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Want to start an online store at a lower cost? The Shopify $1 for 3 months offer lets eligible new merchants build and test their stores with a 3-day free trial, followed by just $1/month for 3 months.
However, eligibility requirements, billing conditions, and additional fees may apply. In this guide, NextSky explains how to claim the offer, who qualifies, what happens after the promotion, and how to fix missing discounts.
Is Shopify still offering 3 months for $1 in 2026?
Yes. As of October 29, 2026, Shopify's official pricing page advertises 3 days free, followed by $1/month for 3 months. The promotion is designed to help eligible merchants get started with Shopify before paying standard subscription fees. Here's how the offer works:
|
Stage |
Duration |
Subscription cost |
|
Free trial |
First 3 days |
$0 |
|
Promotional period |
Following 3 months |
$1/month |
|
After promotion |
Ongoing |
Standard plan pricing |
|
Total promotional subscription cost |
3 promotional months |
$3 |
Note: This example assumes you qualify for the advertised offer and remain on an eligible promotional plan. Taxes, domains, paid apps, transaction fees, and other services are not included.
The free trial and promotional subscription are separate. Your trial starts when you create a Shopify account, and charges for a plan selected during the trial begin once it ends. Promotional pricing, eligible plans, and billing terms vary by account, location, and signup offer.
How to get shopify for $1 per month: Step-by-step guide
Claiming the Shopify $1 trial takes only a few steps. Here's how to start and verify your promotional pricing.
Step 1: Visit Shopify's official free-trial page
- Go to Shopify's free trial page.
- Enter your email address and select Start free trial.
- Shopify will guide you through creating an account and setting up your store.
- You don't need a special coupon code to access the promotion currently advertised on Shopify's public pricing page.
Tip: Avoid relying on outdated coupon websites. Start with Shopify's official website to check the current offer.

Step 2: Complete your Shopify account setup
After starting your trial, Shopify may ask several questions about your business. These can include:
- Whether you're starting a new business or already selling products.
- What type of products you plan to sell.
- Where you want to sell, such as online or in person.
- Where your business is located.
Some introductory questions may be skipped and completed later. Once your account is created, you can access the Shopify admin dashboard.
Remember: Your free trial starts when you sign up, even if you haven't added products or customized your store.

Step 3: Explore your Shopify dashboard
The Shopify admin is where you manage your online store. During your trial, you can begin preparing the essential parts of your business:
- Add products and product descriptions.
- Create collections.
- Customize your store's appearance.
- Configure shipping options.
- Explore available payment methods.
- Create important pages such as Contact, About Us, and shipping policies.
You can also explore Shopify themes to see which design best fits your products and brand. For beginners, it's usually better to start with a simple, functional store rather than spending the entire trial customizing minor design details.

Step 4: Select an eligible Shopify plan
When you're ready to launch your store, go to Settings → Plan in your Shopify admin or follow the plan-selection prompt.
Compare the available plans and choose one that fits your needs. Shopify Basic is a good starting point for most new merchants.
Before subscribing, confirm that the $1/month promotional price appears at checkout. If the standard price is shown, the offer may not apply to your store.

