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$21.99 (as of March 11, 2026 04:11 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Starting an online store sounds simple until you realize the platform you picked might cost more than you budgeted for. If you’re asking whether Shopify is free to use, the short answer is no — but the full picture is worth understanding before you commit.
This guide breaks down every Shopify plan, hidden fees to watch for, and how to make the most of the free trial so you can decide with confidence.
Summary
- Shopify is not free, but it offers a 3-day free trial (extended to $1/month for the first three months during promotional periods)
- Plans range from $5/month (Starter) to $2,000+/month (Shopify Plus)
- Transaction fees, app costs, domain registration, and themes add to your total monthly spend
- There is no permanent free Shopify plan, but low-cost entry points exist
- Selling on Shopify is free only during the trial period; after that, a paid plan is required
- Competitors like WooCommerce and Big Cartel do offer free tiers worth comparing
Is Shopify Free to Use?
Shopify is not free to use on an ongoing basis. It operates on a subscription model, meaning you pay a monthly fee to keep your store live and selling.
That said, Shopify does offer a free trial so you can explore the platform before spending anything. As of 2024, Shopify’s standard trial is 3 days. After that, new merchants often see a promotional rate of $1/month for the first three months before the full plan price kicks in.
Read More: If I Close My Shopify Store Will I Still Be Charged
What the Free Trial Actually Includes
During the trial, you can build your storefront, add products, configure payment settings, and explore the admin dashboard. You cannot process live transactions until you select a paid plan.
The trial is a genuine sandbox — it gives you enough access to evaluate whether Shopify fits your workflow before any billing begins.
Is There a Free Shopify Plan?
No, there is no permanent free Shopify plan. Once the trial ends, you must upgrade to a paid subscription to keep your store online. If you don’t choose a plan, your store goes into a paused state and customers can’t access it.
This is a common point of confusion. Many new merchants search for a free Shopify plan expecting an indefinite option. Shopify does not offer that — unlike competitors such as Big Cartel, which provides a free tier for stores with five or fewer products.
Shopify Pricing Plans: Full Breakdown
Shopify offers five main plans. Here’s what each one costs and who it’s designed for.
| Plan | Monthly Price (billed monthly) | Best For |
| Starter | $5 | Social media and link-in-bio selling |
| Basic | $39 | New stores with low sales volume |
| Shopify | $105 | Growing stores needing more staff accounts |
| Advanced | $399 | High-volume stores needing advanced reporting |
| Shopify Plus | From $2,000 | Enterprise-level merchants |
Note: Annual billing reduces these prices by approximately 25%.
Starter Plan ($5/Month)
The Starter plan is the cheapest paid option. It does not give you a full online storefront. Instead, it lets you sell through social media, messaging apps, or a simple product link page. There’s no standalone Shopify website included.
This plan suits creators and side-hustlers who already have an audience on Instagram, TikTok, or WhatsApp and just need a checkout link.
Basic Plan ($39/Month)
The Basic plan is the entry point for a full Shopify store. It includes an online storefront, unlimited product listings, two staff accounts, and basic sales reports.
Online credit card rates sit at 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction. If you use a third-party payment processor instead of Shopify Payments, an additional 2% fee applies per sale.
Shopify Plan ($105/Month)
This mid-tier plan drops transaction fees for third-party gateways to 1% and lowers credit card rates to 2.6% + 30¢. It adds five staff accounts and professional reporting, making it the right upgrade once your monthly revenue starts scaling past a few thousand dollars.
Advanced Plan ($399/Month)
The Advanced plan is built for stores processing significant volume. Credit card rates drop to 2.4% + 30¢, and third-party gateway fees fall to 0.5%. You also get an advanced report builder and real-time shipping rate calculations from third-party carriers.
Shopify Plus (From $2,000/Month)
Shopify Plus is an enterprise solution. It includes dedicated account management, customizable checkout logic, advanced automation, and multi-store capabilities. Pricing is negotiated directly with Shopify and varies based on business size and requirements.
Read Also How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Shopify Expert
The Real Cost of Selling on Shopify
Is selling on Shopify free? Only during the trial. After that, your actual monthly cost is a combination of your plan fee plus several variable costs most beginners overlook.
Transaction and Payment Processing Fees
Every sale you make carries a payment processing fee. If you use Shopify Payments (Shopify’s built-in processor), you only pay the card rate. If you use a third-party processor like PayPal or Stripe, Shopify adds an extra fee on top of the processor’s own cut.
| Plan | Shopify Payments Rate | Third-Party Fee |
| Basic | 2.9% + 30¢ | +2.0% |
| Shopify | 2.6% + 30¢ | +1.0% |
| Advanced | 2.4% + 30¢ | +0.5% |
Read Also TRUST BADGES SHOPIFY
Domain and Hosting Costs
Shopify hosting is included in your plan. However, a custom domain (e.g., yourstore.com) costs around $14–$20 per year through Shopify’s domain service, or you can purchase one from a third-party registrar like Namecheap and connect it for free.
If you skip a custom domain, your store URL defaults to a yourstore.myshopify.com subdomain — functional but not ideal for branding.
