Are you a high-volume Shopify store owner looking to scale your business to new heights? Choosing the right Shopify plan is crucial for maximizing your growth potential. But with Shopify Plus vs Advanced being quite similar in some aspects, it’s quite daunting to choose between them.
In this post, LitExtension – #1 eCommerce Migration Service will compare two Shopify plans to help you make an informed decision by delving into the following key points:
- Identifying the best Shopify plan for your business;
- Comparing Shopify Advanced vs Shopify Plus in detail;
- Other Shopify options besides Shopify Plus and Advanced.
Let’s get started!
Shopify Plus vs Shopify Advanced: Which Plan is Best for Your Business?
While both Shopify Plus and Shopify Advanced are the two most expensive Shopify pricing plans, they cater to businesses at different growing stages. For this reason, you have to identify your business’s current needs and budget to select the most suitable plan.
Shopify Advanced offers the perfect solution for established businesses seeking a strategic boost. It equips you with the flexibility and scalability needed to handle increasing sales volume. This way, you don’t have to deal with the complexities of enterprise-level solutions.
On the other hand, Shopify Plus offers robust scalability, advanced customization options, and dedicated support for high-growth businesses and enterprise-level operations. This plan is tailored for businesses looking to optimize performance, handle large transaction volumes, and integrate complex business processes seamlessly.
So, when should you upgrade to Shopify Plus?
Many businesses reach a tipping point where their current platform or standard Shopify plans can't keep up with their growth. Here are some telltale signs that a Shopify Plus upgrade might be the answer:
- You hit $800,000 in monthly sales or exceeding 100 transactions per minute.
- You are going global and need a customized website for each region.
- Your website is bogged down by third-party app integrations.
- You need more staff accounts to manage your growing team.
Let's explore the reasons behind these recommendations. From then on, we will see why Shopify Advanced caters to specific businesses while Shopify Plus is better suited for others.
Fixed vs Variable Subscription Costs
Shopify Advanced pricing is the most expensive among Shopify's subscription packages, with a monthly charge of $399. Compared to Shopify Plus, which has variable pricing, this makes it easier to budget for. It's ideal for businesses with consistent sales volume that won't reach the threshold for significant savings with variable pricing.
While not to the same extent as Shopify Plus, Shopify Advanced offers lower transaction fees than the basic Shopify plans. Its card rates start at:
- Card processing fees: 2.5% + 30¢ USD online and 2.4% + 10¢ USD in person.
- Transaction fees: 0.6%/transaction for third-party payment providers.
In terms of Shopify Plus, it employs a custom pricing model starting from $2500/month for a 1-year contract. The exact cost depends on your business's needs and sales volume. You will need to contact Shopify support to get the number for your case.
Even though the pricing tier is much higher than other Shopify pricing plans, one of the biggest advantages of Shopify Plus is the reduced transaction fees depending on your negotiated plan and sales volume. More specifically, Shopify Plus pricing extra fees include:
- Card processing fees: Credit card processing fees vary depending on your location and the type of card your customer uses, but they are still much lower than other plans.
- Transaction fees: 0.15%/transaction for third-party payment providers.
In fact, both the variable pricing structure and reduced transaction fees offer significant cost savings for businesses with high transaction volume. This makes it ideal for businesses experiencing rapid growth and potentially fluctuating sales.
If you want to reduce the transaction fee associated with third-party processors, you can leverage Shopify Payments. This is Shopify's built-in payment processing solution. By enabling Shopify Payments, you will only be responsible for the standard credit card processing fees, eliminating the extra charge.
Quick Verdict
All in all, you can choose Shopify Advanced for predictability and clear budgeting. Meanwhile, Shopify Plus is ideal for high-volume businesses that can potentially benefit from significant transaction fee reductions.
Design Flexibility and Control
Both Shopify Plus vs Advanced users can access over 200 themes in their Theme Store. It's important to note that while 13 themes are free, the remaining themes are priced between $140 and $450.
If you sign up for the Shopify Plus plan, you will be able to store up to 100 themes in the library. You can easily download and try out themes directly from your Admin Dashboard without visiting the Theme Store repeatedly.
Quick Verdict
Shopify Advanced will be a cost-effective option for growing businesses that don't need extensive theme management. Meanwhile, Shopify Plus is ideal for businesses experimenting with themes, running A/B tests, or having complex design needs.
