Choosing the right e-commerce platform is crucial for growing your online business, and understanding the costs involved is a key part of that decision. For entrepreneurs in South Africa, Shopify offers a range of pricing plans designed to fit various business sizes and needs. In this detailed breakdown for 2025, we’ll explore Shopify South Africa pricing options, including monthly fees, transaction rates, and any additional costs you should consider.

Key Takeaways

Shopify offers a tiered pricing structure to suit businesses at different stages:

• Starter ($5/month): Ideal for individuals selling through social media or messaging apps.
• Basic Shopify (25/month): Flexible for small businesses or solo entrepreneurs.
• Shopify ($65/month): Best for growing small to medium businesses.
• Advanced Shopify ($399/month): Designed for international sellers and expanding businesses.
• Shopify Plus (from $2,000/month): Tailored for high-volume or complex businesses.

Is A Shopify Free Trial in South Africa?

The answer is YES. Shopify in South Africa offers a 3-day free trial period, allowing South Africa Shopify store owners to experience the platform and its features before signing up for a paid plan. This trial period gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to evaluate Shopify’s capabilities and determine whether Shopify is right for their business goals.

Shopify Pricing South Africa: A Detailed Breakdown

When it comes to choosing an ecommerce platform for your business in South Africa, understanding the pricing structure of different plans is essential. 

This section will provide detailed information about Shopify’s pricing options in NZ and Shopify costs South Africa, allowing you to make informed decisions for your online store.

Shopify Starter

The Shopify Starter plan is designed as an entry-level solution for individuals or entrepreneurs who want to venture into online sales through social networks and messaging apps. Whether a solo entrepreneur or a small startup, this plan offers a cost-effective way to start your online retail journey.

The Shopify Starter plan is set at a minimum of $5 per month, where you can get the plan at $1 per month for the first month to accommodate individuals who are just starting out. 

Main features

• Linkpop, the commerce-focused link in bio tool.
• Access to Shopify apps for extended functionality.
• Shopify order management and an integrated fulfillment network.
• Mobile point of sale for in-person sales using just your smartphone.
• Simple online store with product pages, a contact page, and Shopify’s secure checkout.

Pros

• Affordable for beginners.
• Easy to set up and manage for solo entrepreneurs.
• Supports sales through social media platforms.
• Access to Shopify’s secure checkout and apps.
• Mobile POS for in-person sales using just a smartphone.

Cons

• Limited customization for store design.
• No advanced reporting or analytics tools.
• Lack of features for scaling or multi-channel selling.
• Not suitable for businesses requiring a full-fledged online store.

Best For

• Entrepreneurs are just starting their online sales journey.
• Individuals who primarily sell through social media and messaging platforms.

Shopify Basic

The Shopify Basic plan costs $25 per month or $19 monthly paid annually. This plan is quite flexible, can accommodate many different business sizes, and is suitable for small businesses or solo entrepreneurs.

The plan offers the tools and features to build and operate your online store effectively. 

Main features

• Basic reporting provides tools to track sales, orders, and traffic, helping store owners analyze performance and make informed decisions.
• Inventory management – With up to 10 inventory locations, your product management is streamlined, whether you have one product or a growing number of items.
• 24/7 Support to resolve any concerns or issues, ensuring your online store runs smoothly.
• Unlimited Products – there is no limit to the number of products you can sell, which provides many opportunities for business growth.
• Secure Shopping Cart ensures a seamless checkout experience for your customers.

Pros

• 24/7 customer support for peace of mind.
• Unlimited products with no additional fees.
• Inventory management across multiple locations.
• Standard reporting tools for tracking business performance.
• Affordable for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs.

Cons

• Limited reporting features compared to higher-tier plans.
• No advanced analytics or customization options.
• Basic e-commerce functionalities, which may not be enough for growing businesses needing more robust tools.
• Lacks features for international selling or scaling.

Best For

• Small businesses or solo entrepreneurs launching an online store.
• Sellers looking for a low-cost plan with essential e-commerce tools.
• Stores with minimal inventory that don’t need advanced reporting or complex management tools.

Shopify

In South Africa, the Shopify plan is priced at $65 monthly. However, they offer a promotional rate of just $1 for the first month, providing substantial savings and letting businesses test advanced features with minimum financial commitment. 

With its flexibility and comprehensive tools, this plan is particularly suited for small to medium enterprises looking to expand their online footprint.

