Top Differences Between Shopify and Shopify Plus Explained

Are you trying to decide between Shopify and Shopify Plus for your online store? It’s a big choice! Both platforms power millions of businesses, but they cater to different needs. Whether you’re a small startup or a growing enterprise, understanding the key differences can help you pick the right fit. In this guide, we’ll break down the top distinctions between Shopify and Shopify Plus in a clear, easy-to-read way, so you can make an informed decision.

What Are Shopify and Shopify Plus?

Shopify is a popular e-commerce platform designed to help businesses of all sizes sell online, in-person, or across multiple channels like social media. It’s user-friendly, affordable, and packed with tools to manage products, payments, and inventory.

Shopify Plus, on the other hand, is Shopify’s enterprise-level solution, built for high-growth businesses with complex needs. Think of it as Shopify’s big sibling, offering advanced features for brands like Nestlé or Kylie Cosmetics that handle massive sales volumes.

So, what sets them apart? Let’s dive into the top differences to help you decide which is right for your business.

1. Target Audience and Business Size

Shopify and Shopify Plus are designed for different types of businesses:

• Shopify: Perfect for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur selling handmade goods or a growing retailer with a few physical stores, Shopify’s standard plans (Basic, Shopify, and Advanced) offer everything you need to start and scale.

• Shopify Plus: Built for large enterprises or fast-growing brands with high sales volumes, typically over $1 million annually. It’s ideal for businesses like Converse or Tesla that need robust tools to handle complex operations.

Who’s it for? If you’re just starting or running a smaller operation, Shopify is likely enough. But if your sales are soaring or you’re expanding globally, Shopify Plus might be your next step.

2. Pricing and Cost Structure

Cost is a major factor when choosing between Shopify and Shopify Plus:

• Shopify: Offers three main plans:

  • Basic: $32/month (or $24/month annually)

  • Shopify: $105/month (or $79/month annually)

  • Advanced: $399/month (or $299/month annually)
    Transaction fees range from 2.4% to 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction (using Shopify Payments). Third-party payment fees can go up to 2%.

• Shopify Plus: Starts at $2,300/month for a three-year term, with pricing varying based on sales volume or custom needs. Transaction fees are lower, typically 0.15%–0.3% for third-party payments, saving high-volume sellers significantly.

Why does it matter? Shopify’s lower price point suits smaller budgets, while Shopify Plus’s higher cost is justified for businesses where lower transaction fees and advanced features outweigh the expense.

3. Customization and Flexibility

Customization is where Shopify Plus shines:

• Shopify: Offers solid customization through themes, apps, and a drag-and-drop website builder. You can tweak your store’s look and feel, but advanced changes (like editing checkout pages) require workarounds or developer help.

• Shopify Plus: Provides advanced customization options, including:

  • Checkout Extensibility: Customize the checkout process (e.g., add upsells or branded designs) without coding.

  • Shopify Scripts: Create custom discounts, shipping options, or payment methods.

  • Headless Commerce: Use APIs to build unique storefronts across platforms, perfect for brands needing a tailored experience.

  • Up to 100 themes (vs. 20 for Shopify) for seasonal or test designs.

What’s the takeaway? Shopify is great for straightforward designs, but Shopify Plus offers deeper control for brands needing a unique, high-performance store.

4. Support and Account Management

Customer support can make or break your e-commerce experience:

• Shopify: Provides 24/7 support via phone, email, and live chat, plus access to a help center and community forums. Support is reliable but generalized.

• Shopify Plus: Offers priority support with:

  • A dedicated Merchant Success Manager and access to our Shopify Plus agency services to guide setup, migrations, and strategy..

  • Access to the Shopify Plus Academy for self-guided training.

  • A Partner Program connecting you with vetted experts for custom solutions.

Why choose Plus? If your business can’t afford downtime or needs personalized guidance, Shopify Plus’s premium support is a game-changer.

5. Scalability and Performance

Handling traffic and sales volume is critical for growing businesses:

• Shopify: Supports unlimited products and decent traffic but may struggle with massive sales spikes or complex operations. It allows up to 10 inventory locations.

• Shopify Plus: Built for high-volume stores, offering:

  • Up to 160,000 orders per minute and 99.99% uptime.

  • 200 inventory locations for managing large-scale operations.

  • Bot Protection to safeguard checkout during flash sales.

Key question: Can your store handle Black Friday traffic? Shopify Plus ensures smooth performance for peak moments.

6. International and Multi-Store Features

Selling globally or managing multiple stores? Here’s how they compare:

• Shopify: Supports up to 3 markets (regions with tailored currencies/languages). Advanced plans can add more markets for $59/month each, up to 50.

• Shopify Plus: Includes up to 50 markets and 10 expansion stores (clone stores for different regions or B2B sales) managed from one dashboard. GeoIP automatically redirects customers to the right store.

Why it matters: Shopify Plus simplifies global expansion, making it ideal for brands targeting multiple countries or running B2B and B2C operations.

7. B2B and Wholesale Capabilities

If you sell to other businesses, Shopify Plus has a clear edge:

• Shopify: Lacks native B2B features. You can use apps for wholesale, but they’re less integrated.

• Shopify Plus: Offers a dedicated wholesale channel with custom pricing, payment terms, and a separate B2B storefront, all managed from one admin.

Who needs this? Businesses selling to retailers or distributors will find Shopify Plus’s B2B tools invaluable.

8. Advanced Analytics and Reporting

Data drives decisions, and Shopify Plus delivers more insights:

• Shopify: Provides standard reports on sales, products, and customers. Advanced plans offer custom reports but with less depth.

• Shopify Plus: Includes ShopifyQL Notebooks for advanced analytics, plus integrations with tools like Glew or Looker for deeper insights into customer behavior and sales trends.

What’s the benefit? Shopify Plus’s robust reporting helps large businesses optimize performance and boost conversions.

9. Automation Tools

Automation saves time and reduces errors:

• Shopify: Offers basic automation through apps or manual setups.

• Shopify Plus: Includes exclusive tools like:

  • Shopify Flow: Automates tasks like tagging customers or managing inventory.

  • Launchpad: Schedules promotions, product launches, or flash sales.

Why go Plus? These tools streamline complex workflows, freeing up time for high-growth brands.

Which Should You Choose?

• Choose Shopify if you’re a small to medium-sized business looking for an affordable, user-friendly platform to start or grow your online store. It’s perfect for entrepreneurs or retailers with straightforward needs.

• Choose Shopify Plus if you’re a high-volume or fast-growing brand needing advanced customization, global reach, or B2B capabilities. The higher cost is worth it for businesses with complex operations or annual sales over $1 million.

Still unsure? Start with Shopify’s standard plans, as you can always upgrade to Shopify Plus later without starting from scratch.

Take the Next Step

Choosing the right platform is crucial for your e-commerce success. If you’re ready to explore Shopify or Shopify Plus, visit Shopify’s pricing page for a free trial or contact their sales team for a Shopify Plus quote.

Need help deciding? Contact our Shopify Plus Partner team to discuss your business goals and explore tailored solutions!