If you run an e-commerce business or want to start one, you have likely heard of Shopify and Shopify Plus.
Both platforms are wildly popular, but how do you know which one is right for your business in 2024? How can you avoid paying for features you don’t need? Even more importantly, how do you make sure you don’t miss out on features that could boost your growth?
Well, that's what we’re here to answer. Whether you own a small shop, run a well-known brand, or are an eager entrepreneur, this guide is for you. We will compare Shopify vs Shopify Plus and look at their main features, pricing & plans, and if it's the right fit for you. This will help you choose the best e-commerce platform for your business goals.
What is Shopify?
If you’ve been anywhere near the e-commerce world, you’ve probably heard of Shopify—and for good reason. Shopify is basically the Swiss Army knife of e-commerce platforms.
Whether you're selling handmade soaps from your garage or launching the next big thing in fashion, Shopify gives you everything you need to get your online store up and running without needing a tech degree.
Shopify makes building and managing an online store as easy as picking out a Netflix show (well, maybe easier!).
You don’t have to worry about coding, complex setups, or even web hosting—Shopify takes care of all that behind the scenes so you can focus on what really matters: growing your business.
Key Features of Shopify
So, what makes Shopify so great for e-commerce newbies and seasoned pros alike? Let’s break it down:
- Easy Setup: If you can drag and drop, you can build a Shopify store. Choose from tons of beautiful, mobile-responsive templates that are fully customizable. You don’t need to be a designer or a coder—just plug in your brand colors, upload some product photos, and you’re good to go.
- App Ecosystem: Shopify’s app store is like the App Store for your business. There are thousands of apps to help you do everything from managing inventory to running marketing campaigns and even automating customer support. If there's a feature you want, there’s probably an app for it.
- Secure Payments: Shopify integrates with over 100 payment gateways, including Shopify Payments, which allows you to accept credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay right out of the box.
- Analytics & Reports: Want to know how many people visited your site? What your top-selling product is? Shopify gives you built-in analytics so you can track your performance and see what’s working.
What is Shopify Plus?
Alright, if Shopify is the go-to platform for most small to medium-sized businesses, think of Shopify Plus as Shopify’s turbocharged big sibling.
It’s designed for enterprises and high-growth brands that are ready to scale to new heights—think businesses that need more muscle to handle huge traffic, higher sales volumes, and advanced customization options.
While Shopify gives you all the tools you need to start and run an online store, Shopify Plus is for those who need a bit more power under the hood. It’s built to grow with your business when the standard Shopify plan just doesn’t cut it anymore.
What Makes Shopify Plus Special?
Let’s break down what sets Shopify Plus apart from its little sibling:
- Advanced Automation Tools: One of the coolest features of Shopify Plus is automation. We’re talking about serious time-savers here. With tools like Shopify Flow, you can automate just about anything—whether it’s restocking inventory, tagging VIP customers, or setting up custom workflows that trigger based on specific actions.
- Dedicated Support: When you’re running an enterprise-level business, customer support can’t just be an afterthought. Shopify Plus gives you 24/7 priority support with a dedicated Merchant Success Manager.
- Customization & API Access: Shopify Plus lets you go way beyond just drag-and-drop design. With access to the Script Editor, you can customize your checkout experience down to the tiniest details—whether that’s offering dynamic discounts, creating unique shipping rules, or personalizing the entire process for different customer segments.
- Multi-Store Management: Planning to expand internationally? No problem. Shopify Plus allows you to create multiple storefronts from a single account, each tailored to different regions, languages, and currencies. You can easily manage all these stores under one dashboard—perfect for brands with a global footprint.
Shopify Plus vs Shopify: Feature Differences
So, what’s the real difference when it comes to Shopify vs Shopify Plus?
Think of it like this: if Shopify is a trusty sedan that gets you where you need to go, Shopify Plus is a fully loaded sports car with all the bells and whistles—designed for speed, power, and ultimate control.
Both get the job done, but depending on the size of your business and your goals, one might make more sense than the other.
Let’s dive into the key differences between Shopify vs Shopify Plus, feature by feature.
1. Flexibility
- Shopify: With Shopify, you get access to plenty of beautiful themes and customization options that make it easy to set up and design your store. However, the level of customization is somewhat limited to the available themes, apps, and basic design settings. If you’re a smaller business looking for a simple setup, this works just fine.
- Shopify Plus: Now, Shopify Plus? It takes customization to a whole new level. You get access to the Script Editor, which allows you to customize your checkout process, shipping rules, discounts, and more—down to the tiniest detail. Whether you want to offer personalized checkout experiences or create complex discount structures, Shopify Plus gives you the flexibility to do it.
2. Speed and Scalability
- Shopify: Shopify is perfect for businesses that are just starting out or growing at a steady pace. It’s designed to handle moderate traffic and transactions without slowing down, so for most small to mid-sized businesses, it’s more than enough.
