{"id":4746,"date":"2026-03-12T08:37:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:37:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/?p=4746"},"modified":"2026-03-13T22:04:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T22:04:37","slug":"is-shopify-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/is-shopify-free\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Shopify Free to Use? A Complete Guide to Shopify&#8217;s Costs and Plans"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Starting an online store sounds simple until you realize the platform you picked might cost more than you budgeted for. If you&#8217;re asking whether Shopify is free to use, the short answer is no \u2014 but the full picture is worth understanding before you commit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This guide breaks down every Shopify plan, hidden fees to watch for, and how to make the most of the free trial so you can decide with confidence.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Summary<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shopify is not free, but it offers a 3-day free trial (extended to $1\/month for the first three months during promotional periods)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plans range from $5\/month (Starter) to $2,000+\/month (Shopify Plus)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/shopify-transaction-fees\/\">Transaction fees<\/a>, app costs, domain registration, and themes add to your total monthly spend<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is no permanent free Shopify plan, but low-cost entry points exist<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Selling on Shopify is free only during the trial period; after that, a paid plan is required<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Competitors like <a href=\"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/wordpress-woocommerce-vs-shopify\/\">WooCommerce<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/big-cartel-vs-shopify\/\">Big Cartel<\/a> do offer free tiers worth comparing<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/contact-us\/\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Shopify-development.jpg\" alt=\"Shopify development\" width=\"970\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is Shopify Free to Use?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shopify is not free to use on an ongoing basis. It operates on a subscription model, meaning you pay a monthly fee to keep your store live and selling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, Shopify does offer a free trial so you can explore the platform before spending anything. As of 2024, Shopify&#8217;s standard trial is 3 days. After that, new merchants often see a promotional rate of $1\/month for the first three months before the full plan price kicks in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Read More:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/if-i-close-my-shopify-store-will-i-still-be-charged\/\">If I Close My Shopify Store Will I Still Be Charged<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What the Free Trial Actually Includes<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the trial, you can build your storefront, add products, configure payment settings, and explore the admin dashboard. You cannot process live transactions until you select a paid plan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The trial is a genuine sandbox \u2014 it gives you enough access to evaluate whether Shopify fits your workflow before any billing begins.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is There a Free Shopify Plan?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No, there is no permanent free Shopify plan. Once the trial ends, you must upgrade to a paid subscription to keep your store online. If you don&#8217;t choose a plan, your store goes into a paused state and customers can&#8217;t access it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is a common point of confusion. Many new merchants search for a free <a href=\"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/shopify-plan-comparison\/\">Shopify plan expecting an indefinite option<\/a>. Shopify does not offer that \u2014 unlike competitors such as Big Cartel, which provides a free tier for stores with five or fewer products.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/contact-us\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Shopify-migration.jpg\" alt=\"Shopify migration\" width=\"970\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shopify Pricing Plans: Full Breakdown<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shopify offers five main plans. Here&#8217;s what each one costs and who it&#8217;s designed for.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Plan<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Monthly Price (billed monthly)<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Best For<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Starter<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$5<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Social media and link-in-bio selling<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basic<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$39<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New stores with low sales volume<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shopify<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$105<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Growing stores needing more staff accounts<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advanced<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$399<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High-volume stores needing advanced reporting<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shopify Plus<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From $2,000<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enterprise-level merchants<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Note:<\/strong> Annual billing reduces these prices by approximately 25%.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Starter Plan ($5\/Month)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Starter plan is the cheapest paid option. It does not give you a full online storefront. Instead, it lets you sell through social media, messaging apps, or a simple product link page. There&#8217;s no standalone Shopify website included.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This plan suits creators and side-hustlers who already have an audience on Instagram, TikTok, or WhatsApp and just need a checkout link.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basic Plan ($39\/Month)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Basic plan is the entry point for a full Shopify store. It includes an online storefront, unlimited product listings, two staff accounts, and basic sales reports.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Online credit card rates sit at 2.9% + 30\u00a2 per transaction. If you use a <a href=\"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/shopify-built-in-payment-gateway-vs-third-party-payment-processors\/\">third-party payment processor<\/a> instead of Shopify Payments, an additional 2% fee applies per sale.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shopify Plan ($105\/Month)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This mid-tier plan drops transaction fees for third-party gateways to 1% and lowers credit card rates to 2.6% + 30\u00a2. It adds five staff accounts and professional reporting, making it the right upgrade once your monthly revenue starts scaling past a few thousand dollars.