Shopify Pricing India: Which is More Cost-Effective?

Starting an online store in India is easier than ever, and Shopify is one of the top platforms for making it happen. Shopify offers different plans with various features and price points. Choosing the best one can be overwhelming, particularly if you’re looking to save money. We have you covered, so don’t worry!

In this blog, we’ll break down Shopify Pricing India, compare it to international plans, and share tips to help you choose the plan that works best for your business. Let’s get started and find the perfect fit for your online store!

1. The Reason Why You Should Open a Shopify Store in India

Opportunities abound in India, particularly in the area of e-commerce. There has never been a better moment to open an online store in India because of the country’s quickly rising digital economy, youthful and tech-savvy populace, and growing popularity of online shopping. And Shopify is your best ally when it comes to creating that store. This is the reason:

1.1. Leverage India’s E-Commerce Boom

India’s e-commerce industry is skyrocketing, and the numbers back it up. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, Shopify stores in India grew by 11.5% compared to the previous quarter and an incredible 55% year-over-year.

What’s driving this growth? A mix of increasing internet access, better digital literacy, and a young population eager to shop online. This makes India a hotbed for e-commerce, offering a golden opportunity for entrepreneurs to build successful businesses with Shopify.

1.2. Tap into the Power of Mobile Commerce

Smartphones occupy almost every hand nowadays, and so, in India, they have become the preferred medium for shopping online. Some of the research provided insight into the fact that approximately 70% of India’s online shopping has embraced the use of smartphones, and this simplification is due to the following characteristics.

Shopify makes it easy to cater to this mobile-first audience. The platform ensures your store looks stunning on any device—be it a smartphone, tablet, or desktop. Plus, with its mobile-optimized checkout, your customers can complete their purchases quickly, reducing the chances of abandoned carts. For you, the Shopify mobile app lets you manage your store on the go, so you’re always in control, no matter where you are.

1.3. Join a Thriving Community of Merchants

While launching a Shopify store in India may seem like going solo, you’re not entirely on your own. Shopify’s merchants, entrepreneurs, and specialists community is helping you. From getting feedback on your store to finding partners and a place for knowledge exchange, this community is rather helpful for new store owners who have been here for some time.

Whether it’s to learn the latest solution or how to tackle the rapidly growing e-commerce market, belonging to this ecosystem guarantees one will always be a step ahead of the competitors.

1.4. Simplify Payments with Localized Options

Payments in India are as diverse as its culture, and Shopify has you covered. The platform integrates seamlessly with local payment gateways, supporting everything from credit cards and cash on delivery to modern solutions like UPI and digital wallets.

It even enables EMI options for larger purchases, making it easier for customers to buy from you. For businesses with an eye on global markets, Shopify also supports international payment methods like PayPal and Stripe. With such versatile payment solutions, your checkout process becomes smooth, secure, and customer-friendly.

2. Shopify Pricing India in 2024

2.1. Starter Plan

If you are new in e-commerce, then there is no better solution for you as a startup to utilize than the Shopify Starter Plan. Besides, you can begin selling your products as far as it costs only ₹399 per month to create your online store. 

What makes the Starter Plan a great choice:

• Sell on Social Media: With this plan, you can sell directly on popular platforms like Facebook, reaching customers where they already spend time.
• The Shopify Buy Button: Already have a website or blog? The Starter Plan lets you embed a Buy Button to accept secure payments without needing to overhaul your site.
• Real-Time Customer Chat: Engage directly with your customers using the Customer Chat feature. Answer questions, address concerns, and boost sales with better service.
• Custom Invoices: Easily create and send custom invoices to customers. They can pay securely through Shopify’s payment gateway, streamlining the purchase process.
• Global Reach: Simply take your products to the next level of exporting them regionally! The Starter Plan allows you to advertise and sell to any client via social media platforms.
• Shopify POS Starter: For those selling in-person, the plan includes access to Shopify POS Starter, allowing secure, on-the-go payment acceptance.

