What Shopify Plan Should I Choose for Dropshipping in 2025?

Are you trying to figure out which Shopify plan for dropshipping will take your business to the next level?

Choosing the right plan isn’t just about the price—it’s about unlocking features that match your growth goals.

In this article, I’ll explore each plan, compare key factors, and share insights to help you decide. Ready to make the smartest choice for 2025? Let’s dive in!

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Understanding Shopify Plans for Dropshipping

Selecting the right Shopify plan is essential for establishing a successful dropshipping store.

Each plan varies in features, pricing, and suitability based on the stage of your business. Here’s a detailed look at the available options.

1. Basic Shopify Plan ($39/month, and $29/month if you subscribe annually)

The Basic Plan is perfect if you’re just getting started with your online store. At $39/month, it’s a low-risk investment to bring your e-commerce idea to life. Here’s what you get:

• Up to 77% shipping discounts: If you’re shipping globally or locally, these discounts can save you big bucks.
• 10 inventory locations: This means you can organize your products across up to 10 locations, which is more than enough for a starter business.
• Secure checkout with SSL: Keeps your customers’ data safe and builds trust.
• 24/7 chat support: When you’re working late on your store and hit a snag, Shopify’s team is just a chat away.

💡 My Advice: If you’re just starting out, the Basic plan has everything you need to build your dropshipping store. Use it to get comfortable with the Shopify platform and upgrade later when your sales start booming.

2. Shopify Plan ($105/month, and $79/month if you subscribe annually)

The Shopify Plan is a step up, designed for small teams or businesses that are growing steadily. At $79/month, it offers more tools to streamline your operations and boost your sales.

• Up to 88% shipping discounts: These extra savings are great if you’re shipping frequently.
• 5 staff accounts: Delegate tasks to your team and grow your business collaboratively.
• Professional reports: Dive into detailed analytics to track sales, customers, and performance.
• eCommerce automation: Say goodbye to repetitive tasks. Automate workflows to save time and focus on scaling.

💡 My Advice: If you’re starting to see consistent sales and want better reporting tools or the ability to grow your team, this plan is a solid choice. It’s perfect for businesses ready to move beyond the basics.

3. Advanced Shopify Plan ($399/month, and $299/month if you subscribe annually)

The Advanced Plan is a powerhouse for businesses scaling rapidly. It’s priced at $399/month but comes loaded with advanced features that make it worth every penny.

• Lower transaction fees: Shopify Payments charges only 2.4% + $0.30 per transaction, which saves you money as your sales volume increases.
• 15 staff accounts: Manage larger teams without hitting account limits.
• Custom reporting tools: Tailor your reports to get insights specific to your business needs.
• Real-time carrier shipping: Offer customers the exact shipping rate based on weight and location—great for transparency and trust.
• 10x checkout capacity: Handle higher traffic with ease, especially during sales or promotions.

💡 My Advice: If your store is already buzzing with traffic and you’re processing a lot of orders daily, the Advanced Plan is the way to go. It’s ideal for businesses that need robust reporting and team collaboration.

4. Shopify Plus Plan ($2,300/month)

Now, let’s talk about the big league: Shopify Plus. This is Shopify’s enterprise-level plan, starting at $2,300/month. It’s designed for high-volume merchants or businesses that need serious customization and support.

• Unlimited staff accounts: Perfect for managing large teams and operations.
• Priority 24/7 support: Dedicated support ensures that issues are resolved immediately.
• Customizable checkout: Want a completely branded checkout experience? This plan makes it happen.
• Sell wholesale/B2B: Scale your business with wholesale capabilities.
• Advanced APIs: Integrate Shopify with custom systems for maximum efficiency.

💡 My Advice: Shopify Plus is a game-changer for enterprise businesses or brands selling at scale. If you’re processing hundreds

Comparing Basic Shopify, Shopify, and Advanced Plans [Top 8 Key Features]

1. Pricing Structure

When choosing a Shopify plan for dropshipping, pricing is often the first factor to consider. If you’re just starting out, I’d recommend the Basic Shopify plan at $39/month (or $29/month annually).

