How Much Does Shopify Take Per Sale? A Breakdown of Fees and Costs

If you run a Shopify store, the question isn’t just how much you sell. It’s how much you actually keep after every order goes through. Shopify doesn’t take a flat “commission” in the traditional sense, but each sale comes with a few layers of fees that add up faster than many store owners expect.

What Shopify takes per sale depends on three things: your subscription plan, how your customer pays, and whether you use Shopify Payments or an external gateway. The numbers look small on paper. In practice, they shape margins, pricing decisions, and even when it makes sense to upgrade your plan. This guide breaks those fees down in plain terms, without the fine-print gymnastics.

What Shopify Fees Are There?

Shopify’s pricing structure isn’t just about one fee, there are several layers that, together, impact how much you actually pay when you make a sale. Here’s an overview of the main fees you need to be aware of:

1. Monthly Subscription Fees
2. Transaction Fees
3. Additional Costs

Let’s break each of these down and explain how they affect your business.

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1. Monthly Subscription Fees: The Foundation of Your Shopify Store

Your plan sets the baseline. It does not directly charge you per sale, but it controls the percentages that apply to each transaction.

Here is the current official Shopify pricing when billed yearly.

Basic Plan

• $29 per month
• Online card rate: 2.9% + $0.30
• In-person card rate: 2.6% + $0.10
• Third-party payment providers: 2%

This plan is designed for solo founders and early-stage stores. It has the highest per-transaction costs, which is normal at this stage. Shopify expects lower volume and prioritizes accessibility.

Grow Plan

• $79 per month
• Online card rate: 2.7% + $0.30
• In-person card rate: 2.5% + $0.10
• Third-party payment providers: 1%

This is where fees start to soften. The monthly price jumps, but the lower percentages can make sense once order volume is consistent.

Advanced Plan

• $299 per month
• Online card rate: 2.5% + $0.30
• In-person card rate: 2.4% + $0.10
• Third-party payment providers: 0.6%

Advanced is built for scale. The per-sale savings are small on individual orders, but they add up quickly at higher volume.

Shopify Plus

• Starting at $2,300 per month on a three-year term
• Competitive negotiated card rates
• Custom payment terms

Shopify Plus pricing is not public in the same way. Fees are negotiated based on volume, risk profile, and region. At this level, Shopify behaves more like an enterprise payment partner than a standard SaaS platform.

Key Takeaway

The higher your subscription plan, the more features you get. However, you’ll also be paying more each month. If your business is growing quickly, it might make sense to invest in a higher-tier plan for the reduced transaction fees and advanced features.

2. Transaction Fees: Shopify’s Cut on Each Sale

When you sell through Shopify, there are several fees involved. One of the most important is the transaction fee, which is Shopify’s cut from each sale you make. This fee depends on which payment method you choose and your Shopify subscription plan.

Shopify Payments: Avoid Extra Transaction Fees

If you use Shopify Payments, Shopify’s built-in payment gateway, you can avoid extra transaction fees. Shopify Payments is the easiest and most cost-effective option for processing payments. You’ll still pay the standard payment processing fees, but you won’t face any additional platform transaction fees from Shopify.

With Shopify Payments, all your transactions are handled within the Shopify platform, making it simple to track payments, manage orders, and access your funds quickly.

Shopify Payments Card Rates:

Third-Party Payment Providers: The Additional Shopify Transaction Fee

If you decide to use a third-party payment provider like PayPal or Stripe instead of Shopify Payments, Shopify will charge an additional transaction fee on each sale. This fee is designed to offset the costs of integrating external payment gateways with the Shopify platform.

Third-Party Payment Provider Fees:

• Basic Shopify Plan: 2% additional fee
• Shopify Plan: 1% additional fee
• Advanced Shopify Plan: 0.6% additional fee
• Shopify Plus: Custom negotiated rates

These additional fees can quickly add up, especially if you process a high volume of orders. For example, if you use PayPal and you’re on the Basic Shopify Plan, Shopify will charge you 2% on top of PayPal’s processing fees. This means you’ll be paying both PayPal’s fee and the Shopify fee on top of that.

