As of 2025, Shopify still stands out as a top contender for anyone looking to sell products or services online.

It is, by far, the most prevalent eCommerce platform and by most accounts the most financially successful company of its kind.

According to BuiltWith.com, Shopify is the top eCom platform with (3.5%) of all websites in their database built on it, followed by WooCommerce (1.91%), and Magento (1.11%).

On top of that, there are 0.84% sites built by Shopify Plus, its premium plan as well.

Going by that, we can conclude that Shopify leads the pack. It’s grown into a platform that can handle small-scale operations, booming print-on-demand stores, and even some of the largest enterprises in the world.

Chances are, no matter what kind of eCommerce business you want to run, Shopify can be a good option to get it done. Yet deciding if Shopify is right for you calls for an honest look at its costs, features, and overall scalability.

Below, you’ll find an in-depth exploration of what Shopify brings to the table—so you can decide if it’s a worthwhile investment for your specific business goals.

So, Is Shopify worth it in 2025? 

Yes. The answer is almost certainly yes, whether you’re starting a new online store, migrating an existing store, or opening an additional channel for your brick-and-mortar business.

Shopify is scalable, easy to operate at a basic level, and has a huge support network of experts and third-party services to make your life easier.

Shopify Pros and Cons

There are a few considerations that you should keep in mind about Shopify or any technology choices you make.

At the end of the day, even the most versatile option isn’t going to be perfect for every edge case. 

So, here are the plain facts about Shopify to consider before you commit.

Pros	Cons
Ease of Use: Intuitive drag‐and‐drop interface, comprehensive onboarding, and 24/7 support make it accessible even for beginners.	Transaction Fees: Additional fees (ranging from 0.5% to 2%) apply if you don’t use Shopify Payments, impacting margins.
Scalability: Grows with your business—from basic plans to enterprise-level (Shopify Plus) for high-volume sellers.	App Dependency & Add-On Costs: Relying on third-party apps for advanced features can increase monthly expenses.
Multichannel Selling: Seamlessly integrates with social media, marketplaces, and in-store POS systems for a unified sales approach.	Customization Limitations: Basic plans offer limited design flexibility; advanced customizations require knowledge of Shopify’s Liquid language.
Secure & Reliable Hosting: Fully hosted solution with PCI compliance, SSL encryption, and excellent uptime ensures performance and security.	Vendor Lock-In: Migrating away from Shopify can be complex and time-consuming due to proprietary systems and limited export options.
Extensive App Ecosystem: Access to over 8,000 apps extends functionality for marketing, inventory management, and more.	High Overall Costs: Monthly subscriptions, premium themes, and paid apps can add up, making it one of the pricier options on the market.
Built-In Marketing & SEO Tools: Robust analytics, SEO-friendly features, and integrated marketing channels help drive traffic and sales.	Limited Content & Blogging Features: The built-in blog and content tools are basic compared to dedicated platforms like WordPress.
AI-Powered Automation: Tools like “Shopify Magic” streamline tasks such as product description creation and personalized recommendations.	Learning Curve for Advanced Features: Mastering advanced tools and integrations requires technical expertise.

Shopify Plans and Pricing

In recent years, Shopify expanded its plan lineup, aiming to meet different types of sellers exactly where they are.
Understanding these changes is key to making the right choice.

Starter (formerly Shopify Lite) – $5/month

• Who it’s for: Ideal for those already selling on existing websites or social media platforms.
• Monthly cost: $5
• Key features:
  • Add a “Buy” button to an existing site or social media page
  • Simple invoicing and product management
  • Very limited ecommerce features compared to other plans

Basic

• Who it’s for: Perfect for new sellers who want a standalone online store.
• Monthly cost: $39 (or $29 if billed annually).
• Key features:
  • Online store with customizable themes
  • Basic reporting and SSL certificates
  • A built-in blog engine
  • International selling with a limit of 3 markets
  • Transaction fees around 2.9% + $0.30 if you use Shopify Payments (and 2% extra if you don’t)

For many starting out in dropshipping or print-on-demand, the Basic plan’s balance of features and costs often hits a sweet spot.

Shopify (Standard) – $105/month

• Who it’s for: Growing businesses that need more advanced reporting and want to scale.
• Monthly cost: Around $105 (often $79 if billed annually).
• Key features:
  • Lower credit card processing rates (around 2.6% + $0.30)
  • More in-depth sales reports
  • Gift cards and point-of-sale tools
  • Up to 5 staff accounts
  • International commerce support (up to 3 markets)

This plan is a common upgrade once you’re moving decent volume and want better analytics.

