Shopify is the platform most first-time store owners default to without comparing alternatives. We built a real store on it for a month, migrated products, and ran test transactions to see if that default is still earned.
What is Shopify?
Shopify is a hosted eCommerce platform that handles storefront, checkout, and payment processing in one product, positioned as the fastest way to get a store live without managing infrastructure yourself.
Pricing
| Plan | Transaction Fee | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 2.9% + 30¢ | New stores | $39/mo |
| Shopify | 2.6% + 30¢ | Growing stores | $105/mo |
| Advanced | 2.4% + 30¢ | Scaling stores | $399/mo |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Consistently fast under load
- No-nonsense support response times
- Transparent, predictable pricing
Cons
- No cPanel access
- Overage fees can add up fast
Who should use Shopify?
First-time store owners who want to be selling within a day, and growing D2C brands who value the app ecosystem over shaving transaction fees. High-volume stores with development resources may find custom alternatives cheaper at scale.
Final verdict
Shopify remains the default for a reason — the setup speed and app ecosystem outweigh the per-transaction fees for most stores below serious scale.
FAQ
Is Shopify worth the monthly fee over free platforms like WooCommerce?
For most first-time store owners, yes — WooCommerce is free but requires hosting, security, and maintenance you manage yourself, which often costs more in time than Shopify's fee saves in dollars.
Can I avoid Shopify's transaction fees?
Yes, by using Shopify Payments as your payment processor instead of a third-party gateway — this removes the additional per-transaction fee.
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