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Trying to decide between Shopify vs Shopify Plus?
If you’re an eCommerce brand reading this article, chances are you already use Shopify and want to know – should you upgrade to Shopify Plus?
Or maybe you’re completely new to eCommerce and want to dive into the world of Shopify but don’t know the difference between the two?
Whether you’re a beginner looking to dip your toes into the eCommerce waters or an established player seeking an upgrade, you’ve come to the right place!
Shopify vs Shopify Plus – which is the best choice for you?
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Quick Summary
- Shopify and Shopify Plus are built on the same platform (Shopify) and have the same technology, interface, core features, and themes.
- Shopify plans are ideal for small-mid-size businesses, whereas Shopify Plus plans are geared toward larger enterprises that require more functionality and support.
- Shopify Plus is considerably more expensive than Shopify and offers more features, support, lower fees, and B2B capabilities.
Shopify vs Shopify Plus 2024
Shopify has long been the go-to eCommerce solution for millions of businesses worldwide, delivering an intuitive platform capable of building impressive online stores.
Most online stores will initially find the default Shopify pricing plans perfect.
However, as your business grows, so do the demands! This is when teams will think about upgrading to Shopify Plus.
So, how do you know when to upgrade to a Shopify plan? And is it worth it to upgrade?
Let’s find out.
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What Are They? Shopify vs Shopify Plus
Shopify offers everything you need to launch and manage your online store quickly and effectively.
With Shopify, you can set up your very own online store to sell unlimited products, track and manage your orders and customer behaviors, apply discount codes, and more.
Plus, simply access Shopify’s POS tools and multilingual and multicurrency features to take your online store to the next level.
Shopify Plus is a scalable, flexible, and customizable enterprise-level solution that elevates business owners’ website and online store capabilities.
With Shopify Plus, enjoy unprecedented control over every aspect of your brand, laying the foundation for enhanced customer engagement, brand loyalty, and growth.
Read more: Magento vs Shopify.
What Are The Differences Between Shopify vs Shopify Plus?
Although Shopify and Shopify Plus are built on the same platform and have the same themes, interface, and core features, there are three key differences:
- Target audience: Shopify caters to small to medium-sized businesses, while Shopify Plus targets high-volume enterprise-level businesses requiring more scalability and customization.
- Pricing: The price of Shopify Plus is tailored to specific business needs, while Shopify’s plans come at different price points.
- Features: Shopify Plus provides additional features, and members receive dedicated support and priority access to new features and updates.
So, with that said, let’s dive a little deeper into both platforms.
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Ease Of Use
Shopify is renowned for being beginner-friendly, no matter which regular Shopify plan you choose.
However, customizing themes can be a daunting task for non-tech-savvy users and may require the assistance of an expert.
On the other hand, Shopify Plus offers the same intuitive and user-friendly experience as Shopify.
And even though Shopify Plus’s features may be more advanced than the regular Shopify plans, the personalized support sets it apart!
From store setup to selling products, you’ll have guidance and assistance every step of the way with your very own dedicated account manager!
This is a huge benefit of Shopify Plus! Whether it’s common issues or technical challenges, they ensure you receive around-the-clock help.
Shopify Plus takes the lead for its personalized solutions throughout your selling journey. In saying this, Shopify is still a top-notch choice for all users.
Winner = Shopify Plus.
Read more: Weebly vs Shopify.
Pricing
Shopify:
- Basic: $29 per month.
- Shopify: $65 per month.
- Advanced: $399 per month.
Shopify Plus:
The pricing structure within Shopify Plus is a bit more complex than Shopify’s regular plans.
Every business will pay $2000 as a standard set-up fee, and additionally, you’ll need to pay a variable fee based on your monthly sales.
If you opt to use Shopify Plus, you’ll need to contact the Shopify Plus team to discuss specific costs.
Both Shopify and Shopify Plus also charge a transaction fee per sale (unless you use Shopify’s built-in payment system).
Winner = Shopify
Read more: ClickFunnels vs Shopify.
Design and Themes
Shopify offers over 170 free and paid professional themes ranging between $0 and $180 per theme.
All of the themes provided by Shopify are mobile-responsive and offer advanced design and customization options.
On the other hand, Shopify Plus offers the same number of themes.
But Shopify Plus takes customization to a new level with the Shopify Liquid editor, a special template design language created by Shopify itself.
You also have the option to leave the customization to your personal account manager, which is a level of service not available with regular Shopify plans.
Winner = Shopify Plus.
