Shopify Plus vs Shopify Advanced: Plans, Pricing & Features 2026

Many merchants compare Shopify Plus vs Shopify Advanced before launching their Shopify store or before migrating to a higher plan from the ‘Basic’ or ‘Grow’ plans. 

While both plans support growing stores and offer their own benefits, pinpointing which one actually suits your business needs can be difficult. 

Shopify Advanced starts at $399/month, has higher transaction fees and fewer checkout options than Plus, and is ideal for growing mid-sized brands. Whereas Shopify Plus starts at $2,300-$2,500/month, it offers competitive transaction fees, advanced automation capabilities, more checkout customization options, and is ideal for high-volume, enterprise-level businesses. 

The question is, which one should you choose? 

To help you decide, we’ve put together this detailed Shopify Advanced vs Plus comparison guide. In it, we compare features, costs, scalability, control, and other key aspects across both Shopify plans.

So, are you ready? Let’s get started. 

What is Shopify Plus? 

Shopify Plus is Shopify’s enterprise-level e-commerce platform specifically designed for high-volume merchants and large businesses that need advanced customization, scalability, and B2B functionality. 

Compared to other “standard” Shopify plans, it offers some key upgrades, such as: 

1. Advanced automation capabilities with Shopify Flow (including additional workflows) and Shopify Launchpad. 
2. Priority 24/7 support for immediate assistance with any query. 
3. An impressive 99% uptime, along with advanced security features to protect stores from malware or phishing attacks. 

What is Shopify Advanced? 

Shopify Advanced is the highest-tier “standard” Shopify plan. It offers comprehensive reporting to track your business performance, competitive transaction fees (compared to other standard plans), and robust features such as third-party-calculated shipping and up to 15 staff accounts. 

It is ideal for growing e-commerce brands that want more features than the basic Shopify plans (Basic and Grow) but are not yet ready for the $2,000+ monthly commitment of Shopify Plus. 

Shopify Plus vs Shopify Advanced: Detailed Comparison 

Let’s now visualize the differences between Shopify Advanced vs Plus in a tabular format. 

Aspect	Shopify Advanced	Shopify Plus
Features	Includes all core Shopify features such as:  – Unlimited Products – Unlimited Bandwidth – Brand Assets +  – Support for more user accounts – Carrier-calculated shipping – Comprehensive reports, etc.	All features included in Shopify plans (including Advanced) +  – Additional permission settings – Custom user groups – Expansion stores – Additional API resources – Enhanced Discounting – 200 Inventory Locations
Base Monthly Cost	$399/month or $299/month (when billed annually)	– For a 1-year term: $2,500/month. – For a 3-year term: $2,300/month.
Transaction Fees	Online credit card rates: 2.5% + 30¢ USDIn-person credit card rates: 2.4% + 10¢ USD	If not using Shopify Payments, the transaction fees are generally 0.15% to 0.20%. However, Shopify Payments helps waive this charge. Card processing rates via Shopify Payments: 2.15% + 30¢ for Visa/MasterCard Third-party Gateways include an additional 0.15%-0.20% fee.
Staff Accounts	Up to 15 Staff Accounts	Unlimited
Multiple Stores	1 online store per account (where free expansion stores can’t be created)	Up to 10 Stores: 1 primary + 9 expansion stores for internationalization
Internationalization	– The advanced plan supports global selling with Shopify Markets, but only a few markets are supported by default. – One global tax ID and payout account for all markets.  – Multi-currency and multi-language supported.	Enterprise-level Internationalization.  – Supports up to 50 markets at no extra fees.  – Enables merchants to assign different legal entities for each market.  – Also allows advanced control of duties and taxes in accordance with each region.
Checkout Customization	Limited control	Full control
B2B/Wholesale Features	Not built in, thus you must use other third-party apps.	Native B2B Suite
Automation Tools	Shopify Flow is included for creating workflow automation	Shopify Flow and Launchpad are both included.
API & Integrations	Standard API limits	Higher API Limits
Headless Storefronts	1	25
POS (Point of Sale)	POS Pro available ($89 per location per month)	POS Pro is available for up to 200 locations at no extra cost
Analytics	Key analytics for sales, orders, and online visitor data are available.	Basic analytics (that come with the Advanced plan) plus + advanced sales, cohort, etc., reports available.
Support Level	24/7 Enhanced chat support	Priority 24/7 phone support
Security & Compliance	Secure and PCI compliant (Level 1), just like other Shopify plans	Level 1 PCI DSS and SOC2 certified, and you also get a 99.99% uptime SLA guaranteed.
Scalability and Performance	Strong features suitable for growing businesses	Enterprise-grade scalability and performanceDesigned for high-volume merchants
Shopify Functions	Not available	Available
Shopify Audiences	Not available	Available for stores in the US and Canada using Shopify Payments
Access to Shopify Apps	Access to the entire Shopify app store	Access to advanced apps that are specifically designed for high-growth merchants
Helpful Resources and Learning Materials	Standard Shopify Help Center articles concerning all topics	Special courses in Shopify Academy