It’s budget-friendly and includes all the essential tools you need to get your store up and running. This plan is perfect for solo entrepreneurs or small businesses testing the waters in eCommerce.

As your business starts growing, you might find the Shopify plan at $79/month (billed annually) to be the sweet spot. Thus, it offers additional features like professional reports and better transaction rates, which are crucial for scaling efficiently.

If you’re processing a higher volume of orders and managing more complex operations, the Advanced Shopify plan at $299/month is the way to go. Hence, it includes custom reports and real-time calculated shipping rates, making it perfect for dropshippers who need more control over their business.

Finally, for enterprise-level businesses or those scaling globally, Shopify Plus is your best bet.

Thus, starting at $2,300/month, it offers unmatched customization and advanced features like multi-market localization and unlimited staff accounts. In my opinion, start small with the Basic plan, then upgrade as your sales and operations expand.

2. Transaction Fees

Transaction fees can significantly impact your profits, so understanding these is key when choosing a Shopify plan for dropshipping.

For beginners, the Basic plan charges 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction using Shopify Payments, which is manageable for low-volume sales.

However, if you rely on third-party payment gateways, the additional 2% fee can quickly eat into your margins. That’s when upgrading to the Shopify plan makes sense.

With rates at 2.7% + $0.30 and a reduced 1% third-party fee, it’s much more cost-effective for growing businesses.

Also, if your dropshipping store is handling high volumes of orders, the Advanced Shopify plan is ideal.

It lowers transaction fees to 2.4% + $0.30 for Shopify Payments and just 0.6% for third-party providers, making it the most cost-efficient option for scaling stores.

For enterprise-level operations, Shopify Plus takes it a step further with custom rates as low as 0.2%.

My advice? If you’re starting out, stick to Shopify Payments on the Basic plan. As you grow and transactions increase, moving to Shopify or Advanced will save you significant costs.

3. Staff and Collaborator Accounts

The number of staff accounts you’ll need largely depends on how you operate your business. For solo entrepreneurs, the Basic Shopify plan is sufficient with its single-staff account.

It keeps things simple and cost-effective while you’re managing the store yourself. As your team grows, the Shopify plan offers five staff accounts, which is ideal for small teams handling tasks like customer service, marketing, and order management.

If you’re running a mid-sized operation with multiple roles, the Advanced Shopify plan provides up to 15 staff accounts, giving you the flexibility to delegate more responsibilities.

For large dropshipping businesses with specialized teams for marketing, fulfillment, and support, Shopify Plus offers unlimited staff accounts.

My take? Stick to the Basic plan if you’re managing everything solo, and upgrade to Shopify or Advanced as you build out your team. For enterprises, Plus is the obvious choice.

4. Inventory Management

Managing inventory across suppliers and locations is critical for any dropshipping store. If you’re working with just a few suppliers or warehouses, the Basic Shopify plan is sufficient, supporting up to 10 inventory locations.

This is perfect for small dropshipping operations where simplicity is key.

For medium to large businesses juggling multiple suppliers or regions, the Shopify and Advanced Shopify plans also support 10 inventory locations but add features like automation and advanced analytics.

If you’re a global dropshipper managing a complex supply chain, Shopify Plus takes inventory management to another level, supporting up to 200 locations.

In my opinion, the Basic plan works for most beginners, but as your operations grow, consider Advanced or Plus for streamlined inventory control.

5. Reporting and Analytics

Analytics are the backbone of any successful dropshipping business. If you’re just starting out, the Basic Shopify plan provides simple, essential reports that help you track basic sales and customer data. For most beginners, this is enough to get a sense of what’s working.

However, if you’re growing and need more detailed insights, the Shopify plan includes professional reports, which allow you to analyze customer behavior, sales trends, and more. This is invaluable for scaling your business.

Also, for those handling high sales volumes, the Advanced Shopify plan offers fully customizable reports, enabling you to tailor your data analysis to fit your specific needs.

Lastly, Shopify Plus provides enterprise-level reporting, perfect for tracking performance across multiple markets.

My advice? Start with Basic for foundational data, and move to Shopify or Advanced as you scale and need deeper insights.

