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July 25, 2025Choosing the right Shopify plan can feel a bit like ordering coffee — do you want small, medium, large, or "why is this so expensive?"
If you're setting up an online store in South Africa, understanding Shopify pricing is key. It's not just about the monthly fee. You also need to think about transaction fees, payment gateway charges, and those sneaky little extras like apps and plugins.
This guide will break down Shopify’s plans in simple terms. You’ll find out what you really get for your money, how much you'll pay in South Africa, and how Netcash fits into the picture as a local payment gateway option.
By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of what it actually costs to run a Shopify store — no surprises, no complicated maths (well, maybe just a little).
Ready to figure out which plan fits your business best? Let’s dive in.
Looking for a local gateway for your Shopify store?
Ask us about our Payment Gateway!
How Shopify prices work in South Africa
Shopify pricing is simple at first glance, until you realise there are a few layers to it. Let’s break it down.
In South Africa, Shopify offers five main plans: Starter, Basic, Shopify, Advanced, and Plus. Each plan comes with different monthly fees and features. Most small businesses start with “Starter” or “Basic” and upgrade as they grow.
But, here’s the catch: Shopify pricing plans are shown in US dollars (USD), even if you’re operating in South Africa. So, your final cost in rands will depend on the exchange rate that day. It's like a little game of forex roulette, but less exciting.
Most South African businesses that use Shopify choose monthly billing. It’s easier on cash flow and less risky if you're just getting started. Larger businesses, who love a good discount, sometimes choose annual billing, but that means committing upfront.
| Package | Price Dollars | Price Rands |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $5 USD | R93 |
| Basic | $25 USD | R465 |
| Shopify | $65 USD | R1,208 |
| Advanced | $399 USD | R7417 |
| Plus (1-year) | $2,500 USD | R46472 |
| Plus (3-year) | $2,300 USD | R42,755 |
There’s also Enterprise Commerce, but that’s custom-priced. If you have to ask, you probably don’t need it yet.
Another thing: while the plan gets you access to Shopify’s platform (like your website and checkout), it doesn’t cover everything. You’ll still need to consider Shopify fees, payment gateways, and maybe a few helpful apps.
Shopify plan comparison: which Shopify plan fits your business?
Choosing the right Shopify plan can feel overwhelming at first. But don't panic — it's really about matching your business needs to the correct set of features.
Choosing the right plan depends on
- How many products you’re selling
- Where you're selling (online only or in person too)
- How much reporting and automation you need
- How quickly you plan to scale
Starter Plan
This is for businesses just getting their feet wet.
You don’t get a full website — just a simple online store, a checkout link you can share online, access to a mobile point of sale, as well as Shopify apps and order management. It’s perfect if you’re selling a few products through Instagram, Facebook, or WhatsApp, since this plan gives you a checkout link, which can be added as a link in your bio.Cost: $5 (R93)/month.
Basic
You get a full online store with your own website. This includes basic reporting, customer accounts, and collaborator accounts. It’s great for small businesses that want to grow online without too much fuss.
Cost: $25 (R465)/month.
Shopify
This plan adds more tools, like professional reports and better shipping discounts. You can also add up to five staff accounts. It’s a good fit if your store is growing fast or you want more detailed insights.
Cost: $65 (R1,208)/month.
Advanced
This plan is for businesses that seriously want to scale. You get advanced reporting, custom pricing by market, and the lowest transaction fees outside of Plus. It’s ideal for stores with growing sales volumes or beginning to expand internationally.
Cost: $399 (R7,417)/month.
Plus
If you’re here, you’re in the big leagues. Pricing starts at $2,300 (R42,755)/month if you sign up for three years. If you only commit to a year, you’ll pay $2500 (R46,472). This feature offers competitive rates for high-volume sellers such as wholesalers or B2B businesses.
Quick Tip: Most South African businesses start with Basic Shopify. You can always upgrade later as you grow.
Shopify transaction fees explained
Besides the monthly platform fee, Shopify also charges transaction fees. These are small percentages taken from each sale you make.
Fun? No. Important to understand? Definitely.
Here’s the deal: If you use Shopify Payments (Shopify’s own system, which is not yet supported in South Africa), you pay lower fees.If you use a third-party gateway (like Netcash or Payfast), you pay both the gateway’s transaction fee plus an extra Shopify fee (because you’re not using Shopify Payments).