Overview of the Key Differences Between Shopify Plus vs Advanced

1. Features 

Shopify Advanced includes all core Shopify features that even the ‘Growth’ and ‘Basic’ plans support. These include: 

• Support for selling unlimited products and services 
• Collaborator accounts 
• Sales channels 
• Access to templates and themes
• Unlimited bandwidth, etc. 

In addition, you also get international sales tools, the ability to create custom reports, and competitive transaction fees, amongst other capabilities. These features are ideal for brands currently in a growth stage with standard operational needs. 

Shopify Plus includes all features in the Advanced and preceding plans, but it also offers several other enterprise-grade add-ons, such as: 

• Shopify Functions
• Ability to create 25 Headless Storefronts
• High-volume checkout
• Shopify Combined Listings, and more 

These additions give brands more control, flexibility, and scalability across their operations. 

2. Pricing 

The Advanced plan starts at $399/month (or $299/month if you pay for the entire year) and is well-suited for businesses currently scaling and with predictable expenses. 

The Plus plan starts at $2,300-$2,500/month (depending on the term length), justifying the extra enterprise-level features and convenience that it offers for large businesses. 

3. Transaction Fees 

Shopify Advanced charges 2.5% + 30¢ USD, slightly higher than the Plus plan negotiable values, which are closer to 2.15% + 30¢ for Visa/MasterCard via Shopify Payments. 

So, we can say that the Plus plan allows high-volume merchants to reduce long-term processing costs. 

4. Staff Accounts 

Advanced offers up to 15 staff accounts, which is reasonable for small to medium-sized teams where all members have clearly defined roles. 

With the Plus plan, you get unlimited staff accounts, which enable large teams to collaborate freely. Moreover, this also makes managing Shopify marketing, operations, and development easier. 

5. Multiple Stores (Expansion) 

For merchants who want to set up multiple stores under the same brand to expand their business, sell in different currencies and languages, or wholesale or retail, Shopify Advanced is not particularly helpful. It doesn’t allow you to create any expansion stores. 

With Shopify Plus, you can create 9 such stores, ensuring a smooth global expansion.

6. Internationalization  

To support global selling, Shopify Advanced offers: 

• International sales tools (cross-border management tools)
• The ability to calculate and collect duties and import taxes for customers; and 
• Features for controlling prices in various markets using price percentage adjustments. 

These features can work well for brands starting their global expansion journey. 

Shopify Plus extends these capabilities further. In addition to 9 expansion stores, it also allows you to create B2B markets for different regions and customize checkout blocks for each market. This setup can be beneficial for large-scale e-commerce businesses that want to manage complex international and wholesale operations. 

7. Checkout Customization

You can’t optimize the checkout process for shoppers with Shopify Advanced. 

But with Shopify Plus, you can tailor the checkout experience to align it with your brand. You get access to the Checkout Branding API through which you can make visual modifications and Shopify Extensions that offer direct editing capabilities.

Additionally, you can create unique checkout flows and custom shipping discounts, which help improve conversion rates and brand consistency. 

8. B2B and Wholesale Features 

Shopify Advanced lacks B2B features, so merchants have to rely on third-party apps. 

Shopify Plus, on the other hand, includes a suite of wholesale features that let you sell B2B and DTC from a single store, or even set up a dedicated B2B-only store. 

9. Automation 

With the Advanced plan, you get access to Shopify Flow and standard ecommerce automations, using which you can build workflows, automate email campaigns, and manage routine tasks.  These can suffice standard operational needs. 

With Plus, you get access to all the automation features included in other plans, and Launchpad as well. Through Launchpad, you can schedule automated promotions, product releases, and online store updates, which further reduces manual effort in marketing and operations management and scales your business seamlessly. 

