A Shopify store has two kinds of cost: recurring (platform plan, apps, payment fees, maintenance) and one-off (design, build, data migration, setup). The one-off build usually drives the total, and it varies widely with scope. Always ask for an itemized quote so you can compare like with like.
What goes into the cost of a Shopify store?
When businesses ask how much a Shopify store costs, they often mean the monthly subscription. That is real, but it is only one line. A realistic budget covers the platform, the design and build, the apps that add features, payment processing and the ongoing work of keeping the store healthy.
Shopify changes its plans and fees from time to time, so confirm current pricing on Shopify’s own pricing page before you finalize a budget.
Recurring costs
- Shopify plan: a monthly or annual subscription. Higher plans add features such as more staff accounts and better reporting.
- Apps: reviews, subscriptions, search, email and shipping tools often carry their own monthly fees. These add up quickly if every feature is an app.
- Payment processing: card fees apply to each order. Using a third-party gateway instead of Shopify Payments can add extra transaction fees.
- Domain and email: a yearly domain and, usually, business email.
- Maintenance and support: small fixes, app updates, theme changes and performance checks, either in-house or on a support plan.
One-off costs
- Theme and design: a free or paid theme, or a custom design that matches your brand.
- Development: theme customization, custom sections, integrations with accounting, inventory or shipping systems.
- Data migration: moving products, customers and orders from another platform, plus redirects to protect search rankings.
- Content and photography: product copy, images and policy pages.
- Setup: taxes, shipping zones, payment methods and email flows.
What makes a Shopify build cost more or less?
| Factor | Lower cost | Higher cost |
|---|---|---|
| Catalog size | Few products, simple variants | Thousands of SKUs, complex bundles |
| Design | Existing theme, light tweaks | Fully custom design |
| Integrations | Standard apps | ERP, custom APIs, B2B pricing |
| Migration | New store | Moving from another platform with SEO redirects |
| Markets | Canada only | Multi-currency, multiple languages |
Canadian costs to remember
Quotes and plan prices are often shown in USD, so check the currency. Add GST/HST/PST handling to your setup checklist, and confirm shipping rates for Canada Post and your chosen carriers. For selling across the border, see our guide to Shopify vs WooCommerce for Canadian businesses.
How to get a quote you can compare
- Write down your product count, must-have features and launch date.
- Ask each agency to itemize design, development, migration, apps and testing.
- Ask what is included after launch: support period, training and fixes.
- Check who owns the theme code and store accounts.
- Ask what is excluded, such as photography or paid apps.
A very low quote is not always a bargain. Missing redirects, no testing or paid apps left out can turn into larger costs after launch.
Ways to keep costs sensible
- Launch with the features you need now and add the rest in phases.
- Start from a well-built theme rather than a fully custom design if your brand allows it.
- Review apps regularly and remove ones you do not use.
Planning a store or a migration? Our Shopify development and migration team scopes in writing so you know what you are paying for. Tell us about your project.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a Shopify store in Canada?
You can start with a plan, a theme and basic setup at a modest cost. The total depends mostly on design, development and migration work, so scope it before budgeting.
Does Shopify charge in Canadian dollars?
Shopify offers plan billing in several currencies, and stores can sell in CAD. Check the currency shown on your plan and on any agency quote.
Are Shopify apps included in the plan?
No. Many apps have their own monthly fees. Review the total app cost when you compare plans and build quotes.
Do I need a developer to launch a Shopify store?
Not always. A simple store on a good theme can be set up without one. Custom design, integrations and migrations usually benefit from a developer.
Written by the Zrafted team. We are a Toronto-based Shopify Partner agency building ecommerce, AI automation and IT solutions for businesses worldwide.