How Much Does Shopify Take Per Sale? Fees Explained Clearly

How much does Shopify take per sale is one of the most important questions every entrepreneur asks before launching or scaling an online store. Understanding Shopify’s fees, transaction costs, and hidden charges can help you protect your profit margins and make smarter business decisions—especially if you’re aiming for long-term growth.

In this guide, we’ll break down every cost associated with selling on Shopify, explain how fees vary by plan and payment method, and show you how to reduce unnecessary expenses. You’ll also learn how VConekt, a trusted digital marketing and eCommerce growth agency, helps Shopify store owners maximize revenue while minimizing costs.

Understanding Shopify’s Pricing Model

Before diving deeper into how much does Shopify take per sale, it’s essential to understand that Shopify does not charge a flat per-sale fee. Instead, costs depend on:

Your Shopify subscription plan
The payment gateway you use
Credit card processing fees
Additional apps or third-party tools

Shopify’s pricing structure is transparent, but many beginners overlook how quickly small fees add up.

Shopify Subscription Plans Explained

Shopify offers multiple plans tailored to different business sizes. Each plan affects transaction fees and overall costs.

Shopify Basic Plan

Monthly cost: ~$39
Best for: New and small businesses

Shopify Plan

Monthly cost: ~$105
Best for: Growing online stores

Advanced Shopify Plan

Monthly cost: ~$399
Best for: High-volume businesses

Your plan directly influences how much does Shopify take per sale, especially when it comes to transaction fees.

Transaction Fees: The Core Cost Per Sale

What Are Shopify Transaction Fees?

Transaction fees are charged when you use a third-party payment provider instead of Shopify Payments. These fees are in addition to credit card processing fees.

Typical transaction fees:

Basic: 2%
Shopify: 1%
Advanced: 0.5%

If you’re evaluating how much does Shopify take per sale, these percentages play a major role.

Shopify Payments vs Third-Party Gateways

Shopify Payments (Recommended)

Using Shopify Payments eliminates transaction fees entirely. You’ll only pay credit card processing fees, which vary by plan.

Approximate rates:

Online credit card: 2.4%–2.9% + $0.30

Third-Party Payment Gateways

Examples include PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.net. Shopify still charges its transaction fee on top of gateway processing fees.

This is where many store owners unknowingly lose profit.

Credit Card Processing Fees Explained

Even with Shopify Payments, credit card processing fees apply. These fees depend on:

Card type (Visa, Mastercard, AmEx)
Customer location
Plan level

While unavoidable, these fees are standard across most eCommerce platforms and not unique to Shopify.

How Much Does Shopify Take Per Sale on Each Plan?

Let’s break down how much does Shopify take per sale using a practical example.

Example: $100 Product Sale (Using Shopify Payments)

Basic Plan

Processing fee: ~2.9% + $0.30
Total fee: ~$3.20
You receive: ~$96.80

Shopify Plan

Processing fee: ~2.6% + $0.30
You receive: ~$97.10

Advanced Plan

Processing fee: ~2.4% + $0.30
You receive: ~$97.30

The higher the plan, the more you save per transaction.

How Much Does Shopify Take Per Sale with PayPal?

When using PayPal:

PayPal fee: ~2.9% + $0.30
Shopify transaction fee (if not using Shopify Payments): up to 2%

This significantly increases how much does Shopify take per sale, especially for small-margin products.

Additional Costs That Affect Your Profit

Shopify Apps and Plugins

Many essential features require paid apps, such as:

Email marketing tools
Upsell and cross-sell apps
Advanced analytics

Monthly app costs can range from $10 to $200+.

Themes and Design

Free themes are available, but premium themes cost $150–$350 (one-time). A professionally designed store often converts better.

Shipping and Tax Fees

Shopify doesn’t charge extra for taxes or shipping, but:

Shipping labels may include carrier fees
Third-party logistics services add costs

While not direct Shopify fees, they influence overall profitability.

Hidden Costs Most Store Owners Miss

When calculating how much does Shopify take per sale, many overlook:

Currency conversion fees (1.5%–2%)
Chargeback fees (~$15 per dispute)
Refund processing fees

These small expenses can add up over time.

How to Reduce Shopify Fees Legally

Here are proven strategies to keep more of your revenue:

Use Shopify Payments whenever possible
Upgrade plans as sales volume increases
Optimize pricing to absorb transaction costs
Reduce refunds with better product descriptions
Work with experts like VConekt for store optimization

Why Shopify Is Still Worth the Cost

Despite the fees, Shopify offers:

High security and reliability
Scalable infrastructure
Built-in SEO and marketing tools
Excellent app ecosystem

When managed properly, Shopify fees are a worthwhile investment.

How VConekt Helps Reduce Shopify Selling Costs

At VConekt, we specialize in helping Shopify store owners grow smarter—not just bigger.

Our services include:

Shopify SEO optimization
Conversion rate optimization (CRO)
Pricing and funnel strategy
Paid ads with profit-focused ROAS
Technical Shopify audits

By improving conversions and average order value, we offset how much does Shopify take per sale and significantly increase net profit.

Shopify vs Other eCommerce Platforms

Compared to WooCommerce, Wix, or BigCommerce:

Shopify offers better scalability
Fees are more predictable
Less technical maintenance

For most businesses, Shopify remains the most balanced option.

Is Shopify Expensive for Beginners?

For new sellers, costs may feel high initially. However:

Lower plans are manageable
Fees scale with growth
Revenue potential outweighs expenses

With the right strategy, Shopify becomes profitable quickly.

Final Verdict

So, how much does Shopify take per sale? The answer depends on your plan, payment method, and optimization strategy. On average, expect Shopify-related costs between 2.4% and 5% per transaction.

The key is not avoiding fees—but managing them intelligently.

With expert guidance from VConekt, you can build a high-converting Shopify store that keeps costs low and profits high.

Want to Maximize Shopify Profits?

If you’re serious about scaling your Shopify store while controlling fees, VConekt is here to help. Our proven eCommerce growth strategies ensure you earn more from every sale—without unnecessary expenses.

Get in touch with VConekt today and turn your Shopify store into a profit engine.

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