Shopify is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms in the world, offering several plans that differ not only in price but also in features and performance. In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between Shopify Basic and Shopify Plus to help you decide which one fits your business best.
Who Is Shopify Basic For?
Shopify Basic is the perfect choice for smaller online stores, new brands, and entrepreneurs who want to launch quickly without getting lost in technical setup. It includes everything you need to run a professional store... product, order, payment, and customer management, plus with over 6,000 apps available, you can easily extend its functionality as your business grows.
When Shopify Basic Makes the Most Sense
Shopify Basic is ideal if you:
- are launching your first online store and need a solid foundation,
- sell in a single market or just a few languages,
- work solo or with a small team,
- don’t yet need advanced integrations or B2B features.
Shopify Basic is a great out-of-the-box solution for running a standard online store.
But if you’re looking for more control over your sales process, want to expand into new markets, or aim to deliver a premium customer experience, it might be time to consider Shopify Plus.
What Is Shopify Plus and Why Should You Upgrade?
Shopify Plus is designed for established online stores that have outgrown standard plans and need more flexibility, scalability, and power. It offers enterprise-level performance, advanced customization options, and automation tools that standard Shopify plans simply can’t match.
Performance and Reliability
Shopify Plus is built to handle high-volume traffic and large numbers of orders.
It can process up to 10,000 transactions per minute and guarantees 99.99% uptime, so your store stays online and responsive even during major campaigns or seasonal peaks.
That means fewer outages, faster load times, and peace of mind knowing your platform can scale with your growth.
Full Checkout Customization
Unlike lower-tier plans where the checkout is the same for everyone, Shopify Plus gives you full control over the checkout experience – from design and flow to payment logic.
With Checkout Extensibility, you can add custom rules, upsells, discounts, or B2B conditions to perfectly align the checkout with your brand strategy.
Automation That Saves Time
Shopify Plus includes tools like Shopify Flow and Launchpad, which help you automate repetitive tasks – from order processing to marketing campaigns.
For instance, Flow can automatically tag customers, adjust pricing, or trigger promotions based on pre-set conditions – all without developer support.
Advanced Integrations and API Access
With 10× higher API limits than standard plans, Shopify Plus easily connects to ERP, CRM, or warehouse management systems.
While Basic handles standard integrations, Plus is built for complex business setups – supporting real-time data sync, multi-system connections, and custom workflows.
B2B and International Expansion
Shopify Plus comes with native B2B features such as custom price lists, user permissions, invoice payments, and Net 30 terms.
It also lets you manage multiple stores and language versions from a single dashboard – making international expansion faster, easier, and more efficient.
When Is It Time to Upgrade to Shopify Plus?
Here are a few clear signs that it might be time to consider moving to Shopify Plus:
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Your online store generates over CZK 20 million (≈ $850,000) in annual revenue
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You operate in more than two markets or need a B2B solution (custom pricing, Net 30 terms, order approvals)
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You require custom checkout logic or integrations with ERP/CRM/WMS systems
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Managing dozens of apps is becoming costly and inefficient
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You’re hitting performance limits or experiencing slowdowns during major campaigns
Not sure if your store is ready for Shopify Plus?
Book a free consultation — we’ll review your current setup and help you determine whether upgrading makes sense right now.
Shopify Basic vs Shopify Plus – A Clear Comparison
| Category | Shopify Basic | Shopify Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | from €19/month with annual plan (first 3 months for €1/month) | from $2,300/month with a 3-year commitment (1-year term available at a higher rate) |
| Target Audience | small online stores, new brands | large stores, D2C brands, enterprise clients |
| Performance & Stability | standard performance, no SLA | up to 10,000 orders/min, 99.99% uptime guarantee |
| API Limits | 40 REST/min, 100 GraphQL points/sec | 400 REST/min, 1,000 GraphQL points/sec (10× higher) |
| Checkout Customization | limited modification options | fully customizable checkout – custom rules, discounts, pricing, logic |
| Automation | only via third-party apps | native tools: Shopify Flow, Launchpad, Functions |
| Integrations (ERP/CRM) | basic API or app connections | enterprise-grade integrations, real-time data sync, custom setups |
| B2B Features | via external apps only | native B2B tools – price lists, customer accounts, payment terms |
| International Expansion | 1 store, 3 markets, 2 languages | up to 10 stores, 50 markets, 20 languages |
| Support | standard 24/7 support | dedicated account manager and priority 24/7 support |
| Security | standard protection | advanced data security |
Shopify Basic is ideal for launching and running smaller projects where simplicity and affordability matter most.
Shopify Plus, on the other hand, opens the door to growth — offering higher performance, more control over the checkout process, advanced integrations, and automation tools.
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In short: Basic is perfect for getting started. Plus is the solution that takes your store to the next level.
Shopify Plus Pricing and ROI
Shopify Plus comes with a higher upfront cost, but the benefits often become clear very quickly.
Key factors that drive return on investment:
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Fewer third-party apps: Many features that require external apps on lower plans are built into Plus, reducing monthly costs, integrations, and potential errors.
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Higher conversion rates: A customizable and faster checkout helps increase completed orders and improve customer experience.
