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If you’ve ever looked at your Shopify payout and felt something was missing, you’re not imagining it. Understanding how much does Shopify take per sale is one of the most important things a merchant can get right — and most people never look past their plan’s price tag.
Ever wonder how much does Shopify take per sale? It depends on your subscription plan, your payment method, and even where your customers are located. This guide breaks all of it down clearly, with no surprises.
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What Actually Makes Up a Shopify Fee Per Sale?
Before jumping into numbers, it helps to know that Shopify charges fees in two distinct layers.
The first is the payment processing fee — this is paid to whoever processes the card transaction. If you use Shopify Payments (Shopify’s built-in processor), this is the only fee you pay per sale. Rates range from 2.4% to 2.9% plus a $0.30 fixed charge depending on your plan.
The second is the transaction fee — this is an additional percentage Shopify charges when you use a third-party payment gateway like PayPal or Stripe instead of Shopify Payments. These two fees stack, which is where costs can get uncomfortably high.
Your monthly plan cost isn’t technically a per-sale fee, but it contributes to your effective cost per order. A merchant on the Basic plan paying 2% transaction fees on $5,000/month in sales pays $100 in fees plus $25 in plan costs — a total that only makes sense when viewed together.
How Much Percent Does Shopify Take Per Sale by Plan?
Here’s a breakdown of how much money does Shopify take per sale across its main plans when using Shopify Payments for online credit card transactions:
Shopify Starter ($5/month)
This plan is designed for creators selling through social media, not a full storefront. It carries a 5% transaction fee on every sale — the highest of any plan — and Shopify Payments is not available in most regions on this tier. Not recommended for serious e-commerce.
Basic Plan ($25/month)
The most common starting point for new merchants.
- Online credit card rate: 2.9% + $0.30
- In-person (POS) rate: 2.6%
- Third-party gateway transaction fee: +2.0%
Grow Plan ($65/month)
The sweet spot for stores scaling past $5,000/month.
- Online credit card rate: 2.7% + $0.30
- In-person (POS) rate: 2.5%
- Third-party gateway transaction fee: +1.0%
Advanced Plan ($399/month)
Built for high-volume merchants and established global brands.
- Online credit card rate: 2.5% + $0.30
- In-person (POS) rate: 2.4%
- Third-party gateway transaction fee: +0.6%
Shopify Plus (from $2,300/month)
Enterprise-level with negotiable rates. The published standard third-party gateway fee is 0.2%, making it ideal for brands processing $500,000+ per month.
Real Example: What Shopify Takes From a $100 Sale
Let’s say you’re on the Basic plan and a customer pays $100 through PayPal (a third-party gateway):
- PayPal’s processing fee: 2.9% + $0.30 = $3.20
- Shopify’s extra transaction fee: 2.0% = $2.00
- Total deducted: $5.20
- You receive: $94.80
Now compare that to the same sale processed through Shopify Payments on the Basic plan:
- Shopify Payments fee: 2.9% + $0.30 = $3.20
- No extra transaction fee
- You receive: $96.80
The difference is $2.00 per order. On 500 orders per month, that’s $1,000 quietly leaving your business.
“Keeping a clear record of every order is just as important as understanding your fees. Check out our guide on how to customize your Shopify invoice to make sure your documentation matches the professional standard your business deserves.”
How Much Does Shopify Take Per Sale in the UK?
For UK merchants using Shopify Payments, the rate per online credit card sale typically falls between 1.5% and 2.0% + £0.25, depending on your plan. In-person POS rates start around 1.7%.
If you use a third-party payment gateway in the UK, an extra 2% fee is added on top of that provider’s charges. Additionally, a currency conversion fee of 1.5% applies when payouts and customer currencies differ.
Shopify also offers a Shopify Tax tier for UK merchants: free for the first £100,000 in global sales, then 0.25% per taxable order (capped at £0.99), or 0.15% for Shopify Plus merchants.
How Much Does Shopify Take Per Sale in India?
Shopify Payments is not currently available in India, which means Indian merchants must rely on third-party gateways like Razorpay or PayU. This makes the fee structure different from most Western markets.
Transaction fees by plan when using third-party providers in India:
- Basic Plan: 2% per transaction
- Grow Plan: 1% per transaction
- Advanced Plan: 0.6% per transaction
When combined with gateway charges, Indian merchants typically pay 3% to 4.5% per sale in total fees. Subscription costs are localized too — the Basic plan starts at approximately ₹1,499/month.
Other Per-Sale Costs Worth Knowing
Beyond the headline rates, several other fees can affect how much money does Shopify take per sale:
- Currency conversion: 1.5% for U.S. stores, up to 2.0% for international stores
- International card surcharge: Often charged at 3.9% + $0.30
- Shopify Tax (U.S. only): 0.35% per order after $100,000 in annual sales, in applicable states
- Tap to Pay on iPhone: First 100 POS transactions per month free, then $0.25 per transaction
How to Reduce How Much Shopify Takes Per Sale
Switch to Shopify Payments
This is the single most impactful change available to most merchants. Eliminating the third-party transaction fee saves up to 2% per order. On $10,000 per month in revenue, that’s $200 back in your pocket every month. Shopify Payments is available in over 39 countries, though India and much of Southeast Asia are not currently supported.
Pay Annually to Lower Your Effective Plan Cost
Shopify offers up to 25% savings when billed annually rather than monthly:
- Basic: $19/month (annual) vs. $25/month — saves $72 per year
- Grow: $49/month vs. $65/month — saves $192 per year
- Advanced: $299/month vs. $399/month — saves $1,200 per year
This doesn’t reduce your transaction fees, but it meaningfully lowers the overhead cost that affects your per-sale margin.
Track Fees at the Product Level
Store-wide averages can mask products that are profitable on paper but underwater after fees. Tracking fees by SKU helps you identify which products can support discounting, which need repricing, and which should be cut.
“For merchants looking to keep their operations organized and transparent, a reliable Shopify invoice generator can ensure every transaction is documented clearly — especially important when margins are tight and every dollar counts.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Shopify take from a $100 sale?
On the Basic plan using Shopify Payments, Shopify takes $3.20 from a $100 sale (2.9% + $0.30). Using a third-party gateway adds up to 2% more, bringing the total to $5.20.
How much percent does Shopify take per sale on the Basic plan?
2.9% + $0.30 for online credit card payments via Shopify Payments. An additional 2% applies if using a third-party gateway.
Does Shopify charge fees in the UK differently?
Yes. UK rates through Shopify Payments start at 1.5% + £0.25 per transaction for higher-tier plans, with a 2% third-party gateway surcharge if Shopify Payments isn’t used.
Can Indian merchants use Shopify Payments?
Not currently. Shopify Payments is unavailable in India, so merchants use third-party gateways and pay transaction fees of 0.6%–2% per sale on top of gateway charges.
The Bottom Line: Stop Guessing, Start Calculating
Knowing how much does Shopify take per sale goes far beyond satisfying curiosity — it’s the foundation of running a store that actually makes money. These fees are consistent, they scale with every order you process, and they shift depending on your plan tier, your chosen payment processor, and the country you operate in.
Merchants who consistently protect their bottom line don’t stumble upon that success. They build fee awareness into their pricing from day one, treating it like any other business cost. Take the numbers from this guide, run them against your own setup, and make the switch to Shopify Payments if it’s available in your region. Few optimizations deliver this kind of return with so little effort. And once your fee structure is dialed in, make sure your order documentation keeps pace — Vify Order Printer helps you create professional, branded invoices and receipts that reflect the business you’re building.
