How Much Does a Shopify Store Cost? (2026 Breakdown)
The three costs no one separates
A Shopify store has three different costs that get lumped together: Shopify's own subscription, the one-time build (theme + setup + customisation), and the ongoing running costs (apps and transaction fees). Confusing them is why people either underbudget the build or overpay for apps they don't need. Price each one separately.
Shopify's subscription
Shopify's own plans run roughly $39/month (Basic) to $399/month (Advanced), with a cheaper Starter tier for social selling. Most small and mid-size stores are fine on Basic or Shopify. You do not need the expensive plan to launch — the main thing higher plans buy you is lower transaction fees and deeper reporting at scale.
The build: theme, setup and customisation
A clean launch on a good theme with proper setup typically costs €900–€2,500 depending on how much custom design and functionality you want. A free or low-cost theme plus professional configuration is enough for many brands; heavy custom design, bespoke product options or headless builds cost more. This is where a developer earns their fee — a store that converts pays for itself quickly.
Apps and transaction fees — the silent monthly bill
Apps are where budgets leak. Five or six apps at $10–$30/month each quietly becomes a serious monthly cost, and many duplicate features you could handle natively. Also budget for payment fees (typically 2–3% per sale) and, if you don't use Shopify Payments, an extra Shopify transaction fee. Audit your apps every few months — most stores can cut two or three.
What a realistic first-year total looks like
For a typical small brand: ~$39–$105/month subscription, a €900–€2,500 build, and $30–$120/month in apps, plus payment fees. That's roughly €2,000–€4,500 in year one for a professional, well-run store — far less if you keep apps lean, more if you need custom development or high-volume features.
Getting it built right
We build and customise Shopify stores that are fast, lean on apps, and set up for how you actually sell — including cash-on-delivery and local payments where relevant. See our Shopify development service and pricing, or our Shopify development in Pakistan page for local specifics.
Questions On This Topic
Short answers to what readers ask
Related Reading
All articles
A Shopify store running twenty apps can carry several megabytes of unnecessary code on every page. Here is how to find the weight and cut it.
Shopify hands you hosting and PCI compliance, but takes a cut of every conventional order. WooCommerce trades that for control and ownership — here is when the trade pays off.
Free consultation - discover IT solutions for your business
Unlock the full potential of your business with our free consultation. Our expert team will assess your IT needs, recommend tailored solutions, and chart a path to success. Book your consultation now and take the first step towards empowering your business with cutting-edge technology.