Let’s look at it clearly:
|
Shopify Plan |
Extra Shopify Fee if Using Third-Party Gateway |
|
Starter |
5.0% |
|
Basic |
2.0% |
|
Shopify |
1.0% |
|
Advanced |
0.6% |
Example:
Let’s say you sell a R1,000 product using Netcash:
- Shopify Basic Plan: Shopify charges 2% = R20
- Netcash Gateway Fee: (example) 2.95% = R29.50
- Total Fees: R47.50 deducted
Do you need flat, simple pricing that adjusts as your volumes grow?
Chat to us about your payment gateway needs.
Payment gateway costs: Netcash vs typical South African gateways
In South Africa, you need a payment gateway to process online payments. Shopify doesn’t automatically connect to all local gateways, so you’ll need to pick one that works well. But gateway costs can vary — and they can seriously affect your bottom line.
Let’s compare typical payment gateway fees:
|
Payment Gateway |
Transaction Fee |
Monthly Fee |
Notes |
|
Netcash |
2.95% per transaction |
R56 ex VAT |
Flat, simple pricing. Dynamically adjusts as volumes grow. |
|
Typical Provider A |
3.2% per transaction + R2 per transaction |
No monthly fee |
Higher rates + extra fees |
What Does This Mean for You? Let’s say you sell R10,000 worth of products this month:
|
Provider |
Fees Paid |
|
Netcash |
R275 |
|
Provider A |
R322 (R320 + R2) |
As you can see, Netcash gives you some breathing room, especially if you’re a new or growing business. Plus, Netcash has no hidden setup costs, no nasty surprises, and fast settlement times.
Remember that if you use a third-party gateway like Netcash, Shopify will still charge an extra transaction fee (depending on your plan). Still, using a reliable local gateway often works out cheaper overall, and gives you better local support if something goes wrong.
Estimated total Shopify costs: what South African businesses can expect to pay
Let’s be honest — nobody likes surprise costs. Especially when you’re just trying to run your online store and make a living. So, let’s break down a rough monthly estimate for a typical South African business using Shopify and Netcash.
Example scenario: You’re a small business selling R30,000 worth of products per month. You’re using:
- Basic Shopify Plan ($25 (R465)/month)
- Netcash Payment Gateway (2.95% fee per card transaction)
Here's how the costs can stack up:
|
Cost item |
Amount |
|
Shopify monthly fee |
~R464 |
|
Shopify transaction fees (2% of R30,000) |
R600 |
|
Netcash gateway fees (2.95% of R30,000) + R56 per month |
R825 |
|
Total estimated monthly cost |
R2,010 |
Things to consider:
- This doesn’t include optional extras like premium themes, apps, or email marketing tools. (Those can add another R200–R800/month, depending on what you choose.)
- If your sales grow, your transaction fees will increase too. Good for business, but definitely worth budgeting for.
- You can lower transaction costs per sale by upgrading your Shopify plan when sales get bigger.
Larger business example: Selling R100,000 per month on a basic plan? Expect:
|
Cost item |
Amount |
|
Shopify Basic plan |
~R464 |
|
Shopify transaction fees (2% of R100,000) |
R2,000 |
|
Netcash gateway fees (2.95% of R100,000) + R56 per month |
R2,750 |
|
Total estimated monthly cost |
~R5,335 |
Tip: Want to cut out the cart fees? Compare Shopify and Netcash Shop to make an informed decision.
Get better rates and transparent fees for your online store payments.
Ask us about the Netcash Payment Gateway.
How to choose the right Shopify plan for your business
Choosing a Shopify plan isn’t just about cost — it’s about picking the right tools for your stage of business. Here’s what you should think about:
- How big is your business?
- Just starting out? Go for the Starter or Basic Shopify plan. You’ll keep costs low while building your customer base.
- Growing steadily? The Shopify plan gives you better reports, more user accounts, and lower fees. Suitable for when you have a small team helping with orders, marketing, or support.
- High-volume store or planning to expand globally? Advanced Shopify is worth a look, especially with its powerful analytics and cheaper international selling rates.
- What features do you really need?
- Need detailed sales reports? Go for the Shopify plan or higher.