Who Is It For?

The Starter Plan is ideal for:

• Entrepreneurs new to e-commerce.
• Businesses with a tight budget.
• Sellers focus on social media as their primary sales channel.

If you’re looking for a simple, cost-effective way to start selling online and grow your brand, the Shopify Starter Plan has everything you need to get going.

2.2. Basic Plan

Shopify Basic is created as a business that is alone or small and massive and needs more functionality to handle the growth of the business. India costs as low as ₹1994 a month, which is affordable and can fit well when starting operations, thus making the expansion highly sell.

What the Basic Plan offers:

• Manage Inventory Across Multiple Locations: Track up to  10 inventory locations, including retail stores, warehouses, pop-up shops, or any other fulfillment points. This ensures smooth operations and timely order fulfillment.
• Unlimited Products: Whether you sell 10 or 10,000 items, the Basic Plan lets you list unlimited products, giving your business the freedom to grow without constraints.
• Omnichannel Selling: Reach more customers by selling across multiple channels. With the Basic Plan, you can expand your sales through an online store, Facebook, Instagram, and other popular marketplaces.
• Basic Reporting Tools: Get access to simple analysis and generation of reports to control your store and recognize the patterns of sales and customer activity. For business improvement, these insights can be used to make better decisions.
• Shipping Discounts: Save on shipping costs with built-in discounts, helping you pass on savings to customers or improve your margins.

Who Is It For?

The Basic Plan is ideal for:

• Entrepreneurs scaling their small businesses.
• Companies that regularly have to transfer stock to other branches or offices.
• Entrepreneurs are seeking to expand their client reach and explore social networks and selling platforms.

For businesses ready to grow beyond the Starter Plan and harness essential tools to boost performance, the Shopify Basic Plan is a fantastic choice.

2.3. Shopify Plan

The Shopify Plan, priced at ₹7,447 per month, is designed for small businesses looking to level up their online operations and take their brand to new heights. It builds upon the features of the Basic Plan, offering enhanced capabilities to support growing businesses.

What you get with the Shopify Plan:

• All Features of the Basic Plan: The Shopify Plan includes everything in the Basic Plan, ensuring a smooth upgrade for businesses ready to expand their toolkit without losing any core functionality.
• Additional Staff Accounts: Managing a growing business is easier with five additional staff accounts, enabling better delegation and team collaboration for store management.
• Create and Manage an Online Store: Easily build, customize, and manage a professional-looking online store that aligns with your brand identity, all from your Shopify dashboard.
• Expand Internationally with Shopify Markets: Take your business global! With Shopify Markets, you can set up and optimize international selling from a single Shopify store. This tool simplifies cross-border commerce, helping you cater to customers worldwide.
• Advanced Tools for Growth: The Shopify Plan offers additional features, namely advanced reports and marketing tools, as well as the ability to make strategic business decisions based on performance data and grow closer to customers.

Who Is It For?

The Shopify Plan is ideal for:

• Small businesses ready to handle increased website traffic and sales.
• Teams requiring additional accounts for streamlined management.
• Entrepreneurs aiming to expand into international markets.

If your business is scaling up and you need advanced tools to manage growth and reach global audiences, the Shopify Plan offers the perfect solution.

2.4. Advanced Plan

Shopify Advanced Plan is costly at ₹30,164 per month in India, and it is the best for mid to large-scale businesses requiring powerful features to manage their online store. This plan is based on the Shopify Plan; in addition to the Proposed Plan, this one is tailored for companies that are in constant growth.

