Choosing between Shopify Plus vs Shopify Advanced can make or break your eCommerce growth trajectory. Both plans target high-volume merchants, but they differ dramatically in cost structure, customization depth, and enterprise capabilities. If you’re processing $100,000+ in monthly revenue or managing complex operations, this decision directly impacts your operational efficiency and profit margins.
This guide breaks down the core differences between Shopify advanced vs plus, helping you evaluate which plan aligns with your business scale, technical requirements, and budget constraints.
Summary
- Pricing models and break-even points for Shopify Plus vs Advanced plan decisions
- Critical feature differences including multi-store management, automation tools, and checkout customization capabilities
- When to upgrade from Advanced Shopify vs Shopify Plus based on revenue thresholds and operational complexity
- Real-world scenarios showing which businesses benefit most from each pricing tier
- Total cost of ownership considerations including transaction fees, app dependencies, and development requirements
Understanding Shopify’s Pricing Tiers
Shopify offers five distinct pricing plans designed for different business stages. While Basic Shopify ($24-32/month) and standard Shopify ($69-92/month) serve startups and growing businesses, this guide focuses on the enterprise comparison: shopify advanced plan versus Shopify Plus.
Advanced Shopify ($299/month annually or $399 monthly) targets established businesses with advanced reporting, third-party calculated shipping, and 15 staff accounts.
Shopify Plus starts at $2,000/month, scaling to 0.25% of GMV above $800,000 monthly revenue. This enterprise solution provides unlimited customization, dedicated support, and advanced automation.
| Feature | Advanced Shopify | Shopify Plus |
| Monthly Cost | $299 (annual) / $399 (monthly) | $2,000+ (based on GMV) |
| Staff Accounts | 15 | Unlimited |
| Number of Stores | 1 | Up to 10 expansion stores |
| Checkout Customization | Limited | Full access to checkout.liquid |
| Automation Tools | Standard apps | Flow + Launchpad + Scripts |
| API Call Limits | Standard | Extended limits |
Shopify Advanced Plan: Features and Pricing
The advanced Shopify plan costs $299 per month on an annual contract or $399 monthly. Transaction fees match Shopify Plus at 2.4% + $0.30 per transaction when using Shopify Payments. External payment gateways incur additional fees.
This plan includes everything from standard Shopify plus enhanced reporting, calculated shipping rates, and support for 15 staff accounts. For merchants running a single store with moderate complexity, these features often suffice.
Custom Report Builder for Data-Driven Decisions
The custom report builder stands out as Advanced Shopify’s most valuable analytical tool. You can create tailored reports tracking sales by referral source, customer lifetime value, inventory turnover, and marketing ROI.
This capability helps you identify which Google Ads campaigns drive actual revenue, not just traffic. You can segment customers by purchase behavior, flag at-risk accounts before churn, and measure the true impact of promotional campaigns. These insights directly inform inventory planning, marketing budget allocation, and customer retention strategies.
Third-Party Calculated Shipping Integration
Advanced Shopify integrates with external shipping carriers to display real-time rates at checkout. Customers see accurate shipping costs from providers like UPS, FedEx, and DHL based on their location, package weight, and selected delivery speed.
This transparency reduces cart abandonment caused by unexpected shipping fees. You eliminate the guesswork of estimated shipping costs, preventing scenarios where you either overcharge customers or absorb losses from underestimated rates.
Single-Store Limitation and Cost Implications
Advanced Shopify restricts you to one online store per subscription. If you operate separate stores for different markets (US and UK, for example), you’ll pay $299 per store monthly, totaling $598. These accounts remain completely isolated, meaning you can’t share inventory data, customer information, or centralized analytics.
This limitation becomes costly and operationally complex for brands pursuing international expansion or managing multiple storefronts for different customer segments (B2B vs. B2C, wholesale vs. retail).
Shopify Plus: Enterprise-Level Capabilities
When evaluating advanced shopify vs shopify plus, the enterprise capabilities become the defining factor. Shopify Plus pricing starts at $2,000 monthly but becomes percentage-based at 0.25% of GMV once you exceed $800,000 in monthly sales.