6. Shipping Discounts and Calculated Rates

Shipping costs can quickly add up in dropshipping, and each Shopify plan for dropshipping offers different levels of savings.

The Basic plan includes up to 77% shipping discounts with carriers like DHL and USPS, making it a great option for beginners managing smaller shipping volumes.

As your order volume grows, the Shopify plan and Advanced Shopify plan both offer discounts of up to 88%, significantly cutting your shipping expenses.

The Advanced Shopify plan also includes real-time calculated shipping rates, which show customers accurate shipping costs at checkout, improving trust and conversion rates.

For businesses managing bulk international shipping, Shopify Plus takes this further with custom-negotiated shipping rates.

My recommendation? Stick with the Basic plan for cost-effective shipping when you’re starting out, and upgrade as your shipping needs become more complex.

7. Checkout and Sales Capacity

The checkout experience can make or break your sales, and each Shopify plan for dropshipping handles checkout capacity differently.

The Basic Shopify plan provides standard checkout functionality, which is sufficient for small stores with moderate traffic. The Shopify plan maintains this standard but is still capable of handling growing sales.

So, if you’re running sales or promotions that drive significant traffic, the Advanced Shopify plan is your best choice, offering 10x checkout capacity to handle peak sales periods without crashing.

For enterprise-level operations or businesses hosting global campaigns, Shopify Plus provides 40x checkout capacity and customizable checkout options to optimize conversions.

My advice? Start with Basic and move to Advanced or Plus as your traffic increases, ensuring a smooth checkout experience for your customers.

8. Global Selling and Localization

If you’re targeting international markets, choosing the right Shopify plan for dropshipping is critical. The Basic and Shopify plans support localized selling in three markets, which is great for small-scale global operations.

If you’re expanding beyond three markets, the Advanced Shopify plan allows you to add additional markets for $59 per month, giving you flexibility as you grow.

Moreover, for global enterprises, Shopify Plus is unmatched, supporting localized selling in 50 markets with advanced tools like currency conversion, language translation, and market-specific pricing.

In my opinion, the Basic plan is a great starting point, but for serious international expansion, Advanced or Plus are the best options to ensure a seamless customer experience worldwide.

Free Trial and Starter Plan: What You Need to Know?

If you’re new to Shopify or just testing the waters with dropshipping, understanding the free trial and starter plans is essential for getting started without a big commitment.

Shopify offers a fantastic way to try its platform for free, allowing you to explore its features before making any financial decisions.

Here’s what you need to know about these options.

Free Trial: Start Risk-Free

Shopify provides a 3-day free trial for all its pricing plans, which is perfect for testing the platform’s capabilities without any upfront cost.

During this trial, you can set up your store, explore different themes, add products, and even begin configuring payment gateways. Also, it’s a risk-free way to understand if Shopify aligns with your dropshipping goals.

But here’s the real bonus: after the trial, Shopify allows you to use their platform for just $1 for the first month on any plan.

This gives you an extended opportunity to fully build and optimize your store without feeling rushed during the free trial period.

My advice? Use this time wisely to experiment with the platform and get a feel for its functionality. Try customizing your product pages, testing out the Shopify app store, and familiarizing yourself with features like inventory management and checkout.

Starter Plan: The Most Affordable Entry Point

The Shopify Starter plan is designed for absolute beginners or those looking to test the waters with minimal investment.

Priced at $5 per month, this plan allows you to sell products directly through social media platforms, messaging apps, or any online communication channel.

You won’t get a full-fledged store with this plan, but you’ll have access to crucial features like:

• Product pages to showcase your items.
• Checkout functionality to securely process payments.
• Shopify Inbox for managing customer communication.
• Linkpop to share your product links across various platforms.

This plan is especially useful if you’re starting small and don’t need a full online store just yet. For example, if you’re selling items through Instagram, WhatsApp, or SMS, the Starter plan simplifies your setup while giving you Shopify’s reliability.

When Should You Use the Free Trial or Starter Plan?

If you’re just getting started with dropshipping, take full advantage of Shopify’s 3-day free trial to explore its features and set up your store.

