Shopify Advanced vs. Plus: Which Plan Is Right for Your Business? | Oyova

Shopify is one of the most popular and trusted eCommerce platforms for businesses. With its intuitive interface, robust features, and seamless integrations, it has become a go-to choice for entrepreneurs looking to establish an online presence. However, businesses may require more advanced features and support to sustain their growth as they expand. This is where Shopify’s advanced plans come into play.

In this blog post, we will compare two of Shopify’s top-tier plans – Shopify Advanced vs. Plus – to help you understand which plan suits your business needs. We will dive into the key differences between these plans regarding features, pricing models, scalability options, and target industries/audiences. By the end of this post, you will have a clear picture of which plan is right for your business and how Oyova can help you make the most out of your Shopify investment worth it.

Why Compare Shopify Plus vs. Advanced?

As your eCommerce business grows, it’s crucial to assess your current platform and determine whether it can support your future growth. This is where Shopify Advanced and Shopify Plus come into play. These plans are designed for high-volume merchants with more complex needs. You can decide which best suits your business by comparing the top Shopify features, pricing models, scalability options, and target industries of these two plans.

Differences of Shopify Advanced vs. Shopify Plus

Understanding the differences between Shopify Advanced and Shopify Plus is crucial in choosing the right plan for your business. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key features offered by these plans.

Shopify Advanced Features

Shopify Advanced is a significant upgrade from the standard plan, offering advanced features tailored to support scaling eCommerce businesses. Designed for merchants ready to grow, it provides robust reporting tools for detailed insights into sales, customer behavior, and product performance—empowering businesses to make smarter, data-driven decisions.

A standout feature is its international pricing capability, which allows businesses to easily set region-specific prices and manage currencies, making it ideal for expanding into global markets. Shopify Advanced also provides localized global selling for up to three markets, with the option to add more for $59 USD per month each.

For businesses focused on efficient operations, Shopify Advanced includes:

• Shipping discounts of up to 88%, insurance, and third-party calculated rates.
• Support for 10 inventory locations, enabling businesses to manage stock across multiple warehouses or stores seamlessly.
• Enhanced 24/7 chat support, ensuring help is always available.
• Lower transaction fees, such as 2.5% + 30¢ USD online, 2.4% + 10¢ USD for in-person sales, and 0.6% for third-party payment providers, benefiting businesses with higher sales volumes.

Additionally, Shopify Advanced offers:

• 15 additional staff accounts, supporting collaboration within larger teams.
• A 10x checkout capacity, ideal for handling high-traffic events like flash sales or holiday promotions.
• Integration with POS Lite makes managing in-person sales and online orders easy.

At $299 per month, Shopify Advanced delivers exceptional value compared to other top-tier plans. It strikes the perfect balance between features and affordability, making it a smart choice for small and medium-sized businesses looking to scale without overspending.

Shopify Plus Features

Shopify Plus is designed for enterprise-level businesses with high traffic, sales, and complex operational needs. It offers exclusive features unavailable in other Shopify plans, including a dedicated account manager for personalized support and tailored solutions to help businesses scale effectively.

A standout feature of Shopify Plus is its advanced customization capabilities, such as a fully customized checkout using JavaScript and CSS or a headless approach leveraging APIs. The plan also supports multi-channel selling, including social media platforms, Amazon, and wholesale channels, catering to diverse customer bases.

Key features of Shopify Plus include:

• Localized global selling for up to 50 markets, empowering businesses to quickly expand internationally.
• Custom reports and analytics provide deep insights into performance, enabling more intelligent business decisions.
• Unlimited staff accounts, ensuring collaboration across large teams.
• 200 inventory locations, streamlining inventory management across multiple warehouses or stores.
• A customizable checkout with 40x capacity, ideal for handling peak traffic during flash sales or significant product launches.

For in-person and wholesale operations, Shopify Plus delivers unparalleled functionality with:

• Support for 200 POS Pro locations with Shopify Payments integration.
• Tools to sell wholesale/B2B allow businesses to cater to bulk buyers and retail customers.

To optimize operations, Shopify Plus also provides:

• Unlimited API calls and access to raw data, enabling advanced customizations and third-party integrations for businesses with unique processes.
• Priority 24/7 phone support, ensuring rapid assistance when needed.
• Shipping discounts of up to 88% and insurance and third-party calculated rates help reduce costs on high-volume orders.