Multi-Store Management and International Expansion
Shopify Plus merchants can create up to 10 expansion stores from a single dashboard. You might run localized stores for different geographic regions with regional pricing and language customization, or maintain separate storefronts for B2B wholesale and D2C retail with distinct pricing structures.
This eliminates managing isolated accounts while enabling consolidated analytics, synchronized inventory, and consistent branding with regional flexibility.
Multi-Currency Support for Global Commerce
Shopify Plus includes native multi-currency functionality supporting 11 major currencies. The system automatically displays prices in local currency based on customer IP location, significantly improving international customer experience and reducing purchase friction.
Advanced Automation with Shopify Plus
Automation tools represent the clearest difference when comparing shopify plus vs advanced. Shopify Plus provides three proprietary automation tools unavailable on lower tiers.
Shopify Flow: Visual Workflow Automation
Shopify Flow creates conditional workflows without coding. Common use cases include auto-tagging high-value customers, flagging high-value orders for fraud review, hiding out-of-stock products automatically, and creating support tickets for negative reviews.
Flow integrates with apps like Klaviyo, Yotpo, and Recharge, building complex multi-step workflows that would otherwise require custom development.
Shopify Scripts for Dynamic Pricing
Scripts enables Ruby code controlling cart behavior, shipping, and payments. This handles volume-based tiered pricing, customer-specific wholesale rates, dynamic shipping thresholds, and payment method restrictions—all executing at checkout without app dependencies.
Shopify Launchpad for Scheduled Events
Launchpad automates time-sensitive campaigns. Schedule flash sales with automatic price reversions, seasonal collection launches, multi-channel promotions, and holiday theme activations. This ensures perfect timing without manual intervention or staff availability concerns.
| Automation Feature | Advanced Shopify | Shopify Plus |
| Shopify Flow | Not available | Full access with app integrations |
| Shopify Scripts | Not available | Ruby-based customization |
| Launchpad Scheduling | Not available | Campaign automation |
| Workflow Automation Apps | Limited selection | Premium enterprise apps |
Checkout Customization and Code-Level Control
When comparing Shopify Plus vs shopify advanced, checkout flexibility represents one of the starkest contrasts. Advanced Shopify locks down the checkout experience, limiting you to minor cosmetic changes and third-party app additions.
Shopify Plus grants full access to checkout.liquid files, enabling complete customization of the checkout flow. Your development team can:
- Add custom fields for gift messages, delivery instructions, or account details
- Implement dynamic upsells and cross-sells within the checkout process
- Create custom validation rules for specific product types or order requirements
- Integrate third-party services directly into checkout without app dependencies
- Build unique checkout experiences that align with brand guidelines
This access proves critical for brands with complex requirements like subscription models, membership programs, or specialized product configurations. Custom checkout development can significantly impact conversion rates by creating seamless, branded experiences that instill customer confidence during the purchase process.
B2B and Wholesale Capabilities
Shopify Plus includes a dedicated wholesale channel for operating B2B and D2C from one platform. Create password-protected wholesale storefronts with customer-specific pricing, volume-based discounting, minimum order quantities, net payment terms, and catalog restrictions.
These features eliminate separate wholesale platforms or manual quote generation, consolidating operations within Shopify Plus.
App Ecosystem and Integration Capabilities
Both plans access Shopify’s 8,000+ app marketplace, but the integration experience differs significantly. Advanced Shopify users rely heavily on third-party apps to extend functionality, accumulating monthly subscription costs ranging from $200-$1,000+ for essential tools.
Shopify Plus reduces app dependency through built-in features like Flow, Scripts, and Launchpad. When you do need apps, Plus-certified applications offer enhanced functionality designed specifically for enterprise operations.
The advanced API access in Shopify Plus enables deeper integrations with enterprise systems like Salesforce, NetSuite, and custom middleware solutions. Higher API rate limits prevent throttling issues that affect high-volume operations, ensuring smooth data synchronization across your technology stack.
Point of Sale Integration for Omnichannel Retail
Shopify POS Pro comes included with Shopify Plus, creating unified omnichannel experiences between online and physical retail. This feature enables:
- Buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS): Customers purchase online and collect items from your physical location, capturing immediate gratification preferences.