10. API and Integrations 

The Advanced plan offers standard API access with regular rate limits. It also supports most third-party apps and custom integrations. However, if you are looking for exclusive API endpoints and feature test drives, then you won’t get those with the Advanced plan. 

The Plus plan provides access to exclusive API endpoints that can handle many more requests (have higher call rates). It also allows you to build your own custom integrations that work at high speed and can easily handle complex tasks. Additionally, the Plus plan supports feature test drives, meaning your team can test new features before fully releasing them. So, it is better suited to businesses that rely on complex systems, custom applications, and heavy data usage.  

11. Headless Storefronts

With the Advanced Plan, you can create only 1 custom storefront with Hydrogen and deploy it on Oxygen. 

If you are subscribed to the Plus Plan, then you can create 25 Headless storefronts. 

12. POS Point of Sale

Within Advanced, Shopify POS Pro costs $89/month per location. 

However, with Plus’s higher subscription price, you get 200 locations included at no extra cost. 

13. Analytics

All paid plans (including the Advanced) include an analytics page where merchants can view some key metrics for sales, orders, and even visitors on their store. Additionally, with the Advanced plan, merchants can also view finance reports to get a snapshot of their payments, pending sales, etc. 

The Plus plan includes all these reports, and in addition: 

1. Built-in data and analytics for customer segments and customer behavior. 
2. Advanced sales, cohort, inventory, and customer reports, along with the ability to create custom dashboards and export reports easily.
3. Comprehensive data for insights across all stores.

14. Support Level

Shopify Advanced users get standard chat support, which is also available across all non-enterprise plans.

For Plus plan merchants, priority 24/7 support via phone and chat is included for all queries and concerns, as well as a merchant success manager to ensure your store’s growth never halts.  

15. Security and Compliance

With the Advanced plan, merchants get enterprise-grade security (available across all Shopify plans) that includes PCI DSS Level 1 Compliance and a free SSL certificate. 

The Plus plan builds on these protections by offering additional compliance and reliability benefits. These include SOC2 certification with full compliance and data encryption. Additionally, there is a native fraud analysis functionality and bot mitigation that includes bot protection during sales and product releases, so that legitimate customers can easily complete their purchases. 

Overall, Shopify Plus provides an added layer of security and reliability compared to Shopify Advanced and other standard Shopify plans.

16. Scalability and Performance  

Shopify Advanced offers steady and reliable performance for businesses that are growing and have rising order volumes. It offers unlimited bandwidth, unlimited products, a global CDN, and automatic platform updates. 

This ensures that your store doesn’t experience downtime and performs well (with regards to speed, load time, etc.) during regular sales periods and even moderate traffic spikes. 

While Plus also offers these features, it includes a 99% uptime SLA, a world-class CDN backed by Cloudflare, and DDoS protection. This means that even during peak traffic periods, your store is likely to perform well and remain stable without any disruptions. Given these factors, Plus stores are better suited for large-scale events, flash launches, etc. 

17. Shopify Functions

Shopify Functions is only available for Plus plan users. 

It enables merchants to change Shopify’s backend logic (by running custom code) and ultimately make customizations for providing unique commerce experiences to shoppers. 

18. Shopify Audiences 

Even Shopify Audiences is only available to Plus plan users, not to Shopify Advanced users. It enables merchants to find high-intent customers, exclude existing customers from ad campaigns, retarget buyers, and use cross-store audience pools. 

19. Access to Shopify Apps

Merchants subscribed to the Advanced plan can access the Shopify App Store and install any desired third-party app for their store. 

The Plus plan extends this flexibility and gives you access to advanced apps designed for high-growth merchants. Additionally, it also includes unlimited access to custom Level 2 PII apps and Shopify Plus Certified App partners. 

20. Helpful Resources and Learning Materials

Advanced plan users can access Shopify’s help center, documentation, YouTube channel, and the community forum for any queries or concerns.  

While Shopify Plus users can also leverage these resources and channels, they can also enroll in specialized courses and certification programs in the Shopify Academy to learn more about the Plus ecosystem and use it effectively. 

Shopify Plus vs Shopify Advanced: Pros and Cons

Let’s also look at the pros and cons of Shopify Plus vs Advanced before we move on to the next section and decide which one will best suit your needs. 

Shopify Advanced

Pros

• The plan comes at a fixed monthly pricing and low transaction fees, which keep costs under control during growth phases.
• It reliably handles high-volume loads most of the time.
• Benefits from the flexible Shopify app ecosystem, which fills functional gaps left by missing features (available on the Plus plan).

