How Much Does It Cost to Build a Shopify Website in 2025? [Full Breakdown]
Introduction
Shopify is one of the world’s leading eCommerce platforms, empowering over 4 million merchants to sell products online. Whether you’re a small startup or an established business, Shopify makes launching and managing an online store accessible and scalable.
Understanding Shopify website development costs in 2025–2026 is crucial for budgeting and ROI planning. With various plans, themes, and development options, costs can vary greatly depending on your goals and preferences.
This guide is for startups, small business owners, agencies, and anyone considering launching a Shopify store and wondering, “How much does a Shopify website cost?”
Breakdown of Shopify Website Costs
Monthly Subscription Fees
Shopify’s pricing model is subscription-based. Each tier offers different features depending on your business size and goals:
- Shopify Starter – $5/month
- Basic Shopify – $39/month
- Shopify – $105/month
- Advanced Shopify – $399/month
- Shopify Plus – Custom pricing (starting from ~$2,000/month)
Website Design Costs
Design costs depend on whether you opt for a free theme, premium theme, or custom design:
- Free themes: $0 – Basic but functional.
- Premium themes: $180 – $350 (One-time fee)
- Custom Shopify design: $1,500 – $10,000+ depending on designer/development complexity.
External source: Shopify Theme Store
Additional Costs
Besides themes and subscriptions, there are other costs:
- Domain name: ~$14/year
- SSL certificate: Free with Shopify
- Email hosting: ~$2 – $5/month (e.g., Google Workspace)
- Third-party tools/apps: $10 – $200/month depending on your needs
Factors Influencing Shopify Website Costs
- Size of Product Catalog: More products may require additional time for setup, integrations, and organization.
- Complexity of Store: Multi-language, B2B logic, tiered pricing, and subscription models increase cost.
- Number of Integrations: Email platforms, CRMs, inventory tools all add to setup and development time.
- Global Support: Multi-currency and multi-language configurations require extra apps or custom coding.
Shopify Cost Benefits – How Shopify Helps You Save Money
Low Maintenance Costs and Reliable Support
Shopify is a hosted solution. You don’t need to worry about server maintenance, performance, or backend security updates.
Lower Setup Costs Compared to Other Platforms
Compared to platforms like Magento or WooCommerce, Shopify has a lower barrier to entry due to minimal technical overhead.
Built-in Security Features
Shopify offers SSL, PCI compliance, and fraud analysis out of the box, saving hundreds of dollars annually on third-party tools.
More info: Shopify Security Overview
Decoding Monthly Shopify Costs – What You’re Really Paying For
Shopify Development Cost Factor #1: Setup & Initial Design
Hiring a developer or agency to set up your store can range from:
- Basic setup: $500 – $1,000
- Design customization: $1,000 – $5,000
- Full custom development: $5,000 – $20,000+
Shopify Pricing Plans Breakdown – Which Plan is Right for You?
Shopify Features on All Plans
- Unlimited products
- Fraud analysis
- Manual order creation
- Discount codes
- Abandoned cart recovery (except Starter)
Shopify Starter Plan
- $5/month
- No standalone website
- For social selling (e.g., Instagram, Facebook)
Basic Shopify Plan
- $39/month
- Online store + 2 staff accounts
- Basic reports
Shopify Standard Plan
- $105/month
- 5 staff accounts
- Professional reports
Advanced Shopify Plan
- $399/month
- 15 staff accounts
- Advanced report builder
Shopify Plus Plan
- $2,000+/month
- Enterprise-grade features
- Dedicated support and automation tools
Shopify Development Cost Factor #2: Developer & Setup Services
Developer charges depend on experience and region:
- Freelancers: $20 – $100/hr (based on platform)
- Agencies: $75 – $200/hr
External reference: Clutch Shopify Agency Rates
Shopify Transaction Fees and Credit Card Charges
Benefits of Shopify Payments
Avoids additional fees for using third-party gateways.
