Key Intake
Q1: What Shopify plan is best for dropshipping beginners?
Shopify Basic at $39/month is perfect for beginners. It includes all essential features like unlimited products, inventory management, and basic analytics without overwhelming new users with advanced features they don’t need yet.
Q2: Which Shopify plan is cheapest for beginners?
The Starter plan at $5/month is cheapest, but it only allows social media selling without a full storefront. For a complete dropshipping store, Basic at $39/month offers the best entry-level value.
Q3: Is Shopify Basic good for dropshipping?
Yes, Shopify Basic works excellent for dropshipping until you hit $8,000+ monthly sales. After that point, the 2% transaction fees make the regular Shopify plan more cost-effective despite the higher monthly fee.
Q4: How much is Shopify monthly for dropshipping?
Expect to pay $39-399 monthly for your Shopify plan, plus $50-300 for essential apps, plus 2.4-2.9% in payment processing fees. Total monthly costs typically range from $150-800 depending on your sales volume and plan choice.
Q5: Do I need Shopify Plus for dropshipping?
Most dropshippers never need Shopify Plus. It’s designed for enterprise operations doing $1M+ annually with complex needs. The regular Shopify or Advanced plans handle most successful dropshipping businesses perfectly.
Q6: How do Shopify transaction fees compare across plans?
Transaction fees when not using Shopify Payments are: Basic (2%), Shopify (1%), Advanced (0.6%). These fees apply only if you use third-party payment processors instead of Shopify’s built-in payment system.
Q7: Which Shopify plan is best for scaling a dropshipping store?
The regular Shopify plan at $105/month offers the best scaling foundation. It provides team collaboration, professional analytics, and lower transaction fees that support growth from $8,000 to $50,000+ monthly sales.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Have you ever stared at Shopify’s pricing page, feeling overwhelmed by all those plan options? You’re definitely not alone in this struggle.
Choosing what Shopify plan is best for dropshipping isn’t just about monthly costs. It’s about finding that sweet spot between features and affordability that matches your current business needs. With dropshipping generating $351.8 billion globally in 2024, according to Shopify’s own data, picking the wrong plan could cost you thousands in unnecessary fees or limit your growth when orders start flowing.
Most dropshippers jump into the cheapest plan without understanding how transaction fees work. Others overpay for features they’ll never use. The truth is, most people miss the real cost drivers that determine what Shopify plan is best for dropshipping success.
Quick Answer
The Shopify Plan at $105/month offers the best balance for most dropshipping businesses.
It provides lower transaction fees, team collaboration features, and professional reports that justify the cost once you’re consistently selling $8,000+ monthly. Beginners should start with Basic ($39/month), while high-volume sellers benefit from Advanced ($399/month).
Understanding Shopify’s Pricing Plans for Dropshipping
Shopify offers four main subscription tiers, plus a starter option. Each plan has different features, staff limits, and most importantly – different transaction fees that can make or break your profit margins.
| Plan | Price (Monthly) | Staff Accounts | Key Features | Transaction Fees (Non-Shopify Payments) | Shipping Discounts | Best For | Sales Threshold Guidance |
| Shopify Starter | $5 | N/A | Buy buttons, sell via social media, no full store, 5% fees | 5% + $0.30 | None | Testing products on Instagram/TikTok, social-first selling | Outgrown quickly by serious dropshippers |
| Shopify Basic | $39 ($29 annual) | 2 | Unlimited products, 10 inventory locations, basic analytics/reports | 2% + $0.30 | Up to 77% | Beginners, solo entrepreneurs, side hustlers, <$8K monthly sales | Cost-effective until ~$8K monthly revenue |
| Shopify Plan | $105 ($79 annual) | 5 | Unlimited products, professional reports, gift cards, abandoned cart recovery | 1% + $0.30 | Up to 88% | Growing stores, VAs/teams, $8K–$50K monthly, need better analytics & team collaboration | Cheaper than Basic once >$8K monthly sales |
| Shopify Advanced | $399 ($299 annual) | 15 | Custom reports, advanced analytics, real-time carrier & third-party shipping rates | 0.6% + $0.30 | Up to 88% | High-volume dropshippers, 500+ orders/month, multi-market sellers needing detailed analytics | Makes sense when >$50K monthly revenue |
| Shopify Plus | $2,300+ (3-year contract) | Unlimited | Enterprise APIs, dedicated success manager, custom checkout, multi-store control | Custom rates (~0.2%) | Negotiated/custom | Enterprise brands, $1M+ annual sales, multi-brand or B2B dropshipping | Overkill for most dropshippers |
What You’ll Actually Pay? Full Cost Breakdown
Plan costs are only the start. Transaction fees matter most when deciding what Shopify plan is best for dropshipping.
Transaction Fee Impact by Sales Volume
Here’s what different sales volumes cost across plans:
| Monthly Sales | Basic Plan (2% fees) | Shopify Plan (1% fees) | Advanced Plan (0.6% fees) | Best Value at This Level |
| $5,000 | $39 + $100 = $139 total | $105 + $50 = $155 total | $399 + $30 = $429 total | Basic is cheapest while scaling |
| $20,000 | $39 + $400 = $439 total | $105 + $200 = $305 total | $399 + $120 = $519 total | Shopify becomes more cost-efficient |
| $50,000 | $39 + $1,000 = $1,039 total | $105 + $500 = $605 total | $399 + $300 = $699 total | Advanced optimizes costs + features |
You can see how the Shopify plan becomes the most cost-effective once you hit higher volumes.
