Shopify offers four main plans with significantly different processing rates. This guide calculates exactly when upgrading saves you money versus when it costs more than it saves.
1. All Shopify Plans
Plan
Monthly Cost
Processing Rate
Basic
$39
2.0% + $0.30
Shopify
$105
1.0% + $0.30
Advanced
$399
0.5% + $0.30
Plus
$2,000+
0.15%
2. When Does Upgrading Pay Off?
The processing rate difference between Basic and Shopify plan is 1.0 percentage point. To save the $66/month price difference purely through reduced fees, you need:
📐 Break-even calculation
$66 ÷ 1.0% = $6,600/month in sales needed to justify upgrading from Basic to Shopify plan based on fees alone.
Below $6,600/month, stay on Basic. Above that, the Shopify plan's lower processing rate saves you more than its higher monthly cost.
3. Feature Differences Beyond Fees
Higher plans also unlock features beyond just lower fees: more staff accounts, advanced reporting, third-party calculated shipping rates, and (at Advanced tier) custom report builder. Factor these into your decision if you need the features regardless of the fee savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shopify Plus worth it for small businesses?
Generally no — Plus starts around $2,000/month and is designed for high-volume enterprise merchants doing $1M+ in annual sales. Most small businesses should stay on Basic, Shopify, or Advanced plans.
Can I switch plans anytime?
Yes, you can upgrade or downgrade between Basic, Shopify, and Advanced plans anytime directly from your admin panel, with changes taking effect immediately.
Does the processing rate apply to all payment methods?
The listed rates apply specifically to Shopify Payments (credit/debit cards). Using third-party payment gateways adds an additional transaction fee on top, which decreases as you move to higher plans.
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CalcFees Editorial Team
Fee data verified against official sources · Last updated June 2026