Step 5: Review billing details and activate your subscription
Complete the required billing information and review your order summary. Check these details carefully:
- The Shopify plan you've selected.
- Whether promotional pricing applies.
- The duration of the discount.
- Your billing cycle.
- The amount you will pay after the promotional period.
The available promotion and billing-cycle rules can differ by account. If you're considering annual billing or changing plans during the promotional period, review how those changes affect your discount. After confirming the correct terms, complete your subscription.
Your Shopify $1 promotional period is now ready to use, provided the discount was successfully applied to your account.
Who is eligible for the Shopify $1 offer?
Not every Shopify account is guaranteed to receive the same promotion. Shopify determines eligibility based on applicable terms, including account history, store location, and registration date.
- New Shopify users: The $1/month offer is primarily intended for new merchants. If you've used Shopify before, you may not qualify, even if you create another account.
- Stores in supported regions: Promotional pricing and eligibility vary by country. Check the offer available in your store's registered location.
- Eligible Shopify plans: The promotion may apply to Basic, Grow, and Advanced. Starter, Retail, and Plus are not automatically eligible.
- Promotional period and terms: Shopify may change or discontinue the offer. Free trials and promotional pricing are generally not extended.
How to check eligibility: Visit Shopify's official free trial page, create an account, and review the promotional price and next billing date before subscribing.
How much does Shopify cost after 3 months?
Once the Shopify $1/month promotion ends, your store will switch to the standard subscription price for your selected plan. Below is Shopify's US pricing with annual billing, updated in October 2026.
|
Shopify plan |
Monthly price (billed annually) |
Best for |
|
Basic |
$25 → $22 |
Individuals and new merchants |
|
Grow |
$65 → $58 |
Small business teams |
|
Advanced |
$399 → $359 |
Businesses needing advanced features |
Note: These prices represent monthly equivalents when billed annually, not month-to-month subscription rates. Actual costs may vary depending on your region, taxes, and subscription terms.
For beginners, Shopify Basic is often a suitable choice because of its affordable price and essential selling features. However, consider your total costs and subscription commitment before choosing annual billing.
Are there any additional costs?
Yes. Beyond the $3 subscription fee for the three-month promotional period, you may incur expenses for a custom domain, premium themes, apps, payment processing, and advertising.
To minimize costs, start with a free theme, Shopify's default domain, and free apps. Here's an example of the minimum subscription and setup costs for three months:
|
Expense |
Cost |
|
Shopify subscription |
$3 |
|
Free theme |
$0 |
|
Default Shopify domain |
$0 |
|
Free apps |
$0 |
|
Total |
$3 |
Assumes eligibility for the $1/month offer for all three months. It excludes taxes, payment processing fees, shipping, inventory, and other business expenses.
Why am I not getting the Shopify $1 offer?
If you don't see the $1/month promotion when signing up, it may be due to one of the following reasons.
- Your account is ineligible: Shopify may restrict promotions to certain users. Accounts that have previously used promotional offers are not guaranteed to qualify again.
- Your region is unsupported: The promotion may be unavailable or offered at a different price in your country.
- The promotion has changed: Shopify may modify or end promotional offers without making them available to every new account.
- Your selected plan is excluded: Some subscription plans may not qualify for promotional pricing.
If you believe your account is eligible but the offer still doesn't appear, contact Shopify Support for assistance. Avoid unofficial discount codes or third-party services promising to activate the promotion.
Can you cancel Shopify before the 3 months end?
Yes. You can review the store deactivation options in your subscription settings. Follow these steps:
- Log in to your Shopify Admin.
- Go to Settings > Plan.
- Review your current subscription.
- Select the store deactivation option, if available.
- Follow Shopify's instructions to confirm.
Before confirming, check when the cancellation takes effect and whether any outstanding charges remain. Remember that deactivating and pausing your store are different actions. Pausing your store may still involve recurring fees.
How to make the most of your first 90 days on Shopify
A low subscription cost is only valuable if you make meaningful progress during the promotional period. Instead of testing every eCommerce tool, focus on a few measurable goals.
Days 1 - 30: Build a functional online store
During the first 30 days, focus on creating a complete, user-friendly Shopify store that's ready to accept orders.
Create essential pages
Set up your homepage, product pages, collection pages, About Us page, Contact page, and policies covering shipping, returns, refunds, and privacy.
Set up your products
Each product should have a clear title, accurate pricing, helpful descriptions, and relevant images. Avoid copying generic manufacturer descriptions when you can provide more useful information to customers.
Choose the right theme
Select a mobile-friendly theme that makes products easy to find. Prioritize intuitive navigation, readability, clear product information, and a smooth checkout experience.
Implement basic SEO
Write descriptive page titles, organize collections logically, and ensure important pages are accessible through internal links. Add relevant image alt text where appropriate.
=> Month 1 goal: Launch a user-friendly store with a clearly organized product catalog.
Days 31 - 60: Attract relevant visitors
Once your store is running, start exploring how potential customers discover your products.
- Develop a manageable marketing plan.
- Publish product guides, answer customer questions, improve collection pages, and share helpful content on relevant channels.
- Monitor organic traffic and visitor behavior.
- Avoid evaluating your store based on traffic volume alone.
Pay attention to whether visitors engage with your products and whether your website meets their needs.
=> Month 2 goal: Identify which products and content attract meaningful customer interest.
Days 61 - 90: Evaluate and improve
During the final 30 days of the promotion, analyze your store's performance and identify improvements before Shopify's standard subscription fees take effect.
- Which products attract the most interest?
- Can customers easily find the information they need?
- Are your product pages clear and trustworthy?
- Is the mobile shopping experience smooth?
- What are your recurring operating costs?
- What should you improve before paying the standard subscription price?
If you've received orders, evaluate fulfillment, customer satisfaction, and actual operating costs. If sales remain low, identify what you've learned before increasing your marketing budget.
=> Month 3 goal: Make informed decisions about your store's future based on business performance rather than promotional pricing alone.