Shopify Advanced vs Plus: how significant is the difference between Shopify’s top-end standard plan, and its enterprise-grade solution? There’s definitely a major leap in terms of pricing, from around $399 per month (or $299 per month if you pay annually) for Advanced Shopify to prices starting from $2,300 each month for Shopify Plus.
After experimenting with the features of both plans, I can say that Shopify Plus is definitely worth the extra cost – for certain types of companies.
If you’re just looking for a scalable, flexible omnichannel solution to support a small to mid-sized business, there’s no need to go beyond the Advanced plan.
If, on the other hand, you want access to things like advanced customization, headless commerce, API options, and even B2B selling tools, Shopify Plus is the way to go.
To help you make this choice, I’ve put together this guide, sharing the most important facts you need to know about Shopify Advanced, and Shopify Plus.
Key Takeaways
- Shopify Advanced ($299-$399 per month) is a great value plan for growing businesses with advanced ecommerce needs, offering access to everything from reduced credit card rates, custom reports, and analytics, and 15 staff accounts.
- Shopify Plus is intended for enterprise-level companies making serious sales every year. It gives you serious upgrades to your storefront customization options, localized global selling features, customer support, and scalability.
Shopify Advanced: Ideal for Scaling Businesses
Shopify Plus is the most expensive of Shopify’s standard plans. I often recommend this plan to companies that are scaling their operations, and need access to more advanced features like custom reports, boosted checkout functionality, and enhanced 24/7 support.
For Shopify Advanced, you’ll pay $299 per month, if you’re paying annually, or $399 per month if you’re paying monthly. You’ll also benefit from lower credit card processing rates, and lower transaction rates (0.5%) if you’re using a third-party payment processor (other than Shopify Payments).
The Core Features of Advanced Shopify
The Advanced plan includes all the features you’ll get from Shopify’s mid-level plan, like 10 inventory locations, localized global selling, and Shopify POS Lite.
However, you also get access to an upgraded checkout (10x higher capacity), 15 staff accounts (rather than the 5 on the Shopify plan), and enhanced customer support.
For me, the main features that stand out on Shopify Plus are:
Custom Reports and Analytics
I honestly think in-depth reports are one of the most valuable tools you can have as a business owner. When you upgrade to a Shopify Advanced plan, you don’t just get all of Shopify’s standard “Professional” reports.
You can also create custom reports to track the metrics that matter most.
You can track sales by referral source, such as Google Ads, and track things like your most loyal and at-risk customers. The more in-depth and granular reporting features are excellent when you’re looking for high-value ways to scale your business and increase sales.
Reduced Transaction and Shipping Rates
Although you only pay transaction rates on Shopify if you’re using a third-party payment processor, there are still processing fees to consider for Shopify Payments.
Upgrading from Shopify to Shopify Advanced reduces your domestic credit card transaction rates from 2.6% plus 30 cents to 2.4% plus 30 cents.
If you do choose to use a third-party payment processor, you’ll also only pay an extra 0.5% fee, instead of 1%.
Plus, with Advanced Shopify, you can integrate with a third-party shipping service, to provide your customers with up-to-date insights into rates. There’s even the option to give customers a variety of shipping options, such as standard, one-day or express delivery.
Integration and Add-On Options
One thing I love about Shopify is the huge number of integrations and add-ons it supports. The Shopify app market is home to thousands of integrations for marketing, accounting, store design, customer service, shipping, fulfillment, and more.
Technically, you don’t get access to any “extra” apps with Shopify Advanced compared to the other core Shopify plans. However, since you can create up to 15 staff accounts, more people can collaborate with the same range of tools.
Plus, you do get the option to integrate with third-party shipping rate calculators, which is a great bonus if you’re looking to enhance customer experiences.
Who is Shopify Advanced Best For?
I’d recommend choosing Shopify Advanced if you’re running a small to mid-sized business, and you want access to enhanced capabilities, without added complexity.
Shopify Advanced simply turbocharges the standard Shopify experience, without asking you to dive into things like code, headless commerce, and API integrations.
Shopify Plus: The Flexible Enterprise Solution
Shopify Plus is Shopify’s enterprise-level solution, designed specifically for high-volume businesses and enterprises. It doesn’t just build on the standard Shopify experience, it transforms it, with a unique admin interface, limitless flexibility, and new tools and integrations.
There’s no set price for Shopify Plus. Instead, Shopify says prices start at around $2,300 per month, but vary depending on your business needs and sales volume.
Once again, you’ll get lower credit card rates on Shopify Plus, starting at 2.15% plus 30 cents, and your transaction rates for using a third-party payment processor drop to 0.15%.
