Most Canadian and US businesses spend $1,500 to $3,000 to set up a Shopify store on a premium theme, and $4,500 to $15,000+ for a custom-designed store. On top of that, budget for your monthly Shopify plan, apps (often $50–$300 a month) and payment processing fees.
“How much will my Shopify store cost?” is the first question almost every client asks us. The honest answer depends on what you need, but the costs always fall into the same five groups. This guide breaks each one down so you can plan a realistic budget.
1. Your Shopify plan
Shopify charges a monthly subscription. The Basic, Shopify and Advanced plans cover most small and mid-sized brands, while Shopify Plus is for high-volume businesses. Prices change from time to time and are shown in your local currency, so check shopify.com/pricing for current rates. Paying annually is cheaper than paying monthly.
2. Your theme
A theme controls how your store looks. You have three options:
- Free Shopify theme: $0. Good for testing an idea, but your store will look like many others.
- Premium theme: a one-time payment, usually around $250–$400 USD, paid directly to Shopify.
- Custom theme: designed only for your brand as part of a custom build.
3. Setup or custom build
This is the biggest one-time cost, and the one that varies most.
| Option | Typical cost (CAD) | Timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY setup | $0 + your time | Weeks to months | Testing an idea |
| Professional store setup | $1,500–$3,000 | 1–3 weeks | New brands that want to sell quickly |
| Custom store build | $4,500–$15,000 | 6–10 weeks | Brands that want a unique, conversion-focused store |
| Shopify Plus / migration | $8,000–$40,000+ | 10–16 weeks | High-volume or complex stores |
4. Apps
Apps add features such as reviews, email marketing, subscriptions and upsells. Most stores use five to ten apps. A typical budget is $50–$300 a month, growing with your store. Before installing an app, check whether Shopify already does the job for free, because every extra app can slow your store down.
5. Payment processing and taxes
Shopify Payments charges a percentage plus a small fee on each online sale. The rate depends on your plan and country. Canadian stores also need GST/HST, PST or QST set up correctly by province, and US stores need sales tax set up for each state where they have nexus. Shopify Tax can help with both.
6. Ongoing support and growth
After launch, most stores need updates, fixes and improvements. You can do this yourself, hire a freelancer when needed, or use a monthly support plan. Our plans start from $499 CAD a month.
Example budgets
- Starter store: professional setup on a premium theme, around $2,000–$2,500 one time, plus plan and apps monthly.
- Growing brand: custom build at $6,000–$10,000, plus $100–$300 a month in apps and an optional support plan.
How to keep costs under control
- Write down the features you need at launch, and the ones that can wait.
- Get a fixed quote with a written scope, not an hourly estimate.
- Choose apps carefully and review them every few months.
- Plan for support after launch so small problems do not become expensive ones.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shopify cheaper than WooCommerce?
Shopify usually costs more each month, but less in hosting, security and maintenance. For most small and mid-sized brands, the total cost is similar or lower on Shopify.
Can I pay for my Shopify store in USD?
Our quotes are in CAD, and US clients can be invoiced in USD. Shopify itself bills in your local currency where available.
Do I need Shopify Plus?
Most brands do not. Plus makes sense for high-volume stores, B2B wholesale or brands that need advanced checkout features.
Activebiz is a Canadian-led Shopify studio working with brands across Canada and the US. Book a consultation and we will look at your store with you.