Advanced – $399/month

• Who it’s for: Larger or rapidly expanding businesses that process high-volume orders.
• Monthly cost: Around $399 (around $299 if billed annually).
• Key features:
  • Lowest transaction fees (around 2.4% + $0.30)
  • Advanced reporting tools and custom reporting
  • Up to 15 staff accounts
  • Third-party calculated shipping rates
  • Sell in up to 50 markets for global reach

If you need robust analytics and more control over shipping fees, this plan could be worth the higher monthly cost.

Shopify Plus – $2,300/month

Monthly Cost: Starting at $2,300 (negotiable for custom setups).

Who It’s For: Enterprise-level businesses requiring advanced customization and scalability. You don’t want or need this level of service if you’re just starting out.

Features and Functionality

Shopify aims to streamline your entire selling process—from design to delivery.

Website Builder and Themes

If you’re not a coding pro, Shopify has you covered with user-friendly, customizable templates.

You can tweak colors, fonts, and layouts to match your brand. You may need to invest in a premium template if you want access to some flashier design decisions so keep that in mind.

For deeper customization, Shopify uses a coding language called Liquid.

It’s flexible, but there’s a learning curve if you want highly specific design changes. Liquid is a template language similar in practice to PHP so if you’re familiar with PHP, you’ll pick up the basics of Liquid very quickly.

Inventory and Order Management

Adding products, setting prices, and tracking stock happens in one intuitive dashboard. We jokingly say that if you can find your way around a Google doc, you’ll be able to use Shopify.

It’s designed to be very intuitive and all the mission-critical options are at arm’s reach at all times.

Abandoned Cart Recovery

When buyers add items to their cart but leave before checking out, Shopify automatically emails them reminders.

This feature can help you capture extra sales that might otherwise slip away.

You can always enhance this feature with third-party tools but it’s built into Shopify so you can use it from the start.

App Integrations

Shopify’s App Store is loaded with tools for marketing, SEO, accounting, and beyond.

Some are free. Some require a paid subscription.

We consistently curate a list of Shopify apps that we consider to be a baseline for most stores. These apps will put you on the level of most successful stores that we’ve worked with and they will pay for themselves a thousand times over.

Keep in mind that relying on multiple apps can stack up costs quickly.

User Experience

Starting an online business can be intimidating. Trust us, we’ve started many of them over the years and it never gets easier.

Shopify reduces that anxiety with its straightforward setup process.

Once you sign up, you’ll find step-by-step guides to setting up your store.

Each step is approachable, even if you’ve never created a website before.

Beginners can rely on the drag-and-drop interface while more advanced users who want to get into the nitty gritty can jump right into the theme settings. Shopify offers roughly the same access to customization as most other eCommerce platforms so you don’t need to worry about missing out if you switch from (say) Woocommerce.

If you run into problems, help is just a click away.

There’s 24/7 support via phone, chat, and email.

Plus, detailed guides, video tutorials, and active forums ensure you’re not left in the dark. Shopify has one of the most extensive documentation libraries of any online platform.

Shopify for Different Business Models

Shopify caters to diverse ventures:

• Print-on-Demand: Easily connects with providers like Printful.
• Dropshipping: Effortless product imported from various suppliers.
• Digital Products: Sell online courses, eBooks, or legal templates if you’re a lawyer or any legal professional.
• Traditional Retail: Manage both an online store and physical POS in one place.

Small-scale entrepreneurs might find that Shopify’s integrated approach reduces complexity.
Larger businesses benefit from advanced analytics and staff account permissions.

Cost-Effectiveness and Savings

Shopify isn’t the cheapest option out there, but it offers value through a comprehensive suite of tools under one roof. 

You shouldn’t be expected to be a full-stack developer just to start an online store. And that’s why we think Shopify is such a great choice.

You can make your first sale literally minutes after you’ve signed up. That’s how simple the process is.

• Time Savings: Quick setup, unified dashboard, and integrated apps help streamline daily tasks.
• Security and Hosting: Built-in PCI compliance spares you the cost and worry of security audits.
• Scalability: Upgrading your plan is straightforward if you expand into new markets or see a surge in sales.

Compare these conveniences with other platforms that might offer lower monthly fees but require more tinkering for essential features. 

Wrapping Up: Shopify Is Worth it in 2025

Shopify remains a worthwhile choice in 2025, championed by entrepreneurs for its scalability and ease of use.
Whether you’re a budding online seller or a mid-sized business ready to grow, Shopify’s all-in-one structure often saves you time and resources.

Still, no platform fits every scenario.
If you need ultra-specific customizations or want to avoid monthly app fees, explore alternatives and compare.
But for a solid blend of simplicity, reliability, and ongoing support, Shopify stands out.

Ultimately, deciding if Shopify is worth it comes down to matching its robust features with your unique priorities.
If you’re looking for an efficient path to launch, manage, and scale your store, this platform may well deliver the comfort and flexibility you need for a thriving online business.