- Shopify Plus: But when your store starts experiencing high traffic volumes, you need something that can handle the pressure. Shopify Plus is built for scale. You can process thousands of transactions a minute without your site breaking a sweat. Plus, you get unlimited bandwidth, so you’re ready for massive sales events like Black Friday or a viral product launch.
3. Automation
- Shopify: While Shopify offers basic automation through apps, most of the heavy lifting still needs manual input. You might use third-party apps to automate simple tasks like email marketing or inventory updates, but there’s a limit to what you can automate natively on Shopify.
- Shopify Plus: This is where Shopify Plus really shines. With tools like Shopify Flow and Launchpad, you can automate a ton of processes. Shopify Flow lets you create custom workflows for everything from tagging VIP customers to managing inventory. And with Launchpad, you can set up and automate product launches, sales, and campaigns with a click.
4. Customer Support
- Shopify: Shopify offers 24/7 support, which is great for most businesses. You can chat, email, or call their support team whenever you hit a snag. It’s reliable, and for smaller stores, it’s usually all you need.
- Shopify Plus: But for bigger businesses with more complex needs, Shopify Plus provides dedicated support through a Merchant Success Manager. This isn’t just a customer service rep—it’s someone who understands your business and works closely with you to help you scale, optimize, and troubleshoot any unique issues you might face.
5. Internationalization and Multi-Store Management
- Shopify: Shopify allows you to sell in multiple currencies and languages, but managing multiple storefronts can get a little tricky if you're trying to expand globally. You might have to juggle different apps or workarounds to make it all function smoothly.
- Shopify Plus: With Shopify Plus, you can manage multiple storefronts seamlessly from one dashboard. This makes it easy to run different stores for different regions, each with localized languages, currencies, and product offerings—all while keeping your backend organized.
Shopify vs Shopify Plus: Key Features Comparison Table
| Feature | Shopify | Shopify Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Customization | Basic customization via themes & apps | Advanced customization with Script Editor |
| Scalability | Suitable for small to mid-sized stores | Built to handle high-traffic, high-volume sales |
| Automation | Limited automation via third-party apps | Advanced automation with Shopify Flow and Launchpad |
| Customer Support | 24/7 support via chat, email, phone | Dedicated Merchant Success Manager and priority support |
| Checkout Control | Standard checkout with some app customization | Fully customizable checkout experience |
| Multi-Store Management | Limited multi-currency support | Manage multiple storefronts under one dashboard |
| Cost | $39 - $399 per month | Starts at $2,000 per month |
Wrapping Up the Differences
Between Shopify Plus vs Shopify, if you’re running a smaller business or just starting out, Shopify is your best bet for an affordable and user-friendly platform. But if you’re running a high-growth business with complex needs, Shopify Plus gives you the tools to take things to the next level with automation, scalability, and enterprise-level support.
Shopify Plus vs Shopify: Cost Comparison
Okay, let’s talk about one of the biggest questions on everyone’s mind: cost. It’s no secret that Shopify Plus is the pricier option, but the real question is—what are you getting for that extra cash, and is it worth it for your business?
Let’s break it down and figure out whether you're better off sticking with standard Shopify or leveling up to Shopify Plus.
Shopify Pricing Tiers
Shopify offers a tiered pricing structure, designed to scale with your business as you grow. Here’s a quick look at the plans available:
-
Basic Shopify: $19/month
Great for new e-commerce stores with just a few products or smaller sales volume. Think of this as your entry-level package.
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Shopify: $49/month
This is the most popular plan, offering more features like professional reports and lower transaction fees. It’s perfect for businesses that are starting to grow.
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Advanced Shopify: $299/month
For established businesses looking for more powerful reporting tools, advanced shipping options, and lower credit card rates.
Shopify Plus Pricing
Now, Shopify Plus operates on a whole different level. Shopify Plus starts at $2,300 per month. However, this price can vary depending on your store’s sales volume and specific needs.
If you’re doing big numbers, the cost may increase. But with that higher price tag comes a suite of enterprise-level features that can dramatically streamline your business.
So, why such a huge jump in cost from Shopify to Shopify Plus? It’s not just about the fancy extras; it's about unlocking serious scalability, customization, and support that standard Shopify simply can’t provide.
The Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
Before you get too comfortable with those monthly prices, let’s talk about the hidden costs that can sneak up on you, regardless of whether you’re using Shopify or Shopify Plus.
- Transaction Fees: If you're not using Shopify Payments (which lets you accept payments directly through Shopify), you’ll be hit with extra transaction fees. On the basic plans, these fees range from 2.0% to 0.5% depending on your pricing tier. Shopify Plus reduces this fee significantly, but if you’re processing a lot of transactions, it can still add up.
- App Costs: Shopify’s app store is full of amazing tools to enhance your store, but most of the best apps come with a price tag. For example, apps for email marketing, customer support, or SEO can easily add an extra $50 to $200+ per month, depending on the features you need.
