Comparing Shopify Starter and Basic Shopify for Small Sellers

With Shopify Lite, you can sell an unlimited number of products through your Facebook page or existing website using the Shopify Buy Button. This plan doesn’t impose restrictions on the quantity of products you can list.

Shopify Lite includes features such as order creation, discount codes, and the ability to sell on existing websites or social media platforms. It is a cost-effective way for small sellers to start selling online.

Shopify Starter is a low-cost plan designed for sellers who want to sell products through social media platforms, messaging apps, or a simple online store. It’s ideal for those just starting out with minimal requirements.

The Basic Shopify plan is a more comprehensive e-commerce solution that includes a full online store, the ability to sell on multiple channels, and access to more advanced features like discount codes, reports, and a wider range of payment options.

Shopify Starter costs $5 per month, while Basic Shopify costs $39 per month. The Starter plan is significantly cheaper but comes with fewer features.

No, Shopify Starter is designed for selling via social media and simple product links. It doesn’t include a full online store with a dedicated website, unlike the Basic Shopify plan.

Shopify Starter is best suited for small sellers who primarily want to sell through social media, existing websites, or messaging apps and don’t need a full-fledged online store.

Basic Shopify is ideal for small sellers who want to build a full online store, with a custom domain, multiple sales channels, and the ability to grow their business with more advanced tools.

Shopify Starter supports sales through social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, as well as direct product links you can share through messaging apps or embed on existing websites.

Basic Shopify supports selling through a full online store, social media platforms, online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay, and in-person sales with Shopify POS.

No, Shopify POS is not available with the Starter plan. If you need POS functionality for in-person sales, you’ll need to upgrade to Basic Shopify or a higher plan.

No, Shopify Starter does not include a full-featured shopping cart. Customers can purchase individual products through shared links, but the cart functionality is limited compared to Basic Shopify.

Yes, with Basic Shopify, you can connect a custom domain to your online store, giving it a professional web presence. You can either buy a domain through Shopify or connect an existing one.

Shopify Starter allows you to accept payments through Shopify Payments, as well as PayPal and other external payment gateways. However, customization options are limited.

Basic Shopify offers a wider range of payment options, including Shopify Payments, PayPal, and other third-party gateways. It also supports multiple currencies and country-specific payment methods.

No, Shopify Starter does not support discount codes. This feature is available in the Basic Shopify plan and higher plans.

Yes, Basic Shopify includes more robust shipping features, including the ability to set up shipping rates, print shipping labels, and integrate with third-party shipping apps.

Yes, upgrading from Shopify Starter to Basic Shopify is simple and can be done directly from your Shopify dashboard. All your existing data will be retained, and you’ll gain access to additional features.

Shopify Starter has limited access to the Shopify app store. Some apps might be restricted or not fully functional compared to the Basic Shopify plan, which has full app store access.

Both plans include access to Shopify’s 24/7 customer support, but the Basic Shopify plan may offer faster support response times and more comprehensive assistance due to its higher tier.

Transaction fees with Shopify Payments are similar across both plans, but if you use a third-party payment gateway, the transaction fees may be higher with Shopify Starter compared to Basic Shopify.