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Shopify vs Shopify Plus Key Features
Both Shopify and Shopify Plus offer a wide range of exceptional eCommerce features to support the growth and scalability of your online store.
So, let’s explore what each has to offer!
Shopify Key Features
Shopify’s range of professional themes, customizations, and branding features help simplify the process of creating a storefront.
Their dynamic shopping cart and store management options include abandoned checkout recovery, refunds, automatic carrier shipping rates, and customer profiles.
And with marketing and SEO tools such as Google Ads credits, discounts, analytics, and mobile app possibilities, Shopify ensures a comprehensive business platform.
All plans come with multi-currency and multi-channel selling capabilities on Amazon, eBay, and social media channels so you can expand your customer base to a global audience.
The Shopify POS app is free with the Shopify and Advanced plans, while the Basic plan requires an additional monthly payment of $29.
It’s important to note that specific features may vary depending on the chosen Shopify plan, with more advanced capabilities being available with higher-tier plans.
Read more: Google Analytics Integration For Shopify.
Shopify Plus Key Features
Shopify Plus offers everything mentioned above, plus additional resources to support you with higher revenue and sales.
Advanced marketing, conversion, and logistics apps (designed for high-growth businesses) are accessible, along with additional API calls for integration with custom apps.
These include the Launchpad (inventory management), Shopify Flow (workflow automation), Bulk Account Inviter (customer invitations), and the Script Editor (personalized shopping experiences).
Additionally, you can leverage the Merchant Success Program, the Shopify Plus Partner Program, Shopify POS Pro, and access the Shopify Plus Community on Facebook.
Other features and benefits include:
- Unlimited staff accounts for streamlined teamwork.
- 200TB of storage (with unlimited bandwidth) to handle high traffic.
- The Wholesale Channel for separate password-protected storefronts.
- Highly customizable checkout page options.
Shopify Plus ensures a comprehensive solution for scaling businesses and is the sure winner regarding features!
Winner = Shopify Plus.
Read more: Shopify vs Etsy.
Shopify vs Shopify Plus Customer Support
Compared to other eCommerce platforms, Shopify’s support stands out from the competition.
Whether facing technical or common issues, you can simply contact Shopify’s support staff via live chat, emails, and phone calls.
In addition, Shopify provides community forums and comprehensive documents to help you find the answers to your frequently asked questions!
On the other hand, Shopify Plus is tailored explicitly for industry-level businesses; therefore, it’s no surprise that a higher level of support is required.
With premium support, a dedicated account manager, and a merchant success manager to guide you through your selling journey, Shopify Plus is with you every step of the way!
Winner = Shopify Plus.
Read more: Is It Better To Use Shopify or Wix?
Shopify vs Shopify Plus Who Are They Best For?
It’s no secret that I believe Shopify is one of the best premium eCommerce platforms for all business types and sizes.
So, which one do you pick? Shopify or the feature-rich Shopify Plus?
Well, Shopify’s core plans are absolutely the way to go for new startups or small-mid-size businesses because of their versatile (without being overwhelming) features and interface.
Small teams will benefit from the affordable pricing plans, easy setup options, and simple yet extensive management options for your products, inventory, and orders.
Additionally, entrepreneurs and solopreneurs will appreciate the intuitive DIY setup for independent store management.
Although Shopify isn’t free, I believe it’s worth the investment for small businesses serious about growing their business and brand from the ground up!
On the other hand, Shopify Plus caters to more advanced and complex business requirements and is specifically designed for high-volume organizations.
Teams with large catalogs will benefit from Shopify Plus’s optimization and capabilities in managing thousands of SKUs and cross-border trade.
Shopify Plus is the right choice for multi-location retailers or companies anticipating rapid growth, with its scalability and ability to support expansion over time.
Stews Final Thoughts
With over 20% of all eCommerce sites on the Internet now using Shopify, it’s safe to say that it’s an excellent choice for (most) businesses!
In my opinion, Shopify is a suitable choice for small businesses and larger brands.
And don’t get me wrong – I understand that as your business grows, you might need to upgrade your Shopify plan.
But, transitioning to Shopify Plus is a significant step.
Unlike a standard Shopify plan, Shopify Plus is not simply a ‘higher-tier’ option but a platform specifically designed for enterprise teams and their needs.
In other words, if your business isn’t generating millions of dollars in annual revenue, I recommend sticking with a traditional Shopify plan until you reach that level of success!
I hope you’ve found this Shopify vs Shopify Plus article helpful.
Let me know what you think below!