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advanced Plan ($399\/Month)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Advanced plan is built for stores processing significant volume. Credit card rates drop to 2.4% + 30\u00a2, and third-party gateway fees fall to 0.5%. You also get an advanced report builder and real-time shipping rate calculations from third-party carriers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shopify Plus (From $2,000\/Month)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/shopify-plus-benefits\/\">Shopify Plus<\/a> is an enterprise solution. It includes dedicated account management, customizable checkout logic, advanced automation, and multi-store capabilities. Pricing is negotiated directly with Shopify and varies based on business size and requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Read Also\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/how-much-does-it-cost-to-hire-a-shopify-expert\/\">How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Shopify Expert<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Real Cost of Selling on Shopify<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is selling on Shopify free? Only during the trial. After that, your actual monthly cost is a combination of your plan fee plus several variable costs most beginners overlook.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Transaction and Payment Processing Fees<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every sale you make carries a payment processing fee. If you use Shopify Payments (Shopify&#8217;s built-in processor), you only pay the card rate. If you use a <a href=\"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/shopify-built-in-payment-gateway-vs-third-party-payment-processors\/\">third-party processor<\/a> like <a href=\"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/paypal-shopify-integration\/\">PayPal<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/shopify-stripe-integration\/\">Stripe<\/a>, Shopify adds an extra fee on top of the processor&#8217;s own cut.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Plan<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Shopify Payments Rate<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Third-Party Fee<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basic<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2.9% + 30\u00a2<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">+2.0%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shopify<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2.6% + 30\u00a2<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">+1.0%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advanced<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2.4% + 30\u00a2<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">+0.5%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><em><strong>Read Also\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/trust-badges-shopify\/\">TRUST BADGES SHOPIFY<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Domain and Hosting Costs<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shopify hosting is included in your plan. However, a custom domain (e.g., yourstore.com) costs around $14\u2013$20 per year through Shopify&#8217;s domain service, or you can purchase one from a third-party registrar like Namecheap and connect it for free.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you skip a custom domain, your store URL defaults to a yourstore.myshopify.com subdomain \u2014 functional but not ideal for branding.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">App and Theme Costs<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shopify&#8217;s free themes are well-designed and functional. Premium <a href=\"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/highest-converting-shopify-themes\/\">themes<\/a> range from $150\u2013$400 as a one-time purchase. Apps are where costs can escalate quietly \u2014 the Shopify App Store has thousands of tools for email marketing, subscriptions, reviews, and SEO, many of which charge $10\u2013$100+ per month each.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Cost Category<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Estimated Range<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Domain name<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$14\u2013$20\/year<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Premium theme<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$150\u2013$400 (one-time)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Essential apps (average)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$30\u2013$150\/month<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Email marketing app<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$10\u2013$50\/month<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A realistic monthly budget for a new Shopify store on the Basic plan \u2014 including apps and a domain \u2014 often lands between $70\u2013$150\/month.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hidden Costs to Watch<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Currency conversion fees hit international sellers who process payments in multiple currencies. Chargeback fees apply when a customer disputes a transaction. Staff account limits on lower plans can force you to upgrade sooner than expected if your team grows.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that we&#8217;ve covered the full cost picture, let&#8217;s look at how Shopify compares to alternatives with genuinely free options.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/contact-us\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Shopify-integration-1.jpg\" alt=\"Shopify integration\" width=\"970\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Free Alternatives to Shopify Worth Knowing<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re looking for a free Shopify plan and can&#8217;t find one, you may want to compare platforms that do offer free tiers before committing.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Platform<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Free Plan?<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Limitations<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Big Cartel<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Max 5 products<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WooCommerce<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes (plugin)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Requires WordPress hosting (~$5\u2013$15\/month)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Square Online<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Square branding, limited customization<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wix<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes (trial)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wix ads shown on store<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ecwid<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Max 5 products, limited features<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WooCommerce is the most robust free option, but &#8220;free&#8221; refers to the plugin only. You still need to pay for web hosting, a domain, and potentially a premium theme. The total cost often approaches Shopify&#8217;s Basic plan once all components are counted.