How to compare Shopify subscription costs
- Enter the monthly amount processed through one payment route and the number of paid transactions.
- Choose annual or monthly subscription billing. Annual prices are compared as monthly equivalents.
- Choose Shopify Payments or a third-party provider. Enter the external provider's own fees when using that route.
- Open the editable rate section and replace plan prices or payment rates with your store's quote. Use one currency throughout.
- Review total costs and upgrade thresholds, then assess plan features separately.
Cost calculation and upgrade thresholds
Processing = Processed revenue × Payment rate + Transactions × Fixed fee
Third-party surcharge = Processed revenue × Shopify third-party rate
Upgrade threshold = Subscription increase ÷ Percentage-rate reduction
The surcharge is zero for the modeled Shopify Payments route. For an external provider it is added to processing. Thresholds use identical transaction volumes and fixed fees across plans, as represented by the shared fixed-fee inputs.
Worked example using the default scenario
With $10,000 processed each month, 200 transactions and annual billing, the initial Shopify Payments scenario estimates $379 for Basic, $409 for Grow and $609 for Advanced each month. Basic has the lowest modeled cost at this volume. Its annual subscription invoice is $348, while payment fees remain usage-based.
Changing the payment route changes the comparison because the external provider fee and Shopify surcharge are separate. The calculator recomputes costs and upgrade thresholds immediately; use your actual provider agreement.
What is outside the comparison?
This single-route model excludes mixed payment methods, promotions, premium or international card additions, taxes, apps, POS costs and negotiated Plus contracts. It does not automatically reconcile refund fee treatment. Enter revenue and transaction counts on the basis your processor charges.
The annual budget assumes the same monthly transaction activity for twelve months. Subscription invoices and transaction costs have different payment timing. Use ecommerce profit for order-level economics and ROI for the full investment view.
Rate source and review date
Initial price and fee examples were checked against Shopify's official pricing page on . They are an editable snapshot, not a live quote. Shopify and SellerUtils are separate services.
Frequently asked questions
Which Shopify plans and rates are included?
Basic, Grow and Advanced. Initial examples use US/USD subscriptions and standard online Shopify Payments card rates checked October 8, 2026. All prices, percentage rates and fixed fees can be edited for your own quote.
Does annual billing mean I pay this amount monthly?
No. The annual subscription is displayed as a monthly equivalent for comparison, while the subscription invoice is paid upfront for the year. Payment fees still depend on processed transactions.
How are third-party payment fees handled?
The model adds your external provider's percentage and fixed fee to Shopify's plan-specific third-party transaction surcharge. It does not substitute Shopify Payments processing rates for the provider's fees.
Does changing currency convert the pricing?
No. It changes display symbols only. Enter local subscription prices and all fixed fees in the same selected currency before relying on a comparison outside the US/USD example.
Does the lowest cost identify the best Shopify plan?
Only on the modeled fee basis. Features, staff needs and other charges can change your decision. The model excludes taxes, apps, POS, premium and international card extras, promotions and negotiated Plus contracts.
What is the upgrade revenue threshold?
It is the higher subscription cost divided by the reduction in the plan's percentage fee. Above that monthly revenue, fee savings offset the subscription increase under the selected route. Custom prices without both a higher subscription and a lower rate may have no standard threshold.
By the SellerUtils team · Last updated October 8, 2026. Results are estimates for planning and are not financial advice.