How Much Does Shopify Take From Each Sale? Fees Explained

Shopify charges fees on each sale you make. The two main types of fees are payment processing fees (charged when you accept payments) and transaction fees (charged if you use a payment provider other than Shopify Payments). The exact amount Shopify takes from each sale depends on your Shopify plan and the payment method customers use.

Understanding these fees helps you calculate your true profit and choose the best plan for your business.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Identify Your Shopify Plan

   • Shopify offers several plans: Basic, Shopify, Advanced, and Plus. Each has different fee structures.

2. Check Payment Processing Fees

   • If you use Shopify Payments (Shopify's built-in payment processor):
     • Basic Shopify: 2.9% + 30¢ per online transaction
     • Shopify: 2.6% + 30¢ per online transaction
     • Advanced Shopify: 2.4% + 30¢ per online transaction
   • In-person (POS) rates are lower and vary by plan.

3. Understand Transaction Fees

   • If you use a third-party payment gateway (like PayPal or Stripe), Shopify adds an extra fee:
     • Basic Shopify: 2.0% per transaction
     • Shopify: 1.0% per transaction
     • Advanced Shopify: 0.5% per transaction
   • These are on top of the payment processor's own fees.
   • No transaction fee if you use Shopify Payments.

4. Calculate Total Fees Per Sale

   • If using Shopify Payments: Only the payment processing fee applies.
   • If using a third-party provider: Add both the transaction fee and the payment processor's fee.

5. Check for Additional Fees

   • Some payment types (like international cards or currency conversions) may have extra charges. Review Shopify's official pricing page for details.

Example Calculation

• Selling a $100 item on the Basic Shopify plan using Shopify Payments:
  • 2.9% of $100 = $2.90
  • Plus 30¢ = $3.20 total fee
• Using PayPal instead:
  • Shopify's 2% fee = $2.00
  • PayPal's fee (typically 2.9% + 30¢) = $3.20
  • Total = $5.20 fee on a $100 sale

Before You Start

• Review your current Shopify plan so you know which fees apply.
• Make sure you're aware of your payment provider's own fees if not using Shopify Payments.
• Consider the impact of fees on your pricing and profit margins.

Alternatives to This Action

• To minimize fees, consider switching to Shopify Payments if available in your country, as it removes the extra transaction fee.
• Upgrading your Shopify plan can reduce your payment processing and transaction fees if your sales volume justifies it.

FAQs

Q: Does Shopify take a percentage of every sale?

Yes, Shopify charges a payment processing fee on every sale. If you use a third-party payment provider, an additional transaction fee applies. The rates depend on your Shopify plan.

Q: How can I reduce Shopify fees?

You can reduce fees by using Shopify Payments and, if your sales volume increases, by upgrading your Shopify plan. This lowers both payment processing and transaction fees.

Q: Are there any hidden fees on Shopify?

Shopify's main fees are transparent: monthly subscription, payment processing, and possible transaction fees. However, third-party apps or payment gateways may have their own charges.

Q: What happens if I use PayPal on Shopify?

If you use PayPal, you'll pay both Shopify's transaction fee (unless you use Shopify Payments) and PayPal's own payment processing fee. These fees are deducted per sale.