How Much Does Shopify Take Per Sale: Key Insights
How Much Does Shopify Take Per Sale: Key Insights
Starting an online shop often means putting trust in a platform that promises the tools, reliability, and flexibility needed to succeed. Shopify consistently lands at the top of the recommended list. With its clean layouts, powerful back-end, and large app ecosystem, more retailers are considering Shopify development to enhance their online stores. But alongside convenience comes a pressing question for every new seller: how much does Shopify actually take out of each sale?
This is a critical point for budgeting and strategy. Merchants want transparency, especially when every dollar counts. Shopify’s fee structure looks straightforward at first, but a closer examination will help clarify exactly what’s involved.
Peeling Back the Layers: Shopify Plans and Pricing
Shopify offers several monthly plans, and the fees charged per sale often depend on which plan you select. Here’s a simplified outline:
| Plan | Monthly Fee (USD) | Shopify Fee (Online) | Shopify Fee (In-Person w/ Shopify POS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Shopify | $39 | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2.7% |
| Shopify | $105 | 2.6% + 30¢ | 2.5% |
| Advanced Shopify | $399 | 2.4% + 30¢ | 2.4% |
| Shopify Plus | Custom | Negotiated | Negotiated |
Keep in mind: these prices are indicative and may fluctuate with Shopify policy changes. Always check locally for the latest numbers.
Both a percentage cut and a flat transaction fee factor into the total taken by Shopify per sale. Even on the highest monthly subscriptions, some fee per transaction still applies, but the percentage drops as you move up the tiers.
Breaking Down the Transaction Fee
Shopify’s transaction fee depends on how the customer pays:
- Shopify Payments (native gateway): This is the default, streamlined way your customers pay by credit or debit card directly in your online store.
- Third-party payment gateways (like PayPal, Stripe): If you opt to use these instead, Shopify imposes a separate additional fee, on top of the fees those processors charge.
On Shopify Payments, only the transaction fees in the table above apply. Using a different gateway? The surcharge ranges from .5% to 2%, depending on your plan.
These subtle differences can add up, so choosing the right payment integration affects your bottom line.
Real-World Examples
How might this look in practice for a standard order?
Example 1: Selling a $100 item on Basic Shopify with Shopify Payments:
- Sale amount: $100.00
- Shopify fee: 2.9% = $2.90
- Flat fee: $.30
- Total Shopify fee: $3.20
- You, the merchant, receive: $96.80
Example 2: Same sale, but using PayPal (third-party payment gateway):
- Shopify extra fee: +2.% = $2.00 (Basic plan surcharge)
- PayPal’s own fee: varies, often around 2.9% + $.30
- Your cost: Shopify fee ($3.20) + Shopify extra fee ($2.00) + PayPal’s own fee (roughly $3.20)
Suddenly, expenses per transaction climb to $5–$8, potentially slicing profits considerably if margins are tight.
A Closer Look at Shopify Payments
Shopify Payments is usually the most cost-efficient method for most merchants. It accepts a range of cards and integrates seamlessly with your site. Settlements are quick, and reporting is tightly connected.
If you set up Shopify Payments, you avoid the additional “gateway fee” Shopify charges for using a third-party payment processor. For many businesses, this is a compelling reason to stick with Shopify’s native option unless a very specific payment method is non-negotiable.
Card rates differ for international cards or American Express, so it pays to check Shopify’s official documentation for the full rate cards.
Ancillary Charges: What Else Might Appear?
Beyond per-sale transaction charges, Shopify users might encounter other fees:
- Currency conversion fees When selling internationally, Shopify may charge a fee to handle foreign exchange.
- Payout fees Sometimes, especially when sending funds to international or non-standard bank accounts.
- App or integration fees Many stores use add-ons for marketing, logistics, or custom features. These costs are independent of standard Shopify transaction charges but worth factoring into your operational budget.
Why the Fee Structure Works
Some retailers grumble about fees, but the structure is straightforward compared to complex, unpredictable costs on certain other platforms. Shopify provides security, payment processing, rapid software updates, fraud protection in some cases, and extensive customer support.
In other words, these fees buy you hassle-free infrastructure and peace of mind that would otherwise need expensive in-house management.
Comparing Shopify’s Fees With the Competition
To see how Shopify’s percentages stack up, it’s useful to compare them to other major e-commerce platforms:
| Platform | Standard Transaction Fee | Additional Fees | Native Payments Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | 2.9% – 2.4% + 30¢ | .5–2% (if not using Shopify Payments) | Yes (Shopify Payments) |
| WooCommerce | Hosting, security, and plugins | Hosting, security, plugins | No built-in option |
| BigCommerce | 2.9% – 2.2% + 30¢ (via bundled Stripe/PayPal) | None, but advanced features cost extra | Yes (via Stripe/PayPal) |
| Squarespace | 3% on Personal Plan, none on higher plans but Stripe/PayPal fees apply | Monthly plan, possible add-ons | No built-in option |
While Shopify’s structure isn’t the only available option, it balances ease, flexibility, and scalability for most business owners.