Once the trial ends, use the $1 first month offer to continue building your store without much risk. If your focus is on social media or messaging-based sales, the Starter plan at $5/month is a great way to keep costs low while learning the ropes.

However, if you’re serious about scaling your dropshipping business, you’ll quickly outgrow the Starter plan. Think of the Starter plan as a stepping stone—use it to test ideas and gain confidence, but plan to upgrade as your business gains traction.

Key Limitations to Keep in Mind:

While the Starter plan is an affordable way to begin your journey, it does have some limitations. You won’t have access to a complete website builder, custom domains, advanced analytics, or discount codes.

Additionally, the transaction fee for this plan is 5% per transaction, which can quickly eat into your profits as your sales grow.

However, these limitations are clear indicators that it’s time to upgrade to the Basic Shopify plan, priced at $39/month (or $29/month annually).

With the Basic plan, you’ll enjoy features like unlimited product listings, an online storefront, and 2.9% + $0.30 transaction fees on Shopify Payments.

Shopify Plus: When Should You Consider It?

Shopify Plus isn’t just a bigger, pricier version of other Shopify plans. Hence, it’s a completely different league. With a starting cost of $2,300 per month, it’s built for businesses generating substantial sales and looking for enterprise-level features.

So, what you actually get from Shopify plus is unlimited staff accounts, customizable checkout processes, and priority 24/7 support.

This plan also includes B2B capabilities, making it ideal for businesses selling wholesale alongside direct-to-consumer.

What sets Shopify Plus apart is its focus on global reach. You get access to 200 inventory locations, multi-currency support, and localized selling for up to 50 markets. So, with this in mind, your business can operate seamlessly worldwide.

Also, advanced APIs and integrations also allow you to build custom apps, automate workflows, and personalize the shopping experience to a level that’s just not possible with lower-tier plans.

When Does Shopify Plus Make Sense for Dropshippers?

Shopify Plus is an investment, and it’s not for everyone. As a dropshipper, you should consider this plan only when your business hits a scale where efficiency and advanced features outweigh the cost. For instance:

✅ High Sales Volume

If your store processes hundreds of orders daily, the enhanced checkout capacity (up to 40x standard) ensures your site can handle traffic spikes without slowing down.

Plus, the competitive transaction fees—starting at just 0.2% per transaction—make it cost-effective for large order volumes.

✅ Complex Needs

The real value of Shopify Plus lies in its ability to help you scale without limits.

As your business grows, tasks like inventory management, order fulfillment, and customer segmentation become increasingly complex. Shopify Plus offers tools to automate these workflows, saving you time and resources.

When you need custom checkout solutions or want to integrate advanced tools, Shopify Plus’s flexibility shines.

For example, you can create a fully personalized checkout experience that aligns with your branding, use custom scripts, and implement advanced marketing automation.

For example, the Shopify Flow automation tool lets you streamline processes like fraud detection, email follow-ups, and tagging VIP customers.

Plus, the Shopify Audiences feature helps you identify high-intent customers across platforms, giving you an edge in performance marketing.

✅ Global Expansion

If you’re operating in multiple countries, Shopify Plus provides essential tools like currency conversion, localized domains, and customized pricing by market, making international selling seamless.

Whether you’re tapping into European markets or expanding into Asia, Shopify Plus ensures your global strategy is supported.

✅ Priority Support

And let’s not forget the priority support. Shopify Plus merchants have access to a dedicated account manager who can assist with strategy, troubleshooting, and maximizing platform features.

When you’re handling a large operation, having that level of support can be invaluable.

11 Key Factors To Consider When Choosing a Shopify Plan in 2025

Selecting the right Shopify plan involves evaluating several critical factors tailored to your dropshipping needs. Understanding your sales potential, budget constraints, and inventory requirements will help you make an informed decision.

1. Evaluating Your Sales Volume and Traffic

Start by analyzing your expected sales volume. Higher sales typically mean you’ll need a more robust plan with better features. For example, you can use tools like Google Analytics to monitor traffic and apps like Lucky Orange for heatmaps to understand visitor behavior.