Apps and Custom Development Options
When comparing the integration capabilities between Shopify Plus vs Advanced, both can be connected with a vast array of third-party apps and services. You can extend the functionality of your store by installing apps from the Shopify App Store.
Shopify Plus takes this aspect a step further. It empowers you to create custom integrations tailored to your specific needs using Shopify Functions API. This is particularly valuable for large stores with unique requirements that can't be met by pre-built apps.
Moreover, Shopify Plus offers faster and more flexible API requests than the Shopify Advanced plan. Thus, it will improve the data exchange process, guaranteeing a smoother overall operation.
You can contact support to request higher API rate limits. The listed API resources – REST, GiftCard, Multipass, User, GraphQL, publishablePublish, and publishableUnpublish – are exclusively available to Shopify Plus merchants.
Quick Verdict
In short, Shopify Advanced offers a good selection of pre-built integrations, while Shopify Plus caters to businesses that need to go beyond and create custom functionalities or require more robust data exchange capabilities.
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Data Insights for Informed Decisions
For businesses on both Advanced Shopify or Shopify Plus plas, Shopify unlocks an exclusive set of data customization. You can leverage built-in filtering and editing features to transform pre-built reports into tailored insights machines.
Let’s take this as an example. As an author launching a new ebook, you're executing multiple social media marketing campaigns, all tagged with the UTM name “ebook-launch.” To evaluate the effectiveness of these campaigns, you might create a custom report using a template to analyze the quality of traffic originating from various social media platforms. This report will help you identify which social media campaigns require adjustments or more attention.
You also have the option to enable predicted values for specific reports. These reveal the anticipated value of each customer within the chosen cohort, helping you to target customers who belong to the highest-value cohorts.
Quick Verdict
Since both Shopify Advanced and Shopify Plus offer similar data analysis report customization features, the deciding factor for choosing between them wouldn't be based solely on this aspect.
Multi-location Inventory Control
Shopify empowers you to manage your inventory like a pro, whether you operate from a single warehouse or a network of retail stores, pop-up shops, or dropshipping partners. By setting up multiple locations within your Shopify store, you gain real-time visibility into your entire inventory ecosystem.
Comparing Shopify Plus vs Advanced, the latter allows you to have up to 10 inventory locations. If you require a larger-scale operation, Shopify Plus comes to the rescue. With a staggering 20 times the location capacity, Shopify Plus lets you manage a whopping 200 inventory locations.
Quick Verdict
Shopify Advanced is ideal for businesses with a handful of stores or warehouses. On the other hand, Shopify Plus is the way to go for high-volume businesses with complex supply chains.
Managing Multiple Storefronts
The number of storefronts needed is a major factor when choosing between Shopify Advanced and Shopify Plus. One of the key differentiators between Shopify Plus vs Advanced lies in their storefront capabilities. While the Shopify Advanced plan restricts you to a single storefront, Shopify Plus unlocks a world of possibilities with the ability to create 9 more unique and customized storefronts.
Moreover, the benefits extend beyond multiple storefronts. Shopify Plus users are exclusively enabled to use the Organization Settings, whereas you can initiate actions impacting user management, store administration, and billing across all stores within the organization.
Quick Verdict
If you only need one storefront, Shopify Advanced might be sufficient. However, if you need the flexibility of multiple storefronts with regional or customer-specific customizations, then Shopify Plus is the better option.
Global Expansion Tools
From the Advanced Shopify plan onwards, it equips you with a solid foundation for taking your business international. In other words, you can simplify the cross-border selling activities with the following features:
- Streamlined tax and duty management: Streamline the checkout process by automatically calculating and collecting duties and import taxes for your customers.
- Market-specific pricing: Control pricing with either percentage adjustments or setting specific prices for each country or region.
- Targeted market management: Support up to 3 international markets, with the option to expand to a maximum of 50 for an additional cost.
At a more expensive pricing range, Shopify Plus obviously provides more robust features to support your international commerce. Besides the fact that it allows you to manage sales in up to 50 markets right from the start, some advanced features to take your internationalization to the next level are:
- Fast, affordable shipping;
- Fraud and chargebacks;
- Duties and tax compliance;
- Customs pre-clearance;
- Restrictions management;
- Multi-language and currencies;
- And so much more.
