Interactive Cost Calculator
Your Business Details
True Monthly Cost Breakdown
Reality Check: Your "$39/month" Shopify store actually costs $639/month
Hidden Costs They Don't Advertise
Theme Costs
Premium themes: $150-350 one-time
Often need customization: +$500-2000
Domain & Email
Custom domain: $14/year
Professional email: +$6/user/month
POS Hardware
Card reader: $49-199
POS fees: 2.4% + 0¢ in-person
Currency Conversion
International sales: 2% conversion fee
Multi-currency: Shopify Payments only
Abandoned Cart Recovery
Only on $105+ plans
Or use $30/month app
Advanced Reports
Basic reports only on lower plans
Analytics apps: $20-100/month
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Shopify so expensive?
Shopify's advertised prices are just the beginning. Transaction fees (2.5-2.9%), online credit card fees (1.5-2.2%), app subscriptions, and theme costs quickly multiply your monthly expenses. Most stores end up paying 3-5x the base plan price.
Can I avoid Shopify transaction fees?
Only by using Shopify Payments. If you use any other payment gateway (PayPal, Stripe, etc.), you'll pay an additional 0.5-2% transaction fee on top of your payment processor's fees.
What about Shopify Plus pricing?
Shopify Plus starts at $2,300/month with negotiable transaction fees (typically 2.15-2.4%). It's designed for high-volume stores doing $1M+ annually. At this level, custom development often provides better ROI.
Is custom development really cheaper?
For businesses doing $10K+/month in revenue, custom development typically pays for itself within 2-3 years through eliminated transaction fees and app subscriptions. You also get exactly the features you need without limitations.
What are the best Shopify alternatives?
For most businesses: WooCommerce (WordPress), BigCommerce, or custom development. For small catalogs: Squarespace or Webflow. For marketplaces: Custom development is usually necessary.