Shopify vs Shopify Plus: 8 Key Differences Merchants Should Know

Which one should you choose? 

Price isn’t everything. Consider the long-term value each platform offers in relation to your business goals and growth potential. If you anticipate rapid expansion, Shopify Plus’s scalability might outweigh its initial cost compared to Shopify’s limitations.

2. Customization and Control

Now, let’s consider another important parameter: the customization and control that each platform offers. Shopify Plus takes the cake in this department as it offers more controls and customizations, allowing you to control how your online store operates.

You can build custom checkout protocols and style them to your requirements. Plus, you also get enhanced collaboration between your teams with the Shopify account manager and staff accounts.

Shopify	Shopify Plus
Theme editor: Offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface for customizing pre-built themes.	Theme Liquid editing: Grants full access to Shopify’s theme language, Liquid, for unlimited customization of themes and functionalities.
Limited access to code: You can edit some HTML and CSS, but for deeper modifications, you’ll need developer assistance.	API access: Enables deeper integration with external tools and applications for a completely bespoke experience.
Suitable for: Businesses seeking a balance between ease of use and customization within predefined parameters.	Suitable for: Businesses requiring complete control over every aspect of their online store, including unique designs, complex workflows, and custom integrations.

So who wins? 

Although Shopify Plus is the clear winner, Shopify too has the advantage of its simplicity. If you are new to the business and want to use templates and themes to get started faster, Shopify is your option.

For those who want to tread beyond the lines and take complete control of their online store, Shopify Plus clearly takes the cake.

3. Account Management and Support

If you have any experience running an online store, you will know that the key is not just making the sale. It is also about managing customer feedback, communication, and, in some cases, complaints.

When rough waters hit, reliable support becomes your anchor. Let’s compare the account management and support offered by Shopify and Shopify Plus:

Shopify Customer Support

• Dedicated community: Access a vast online community forum and knowledge base for self-service assistance.
• Live chat and email support: Available during business hours for general inquiries and troubleshooting.
• Limited account management: Primarily self-service, with no dedicated account manager.

Shopify Plus:

• Dedicated account manager: A personal point of contact for ongoing guidance and strategic advice.
• Priority support: Receive faster response times and personalized assistance from Shopify experts.
• Merchant Success Program: Tailored resources and workshops to help you achieve your business goals.

So, if you value peace of mind and want to resolve issues quickly, Shopify Plus’ dedicated support and guidance can be your ideal path. However, Shopify itself is quite user-friendly and proactive and can help you get speedy responses to basic questions.

4. Sales Features and Marketing Tools

Now, let’s delve deeper into the features of Shopify vs Shopify Plus. Shopify Plus comes with additional features that make it an all-around solution for sales and marketing. But Shopify also has a few tricks up its sleeve.

Shopify:

• Built-in features: Discount codes, abandoned cart recovery, product reviews, gift cards, basic marketing tools like email marketing and social media integration.
• App store: Access to thousands of third-party apps to add specific sales and marketing functionalities.
• Suitable for: Businesses seeking essential sales features and the flexibility to explore various app integrations.

Shopify Plus:

• Advanced sales features: Automated workflows, wholesale channels, tiered pricing, flash sales, subscriptions, and more.
• Omnichannel Selling: Allows brands to leverage multiple platforms and channels, helping them reach their customers as per their preferences. The omnichannel strategy ensures that brands can provide a consistent and seamless customer experience across all devices and channels. Using AdNabu’s all-in-one feed management software, you can manage all your online marketplaces and channels in one solution, helping you increase ROI from each channel.
• Shopify Script Editor: Allows for deeper customization of the checkout process and store functionalities.
• Enhanced marketing tools: A/B testing, data-driven audience segmentation, and access to exclusive marketing apps.
• Suitable for: Businesses needing sophisticated sales strategies, personalized buyer journeys, and deep data insights to optimize conversions.

