Shopify Plus: Is It Worth the Upgrade for Your Business?

Shopify Plus is built for businesses ready to scale. If you're reaching the limits of your current plan and need more power, flexibility, and automation, it might be time to upgrade. But is it the right choice for you?

Nextsky will break down what Shopify Plus offers, how it compares to Shopify and Advanced Shopify, and whether it’s the best fit for your business. Let’s dive in!

What is Shopify Plus?

Shopify Plus is Shopify’s enterprise-level eCommerce platform, designed for high-growth brands and businesses with complex operational needs. Unlike standard Shopify plans, Shopify Plus provides greater customization, automation, and scalability, making it ideal for merchants handling large transaction volumes or expanding into global markets.

Launched in 2014, Shopify Plus competes with other enterprise solutions like Adobe Commerce (Magento), Salesforce Commerce Cloud, and BigCommerce Enterprise. The platform is cloud-based (SaaS), eliminating the need for self-hosted infrastructure, maintenance costs, or security concerns.

Shopify Plus is trusted by leading brands like Gymshark, Allbirds, Heinz, and Kylie Cosmetics, thanks to its customization flexibility, enterprise-grade support, and omnichannel commerce capabilities. It enables businesses to scale seamlessly while maintaining performance and brand identity.

How Much Does Shopify Plus Cost?

Shopify Plus pricing is flexible and varies based on your business’s revenue and transaction volume. Below are the key costs you need to consider:

1. Shopify Plus Subscription Fee

Shopify Plus pricing starts at $2,300 per month, making it a powerful choice for businesses generating up to $800,000 in monthly revenue. Depending on your contract terms—whether a 1-year or 3-year agreement—costs may range from $2,300 to $2,500 per month.

For businesses exceeding $800,000 in monthly revenue, Shopify applies a 0.25% transaction fee on additional sales. However, no matter how high your revenue climbs, the total fee is capped at $40,000 per month (or $480,000 per year)—ensuring predictable costs at scale.

2. Transaction Fees

• No additional fees if using Shopify Payments.
• 0.15% per transaction when using third-party payment gateways. Standard credit card processing fees apply (e.g., 2.15% + $0.30 per transaction).

3. Additional Costs

• Retail Stores (POS Pro): Free for up to 20 locations, then $89/month per additional location.
• Apps & Integrations: Many Shopify Plus merchants spend $500 - $1,000+ per month on third-party apps.
• Customization & Development: Costs vary depending on your store’s complexity.

=>> Read more:: Shopify pricing: Which plans are for you?

Shopify Plus Key Features

Scalability & High Performance

Shopify Plus is built for fast-growing businesses, capable of handling up to 11,000 transactions per minute per store without compromising performance.

The platform offers automatic load balancing and 99.99% uptime, ensuring smooth operations even during high-traffic flash sales. Merchants can scale their business with up to 10 expansion stores, support for 100 themes, and centralized management through the Shopify Organization Admin.

E-commerce Automation

Shopify Plus includes powerful automation tools to streamline operations:

• Shopify Flow: Automate order processing, inventory management, customer engagement, and more.
• Launchpad: Schedule and automate product launches, flash sales, and promotional campaigns.
• ShopifyQL Notebooks: Gain deep insights with advanced data analytics, helping businesses make informed decisions.

Omnichannel Selling with Shopify POS Pro

Shopify Plus provides free access to Shopify POS Pro for up to 20 locations, enabling seamless integration between online and in-store sales. Key features include:

• Real-time inventory sync to prevent overselling.
• Loyalty programs and in-store discounts to boost customer retention.
• Cross-channel order management, allowing customers to buy online and return in-store.

Powerful B2B Capabilities

Shopify Plus simplifies wholesale selling with specialized features:

• Custom product catalogs and pricing for B2B customers.
• Built-in quoting and bulk ordering tools.
• Flexible payment terms (Net 30/60/90) and payment methods.
• Company Profiles for managing orders at the organizational level rather than individual accounts.

Multi-Currency & Multi-Language Support with Shopify Markets

Expanding globally is effortless with Shopify Markets, offering:

• Support for up to 50 international markets.
• Localized pricing and automated tax calculations.
• Integration with local payment methods to improve conversion rates.
• Automated content translation for a better customer experience.

Advanced API Integrations

Shopify Plus provides exclusive APIs for seamless integration with ERP, CRM, and WMS systems, including:

• Gift Card API: Manage and track gift card usage.
• Multipass API: Enable single sign-on (SSO) between Shopify and external platforms.
• User API: Control staff and partner access permissions.
• Publishable API: Customize product visibility for different markets.

Unlimited Staff Accounts & Advanced Permissions

Shopify Plus offers unlimited staff accounts with robust access control:

• Granular permission settings to restrict access by role.
• Enhanced security with access limitations for sensitive data.
• Audit logs to track staff activities and store changes.

Customizable Checkout & Payment Options

With Shopify Scripts and Shopify Functions, businesses can:

• Customize shipping rates & tax calculations based on customer segments.
• Integrate advanced discount rules & automated promotions.
• Modify payment options dynamically based on specific conditions.

24/7 Priority Support

Shopify Plus merchants receive round-the-clock, priority support from Shopify’s dedicated team of experts. Unlike standard Shopify plans, which offer only basic support, Shopify Plus provides:

• 24/7 access via phone, email, and live chat, ensuring rapid response times.
• A dedicated Merchant Success Manager (MSM) to provide strategic guidance on store optimization, conversion rate improvements, and scaling strategies.
• Priority troubleshooting for technical issues, ensuring minimal downtime during high-traffic events like flash sales.
• Expert assistance for integrations and API-related queries, helping businesses fully leverage Shopify Plus’s advanced capabilities.

Growth & Success Support

Beyond technology, Shopify Plus provides businesses with resources to scale successfully:

• Merchant Success Program – Access to Shopify experts for tailored growth strategies.
• Shopify Plus Academy – Exclusive educational content and training.
• Shopify Plus Partner Ecosystem – A network of certified experts to help optimize and grow your store.

=>> Read more: Shopify Features: The Complete Guide for Optimizing Your Store

Shopify Plus vs Shopify vs Advanced Shopify: A Comparison

Nextsky's Verdict:

• Shopify is ideal for growing businesses needing essential tools to manage their store, without the advanced features of Shopify Plus or Advanced.
• Shopify Plus is designed for large businesses with complex needs, offering full customization, multi-store management, and advanced automation.
• Shopify Advanced is for scaling businesses that need advanced features but don’t require enterprise-level tools like those in Shopify Plus.

Who is Shopify Plus Suitable For?

Shopify Plus is designed for high-growth businesses, enterprises with complex operations, and brands expanding internationally. If your store is handling a high volume of orders, nearing $1M+ in annual revenue, or requiring advanced customization, Shopify Plus may be the right choice.

If you run a small store with simple needs, Shopify Plus may be unnecessary. Standard Shopify plans often provide enough features without the extra cost.

When Should You Upgrade to Shopify Plus?

• Your current Shopify plan lacks the flexibility and automation you need.
• You experience significant traffic spikes and need a scalable, high-performance platform.
• You require multi-store management, advanced B2B capabilities, or deeper API integrations.
• You want priority support and a dedicated Merchant Success Manager to help optimize growth.

In essence, Shopify Plus stands as the premier choice for thriving e-commerce enterprises seeking a potent, adaptable, and feature-laden platform to propel their online store to unprecedented heights.