Shopify vs Shopify Plus: Key Differences (2024)

You’ve probably heard that Shopify has two versions—

The regular one, most suitable for small to large ecommerce businesses. And Shopify Plus, said to be the best for enterprise-level businesses.

But since you can’t get a free trial on the Plus plan, you don’t know if it’s the right choice for your online store. 

Don’t worry.

We’ll show you the comparison of Shopify vs Shopify Plus key features, pricing, and tell you all you need to know about the Plus plan. This way, you’ll be able to make the right decision for your ecommerce business.

In this article:

• Differences between Shopify and Shopify Plus 
• Shopify Plus features
• Shopify pricing plans
• Benefits of Shopify Plus
• Is it worth the price?
• Guide to upgrade to Shopify Plus

If you’re still searching for the best place to put your online store, check out these detailed comparisons of Shopify to different ecommerce platforms:

• BigCommerce vs Shopify: Pricing & Features
• WooCommerce vs Shopify: Who’s Better? 
• Magento vs. Shopify: Which Is The Best Platform?

Okay.

The big question here is—

Shopify Plus vs Shopify: what’s the difference?

The main difference between Shopify and Shopify Plus is the type of company each one is meant for. This ties in with the number of features, support the plans provide, and the price that they come in.

But, what is Shopify Plus, in the first place?

Shopify Plus is a fully hosted ecommerce platform for enterprise businesses and growth merchants dealing with high volumes of sales. It has an additional set of robust features and suits businesses with more specific demands, such as training companies and large ecommerce stores. 

So, who’s the Shopify Plus plan most suitable for?

In simple words, any online store that makes over $60,000 a month or $1M in annual revenue could ask for an evaluation from the platform to see if the Plus plan is the right fit for their company. Also, brands that don’t see the functionalities on the Basic plan as sufficient enough should request a demo to find out if Shopify Plus can fulfill their business needs.

Note that—

There’s a tricky part about Shopify Plus. Namely, you can’t get a trial period to test out all the features of this plan for yourself. 

So, let’s do the next best thing—present the functionality and benefits of Shopify Plus in detail, so you know what to expect. The main question remains: what is the difference between Shopify and Shopify Plus?

Here is a quick Shopify vs Shopify Plus features comparison table to start with.

Features	Shopify	Shopify Plus
Staff accounts	5	Unlimited staff accounts
Locations	Up to 5	Up to 20
Reports	Basic reports only, advanced reports in Shopify Advanced	Advanced report builder
Point of sale (POS) Lite	✅	✅
POS Pro	+$89/mo	Free
133 currencies	✅	✅
Manual foreign exchange rates	✅	✅
International domains	✅	✅
Apps	Over 6,000	96 additional Shopify Plus app partners
Multiple languages	Up to 2	Up to 20
Calculated shipping rates	❌ (inlcuded in Shopify Advanced)	✅
Multiple stores	❌	9 free expansion stores
Shopify Audiences	❌	✅
Shopify Flow	❌ (included in Shopify Advanced)	✅
Launchpad	❌	✅
Checkout.liquid access	❌	✅
B2B	❌	✅
Tax automation	❌	✅
Bot protection	❌	✅
Free hosting on Oxygen	❌	✅
Dedicated & Priority support	❌	✅
Merchant success program	❌	✅
Shopify Plus Academy	❌	✅
Preview beta programs	❌	✅

Read more: Learn all you need to know about Shopify dropshipping including pros, cons, tips and costs.

Now—

Let’s look at each of the features more in-depth.

Shopify Plus features

Shopify offers many key features to help you build, maintain, and grow your ecommerce business. You can set up an ecommerce website, a point-of-sale system, and customize the customer experience at each stage of the buyer’s journey. 

Shopify Plus goes a step further. It provides even more features to assist you with the high demand and complexity of your business. Some of the features included in the Shopify Plus plan are:

Shopify organization admin

The first Shopify vs Plus difference is the single admin for multiple stores. Let’s say you have a number of stores in different languages, with multi-currency, or offering a variety of products. This organization admin lets you manage them all in a single panel. It also helps you stay organized with an array of management tools. 