Main features

• All the basic plan features ensure a seamless transition for businesses upgrading to this level.
• Custom reports and analytics provide comprehensive insights that support data-driven decision-making.
• Staff Accounts – The availability of 5 staff accounts enables better collaboration between team members while ensuring secure access control to critical store management functions.
• Enhanced Inventory Management manages up to 10 inventory locations efficiently.
• Abandoned Cart Messaging recovers potential sales with automated messages targeting abandoned carts.

Pros

• Abandoned cart recovery helps boost sales.
• More staff accounts for better team management.
• Access to advanced features without a high starting cost.
• Enhanced inventory management suitable for growing businesses.
• Offers comprehensive insights to improve business decisions.

Cons

• Higher cost compared to the Basic plan after the first month.
• Limited to 5 staff accounts, which may not be enough for larger teams.
• Does not include some of the advanced international selling tools of higher-tier plans.

Best For

• Small to medium-sized businesses in South Africa expand their online presence.
• Entrepreneurs need more advanced tools for growth, such as inventory management and sales recovery.
• Businesses with multiple staff members who need secure access to manage the store efficiently.

Shopify Advanced

The Shopify Advanced plan is designed for international sellers and growing businesses, offering robust tools for expansion. Priced at $399 monthly or $299 per month for an annual subscription, it provides advanced reporting and analytics tools to manage a Shopify store.

Main features

• All the features of the Shopify plan ensure merchants moving to this level have continued access to previous functionalities.
• Custom Report Builder empowers businesses to create tailored reports, facilitating deeper dives into business analytics and performance metrics.
• Staff accounts – With up to 15 staff accounts, this plan fosters a collaborative environment for larger teams.
• Third-party calculated shipping rates enable accurate shipping cost calculations from third-party shipping services, allowing for seamless integration of external shipping providers.
• Duties and import taxes allow import taxes to be estimated and collected at checkout to provide customers with a clear total cost and reduce the risk of parcel returns and rejections.

Pros

• Custom reports and analytics tools for data-driven decision-making.
• Higher staff account limit, making it suitable for larger teams.
• Seamless shipping integration with third-party services.
• Ability to estimate duties and taxes at checkout improves customer experience.
• Ideal for businesses expanding into international markets.

Cons

• Significantly higher cost than the Shopify plan.
• Some businesses may not need all the advanced features.
• The steep monthly fee may not be feasible for smaller or newer businesses.

Best For

• Established businesses with international shipping and tax needs.
• Companies with larger teams require more staff accounts.
• Merchants looking for advanced reporting tools to drive growth and optimize performance.
• Growing businesses ready to expand their operations globally.

Shopify Plus

Pricing for Shopify Plus starts at $2,000 per month. For sellers in South Africa with high volumes or unique business models, the plan is tailored to those businesses’ specific needs and operational requirements. Its comprehensive feature set and expandability make it a strong choice for businesses with extensive online operations and significant online growth ambitions.

Main features:

• Robust Infrastructure handles high traffic, large catalogs, and transaction volumes, ensuring stability during peak sales.
• Automation –  Shopify Flow and Script Editor allow for tailored operational processes.
• Exclusive APIs facilitate advanced integration and customization.
• Custom Checkouts enhance brand identity and customer satisfaction.
• Omnichannel expands sales across multiple platforms and markets.
• International Tools facilitate global sales with currency conversion, translation, and localized marketing.
• Transporter speeds up store data migration to Shopify Plus.
• Advanced Security ensures data protection and regulatory compliance.
• Reliability maintains operations during high-traffic events like Black Friday.
• Headless Commerce manages custom storefronts across channels from one backend.
• ERP Integration connects seamlessly with major ERP and CRM systems.
• Performance Dashboard monitors real-time store metrics and customer behaviors.

Pros

• Tailored for high-volume businesses with unique needs.
• Comprehensive features support extensive online operations.
• Advanced automation capabilities streamline processes.
• Strong security measures protect sensitive data.
• Enhanced performance and reliability during peak traffic.

Cons

• High monthly cost may not be feasible for smaller businesses.
• Requires a certain level of operational maturity to fully utilize its features.
• Setup and customization may necessitate technical expertise.

Best For

• Large enterprises or businesses with significant sales volumes.
• Brands with complex operational needs and a desire for customization.
• Companies looking to expand their online presence globally.
• Businesses aiming to optimize customer experience with tailored solutions.

So, here’s a quick comparison of the five main Shopify plans South Africa. 

