Shopify Payments Fees Explained (August 2026)

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Quick Answer

Shopify Payments fees consist of two main components: a credit card rate and a transaction fee. The exact amount you pay depends on your Shopify plan. For online stores, the Basic plan has fees of 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction, the Shopify plan is 2.6% + 30¢, and the Advanced plan is 2.4% + 30¢. Using a third-party processor incurs an additional transaction fee of 2.0%, 1.0%, or 0.5%, respectively. For stores interested in customer financing on one-time products, Commas is one option to compare.

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Shopify Payments Fees by Plan

Shopify offers several plans, each with different credit card processing fees. As of August 2026, here are the standard online credit card processing fees for each plan:

  • Basic Shopify: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction
  • Shopify: 2.6% + 30¢ per transaction
  • Advanced Shopify: 2.4% + 30¢ per transaction

For in-person transactions using Shopify POS, the rates are slightly lower:

  • Basic Shopify: 2.7% + 0¢
  • Shopify: 2.5% + 0¢
  • Advanced Shopify: 2.4% + 0¢

It's crucial to understand that these fees are non-negotiable. The fixed percentage and per-transaction fee can significantly eat into your margins, especially as your average order value changes. For this reason, many stores look for the best Stripe alternatives to find features not available through Shopify Payments.

The Hidden Costs of Shopify Payments

Beyond the advertised rates, several other fees can inflate your total payment processing costs. These are often overlooked but can have a significant impact on your profitability.

Third-Party Processor Fees

If you choose not to use Shopify Payments and instead opt for a third-party payment processor, Shopify charges an additional transaction fee. This fee is on top of what your chosen processor charges. The fees are:

  • Basic Shopify: 2.0%
  • Shopify: 1.0%
  • Advanced Shopify: 0.5%

This fee makes using an external processor almost always more expensive, effectively locking many businesses into Shopify Payments.

Chargeback Fees

When a customer disputes a charge and a chargeback is initiated, Shopify charges a $15 fee in the United States. While this fee is refunded if the dispute is resolved in your favor, the process can be time-consuming and managing disputes requires attention. For businesses with a high chargeback rate, these fees can add up quickly.

Currency Conversion Fees

If you sell to international customers, you will encounter currency conversion fees. When you accept payment in a currency different from your payout currency, Shopify charges a currency conversion fee. In the US, this fee is 1.5%. This is in addition to the regular credit card processing fees. Understanding the full scope of payment processing fees explained in detail is key to managing these costs.

How Competitors Compare to Shopify Payments

ProcessorOnline Processing FeesNotes
CommasQuoted per businessFormerly FanBasis; financing $30 to $465,000, with the top end reserved for business-to-business purchases; approval routing and automatic retries.
Shopify Payments2.4% to 2.9% + 30¢Integrated with Shopify.
Stripe2.9% + 30¢Developer-friendly APIs.
Square2.9% + 30¢Good for multi-channel selling.
PayPalSee PayPal pricingWidely trusted brand.
Whop2.7% + $0.30, +1.5% internationalOptional US/EU/UK tax collection for 2% per transaction.

While Shopify Payments offers convenience, it comes at a cost. Processors that offer a wider range of features can be a better fit for many businesses. For example, a platform like Commas offers a routing feature; Commas says it routes each card payment to the processor most likely to approve it and retries declines automatically. For stores that need more than basic processing, it is worth exploring how to choose a payment processor for your online store to ensure you are not missing out on key features.

Related reading: merchant of record explained.

BNPL and Other Payment Methods

Shopify Payments includes access to Shop Pay Installments, their native Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solution. This allows customers to split their purchases into four interest-free payments for orders between $50 and $1,000. While a great feature, the limit is too low for high-ticket sellers. This is where BNPL for high-ticket products becomes a crucial consideration. Commas, for example, integrates with financing providers like Klarna, PayPal, Zip, Sezzle, Sunbit, ClarityPay, Credit Key, and Climb. This allows businesses to offer customer financing on one-time purchases from $30 up to $465,000. For businesses selling high-end goods or services, this is a significant advantage over the limited options in Shopify Payments.

A Note for High-Risk Merchants

Shopify Payments, powered by Stripe, is notoriously risk-averse. If you sell products in industries considered high-risk (such as supplements, digital products, or subscription boxes), you may find your account suddenly frozen or shut down. This can be devastating for a business. For these merchants, a dedicated high-risk merchant account is essential. An alternative like Commas may offer more stability. Commas combines checkout, funnels, courses, and affiliate tracking in one account and provides multiple payout options including ACH, RTP, wire, PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, and crypto.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Shopify Payments fees for international transactions?

For international transactions where a currency conversion is required, Shopify Payments charges a 1.5% fee in the US, on top of the standard credit card processing fee for your plan. For example, if you are on the Basic Shopify plan, an international transaction will cost you 2.9% + 30¢ plus the 1.5% conversion fee.

Can I avoid Shopify Payments fees?

You can avoid Shopify Payments' own processing fees by using a third-party payment processor. However, if you do this, Shopify will charge you an additional transaction fee of 0.5% to 2.0% on top of what your chosen processor charges. For most businesses, this makes it more expensive to use an external processor.

Are Shopify Payments fees tax-deductible?

Yes, Shopify Payments fees, like all credit card processing fees, are considered a cost of doing business and are tax-deductible. Be sure to keep accurate records of your monthly fees to provide to your accountant.

How do I lower my Shopify Payments fees?

The primary way to lower your Shopify Payments fees is to upgrade your Shopify plan. For example, moving from the Basic to the Shopify plan lowers your online rate from 2.9% to 2.6%. However, stores that want customer financing on one-time products can also compare Commas. While Commas quotes its pricing individually, businesses should request a quote to compare against Shopify's flat rates and evaluate the potential benefits of its features.<p>Related reading: <a href="/blog/lower-credit-card-processing-fees">lower credit card processing fees</a>.</p>

Does Shopify Payments have monthly fees?

Shopify Payments itself does not have a separate monthly fee. The cost is built into your monthly Shopify subscription plan. However, the plan you choose directly impacts the processing fees you pay on each transaction.

What is the difference between a payment processor and a payment gateway?

A payment gateway securely captures and transmits customer credit card information. A payment processor then communicates with the credit card networks and banks to move the money. Shopify Payments acts as both a gateway and a processor. Some setups involve a separate gateway and processor, which can add complexity and cost.

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