Shopify plans vary significantly in transaction fees, which can impact your profit margins if you’re experiencing high sales frequency.

Also, your expected sales volume and website traffic are crucial in selecting the right plan. If you’re starting out with just a handful of sales per week, the Basic Shopify plan is a great choice.

It’s affordable, and its features, like secure checkout and basic reporting, are enough to get you going.

However, if you’re running major sales events or flash deals, the Advanced Shopify plan is better equipped. With lower transaction fees and advanced reporting, it helps you manage higher sales volumes without cutting into your profit margins.

2. Assessing Budget and Profit Margins for Dropshipping

Budgeting is a cornerstone of any dropshipping business. Therefore, I advise you to use apps like Profit Calc or Shopify’s built-in reports to monitor your margins. And always calculate the ROI of upgrading your plan.

While the Basic Shopify plan offers a low-cost entry point, transaction fees (2.9% + $0.30) can add up quickly if you’re processing a lot of orders. That’s why understanding your margins is critical.

For example, if your average order value (AOV) is $50, transaction fees on Basic would be around $1.45 per sale. At higher sales volumes, upgrading to the Shopify plan with lower transaction fees (2.7% + $0.30) can save you hundreds of dollars monthly.

The Advanced Shopify plan, with fees as low as 2.4%, is ideal for stores handling high-volume sales or expensive products. If you’re scaling internationally and managing large orders, Shopify Plus brings transaction fees down to 0.2%, significantly boosting your margins.

3. Inventory Management and Product Range

The way you manage inventory and the size of your product range heavily influences your Shopify plan choice.

The Basic plan supports up to 10 inventory locations, making it a good fit for beginners working with one or two suppliers.

Hence, if you’re diversifying your product line or managing multiple suppliers, the Shopify plan provides tools for better organization, like detailed inventory tracking and low-stock alerts.

For example, if you’re working with suppliers on Spocket or Printful, these integrations sync seamlessly with Shopify to keep your stock updated.

Stores scaling across regions benefit from the Advanced plan, which supports complex inventory needs and offers advanced analytics to identify top-performing products.

For global operations, Shopify Plus allows up to 200 inventory locations, perfect for large-scale businesses needing precise control.

4. Shopify’s Checkout and Payment Gateways

Shopify’s checkout process is designed to be seamless and efficient, ensuring a user-friendly experience for your customers.

You can customize your checkout to fit your branding, helping you create a consistent aesthetic across your store.

The platform supports multiple payment gateways including Shopify Payments, PayPal, and others.

This variety allows you to cater to a wide audience, offering them their preferred payment method.

Also, Shopify Payments reduces transaction fees, especially on higher-tier plans, making it an economical choice if you scale your business.

6. Marketing and SEO Capabilities Across Plans

Every Shopify plan offers tools for marketing and SEO, but the level of functionality grows with each tier. The Basic plan provides standard SEO tools like customizable meta-tags and product descriptions, which are perfect for optimizing your initial catalog.

The Shopify plan steps it up with additional marketing features, such as email marketing integrations and gift card creation. For instance, apps like Klaviyo or Omnisend sync beautifully to send automated emails to your customers.

For advanced marketing strategies like segmented customer targeting or global campaigns, Advanced Shopify and Shopify Plus are indispensable.

With these plans, you can access Shopify Audiences, a powerful tool to create custom lookalike audiences for advertising.

7. Leveraging Analytics and Reporting Tools

Good decisions come from good data. Shopify’s reporting tools range from basic sales reports in the Basic plan to fully customizable reports in Advanced Shopify.

For beginners, the Basic plan provides enough insight to track sales, orders, and traffic.

The Shopify plan offers professional reports that help you dig deeper into customer behavior, making it ideal for small businesses scaling operations. For example, you can use these reports to identify which products are converting best or spot trends in customer locations.

Moreover, if you’re running a larger operation, the Advanced plan and Shopify Plus provide the analytics you need.

From inventory forecasting to marketing ROI, these plans let you tailor reports to your specific needs. Shopify Plus even integrates with tools like Google BigQuery for enterprise-level analysis.