- Credit Card Fees: While Shopify Payments offers competitive rates (starting around 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction on the basic plan), these fees can still eat into your margins, especially if your store is handling a large number of small transactions.
Shopify Plus Hidden Costs:
With Shopify Plus, you’ll still face these same costs (transaction fees, app costs, and credit card processing fees), but there’s a key difference: the larger your sales volume, the more important it becomes to optimize these costs.
Shopify Plus offers negotiated rates for transaction fees and credit card processing, which can make a huge difference if you're doing large volumes of business.
Is Shopify Plus Worth It?
Shopify Plus is designed for fast-growing businesses and large enterprises that need more than just a basic storefront. It’s for companies that have outgrown Shopify’s standard plans and require advanced tools, customization options, and dedicated support to continue scaling.
If your business is hitting high sales volumes and you’re ready to expand globally or automate complex processes, Shopify Plus could be the best investment you’ll ever make.
Who Should Choose Shopify Plus?
Shopify Plus is designed for fast-growing businesses and large enterprises that need more than just a basic storefront. It’s for companies that have outgrown Shopify’s standard plans and require advanced tools, customization options, and dedicated support to continue scaling.
If your business is hitting high sales volumes and you’re ready to expand globally or automate complex processes, Shopify Plus could be the best investment you’ll ever make.
You should choose Shopify Plus if:
- Your revenue is $1 million or more annually: If you’re processing thousands of orders per month and need more bandwidth, flexibility, and power, Shopify Plus is built for you.
- You need advanced customization and automation: If your brand thrives on creating personalized experiences (like custom checkout flows, tailored discounts, or exclusive promotions for VIP customers), Shopify Plus’s Script Editor and Shopify Flow offer the deep customization and automation features you need.
- You’re expanding globally: Running multiple stores in different regions, each with their own pricing, currencies, and language? Shopify Plus lets you handle it all from one dashboard, making global expansion way more manageable.
- You require dedicated support: If your business has complex needs, having a Merchant Success Manager to help you navigate challenges and optimize your store is invaluable.
Shopify Plus vs Shopify: Is Shopify Plus Worth It?
In short: Yes, but only if your business is ready to scale or you’re already dealing with large sales volumes.
Choosing between Shopify and Shopify Plus isn’t just about picking a platform—it’s about aligning your e-commerce strategy with your business goals for 2024 and beyond.
If you’re a small to medium-sized business looking for simplicity, affordability, and ease of use, Shopify has everything you need to build and grow a successful online store. It’s perfect for brands starting out or scaling steadily without the need for advanced customization or complex workflows.
On the other hand, if your business is hitting high sales volumes, expanding globally, or needing advanced automation and customization, then Shopify Plus is the tool you need to take your store to the next level. It’s designed for fast-growing businesses that require powerful features to scale seamlessly and manage complexity without slowing down.
FAQs
Q1. What are the main differences between Shopify and Shopify Plus?
The biggest differences between Shopify and Shopify Plus come down to scalability, customization, and support. Shopify is great for small to medium-sized businesses, offering the core tools needed to build and grow an online store.
Shopify Plus, however, is designed for high-growth businesses and enterprises that need advanced customization (like custom checkouts and tailored workflows), automation (through tools like Shopify Flow), and dedicated support with a Merchant Success Manager.
Q2. Is it worth upgrading to Shopify Plus?
If your business is generating over $1 million in annual revenue or you’re handling thousands of transactions each month, Shopify Plus can be a game-changer.
It offers lower transaction fees, advanced automation tools, and full control over the checkout process, all of which can lead to higher conversion rates and improved efficiency. For smaller businesses, though, the standard Shopify plans may be more than enough until you grow further.
Q3. Why would I need Shopify Plus?
You’d need Shopify Plus if your business is scaling rapidly, requires customized checkout experiences, or needs advanced automation to manage complex workflows. It’s also ideal for businesses looking to expand globally, as it allows you to manage multiple storefronts with different currencies, languages, and localized products—all from one dashboard.
Q4. What is the cost difference between Shopify and Shopify Plus?
Shopify’s standard plans range from $19 to $499 per month, while Shopify Plus starts at $2,300 per month. The exact cost of Shopify Plus can vary depending on your sales volume and business needs.
While the upfront cost is higher, it comes with advanced features like Shopify Flow, Launchpad, and dedicated support, making it worth the investment for larger businesses.
5. Can I switch from Shopify to Shopify Plus?
Yes, you can easily switch from a standard Shopify plan to Shopify Plus as your business grows. Many businesses start on Shopify and upgrade to Shopify Plus when they need more robust tools for customization, automation, and scaling.
The transition is smooth, and you can retain all your data, customers, and integrations while unlocking the additional features that come with Shopify Plus.