When launching an online business, selecting the right Shopify plan is one of the first—and most important—decisions you’ll make. For new sellers, Shopify offers two budget-friendly options: the Shopify Starter Plan and the Shopify Basic Plan. Both cater to early-stage entrepreneurs, but they differ greatly in terms of functionality, scalability, and long-term potential.
This article provides an in-depth comparison of Shopify Starter vs Basic, helping you decide which plan aligns best with your goals, sales channels, and technical needs.
Overview: Shopify Starter Vs Basic PLan
Shopify Starter Plan
Shopify Starter costs $5 monthly, billed every 30 days. There are no setup fees or hidden charges. Moreover, it includes a Shopify free trial up to 3-day for all newbies to test first before making the purchase decision.
However, there are some additional fees that you should be aware of:
- If you use a third-party payment gateway (such as PayPal or Stripe) to process your payments, you will have to pay a 5% transaction fee to Shopify on top of the fees charged by the payment provider.
- If you want to use a custom domain for your store, you need to buy one from a domain registrar (such as GoDaddy or Namecheap) and pay an annual fee (usually around $10-$15).
Shopify Basic Plan
Shopify Basic plan costs $25 per month, billed every 30 days, or $19 per month, paid annually.
There are no setup fees or hidden charges with the Shopify Basic plan. For online sales, there’s a fee of 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction. For in-person sales, the fee is 2.6% plus 10 cents.
Shopify Starter vs Basic Plan: Main Features Comparison
The Starter plan is perfect for quick selling and link-based promotions, while the Basic plan is designed for full-fledged ecommerce operations.
Key Feature Comparisons
- Checkout Experience: Starter users rely on shareable links for each product, which is ideal for social platforms but lacks brand consistency. Basic plan users offer customers a seamless shopping experience via an integrated checkout on their own website, improving trust and conversions.
- App Ecosystem Access: The Starter plan has limited access to Shopify’s App Store, meaning fewer customization and automation options. Basic plan users can leverage the full power of apps like SearchPie, Loox, and Smart SEO to enhance performance.
- SEO & Content Tools: Basic gives you blogging tools, metadata editing, and structured data via apps like SearchPie. This allows your store to rank better on Google, which is crucial for organic growth—capabilities the Starter plan doesn’t support.
Shopify Starter vs Basic Plan: User Reviews & Testimonials
Shopify Starter Plan
What users like:
- Budget-friendly pricing: Priced at just $5/month, it’s an accessible choice for beginners or businesses with limited funds.
- User-friendly setup: The plan is easy to navigate and doesn’t require technical knowledge.
- Social commerce capabilities: Selling via social platforms and messaging apps is straightforward.
- No need for a full website: It works well for those who prefer not to build a complete online storefront.
What users dislike:
- Feature limitations: Important tools such as online store customization, cart recovery, and advanced reporting are not included.
- High transaction fees: With fees around 5%, sellers with high sales volumes can see a notable dip in profit margins.
- Restricted branding options: Limited ability to customize the customer experience or establish a distinct brand identity.
Shopify Basic Plan
What users like:
- Core e-commerce functionality: Includes essential tools like an editable online store, cart recovery, discounts, and gift cards.
- Reduced transaction fees: A more reasonable rate of 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction compared to the Starter plan.
- Greater customization and control: Merchants can tailor their storefront and manage operations more flexibly.
- App access: The ability to install apps extends the platform’s capabilities.
What users dislike:
- Higher monthly cost: The $39/month price tag may be a stretch for some small or early-stage businesses.
- Steeper learning curve: Beginners might find the array of features overwhelming at first.
So, which plan do users prefer?
Although the Starter plan is a solid entry point for some, most users tend to favor the Basic plan. It strikes a stronger balance between functionality, customization, and price. For businesses aiming to build a complete online presence and scale their operations, the Basic plan provides
Shopify Starter vs Basic: Which Plan is Best for You?
Go with Shopify Starter if:
- You sell primarily on social platforms and don’t need a full storefront.
- You want to validate a product idea before investing more.
- You’re an influencer or content creator monetizing through simple links.
Choose Shopify Basic if:
- You want a professional brand presence with your own website.
- You need features like SEO, analytics, and abandoned cart recovery.
- You’re serious about scaling and plan to run marketing campaigns.
Many businesses start with Shopify Starter and later migrate to Shopify Basic as they gain traction. For example, creators who grow a loyal following often transition to Basic for more control over branding and conversions.
Bonus Tips: Tools to Maximize Each Plan
Whether you choose Starter or Basic, you can enhance your store’s performance with the right tools:
If you choose Shopify Starter:
- Shopify Inbox: Manage customer conversations and close sales directly.
- Linkpop: Shopify’s free link-in-bio tool for social selling.
- Facebook & Instagram integration: Sell directly from your social pages.
If you choose Shopify Basic:
- SearchPie: Optimize SEO performance with schema markup, site audits, and speed enhancements.
- Shopify Email: Launch email marketing campaigns directly from your dashboard.
- Plug in SEO or Smart SEO: Alternatives to SearchPie for keyword analysis and on-page optimization.
- Judge.me or Loox: Collect and display product reviews for social proof.
These tools can significantly boost your store’s credibility, traffic, and conversion—especially important when moving from Starter to Basic.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between Shopify Starter vs Basic depends largely on your business goals and how fast you plan to grow. The Starter plan is great for minimalist selling through social channels, while the Basic plan opens the door to building a complete online store with branding, content, and sales strategies.
If you’re testing the waters, Shopify Starter offers a low-risk entry point. But if you’re committed to building an online business and want access to more robust tools and design freedom, the Basic plan will serve you better in the long run.
Whatever you choose, Shopify makes it easy to upgrade or switch plans as your business evolves.