Shopify Development
How Much Does a Shopify Store Cost to Build?
Shopify is the most popular ecommerce platform for good reason — fast setup, reliable hosting, and a massive app ecosystem. But costs add up quickly when you factor in themes, apps, and customization. Here is the full picture for 2026.
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Freelancer
$2,500 – $10,000
Theme customization + setup
Agency
$5,000 – $25,000
Custom theme + full setup
Shopify Plans — Which One Do You Need?
Shopify offers five plans. Most stores start on Basic and upgrade as revenue grows:
Starter ($5/mo)
Card rate: 5% + $0.30
Best for: Selling through social media only, no standalone store needed
Not a real store — just product links
Basic ($39/mo)
Card rate: 2.9% + $0.30
Best for: New stores under $10K/month, solo operators
Best starting point for most sellers
Shopify ($105/mo)
Card rate: 2.6% + $0.30
Best for: Growing stores, $15K–$50K/month, need staff accounts
Upgrade when card fee savings > plan cost difference
Advanced ($399/mo)
Card rate: 2.4% + $0.30
Best for: $50K+/month stores, international selling, advanced reports
Pays for itself above ~$120K/month in sales
Plus ($2,300+/mo)
Card rate: Negotiable
Best for: Enterprise: $1M+/year, custom checkout, dedicated support
Only for high-volume enterprise operations
Theme Costs — Free vs Premium vs Custom
Your Shopify theme determines the look and functionality of your store. Here is what each option costs:
Dev cost: $500–$2,000 for customization
Good for starting. Limited design options but fully functional. Dawn is surprisingly capable.
Dev cost: $500–$3,000 for customization
Professional appearance, more sections and options. Brands like Prestige, Impulse, and Symmetry.
Dev cost: $5,000–$20,000
Built from scratch using Liquid. Full design control, unique brand experience. Required for Shopify Plus stores.
App Costs — The Monthly Bill That Grows
Shopify apps extend functionality but add recurring costs. A typical store runs 5–12 apps. Here are the most common categories and their costs:
Tip: Audit your apps every quarter. Stores often accumulate apps they no longer use, wasting $50–$150/month.
Transaction Fees — The Cost Nobody Mentions Upfront
Transaction fees are the largest ongoing cost for most Shopify stores. If you use Shopify Payments, you pay the card rate (2.4–2.9% + $0.30). If you use a third-party gateway, Shopify adds an additional 0.5–2% fee on top.
At $10,000/month in sales on the Basic plan, you are paying approximately $320/month in processing fees. At $50,000/month on the Advanced plan, about $1,215/month. Over a year, that is $3,840 to $14,580 — often more than the entire development cost of the store.
Always calculate your transaction fee costs when choosing a plan. The break-even point where upgrading plans saves money depends entirely on your monthly volume. Our calculator includes transaction fee projections.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to set up a Shopify store?
A Shopify store costs $2,500–$10,000 with a freelancer or $5,000–$25,000 with an agency. This includes theme customization, product setup, payment configuration, and basic apps. The Shopify platform itself costs $39–$399/month depending on the plan.
What Shopify plan should I choose?
Shopify Basic ($39/month) works for most new stores with under $10,000/month in sales. Shopify ($105/month) adds professional reports and lower credit card rates — switch when you pass $15,000/month. Advanced ($399/month) is for stores doing $50,000+/month where the lower transaction fees save more than the plan cost.
How much do Shopify apps cost per month?
Most stores spend $50–$300/month on apps. Essential apps include email marketing ($20–$50/mo), reviews ($10–$30/mo), SEO tools ($20–$40/mo), and upselling ($10–$30/mo). Some stores accumulate 15+ apps at $500+/month — audit your apps quarterly to avoid bloat.
What are the hidden costs of Shopify?
Hidden Shopify costs include: transaction fees if not using Shopify Payments (0.5–2% per order), premium theme ($180–$350 one-time), app subscriptions ($50–$300/month), email marketing tools, and product photography. Budget an extra $150–$500/month beyond the platform fee.
Is Shopify cheaper than WooCommerce?
Shopify has higher monthly fees but lower development costs. Over 2 years: Shopify costs $4,000–$15,000 total (build + hosting + apps). WooCommerce costs $4,000–$16,000 total (build + hosting + plugins + maintenance). Shopify is cheaper for simple stores; WooCommerce is cheaper for complex customization.
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