Factoring Shopify’s Fees Into Your Pricing Strategy
Understanding how much Shopify draws per sale is an important factor when developing pricing. Too often, sellers set prices based solely on product and shipping costs, forgetting about payment processing and platform fees. This can erode profits, especially for items with slim margins.
Here’s an approach worth considering:
- List all per-transaction and monthly costs Don’t ignore small fees; they add up quickly.
- Work backwards from a profit goal Decide how much you want to clear after all fees.
- Factor in sales tax, shipping, packaging, and potential refunds Returns can cost both in shipping and in non-refundable transaction fees.
- Review fee structures at least once a year As your sales volume increases, it might make sense to upgrade your plan and take advantage of lower per-order costs. Sometimes the savings on transaction fees quickly outweigh the higher monthly subscription.
Hidden Costs: Returns, Refunds, and Disputes
One point that catches newer merchants off-guard is how refunds are handled. If a customer changes their mind or returns an item, Shopify may not refund the original transaction fees (like the 30¢ base fee).
Chargebacks, where customers dispute a payment, can also involve additional costs. Some chargeback fees are $15 or higher if the dispute isn’t resolved in the merchant’s favour, plus the loss of the sale value itself.
This is another reason to make returns and dispute policies clear and customer experiences smooth.
Is Shopify Good Value for Money?
Debate will always circle around transaction fees when picking an e-commerce platform. Shopify offers a stable and easy way to start selling online, with robust support, upgrades, and a large community of resource providers.
For startups, the simplicity of a fixed monthly fee plus per-transaction charge is easy for budgeting. For more established retailers, the ability to reduce transaction rates by upgrading your plan can support higher volumes cost-effectively.
Remember: the right choice isn’t just about the lowest fee but the overall service, reliability, and growth platform.
Tips for Minimising Shopify Fees
To keep more revenue in your pocket, here are some practical measures:
- Use Shopify Payments where possible.
- Choose the right Shopify plan for your expected sales volume — don’t overpay upfront, but be ready to shift plans as your turnover climbs.
- Keep a close eye on third-party payment methods if many customers prefer these, as fees can accumulate rapidly.
- Audit your add-ons and apps regularly. Remove anything you aren’t actively using.
- Streamline operations to prevent excessive refunds, returns, or chargebacks.
Planning thoughtfully around fee structures means you retain control over your margins and long-term growth. Carefully selecting the tools and payment methods that suit your customers’ preferences and your business model can help keep every sale as profitable as possible.
Success, after all, is not just about making a sale, but knowing exactly where your money goes — and why.
Key Shopify Features: What You Get for Your Fees
Shopify’s pricing isn’t just about transaction fees—it’s an investment in a robust suite of features designed to help your business thrive. Here’s a summary of the essential features included with each plan, and how they add value for merchants at every stage.
Core Features Across All Plans
- Professional Online Store: Customisable themes, mobile optimisation, and a secure checkout experience.
- Unlimited Products: No restrictions on the number of products you can sell.
- 24/7 Support: Access to Shopify’s expert support team via chat, email, or phone.
- Multi-Channel Selling: Sell on your website, social media, online marketplaces, and in-person with Shopify POS.
- Abandoned Cart Recovery: Automatically remind customers to complete their purchases, boosting conversion rates.
- Discount Codes & Gift Cards: Create promotions and offer gift cards to drive sales and customer loyalty.
- Integrated Payment Processing: Accept credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and more with Shopify Payments.
- Inventory Management: Track stock across up to 1,000 locations, ensuring you never miss a sale.
- Free SSL Certificate: Secure your store and build customer trust.
Advanced Features by Plan
- Basic Plan: All core features, plus basic reporting and manual order creation—ideal for new and small businesses.
- Advanced Plan: Includes advanced reporting, third-party calculated shipping rates, and lower transaction fees—perfect for growing brands needing deeper insights and more control.
- Plus Plan: Enterprise-level features such as customisable checkout, advanced automation, B2B functionality, and dedicated account management—tailored for high-volume and complex businesses.
Why These Features Matter
- Efficiency: Automate routine tasks and streamline operations, saving you time and reducing errors.
- Growth: Access powerful marketing and sales tools to expand your reach and increase revenue.
- Scalability: Easily upgrade your plan as your business grows, unlocking more advanced features and lower fees.
- Security & Trust: Built-in security features protect your business and reassure your customers.
Shopify’s comprehensive feature set is designed to support your business at every stage, making the platform’s fees a strategic investment in your long-term success.