"Shopify is $39 a month" is technically true and completely misleading. That subscription is just the front door. The real cost of running a Shopify store includes apps, a theme, transaction fees, and — if you want it to look and work like a proper brand — design and setup. Let's add up what a Shopify store actually costs in 2026, so you can budget with your eyes open.
We'll split it into two buckets: the ongoing monthly costs Shopify and its ecosystem charge, and the one-time build cost of getting the store looking professional and ready to sell.
The Shopify plan is the cheapest part of a Shopify store. Apps, transaction fees, and a proper build are where the real money goes.
The monthly costs
Shopify's core plans run roughly $39 (Basic), $105 (Shopify), and $399 (Advanced) per month in 2026, billed cheaper annually. On top of that, most stores pay for apps — email, reviews, upsells, and so on — which commonly add $20–$100+ a month. Then there are transaction fees: if you don't use Shopify Payments, Shopify charges an extra 0.5–2% per sale on top of your payment processor's fees.
The one-time build cost
This is where budgets vary most. A free theme with your own setup can cost almost nothing but your time. A premium theme is around $200–$400. A professional setup — theme customization, product uploads, apps configured, payments and shipping sorted — typically runs $1,000–$5,000. A fully custom, design-led store with bespoke features can be $5,000–$20,000 or more.
Realistic total budgets
- DIY starter: ~$40–$80/month, minimal upfront — you do everything yourself.
- Professional small store: $1,500–$5,000 to build, then ~$80–$200/month to run.
- Custom brand store: $8,000–$20,000+ to build, then $200–$500+/month with premium apps.
- Don't forget: domain, product photography, and payment processing fees of roughly 2.9% + 30¢ per sale.
Shopify vs the alternatives
Shopify's monthly fees are its trade-off for being fully hosted and hassle-free. WooCommerce has no monthly platform fee but you pay for hosting and maintenance instead. If you're weighing the two, our Shopify vs WooCommerce vs custom comparison breaks down which fits which kind of business — because the cheapest platform on paper isn't always the cheapest to run.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Shopify store cost per month?
Shopify's core plans run roughly $39, $105, and $399 per month in 2026, cheaper if billed annually. But the real monthly cost is higher once you add apps, which commonly cost $20–$100 or more, plus payment processing fees on every sale. A realistic small store spends around $80–$200 a month all in.
How much does it cost to build a Shopify store?
Building a Shopify store ranges from almost nothing if you do it yourself with a free theme, to $1,000–$5,000 for a professional setup, to $8,000–$20,000 or more for a fully custom, design-led store. The main variables are how much design customization and bespoke functionality you need.
Are there transaction fees on Shopify?
Yes. If you use Shopify Payments there's no extra Shopify transaction fee, but you still pay the payment processing rate of roughly 2.9% + 30¢ per sale. If you use a third-party gateway instead, Shopify adds an extra 0.5–2% per sale on top, which is why most stores stick with Shopify Payments.
Do I need to pay for Shopify apps?
Not always, but most stores end up paying for a few. Things like email marketing, product reviews, upsells, and advanced shipping often need apps, and these commonly add $20–$100 or more per month. Start with only what you truly need — app subscriptions add up quickly and can quietly become your biggest running cost.
Is Shopify cheaper than WooCommerce?
It depends. Shopify has predictable monthly fees but no separate hosting bill, while WooCommerce has no platform fee but you pay for hosting, maintenance, and sometimes plugins. For a small store wanting simplicity, Shopify's all-in-one cost can work out fairer; for larger or more custom needs, WooCommerce can be cheaper to run.
What is the cheapest way to start a Shopify store?
The cheapest route is the Basic plan with a free theme, Shopify Payments, and only the apps you genuinely need, doing the setup yourself. That keeps you close to the $40–$80 a month range. You can always invest in a professional design and extra apps later, once the store is proven and earning.
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