Shopify vs Shopify Plus: Key Differences (2024)

You’ve probably heard that Shopify has two versions, Shopify vs Shopify Plus.

Shopify serves as a valuable ally in establishing an online storefront for small businesses, offering a suite of tools for store management. Its intuitive interface, customizable templates, and extensive functionalities facilitate the sale of products for ecommerce entrepreneurs.

Shopify Plus represents an enhanced iteration of Shopify, tailored to cater to the needs of large-scale enterprises. Boasting features such as cloud hosting, streamlined admin organization, top-tier functionalities, and enhanced support, it emerges as the quintessential omnichannel solution for enterprise-level operations.

In this article, we will discover some notable differences between Shopify vs Shopify Plus. Let’s dive in and choose the best solution for your online business.

Shopify vs Shopify Plus: Quick Assessment

Shopify streamlines essential operational aspects, facilitating seamless in-store setup, product addition, order processing, shopping cart management, and inventory oversight. Equipped with marketing tools such as analytics and integrations, it aids online stores in expanding and enhancing their digital footprint. Tailored for small-scale online retailers, Shopify proves particularly advantageous for novices navigating the complexities of launching an ecommerce venture. With its easily comprehensible features, Shopify fosters a seamless user experience, easing the journey into online entrepreneurship.

Distinguishing itself from its counterpart, Shopify Plus offers superior integrations, augmenting its capacity as a comprehensive platform for omnichannel commerce. Central to Shopify Plus is its organizational admin feature, facilitating centralized management of multiple stores from a single interface. Moreover, it empowers users to incorporate custom applications and leverage programs like the Partner Program, POS Pro, Plus Community, among others. A comparative analysis between Shopify Plus and its predecessor underscores their distinct target demographics and value propositions.

Now, take a look at the quick assessment table:

Factor	Shopify	Shopify Plus
Subscription fees	– Basic: $19 per month – Shopify: $49 per month- Advanced: $299 per month	– Shopify Plus starts at $2,000 USD a month.
Cost of payment processing	– 2.9% + 30 cents for online card sales. – In-person transaction fee of 2.5%.- Online transaction fee of 2.6% plus 30 cents.- Non-Shopify payments fee of 1%.	– In-person transaction fee is based on your credit card sales volume. – Online transaction fee is based on your credit card sales volume.- Non-Shopify payments fee of 0.15%.
Key features	– Easy-to-use interface – Versatile storefront- Inventory management, order processing, and CRM tool.- Secure payment processing.	– Customization options and scalability for high-growth businesses. – Unlimited bandwidth, automatic scaling, and industry-leading uptime guarantees.- Built-in integrations with leading platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Facebook.- Support for multiple languages, currencies, and localized storefronts.- Automation and workflow tools.
Customization	– Limited customization options, especially for themes and checkout process.	– Extensive customization capabilities including access to source code and dedicated account management.
Functionality	– Basic features for small to medium businesses.	– Advanced features for high-volume businesses.
Scalability	– Suitable for small to medium-sized businesses.	– Designed for high-volume businesses with complex needs.
Performance	– Shared infrastructure, may experience slower load times during peak traffic.	– Dedicated infrastructure with enhanced performance and reliability due to dedicated resources.
API Access	– Access to Shopify’s RESTful API for integrating with third-party apps and custom development.	– Full access to Shopify’s API, including Plus-exclusive APIs for enhanced functionality.
Support	– 24/7 support via phone, email, and live chat.	– Dedicated support with priority response times and a dedicated account manager.
Security	– Level 1 PCI DSS compliance, SSL encryption, and fraud prevention measures.	– Enhanced security features, including exclusive access to the Shopify Plus Certified App Partner program and customizable user roles.
Launchpad	– Automated scheduling and deployment of sales campaigns and product launches.	– Advanced automation tools for managing sales events and promotions.
Wholesale	– Limited wholesale features, requires third-party apps or customization.	– Built-in wholesale channel with advanced features like tiered pricing, custom catalogs, and dedicated support.
Internationalization	– Multi-currency support, but requires third-party apps or customization.	– Enhanced multi-currency capabilities with native support for multiple languages and currencies.

Shopify vs Shopify Plus: The comprehensive comparison

Pricing plan

The primary distinction between Shopify and Shopify Plus lies in their pricing structures, each tailored to suit the diverse needs and budgets of merchants.

Shopify offers five distinct plans, catering to varying online store requirements and team sizes:

– Basic: $19 per month

– Shopify: $49 per month

– Advanced: $299 per month

It’s important to consider that all standard Shopify plans are subject to transaction fees for both online and in-store sales, along with additional non-Shopify payment fees.

On the other hand, Shopify Plus pricing plans are customized and quoted individually, typically starting at $2,500 per month. This enterprise-level commitment encompasses a percentage of your store’s monthly sales volume, along with additional fees for transactions, online store development, site launch, third-party services, and add-ons.

Unlike Shopify, Shopify Plus does not offer fixed pricing plans. Instead, you’ll need to reach out to a Shopify Plus sales representative to obtain a tailored quote for your specific business needs.

