Shopify vs Shopify Plus: Which is right for you?

October 17, 2024 6 min 52 sec

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Shopify Development
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Shopify vs Shopify Plus: Which is right for you?

We all have heard about Shopify and the various plans it offers.Today we will talk about Shopify and Shopify plus.

Shopify is mostly popular among small to large ecommerce businesses whereas Shopify plus is generally used by enterprise-level brands.

But the sad part is you do not get a free trial plan on Shopify plus.
That is why we have come up with a detailed guide on Shopify vs Shopify plus so that you can make the right decision for your business.
In this blog, we will talk about:

Shopify vs Shopify Plus: What Is The Difference?
Advantages Of Using Shopify Plus
Cost Of Using Shopify Plus And Is It Worth It?
Frequently Asked Questions

Shopify vs Shopify Plus: What Is The Difference?
The primary element that differentiates these two plans are the type of organisations for which they are meant to be.

But what exactly do we mean by Shopify plus?
Shopify Plus is a fully hosted ecommerce solution that is tailored for large and growing merchants managing high sales volumes. It offers an expanded range of powerful features, making it ideal for businesses with unique needs, such as large online stores and training companies.

As we know that you cannot get a trial period to test all its functionalities and abilities so we will do a detailed analysis on them. This will help you to know what to expect from them.
We will start with all the features that you will find on Shopify plus but not on Shopify.

Calculated shipping rates
Multiple stores
Shopify flow
Launchpad
B2B
Tax automation
Bot protection
Merchant success program
Shopify plus academy
Preview beta programs
No cost hosting on oxygen
Checkout liquid access

We will now talk about the difference in features in these two plans.
Pricing:

Shopify
This plan is primarily recommended for small to medium sized businesses. However, you must take into consideration other factors such as your needs and the type of business you have.

Basic – $39 per month
Shopify – $105 per month
Advanced – $399 per month

Shopify Plus

This plan is suitable for businesses operating in multiple locations. The plan starts from $2,300 per month on a 3 year term, but the cost can vary depending on the volume of your sales. Also, keep in mind that you need to pay a third party transaction fee of about 0.2%.

Remember, Shopify provides an annual billing option that can help you save up to 25% on your subscription. However, if you decide not to use Shopify Payments, you'll incur transaction fees, which range from 0.5% to 2%, depending on your plan. Additionally, Shopify offers a free trial, giving you the opportunity to explore the platform before committing

You can also use our guide on Shopify plus vs Shopify advanced.

App Integration:
Shopify
This plan allows you to use over 8,000 third-party apps available in the Shopify app store. The apps help you to manage tasks such as shipping, inventory management, marketing and so much more.
Shopify offers many options so you need to make a wise decision as per your needs and requirements.

Shopify plus
Shopify Plus provides access to premium apps directly within the platform, along with special features tailored to meet the demands of large enterprises. Here’s an overview of some key Shopify Plus tools:

Launchpad: This tool helps you prevent last-minute changes during busy periods or special events. It allows you to plan and schedule theme modifications and price changes ahead of time. To use this, you need to simply create a launch, choose time and date, and then sit back and let Launchpad handle the rest.

Shopify Flow: This powerful automation feature aids in simplifying tedious operations in your store. For instance, you can configure discount codes in automated mailings for abandoned carts. Simply create a workflow by setting a trigger (e.g., a customer leaves items in their cart), applying a condition (e.g., cart value is over $50), and defining the action (e.g., send a discount code via email).

Shopify Scripts: This feature allows the application of unique scripts throughout the checkout procedure. Users can write scripts to tailor aspects like line items, shipping options, and payment methods. However, this requires a working knowledge of JavaScript and an understanding of Shopify’s API for proper implementation.

Support:

Shopify
Shopify services provides 24/7 chat assistance to help users at any time. Additionally, it provides access to a carefully chosen collection of useful materials via the Shopify Help Centre, which consists of webinars, tutorials, and articles. Moreover, the Shopify Community provides a platform for users to connect, share ideas, and discuss solutions with fellow Shopify store owners.

Shopify plus
With priority phone assistance available around-the-clock and faster response times, Shopify Plus offers an improved support experience. Through the Merchant Success Program, you will also be assigned a dedicated account manager who will provide you with timely support for any technical issues. Shopify Plus also grants you complete access to the Shopify Academy. It allows you to browse extensive educational materials to assist with the expansion of your company.

Ability To Scale:
Shopify
Shopify offers small and medium-sized businesses a great platform that fosters long-term, consistent growth. However, as businesses continue to expand, the platform’s scalability might show limitations. For example, Shopify's basic plans might not be able to efficiently manage large spikes in traffic or large order quantities.

