For running an online brand selection of the right eCommerce platform is crucial. For businesses of all sizes, Shopify is a favorite and go-to option. However, with advanced features, more scalability, and better customization Shopify Plus is leveling up the things. To ensure that you opt for the best eCommerce platform understanding the key differences between Shopify vs Shopify Plus is important. Read this detailed blog to make the right choice.
What is Shopify?
It’s a user-friendly platform for eCommerce businesses enabling brands and individuals to design, manage, and scale brand stores. Moreover, it is famous for being an accessible and intuitive platform. These features make it a suitable platform and it is considered that Shopify is for small businesses and those planning for quick online store setup. To have full leverage of this medium hiring Shopify developers is a great idea.
Some Key Features of Shopify
Some key advanced Shopify features include personalized themes, selling on multiple channels, integrated payment gateways, an extensive app ecosystem, and round-the-clock support.
- Personalized Themes: A wide range of personalized themes is offered by Shopify. These themes are mobile-friendly and customizable.
- Multi-Channel Sales: With Shopify, you can sell beyond Shopify stores as well on other platforms such as eBay, Amazon, Instagram, and Facebook.
- Integrated Payment: Although Shopify has its own payment gateways, it supports integrations with other third-party payment systems.
- Extensive App Ecosystem: An extensive app ecosystem of Shopify empowers businesses to expand their functionality.
- Continuous Support: Help for users and store owners is available when required with access to phone, email, or chat.
What is Shopify Plus?
The enterprise-level version of Shopify is Shopify Plus. It was created to fulfill the needs of businesses that require flexibility, advanced features, and more customization options. It caters to large-scale business operations experiencing heavy online traffic and managing large inventories.
Some Key Features of Shopify Plus
We have collected some key Shopify Plus features here:
- Personalized Checkout Process: One of the Shopify Plus benefits is the availability of customization options. Such options include shipping options, different payment gateways, and multiple custom fields. A Shopify Plus expert agency can help achieve customization goals.
- Dedicated Team: Another advanced Shopify Plus feature is access to a dedicated team of expert developers who have experience in Shopify Plus technicalities.
- Multi-Store Handling: With Shopify Plus users can easily manage multiple stores with a single account. This is a great facility for brands with multiple outlets and international operations.
- Shopify Flow Automation: For automating business processes Shopify Plus has a tool called Shopify Flow. It takes care of all automated functions starting from customer segregation to inventory management and order processing.
- Advanced Analytics and Tools: Shopify Plus also offers access to advanced analytics and reporting tools. These analytics give valuable insights into inventory management, sales, and customer behavior.
- High Limits for APIs: Higher API limits are provided by Shopify Plus making it an ideal eCommerce platform for large-scale businesses requiring complex integrations with internal systems and third-party systems.
What is the Difference Between Shopify Vs Shopify Plus?
To understand the key differences between Shopify and Shopify Plus in different domains have a look at the given table. It shows a detailed comparison of eCommerce platforms’ pricing, customization, support, flexibility, performance, multiple store management, advanced features, integration, and security.
| Feature | Shopify | Shopify Plus |
| Price Range | From $39 per month | From $2000 per month |
| Personalization | Just limited to Shopify apps and themes | Complete access to checkout process, custom themes, and code |
| Support | 24/7 support | Priority support |
| Flexibility | Small to medium-sized businesses | Enterprise-level and high-volume brands |
| Performance | Standard performance of website | Improved performance |
| Managing multiple stores | No | Yes |
| Modern Features | Basic features | Advanced features such as reporting and automation |
| Integrations | Basic | Robust |
| Security | PCI and SSL-compliant | Custom SSL High-level data protection |
Comparing Prices
Pricing is one the most important things to consider while selecting any eCommerce platform, and so is Shopify vs Shopify Plus. Based on business requirements and size, there is a range of pricing. On the other hand, Shopify Plus offers customized Shopify Plus pricing options.