Themes & Design Flexibility

With Shopify, customization is key, and with Shopify Plus, the possibilities expand even further with the introduction of Shopify Liquid, an open-source template language that empowers users to tailor their themes to suit their exact needs.

Let’s delve into the offerings of classic Shopify first.

• Variety of Themes: Shopify boasts a diverse array of over 70 professionally crafted themes, including approximately ten free options. These themes span various industries and are engineered to adapt seamlessly to any device, ensuring a visually appealing storefront across the board.
• Customization Capabilities: The theme editor in Shopify enables users to adjust numerous aspects of their selected theme, from colors and typography to layout, all without necessitating any coding prowess. However, for those versed in HTML, CSS, or Liquid coding, the scope for customization expands significantly.
• Theme Store and Third-party Offerings: Shopify’s Theme Store presents an assortment of themes, encompassing both free and premium selections crafted by globally recognized designers. Additionally, users have the flexibility to explore third-party themes available for purchase from alternative marketplaces.

The heightened flexibility of these themes not only enhances aesthetic appeal but also contributes to an enriched Shopify user experience, a vital element for the success of Shopify merchants.

Now, moving on to Shopify Plus:

• Encompassing All Shopify Features: Shopify Plus inherits all the features inherent to Shopify, providing a comprehensive toolkit for users.
• Expanded Theme Management: With Shopify Plus, users can incorporate up to 100 themes into their account, maintain seasonal variations of their themes, or experiment with changes in a duplicate of their chosen theme.
• Dedicated Support: Seasoned Shopify staff are at your service with Shopify Plus, offering assistance in crafting custom edits to any theme within the plan’s scope, affording users substantial savings in both expenditure and effort.
• Access to Shopify’s Script Editor: Shopify Plus unlocks access to the Script Editor, empowering users to curate personalized experiences within the shopping cart and during checkout—a feature we’ll delve into further in subsequent sections.

This heightened level of customization proves particularly advantageous for large enterprises seeking more intricate and distinctive designs tailored to their specific requirements.

Organization Admin Tool

Shopify Plus introduces a game-changing feature: multiple-store management, streamlining operations by consolidating all your stores under a single subscription. Say goodbye to the traditional Shopify admin interface and welcome the organization admin, your gateway to centralized store management.

Within the Shopify organization admin, users gain the ability to oversee multiple stores concurrently. This includes functionalities such as adding, suspending, or removing users in bulk, fine-tuning permissions, and creating or assigning roles—all from one centralized hub.

Furthermore, the organization admin offers a comprehensive overview of analytics data, presenting vital metrics like total sales and orders in a unified dashboard. This holistic view empowers users to conduct thorough assessments of their organization’s performance, facilitating informed, data-driven decision-making.

Staff Accounts and Permissions

While Basic Shopify plans come with restrictions on the number of staff accounts, Shopify Plus breaks these barriers by offering unlimited staff accounts. Moreover, the permission settings in Shopify Plus are far more intricate compared to standard versions. Here, users can finely tune permissions, granting or restricting access to specific actions such as exporting reports or managing particular apps.

Within the admin interface, users gain control over the actions of designated team members. This ensures that your entire store management team, regardless of its size, can collaborate seamlessly without unnecessary limitations, fostering a safer and more structured workflow.

Shopify POS Pro

The Shopify POS Pro app offers the convenience of selling your products in diverse settings, including retail stores and pop-up shops. Seamlessly integrated with your Shopify account, this system streamlines order tracking and inventory management across multiple selling locations.

With all Shopify Plus plans, you receive access to 20 Shopify POS Pro locations. Should you require additional locations, you can discuss options for expansion during the onboarding process.

Moreover, you benefit from enhanced customer profiles, featuring comprehensive lifetime value reporting. Enjoy expedited workflows for exchanges, discounts, local pickup, and stock transfers. Gain deeper insights into your top-performing products through detailed performance reports.

Specialized apps and API resources

Shopify Plus provides exclusive access to advanced Shopify apps and apps from Shopify Plus partners available on the App Store. Tailored to meet the needs of high-growth merchants, these apps are instrumental in maintaining exceptional standards for running online stores. Exclusive channels accessible only to Shopify Plus merchants include a wholesale channel, launchpad, script editor, and integrations with Avalara AvaTax services.

Additionally, this Shopify plan offers support for additional API calls, including REST API and GraphQL. Leveraging these APIs, you can integrate custom apps to enhance your store’s functionality. For instance, you can offer gift cards and personalized promotions to your shoppers, particularly during peak holiday seasons.

Support

Basic Shopify provides users with various standard contact channels such as email, phone, or chat, ensuring assistance for inquiries or issues round the clock. Additionally, Shopify offers an extensive online Help Center comprising articles, guides, and tutorials covering diverse topics, from store setup and product addition to payment management and shipping.

The Shopify Community Forum serves as an interactive platform where users can exchange insights, seek advice, and share experiences. Shopify staff actively participate in the forum, providing official responses to user queries.