Cons

• The plan becomes restrictive when you try to scale beyond a certain level, and as operational complexity increases.
• Dependency on third-party apps for fulfilling basic needs can add to extra costs.
• Limited customer support for fast-moving or enterprise teams.

Shopify Plus

Pros

• Built specifically to remove operational bottlenecks.
• Supports global commerce with ease.
• Offers multiple advanced, native features for different tasks such as B2B selling, multichannel e-commerce, etc. This means merchants don’t need to rely on third-party Shopify apps or workarounds, which keeps operations streamlined and costs under check.
• You get round-the-clock support from certified professionals along with infrastructure stability so that your operations run smoothly all the time.

Cons

• The entry fees (of $2,300-$2,500 per month) are quite high, which makes Shopify Plus inaccessible for small businesses.
• To benefit from Plus, you need clear SOPs in place and technical readiness. Without dedicated teams for operations, engineering, or marketing, you might not be able to capitalize on all the features that the plan offers.

Shopify Advanced vs Plus: Which One to Choose? 

Choosing one of the two plans from Shopify Advanced and Shopify Plus depends on your business stage and operational complexity. 

Shopify Advanced works best for growing brands that need strong e-commerce features such as additional staff accounts, multiple inventory locations, low transaction fees (compared to Shopify Basic and Growth), at a predictable (or fixed) monthly cost. 

It works best if you have a single store and your annual revenue is under $1 million. For stores with such scale, even if the native Shopify ecosystem doesn’t offer a feature or functionality in the Advanced plan, there are always third-party apps that can cover those additional needs. 

Shopify Plus fits businesses that operate at an enterprise level or are quickly heading toward it. This means brands that consistently earn $1- $2 million or more (as confirmed by a former Shopify employee on Reddit) annually can get more value from Plus. 

That’s because such brands often need multiple stores, advanced global selling features, custom checkout logics, wholesale selling, and priority support, which Shopify Plus offers with its hefty $2,300-$2,500/month pricing.  

So, decide where your business stands today, what your current requirements are, what your expectations are in the near future, and then choose a plan accordingly. 

Also read: – Best Shopify Apps – Shopify vs Shopify Plus – Shopify SEO

Shopify Plus vs Shopify Advanced: Recommendations Based on Use Cases

Shopify Advanced makes more sense when: 

• You sell through one primary online store and don’t have any regional storefronts. 
• Your focus is purely DTC, with no wholesale or B2B on the roadmap (yet).
• Launches and sales events for your store are scheduled in advance, are predictable, and don’t cause downtimes. 
• Your tech stack mostly relies on third-party Shopify apps, which are readily available and not custom integrations.
• You want to delay enterprise costs until business growth demands it. 

For merchants, Shopify Plus is the best choice to consider when: 

• You manage multiple stores for different countries, customer types, etc.
• You run DTC, wholesale, and even B2B from the same backend. 
• There is a requirement for personalization (custom logic) for checkouts, discounts, etc. 
• You frequently face issues with store performance (such as downtimes) during holiday seasons or other sales events. 
• You need to build custom integrations to scale your business. 

In simple terms: 

Advanced fits businesses optimizing one store.

Plus fits businesses orchestrating many moving parts at once.

When Should I Upgrade From Shopify Advanced to Shopify Plus? 

You should upgrade from Shopify Advanced to Plus when you believe the benefits of the Plus plan clearly outweigh the added subscription cost. This shift will only happen when transaction fee savings, complex automation requirements, or operational efficiency start to outweigh the monthly recurring cost for your business. 

Also, if your team is growing, you plan to aggressively expand your business internationally, or you want to operate multiple storefronts, you can consider upgrading. 

Pro tip: You can also use this calculator to get a real-world overview based on your actual store metrics and know whether you should upgrade to Shopify Plus.

Which Other Pricing Plans Does Shopify Offer?