Shopify Plus is ideal for established enterprises with significant sales and complex requirements at $2,300 per month (on a 3-year term for the best pricing). It delivers unmatched flexibility, scalability, and support, making it the ultimate platform to maximize eCommerce potential.

Summary of Shopify Advanced Features:

• Advanced reporting and analytics to track sales, customer behavior, and other key metrics.
• Automated marketing tools like abandoned cart recovery and email campaigns to boost sales.
• Customizable checkout experience with the option to add custom fields for specific products or services.
• API access for developers to integrate third-party apps and tailor the platform to their business needs.
• Ability to manage multiple stores under one account for businesses with various brands or international operations.

Summary of Shopify Plus Features:

• All features included in Shopify Advanced are available, as well as additional advanced eCommerce tools, such as multi-currency support and a dedicated success manager.
• Unlimited bandwidth, storage, and SKUs for high-volume merchants with large product catalogs and high traffic.
• Customizable checkout with API access for complete control over the customer experience.
• Automated workflows to streamline operations, such as order processing and inventory management.

These features help you decide which plan best suits your business goals and needs.

Pricing: Shopify Advanced vs. Shopify Plus

The pricing structure for Shopify Advanced and Shopify Plus differs significantly. Let’s examine each plan’s offerings and costs.

Shopify Advanced Pricing

Shopify Advanced has a monthly subscription fee of $299 if paid in one sum or $399 if paid monthly, which includes all the standard features of the basic Shopify plan, such as unlimited products, bandwidth, and 24/7 support. However, there are some additional costs to consider:

• Transaction fees: This plan charges 2.5% + $0.30 USD for online purchases and 2.4% + $0.10 USD for in-person purchases. Third-party payment providers are charged 0.6% per transaction.
• Additional features: Some advanced features like gift cards and professional report builder come at an extra cost.
• Apps: Businesses may need to purchase third-party apps to add more functionality to their online store.

Shopify Advanced offers a good ROI for growing businesses that can benefit from its advanced features and lower credit card transaction fees.

Shopify Plus Pricing

In contrast, Shopify Plus costs $2,500 monthly or $2,300 if paid in full for 1 or 3 years and includes all the features of Shopify Advanced. However, this plan has no transaction fees except 0.15% per transaction for third-party payment providers. Businesses also enjoy exclusive features and services such as dedicated account management, customizable checkout, and unlimited API calls. However, the high price point may not provide a positive ROI for smaller businesses or those with limited sales volumes.

Shopify Advanced offers excellent value for money if you’re a growing business with scaling ambitions. For established enterprises with high sales volumes and complex requirements, Shopify Plus provides the tools and support to reach new heights in eCommerce success.

Key Considerations When Choosing Between Shopify Advanced and Plus

When deciding between Shopify Advanced and, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind:

1. Business size and sales volume: As discussed earlier, Shopify Advanced is suitable for growing businesses with moderate sales, while Shopify Plus caters to established enterprises with high sales volumes.
2. Customization needs: Consider the level of Shopify customization your business requires. If you need more flexibility and control over your online store’s design and functionality, Shopify Plus may be the better option due to its advanced customization capabilities.
3. International expansion plans: If your business has ambitions to expand into global markets, Shopify Advanced’s international pricing capabilities make it a more favorable choice.
4. Team size and technical expertise: Shopify Plus offers a dedicated account manager for personalized support and guidance. If your team lacks technical expertise, having this extra support may be beneficial.
5. Multi-channel selling: One plan may be more suitable depending on your business’s sales channels. For example, if you plan to sell on social media or Amazon, Shopify Plus’s built-in capabilities make it a convenient choice.

Choosing these plans depends on a business’s unique needs and goals. Careful evaluation of current and future requirements will help companies make an informed decision that aligns with their eCommerce growth strategy.

Scalability and Growth Potential

Both Shopify Advanced and Plus have features that support business growth, but Shopify Plus stands out with its more robust enterprise tools. Here’s how each plan supports scalability and growth potential:

Shopify Advanced:

• Unlimited products and bandwidth allow for an expanding product catalog and website traffic.
• Access to third-party apps allows businesses to add new features as they grow.
• Lower credit card transaction fees can save businesses money as they increase sales volumes.