A basic Shopify price and plan starts at $39 per month, moving to a standard Shopify plan at $105 per month, and an advanced Shopify subscription at $399 per month. Although Shopify Plus gives customized pricing its plans typically start at $2000 per month. This cost keeps on increasing with the addition of advanced options such as automation, checkouts, and dedicated support.
Flexibility and Functionality
When deciding between Shopify vs Shopify Plus scalability is another important consideration. Although Shopify is best for new brands with a small client base, Shopify Plus is developed for large enterprise-level businesses that are experiencing fast growth.
Moreover, Shopify Plus solves performance issues unlike Shopify and takes care of large volumes of online traffic. Its multiple features like faster load times, higher API limits, and modern caching mechanisms make it a suitable option for large businesses.
When and why to opt for Shopify
You can opt for Shopify if you have a small to medium-scale business with limited traffic and customer base. If you need an affordable solution Shopify is the answer. Moreover, you can choose Shopify if:
- You have a small business
- Searching for an easy-to-use medium
- Looking for basic features
- A low-cost solution is required
- You don’t need automation tools and advanced customization
- Minimal technical skills are required to quickly start your brand sales
When and why to opt for Shopify Plus
If you are running an already established business that is rapidly growing, Shopify Plus is an ideal choice. Moreover, companies requiring scalability, automation, and customization can go for Shopify Plus. Shopify Plus can be selected if:
- A platform f required for managing high sales volume
- Advanced automation and customizable checkouts are required
- Need to do international operations
- Expert guidance is required
Conclusion
Selection between Shopify vs Shopify Plus entirely depends on your business size, growth potential, and requirements. Shopify offers all the necessary tools that you need if you are starting a small to medium-level business. However, if you are an already established brand and looking for advanced features Shopify Plus is a better option.
FAQs
1. What is the key difference between Shopify and Shopify Plus?
The major difference between Shopify and Shopify Plus is their level of scalability, customization, and advanced features. As Shopify is designed for small to medium-sized businesses, it offers tools for fulfilling basic business requirements. On the other hand, Shopify Plus is developed to introduce modern tools for enterprise-level businesses. With this eCommerce platform, businesses can have customizable checkout processes, dedicated team support, and automation.
2. How much does Shopify Plus cost in comparison with Shopify?
In comparison with Shopify, Shopify Plus offers customizable pricing. Where basic Shopify plan starts at $39 per month, Shopify Plus pricing and plans start at $2000 per month. This price rises with additional features making it a more costly platform than Shopify.
3. Is Shopify Plus suitable for small businesses?
We don’t recommend Shopify Plus for small-scale businesses due to its more sophisticated features and high pricing range. For such businesses standard plans of Shopify are sufficient. They offer everything that is required to set up and run a small brand including customized themes, payment integrations, and product management.
4. Can I upgrade my Shopify store to Shopify Plus later?
Yes, you can upgrade your Shopify store to the Shopify Plus platform. But you can plan for migration if you are experiencing a high volume of traffic, more advanced features are required, or automated workflows are needed. You can hire an expert Shopify Plus developer for a smooth migration.
5. What are the modern features of Shopify Plus?
Some advanced features of Shopify Plus include a personalized checkout process for smooth order placements, a dedicated team of expert developers for a smooth Shopify Plus development and migration process, multi-store handling through a single online store, and operational automation with Shopify Flow. Moreover, advanced analytics and tools and high limits for APIs are offered by Shopify Plus.
6. Can Shopify Plus be used for multiple stores?
Absolutely, Shopify Plus is specially created to handle multiple stores with the help of a single account control. This is the best feature for businesses operating multiple outlets internationally or for those who are looking to expand their business by taping new international markets.
7. Can I downgrade my store from Shopify Plus to Shopify?
Yes, of course, you can downgrade your store to Shopify from Shopify Plus if you no longer need advanced store functionality and features provided by Shopify Plus. Moreover, you can consider downgrading to Shopify if your brand is experiencing a decrease in volume or want to simplify your brand operations.