Plans	Monthly Cosy	Paid Annually	Transaction Fees For Online Credit Card	Best For
Starter	$5	$5	5%	Individuals/Small Startups/Content creators/Bloggers and so on
Basic	$25	$19	2%	Solo entrepreneurs
Shopify	$65	$49	1%	Small teams or businesses
Shopify Advanced	$399	$299	0.6%	Medium to Large Enterprises for business scales
Shopify Plus	Starting at $2,000	Starting at $2,000	0.2%	Large Enterprises/High-Volume Merchants

The Third Hidden Cost of Running a Shopify Store

Running a Shopify store in South Africa comes with its fair share of expenses. While the monthly subscription plans are transparent, there are additional costs that may catch you by surprise.

In this section, we will break down the various components that contribute to it.

Domain Name

Acquiring a custom domain name is a fundamental step toward establishing an online presence and brand identity. A domain name that reflects your brand instills trust in your customers and promotes brand consistency.

Cost: Domain names can range from $10 to $20 or more per year, depending on the domain extension (.com, .co.za, .net, etc.).

Themes

The visual appeal of your online store is pivotal in attracting and retaining customers. Themes are the templates that dictate the look and feel of your store.

Cost: While Shopify offers a selection of free themes, premium themes can range from around $150 to $360 or more, providing a more unique and professional appearance.

App

Apps extend the functionality of your Shopify store, allowing for features like SEO optimization, email marketing, and inventory management.

Cost: Some apps are free, but others may require a one-time payment or a monthly subscription. The price of apps can significantly vary based on their functionality and the developer.

Shipping & Discounts

While shipping costs and discounts might not be hidden, they influence your profits and should be accounted for in your pricing approach.

There are different apps that help merchants manage their shipping and fulfillment. One such app is Shiprocket, which lets you buy shipping labels from various couriers like FedEx, BlueDart, Delhivery, DHL, Gati, and others. 

Cost: Shipping costs vary based on the courier service, distance, and package size.

Point-of-Sale (POS)

You’ll need a POS system if you plan to sell in-person and online. Shopify offers its own POS hardware and software, which comes with additional costs.

Cost: The cost of Shopify’s POS hardware varies, and there’s also a monthly fee for the POS Pro software, which is $89 per month per location.

Hosting Fees

Shopify handles the hosting of your online store, ensuring a secure and reliable infrastructure. However, the hosting fees are bundled within your chosen Shopify plan.

Cost: The hosting cost is embedded in your monthly Shopify plan, but if you exceed the allocated resources, you may need to upgrade your plan or incur additional charges.

Is Shopify Payments available in South Africa?

Shopify Payments, which is Shopify’s own payment gateway, is unavailable in South Africa for various reasons, including regulatory constraints, banking partnerships, and the complexity of integrating with local payment systems. 

However, merchants in South Africa can still use Shopify with third-party payment gateways such as PayPal, Stripe, PayFast, 2Checkout, etc. 

Shopify Pricing in South Africa vs Global: At A Glance

The differences in Shopify pricing between South Africa and globally could stem from various factors, some of which are:

• Local Taxes and Regulations

Different countries have different tax laws and regulations that could impact the Shopify fees South Africa. For instance, Value Added Tax (VAT) or other local taxes might be applied to the pricing in South Africa, potentially making it different from global pricing.

• Payment Processing Fees

The unavailability of Shopify Payments in South Africa necessitates using third-party payment gateways, which might have different transaction fees than Shopify Payments, thereby affecting the overall cost of running a Shopify store in South Africa.

Some available payment providers in South Africa include  2Checkout, BitPay, Payflex, PayGate, Ozow (Automated EFT), PayFast, PayPal Express Checkout, Paystack, and Paymentwall. However, consider choosing Paystack because of the cost-effective payment and ease of use. 

• Promotions and Offers

Shopify might run different promotions and offers in other regions such as Shopify Pricing in New Zealand, which could lead to temporary or permanent differences in pricing.

Which Plan Is For You in South Africa?

Choosing the right Shopify plan is essential for your ecommerce success. While business needs vary, Shopify’s Basic Plan is often the prudent choice for many new online merchants, especially because it’s cost-effective at $39 per month. 

This package offers a good balance of essential features without being too expensive. It provides core e-commerce functionalities such as storing unlimited products, 24/7 support, sales channels, basic reports, discount codes, and free SSL certificates to secure customer data.

Furthermore, the plan’s compatibility with various third-party payment gateways is essential to operate in regions like South Africa and Pakistan, where Shopify Payments is unavailable.

Shopify Pricing in South Africa: FAQs

Bottom Line

Investing time to comprehend Shopify pricing in South Africa is crucial for choosing a plan that meets your business needs and budget, ensuring a seamless online retail experience for you and your customers.