So, while Shopify offers essential features, Shopify Plus caters to businesses focused on maximizing conversion rates and leveraging data-driven marketing strategies. If you want to go beyond Shopify’s marketing features and explore automated workflows to gain deeper insights into your customer data, then Shopify Plus is the option for you!

5. Analytics and Reporting

Taking on the previous point, Shopify vs Shopify Plus also has advanced reporting and analytical capabilities. Here is a quick comparison:

Shopify	Shopify Plus
Basic reports: Provides data on sales, customers, orders, inventory, and marketing campaigns.	Advanced reporting: Offers in-depth data across various categories, including custom reports, funnel analysis, abandoned cart reports, and customer lifetime value analysis.
Limited customization: Reports have predefined formats and metrics	ShopifyQL Notebooks: Enables advanced analytics through a data exploration and visualization tool. It also has API access, which allows connecting your data to external analytics platforms for more granular insights.
Suitable for: Businesses needing basic data to understand overall performance and identify trends.	Suitable for: Businesses requiring detailed data analysis to tailor marketing strategies, optimize customer journeys, and make data-driven decisions.

So, if you want detailed analytics for your customer data and campaigns, you can pick Shopify Plus. However, for most business requirements, Shopify also gets the job done.

6. Integration and API Access

APIs and integrations are the keys to ensuring that your online store can easily interact and take information from other third-party apps and services that you may be using.

Here, Shopify Plus has the advantage, with features like:

1. GiftCard: an API resource that lets you create, update, and delete gift cards as an alternative payment method. Each card has a unique code that your customers can redeem during checkout.
2. Multipass: A login for store owners who have a separate website and a store on Shopify. Multipass login redirects users from the original website to the Shopify store and seamlessly logs them in with the same email address, synchronizing customer databases.
3. User Accounts: an API resource that lets you manage staff accounts for your store. Using the admin panel, merchants can give access to 5 staff members on Shopify vs Shopify Plus giving unlimited staff accounts. This gives you greater control over parts of your online store, while you can decide on access controls and add or delete users.

Thus, if you need to connect with multiple platforms and systems and need advanced integrations, Shopify Plus is the option for you.

7. Multi-Store Management

For some entrepreneurs, ambition doesn’t stop at one online store. So, when it comes to multi-store management, here is what Shopify vs Shopify Plus looks like:

Shopify	Shopify Plus
Separate stores: Each store requires a separate subscription and independent management.	Unified dashboard: Manage all your stores from a single, centralized dashboard with a unified view of performance and analytics.
Limited data sharing: Sharing inventory, customer data, or promotions across stores requires manual workarounds or third-party apps.	Shared customer data: Leverage customer data insights across stores for targeted marketing and personalized experiences.
Suitable for: Businesses managing a small number of individual stores with distinct branding and product offerings.	Suitable for: Businesses managing multiple stores that can be clubbed under a single entity while ensuring that each brand’s distinct requirements are maintained.

8. Exclusive Access to Advanced Features

While Shopify has a thriving community, Shopify Plus provides you with special access plans and features that make it ideal for growing eCommerce brands. These include:

• Wholesale channels: Sell directly to other businesses through dedicated B2B storefronts with custom pricing and order management.
• Merchant Success Program: Access personalized guidance, workshops, and industry insights from dedicated Shopify experts.
• Beta programs: Be among the first to test and provide feedback on cutting-edge features and functionalities.
• Priority access to new features: Stay ahead of the curve with early access to the latest innovations on the Shopify platform.
• Global compliance: Navigate various tax regulations and currency requirements with built-in support for international expansion.
• Multilingual storefronts: Deliver localized shopping experiences for customers across different languages and regions.
• Advanced security features: Implement robust security measures and data encryption to protect customer information and comply with industry regulations.
• Dedicated fraud prevention: Benefit from Shopify’s advanced fraud detection and prevention tools to minimize fraudulent transactions.

