For Shopify users, it’s crucial to understand the nuances between the different plans available. This can be especially important for Shopify Advanced users considering an upgrade to Shopify Plus.
Both options offer cutting-edge features, but the decision to upgrade depends on various factors. In this guide, we’ll explore the key differences between Shopify Plus and Shopify Advanced and help you decide whether it’s time to make the switch.
Do I need Shopify Plus?
Choosing to upgrade from Shopify Advanced to Shopify Plus can be a difficult decision, as it can have a profound impact on your ecommerce businesses’ profitability and how it operates. On the one hand, upgrading too soon leaves you spending money on features you don’t really need, while failing to switch when you’ve reached the limitations of the Advanced plan can hinder business growth and profitability.
Let’s take a more detailed look at what each of these plans offer.
Shopify Plus vs Advanced: what’s the difference?
Shopify Advanced overview
Pricing structure:
- Shopify Advanced is a mid-tier plan, offering more features than the basic plans but less than Shopify Plus
- Monthly fees are affordable at £344 per month (£259 if paid annually), making it suitable for larger, growing businesses with moderate sales volumes
Customisation and features:
- Provides access to a wide range of themes and customisation options
- Advanced features such as custom reporting and third-party calculated shipping rates are available
Transaction fees:
- Transaction fees are lower than the basic plans, providing cost savings for businesses with higher sales volumes (though transaction fees can be avoided by using Shopify Payments)
Integration capabilities:
- Integrates with numerous third-party apps, allowing businesses to extend functionality based on specific needs, such as upselling, bulk editing and inventory management. While many Shopify apps are available to all users, some have plan-specific features or subscription tiers.
Support and resources:
- Priority support is available to address technical issues promptly
- Extensive documentation and community forums assist with problem-solving support
Shopify Plus overview
Enterprise-level ecommerce:
- Designed for high-volume merchants and large enterprises
- Scales seamlessly to handle large inventories, high traffic, and complex business requirements
Advanced customisation:
- Offers more advanced customisation options, including dedicated APIs for deep customisation and integration
- Enables scripting for full control over storefronts, down to small details
Global expansion:
- Built-in multi-currency and multi-language support facilitates global expansion
- Handles international transactions and compliance effortlessly
Dedicated support:
- 24/7 priority support with a dedicated account manager
- Assistance with onboarding and migration to ensure a smooth transition
Security and compliance:
- Enhanced security measures and compliance with industry standards
- Suitable for businesses dealing with sensitive data or requiring stringent security protocols
B2B features
- Most of Shopify’s B2B-specific features are only available to Plus users, making Shopify Plus essential to wholesalers or B2B stores
Pros and cons
Shopify Advanced
Pros:
- Lower monthly cost than Plus (good for mid-sized businesses)
- Advanced reporting features for better insights
- Third-party calculated shipping rates included
- Supports up to 15 staff accounts
- Solid foundation for scaling without high overhead
Cons:
- Limited checkout customisation (mostly theme-level changes)
- Transaction fees apply if not using Shopify Payments
- Automation and workflow tools are basic compared to Plus
- No dedicated account manager or priority support
- Not ideal for global expansion (limited storefront options)
Shopify Plus
Pros:
- Fully customisable checkout (including checkout.liquid, checkout extensibility)
- Advanced automation tools (Shopify Flow, Launchpad, Scripts)
- Multiple storefronts for international sales and B2B
- Lower transaction fees and better processing rates at scale
- 24/7 priority support and dedicated Merchant Success Manager
- Handles very high order volumes and peak traffic
- Access to exclusive apps and integrations (e.g., wholesale, advanced APIs)
Cons:
- Much higher monthly cost (starting at $2,300/month)
- May be overkill for small or mid-sized stores not pushing large volumes
- Setup and maintenance usually requires developer support
- ROI depends heavily on using advanced features effectively
- Only available on one or three year terms – requires long term commitment
Does Shopify Plus increase sales?
Upgrading from Shopify Advanced to Shopify Plus does not automatically increase sales, nor should it be seen as a quick fix for boosting transactions. What Shopify Plus does do, is provide the tools and infrastructure that can enable higher sales if used strategically and to their full potential.
For example, features like customisable checkout, advanced automation (Shopify Flow, Launchpad), and better integrations with ERP, CRM and third-party apps can all contribute to improved conversion rates, streamlined operations and larger marketing campaigns. But the lift in revenue ultimately depends on how effectively you use them.
When to upgrade to Shopify Plus
While the decision to upgrade really depends on individual circumstances and requirements, there are some general indicators that tell you it may be time to make the switch. If you meet the following criteria, it might be time to consider upgrading to Shopify Plus:
1. You’ve experienced rapid growth
Your business is experiencing significant growth in terms of sales volume, customer base, and product offerings.
2. You have complex business requirements
Your ecommerce operations demand advanced customisation, scripting, and API access for tailored solutions.
3. You have global expansion plans
Your business is planning to expand internationally and requires features like multi-currency support and global compliance.
4. You need enterprise-level security
For businesses dealing with sensitive customer data or requiring top-notch security features and compliance.
5. You’re planning to launch high-traffic events
Your business regularly hosts high-traffic events, such as flash sales or product launches, requiring a robust and scalable platform.
6. You need dedicated support and onboarding
When the need for 24/7 priority support and a dedicated account manager becomes crucial for your business operations.
When making the move from Shopify Plus, it’s always best to consult a specialist Shopify agency first. We can help you decide which plan is right for you, and ensure the switch is as seamless as possible – send us a message to get started.