- Endless aisle functionality: If an item is out of stock in-store, staff can order from online inventory for direct shipment to the customer.
- Unified customer profiles: Track purchase history, preferences, and loyalty status across all channels, enabling personalized service regardless of shopping method.
- Synchronized inventory: Real-time inventory updates prevent overselling and provide accurate stock visibility across all locations.
Advanced Shopify offers basic POS capabilities, but Shopify POS Pro provides the advanced features needed for sophisticated omnichannel operations. The included value of POS Pro (normally $89/month per location) represents significant savings for multi-location retailers.
| POS Feature | Advanced Shopify | Shopify Plus |
| POS Pro Included | $89/month extra | Included |
| Unlimited Registers | Limited | Unlimited |
| Smart Inventory | Basic tracking | Advanced optimization |
| Staff Permissions | Limited | Granular control |
Dedicated Support and Account Management
Shopify Plus merchants receive priority support with significantly faster response times. When technical issues arise, you connect with specialized Plus support teams trained on enterprise-level configurations rather than general support staff.
More valuable than reactive support is the proactive Merchant Success Manager assigned to Plus accounts. Your MSM provides:
- Strategic guidance on platform utilization and feature adoption
- Early access to beta features and new product releases
- Recommendations for certified Plus partners and agency resources
- Quarterly business reviews analyzing store performance and growth opportunities
- Direct escalation channels for urgent technical issues or feature requests
This dedicated support proves invaluable during critical periods like seasonal sales events, major platform migrations, or complex technical implementations. While Advanced Shopify provides standard support channels, you’re competing with millions of merchants for attention.
Total Cost of Ownership Analysis
When comparing the shopify advanced plan against Plus, analyze total costs beyond platform fees:
Advanced Shopify merchants typically spend $300-$1,000 monthly on apps replacing Plus features. Custom development proves more expensive due to platform limitations. Running 3 Advanced stores costs $897 monthly versus one Plus account managing all through expansion stores.
For a business doing $1.5 million monthly:
- Advanced Shopify: $299 platform + $500 apps + $300 labor = $1,099/month
- Shopify Plus: $3,750 platform + $100 apps + $0 labor waste = $3,850/month
While Plus costs more in platform fees, operational efficiency and reduced app dependency often justify the investment at scale.
When to Choose Advanced Shopify
The shopify advanced vs plus decision favors Advanced Shopify in these scenarios:
- Single-market focus: You operate exclusively in one country with no immediate international expansion plans.
- Revenue under $500K monthly: Your gross sales don’t justify the Plus pricing structure, and percentage-based fees would exceed $2,000.
- Simple operations: Your business doesn’t require complex automation, custom checkout flows, or sophisticated wholesale capabilities.
- Limited technical resources: You prefer app-based solutions to custom development and don’t need code-level platform access.
- Testing platform fit: You’re evaluating Shopify’s ecosystem before committing to enterprise pricing and want to minimize initial investment.
Advanced Shopify provides a robust foundation for established eCommerce businesses. The 15 staff accounts, advanced reporting, and calculated shipping rates support most operations effectively without premium enterprise costs.
When to Upgrade to Shopify Plus
Consider upgrading from advanced shopify to Shopify Plus when:
- Monthly revenue exceeds $800K: At this threshold, Plus pricing (0.25% of GMV) becomes cost-competitive while unlocking enterprise capabilities.
- Multi-store requirements emerge: International expansion, separate B2B storefronts, or brand portfolio management require centralized multi-store administration.
- Automation drives ROI: Manual processes consume staff time that Flow, Scripts, and Launchpad could eliminate, freeing your team for strategic initiatives.
- Checkout customization needed: Your conversion optimization strategy requires custom checkout experiences that Advanced Shopify’s locked-down approach prevents.
- Omnichannel presence: Operating physical retail locations alongside eCommerce necessitates POS Pro’s sophisticated inventory and customer management.
- Enterprise integrations: Your technology stack includes ERP, WMS, or CRM systems requiring robust API access and custom middleware connections.