Some of the tools available only to Shopify Plus merchants include Shopify Flow to automate your workflows, Users to manage user permissions, and Stores to control multiple storefronts from a single admin panel.

Read more: Learn how GymShark used Shopify Plus to grow internationally.

Specialized apps and API resources

Shopify Plus offers access to advanced Shopify apps and Shopify Plus partners’ apps on the App Store. These are designed to help high-growth merchants with running their stores at a high standard. Some of the channels that only Shopify Plus merchants can use include a wholesale channel, a launchpad, a script editor, and integrations with Avalara AvaTax services.

This Shopify plan also supports additional API calls (REST API and GraphQL) that you can use to integrate with custom apps. These could help you provide gift cards and other personalized offers to your shoppers during this year’s holiday season. 

Read more: Discover the best Shopify apps for your business and check out the best Shopify plugins to grow your ecommerce store. 

Customizable checkout

The checkout.liquid is a checkout page layout only available to Shopify Plus users. It provides a customizable checkout, so you can fit it to your company’s style and feel. This layout gives you more control over the checkout process on your store and therefore lets you improve the customer experience on it. 

Launch team support

The launch support team, as the name suggests, helps Shopify Plus merchants launch the online store quicker. This team will assist you with using migration tools to move your online store into Shopify and set it up. It will also aid you with creating a strategy, custom integrations, and solutions to meet your business requirements.

Launch managers and team support also include a Merchant Success Program. This program offers a merchant success manager to help you with the ongoing strategy for your ecommerce business. It ensures you get the most value out of the Shopify Plus plan and keep growing your online store.

Unlimited staff

When you make a comparison of Shopify Plus vs Shopify Basic, you’ll see that the first one has no limits on the staff accounts, while the latter only lets you have up to 5 staff accounts. The same goes for Advanced Shopify vs Shopify Plus comparison, as the advanced plan only allows for 8 staff accounts.

This limits your capability to grow your personnel if you choose to use the standard Shopify plans. However, when you use Shopify Plus, you can grow your team with no limitations. 

Permissions

Shopify Plus store owners get additional permission settings than the Basic Shopify clients. This way, you can have more control over the actions of your team members and what each of them is allowed to do. 

These permissions include separate professional report exports and access to specific apps. It can aid you in making sure your online store is safe from unauthorized and inexperienced staff members which could do more harm than good when playing around with it.

Read more: Learn how to use permissions on your Tidio account. 

Expansion stores

In comparison to basic and advanced Shopify plans, Shopify Plus supports up to nine online stores. This comes in handy if you have an international business with different ecommerce websites for each country, or if you have a business that offers a variety of products on a number of online stores. 

So, to be able to have multiple ecommerce stores and manage them all through one admin, you need to upgrade to Shopify Plus from your regular Shopify account. Otherwise, you’ll need to set up separate accounts for each of your stores.

Shopify Plus Partner Program

One of the biggest differences between Shopify and Shopify Plus is the help you get on the latter plan. Shopify Plus Partner Program is a service that chooses the right partners to support your fast-growing business. Shopify selects these partners based on their knowledge and experience. They can provide technical expertise and solutions to some of the issues your company is struggling with.

You also get access to the Shopify Plus Academy if you prefer to expand your expertise. It offers self-guided training on key topics related to business growth and improvements.

Themes

When you use Shopify Plus, you can add up to 100 Shopify themes to your account. This is useful when you want to create a seasonal version of your theme and keep it for the next occasion. 

It also lets you try out any new theme templates and test changes that you want to make to your online store’s theme without deleting the existing look of your website.

Read more: Learn how to create a Shopify landing page that converts.

Shopify POS Pro

Another difference between Shopify and Shopify Plus is the access to the Shopify POS (point of sale) Pro. When it comes to standard Shopify plans, you need to pay an additional $89 per month to use the Pro version of the point-of-sale software. 

However, Shopify Plus provides the POS Pro for all of your store’s locations at no extra charge. So, your customers can pay with debit and credit card in your store without any problems. You can also sync your ecommerce marketplace to your brick-and-mortar seamlessly.

Speaking of charges, let’s have a look at Shopify vs Shopify Plus pricing.

