Shopify review

Shopify is the platform we would recommend to most merchants opening or moving a store. Every plan includes unlimited hosting, a custom domain and an SSL certificate, so there is no server to manage. Shopify Payments handles cards with built-in fraud analysis, and the same admin runs a point of sale for markets or a shop counter. The app catalog is the deepest here, which matters when you need subscriptions, reviews, bundles or a specific shipping carrier. Grow adds up to 5 staff accounts and Advanced up to 15, with lower card rates as you move up. The main costs to watch are outside the plan price: using a payment provider other than Shopify Payments adds a 2% transaction fee, and paid apps add up. Checkout changes are limited until Plus. Basic starts at $29 per month on a yearly subscription, and a 3-day trial lets you set up the store before paying.

Who it is for

Most merchants launching a new store or moving an existing one who want the largest app and theme choice.

Price

Basic from $29 per month billed yearly; 3-day free trial, then a low intro price for the first 3 months.

On Shopify, plans start at $29 per month with an annual subscription and include website hosting, a free subdomain, and access to free website themes.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 6, 2026.

Key features

• Online store with hosting, custom domain and free SSL on every plan
• Shopify Payments with built-in fraud analysis
• Point of sale for in-person sales from the same admin
• Integrations with thousands of apps and APIs for custom apps
• Sidekick AI assistant and selling through AI chat channels

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Largest app ecosystem of any platform here
• Strength: One admin for online, in-person and marketplace sales
• Strength: Unlimited web hosting included on every plan
• Weakness: 2% third-party transaction fee unless you use Shopify Payments
• Weakness: Checkout customization is limited below Plus
• Weakness: Many stores add paid apps on top of the plan fee

Key facts

• Plans: Basic, Grow, Advanced, Plus
• Staff accounts: Up to 5 on Grow, up to 15 on Advanced
• Free trial: 3 days
• Third-party transaction fee: 2% without Shopify Payments

Where it ranks

Shopify is No. 1 in our Best Ecommerce Platforms verdict.