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For sellers who want simplicity, reliability, and fast setup, Shopify&#8217;s low-cost entry plans are often worth the fee compared to patching together a free stack.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Use Shopify for Free (Legitimately)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is no ongoing free Shopify plan, but you can extend your zero-cost window with a few legitimate approaches.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Use the free trial strategically.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The 3-day trial (plus $1\/month promotional period) gives you roughly three to four months to set up, test, and validate your store before paying full price. Use that time to drive early sales so the platform pays for itself.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Apply through Shopify Partners.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If a <a href=\"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/partners\/shopify-partner\/?swcfpc=1\">Shopify Partner<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/shopify-plus-development-enterprise-agencies\/\">development agency<\/a> builds your store, they can access a development store that remains free indefinitely \u2014 but only for testing, not live selling.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Look for promotional offers.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Shopify regularly runs promotions (especially during Black Friday season) that extend the discounted entry period or bundle in credits for apps.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Start on Starter.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The $5\/month Starter plan is technically the lowest-cost paid option. If you&#8217;re only selling through social media links and don&#8217;t need a full website, this keeps costs minimal while you validate product-market fit.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shopify is not free to use long-term \u2014 a paid plan is required after the trial ends<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No permanent free Shopify plan exists, though the Starter plan at $5\/month is the lowest-cost entry<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is selling on Shopify free? Only during the trial; after that, transaction fees and plan costs apply<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your real monthly cost goes beyond the plan fee \u2014 factor in apps, domain, themes, and payment processing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Free alternatives exist (Big Cartel, WooCommerce, Square Online), but each comes with product limits or added hosting overhead<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conclusion<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shopify is not free to use, but it is one of the most accessible paid platforms for building a serious online store. The free trial gives you enough time to validate your setup, and the $1\/month promotional period keeps early costs low while you build momentum.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re budgeting for a new store, plan for $70\u2013$150\/month on the Basic plan once apps and a domain are included. That&#8217;s a realistic number \u2014 and for most merchants, it&#8217;s a sound investment. To understand whether Shopify is the right fit for your business model and revenue goals, explore our guide on<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/is-shopify-still-profitable\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how profitable Shopify really is for new sellers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/contact-us\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">talk to our Shopify team<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to get a cost estimate for your specific setup.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is Shopify Free to Use?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No. Shopify requires a paid plan after the free trial. The trial lasts 3 days, often followed by a $1\/month promotional period for new merchants. After that, plans start at $5\/month (Starter) or $39\/month for a full storefront.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is There a Free Shopify Plan?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is no permanent free Shopify plan. Shopify offers a time-limited trial but does not provide an ongoing free tier. Big Cartel and Ecwid are alternatives that offer limited free plans.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is Selling on Shopify Free?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Selling on Shopify is free only during the trial period. Once you&#8217;re on a paid plan, each transaction carries a payment processing fee (2.4%\u20132.9% + 30\u00a2 depending on plan), and third-party payment processors trigger an additional Shopify fee of 0.5%\u20132%.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Does Shopify Actually Cost Per Month?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Basic plan starts at $39\/month. However, when you factor in a domain ($14\u2013$20\/year), essential apps ($30\u2013$100\/month), and payment processing fees, most new stores spend $70\u2013$150\/month in total.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can You Use Shopify Without Paying?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can use Shopify without paying during the 3-day free trial. After that, you need a paid plan to keep your store active and visible to customers. There is no way to run a live, selling Shopify store indefinitely for free.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Do Shopify Transaction Fees Work?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shopify charges a payment processing fee on every sale. If you use Shopify Payments, only the card rate applies (2.4%\u20132.9% + 30\u00a2). Using a third-party processor like PayPal adds an extra 0.5%\u20132% fee on top of the processor&#8217;s own charges.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Is the Cheapest Way to Start on Shopify?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The cheapest way is to use the free trial, then take advantage of the $1\/month promotional period if available. If you only sell through social media, the $5\/month Starter plan keeps costs minimal. Choosing annual billing on the Basic plan also cuts the monthly rate by roughly 25%.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Starting an online store sounds simple until you realize the platform you picked might cost more than you budgeted for. If you&#8217;re asking whether Shopify is free to use, the short answer is no \u2014 but the full picture is worth understanding before you commit. This guide breaks down every Shopify plan, hidden fees to<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":17959,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-4746","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-shopify"},"acf":[],"featured_image_data":{"src":"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Is-Shopify-Free-To-Use.png","alt":"Is Shopify Free to Use? A Complete Guide to Shopify's Costs and Plans","caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4746"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4746"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4746\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17959"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4746"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4746"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecommerce.folio3.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}