What are the Hidden Costs Most People Miss?
Every Shopify plan has additional expenses that catch beginners off guard:
Essential apps (monthly):
- Product sourcing tools: $15-40
- Email marketing: $20-150
- Review systems: $10-30
- Analytics tools: $19-199
Payment processing:
- Shopify Payments: 2.9% + 30¢ (Basic), 2.6% + 30¢ (Shopify), 2.4% + 30¢ (Advanced)
- Third-party processors add the transaction fees mentioned above
One-time costs:
- Custom domain: $14/year
- Premium themes: $140-350
Budget $150-500 monthly total for a properly equipped dropshipping store.
When to Choose Each Shopify Plan for Dropshipping?
The best way to answer what Shopify plan is best for dropshipping is to match your current stage:
Start with Basic if you’re:
- Testing your first products
- Doing under 50 orders monthly
- Working solo without team members
- Operating on a tight budget
Upgrade to Shopify when you:
- Consistently hit $8,000+ monthly sales
- Need team collaboration features
- Want professional analytics
- Have virtual assistants helping
Consider Advanced if you:
- Process 500+ orders monthly
- Need detailed custom reports
- Operate in multiple markets
- Have a larger team (10+ people)
Look at Plus only if you:
- Generate $1M+ annually
- Run multiple brands
- Need custom integrations
- Have enterprise-level complexity
Comparison: Shopify Plans vs Competitors for Dropshipping
Shopify isn’t your only option, but it’s often the best.
| Platform | Key Strengths | Main Limitations | Best For |
| Shopify | Largest dropshipping app ecosystem, excellent mobile responsiveness, built-in payments, strong customer support | Transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments | Dropshippers who want scalability + plug-and-play tools |
| WooCommerce | Highly customizable, open-source flexibility, strong WordPress integration | Requires hosting, plugins, and technical management | Sellers who want control and have tech resources |
| BigCommerce | No transaction fees, built-in multi-channel selling | Smaller dropshipping app marketplace, steeper learning curve | Growing brands avoiding extra fees |
| Wix | Low cost, simple drag-and-drop builder, easy setup | Limited scalability, weaker for large stores | Beginners testing small stores on a tight budget |
For most dropshippers, Shopify’s ecosystem of apps and integrations makes it worth the premium over alternatives.
What are the Regional Pricing and International Features?
Shopify pricing varies by location, which affects what Shopify plan is best for dropshipping in different markets.
United States pricing:
- Basic: $39
- Shopify: $105
- Advanced: $399
European markets (with VAT):
- France/Spain: €18/€46/€278 approximately
- Includes built-in EU compliance tools
Asia-Pacific:
- Singapore: SGD 39/132/531
- Australia: Lower processing rates (1.75%/1.6%/1.4%)
International sellers should factor in multi-currency support and local payment methods when choosing their plan.
Automation Tools and Integrations by Plan
Different plans offer varying levels of automation support.
All plans include:
- Basic inventory tracking
- Order fulfillment automation
- Email notifications
Shopify and Advanced add:
- Advanced workflow automation
- Custom reporting triggers
- Third-party app integrations
Plus exclusively offers:
- Custom API access
- Advanced automation scripts
- Multi-store automation
For most dropshippers, the automation tools in the regular Shopify plan provide plenty of functionality.
Making the Upgrade Decision: Timing and Triggers
Knowing when to upgrade your Shopify plan can save you hundreds monthly.
Upgrade from Basic to Shopify when:
- Monthly sales consistently exceed $8,000
- You hire your first virtual assistant
- You need professional reporting features
- Transaction fees exceed $80 monthly
Upgrade from Shopify to Advanced when:
- Monthly sales exceed $50,000
- You need custom reporting
- You have a team of 10+ people
- International expansion becomes serious
Consider Plus only when:
- Annual revenue exceeds $1 million
- You need custom checkout flows
- You’re running multiple brands
- Standard plans limit your operations
Most successful dropshippers never need more than the Advanced plan.
Sources
- Shopify Blog: Official guide on how to dropship using Shopify (2025).
- Forbes: Expert insights on starting a dropshipping business in four simple steps.
- ZikAnalytics: Detailed breakdown of which Shopify plan works best for dropshipping.
- Omnisend: Best dropshipping apps for Shopify in 2025.
- Tidio: Shopify pricing plans and fees in 2025.
Conclusion
The choice of what Shopify plan is best for dropshipping omes down to your current stage, not future ambitions. Start with Basic if you’re testing products or under $8K in sales it has everything you need without extra costs. Once you consistently pass $8K monthly, upgrade to the Shopify Plan, as lower fees, better analytics, and team features make it more profitable. Move to Advanced only when handling 500+ orders a month or needing custom reports. While Plus is strictly for enterprise-level brands doing $1M+ annually. Since Shopify lets you upgrade anytime, focus first on building sales and scaling smart successful dropshippers prioritize product research and marketing over debating plans.
About the Author
Marcus Chen is a digital commerce strategist with 8 years of experience helping entrepreneurs scale their online businesses. He has advised over 200 dropshippers on platform selection and growth optimization strategies.
Struggling to pick the right Shopify plan? This video makes the decision crystal clear for dropshippers
