Shopify Plus vs Shopify Advanced
If you’re caught deciding between Shopify Plus and Shopify Advanced, you know the stakes can be high for your business. The right plan affects not just your costs, but how far you can push your brand’s growth, customization, and automation.
On the surface, it looks like a choice between pricing tiers, but there’s much more at play, especially when it comes to scaling, handling multiple stores, and tailoring the checkout. Let’s break down what truly sets them apart.
Quick Comparison: Shopify Plus vs. Advanced Features and Who They’re For
If you're evaluating whether Shopify Plus or Shopify Advanced aligns better with your business needs, it's important to consider the specific requirements of your operation. Shopify Plus is designed for businesses with high-volume operations that require advanced functionalities such as international selling capabilities, custom checkout options, and the management of multiple stores.
It includes features like higher API limits, automation tools, and flexibility to support B2B and global growth, along with priority support and extensive customization possibilities. On the other hand, Shopify Advanced is targeted at businesses that are experiencing steady growth and require strong core functionalities such as advanced reporting and access to third-party shipping rates.
It offers a more predictable cost structure and is suitable for merchants who are scaling but don't require enterprise-level features or the ability to manage multiple online storefronts. Shopify Advanced provides a robust set of tools for growing businesses without the need for the extensive features that Shopify Plus offers.
Shopify Plus vs. Advanced: Pricing and Transaction Fee Breakdown
When comparing Shopify Plus and Shopify Advanced, the cost is a critical consideration for many businesses. Shopify Advanced has a fixed monthly fee of $399. In contrast, Shopify Plus starts at $2,000 per month, with a transition to 0.25% of Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) for sales exceeding $800,000.
Regarding transaction fees for payments processed through third-party gateways, Shopify Advanced charges 0.6%, whereas Shopify Plus reduces this fee to 0.20%.
For high-volume retailers, the lower transaction fees offered by Shopify Plus can result in cost savings as sales increase, despite its higher initial cost. Consequently, businesses experiencing rapid growth may find Shopify Plus to be a more economical option over time.
Checkout Customization: What Can You Change on Each Shopify Plan?
When comparing checkout customization options between Shopify Advanced and Shopify Plus, the key differences come down to control, flexibility, and long-term scalability. According to Shopify specialists at Grumpspot, understanding these distinctions early can help merchants choose the plan that best supports their growth goals.
On Shopify Advanced, merchants are limited to basic branding adjustments and theme-based edits using Shopify’s standard drag-and-drop editor. While suitable for many growing stores, this plan does not support deep checkout customizations or complex integrations.
Shopify Plus, on the other hand, offers advanced checkout customization with full code access. This enables merchants to implement custom fields, validation rules, automated promotions, bespoke apps, and third-party integrations through tools like Checkout Extensibility and Shopify Functions. As a result, Shopify Plus allows for highly personalised and dynamic checkout experiences.
By contrast, Shopify Advanced users remain restricted to standard modifications and core customization features, making Shopify Plus the preferred option for businesses that require greater control and tailored checkout functionality.
Managing B2B Sales and Multi-Store Operations: Key Differences
In the realm of managing B2B sales and multi-store operations, Shopify Plus provides distinct advantages over Shopify Advanced due to its enhanced flexibility and control features.
Shopify Plus allows businesses to operate up to 10 clone stores for international or wholesale purposes without the need for additional plans, while Shopify Advanced is limited to a single store setup. For B2B operations, Shopify Plus includes integrated tools such as restricted buyer access, tiered pricing, and customer-specific options, which aren't available in the Advanced plan.
Additionally, Shopify Plus supports unlimited staff accounts, automated order processing, and advanced B2B pricing rules. These features collectively facilitate the scaling and streamlining of multi-store and wholesale operations efficiently.
Integrations, Automation, and Growth Tools Compared
When comparing Shopify Plus to Shopify Advanced, notable differences arise in the areas of integrations, automation, and growth tools. Shopify Plus offers significantly higher API call limits, up to 500% more, which facilitates advanced integrations with systems such as ERPs, PIMs, and 3PLs. This version includes Launchpad, a feature for automating the scheduling of promotions, product launches, and theme modifications.
Furthermore, Shopify Plus supports the management of up to 10 clone stores and provides unlimited staff accounts. It also includes Shopify Scripts for custom automation, which is beneficial for scaling operations. In contrast, Shopify Advanced is limited to single-store management, supports up to 15 staff accounts, and offers more basic automation capabilities.
How to Decide Which Shopify Plan Fits Your Business Best
When choosing between Shopify Plus and Shopify Advanced, it's important to consider the operational needs and revenue expectations of your business.
Shopify Plus is particularly suited for businesses anticipating monthly revenues exceeding $800,000, as its variable pricing structure can offer financial advantages and scalability.
Additionally, if your business requires multi-store management or advanced customizations—such as custom checkout fields—Shopify Plus is equipped to support up to 10 clone stores and provides extensive customization options.
Another factor to consider is the size of your staff.
Shopify Plus allows for unlimited staff accounts, whereas the Advanced plan restricts you to 15 accounts.
For businesses with complex integration requirements, Shopify Plus is also advantageous as it offers up to 500% higher API call limits, making it a fitting choice for high-volume, technology-driven operations.
Conclusion
When choosing between Shopify Plus and Shopify Advanced, focus on your business’s current size and future growth plans. If you need deep customization, multi-store capabilities, and B2B flexibility, Plus is worth the investment. But if you’re seeking robust features without the hefty price tag, Advanced delivers strong value. Consider your budget, technical needs, and sales volume. By weighing these factors, you’ll pick the plan that truly supports your e-commerce goals and sets you up for success.