However, personalized support from experts is not included in the Basic Shopify plan. In contrast, Shopify Plus offers dedicated support and exclusive programs tailored to merchants’ needs. With Shopify Plus, vendors benefit from dedicated account managers who offer one-on-one service, guiding them through tasks like configuring shipping rates and integrating third-party software solutions.

The Merchant Success Program, a feature of Shopify Plus, assists store owners in maximizing the platform’s capabilities. This program involves:

1. Collaborating with a Shopify Plus consultant to assess business requirements, evaluate features, and identify growth opportunities.
2. Working with a solutions engineer to seamlessly integrate tools and technical components with the platform.
3. Receiving guidance from the launch team on customer use cases, international storefronts, custom integrations, data migration, and store launch strategies.
4. Accessing the Shopify Partners Program, where experts assist in navigating business challenges and market opportunities.

At Shopify Plus, merchants receive comprehensive support throughout their journey, ensuring a seamless and successful experience.

Wholesale

The Shopify Plus wholesale channel offers the flexibility to establish a distinct storefront as an extension of your primary store. This enables seamless management of all orders through a single Shopify admin interface across both channels. With this feature, you can offer the same products to wholesale customers as you do to regular Shopify users, albeit at bulk prices and with tailored discounts.

However, Shopify has announced that this functionality will be phased out by the end of April 2024, to be replaced by a dedicated B2B solution.

Internationalization

Shopify offers Multi-currency support, yet its implementation typically requires third-party apps or customization to ensure seamless transactions across various currencies. However, with Shopify Plus, global selling becomes a breeze. The system automatically detects customers’ locations based on their IP addresses and configures the appropriate currency accordingly. This eliminates the need for customers to manually select their currency unless they prefer otherwise. Similarly, language settings can adjust dynamically based on customers’ locations or preferences, providing a personalized browsing experience within a single store.

Moreover, managing taxes becomes significantly streamlined with Shopify Plus. Exclusive to Shopify Plus users, tax software like Avalara AvaTax automates tax calculations based on the relevant jurisdiction for each customer. This not only ensures accurate tax calculations but also provides detailed reports on taxes levied. Users can seamlessly integrate this solution in place of Shopify’s standard tax engine, enhancing efficiency and compliance.

Shopify Plus goes beyond currency and tax management to address diverse customer needs comprehensively. It offers a unified omnichannel experience across various touchpoints, including physical offline stores with point-of-sale (POS) systems, online stores, marketplaces, social media platforms, mobile apps, and catalogs. This ensures that customers can engage with your brand seamlessly across multiple channels, enhancing convenience and accessibility.

Shopify vs Shopify Plus: Which is best for you?

Pros and cons	Shopify	Shopify Plus
Pros	– User-friendly interface and intuitive platform. – Extensive app store for enhancing store functionality. – Reliable 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone. – Mobile-optimized themes for seamless shopping experiences. – Suitable plans for all business types, enabling scalability.	– Unlimited staff accounts and seamless handling of high traffic volumes. – Partnerships offering advanced features like automation and multi-channel selling. – Priority support with dedicated account managers and 24/7 assistance in Shopify Plus Academy. – Flexibility and customization options for creating desired online stores. – Security measures including Level 1 PCI DSS compliance and regular updates against cyber threats.
Cons	– Additional fees on transactions and shipping rates. – Advanced customization may require coding knowledge or an advanced developer. – Dependency on the app store can lead to complexities, especially during flash sales. – Costly subscription plans for small businesses. – Challenges and potential data loss/disruption in migrating from Shopify to other platforms.	– Significant monthly subscription fees, challenging for smaller businesses. – Steeper learning curve and complexity in managing advanced features. – Time-consuming migration process for existing stores into Shopify Plus. – Limited selection of third-party apps despite built-in features. – Tied to the Shopify ecosystem, limiting integration with other platforms.

To summarize, Shopify is best for growing small to medium-sized businesses that need core and robust eCommerce features such as inventory management, shipping, and competitive payment processing. If you have an eCommerce business with multiple locations, Shopify is the way to go.

Shopify Plus, a way more expensive plan, is more suited for larger enterprises that engage in high-volume multichannel selling and want advanced features such as international shipping fulfillment, international payment processing in multiple currencies and languages, the ability to monitor real-time analytics for omnichannel sales, 3D modeling of online store products, automated workflows, and so on.

Key Takeaways

So, when you look at Shopify and Shopify Plus side by side, you see they’re good for different kinds of businesses in online selling.

If you’re a small or medium-sized business trying to get started online, Shopify is a great choice. It’s affordable and easy to use, with lots of different designs to pick from. Plus, it has all the basic stuff you need to manage your products and process orders.

But if your business is big and selling lots of stuff through different channels, Shopify Plus is better. It has more advanced features, like managing all your stores from one place and customizing things exactly how you want. And you get extra support to help you out.

Whether you pick Shopify or Shopify Plus depends on the size of your business and what you need. Compare what each one offers and figure out which best fits your plans. That way, you can make the right choice and boost your online business to success.