Shopify Fees Explained: Complete 2026 Guide (+ How to Pay $0)
Shopify's fee structure goes far beyond the monthly subscription. Here's every fee you'll actually pay—and how to eliminate processing costs entirely.
Shopify charges 2.5% to 2.9% + 30¢ per online transaction through Shopify Payments, depending on your plan. Monthly subscriptions range from $29 to $299/month. Using a third-party payment processor? Add an extra 0.5% to 2% on top of their fees. Chargeback fee: $15 (refunded if you win).
📋 Table of Contents
- What Are Shopify's Fees in 2026?
- Shopify Subscription Plans
- Shopify Payments Processing Fees
- Third-Party Transaction Fees
- How Much Does Shopify Actually Cost?
- Shopify vs. Other Payment Processors
- Hidden Shopify Fees Most Merchants Miss
- 7 Ways to Reduce Your Shopify Fees
- How to Eliminate Shopify Fees Entirely
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Shopify's Fees in 2026?
Shopify fees come in three main categories: subscription fees, payment processing fees, and third-party transaction fees. The total you pay depends on which plan you choose and whether you use Shopify Payments or an external processor.
Quick Fee Overview
| Fee Type | Basic | Grow | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly subscription (annual) | $29/mo | $105/mo | $299/mo |
| Online credit card rate | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2.7% + 30¢ | 2.5% + 30¢ |
| In-person credit card rate | 2.6% + 10¢ | 2.5% + 10¢ | 2.4% + 10¢ |
| Third-party transaction fee | 2.0% | 1.0% | 0.5% |
| Chargeback fee | $15 | $15 | $15 |
Use Shopify Payments to avoid the third-party transaction fee. If you use Stripe, PayPal, or another processor, Shopify adds 0.5-2% on top of their fees—potentially pushing your total above 5% per sale.
Shopify Subscription Plans
Shopify offers four main plans. Higher plans give you lower processing rates and more features.
| Plan | Monthly | Annual (per month) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $5/mo | $5/mo | Social selling, link-in-bio checkout |
| Basic | $39/mo | $29/mo | New stores, low volume |
| Grow (Shopify) | $105/mo | $79/mo | Growing stores, 5 staff accounts |
| Advanced | $399/mo | $299/mo | High volume, lowest rates |
| Plus | $2,300-$2,500/mo | Negotiable | Enterprise, custom rates |
Shopify charges 25% more for monthly billing. The Basic plan is $39/month monthly but only $29/month when paid annually. Always choose annual billing if you're committed.
Shopify Payments Processing Fees
Shopify Payments is Shopify's built-in processor (powered by Stripe). Using it eliminates third-party transaction fees and simplifies your dashboard.
Online Transaction Rates
| Plan | Domestic Cards | International Cards | Amex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 2.9% + 30¢ | 3.9% + 30¢ | 3.9% + 30¢ |
| Grow | 2.7% + 30¢ | 3.7% + 30¢ | 3.7% + 30¢ |
| Advanced | 2.5% + 30¢ | 3.5% + 30¢ | 3.5% + 30¢ |
In-Person (POS) Rates
| Plan | Card Present | Keyed-In |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | 2.6% + 10¢ | 2.9% + 30¢ |
| Grow | 2.5% + 10¢ | 2.7% + 30¢ |
| Advanced | 2.4% + 10¢ | 2.5% + 30¢ |
Third-Party Transaction Fees (The Hidden Tax)
Here's where Shopify gets expensive: if you don't use Shopify Payments, Shopify charges an additional fee on every transaction—on top of your processor's fees.
| Plan | Third-Party Fee | Example: Using Stripe (2.9% + 30¢) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | 2.0% | 4.9% + 30¢ total |
| Grow | 1.0% | 3.9% + 30¢ total |
| Advanced | 0.5% | 3.4% + 30¢ total |
| Plus | 0.2% | 3.1% + 30¢ total |
On Basic plan using PayPal (2.99% + 49¢) + Shopify's 2% fee = nearly 5.5% per sale. That's $55 lost on every $1,000 in sales. Use Shopify Payments or upgrade your plan.
How Much Does Shopify Actually Cost? (Real Examples)
Let's calculate total costs including subscription, processing, and common add-ons.
