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Published 08 April 2026 in Shopify Guides

What Percentage Does Shopify Take? Full Fee Breakdown for 2026

Shopify transaction fees, payment processing costs, and hidden ecommerce fees explained.

by reina

Shopify transaction fees, payment processing costs, and hidden ecommerce fees explained.What percentage does Shopify take? This is one of the most common questions new ecommerce sellers ask before starting an online store. Shopify does not take a traditional commission like marketplaces such as Amazon or Etsy, but it does charge transaction fees, payment processing fees, and monthly subscription costs depending on your plan and payment provider.

Understanding what percentage does Shopify take can help sellers calculate real profit margins more accurately. Many beginners researching what percentage does Shopify take are surprised to learn that fees vary depending on the Shopify plan.

If you are wondering what percentage does Shopify take when using Shopify Payments, the answer depends on your subscription tier and payment method.

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Shopify transaction fees and payment processing costs explained.
what percentage does shopify take

What Percentage Does Shopify Take From Each Sale?

Shopify typically takes between 2.4% and 2.9% plus a fixed transaction fee per online sale when using Shopify Payments. Additional transaction fees may apply when using third party payment gateways.

Before launching a store, it is important to understand what percentage does Shopify take from every transaction and how those fees affect long term profitability.

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Shopify does not take a flat percentage of your total revenue like a marketplace such as Amazon or Etsy. Instead, Shopify charges a combination of monthly subscription fees, payment processing fees, and optional transaction fees depending on how you accept payments.

If you use Shopify Payments, most sellers typically pay between 2.4% to 2.9% plus a small fixed fee per transaction, depending on the Shopify plan.

If you use a third party payment provider like PayPal or Stripe, Shopify may also charge an additional transaction fee on top of the payment processor’s fees.

Typical Shopify Fees by Plan

Shopify Plan Typical Online Card Fees Additional Transaction Fee
Basic Higher processing rate Up to 2%
Grow Lower processing rate Up to 1%
Advanced Lower processing rate for scaling stores Up to 0.5%
Shopify Plus Custom enterprise pricing Negotiated rates

How Shopify Fees Actually Work

Many people think Shopify takes a commission from every sale the same way marketplaces do. That is not how the platform works.

Shopify is an ecommerce platform provider. Instead of taking ownership of your sales, Shopify charges for the technology and payment processing infrastructure that powers your online store.

Your total Shopify cost is usually made up of three categories:

  • Monthly subscription fee
  • Payment processing fee
  • Additional transaction fee if not using Shopify Payments

Monthly Shopify Subscription Fees

Every Shopify store requires a subscription plan. The plan you choose affects your monthly cost and transaction fee structure.

Basic Shopify

Best for beginners and smaller online stores. This plan includes essential ecommerce features, website hosting, and checkout functionality.

Grow Shopify

Designed for growing businesses that want lower transaction fees and more advanced reporting tools.

Advanced Shopify

Suitable for stores with higher monthly sales volume that need advanced analytics and reduced processing costs.

Shopify Plus

Enterprise level solution for large ecommerce brands handling significant order volume and complex operations.

Payment Processing Fees Explained

Payment processing fees are charged every time a customer pays using a credit card, debit card, or digital wallet.

These fees help cover the cost of secure payment processing, fraud protection, banking infrastructure, and card network charges.

The percentage you pay depends on:

  • Your Shopify plan
  • Your customer’s payment method
  • Whether the card is domestic or international
  • Whether the payment is online or in person

Additional Shopify Transaction Fees

If you do not use Shopify Payments, Shopify may charge an extra transaction fee for using third party payment gateways.

For example, if you process payments through PayPal or another external provider, you could pay:

  • The payment processor’s fee
  • An additional Shopify transaction fee

This is one reason many merchants choose Shopify Payments.

How Much Does Shopify Take From a $100 Sale?

One of the easiest ways to understand Shopify fees is to look at real examples.

Product Sale $100
Payment Processing Fee Approximately $2.90
Fixed Transaction Fee Approximately $0.30
Estimated Net Payout About $96.80

The exact amount varies based on your Shopify plan and payment provider.

Why Understanding What Percentage Does Shopify Take Matters

Understanding Shopify fees helps ecommerce businesses set accurate product pricing, maintain healthy profit margins, and reduce unnecessary expenses.

Shopify Payments vs Third Party Payment Providers

Using Shopify Payments

  • No additional Shopify transaction fees
  • Simplified payouts
  • Integrated payment dashboard
  • Lower overall selling costs

Using Third Party Providers

  • May support more payment methods
  • Useful in unsupported regions
  • Can trigger additional Shopify transaction fees

Hidden Shopify Costs Most Beginners Miss

While transaction fees get most of the attention, there are other costs that can affect your ecommerce budget.

Paid Shopify Apps

Many stores install apps for upselling, email marketing, SEO, reviews, and inventory management. Monthly app subscriptions can become expensive over time.

Premium Shopify Themes

Free themes work well for many stores, but premium themes often require a one time purchase fee.

Custom Domains

You may need to purchase a branded domain name for your online store.

Currency Conversion Fees

Selling internationally may trigger currency exchange charges and international payment processing fees.

Chargebacks and Refunds

Disputed transactions can result in additional fees and lost revenue.

How to Reduce Shopify Fees

Use Shopify Payments

This is the easiest way to avoid additional transaction fees.

Choose the Right Shopify Plan

Higher plans usually offer lower processing rates. Stores with larger sales volume may save money by upgrading.

Limit Unnecessary Apps

Too many paid apps can increase operating costs quickly.

Increase Average Order Value

Larger orders help offset payment processing costs.

Reduce Chargebacks

Clear product descriptions, accurate shipping times, and responsive customer support help minimize disputes.

Helpful Shopify Resources

You can review official transaction rates directly on the Shopify pricing page.

More payment processing details are available through the Shopify Help Center.

Related Shopify Guides

New sellers should also read our Shopify pricing plans guide to compare subscription options.

If you plan to close your store later, check our Shopify cancellation tutorial.

Store owners comparing platforms may also like our Shopify vs Etsy fees comparison.

People Also Ask

Does Shopify take a percentage of every sale?

Yes. Shopify charges payment processing fees on transactions. Additional transaction fees may apply if you use third party payment providers instead of Shopify Payments.

How much does Shopify take from a $100 sale?

The amount varies based on your plan and payment provider, but many sellers pay around $3 to $4 in total fees on a $100 order.

Can you avoid Shopify transaction fees?

Using Shopify Payments helps eliminate additional Shopify transaction fees.

Does Shopify charge monthly fees?

Yes. Shopify requires a monthly subscription plan to operate your ecommerce store.

Is Shopify cheaper than Etsy?

It depends on your business model and sales volume. Shopify may become more cost effective for growing brands over time.

Does Shopify charge for refunds?

Payment processing fees are often not returned after refunds, depending on the payment provider.

Key Takeaways

  • Shopify does not take a flat commission from all revenue.
  • Most sellers pay payment processing fees for each transaction.
  • Using Shopify Payments can reduce overall costs.
  • Third party payment gateways may trigger extra transaction fees.
  • Monthly subscriptions, apps, and chargebacks also affect profitability.
  • The best Shopify plan depends on your sales volume and business goals.
  • Tracking total ecommerce costs helps improve long term profit margins.

Final Thoughts

Shopify fees are easier to manage once you understand how the platform structures payments, subscriptions, and transaction costs.

For most businesses, the platform provides strong value through its ecommerce tools, scalability, payment integrations, and store management features.

The key is choosing the right Shopify plan, monitoring your expenses carefully, and optimizing your store to maximize profit from every sale.

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