Shopify vs. Shopify Plus: Which Plan Is Best for You

Shopify Plans Overview

Shopify offers three main plans: Basic Shopify, Advanced Shopify, and Shopify Plus. Each plan is designed to address specific business needs, from small operations to large-scale enterprises. Let’s break them down to help you understand what each plan offers and who it’s best suited for.

Shopify Plans

Basic Shopify

Basic Shopify is the perfect entry-level option for startups and small businesses. It includes essential features like a customizable online store, secure payment gateways, and access to the Shopify App Store. With support for two staff accounts and standard reporting tools, this plan provides everything you need to establish a professional online presence.

This plan is ideal for businesses with straightforward needs, such as local boutiques, small retail shops, and hobby-based sellers. Its affordability makes it accessible for businesses looking to test the waters of eCommerce without committing to a significant investment.

The key distinguishing feature of Basic Shopify is its simplicity. It’s designed for merchants who want to get started quickly with minimal technical expertise. However, as your business grows, you may find yourself needing more advanced tools and support, which is where the higher-tier plans come in.

Advanced Shopify

Advanced Shopify is designed for businesses that have moved beyond the basics and require more sophisticated tools to manage their operations. This plan offers enhanced reporting with the Advanced Report Builder, allowing you to create custom reports for detailed insights into sales, customer behavior, and financial performance.

One of the standout features of Advanced Shopify is its real-time calculated shipping rates from major carriers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx. This feature is particularly valuable for businesses handling higher order volumes, as it ensures accurate shipping costs and reduces customer service inquiries related to shipping.

Advanced Shopify is well-suited for mid-sized retailers, established online brands, and businesses with growing operational needs. It provides the tools needed to manage increased sales volumes efficiently and offers more flexibility for scaling operations.

Shopify Plus

Shopify Plus is the enterprise-level solution for businesses with high transaction volumes and complex requirements. It builds on the core features of Shopify and Advanced Shopify but adds robust tools for customization, scalability, and automation.

With Shopify Plus, you gain access to exclusive features like Shopify Flow for workflow automation, Launchpad for managing sales events, and Shopify Scripts for customizing the checkout process. The platform also supports multi-store management, allowing you to operate multiple storefronts from a single dashboard.

This plan is best for large enterprises, global brands, and merchants with advanced operational needs. Shopify Plus provides dedicated account management, ensuring you have expert support for setup, growth strategies, and troubleshooting. For businesses aiming for global expansion or requiring extensive backend integrations, Shopify Plus is the ultimate solution.

Key Differences Between Shopify Plans

While Shopify’s plans share many core features, they differ significantly in pricing, features, scalability, and support. Understanding these differences is essential when choosing the right plan for your business.

Pricing

Pricing is one of the most noticeable differences between Shopify plans. Basic Shopify starts at $79/month, making it accessible for small businesses. Advanced Shopify costs $299/month, reflecting its enhanced capabilities. Shopify Plus operates on a custom pricing model, starting at around $2,000/month, tailored to the specific needs of enterprise-level businesses.

Features

Each plan includes Shopify’s core features, like secure payment gateways, customizable themes, and mobile responsiveness. However, Advanced Shopify introduces advanced reporting, real-time shipping rates, and promotional capabilities, while Shopify Plus goes further with automation tools, multi-store management, and custom checkout scripts.

Scalability

For startups and small businesses, Basic Shopify offers a solid foundation to start selling online. Advanced Shopify supports growing businesses with tools to manage higher sales volumes, while Shopify Plus is designed for enterprises needing global scalability and advanced integrations.

Support

All plans include 24/7 customer support, but Shopify Plus provides dedicated account managers who offer personalized assistance. This additional layer of support is invaluable for enterprise merchants navigating the complexities of large-scale operations.

Advanced Features Breakdown: Advanced Shopify vs. Shopify Plus

If your business has outgrown Basic Shopify, you may find yourself choosing between Advanced Shopify and Shopify Plus. Here’s a closer look at their advanced features to help you decide.

Advanced Shopify includes powerful reporting and analytics tools that provide deeper insights into your business. It also offers calculated shipping rates, helping you deliver accurate shipping costs to customers. This plan is ideal for mid-sized businesses that need enhanced capabilities without the investment required for Shopify Plus.

Shopify Plus, on the other hand, takes automation and customization to new heights. With tools like Shopify Flow and Shopify Scripts, you can streamline operations and create personalized shopping experiences. Shopify Plus also supports B2B commerce, wholesale pricing, and multi-region storefronts, making it the top choice for enterprise businesses.

How MAKDigital Can Help

At MAKDigital, we’re more than just a Shopify agency. We specialize in creating custom solutions that help businesses succeed online. Whether you’re launching your first store with Basic Shopify, scaling with Advanced Shopify, or upgrading to Shopify Plus, our team has the expertise to guide you every step of the way.

Our services include web design tailored to your brand’s unique identity, Shopify SEO to improve your store’s visibility and drive organic traffic, and advanced integrations to streamline your operations. As a trusted Shopify partner, we’ll work closely with you to ensure your platform meets your business’s current and future needs.

If you’re unsure which Shopify plan is right for you, we’re here to help. Contact us today for personalized guidance, and let’s build an eCommerce solution that sets your business apart.