Shopify vs Shopify Plus - key differences

Table of contents:

• What is Shopify?
• Shopify Features
• What is Shopify Plus?
• Shopify Plus Features
• Shopify Plus for B2B
• Shopify vs Shopify Plus - key differences
• Shopify and Shopify Plus Pricing

One of the key stages when creating or scaling an online store is choosing an eCommerce platform. This is a decision that determines the visual and functional layer, and above all affects operational efficiency, development flexibility and the total cost of ownership.

There are many solutions on the market - from simple SaaS systems that allow you to launch sales in a few days, to extensive open source platforms providing complete control over the sales process and integrations.

For companies that prioritize rapid deployment, secure infrastructure and scalability, Shopify is a natural choice - a platform currently used in over 175 countries. Within the same ecosystem, the Shopify Plus plan is available, which provides even more capabilities and meets the needs of brands from the B2B sector and stores transitioning to a higher scale of operation.

So when is it worth switching to Shopify Plus and how does it really differ from the standard version? We will analyze this topic in the article below.

Shopify is an eCommerce platform in the SaaS (Software as a Service) model, which enables launching and running online sales without the need to invest in server infrastructure, infrastructure maintenance, and software updates. In exchange for a monthly subscription, the customer receives a complete ecosystem - from hosting, through security, to payment system and necessary integrations.

This is a great solution for companies that want to immediately focus on aspects such as: product offering, marketing and customer service. Shopify shortens deployment time to as little as a few days, which is why brands that need a quick start and predictable maintenance costs often choose it.

Shopify is now one of the most popular eCommerce platforms in the world and serves over 20% of the market (BuiltWith). This demonstrates the growing demand for simple, intuitive solutions that allow you to quickly launch online sales and manage it effectively - without the need to engage large technical resources.

The basic Shopify plan offers a set of tools that allow you to comprehensively manage sales. Importantly, even in the basic Shopify subscription, the user receives access to technologies that were previously reserved mainly for more expensive, enterprise-level systems.

The most important elements that distinguish this platform are:

• Personalized themes - free templates with animations, hover effects and full visual editing without the need for coding.
• AI features (Shopify Magic) - generating content consistent with brand tone, automatic responses, product descriptions and emails.
• Access to the Shop app - ability to reach millions of mobile users through personalized collections and categories in the Shop app.
• One-click checkout - the best checkout process with the highest conversion rate on the market, powered by Shop Pay.
• Domain and hosting - purchase, configuration and maintenance of domain directly in the Shopify panel, with full SSL and automatic renewal.
• 24/7 support - round-the-clock technical support, extensive knowledge base and user community.
• Multi-channel sales (omnichannel) - store integration with social commerce channels, marketplaces and brick-and-mortar sales (POS).
• International sales - Shopify MarketsPro module automatically adjusts currencies, taxes, language and local payment methods.
• Scalability and expansion - thousands of apps in the Shopify App Store allowing store development in any direction.
• Attractive UX - modern administrative interface and shopping experience designed with conversion and user comfort in mind.

In the basic Shopify package you get a complete set of tools to launch and scale sales without the burden of technology on your side. This is a quick start, predictable maintenance cost and foundation for further development.

Shopify Plus is an extended version of the platform, designed for brands with high sales volume, dynamic growth or complex operational processes. It's an alternative for companies that have outgrown basic Shopify plans and need greater control over scaling, automation and personalization of sales processes.

The platform is aimed at both D2C brands handling hundreds of thousands of orders monthly, and B2B companies that need dedicated functions to serve business customers, such as different price levels, individual payment terms or integration with ERP systems.

In practice, Shopify Plus is chosen by global brands and rapidly growing companies for whom the combination of performance, reliability and flexibility is key. This solution provides stable infrastructure, high scalability and access to advanced tools that support international expansion and eCommerce automation.

Like the basic version, Shopify Plus provides a comprehensive ecosystem for running online sales - but on a much wider scale.

The most important Shopify Plus features cover several areas:

Sales, marketing, expansion

• Shopify Audiences - custom audience lists for precise customer acquisition.
• Shopify Markets (extended) - including automatic customs duties and import taxes for international sales.
• Expansion stores (up to 9) - additional instances for markets/brands within one account.
• Markets (up to 50) and locations (up to 200) - scale for global operations.
• Shopify POS Pro - first 20 Pro locations included in price.

Checkout and payments

• Flexible checkout process with app integration - extended, secure checkout with full Shop Pay integration.

B2B and automation

• B2B on Shopify (Plus) - wholesale/contract package.
• Shopify Flow (extended scenarios) - process automation (including for B2B) at enterprise level.
• Launchpad - planning and automation of sales events, campaigns, drops.

Governance and administration

• Advanced permissions - granular control (separate rights for report export, access to specific apps).
• Unlimited staff accounts - at no additional cost.
• Up to 100 themes - seasonal tests/variants without limitations typical of standard plans.
• Unlimited development stores - freedom to prototype.

Technology and API

• Higher API limits + additional resources:
• REST: Gift Card, Multipass, User,
• GraphQL: publishablePublish / publishableUnpublish,
• Specialist apps (PII level 2) – available exclusively for Plus.