How much is Shopify Plus?

There is no hiding the fact that Shopify Plus is much more expensive than the basic or the advanced Shopify plans. It’s priced based on the business needs during the talks with the Shopify’s sales team. But companies should expect to pay at least $2,000 per month for the setup and integrations.

Here’s a comparison table of Shopify Plus vs Shopify pricing for a quick look at the prices.

Shopify plan	Pricing
Starter	$5/month
Basic Shopify	$29/month Additional $89/month if you want to use POS Pro
Shopify	$79/month Additional $89/month if you want to use POS Pro
Shopify Advanced	$299/month Additional $89/month if you want to use POS Pro
Shopify Plus	From $2,000/month POS Pro included

The price for Shopify Plus is higher because the offering is bigger. You get many additional features as well as some benefits for using this plan.

One example of the benefits is that Shopify Plus has lower transaction fees for using third-party payment processors. It only charges 0.15% per transaction to cover additional security requirements. 

In comparison, the transaction fees for other Shopify plans vary between 5% and 0.5%.

Also, the price of Shopify Plus covers your main online store and nine expansion Shopify stores. On the opposite side, you cannot have multiple stores on a Basic or Advanced Shopify account. You would need to get an account for each of your online stores separately and that might come out to be even more costly than the Plus plan.

Read more: Learn everything there is to know about Shopify pricing plans and fees. 

So, considering the big price difference, why use Shopify Plus?

Shopify plus benefits

On the topic of benefits you get with Shopify Plus vs Shopify Advanced or Basic, we already mentioned all the additional features the Plus merchants get. For some, it will be worth the higher bill, for others, it’s not a good fit. So, let’s put the benefits into one place to make it easier for you to decide. 

Some of the benefits of Shopify Plus include:

• A dedicated account manager
• Full theme customization
• Unlimited staff accounts
• More control over the checkout experience
• API integrations
• Exclusive third-party apps
• Merchant Success Program=support
• Multiple stores
• In-depth analytics
• Capabilities to serve specific business needs

Now comes the big question that’s probably floating around your head—

Is Shopify Plus worth it?

I wish there was a straightforward answer but, unfortunately, there isn’t. So, although you don’t want to hear that, I must say—it depends.

On what? 

Well—let’s have a look.

So, should you contact the Shopify team and subscribe to the Shopify Plus plan?

• Yes if you have multiple online stores, an enterprise-level business, or a company with specific requirements for functionality, security, or support 

Shopify Basic and Advance don’t serve the more specific business needs that your company might have. The larger your online business grows, the more requirements you might have.

Also, businesses with parent companies and specific needs for the setup of the store will benefit from the Shopify Plus customer support team and the additional capabilities the plan gives you. And if you have multiple stores, this is the only Shopify plan that will allow you to manage them all from a single location.

So, businesses that could benefit the most from the Plus plan include enterprises, B2B, and companies with specific needs.

• No, if you have a single ecommerce website, or you’re a start-up

If you’re a start-up, a small business or a medium company, the standard Shopify plans are a better option for you. This is because you don’t need all the features that are included in the Plus plan, and the spend for it is too large for most SMBs. 

So, if you’re a start-up, you should look into the Starter plan that lets you create product pages and sell through social media and other sales channels. Small to medium-sized businesses should look into Basic Shopify and Shopify plans. These provide a shopping cart, product pages, and much more. You can also create discount codes, make flash sales, and optimize for SEO with these plans. 

Let’s say, you’ve decided to upgrade to Shopify Plus. Here’s how to do that.

How to upgrade to Shopify plus?

First of, if you don’t have a Shopify account yet, you should go onto the Shopify plus registration page. Once you put your form through, one of the Shopify’s team members will get in touch with you. 

And if you have a Shopify account, then follow these simple steps:

1. Go to your Settings
2. Choose Plan 
3. Scroll down to the Plan Details section
4. Click Change Plan
5. Select a billing cycle of your preference (remember to read the charge agreement carefully)
6. Click Start plan

And it’s done! 

But that’s only the beginning. Migrating your ecommerce store to Shopify Plus involves a number of changes to your ecommerce. 

