Shopify Plus vs Shopify: Should You Upgrade to Shopify Plus?
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When it comes to eCommerce, choosing the right Shopify plan can significantly impact your business's success. For businesses experiencing rapid growth or requiring advanced features, Shopify Plus might be the next logical step. But is it the right choice for you?
In this article, we’ll explore what Shopify Plus offers, its key features, and how it stacks up against Shopify and Advanced Shopify. Whether you're looking to scale or streamline operations, this guide will help you make an informed decision.
What is Shopify Plus?
Shopify Plus is an enterprise-grade eCommerce platform built for high-volume businesses seeking rapid growth and scalability. Launched in 2014, it offers advanced features, automation, and dedicated support, making it a strong alternative to platforms like Adobe Commerce, BigCommerce for enterprises, and Salesforce Commerce Cloud.
According to Nextsky's 9 years of experience, Shopify Plus is designed for businesses with annual GMV starting at $1 million but is most effective for brands generating $5 million or more in revenue. Renowned global brands like Allbirds, Gymshark, and Kylie Cosmetics use Shopify Plus to streamline operations and drive growth.
For businesses scaling quickly, Shopify Plus delivers the performance and tools needed to thrive.
Shopify Plus Plan Highlight Features
The Shopify Plus Plan includes everything offered in all previous Shopify plans (Basic Shopify Plan, Shopify Plan, Advanced Shopify Plan), plus transaction and credit card fees. In addition, it also provides many highlight features for businesses to expand their business operations:
| Highlight Features | Description |
| Storefront feature | |
| Multi-store Support | Can expand your existing store by adding up to nine more stores, physical or digital, and it provides all the tools needed for seamless expansion, empowering your business to thrive in ecommerce. |
| Organization Settings | Organization Settings allow Shopify Plus merchants to manage all their stores from one place, covering billing, stores, users, and analytics (link). |
| Specialized apps and channels | Shopify Plus merchants can utilize exclusive advanced Shopify apps tailored for high-growth businesses, including channels like B2B and Wholesale, along with tools like Launchpad and ShopifyQL Notebooks. Additionally, they enjoy unlimited access to custom Level 2 PII apps. |
| Customizable checkout | The checkout.liquid file allows customizable checkout branding but will be deprecated for Information, Shipping, and Payment pages by August 13, 2024. Shopify Plus merchants should switch to checkout extensibility for customization before the deprecation date. |
| Expansion stores | Enables up to nine expansion stores for internationalization, distinct physical locations, and related purposes. |
| Development stores | Supports unlimited development stores. |
| Themes | You can add up to 100 themes to your account for testing new designs, preserving seasonal versions, or experimenting with modifications. |
| Launch Team Support | The Launch Team Support service becomes an invaluable resource, providing the necessary tools, strategies, and integration techniques for a seamless and successful online transition. |
| Shopify Plus Academy | Shopify Plus provides access to the Shopify Plus Academy for self-paced training on essential topics for business growth. |
| Locations | Add up to 200 locations so you can track inventory and fulfill orders at various locations. |
| Markets | Up to 50 Markets can be added at any time. |
| Admin feature | |
| Shopify Organization Admin | Exclusive to Shopify Plus users, you can centrally manage all business stores from one dashboard. Efficiently oversee store overview, user settings, and utilize Shopify Flow for streamlined automation. |
| API resources | Shopify Plus offers additional API support for custom app integration. Contact support to request increased API rate limits. Exclusive API resources for Shopify Plus merchants include REST, GiftCard, Multipass, User, GraphQL, publishablePublish, and publishableUnpublish. |
| Unlimited staff | Unlimited employees help you grow your workforce at no additional cost. |
| Permissions | Shopify Plus provides extra permission settings for enhanced control over staff actions in your Shopify admin. This includes separate report export permissions and permissions for specific apps. |
| Shopify Plus Partner Program | The Shopify Plus Partner Program features curated service partners with technical expertise to support high-growth businesses. |
| Shopify POS Pro | The first 20 POS Pro locations are included in all Shopify Plus plans. |
| Integrations | Certain integrations, like Tax services with Avalara AvaTax, are exclusive to Shopify Plus merchants. |
| Merchant Success Program | Switching to Shopify Plus gives you access to the free Merchant Success Program, offering valuable insights to boost your store's performance and drive greater success. |
Shopify Plus vs Shopify vs Advanced Shopify: A Comparison
Pricing: Shopify Plus vs Shopify vs Advanced Shopify
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Transaction Fees | Credit Card Rates (Online) | Credit Card Rates (In-Person) |
| Shopify | $39 | 2.0% (reduced with Shopify Payments) | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2.7% + 0¢ |
| Advanced Shopify | $399 | 0.5% (reduced with Shopify Payments) | 2.6% + 30¢ | 2.4% + 0¢ |
| Shopify Plus | Starting at $2,000 | Negotiable, typically lower than 0.5% | Custom, based on volume | Custom, based on volume |
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Comparison of Features and Other Factors
| Feature | Shopify Plus | Shopify Advanced | Shopify Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merchant Success Manager (MSM) | Dedicated MSMs for ongoing support and optimization | Not available | Not available |
| Shopify Plus Academy | Access to advanced courses and webinars | Not available | Not available |
| Checkout Customization | Full access to checkout extensibility for complete customization | Limited customization (depends on the theme) | Limited customization (depends on the theme) |
| Staff Accounts | Unlimited staff accounts for larger teams | 15 staff accounts | 2 to 15 accounts based on plan |
| API Integrations | More flexible API integrations, including ERP/CRM systems | Limited integrations | Limited integrations with apps |
| Discounts & Promotions | Advanced features via Launchpad (automated campaigns, flash sales) | Basic discount features, no automation tools | Basic discount features available |
| B2B Selling Features | Advanced B2B features like custom pricing, access controls, and automation | Limited B2B support, no specific tools for bulk selling | Limited B2B support |
| Headless Commerce | Full headless commerce capabilities (Hydrogen & Oxygen for custom storefronts) | Not available | Not available |
| Number of Storefronts | Up to 10 storefronts for international expansion or testing | 1 storefront | 1 storefront |
| Multi-Currency & Localization | Supports multi-currency, localized storefronts, and tailored payment methods | Limited multi-currency support | Limited support for multi-currency |
| Shopify POS Pro | Omnichannel POS system integration | Basic POS features, no Pro version | Not available |
| Shopify Flow & Launchpad | Advanced automation with Shopify Flow & Launchpad | Not available | Not available |
| Dedicated Support | 24/7 priority support, early access to features, exclusive resources | Standard support, limited customization support | Standard support available via email and chat |
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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 growing businesses that need advanced features but don’t require enterprise-level tools like those in Shopify Plus.
Who is Shopify Plus plan suitable for?
The Shopify Plus plan is suitable for merchants selling in high volumes.This plan suits you if:
- Significant Growth and Success: If your e-commerce business is thriving and experiencing substantial growth...
- High Website Traffic: With high traffic volumes demanding a platform capable of handling increased loads...
- Customization Importance: Customization holds paramount importance to you...
- Advanced Features and Integrations: You require access to advanced features and integrations...
- Excellent Customer Support: Fast issue resolution and top-tier customer support are essential...
- International Expansion: You plan to expand your business internationally...
- Security and Compliance: Security and compliance are crucial concerns for your business...
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.