Quick Verdict
It is obvious that Shopify Advanced is a good starting point for businesses attempting to expand to international markets with basic selling tools. In contrast, Shopify Plus is designed for established businesses with a global presence that seeks to enhance their international operations further.
Scalable User Access Controls
Shopify allows you to add staff accounts to your store, providing them with secure access to manage specific areas. You can assign granular permissions tailored to each team member's role. As your business flourishes and your workload expands, you will have to add more staff accounts.
In this Advanced vs Shopify Plus comparison, the number of staff accounts available for each plan differs. The Advanced Shopify plan supports up to 15 staff accounts, which may be sufficient for smaller businesses. Meanwhile, Shopify Plus provides unlimited staff accounts, allowing for expansive team growth without incurring extra expenses.
Quick Verdict
In short, Shopify Advanced is ideal for smaller businesses with predictable needs. For larger teams or those anticipating significant growth, Shopify Plus will better scale your business.
Tailoring Checkout Process
Both Shopify Plus vs Advanced plan offer the secure Shopify Checkout where customers finalize their orders. However, Shopify Advanced provides only basic access to checkout customization. This means you can leverage the core checkout functionality but have limited options for tailoring the look and feel of your brand.
On the other hand, Shopify Plus offers many exclusive tools to optimize your checkout experience. The Checkout Extensibility simplifies customization, ensuring app compatibility, enhancing conversion rates, and seamless integration with Shop Pay. Brands can personalize their checkout using apps and develop bespoke experiences through custom app development, leveraging various components and APIs.
Additionally, merchants can utilize Shopify Scripts to create personalized customer experiences directly in the shopping cart and customize the Shopify checkout page. This tool supports three types of scripts: Line item scripts, Shipping scripts, and Payment scripts.
⚠️ As of August 28, 2025, Shopify Scripts will be discontinued and cease functioning. Ensure to transition your current Scripts to Shopify Functions before this deadline.
With these scripts, you can adjust discounts for specific products, run promotions, set prices based on volume, and modify shipping options, pricing, and payment gateway methods.
Quick Verdict
Both pricing plans aim to ensure a secure checkout process. Nevertheless, for businesses that require specific branding elements or a unique checkout flow, we highly recommend upgrading to Shopify Plus.
Integration with the POS System
Shopify POS is an application that enables you to sell products in diverse settings, such as physical stores, markets, and pop-up shops. It syncs seamlessly with both Advanced Shopify and Shopify Plus to monitor orders and inventory across all your retail outlets, online stores, and other active sales channels.
Meanwhile, an advantage for Shopify Plus merchants is their access to the first 20 POS Pro locations.
Quick Verdict
From our observation, Shopify Advanced is suitable for businesses that want a unified sales system. Shopify Plus is quite the perfect solution if you have multiple physical stores and require advanced POS functionalities.
Functionalities for Wholesale/B2B Channels
When it comes to B2B (business-to-business) and wholesale functionalities, Shopify Plus and Advanced plans offer distinct capabilities. Shopify Advanced offers some basic functionality for B2B sales but lacks the dedicated features in Shopify Plus.
Shopify Plus allows you to:
- Launch a separate storefront tailored specifically for your B2B customers. This allows for a more professional and targeted buying experience, showcasing products and information relevant to businesses. You can further customize the storefront with Shopify Hydrogen or Oxygen.
- Set up complex pricing structures with ease. You can create tiered discounts based on order volume, offer specific pricing for different customer groups, or apply site-wide discounts. This empowers you to cater to a wider range of B2B clients with competitive pricing models.
- Control access to your B2B store by restricting it to registered users. This ensures that only authorized businesses can view B2B-specific pricing and product information.
Quick Verdict
If you have only a few wholesale clients and don't require complex pricing structures or order management functionalities, Shopify Advanced's B2B features might be enough. Otherwise, for businesses with complex customer segments, tiered pricing models, or a desire for a dedicated B2B storefront, the Shopify Plus plan will be a better fit.
Priority Support and Dedicated Account Management
Shopify Advanced provides support primarily through 24/7 live chat. For more help, you can also refer to the extensive resources and documentation available in its Help Center. These include detailed guides on optimizing sales and covering all aspects of online store management, such as theme design and app development, authored by expert Shopify developers.