Shopify Charges per Plan
- Basic: 2.9% + 30¢/transaction
- Shopify: 2.6% + 30¢/transaction
- Advanced: 2.4% + 30¢/transaction
Shopify Development Cost Factor #3: Theme and Template Costs
- Free themes: Shopify provides 12+ free options
- Premium themes: $180–$350 from Shopify or third-party vendors
Shopify Development Cost Factor #4: Domain Name
- ~$14/year if purchased via Shopify
Shopify Development Cost Factor #5: Shopify Apps & Plugins
Popular App Examples and Pricing
- Klaviyo (Email Marketing): $20–$150/month
- PageFly (Landing Pages): Free – $99/month
- Privy (Popups/Email): $0 – $30/month
Explore apps here: Shopify App Store
Shopify Development Cost Factor #6: Shopify POS Payments
For retail merchants, Shopify POS includes:
- POS Lite: Free
- POS Pro: $89/month/location
- Card Reader Hardware: $49 – $299 (one-time)
DIY vs. Professional Shopify Development
| Option | Cost Range | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY | $39 – $500 | Low cost, full control | Time-consuming, steep learning curve |
| Freelancer | $500 – $5,000 | Affordable, flexible | Varies in quality |
| Agency | $3,000 – $20,000+ | Strategic, full-service approach | High cost |
| In-house Dev | $50,000+/year | Customization control | Salary, management overhead |
Shopify Cost Based on Hiring Model
Building It Yourself
- Best for small stores with simple designs
- Time investment: 1–4 weeks
Hiring Freelancers
Freelance Shopify Developer Rates
- Upwork: $25 – $150/hour
- Fiverr: Fixed-price gigs from $100 – $1,000
Hiring Dedicated Shopify Agencies or Partners
- Full builds from $3,000 – $25,000
- Ideal for large inventories, custom integrations, international expansion
Hiring In-House Shopify Developers
- Salaries: $60,000 – $100,000/year depending on location and expertise
Tips & Tricks to Reduce Shopify Website Costs
Leverage Shopify Discounts
Annual plans save ~10–20% over monthly billing.
Downgrade Your Plan When Needed
If not using advanced features, consider a lower-tier plan temporarily.
Stick With Shopify Payments
Avoids 0.5%–2% extra fees from third-party payment gateways.
Use Free Shopify Themes
Shopify’s free themes are responsive, fast, and regularly updated.
Start With Free or Freemium Apps
Don’t overspend early on. Choose scalable tools.
Use Shopify Shipping
Available in the US, Canada, Australia, UK – helps save on labels.
More info: Shopify Shipping
Shopify Pricing Comparison Table
| Feature / Plan | Starter | Basic | Shopify | Advanced | Plus |
| Monthly Cost | $5 | $39 | $105 | $399 | Custom |
| Online Store | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Reports | ❌ | Basic | Standard | Advanced | Advanced |
| Staff Accounts | 1 | 2 | 5 | 15 | Unlimited |
| Credit Card Fees (US) | N/A | 2.9% | 2.6% | 2.4% | Custom |
FAQs – Shopify Website Costs Explained
How much does Shopify cost in the USA?
Shopify plans range from $5/month to $399/month. Shopify Plus costs are custom.
How much does Shopify take from a $100 sale?
Between $2.40 to $2.90 depending on your plan if using Shopify Payments.
How much does it cost to build a website in the USA?
A Shopify site costs $500 – $20,000+ depending on features, team, and integrations.
How much does an eCommerce website cost in the USA?
Ranges from $1,000 – $50,000 based on the platform and complexity.
How much does Shopify charge to build a website?
Shopify itself doesn’t charge for development. You’ll need to hire a freelancer or agency.
Is eCommerce profitable in the USA?
Yes. The U.S. eCommerce market is expected to surpass $1.4 trillion by 2027. (Statista)
Do you need a developer for Shopify?
No, but hiring one is recommended for custom features, integrations, or store scaling.
Are Shopify themes free or paid?
Both. Free themes available, and premium ones range from $180 to $350.
Is Shopify cheaper than WooCommerce?
Yes, in most cases. Shopify has fewer hidden maintenance and hosting costs.