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Stable performance during peaks: Guaranteed 99.99% uptime eliminates losses from outages during campaigns or seasonal spikes.
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Operational efficiency: Automation and advanced integrations reduce manual work and speed up everyday processes.
Example in practice
An online store with $85,000 in monthly revenue upgrades from Shopify Advanced (around $360/month) to Shopify Plus (around $1,800/month).
The difference in price is roughly $1,440 per month, but the impact looks like this:
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Savings on apps: –$600/month (many features are built into Plus)
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Reduced outage losses: –$400/month (stable performance during campaigns)
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Higher conversion rate (+0.3 p.p.): +$1,200/month in additional sales
Net effect: approximately +$2,200/month in added value with an additional cost of $1,440/month.
ROI: payback in roughly 1–2 months.
How to Transition to Shopify Plus Smoothly
At first glance, upgrading to Shopify Plus might seem simple — but in reality, it requires some preparation.
It’s not just a change of plan; it often involves data migration, design adjustments, system integrations, and ensuring the entire shopping experience runs flawlessly — without downtime or performance loss.
Every online store has different priorities. Some focus on integrating with ERP or CRM systems, others need customized checkout flows or the ability to manage multiple stores for different markets.
In such cases, it’s worth working with experienced professionals who specialize in Shopify Plus migrations and can handle the entire process efficiently and with minimal risk.
Shopify collaborates with certified partners around the world who ensure a smooth transition and help merchants get the most out of the platform.
FORECOM is one of Shopify’s official partners in the Czech Republic.
With years of experience in migrations, custom development, and performance optimization, we help businesses move to Shopify Plus safely — and make the most of its full potential.
Ready to Move to Shopify Plus?
Shopify Plus is designed for brands ready to take their business to the next level — grow faster, handle higher order volumes, expand internationally, and take full control of every detail of the customer experience.
You might feel like you’re getting the most out of your current plan — or perhaps you’re not sure whether it’s the right time to upgrade.
Either way, we’re here to help.
Book a free, no-obligation consultation — we’ll review your current store, discuss your goals, and determine whether Shopify Plus is the right solution for you.
And if it is, we’ll show you exactly how to make the transition simple, secure, and beneficial for your business.
The Shopify Plus Migration Process with FORECOM
Step 1: Initial Consultation & Analysis
We start by evaluating your current store setup, technologies, and system integration requirements (ERP, CRM, warehouse, accounting).
Based on that, we define migration goals and the ideal scope of your new solution.
Step 2: Technical Audit & Data Preparation
We perform a thorough audit of your current store — including products, customers, orders, integrations, and URL structure.
At the same time, we prepare a data migration and mapping plan to ensure everything transfers smoothly.
Step 3: Solution Design & Implementation
We create your new Shopify Plus environment, set up integrations, design, and process automation.
This phase may also include custom checkout configurations or B2B functionality development.
Step 4: Testing & Optimization
Comprehensive testing ensures everything works perfectly before launch — orders, payments, integrations, and redirects.
The goal is to guarantee a seamless go-live experience without errors or downtime.
Step 5: Go-Live & Ongoing Support
After launch, we monitor performance, track key metrics, and fine-tune the setup as needed.
This ensures a smooth transition for both your customers and your internal team.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shopify Plus
1. What’s the difference between Shopify Basic and Shopify Plus?
The main difference lies in scale and flexibility. Shopify Basic is perfect for smaller stores that want to start selling online quickly. Shopify Plus, on the other hand, is designed for larger brands, offering greater performance, advanced features, automation, and the ability to manage multiple stores under one account.
2. Who is Shopify Plus best suited for?
It’s ideal for established businesses with steady sales, high order volumes, or multiple markets. In short, growing brands that need to scale operations and have more control over their store.
3. How much does Shopify Plus cost?
Shopify Plus starts at around $2,300 per month, with the final price determined individually based on your store’s size and sales volume.
4. Is upgrading from a standard plan to Shopify Plus complicated?
It depends on your store’s complexity. Smaller stores can migrate quite easily, while larger businesses benefit from a planned approach to avoid downtime or data issues.
5. How many stores can I manage with Shopify Plus?
Shopify Plus allows you to manage up to 10 expansion stores within a single organization.
Each store can have its own currency, language, and product selection — ideal for brands operating in multiple countries or under multiple labels.
6. Can I customize the checkout on Shopify Plus?
Yes. Shopify Plus is the only plan that allows full checkout customization through Checkout Extensibility and Shopify Functions. You can adjust its design, add custom logic, or integrate shipping carriers.
For example, only Shopify Plus lets you offer pickup-point selection directly in the checkout — while lower plans require this step after the order, which can lower conversion rates.
8. Does Shopify Plus include native B2B features?
Yes. Shopify Plus comes with built-in B2B functionality — including custom price lists, buyer permissions, invoice payments, order approvals, and multi-level customer accounts.
9. How many languages and markets can Shopify Plus support?
Shopify Plus can manage up to 50 markets and 20 languages within a single organization.
Each market can have its own domain, currency, and localized pricing — making international expansion much easier to manage.