Shopify vs Shopify Plus: Which Is Right for Your Business?

If you're unsure about which Shopify plan to choose for your business, you've come to the right place. In this post, I’ll break down the differences between Shopify and Shopify Plus to help you make an informed decision based on your business's size, budget, and goals.

Shopify vs Shopify Plus: A Quick Overview

• Shopify is ideal for small-to-medium-sized businesses that want to sell products online. It provides all the tools you need to start an Shopify ecommerce business or add an online component to your existing brick-and-mortar store.
• Shopify Plus is designed for larger, enterprise-level businesses. It offers advanced tools and a flexible pricing model that caters to the needs of bigger companies like Converse and Sony.

Comparison Table: Shopify vs Shopify Plus

For most small-to-medium businesses, the standard Shopify plans offer all the ecommerce tools you need without breaking the bank. However, if you have a larger business or a significant startup budget, Shopify Plus may be a better fit.

Key Benefits of Shopify Plus vs Shopify 

1. Dedicated Support and Partners Program

   • Access to specialized support and the Shopify Plus Partners Program, which connects you with professionals for website building, marketing, and inventory management.
   • Certified apps like Shogun Page Builder for multivariate testing and Referral Candy for affiliate marketing.

2. Headless Ecommerce

   • Shopify Plus provides a headless ecommerce API, allowing for a fully customized front-end experience while using Shopify’s back-end management tools.

3. More Storage for Themes

   • Store up to 100 themes, compared to just 20 on standard Shopify plans, enabling seasonal changes and extensive A/B testing.

4. Advanced Checkout Customization

   • More flexibility in customizing the checkout experience, moving from code-based changes to a visual checkout editor.

5. Launchpad App

   • Tools for creating and running events like product launches or sales, complete with real-time analytics dashboards.

6. Combined Listings App

   • Enables multiple variants of a product to appear in search results, enhancing visibility and sales potential.

7. Exclusive and Custom Apps

   • Access to additional apps and the ability to integrate custom applications through advanced API resources.

8. Freedom from Transaction Fees

   • No transaction fees for payments processed through Shopify Payments in most countries.

9. Advanced Analytics

   • Access to Shopify QL Notebooks for more detailed analytics and custom report generation.

10. Unlimited Staff Accounts and Advanced Permissions

• Create unlimited staff accounts and set specific permissions for different roles.

11. Omnichannel Selling

• Sell on over 100 social media channels and 80+ online marketplaces, with tools to manage customer journeys.

12. Expansion Stores

• Create up to 10 stores under one account, each tailored for different regions or product lines.

13. Shopify POS Pro

• Sell in multiple physical locations with advanced point-of-sale features and reporting.

14. Multiple Markets

• Customize up to 50 markets with localized pricing and content.

15. Up to 200 Locations

• Manage inventory and order fulfillment across up to 200 locations.

16. Specialized B2B Tools

• Create custom catalogs and pricing for B2B customers, and manage multi-location, multi-contact customer accounts.

17. Exclusive Courses via Shopify Academy

• Access to advanced courses and certifications to help you maximize Shopify Plus features.

Pricing for Shopify vs Shopify Plus

While Shopify Plus starts at $2,300 per month, the final cost will depend on your business’s unique needs, so a consultation with Shopify is necessary to determine the exact pricing.

Conclusion for Shopify vs Shopify Plus

Choosing between Shopify and Shopify Plus comes down to your business size and goals.

• For small-to-medium businesses, the standard Shopify plans offer an excellent range of features at a lower cost.
• For larger businesses with complex needs or rapid growth plans, Shopify Plus provides the flexibility and scalability needed for success.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on where your business is today and where you want it to go.