What Is the Right Pick for Your Store?

So, which platform is ideal for your store? The answer to this lies in the requirements that you have.

If you need a simple drag-and-drop store creator that can help you get started fast, Shopify is the perfect platform for you. However, if you need advanced features, you can choose Shopify Plus. This will help you get:

• Advanced order management: Automate order routing, split fulfillment, and dropshipping for optimized logistics and efficiency.
• Customizable checkout process: Tailor the checkout experience to match your brand identity and optimize conversion rates.
• Advanced reporting and analytics: Gain deeper insights into customer behavior and performance across different global markets.

Conclusion

So, if given a choice between Shopify and Shopify Plus, we recommend making sure that you check all the features to pick the option that is best suited to your requirements. Store owners can always start with the basic Shopify store and upgrade their plan as they expand, upgrading to the Shopify Plus option when the time is right.

FAQs

1. What is the primary difference between Shopify and Shopify Plus?

Shopify and Shopify Plus are e-commerce platforms that cater to different business needs. Shopify is ideal for budding entrepreneurs, established stores with predictable sales volume, and those seeking user-friendly features within a defined budget. It offers essential functionalities for running an online store, but customization options are limited.

On the other hand, Shopify Plus is geared towards high-growth businesses, enterprise-level operations, and merchants, prioritizing extensive customization, advanced features, dedicated support, and access to powerful tools for ambitious growth strategies. It provides greater control, scalability, and support compared to Shopify.

2. Is it worth upgrading to Shopify Plus? 

Yes. Shopify Plus comes with several advanced features that can allow users to get complete control of their online store. It grants full control over the checkout experience through theme Liquid editing and API access. You can even design a completely unique checkout process tailored to your brand identity and optimize conversion rates.

Additionally, you can implement features like abandoned cart recovery and express checkout, which are not available in standard Shopify plans.

3. Are there exclusive apps and integrations available in Shopify Plus?

Yes, Shopify Plus offers access to exclusive enterprise-grade apps not available on the standard Shopify plan. These apps cater to specific needs like B2B commerce, advanced marketing automation, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) integration.

Additionally, Shopify Plus provides enhanced API access, allowing deeper integration with various platforms and software beyond the offerings in the regular app store.

4. What are the differences in analytics between Shopify and Shopify Plus?

Shopify provides basic data reports on sales, customers, orders, and marketing campaigns. These reports are predefined and offer limited customization options.

Shopify Plus goes beyond the basics, offering advanced, customizable reports covering a wider range of data points, including funnel analysis, abandoned cart reports, and customer lifetime value analysis. You can also access ShopifyQL Notebooks, a data exploration and visualization tool for deeper insights.

5. Can Shopify Plus handle multiple languages?

Yes, Shopify Plus supports creating multilingual storefronts for localized shopping experiences across different regions. You can manage content, currency, and product availability for each language version, catering to diverse customer bases.

6. How to upgrade to Shopify Plus?

If you have an existing Shopify account, you can easily upgrade to the Shopify Plus plan in the checkout section. Upon payment, your store will be upgraded to the Plus plan within 24 hours, and you’ll get a welcome email with all the instructions for the merchant onboarding program and details for the Shopify Plus Priority Support team.

7. Does Shopify Plus offer dedicated account management?

Yes, Shopify Plus provides a dedicated account manager who serves as your personal point of contact. They offer ongoing guidance, strategic advice, and proactive support to help you achieve your business goals. This level of personalized support is not available in the standard Shopify plans.

8. Is Shopify Plus better suited for international expansion?

Yes, Shopify Plus offers several features that make it well-suited for international expansion. These include: Global compliance support: Helps navigate various tax regulations and currency requirements. Multilingual storefronts: Create localized shopping experiences for different regions. Advanced security features: Ensure secure transactions and comply with industry regulations. Global fulfillment partners: Benefit from discounted rates and seamless integration with leading fulfillment providers worldwide.