8. Transaction Fees and Monthly Plans

Shopify’s monthly plans come with different pricing structures. You will find basic plans starting around $29 per month, while more advanced options can run up to $2,300.

In addition to monthly fees, be aware of transaction fees. These fees vary depending on the payment gateway you choose.

As I already mentioned above when comparing each Shopify plan for dropshipping, you could face charges between 2% and 0.5% per transaction with some plans. For example, Basic Shopify has a transaction fee of 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.

Using Shopify Payments can help you avoid these fees entirely. Factor in these costs to ensure your profit margins are sustained.

9. Add-ons, Plugins, and Third-Party Apps

As a dropshipper, I am telling you – dropshipping apps are a MUST. Essential add-ons and plugins can optimize operations, manage inventory, and improve the customer experience.

However, pricing for these can range widely. Some apps are free, while premium options may charge a monthly fee as low as $5 per month, up to $1,000 per month.

For example, I am using AutoDS to import products which costs me $36.90 per month.

On the other hand, from marketing apps, Plug-in-SEO costs me $29.99/month.

Consider budgeting for popular dropshipping apps that facilitate order automation, such as inventory management tools or product sourcing platforms.

Also, platforms like Dropshipping provide a curated list of Shopify apps along with a buyer guide for your store, ensuring you select what suits your needs best.

10. Customer Support and Resources

Reliable customer support is crucial for your dropshipping business. Ensure that the plan you select includes 24/7 support.

Having access to timely assistance can help you navigate challenges that may arise.

With the Basic Shopify plan, you get access to Shopify’s robust help center, which includes guides, FAQs, and video tutorials. This is usually enough for beginners to figure out the basics of setting up their store.

As you move up to the Shopify plan, support becomes even more valuable, especially as you start dealing with features like advanced reporting or marketing automation.

For example, if you’re setting up an email campaign using a tool like Klaviyo and need assistance integrating it, Shopify’s support team can walk you through the process.

For high-volume stores on the Advanced Shopify plan, Shopify’s support extends to helping with more complex issues like managing international tax settings or troubleshooting shipping integrations. Shopify Plus merchants even get a dedicated account manager.

11. Selecting the Right Dropshipping Suppliers

Choosing reliable dropshipping suppliers is fundamental to your success. The right suppliers ensure product quality, timely shipping, and excellent customer service.

Start by exploring platforms that offer a comprehensive directory of vetted suppliers. Thus, this can save time and potential headaches.

Consider factors such as shipping times, returns policies, and customer reviews when making your selection. Also, if you are using Shopify, you must consider your suppliers’ platform integrates with Shopify.

For instance, I am personally using the DSCOM supplier directory to find reliable suppliers that integrate with Shopify. The platform let me sort out my search based on dropshipping niche, shipping information, product costs, and more.

So, with a solid supplier base, you can confidently grow your online store.

Sum it All Up: What Shopify Plan Should I Choose for Dropshipping in 2025?

The Shopify plan you pick depends on where your dropshipping business is right now. Let’s break it down.

If you’re new to dropshipping, start with the Basic Shopify plan. At $39/month (or $29/month annually), it’s budget-friendly and gives you everything to get going—secure checkout, basic analytics, and up to 10 inventory locations. Use it to test your store and products. Apps like DSers are great for managing your suppliers.

When your store starts growing and sales come in regularly, it’s time to move to the Shopify plan. At $105/month (or $79/month annually), this plan adds professional reports, 5 staff accounts, and lower transaction fees (2.7% + $0.30). It’s perfect for scaling. Tools like Klaviyo can help with email marketing as you grow.

If you’re scaling fast and handling lots of orders daily, go for the Advanced Shopify plan. At $399/month (or $299/month annually), it offers 15 staff accounts, custom reports, and real-time shipping rates. Lower fees (2.4% + $0.30) make a big difference when sales are high.

Finally, if you’re running a global or enterprise-level business, Shopify Plus is the way to go. Starting at $2,300/month, it’s all about customization and scale—unlimited accounts, advanced checkout, and priority support.

Start with Basic, upgrade as you grow, and explore Shopify’s free trial. Take it step by step—you’ve got this!