Marketplaces · Own store
Shopify
No marketplace commission, but you pay for the storefront, the payment processing and the traffic.
Key facts
| Fee model | Monthly subscription + payment processing; no marketplace commission |
|---|---|
| Subscription | Basic plan $39/month; higher plans add staff accounts and lower card rates |
| Payment processing | 2.9% + $0.30 per online card payment on Basic in the US; varies by country |
| Traffic | Not included — advertising, content or marketplace links must supply it |
| Ownership | You own the customer relationship, the email list and the storefront design |
| Who it suits | Sellers with an existing audience or a product that benefits from brand control and repeat purchase |
| Last verified | 2026-10-17 |
Cheaper per sale, more expensive to start
On a $30 sale, Shopify's processing fee is about $1.17 against a marketplace referral fee of $4.50 or more. The difference is real, but the marketplace was also supplying the customer. An owned store has to buy or earn that traffic, and acquisition cost usually exceeds the commission saved.
That is why the store works best as a second step: prove demand on a marketplace or through content, then move repeat buyers to a channel where you keep the margin and the relationship.
The cross-border additions
A cross-border Shopify store adds currency conversion, international payment methods, tax calculation and shipping rules. Some of these are built in; others need apps with their own subscriptions. The $39 plan price is the entry ticket, not the total monthly cost.
Duties and import taxes are the buyer's experience, not an afterthought. Showing a landed price at checkout reduces failed deliveries and surprise-fee complaints, which are expensive in both refunds and reviews.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shopify cheaper than Amazon?
Per sale, usually yes. In total, it depends on what traffic costs you. Amazon's referral fee buys access to its customers; Shopify's lower fee comes with the job of finding them.
Do I need a separate app for international taxes?
Often yes. Shopify handles some tax and currency cases natively, but duty and import-tax display for cross-border sales frequently requires an app or a landed-cost service.
Ask a compliance question
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