The good news is that Shopify Plus has a team of backend engineers dedicated to building top-quality ecommerce websites. And you’ll have dedicated 24/7 support to assist you in making all the changes, launching your online store, and managing your ongoing strategy. 

For example, you should customize the checkout, integrate across platforms and sales channels for an omnichannel experience, and expand to different countries to broaden your reach. After all, you should take advantage of all that is offered within the plan to get the most out of your money.

Check out this video on upgrading your ecommerce website to Shopify Plus:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvWoONq_rY0

Shopify vs Shopify Plus: Summary

Shopify Plus is a plan for enterprise-level businesses and companies with specific demands. It includes additional features and benefits in comparison to the standard Shopify plans. Shopify Plus pricing starts at $2,000 a month.

Key features provided by Shopify Plus that are not available in the standard Shopify plans are:

• Shopify organization admin
• Specialized apps and API resources
• Customizable checkout
• Launch team support
• Merchant Success Program
• Unlimited staff
• Permissions
• Nine expansion stores
• Shopify Plus Partner Program
• Free Shopify POS Pro

Other Shopify plans include Starter, Basic Shopify, Shopify, and Shopify Advanced. These plans are most suitable for ecommerce businesses with annual revenue of below $1 million. High-growth businesses with high-volume sales should consider moving to Shopify Plus.

Whichever plan you choose, you should consider adding customer engagement software to your website in order to decrease the rate of abandoned carts and increase the average order value on your online store. Chatbots and live chat can help you improve your customer service and increase sales.

FAQ

What versions of Shopify are there?

There are two versions of Shopify and 5 plans. The two versions are Shopify and Shopify Plus. And the Shopify plans include Starter, Basic, Shopify, and Advanced. 

What is a Shopify Plus account?

A Shopify Plus account is a Shopify account for enterprise-level companies and businesses with specific needs. It includes an additional set of robust features and support. It also comes in a higher price range than other Shopify plans.

When did Shopify Plus launch?

Shopify Plus launched in 2014. 

How does Shopify plus work?

Shopify Plus offers support in launching the ecommerce site or migrating an existing online store to Shopify. It provides unlimited staff accounts, additional features, and settings to give Shopify Plus merchants more control over their ecommerce website. 

What type of merchants are best suited for the Shopify Plus plan?

Shopify Plus plan is best suited for high-growth merchants with large sales volumes and enterprise-level businesses.

How do you qualify for Shopify Plus?

You need to apply for an evaluation from the Shopify Plus team. Each business is assessed individually based on the company’s size, experience, and brand awareness.

What is the difference between Shopify Plus and Shopify?

Some of the biggest differences between Shopify Plus and Shopify are the number of features, pricing, and scalability. Shopify Plus offers additional features, Shopify POS Pro, unlimited staff, and up to nine scalability stores. But it also comes at a higher price tag. 

Can I upgrade from Shopify to Shopify Plus?

Yes, you can upgrade from Shopify to Shopify Plus from your Settings tab.

Can you upgrade your Shopify plan at any time?

Yes, you can upgrade your Shopify plan at any time you like.

Is it worth upgrading to Shopify Plus?

It depends on your business size and needs. Shopify Plus is a good option for enterprise-level businesses with high sales volumes and multiple online stores. However, it is not a good choice for standard ecommerce websites. 

Why would I need Shopify Plus?

If you have multiple stores, need unlimited staff, or your revenue is outgrowing your Shopify store, then you should consider upgrading to the Shopify Plus plan.

Can you have multiple Shopify stores under one LLC?

You can only have multiple Shopify stores under one account if you are on the Shopify Plus plan. Otherwise, you need to set up a separate bank account for each new store and manage them through their separate Shopify accounts.

How many stores can you have on Shopify Plus?

You can have up to ten stores on Shopify Plus: one main ecommerce site and nine expansion stores.

What percentage does Shopify take?

Transaction fees differ depending on the Shopify plan. Shopify takes 5% transaction fee on the starter plan, 2% on the Basic plan, 1% on the Shopify plan, 0.5% on the Advanced plan, and 0.15% on the Shopify Plus plan.