with Shopify Payments |
When choosing a Shopify plan, here are a few key questions to consider:
- How many products will you be selling?
- How many team members will need access to your store?
- What’s your budget for monthly platform costs?
- Do you need advanced features like custom reporting, or fully custom checkout experiece?
- Do you sell B2B or plan to offer wholesale pricing?
- Do you need to operate multiple storefronts (e.g., for different regions or brands)?
- Will your business need advanced automation or custom integrations?
Taking time to evaluate these factors will ensure you choose a plan that meets your current needs and supports future growth.
When should you upgrade to Shopify Plus?
- You're hitting revenue milestones of $1M+ annually
- You manage multiple online stores or international sites
- You need custom pricing, automation, or B2B functionality
- You want more control over the checkout and customer experience
Conclusion
If you're a small to mid-sized business, one of the standard Shopify plans will likely suit you. As your business grows, you can upgrade as needed.
If you're an enterprise brand, selling wholesale, or managing multiple stores, Shopify Plus offers powerful features and dedicated support that can help you scale with confidence.
Not sure which Shopify plan is right for you? Get in touch and I’ll help you find the best option based on your business size, goals, and growth stage.
Shopify Plan Comparison FAQs
Which Shopify plan is best for small businesses?
The Shopify Grow plan (AUD $114/month) is often the best fit for small businesses. It offers a balance of features, reporting tools, and support for growing operations without the higher cost of Advanced or Plus.
What is the difference between the Shopify plans?
Each Shopify plan includes core features like product management and checkout, but differs in staff accounts, reporting capabilities, shipping options, and transaction fees. Higher plans unlock more advanced functionality and lower fees when using Shopify Payments.
When should I upgrade my Shopify plan?
Consider upgrading when your team grows, you need more advanced reporting, or you're scaling your operations. If you outgrow the limitations of your current plan, moving up can save time and improve efficiency.
What’s included in Shopify Plus that isn’t in the standard plans?
Shopify Plus includes custom checkout control, automation tools, dedicated support, expansion stores, and B2B features. It's ideal for enterprise-level brands or businesses managing multiple stores.
What are the transaction fees for each Shopify plan?
Shopify Payments removes extra transaction fees across all plans. If you use a third-party payment gateway, Basic has the highest fees, followed by Shopify, then Advanced. Shopify Plus offers the lowest negotiated rates.
Can I switch Shopify plans later?
Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time from your Shopify admin. Shopify will prorate your billing accordingly, so it’s easy to scale as your business grows.
What is the most successful business on Shopify?
Many well-known brands use Shopify, including Gymshark, JB Hi-Fi, and Culture Kings. However, the “most successful” varies by industry. What matters most is choosing the right plan to match your goals and operations.
Already using another platform that no longer meets your needs? Migrating to a new system like Shopify can help you regain control, simplify operations, and set your business up for growth.
Work with Shopify migration experts to make your move smooth and stress-free.
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