Example 1: New Online Store (Basic Plan)
Monthly sales: $10,000 • Transactions: 200 • Avg ticket: $50 • Using: Shopify Payments
Example 2: Growing Store (Grow Plan)
Monthly sales: $50,000 • Transactions: 800 • Avg ticket: $62.50 • Using: Shopify Payments
Example 3: High-Volume Store (Advanced Plan)
Monthly sales: $150,000 • Transactions: 2,000 • Avg ticket: $75 • Using: Shopify Payments + POS Pro
Shopify Fees vs. Other Payment Processors
How does Shopify stack up against the competition?
| Processor | Online Rate | In-Person Rate | Monthly Fee | Chargeback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify (Basic) | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2.6% + 10¢ | $29 | $15 |
| Shopify (Advanced) | 2.5% + 30¢ | 2.4% + 10¢ | $299 | $15 |
| Stripe | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2.7% + 5¢ | $0 | $15 |
| Square | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2.6% + 10¢ | $0 | $0 |
| PayPal | 3.49% + 49¢ | 2.29% + 9¢ | $0 | $15-$30 |
| Clover | 3.5% + 10¢ | 2.3% + 10¢ | $14.95-$354 | $20-$50 |
Shopify Advanced (2.5% + 30¢) beats Stripe's 2.9% + 30¢ for online sales. But you need $10K+/month in sales for the $299/month fee to make sense. Not sure what a good rate looks like? See our guide on what's a good rate for credit card processing.
Hidden Shopify Fees Most Merchants Miss
1. Currency Conversion Fees (1.5-2%)
Selling internationally but receiving payouts in USD? Shopify charges 1.5% for U.S. stores and 2% for international stores on every currency conversion.
2. International Card Fees (+1%)
International credit cards are charged at higher rates—typically 3.9% + 30¢ instead of the standard domestic rate. This can crush margins on global orders.
3. Shopify Tax Fee (0.35%)
Using Shopify's automated sales tax collection? After $100,000 in annual U.S. sales, you'll pay 0.35% per order for tax calculations. Plus merchants pay 0.25%.
4. App Subscription Creep
The average Shopify store spends $50-$200/month on apps. Email marketing, reviews, upsells, subscriptions—they add up fast. Audit quarterly.
5. POS Pro Fee ($89/month per location)
Shopify POS Lite is free, but POS Pro costs $89/month per location. Multiple retail locations? That's $1,068/year each.
6. Transaction Fees on Refunds
When you refund a customer, you don't get the 30¢ per-transaction fee back. High return rates can quietly drain profits.
7. Chargeback Fees ($15)
Every disputed transaction costs $15. Unlike Square's $0 chargeback fee, this adds up for high-risk products. The good news: Shopify refunds this fee if you win the dispute.
7 Ways to Reduce Your Shopify Fees
Looking to lower your credit card processing fees? Here are strategies for Shopify merchants:
1. Use Shopify Payments (Always)
This is non-negotiable. Using a third-party processor adds 0.5-2% on every sale. That's $5,000-$20,000 lost per $1M in sales. Shopify Payments eliminates this.
2. Upgrade When the Math Works
The break-even point for upgrading from Basic ($29) to Grow ($79): roughly $25,000/month in sales. At that volume, the 0.2% processing savings ($50/month) covers the extra subscription cost. Learn more about negotiating processing fees.
3. Choose Annual Billing
Annual billing saves 25% on subscription costs. That's $120/year on Basic, $312/year on Grow, and $1,200/year on Advanced.
4. Audit Your Apps Quarterly
Most stores have 2-5 unused apps still charging. Set a calendar reminder to review your app subscriptions every 90 days.
5. Use Free Themes
Premium themes cost $100-$350 one-time or up to $300/year for subscriptions. Shopify's free themes (Dawn, Taste, Craft) are highly optimized and sufficient for most stores.
6. Encourage Lower-Cost Payment Methods
Debit cards and Shop Pay have lower interchange fees. Promote these at checkout for marginal savings.
7. Implement Dual Pricing
The most effective strategy: pass processing fees to customers who pay with cards. More below—this can eliminate 100% of fees.
How to Eliminate Shopify Fees Entirely
Here's what most guides won't tell you: you don't have to pay processing fees at all.
The Dual Pricing Solution
Dual pricing (also called cash discounting) lets you display two prices. Card customers pay the posted price (which includes the processing fee), while cash/ACH customers get a discount.
What Your Customer Sees at Checkout
Standard price
Cash discount
Is Dual Pricing Legal?
Yes. The 2013 Durbin Amendment and subsequent court rulings allow merchants to pass credit card fees to customers. However:
- You must follow card network rules (Visa, Mastercard)
- You must disclose pricing clearly at point of sale
- Some states have specific requirements
Learn more ways to reduce costs in our guide on how to save on credit card processing fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
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