The upgrade decision often comes down to operational complexity rather than pure revenue thresholds. A $400K/month merchant with complex wholesale operations might benefit more from Plus than a $1.5M/month merchant with straightforward direct-to-consumer sales.
Alternative Considerations Beyond Shopify
Before finalizing your shopify plus vs shopify advanced decision, consider whether Shopify represents the optimal platform for your specific requirements.
BigCommerce Enterprise offers similar mid-market capabilities with different pricing structures and feature trade-offs. Some merchants prefer BigCommerce’s built-in B2B features and multi-storefront capabilities without app dependencies.
Magento Commerce provides maximum customization for businesses with extensive technical resources but requires significant hosting, development, and maintenance investment.
WooCommerce offers complete control and cost flexibility for merchants comfortable managing WordPress-based eCommerce, though it demands more technical oversight than SaaS platforms.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud targets enterprise retailers with complex requirements but comes with significantly higher licensing costs and implementation complexity.
Each platform has distinct strengths. Shopify and Shopify Plus excel at ease of use, reliability, and reducing technical burden—but they’re not universal solutions for every business model.
Key Takeaways
- Pricing diverges significantly: Advanced costs $299/month flat fee; Plus starts at $2,000 and scales to 0.25% of GMV above $800K monthly
- Multi-store capabilities matter: Advanced restricts you to one store; Plus includes up to 10 expansion stores with centralized management
- Automation drives efficiency: Plus-exclusive Flow, Scripts, and Launchpad eliminate manual processes that drain staff productivity on Advanced
- Checkout control impacts conversion: Plus grants full checkout.liquid access enabling custom experiences that Advanced’s locked-down checkout prevents
- Total cost exceeds platform fees: Factor in app subscriptions, development costs, and operational efficiency when calculating true cost of ownership
Conclusion
The shopify plus vs shopify advanced comparison ultimately comes down to operational complexity, growth trajectory, and strategic priorities. Advanced Shopify delivers excellent value for established merchants with straightforward operations, while Shopify Plus provides the enterprise infrastructure needed for complex, high-volume businesses.
If you’re approaching $500K in monthly revenue, managing multiple markets or customer segments, or finding Advanced Shopify’s automation and customization limitations constraining growth, Plus likely delivers ROI despite higher platform costs.
Ready to determine which plan aligns with your business needs? Contact our Shopify experts for a personalized assessment of your platform requirements and growth strategy.
FAQs
Is Advanced Shopify the Same as Shopify Plus?
No. Advanced Shopify is a high-tier standard plan at $299/month with 15 staff accounts and enhanced reporting. Shopify Plus is an enterprise solution starting at $2,000/month with unlimited staff accounts, multi-store capabilities, checkout customization, and proprietary automation tools.
What Is the Difference Between Shopify and Shopify Plus?
Shopify Plus offers enterprise features unavailable on standard plans: unlimited staff accounts, up to 10 expansion stores, checkout.liquid access, Shopify Flow automation, Scripts for custom logic, Launchpad scheduling, wholesale B2B channel, POS Pro inclusion, and dedicated Merchant Success Managers.
Is It Worth Upgrading to Shopify Plus?
Upgrading justifies itself for merchants processing $800K+ monthly revenue, requiring multi-store management, needing advanced automation to replace manual processes, or hitting limitations with checkout customization and B2B capabilities. Calculate total cost including app savings and productivity gains.
What Are the Disadvantages of Shopify Plus?
The primary disadvantage is cost—$2,000+ monthly may not justify benefits for smaller operations. Setup complexity increases with advanced features requiring technical expertise. Some merchants find Plus still limiting compared to fully customizable platforms like Magento for highly specialized requirements.
Can I Downgrade from Shopify Plus to Advanced?
Yes, though you’ll lose Plus-exclusive features like Flow, Scripts, Launchpad, multi-store management, and wholesale channel. Ensure critical business functions don’t depend on these capabilities before downgrading. Most merchants find downgrading impractical once they’ve built operations around Plus features.
How Long Does It Take to Upgrade from Advanced to Plus?
The upgrade process typically takes 2-4 weeks including contract finalization, Merchant Success Manager assignment, and feature enablement. Your store continues operating normally during this period with no customer-facing disruption or data migration required.