What the Advanced Plan brings to the table:

• All Features of the Shopify Plan: Shopify’s Advanced Plan comprises all the features in the Shopify Plan to make upgrading easier without leaving behind prior tools.
• Custom Reports and Analytics: Get a deeper understanding of your business with customizable reports. Analyze customer behavior, sales trends, and store performance with precision to make data-driven decisions.
• Third-Party Calculated Shipping Rates: To get precise shipment costs, easily integrate with outside shipping companies. With a 0.6% fee, this function helps guarantee that clients are aware of the precise amount they will be paying for delivery.
• Up to 15 Staff Accounts: Larger teams can efficiently manage your online store with 15 staff accounts, allowing for better delegation and management of tasks.
• Duties and Import Taxes: Reduce cart abandonment and returns by providing customers with clear cost estimates for duties and import taxes at checkout. This feature ensures a smooth shopping experience for international customers.

Who Is It For?

The Shopify Advanced Plan is perfect for:

• Medium to large businesses experiencing significant growth.
• Companies with international customers need accurate tax and duty calculations.
• Teams requiring advanced reporting and management tools for effective operations.

If your business is scaling up and demands sophisticated features to streamline operations and manage growth, the Shopify Advanced Plan is your ideal choice.

2.5. Shopify Plus Plan

The Shopify Plus Plan is Shopify’s premium offering, tailored for large enterprises and high-volume sellers. With a starting price of approximately ₹175,000 per month, it provides unparalleled features to help businesses excel in e-commerce.

The standout features of Shopify Plus:

• Scalable Infrastructure: Shopify Plus is built to handle high traffic volumes, extensive product catalogs, and massive transaction numbers. It ensures your store operates smoothly during peak sales periods like Black Friday.
• Dedicated Support and Optimization: Access priority support from account managers and success managers who assist with store optimization, troubleshooting, and achieving your business goals.
• Advanced Automation Tools: Simplify operations with Shopify Flow and the Script Editor, enabling you to automate repetitive tasks and customize checkout experiences.
• Exclusive APIs and Customization: Take advantage of exclusive APIs for advanced integrations, tailored functionalities, and custom workflows, giving you full control over your store’s backend.
• Custom Checkout Experience: Enhance your brand identity with fully customizable checkouts, ensuring a seamless and memorable experience for your customers.
• Omnichannel and Global Reach: Expand your sales across multiple channels and international markets. Features like currency conversion, language translation, and localized marketing help you cater to a global audience effortlessly.
• Wholesale Channel Support: The plan includes specialized tools for wholesale selling, such as tiered pricing, enabling you to manage retail and bulk customers from a single platform.
• Enterprise-Level Tools and Resources: Launchpad makes scheduling sales, launches, and inventory updates effortlessly. Transporter simplifies large data migrations, while advanced security ensures compliance and data protection. The performance dashboard offers real-time metrics to track store performance.
• Exclusive Community and Academy: Join an exclusive Shopify Plus community of high-performing merchants to exchange insights. Additionally, access the Shopify Plus Academy for in-depth training and platform mastery.

Who Is It For?

Shopify Plus is perfect for:

• Large enterprises are managing high sales volumes.
• Businesses need advanced automation and customization.
• Brands are expanding globally or operating across multiple sales channels.

If you’re a high-volume seller or enterprise looking for top-tier features, customization, and scalability, Shopify Plus is the ultimate e-commerce solution.

3. Difference Between Shopify India Pricing vs Shopify International Pricing

Understanding the differences between Shopify India and Shopify International pricing can help you choose the right plan for your business. Below is a comparison table to highlight key distinctions:

	Shopify India Pricing	Shopify International Pricing
Currency	Indian Rupees (INR)	US Dollars (USD) or other international currencies
Payment Processing	Supports local payment methods and gateways	Supports a wider range of international payment gateways
Features & Functionality	Tailored for the Indian market with specific tools and options	Comprehensive features for global e-commerce
Support & Resources	Focused on resources and support for Indian merchants	Provides international support and resources
Pricing Tiers	Lower starting price for basic plans; higher tiers align with international pricing	Varied pricing tiers for different business sizes and needs

Key Considerations:

• Currency Conversion: Account for exchange rates when comparing costs across markets.
• Payment Gateway Fees: Check the fees for different payment methods specific to your business needs.
• Additional Features: Determine which features are essential and compare their availability across both options.
• Support & Service: Evaluate the level and quality of customer support offered.