App and Theme Costs
Shopify’s free themes are well-designed and functional. Premium themes range from $150–$400 as a one-time purchase. Apps are where costs can escalate quietly — the Shopify App Store has thousands of tools for email marketing, subscriptions, reviews, and SEO, many of which charge $10–$100+ per month each.
| Cost Category | Estimated Range |
| Domain name | $14–$20/year |
| Premium theme | $150–$400 (one-time) |
| Essential apps (average) | $30–$150/month |
| Email marketing app | $10–$50/month |
A realistic monthly budget for a new Shopify store on the Basic plan — including apps and a domain — often lands between $70–$150/month.
Hidden Costs to Watch
Currency conversion fees hit international sellers who process payments in multiple currencies. Chargeback fees apply when a customer disputes a transaction. Staff account limits on lower plans can force you to upgrade sooner than expected if your team grows.
Now that we’ve covered the full cost picture, let’s look at how Shopify compares to alternatives with genuinely free options.
Free Alternatives to Shopify Worth Knowing
If you’re looking for a free Shopify plan and can’t find one, you may want to compare platforms that do offer free tiers before committing.
| Platform | Free Plan? | Limitations |
| Big Cartel | Yes | Max 5 products |
| WooCommerce | Yes (plugin) | Requires WordPress hosting (~$5–$15/month) |
| Square Online | Yes | Square branding, limited customization |
| Wix | Yes (trial) | Wix ads shown on store |
| Ecwid | Yes | Max 5 products, limited features |
WooCommerce is the most robust free option, but “free” refers to the plugin only. You still need to pay for web hosting, a domain, and potentially a premium theme. The total cost often approaches Shopify’s Basic plan once all components are counted.
For sellers who want simplicity, reliability, and fast setup, Shopify’s low-cost entry plans are often worth the fee compared to patching together a free stack.
How to Use Shopify for Free (Legitimately)
There is no ongoing free Shopify plan, but you can extend your zero-cost window with a few legitimate approaches.
- Use the free trial strategically. The 3-day trial (plus $1/month promotional period) gives you roughly three to four months to set up, test, and validate your store before paying full price. Use that time to drive early sales so the platform pays for itself.
- Apply through Shopify Partners. If a Shopify Partner or development agency builds your store, they can access a development store that remains free indefinitely — but only for testing, not live selling.
- Look for promotional offers. Shopify regularly runs promotions (especially during Black Friday season) that extend the discounted entry period or bundle in credits for apps.
- Start on Starter. The $5/month Starter plan is technically the lowest-cost paid option. If you’re only selling through social media links and don’t need a full website, this keeps costs minimal while you validate product-market fit.
Key Takeaways
- Shopify is not free to use long-term — a paid plan is required after the trial ends
- No permanent free Shopify plan exists, though the Starter plan at $5/month is the lowest-cost entry
- Is selling on Shopify free? Only during the trial; after that, transaction fees and plan costs apply
- Your real monthly cost goes beyond the plan fee — factor in apps, domain, themes, and payment processing
- Free alternatives exist (Big Cartel, WooCommerce, Square Online), but each comes with product limits or added hosting overhead
Conclusion
Shopify is not free to use, but it is one of the most accessible paid platforms for building a serious online store. The free trial gives you enough time to validate your setup, and the $1/month promotional period keeps early costs low while you build momentum.
If you’re budgeting for a new store, plan for $70–$150/month on the Basic plan once apps and a domain are included. That’s a realistic number — and for most merchants, it’s a sound investment. To understand whether Shopify is the right fit for your business model and revenue goals, explore our guide on how profitable Shopify really is for new sellers or talk to our Shopify team to get a cost estimate for your specific setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shopify Free to Use?
No. Shopify requires a paid plan after the free trial. The trial lasts 3 days, often followed by a $1/month promotional period for new merchants. After that, plans start at $5/month (Starter) or $39/month for a full storefront.
Is There a Free Shopify Plan?
There is no permanent free Shopify plan. Shopify offers a time-limited trial but does not provide an ongoing free tier. Big Cartel and Ecwid are alternatives that offer limited free plans.
Is Selling on Shopify Free?
Selling on Shopify is free only during the trial period. Once you’re on a paid plan, each transaction carries a payment processing fee (2.4%–2.9% + 30¢ depending on plan), and third-party payment processors trigger an additional Shopify fee of 0.5%–2%.
What Does Shopify Actually Cost Per Month?
The Basic plan starts at $39/month. However, when you factor in a domain ($14–$20/year), essential apps ($30–$100/month), and payment processing fees, most new stores spend $70–$150/month in total.
Can You Use Shopify Without Paying?
You can use Shopify without paying during the 3-day free trial. After that, you need a paid plan to keep your store active and visible to customers. There is no way to run a live, selling Shopify store indefinitely for free.
How Do Shopify Transaction Fees Work?
Shopify charges a payment processing fee on every sale. If you use Shopify Payments, only the card rate applies (2.4%–2.9% + 30¢). Using a third-party processor like PayPal adds an extra 0.5%–2% fee on top of the processor’s own charges.
What Is the Cheapest Way to Start on Shopify?
The cheapest way is to use the free trial, then take advantage of the $1/month promotional period if available. If you only sell through social media, the $5/month Starter plan keeps costs minimal. Choosing annual billing on the Basic plan also cuts the monthly rate by roughly 25%.
Source: https://ecommerce.folio3.com/blog/is-shopify-free/
