What Shopify really costs per order
Shopify’s monthly plan price is the number everyone compares, but for most stores it isn’t the biggest cost. Payment processing is charged on every order, and ad spend per order usually beats both. This calculator puts all of them on one line, so you see the profit you actually keep.
Net profit per order = Customer pays − Product cost − Shipping − Packaging − Payment fees − Ad cost − (Plan + Apps) ÷ Orders
Shopify plans and payment fees (US, 2026)
| Plan | Monthly | Annual (per month) | Online card rate | Third-party gateway fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $39 | $29 | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2% |
| Grow | $105 | $79 | 2.7% + 30¢ | 1% |
| Advanced | $399 | $299 | 2.5% + 30¢ | 0.6% |
With Shopify Payments you pay only the card rate. With a third-party gateway such as PayPal or Stripe, you pay that gateway’s own fee plus Shopify’s third-party transaction fee. On Basic that’s an extra 2% on every order, which is why most US stores use Shopify Payments.
Worked example
A store sells a $45 product and charges $5 shipping, so the customer pays $50. The product costs $14, shipping costs the store $7, packaging $1, and ads average $8 per order. Shopify Payments on Basic takes 2.9% × $50 + $0.30 = $1.75. That leaves $18.25 before fixed costs. With the $39 plan and $60 of apps spread over 300 orders ($0.33 each), net profit is about $17.92 per order, a 35.8% margin. The store covers its fixed costs after just 6 orders a month.
When should you upgrade from Basic to Grow?
Grow costs $66 more per month and saves 0.2 percentage points on card fees. On a $50 order that’s $0.10, so you need about 660 orders a month before Grow pays for itself on fees alone. Set your order volume and the calculator tells you which plan is cheapest. Upgrade earlier only if you need Grow’s extra staff accounts or reports.
Where Shopify margins usually leak
- Free shipping that isn’t priced in. If you charge $0 shipping, the full shipping cost comes out of your margin.
- App creep. Ten $15 apps is $150 a month, which on 200 orders adds $0.75 to every order.
- Ad cost per order rising quietly. Check it against your break-even ROAS every month.
- Refunds and chargebacks. Shopify doesn’t return the payment fee on refunds, so budget 1–3% for returns.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Shopify take per sale?
With Shopify Payments, the US online card rate is 2.9% + 30¢ on Basic, 2.7% + 30¢ on Grow and 2.5% + 30¢ on Advanced. Shopify charges no extra transaction fee when you use Shopify Payments.
Does Shopify charge transaction fees with PayPal or Stripe?
Yes. If you use a third-party payment gateway, Shopify adds a transaction fee of 2% on Basic, 1% on Grow and 0.6% on Advanced, on top of the gateway's own fees.
How much does Shopify cost per month in 2026?
In the US, Basic is $39 a month ($29 billed annually), Grow is $105 ($79 annually) and Advanced is $399 ($299 annually). Shopify Plus starts at about $2,300 a month.
What is a good profit margin for a Shopify store?
Many direct-to-consumer stores aim for a 20–30% net margin after product, shipping, payment and ad costs. Below 10%, small changes in ad costs or returns can wipe out profit.
Is the Shopify Grow plan worth it?
Usually only once card-fee savings beat the $66 monthly price difference. On $50 orders that happens at roughly 660 orders a month, or earlier if you need Grow's extra staff accounts and reports.