Shopify offers the following pricing plans: 

1. Starter ($5/month): Ideal for those merchants who sell products through social media, messaging apps, or existing sites and are not yet ready to commit to a full online store. This plan is only available for new merchants or those who are on their free trial. 
2. Lite ($9/month): The Lite plan offers the same transaction fees as the Basic Shopify plan, along with 1 staff account, Shopify POS, and reports. However, please note that even this plan doesn’t include an online store. 
3. Retail Plan ($89/month or $79/month when billed annually): The Retail plan is most suitable for retailers who sell in-store and also want a simple online presence. It includes all features of the starter plan, along with different Shopify POS app features.  
4. Basic Plan ($39/month or $29/month when billed annually): This plan offers all the tools and features you need to run your online e-commerce business. It enables you to create and customize your online store to market your products effectively, and also manage products, orders, and customer information directly from Shopify Admin. 
5. Grow Plan ($105/month or $79/month when paid annually): The Grow plan includes all Basic plan features, plus lower credit card rates and transaction fees. You also get more detailed and powerful reports for sales, website visitors, and customer data with this plan. 
6. Advanced ($399/month or $299/month if you pay annually): As discussed earlier in the blog, this plan is suitable for growing businesses. It offers the lowest transaction fees amongst other standard Shopify plans, and includes carrier-calculated shipping and advanced reports and features for international commerce. 
7. Plus ($2,300/month or $2,500/month depending on the term length): Designed for high-growth businesses, and includes a plethora of advanced features such as expansion stores, custom user groups, enhanced discounting, etc. 
8. Shopify Enterprise (Quotes available after contacting Shopify support): Shopify Enterprise allows businesses to create their own digital e-commerce experiences using Shopify’s modular components. It provides you with more freedom, control, and customization for your B2B, B2C, and retail operations at a global enterprise scale. 

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Shopify Advanced and Shopify Plus serve different business stages, budgets, and complexity levels. They both support growth, but they solve very different operational needs.

The key takeaways from this blog include:

• Shopify Advanced is ideal for growing brands that need strong reporting, shipping support, and steady scalability. It works best when your store setup remains relatively simple and cost control is a priority.
• Shopify Plus is built for enterprise brands that require deeper control and faster execution. It supports complex commerce needs such as multi-store expansion, B2B selling, and advanced checkout customization.
• The pricing difference between the two plans is significant, so your choice should align with your current business scale and operational requirements. Advanced offers predictable spend, while Plus justifies higher cost through enterprise-grade capabilities.
• Transaction fees and automation can impact long-term ROI. Shopify Plus often delivers better value once order volumes grow consistently.
• International growth starts well on Advanced, but Shopify Plus offers stronger control across markets and regions.
• Choose Shopify Advanced if you operate one store, feel that third-party Shopify apps will fulfil the gaps you may face due to missing native features, and want controlled growth without enterprise overhead.
• Choose Shopify Plus if you manage multiple stores, sell B2B, or need advanced automation and checkout control.
• Upgrading from Advanced makes sense when operational complexity increases. Move to Plus when its benefits clearly outweigh the higher monthly cost.
• Shopify also offers Starter, Lite, Retail, Basic, Grow, and Enterprise plans to support businesses at every growth stage.

Over to you. 

FAQs

1. How much does it cost to migrate to Shopify Plus?

Shopify does not charge a fee to migrate to Shopify Plus, but paid services may be required depending on your business needs and technical requirements. The total migration cost varies based on your existing commerce platform, store complexity, and customization requirements. 

While migration is your responsibility, contacting a Shopify Plus representative can help outline potential costs, resources, and support options.

2. How do I migrate from Shopify Advanced to Shopify Plus?

Upgrading from Shopify Advanced to Shopify Plus is a streamlined process handled primarily by Shopify. Once you contact Shopify Plus sales, review pricing and contract terms, and sign the agreement as the account’s signing authority, Shopify completes the technical upgrade within 24 business hours. 

All store data, including products, customers, orders, inventory, themes, and apps, transfers automatically without affecting URLs or SEO.

3. What happens after I upgrade to Shopify Plus?

After you sign up, your store is upgraded to Shopify Plus within 24 business hours, and you receive a confirmation email. You’ll also receive an introduction email inviting you to join Jumpstart, Shopify’s onboarding program, along with contact details for the Shopify Plus Priority Support team.

4. What if I’ve already paid the annual fee for my current Shopify plan?

If you have already paid annually for your existing Shopify plan, you can contact support through your admin panel after the upgrade is processed. Shopify will apply an eligible credit toward your Shopify Plus plan fees.

5. Can I cancel my Shopify Plus plan before the contract ends?

Generally, no. Shopify Plus is a binding contract (typically 1–3 years), and canceling early usually means paying the remaining balance in full.

A better option is to speak with your Merchant Success Manager about downgrading to Shopify Advanced. Since you would remain on Shopify, there may be room to negotiate reduced or waived penalties.