Shopify: Pricing, Plans, and What It Really Costs in 2026
How much does Shopify cost in 2026?
If you're thinking about opening your online store, you've probably run into Shopify — the world's most-used e-commerce platform. But its real price isn't just the number on the page: there are fees, apps, and details worth knowing before you decide.
Here we break down, plainly, what Shopify really costs, what each plan includes, and which one fits your stage. Real 2026 prices.
👉 Want to start now? Try Shopify free for 3 days then pay just $1/month for your first 3 months.
Shopify's plans (2026 pricing)
Shopify has several tiers. These are the main ones, monthly price (paid monthly; annual billing drops ~25%):
Starter — $5/mo
The most basic. Not a full store: it's for selling via social media, WhatsApp, Instagram, and product links. Ideal to test the waters or sell through messages, without building a full website.
Agentic — $0/mo (new in 2026)
The most innovative and free plan: sells your catalog through AI assistants like ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and Perplexity. No storefront of its own; you pay only per completed sale. Perfect to appear where people already ask about products: inside the AI.
Basic — $39/mo (or $29/mo with annual billing)
The starting point for a real full store. Includes unlimited products, all sales channels, custom domain, analytics, abandoned cart recovery, and 24/7 support. For most people starting seriously, this is the plan.
Grow — $105/mo (or $79/mo annual)
For businesses already growing. Adds more staff accounts (up to 5), fuller reporting, and lower transaction fees. The logical step up as volume rises.
Advanced — $399/mo (or $299/mo annual)
For scaling brands: advanced reporting, more automation, and the lowest fees of the standard plans.
Plus — from $2,300/mo
Enterprise level. Only makes sense from ~$1M annual sales.
The fees many people forget
The plan price isn't your only cost. Watch out for:
- Transaction fees: every sale pays a percentage. On Basic it's ~2.9% + 30¢ per online sale. If you DON'T use Shopify Payments and use another gateway, an extra 2% is added.
- Apps: many extra features cost separately ($0 to $100+/mo).
- Themes: there are free ones, but premium themes cost $100-$400 once.
Which plan fits you?
- Just want to test or sell via social: Starter ($5) or Agentic ($0).
- Serious about your first store: Basic ($39). The right starting point for 90%.
- Your store already sells and grows: Grow or Advanced, when volume justifies the lower fees.
👉 Start with the free trial. Try Shopify free for 3 days + $1/month for your first 3 months. No card to start.
Frequently asked questions
Does Shopify have a free plan? Not a permanent free plan for a full store, but a 3-day trial with no card, then $1/month for the first 3 months. The new Agentic plan is $0/mo (you pay per sale) for selling via AI.
How much does Shopify really cost per month? For a new store, budget ~$40-$80/mo: the Basic plan ($39) plus processing fees. Themes and apps can add more.
What's the cheapest plan to start seriously? Basic ($39/mo, or $29 with annual billing). Includes everything needed to really sell.
Can I change plans later? Yes. You start on Basic and upgrade when your volume justifies it. No penalty for growing.
Not sure which tools you need for your online business? Use the NexGoAI AIFinder: it recommends the right stack based on your goal and budget, in seconds.
ShopifyNexGoAI participates in affiliate programs. We may earn commissions from purchases through our links, at no extra cost to you.