Support and programs

• Priority support 24/7 + dedicated account manager.
• Shopify Plus Partner Program - access to selected technology partners.
• Shopify Academy courses (Plus) - training focused on scaling and automation.

In practice, the extended package means fewer operational limitations, faster iterations and safe expansion to markets and channels - without changing platforms. If the company is growing, operating in a B2B model or conducting sales in multiple markets, Plus provides leverage that standard plans do not provide.

Shopify Plus works excellently in the B2B model, offering companies a flexible and scalable tool for handling wholesale sales in a modern, fully integrated environment. For enterprises that have so far used separate systems for retail and business sales, transitioning to one ecosystem means real savings in time and resources. Shopify Plus allows you to manage all channels (B2B and B2C) from one administrative panel, providing consistent data, simpler reporting and better control over operational processes.

The built-in Shopify B2B module enables serving contractors in a way tailored to their needs - from individual pricing terms and payment methods, to dedicated product catalogs and company accounts. All activities can be additionally automated using the Shopify Flow tool, which streamlines the processes of quoting, order approval or communication between departments. This is a solution that eliminates many manual activities typical of B2B sales, while maintaining the simplicity characteristic of the Shopify ecosystem.

Thanks to this, Shopify Plus becomes a natural choice for B2B companies that want to combine the intuitiveness of a SaaS platform with enterprise-class functionality. This enables scaling operations to multiple markets, integration with ERP systems and automation of the entire purchasing cycle. Shopify is a tool that allows you to transform a traditional wholesale model into a modern, digital sales channel, ready for further development.

Basic Shopify plans provide everything needed to launch and run online sales - from themes and payments to multi-channel and multi-market support. Shopify Plus goes a step further: it adds enterprise-class tools, higher technical limits, full checkout customization and process automation. This is a natural development path for brands that are growing dynamically, planning international expansion or conducting sales in the B2B model.

What are the differences between the two packages?

Area	Shopify (standard plans)	Shopify Plus
For whom	SMB, D2C stores in growth phase	High-volume brands, multi-market structures, B2B
Scale and performance	Stable operation with growing traffic	Architecture and limits designed for sales peaks (campaigns, BFCM)
Checkout	Limited visual and process customization	Extensible checkout with ability for deeper modifications and integrations
B2B	Basic scenarios (external apps)	Built-in B2B module: company accounts, trading terms, price lists, processes
Automation	Basic rules and apps	Enterprise-class automation (Flow/Launchpad, organization-level rules)
System integrations	Typical connectors and app marketplace	End-to-end integrations with ERP/CRM/OMS, higher flexibility and API resources
International sales	Markets, currencies and languages in basic form	Advanced Markets, multi-market support with central control
Multi-store management	Separate instances, per-store work	Expansion stores within one organization and consistent governance
Permissions and roles	Standard roles and access	Granular permissions, separation of rights to reports/apps
POS / Retail	POS Lite standard, Pro as add-on	POS Pro included for multiple locations, consistent omnichannel
Themes and environments	Limited number of themes/tests	Up to several dozen themes and environments for iteration needs
Marketing and acquisition	Integrations with popular channels	Audiences, tools for audience lists and campaign scaling
Support and care	24/7 through help center and community	Priority support, dedicated manager/Success, implementation support
Governance / compliance	Standard security practices	Enterprise policies, SLA, processes for audit and risk management

Both Shopify and Shopify Plus are based on the same reliable technology, but they differ in the level of scale, control and automation. Shopify in the basic package is a great choice for companies that focus on rapid growth and simplicity of online sales management. Shopify Plus, on the other hand, was created for brands that want to go beyond the standard SaaS model and gain greater flexibility, full control over checkout, access to B2B tools and the ability to conduct sales in multiple markets in one, consistent environment.

Shopify has several payment tiers:

• Starter: from $5/month (basic cart + purchase links; good for starting in social media channels).
• Store plans (Basic / Grow / Advanced): differ in reporting, payment rates and fees for external operators – the choice depends on scale and team requirements. Prices and currencies are localized (EUR/GBP/USD etc.).
• Shopify Plus: from $2,500/month (1-year contract) or from $2,300/month (3-year contract); for more complex structures, a variable platform fee (VPF) applies depending on factors such as revenue and model (D2C/B2B).

Choosing the right plan depends on clearly defined business needs. Starter will work for social media sales, while Basic/Grow/Advanced when you need a separate store (and predictable costs). Shopify Plus makes sense when volume and complexity are growing (multi-market, B2B, automation, checkout customization) and when potential savings on payments and reduction of apps/support begin to balance the higher subscription.

Regardless of the chosen package, Shopify offers a wide range of capabilities at a much more accessible price than Adobe Commerce (Magento) class solutions - How much does a Magento implementation cost in 2025?

Shopify is a good choice for companies that want to quickly launch online sales without expanding the IT department and focus on the offering, marketing and customer service. When the business grows, you enter B2B, operate in multiple markets or need greater flexibility and automation - a reasonable step is Shopify Plus.

Regardless of the chosen package, you get ready-made infrastructure, an intuitive panel, 24/7 support and an app ecosystem that allows you to develop your store without unnecessary technological barriers.

Want to learn more about the development opportunities for your store on Shopify? Write to us - we will advise which option will be best and how to implement it. Also check out more details at - Shopify development.