Does Shopify Take a Cut of Every Sale You Make?
Running an online store means balancing creativity, strategy, and margins, and one of the biggest pieces of that puzzle is understanding what Shopify actually costs.
Yes, Shopify takes a small percentage of every sale. But those fees aren’t random. They power the hosting, payment security, and reliability your business depends on every single day.
Think of it less like a platform taking a cut and more like paying for the engine that keeps your store running smoothly. You’re not just buying convenience; you’re investing in performance, scalability, and peace of mind.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how Shopify fees work, why they exist, and how to minimize them so you can keep more of your hard-earned revenue while building a store that grows with you.
Does Shopify Take a Cut on Every Sale?
Yes, Shopify takes a percentage of each sale, but it is not the same for everyone. The amount depends on your plan and how your customers pay. The two main costs you will see are transaction fees and payment processing fees.
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Shopify transaction fees apply if you are not using Shopify Payments. These range from 0.5% to 2% per order depending on your plan.
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Payment processing fees apply to every sale. These typically range from 2.4% to 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.
Think of Shopify fees like a toll road. You can drive a basic car or a high-performance model, but you still pay a toll. The higher your plan, the lower that toll becomes.
Shopify Pricing Plans and Their Fees
Your Shopify plan plays a huge role in how much Shopify takes per sale. While higher monthly subscriptions may seem expensive upfront, they often reduce the fees you pay on every order and save you money as your store scales.
Basic Shopify Plan – $39 per month
This entry-level option is designed for new merchants or small businesses just starting out. It’s affordable but carries higher fees as your volume grows.
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Subscription fee: $39 per month
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Transaction fee: 2% if not using Shopify Payments
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Credit card fees: 2.9% + 30¢ per online transaction, 2.7% for in-person transactions with Shopify POS
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Best for: Small stores or side hustles testing the waters
Shopify Plan – $105 per month
The mid-tier Shopify plan is ideal for businesses moving beyond startup mode. With lower fees and better reporting tools, it helps you manage growth efficiently.
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Subscription fee: $105 per month
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Transaction fee: 1% if not using Shopify Payments
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Credit card fees: 2.6% + 30¢ per online transaction, 2.5% for in-person sales
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Best for: Growing online stores ready to scale
Advanced Shopify Plan – $399 per month
The Advanced Shopify Plan offers the lowest transaction fees among standard tiers. It includes advanced reporting and shipping discounts designed for established, high-volume sellers.
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Subscription fee: $399 per month
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Transaction fee: 0.5% if not using Shopify Payments
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Credit card fees: 2.4% + 30¢ per online transaction, 2.4% in-person
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Best for: High-volume Shopify sellers
Don’t just look at the monthly subscription price. Run the math on your order volume. If you’re selling $50,000 or more a month, upgrading to the Advanced Shopify Plan can save you thousands in fees annually.
Let’s take the guesswork out of Shopify fees. Get a personalized breakdown for your business.
Shopify Plus vs. Shopify Starter: A Complete Comparison
Shopify’s smallest and largest plans couldn’t be more different. The Starter plan is for simple setups and social selling, while Shopify Plus is a full-scale enterprise solution for large brands with complex needs.
Shopify Plus Plan (Starting at $2,000 per month)
Shopify Plus is the enterprise-level solution designed for big brands and high-volume merchants. It offers custom pricing, automation, and white-glove support that go beyond the standard plans.
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Designed for: Large, fast-scaling e-commerce brands
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Custom fees: Often below 0.5%
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Features: Advanced APIs, automation tools, dedicated account support
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Best for: Enterprise-level Shopify sellers
Shopify Starter Plan – $9 per month
Shopify Starter (formerly Shopify Lite) lets you sell on social media or embed Shopify’s checkout on an existing website.
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Subscription fee: $9 per month
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Features: Sell via Facebook, Instagram, or existing sites using Shopify’s checkout
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Fees: Standard payment processing rates apply
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Best for: Beginners or small sellers testing online sales
In short: Starter is Shopify for beginners. Plus is Shopify built for global brands.
Why Shopify Charges Fees for Every Sale
It’s easy to see Shopify’s fees as a way to make money off merchants, but what you’re really paying for is infrastructure. These costs cover the systems that make your store fast, safe, and scalable.
Here’s what’s included in those fees:
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Secure, fully managed hosting
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Built-in fraud detection and 24/7 support
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Access to Shopify Payments and integrated checkout
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Ongoing platform updates and performance optimization
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Tools like Shopify Email, POS, and the App Store
If you tried running your store on a self-hosted platform like WooCommerce, you’d pay separately for hosting, SSL security, and payment processors. Shopify brings it all together in one predictable monthly package.
How to Choose the Right Shopify Plan for Your Business
Choosing the right Shopify plan isn’t just about the monthly fee; it’s about optimizing your margins and long-term growth.
Here’s how we at Sleepless Media recommend making the call:
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Use Shopify Payments to avoid extra third-party transaction fees.
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Run the numbers on how much you sell each month. The plan that looks cheaper upfront may cost more long-term.
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Consider your margins. Even a 0.5% difference adds up for high-ticket products.
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Plan ahead. As your sales increase, a higher plan with lower fees often saves money.
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Leverage Shopify’s ecosystem. Take advantage of apps, POS features, and analytics that make scaling smoother.
Let’s optimize your Shopify setup and keep more revenue in your pocket.
FAQs
Can I avoid Shopify’s cut completely?
Not entirely. Every platform charges payment processing fees. You can, however, avoid Shopify’s extra transaction fees by using Shopify Payments instead of third-party processors.
Does Shopify take a cut on refunds?
Yes. You’ll lose the payment processing portion of the fee, but Shopify won’t keep the refunded amount.
Are Shopify’s fees higher than other platforms?
Sometimes, but Shopify includes hosting, security, and powerful features like Shopify POS, analytics, and a massive app ecosystem that often make up for the cost.
Can I pass Shopify’s fees to customers?
Yes. Many merchants adjust their pricing or shipping rates slightly to account for transaction fees.
Turn Shopify’s Fees Into Fuel for Your Business Growth
So, how much does Shopify take per sale? Yes, Shopify charges a small percentage, but that fee powers the infrastructure that keeps your business running.
Instead of seeing those costs as roadblocks, view them as part of a system designed for your success. Shopify offers the technology, support, and scalability you need to grow — and those small percentages help keep it all running seamlessly.
If you’re not sure which Shopify plan is right for your store, we can help you find the balance between performance and profitability.
Let’s optimize your Shopify setup and keep more profit in your pocket.
We’ve helped Shopify Plus brands — from outdoor startups to national CPG favorites — build faster, smarter, and more profitable stores. Whether you’re testing the waters or scaling globally, our team will help you choose the right plan and maximize every sale.