Key Takeaway

Using Shopify Payments is the most cost-effective way to process payments because it eliminates Shopify’s additional transaction fee. If you use a third-party provider, those extra fees can add up, cutting into your profit margins. Whether you stick with Shopify Payments or use another provider depends on your specific needs, but for most stores, Shopify Payments will be the best choice to save on transaction costs.

3. Additional Costs: Other Fees That Add Up

While the primary Shopify fees are covered, there are other costs that can add up depending on how you run your store.

• App Subscriptions: Shopify has an extensive app store, offering everything from marketing tools to inventory management. Many of these apps charge monthly fees, which can range from a few dollars to hundreds, depending on the functionality you need.
• Shipping Fees: Shopify integrates with major carriers like USPS, UPS, and DHL, offering discounted rates on shipping labels. However, if you’re not using Shopify Shipping, you’ll need to handle your shipping costs separately.
• Currency Conversion Fees: If you’re selling internationally, you may face currency conversion fees. Shopify applies a 2% fee on international transactions if you’re using Shopify Payments.
• Domain Fees: Shopify offers domain registration, with prices typically ranging from $11 to $81 per year.
• Point of Sale (POS) Fees: For businesses with a physical store, Shopify offers POS systems. The POS Lite plan is free, but the POS Pro plan costs $89/month per location.

Key Takeaway

These additional costs are easy to overlook but can impact your margins significantly. It’s important to keep track of all your apps, shipping, and other services to ensure that they don’t eat into your profits.

How Much Does Shopify Take Per Sale in Practice?

Now that we’ve covered the theory, let’s look at some practical examples of how these fees work in real life.

Example 1: Basic Shopify Plan Sale

Let’s say you sell a product for $100 on the Basic Shopify plan, using Shopify Payments:

• Payment Processing Fee: 2.9% + $0.30 = $3.20
• Transaction Fee: $0 (because you’re using Shopify Payments)

Total Fees: $3.20

Your payout for this sale would be: $96.80

Example 2: Shopify Plan Sale Using a Third-Party Gateway

Now, let’s assume you sell the same product for $100 but use PayPal for payment processing on the Shopify plan:

• Payment Processing Fee (PayPal): 2.9% + $0.30 = $3.20
• Transaction Fee (Shopify): 1.0% of $100 = $1.00

Total Fees: $4.20

Your payout for this sale would be: $95.80

Example 3: Advanced Shopify Plan Sale

If you’re on the Advanced Shopify plan, your fees would be:

• Payment Processing Fee: 2.4% + $0.30 = $2.70
• Transaction Fee: $0 (using Shopify Payments)

Total Fees: $2.70

Your payout for this sale would be: $97.30

Key Takeaway

The more you sell, the more you’ll benefit from lower fees in higher-tier plans. As sales volume increases, these savings can quickly offset the higher monthly subscription fees. By upgrading to a higher-tier plan, you can save on transaction fees and keep more of your profits.

How to Reduce Shopify Fees

Reducing Shopify fees is all about smart decisions and using the tools Shopify offers to your advantage. Here are a few ways to minimize costs:

1. Use Shopify Payments: Avoid the additional transaction fees charged by third-party payment providers.
2. Upgrade Your Plan: As your sales grow, upgrading to a higher-tier plan can reduce your transaction fees.
3. Audit Your Apps: Review your installed apps regularly and remove any that aren’t providing value.
4. Use Free Themes: Instead of purchasing premium themes, start with free ones that are mobile-responsive and customizable.
5. Negotiate with Payment Processors: If you’re processing high volumes of payments, you may be able to negotiate better rates with your payment processor.

Conclusion

Shopify is a powerful platform, but it’s essential to understand its fee structure to make informed decisions that impact your bottom line. With the right plan and payment setup, you can reduce costs and maximize profits.

Keep in mind that Shopify fees aren’t just about the percentages, they’re a mix of transaction fees, payment processing rates, app subscriptions, and other hidden costs. By understanding how these costs work, you can choose the right Shopify plan, minimize your expenses, and make smarter business decisions.

In the end, Shopify’s flexibility and pricing structure allow businesses of all sizes to find a plan that suits their needs. As your store grows, you’ll get access to better rates and tools, so keep an eye on how your fees evolve.

Understanding these costs is more than just about saving money; it’s about setting your business up for long-term success.

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