Shopify Standard vs. Shopify Plus: Which Plan Is Right for Your Business?

We're excited to welcome Creative971, the leading official Shopify Plus Agency partner for the GCC based in Dubai, UAE, to share their insights. In this guest post, they’ll break down the key differences between Shopify Standard and Shopify Plus, helping our merchants make more informed decisions.

Guest Post By Creative971

Shopify is the global leader when it comes to eCommerce Platforms. It’s also the most trusted and popular option due to its SaaS solution, that helps retailers and other companies scaling their business.

A common question that we get asked at Creative971 is whether Shopify’s standard plan is enough, or if it's time to upgrade to Shopify Plus.

Both plans offer powerful tools for building and running an online store, but they’re designed for different business needs.

What are the Shopify Standard Plans?

Shopify Standard refers to the regular Shopify plans that include Basic, Shopify (Standard), and Advanced packages. These are designed for small to medium-sized businesses and provide a broad range of features to set up, run, and grow your online store.

Key Features of Shopify Standard:

• Plans: Basic, Shopify, Advanced.
• Best Checkout: Shopify’s checkout converts 15% better than other platforms.
• App Store: Access 1,800+ third-party apps for marketing, SEO, inventory, and more.
• Mobile-Friendly: Fully responsive for mobile devices.

What is Shopify Plus?

Shopify Plus is the enterprise-level version of Shopify, built for fast-growing businesses or those with more complex needs. It offers advanced features, greater scalability, and more customization options for companies ready to take their eCommerce store to the next level.

Key Features of Shopify Plus:

• Dedicated Support: Access to a dedicated Merchant Success Manager and Priority Support ensures help is always available.
• Checkout Customization: Full flexibility to customize the checkout process.
• Scalability: Handles high traffic and transaction volumes without slowing down, perfect for fast-growing businesses.
• Advanced API Access: Seamless integration with external systems like ERPs, CRMs, and inventory management platforms.
• Automation (Shopify Flow): Automate tasks like customer segmentation, fraud detection, and restocking to boost efficiency.
• Wholesale Channel: Run a separate, password-protected storefront for B2B sales alongside B2C, simplifying bulk orders.

Key Differences Between Shopify Standard and Shopify Plus

1. Pricing 

When it comes to pricing, the cost difference between Shopify Standard and Shopify Plus reflects the varying needs of small businesses versus large enterprises.

• Shopify Standard: Plans range from $32/month (Basic) to $399/month (Advanced), offering options for small to medium-sized businesses.
• Shopify Plus: Starts at $2,300/month, with pricing tailored to the size and needs of larger businesses.

2. Checkout Experience 

The checkout process is crucial, especially for international markets.

• Shopify Standard: Limits you to the default checkout flow, which works well for most but offers minimal customization. While you can sell in multiple currencies, the experience may not feel fully localized.
• Shopify Plus: Lets you fully customize the checkout, from layout to payment gateways, with advanced multi-currency features like automatic currency conversion and localized pricing. It also supports region-specific shipping, taxes, and language content, offering a more seamless experience for global customers.

For businesses with international reach, Shopify Plus provides a more tailored and optimized checkout experience.

3. Support 

Support is a key differentiator between Shopify Standard and Shopify Plus, especially for businesses needing more personalized assistance.

• Shopify Standard: Offers 24/7 support via phone, email, and chat, covering the essential customer service needs.
• Shopify Plus: Includes priority support along with a dedicated Merchant Success Manager, providing hands-on guidance to optimize your store and operations.

4. Transaction Fees  

Transaction fees can significantly affect profitability, especially for businesses with high sales volumes.

• Shopify Standard: Comes with standard transaction fees, which can add up for growing businesses.
• Shopify Plus: Offers reduced transaction fees, providing substantial savings for high-volume businesses and making it a more cost-effective solution for large-scale operations.

5. Wholesale Channel  

For businesses managing B2B operations, the wholesale channel is a key feature.

• Shopify Standard: B2B functionality can be added through third-party apps but lacks full integration.
• Shopify Plus: Includes a built-in wholesale channel with a separate, password-protected storefront, simplifying bulk orders and pricing for a seamless B2B experience.

6. Customization 

With Shopify Standard, you can customize your store using themes, apps, and integrations, but core functionality is limited to pre-built features and third-party tools.

Shopify Plus offers much more flexibility:

• Script Editor: Customize checkout with dynamic pricing, discounts, and shipping options.
• API Access: Handle more API calls for real-time updates on stock, orders, and inventory.
• Launchpad: Automate events like flash sales and product launches.

If you need advanced features or deeper customization, Shopify Plus gives you the tools for a fully tailored experience.

7. Analytics and Reporting

Data is key to optimizing your eCommerce strategy, and both plans offer solid analytics tools.

• Shopify Standard Provides detailed reports on customer behavior, traffic, and sales, covering the basics for most businesses.
• Shopify Plus Adds advanced features like custom reports and third-party analytics integration. You can also pull more detailed data via Shopify's API, ideal for data-driven decision-making.

For businesses that need deeper insights, Shopify Plus offers more powerful reporting options.

Conclusion

You can start with Shopify Standard, and scale with Shopify Plus.

Choosing between Shopify Standard and Shopify Plus ultimately depends on the size, growth, and specific needs of your business.

Shopify Standard is a fantastic option for small to medium-sized businesses with straightforward requirements. However, as your business scales and your needs become more complex, Shopify Plus offers the advanced features, support, and customization options necessary to take your online store to the next level.

Whether you opt for Shopify Standard or Shopify Plus, both platforms are highly capable of delivering an exceptional eCommerce experience. The decision hinges on your business goals, budget, and the technical needs of your store.

Creative971 is an official Shopify Plus Agency partner located in Dubai, UAE.

Tap Payments experts are on standby to guide you through our Shopify plugins and help you start accepting online payments in MENA. Reach out anytime via the live chat on our website for immediate support.