Shopify Plus:

• Exclusive features like customizable checkout and unlimited API calls enable businesses to scale without limitations.
• Dedicated account management provides personalized support for complex business processes and custom solutions for growth.
• Built-in multi-channel selling capabilities make expanding into new markets and reaching a broader customer base easier.

With the right choice, businesses can unlock their full potential in the eCommerce world and achieve long-term success.

Customization Options

Regarding customization, Shopify Plus offers more options for businesses to create a unique and personalized online presence. Here are some key differences between the two plans:

Shopify Advanced:

• Limited theme customization options may restrict businesses from creating a unique website design.
• Checkout customization is unavailable, limiting branding opportunities at an essential stage in the customer journey.
• Third-party apps must be used for advanced customization features, adding extra costs and potential complexity.

Shopify Plus:

• Complete control over website design with customizable storefronts and checkout process.
• Ability to add custom code for further personalization and functionality.
• More robust branding capabilities, including custom domains and white-labeling options.

Shopify Plus offers a more tailored and branded user experience, which can be crucial for businesses looking to stand out in a competitive market.

Integration Capabilities

Both Shopify Advanced and offer a wide range of integration options, allowing businesses to connect their online store with other tools and services. These include third-party apps and APIs, which provide additional functionality and streamline business processes.

Shopify Advanced:

• Access to over 6000+ third-party apps through the Shopify App Store.
• API integrations are available for order fulfillment, shipping, accounting, and more.
• Limited access to the Shopify API due to lower price points.

Shopify Plus:

• Unlimited API calls allow for seamless integration with multiple systems and platforms.
• Exclusive access to private apps for custom solutions tailored to a business’s needs.
• Priority support from dedicated account management for integrations and troubleshooting.

For businesses with complex integration needs, Shopify Plus offers more robust capabilities to support seamless connections between systems.

Dedicated Support and Resources

One of the key benefits of choosing Shopify Plus over Advanced is the level of dedicated support and resources available to businesses. These include:

• Dedicated account management: Businesses with Shopify Plus are assigned a dedicated account manager as their main point of contact for questions, concerns, and technical support.
• Exclusive resources: Shopify Plus users can access exclusive resources, such as workshops, webinars, and educational materials, to help them get the most out of their eCommerce platform.
• Priority support: With Shopify Plus, businesses receive priority support for any issues, ensuring quicker resolution times and minimal disruptions to operations.

This level of personalized support and access to valuable resources can be crucial for businesses looking to expand their eCommerce operations.

Shopify Plus vs. Shopify Advanced: Which Is Right for Your Business?

Shopify Advanced and Plus offer robust eCommerce capabilities to support businesses of various sizes and needs. However, Shopify Plus for larger enterprises is the superior choice with high sales volumes and a need for more advanced customization options.

Smaller businesses, especially those starting in the e-commerce world, may find that Shopify Advanced adequately meets their needs. However, as they grow and require more sophisticated features and resources, upgrading to Shopify Plus may be necessary.

Real-world examples of businesses thriving on each plan include:

For Shopify Advanced:

• A small online boutique selling handmade jewelry with moderate traffic and sales.
• A startup clothing brand with a limited product line but high growth potential.

For Shopify Plus:

• A large multinational retail company with multiple brands and a high-volume online store.
• An established luxury brand that requires complete control over branding and user experience on its website.

Choosing between Shopify Advanced and Plus depends on your business’s needs and goals. Carefully evaluating factors such as size, sales volume, and customization requirements can help determine which plan best supports your eCommerce success. Shopify store owners often need eCommerce development services for their websites, so companies like Oyova are here to help.

Why Choose Oyova for Shopify Optimization?

Selecting the right Shopify plan for your business is a crucial decision that can significantly impact your online success. Your plan determines your monthly costs and the range of features and tools available to help grow your store. From transaction fees to shipping discounts and staff account limits, there are many factors to consider, and it can be overwhelming to make the best choice for your unique needs.

That’s where Oyova comes in. As eCommerce solutions and optimization experts, we have extensive experience guiding businesses through decision-making. We help analyze your business goals, current needs, and future growth plans to ensure you select the Shopify plan that aligns perfectly with your objectives. With our insights and customized strategies, we can also help you maximize the features of your Shopify plan to drive sales, streamline operations, and improve customer satisfaction. Let us simplify the process and set you on the path to success. Contact us today!