- Selling across different countries? The Advanced plan offers market-specific pricing tools.
- Just want a quick, easy checkout link? The Starter option will do the trick.
- What's your monthly revenue?
As a rough guide:
|
Monthly revenue |
Recommended plan |
|
Under R20,000 |
Starter or Basic |
|
R20,000 – R80,000 |
Basic or Shopify |
|
Over R80,000 |
Shopify or Advanced |
Still not sure? The best advice is to start small, keeping an eye on your transaction fees, and upgrading when it makes financial sense.
Other Shopify website costs to keep in mind
Shopify’s monthly plan isn’t your only cost. There are a few extras you might want (or need) to budget for. Let’s break them down:
1. Shopify apps
Apps help you add features like loyalty programs, email marketing, or better shipping options.
Some are free, while some charge a monthly fee (anywhere from R50 to R1,500+).
|
App type |
Cost range |
|
Basic tools (SEO, reviews) |
Free – R150/month |
|
Advanced tools (email, subscriptions) |
R300 – R1,500+/month |
2. Paid themes
Shopify has free website themes, but many businesses choose a premium theme for a more professional look. You’ll pay a one-time cost of around $140 – $350 (roughly R2,500 – R6,000). It can be a good investment if you want to stand out without hiring a web designer.
3. Marketing
Getting your store live is great, but getting people to visit it, on the other hand? That takes marketing. Some common costs can include Google Ads or Facebook Ads, which start from R500/month (but can scale up quickly). Another option is email marketing, often included in apps, but it might cost you extra.
To sum up these costs:
|
Extra cost |
Typical range |
|
Apps |
R0 – R1,500+ /month |
|
Premium theme |
R2,500 – R6,000 once-off |
|
Marketing budget |
R500 – R5,000+ /month |
Why Shopify + Netcash makes sense for South African businesses
Running an online store in South Africa comes with its own set of challenges. Payment issues shouldn’t be one of them. That’s why pairing Shopify with Netcash just makes sense. Here’s why.
1. Local payment support
Shopify works brilliantly, but it’s a global platform. You need a payment solution that understands local banks, local customers, and — let’s be honest — local chaos. Netcash processes payments in rands, settles to local bank accounts, and handles all the behind-the-scenes reconciliation for you. No currency conversions and no waiting forever for your money.
2. Lower costs
As you’ve seen, Netcash fees are highly competitive. You’re not getting stuck with considerable monthly gateway charges or hidden setup fees. Plus, Netcash’s transaction rates are flat and predictable, dynamically adjusting down as your sales grow.
3. Simple integration
Connecting Shopify and Netcash is straightforward. You don’t need a whole IT team, and you don’t need to spend days pulling your hair out. Plus, if you ever get stuck, Netcash’s dedicated support support is waiting to get you through it.
Read next: Shopify vs Woocommerce
4. Future growth
Starting small? No problem.
Scaling fast? Still no problem.
Netcash grows with your business. You can handle everything from a side hustle to a national brand without needing to change providers later. The bottom line is that Shopify gives you a world-class online store. Netcash gives you payment solutions that actually work here, where you live and sell. Together, they’re a power duo.
Final Thoughts: Ready to get selling?
Shopify makes it easy to launch an online store. Netcash makes it easy to get paid in South Africa. Together, you’ve got everything you need to grow your ecommerce business — without headaches, hidden fees, or complicated tech setups.
Whether you’re just getting started or scaling up fast, the right tools (and the right partners) make all the difference. Choosing the right Shopify plan, understanding your fees, and working with a local payment provider like Netcash can save you time, money, and stress.
Ready to get started? Register your interest in our Shopify x Netcash integration today!
Need more information about the Netcash Payment Gateway?
Speak to a Payments Advisor today and see how we can help you with your online venture.
Author:
Candice Sergeant
Product Manager
Stay in Touch
Candice Sergeant is a digital dynamo at Netcash, where she’s on a mission to help South African businesses level up their online game. As an eCommerce Product Owner, she’s got her finger on the pulse of the latest trends and technologies, constantly seeking out ways to boost sales and streamline operations. With a knack for spotting opportunities and a passion for innovation, Candice is your go-to guide for taking your e-commerce business to the next level.