From Shopify Plus, you receive steadfast personal support from a Launch Manager, who is dedicated to preparing your business within 90 days. Following this, a Merchant Success Manager takes over to maximize your potential with expert strategy and ongoing support.
Quick Verdict
In our analysis of Shopify Plus vs Advanced, the Advanced plan suits businesses with a technical team or individual capable of navigating the Help Center resources and troubleshooting basic issues. Conversely, Shopify Plus is ideal for businesses that require ongoing expert advice and analysis of industry trends to optimize their online store performance.
Other Shopify Plans: Features on All Options
Besides the two mentioned plans: Shopify Plus vs Advanced, there are 3 other pricing options for you to choose from when building your online store on Shopify. These include:
- Shopify Starter: $5/month.
- Basic Shopify: $39/month.
- Shopify: $105/month.
While higher plans offer more advanced features, all Shopify plans share some core functionalities to launch your online store. Thus, you can always start with the lowest tier and upgrade to more expensive pricing plan if your business expands.
Features | Description |
Unlimited products | There’s no limit to the number of products you can sell on your online store, despite which pricing plan you choose. |
Unlimited bandwidth | There’s no extra fee charged based on the number of people visiting your store or the quantity of files or photos you upload. |
Brand assets management | You can upload your brand assets on the Brand settings page and utilize them across various sales channels, themes, and apps integrated with the Brand API. |
Discount setup | You can utilize strategic discount codes and allow for combinations to incentivize purchases. |
Order creation | You can simplify order creation by entering customer details and collecting payments right in your Shopify admin. |
Custom pricing | Shopify offers regional pricing with custom adjustments, local currencies (with Shopify Payments), and manual exchange rates. |
Abandoned cart recovery | Win back lost sales with automated emails that remind customers about abandoned carts. Shopify also lets you customize the messages for a personalized touch. |
Analytics & reports | Every Shopify plan provides built-in analytics (sales, orders, visitors) and customizable financial reports (summary & detailed) to track your business health. |
Fraud analysis | Shopify Payments acts as your fraud prevention partner. Its built-in analysis helps you identify potentially risky orders, preventing costly chargebacks. |
Customer support | Shopify provides 24/7 live chat support through the Help Center. Click "I still need help" and select your store to connect. |
Advanced Shopify vs Shopify Plus: FAQs
Is Shopify Plus the same as Shopify Advanced?
No, Shopify Plus vs Advanced are distinct plans within the Shopify platform. Shopify Plus caters to large businesses with high-volume sales and complex needs. It offers dedicated account managers and advanced features. On the contrary, Shopify Advanced is for growing businesses that need more features than basic Shopify plans, like lower fees and advanced reporting.
Is it worth upgrading to Shopify Plus?
Upgrade to Shopify Plus if you have a large business with high sales and need advanced features or dedicated support. You can take a further look into our Shopify Advanced vs Shopify Plus comparison to make the decision.
What is the difference between Basic Shopify and Advanced?
Basic Shopify is tailored for new or smaller businesses, offering essential features like unlimited products and 24/7 support. Advanced Shopify, on the other hand, caters to growing businesses with additional capabilities such as advanced report building, third-party shipping rates, and lower credit card fees.
Does Shopify Plus take a percentage of sales?
No, Shopify Plus does not take a percentage of sales. Unlike some other plans where Shopify charges a transaction fee if you don't use Shopify Payments, Shopify Plus merchants typically negotiate custom pricing based on their specific needs and volume.
Key Takeaways
In conclusion, choosing between Shopify Plus vs Advanced depends largely on the stage and needs of your business. Ultimately, your choice should align with your business goals, budget, and growth trajectory. Whether you opt for Shopify Advanced or Shopify Plus, both plans provide powerful eCommerce solutions that can support your business’s growth and success in the competitive online market.
If you're considering a Shopify or Shopify Plus migration, LitExtension – #1 eCommerce Migration Service – is here to assist you every step of the way. Our advanced migration service ensures a seamless transition of all your data to the new platform swiftly, securely, and with precision. For any inquiries or assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us.
For more insights to compare Shopify plans, check out our LitExtension blog or join the Facebook community group!
