The real cost of running a Shopify store
The subscription is 30 to 50% of what a store actually spends. Here is the full stack, with the numbers merchants usually discover too late.
The costs everyone knows
Plans in 2026: Basic at $39 a month ($29 billed annually), Grow at $105, Advanced at $399, Plus from $2,300. A domain runs $10 to $20 a year and a premium theme $180 to $350 one time.
The costs that actually move the needle
These are the lines that surprise founders at tax time:
- Payment processing. About 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction on Basic. At $10k a month in revenue that is roughly $320 a month, more than eight times the annual cost of the subscription itself.
- Third-party gateway penalty. Using a non-Shopify gateway adds an extra 0.5 to 2% transaction fee on top of the gateway's own charges.
- Apps. A typical store runs 5 to 15 paid apps, easily $50 to $150 a month, and growing stores hit $350 to $1,400. Audit for zombie subscriptions you never open.
- Chargebacks. $15 per dispute even when you win.
- Refund friction. The 30-cent fixed fee is not returned on refunds. A store refunding 10% of orders quietly loses $40 to $60 a month here.
- Returns processing. $10 to $65 per return in shipping, inspection and restocking, before the lost sale itself.
What a realistic monthly total looks like
A small store typically spends $150 to $300 a month all-in. A growing store $800 to $1,500. None of that includes ad spend, which for many DTC brands is the single largest line.
This is why revenue dashboards flatter you: they show none of it. If your months look good on paper and thin in the bank, start with where the money actually goes, then compute your real margin with the free calculator.
See which costs are eating your store
Run the free Profit Leak scan. It reads your public storefront and flags discount leakage, retention gaps and CAC risk in 60 seconds.
Scan my store free →Free · no signup · no credit card. Lytix itself is $99/month after a 7-day free trial.
Common questions
How much does Shopify really cost per month?
The subscription starts at $39, but a realistic all-in total is $150 to $300 a month for a small store and $800 to $1,500 for a growing one, driven by processing fees and apps rather than the plan.
Does Shopify take a cut of my sales?
Through Shopify Payments you pay processing of about 2.9% plus 30 cents per order. If you use another gateway, Shopify adds a 0.5 to 2% transaction fee on top of that gateway's charges.
Are refunds free on Shopify?
No. The percentage fee is returned but the 30-cent fixed fee per transaction is kept, and chargebacks cost $15 each regardless of outcome.
Last updated: 2026-07-18. Facts about third-party tools are checked periodically; if you spot something outdated, email support@getlytix.com and we will fix it.