Exclusive Features of Shopify Plus
As you might expect, Shopify Plus includes all of the features you’d get from Shopify Advanced, such as custom reports and analytics, and localized global selling options, but there are a number of additional features too. For instance you can:
- Create up to 10 additional storefronts
- Access up to 200 inventory locations
- Create unlimited staff accounts
- Create up to 200 POS Pro locations with Shopify Payments
- Update your checkout with 40x capacity
- Sell B2B and wholesale
For me, the standout exclusive features of Shopify Plus are:
Enhanced API Limits and Exclusive Apps
Where Shopify Advanced users can take advantage of a comprehensive app store to extend their site’s functionality, Shopify Plus merchants get even more freedom. There’s a whole range of certified Shopify Plus apps available, specifically made for larger businesses.
Plus, you get more API support, allowing you to create custom, streamlined integrations between Shopify and your CRM, ERP, and other business management tools.
With Shopify Plus, you also get the opportunity to work with developers to create bespoke features for your store from scratch, without relying on third-party apps, which can save you some extra fees in the long run. Plus, you can design full headless commerce experiences.
Next-Level Automation
One of the best things about Shopify Plus is how easy it makes it to automate the running of your business. Shopify Plus comes with exclusive access to two powerful solutions: Shopify Flow, and Shopify Launchpad.
Shopify Launchpad is ideal for automating promotional campaigns, like sales, product launches, and limited-time discounts.
Shopify Flow, on the other hand, allows companies to create comprehensive workflows, and leverage automation throughout.
For instance, you can create a workflow that automates the process of sending an SMS update to a customer when their order is processed or shipped. Ultimately, I think these features will help to save enterprise businesses a lot of time and money.
Exceptional Support and Resources
Although I’ve always been pretty impressed with Shopify’s approach to customer support (particularly its wide range of self-help resources), the company does offer a higher level of service to its enterprise customers.
When you sign up for Shopify Plus, you get access to a dedicated merchant success manager, to help with everything from store setup, to troubleshooting technical issues.
You’ll also get priority support when any issues occur, and access to a huge range of dedicated partners that can help you with different growth-related tasks. Another unique benefit Plus merchants get is access to Shopify Plus Academy. This essentially gives you an environment where you can access webinars, courses, and training resources on-demand.
Who is Shopify Plus Best For?
I think Shopify Plus is an incredible solution for larger companies, but it’s really only worthwhile if you’re running an enterprise-level store. You’ll need to be earning significant revenue to stomach the extra cost of your monthly subscription. Plus, it’s worth noting that there’s a slightly higher learning curve with Shopify Plus, compared to Shopify Advanced.
Comparison of Shopify Advanced vs Plus
Still not certain which Shopify plan is right for you? Let’s look at the main points side-by-side.
| Shopify Advanced | Shopify Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $299 per month (paid annually) or $399 per month (paid monthly. | Starting at $2,300 per month, with custom pricing based on the resources you need. |
| Payment processing rates | 2.4% plus 30 cents (for online transactions with Shopify Payments). Extra 0.5% transaction fee for using a third-party payment processor. | 2.15% plus 30 cents (for online transactions with Shopify Payments). Extra 0.15% transaction fee for a third-party payment processor. |
| Scalability | Decent scalability with support for up to 15 staff members, omnichannel selling, and access to thousands of apps. | Endless scalability with support for custom APIs, unlimited staff members, unique integrations, and numerous inventory and store locations. |
| Unique Features | Custom reports and analyticsUp to 15 staff accountsShipping rate calculator integrationsEnhanced e24/7 customer support10x checkout capacity | 200 inventory locationsPriority Support and Shopify AcademyShopify Flow and Launchpad appsUnique APIs and integrationsFully customizable checkout with 40 x capacity200 POS Pro locationsB2B and wholesale selling |
| Customer Support | Enhanced 24/7 live chat support, as well as various self-help resources | Excellent priority support, with a customer success manager, access to partners, and Shopify Academy. |
| Best for | Scaling businesses with a need for more advanced ecommerce features. | Enterprise companies with complex customization requirements. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you’re just launching an online store for the first time, I wouldn’t recommend Shopify Advanced or Shopify Plus. Instead, choose the Shopify Basic plan for $39 per month. It gives you everything you need to get started, including a comprehensive store builder, and payment processing capabilities.
Yes, the process is pretty straightforward. All you need to do is contact Shopify and let them know you want to upgrade, and they’ll migrate you onto the Shopify Plus platform, usually within 24 hours. You’ll also get an email letting you know the upgrade is complete.
On Shopify Advanced, you’ll pay fees starting at 2.4% plus 30 cents when processing payments with Shopify Payments. If you choose a third-party payment processor, there’s an extra transaction fee of 0.5%. With Shopify Plus, processing rates start at 2.15% plus 30 cents, with an extra 0.15% charge for third-party payment processing.
Shopify Advanced does give you access to enhanced live chat support, email, and phone support in some areas. Shopify Plus gives you your own customer success manager, who can help you launch and grow your store, priority technical support, and access to additional resources, like Shopify Partners, and the Shopify Academy.
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