Shopify plus
Shopify Plus is tailored for businesses experiencing rapid growth, providing exceptional scalability to manage increased traffic and sales. It's an excellent choice for large enterprises. Some of the key features that make Shopify Plus highly scalable include:

Unlimited staff accounts
Shopify POS Pro
Support for up to nine expansion stores

API Access And Integrations:

Shopify
Shopify's app store enables companies to connect with a variety of third-party products and services. However, using extra apps or technical know-how may be necessary to build up these integrations. Although there are limitations on API call limits, Shopify offers developers with API access to create custom integrations.

Shopify plus
Shopify Plus simplifies the setup process by integrating easily with key business tools like marketing automation platforms and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Moreover, it offers much higher API call limits than Shopify, enabling more advanced customization and the complex integrations required for large-scale businesses.

Headless Commerce:
Shopify
Shopify's core platform provides a few headless commerce options, primarily centred around basic integrations. Although it's possible to build custom storefronts, the process tends to be more complex and limited compared to what Shopify Plus offers.

Shopify plus
The primary goal of Shopify Plus's design is headless commerce. It has a powerful Shopfront API that lets developers design extremely flexible front-end experiences. Furthermore, Shopify Plus simplifies the process of creating customised online businesses by offering development tools like Hydrogen and Oxygen. With an extensive array of integrations and customization possibilities, Shopify Plus is perfect for businesses seeking a sophisticated eCommerce platform.

Speed And Performance:
Shopify
High traffic levels can impact the performance of standard Shopify, leading to slower loading times and potential disruptions. This can negatively affect user experience and ultimately harm sales conversions.

Shopify plus
With a robust architecture and remarkable server uptime guarantees, Shopify Plus is committed to providing outstanding reliability and performance. This setup minimizes downtime, even during times of peak traffic.

Feature	Shopify	Shopify Plus
Price	Basic – $39 per month Shopify – $105 per month Advanced – $399 per month	Starts from $2,300 per month on a 3 year term
API access and integration	Over 8,000 third party app integrations and limitations on API call limits	Access to premium apps directly within the platform
Headless commerce	Provides a few headless commerce options, primarily centred around basic integrations	Offers development options like Hydrogen and Oxygen
Speed and performance	High traffic levels can impact the performance	Minimizes downtime, even during times of peak traffic
Ability to scale	Fosters long-term, consistent growth	Provides exceptional scalability to manage increased traffic and sales
Support	24/7 chat assistance	Available around-the-clock and faster response times

Advantages Of Using Shopify Plus
Shopify Plus offers a range of compelling benefits tailored to meet the needs of growing enterprises.

Full Theme Customization: Shopify Plus allows for extensive theme customization, enabling businesses to create a unique and engaging shopping experience.
Unlimited Staff Accounts: With Shopify Plus, enterprises can create an unlimited number of staff accounts, making it easier to manage operations as the team grows
Enhanced Control Over the Checkout Experience: Merchants can customize every aspect of the checkout experience, from branding to payment options.
Robust API Integrations: Shopify Plus offers extensive API integrations, allowing businesses to connect their store with various third-party applications and services.
In-Depth Analytics: Shopify Plus provides comprehensive analytics and reporting tools that offer deep insights into customer behavior, sales performance, and overall store performance.

Cost Of Using Shopify Plus And Is It Worth It?
It's no secret that Shopify Plus is far more expensive than basic or advanced Shopify plans. Companies should anticipate a minimum monthly fee of around $2,000 to cover setup and integrations.
And now let’s talk about the elephant in the room - Is Shopify plus worth the investment?
Well, it depends.

It is worth it if:	It is not worth it if:
You have an enterprise-level company	You are a small company or a start up
You are operating in multiple locations	You are a small ecommerce company
You require specific support or functionality	Where less than 8 members are taking care of your business

Frequently Asked Questions

What versions of Shopify are available?
Shopify offers two primary versions: Shopify and Shopify Plus. Within these versions, there are five distinct plans: Starter, Basic, Shopify, and Advanced.

What is a Shopify Plus account?

A Shopify Plus account is designed for enterprise-level companies and businesses with unique requirements. It provides a comprehensive set of advanced features and dedicated support, all at a higher price point compared to the other Shopify plans.

When was Shopify Plus launched?
Shopify Plus was launched in 2014.

Author

Chandni Bhavsar

Chandni, a skilled project manager, brings the perfect blend of creativity and technical know-how to Shopify stores. Her approach to ecommerce stores is all about making the user experience feel like a breeze. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she not only manages projects smoothly but also loves educating others on the latest Shopify trends, helping them keep their stores vibrant and competitive.