If you’re thinking about starting your own Shopify store, one of the first questions you’ll have is simple: how much is a Shopify store going to cost me every month? The answer isn’t just about the Shopify plan price — it also includes apps, themes, marketing, and other business expenses.
We’ll go over everything you need to know in this guide so you can open your store without any unexpected costs.
Key Takeaways Before We Start:
- Shopify has multiple plans, starting at $39/month.
- Your monthly cost will depend on your niche, tools, and growth stage.
- Marketing and apps can sometimes cost more than your plan itself.
- There are hidden fees you might not notice at first.
- Using tools like PlugBooks can help track expenses and keep finances organized.
What Does It Really Cost to Start Selling on Shopify from Scratch?
When you initially start, you may anticipate to pay between $150 and $300 a month. This includes your Shopify plan, domain name, a premium theme, and all the applications you need. It may cost more to get professional branding and marketing from the start, but the return on investment is generally faster.
How Much Is a Shopify Store Per Month in 2025?
The monthly cost of running a Shopify store varies based on your plan and the technologies you use. The Basic Shopify plan costs $39 per month, while the Shopify and Advanced Shopify plans cost $105 and $399 per month, respectively. In addition, you’ll have to pay for things like your domain name ($1.20/month), apps ($20–$100+), and advertising.
In 2025, most small business owners will pay between $150 and $300 a month to run a Shopify store comfortably. For more details on how much Shopify takes per sale, it’s important to consider transaction fees alongside your monthly plan.
Estimated monthly spending by kind of store:
- Small boutique store: $200 to $400 a month
- A mid-sized scaling business costs between $500 and $1,000 a month.
- Brand that has been around for a while: $1,500 or more a month
The difference is in how much money you spend on marketing, how often you use the app, and how many premium service subscriptions you have. These include bookkeeping and automation applications like PlugBooks that help you keep track of your money. You can also check out our full breakdown of the cost of Shopify and Shopify fee guide for a complete understanding of expenses.
Shopify Store Expenses You Should Know About Before Launching
Even though Shopify gives you the base cost upfront, there are other charges that creep in:
- Themes: Free or $180+ for premium.
- Apps: Can range from $10 to $200/month depending on features.
- Marketing: Ads and social media promotion often take up the biggest slice of your budget.
- Payment Processing Fees: Shopify charges transaction fees unless you use Shopify Payments.
How Much Do You Pay to Shopify Each Month with Add-Ons?
If you use email automation, inventory systems, or execute marketing campaigns, you might easily spend two to three times as much as your base plan. A $39 package may easily cost $120 a month after adding applications, email tools, and accounting services like PlugBooks for automated bookkeeping, for example.
Shopify Store Cost for First-Time Sellers – What to Expect
To keep costs down, new sellers usually start with only a few add-ons. A reasonable starting budget is between $150 and $200 a month. This includes your plan, a premium theme, and one or two important apps. As your business grows, you should expect marketing, product sourcing, and automation solutions to cost more.
Monthly Costs of Running a Shopify Shop as You Scale
The monthly costs of an expanding store may add up rapidly, and they regularly go beyond $1,000 a month when you start running big ad campaigns, hiring freelancers, or adding more product lines. This is where PlugBooks comes in handy: it helps you keep track of your marketing ROI and shows you exactly where your money goes.
Shopify Pricing Guide for New Entrepreneurs in 2025
If you’re just starting, here’s the simplest breakdown:
| Shopify Plan | Monthly Price | Best For |
| Basic | $39 | New sellers, small product range |
| Shopify | $105 | Growing stores, multiple staff accounts |
| Advanced | $399 | Large-scale stores with advanced reporting needs |
What Are the Hidden Costs of Owning a Shopify Store in 2025?
Some hidden costs include:
- Increased marketing budget during seasonal sales.
- Subscription renewals for paid themes.
- Advanced analytics or inventory apps.
- Bookkeeping & accounting tools like PlugBooks (worth it for time saved)
Real-Life Shopify Store Cost Examples from Sellers
- $180 a month for a handmade crafts store with little advertising.
- Fashion store: $650 a month with marketing with influencers.
- Tech accessory store: $2,200 a month when they run a lot of ads.
FAQs
1. How much is a Shopify store for beginners in 2025?
A Shopify store for beginners usually costs between $150 and $300 a month. This includes the Basic Shopify plan, a domain, and the most important apps. Costs go up when you add advanced technologies and marketing.
2. How much is a Shopify store if I choose the Advanced plan?
The Advanced Shopify plan is $399 a month, but when you add in marketing, applications, and other expenditures of doing business, the total monthly cost can be $800 to $1,500 or more.
3. Is it possible to run a Shopify store for less than $100 a month?
Yes, but it will be quite limited. You’d have to stick to the Basic plan, use free themes, and not buy apps. Most vendors say they require at least $150 a month to run their business well.
4. What is the price of a Shopify store with premium themes and apps?
Depending on how big your business is and how much you spend on promotion, a store with a premium theme ($180 one-time) and paid apps ($50–$200/month) can cost between $400 and $1,000 a month.
5. What’s the least expensive approach to set up a Shopify store?
To avoid spending too much, pick the Basic Shopify package, use a free theme, use free marketing channels, and keep track of your money with a program like PlugBooks.
6. Is it worth it to invest in a Shopify store in 2025?
Yes, if you plan your money well. The platform’s versatility and eCommerce tools might help you make a lot of money, but it’s important to keep track of your costs. Services like PlugBooks might help you stay in business.
PlugBooks helps you keep track of your Shopify costs.
It’s just as crucial to keep track of your Shopify costs as it is to make sales. PlugBooks works perfectly with Shopify to automatically send your sales, fees, and taxes to QuickBooks or Xero.
This saves you hours of manual bookkeeping, helps you avoid expensive mistakes, and shows you how much money you’re making so you can focus on building your store instead of doing math.
Last Thoughts
Yes, but only if you keep an eye on and control your spending from the beginning. Shopify has excellent eCommerce features, is flexible, and can grow with your business, but expenditures might get out of hand if you don’t prepare ahead.
You can develop your business with confidence without going over budget if you know how much is a Shopify store per month and use a solution like PlugBooks to keep track of your expenses.