4. Is There A Free Trial For Shopify In India?

Yes, Shopify offers a 3-day free trial in India, allowing you to explore its features without requiring a credit card. This trial period is perfect for getting a feel of the platform and deciding if it suits your business needs.

After the free trial, Shopify provides a special offer $1 for 3 months. This offer lets you continue exploring Shopify’s potential at an extremely low cost before committing to a full pricing plan.

This combination of a free trial and an extended low-cost period ensures that Indian entrepreneurs have ample time to evaluate Shopify and select the plan that aligns with their goals and budget.

5. Additional Costs of Opening a Shopify Store in India

Setting up and operating a Shopify store in India involves a number of other costs, even if the monthly membership is the primary one to take into account.

5.1. Paid Themes and Apps 

To make your store unique and work the way you want, you may need to purchase paid themes or install premium apps. These tools enhance the functionality and allow you to personalize the appearance of your store. Your needs will determine how much it costs.

However, there’s no need to worry—there are plenty of affordable and even free apps available on Shopify. For instance, the EComposer Shopify Page Builder is certified as being good to go for usage. It comes with a nice page editor, unique templates, and different pricing plans depending on the client’s needs. Furthermore, EComposer has a FREE package, which means that it is free to use before making a purchase.

5.2. Domain Charges

You’ll need to buy a custom domain for your Shopify store. While Shopify offers a free myshopify.com domain, a branded domain (like yourstorename.com) adds a more professional touch.

5.3. Shopify Developer

If you have specific design preferences or need custom functionality, you may need to hire a Shopify developer. A developer can help you implement complex features, design custom themes, or ensure everything runs smoothly, which can add to your setup costs.

6. How To Choose The Suitable Shopify Pricing Plan in India

Choosing the right Shopify plan will help business owners succeed while cutting costs. Below is a summary of the important things to think about:

6.1. Business Size and Sales Volume

• Small Businesses: The Shopify Basic Plan (₹1,994/month) is perfect if you’re starting with a small inventory and need essential features like an online store, product listings, and basic analytics.
• Medium-Sized Businesses: For growing businesses, the Shopify Plan (₹7,447/month) provides added benefits such as professional reports, advanced analytics, and more staff accounts.
• Large Businesses: If your business handles high sales volumes, the Shopify Advanced Plan (₹30,164/month) is ideal, offering advanced reporting tools, calculated shipping rates, and expanded team access.

6.2. Sales Channels

• Online Stores: If your sales are primarily online, Shopify’s basic plans cover the essentials for e-commerce.
• In-Person Sales: For businesses combining online and in-person sales, plans like Shopify and Shopify Advanced include robust POS (Point of Sale) features to manage both channels seamlessly.

6.3. Advanced Features

• Detailed Analytics: Need to dive deeper into business performance? The Shopify Plan and Shopify Advanced Plan offer advanced reporting tools.
• Shipping Calculations: For accurate shipping rates based on weight, dimensions, and destinations, choose the Shopify Advanced Plan.
• Team Management: Larger teams will benefit from the increased staff account limits provided in the higher-tier plans like Shopify and Shopify Advanced.

6.4. Budget

Start with a plan that works for your budget and needs right now. As your company expands, Shopify makes it simple to scale, allowing you to upgrade or downgrade whenever you choose.

7. Final Thoughts

Selecting the suitable Shopify plan for the business in India exclusively depends on the necessity, objectives, and means. From affordable price to tailored functionality and powerful instruments included, Shopify is not just an eCommerce solution but a catalyst. That means that choosing Shopify is not just the means to launch an online store but to start a business in a world increasingly shifting to digital. Thus, read about the plans, choose the most suitable one, and get started on creating your own business with Shopify!