Stop Bleeding Profit Before Your First Order
Picking a Shopify dropshipping plan seems easy—until four price tiers, five fee types, and a dozen “must-have” apps start slicing pennies off every sale. Choose wrong and a $10 hoodie can net $0.27 after fees. Choose right and the same product funds the next ad campaign. This guide blends real math, hidden-cost traps, and a six-month upgrade roadmap so you launch lean and scale smoothly. Pricing figures come straight from Shopify’s official page. Strategy tips build on our own Dropship on BigCommerce walkthrough. Nine-minute read now, hundreds saved later—deal?
Shopify Dropshipping Plan Pricing (2025)
| Plan | Monthly Fee* | Card Rate (US) | Extra Fee (PayPal / Stripe) | Dropshipping Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $5 | 5 % flat | n/a | Link-in-bio checkout, no theme/apps |
| Basic | $39 | 2.9 % + 30¢ | 2 % | Full theme, discount codes, 2 staff |
| Shopify | $105 | 2.6 % + 30¢ | 1 % | Pro reports, 5 staff, lower fees |
| Advanced | $399 | 2.4 % + 30¢ | 0.5 % | Real-time duties, 15 staff, custom analytics |
*Yearly billing knocks ±25 % off the subscription, but transaction fees remain.
Which Shopify Dropshipping Plan Is Best—and Why
Quick verdict
Up to $16 000 GMV / month →Basic
Above $16 000 GMV / month →Shopify
Break-Even Math
At ≈ $16 k sales, the mid-tier’s lower card fee beats its higher subscription. Below that, Basic wins every spreadsheet duel.
Cheapest Shopify Dropshipping Plan for Beginners
| Starter | Basic | |
|---|---|---|
| Storefront |  link-in-bio only |
 full theme |
| App access | none |
DSers, Spocket, AutoDS |
| Best use-case | TikTok/IG test < $2 k GMV | First 50–100 SKUs |
| Upgrade trigger | Need apps or >1 product | GMV > $16 k |
Start on Starter for a 30-day micro-test; jump to Basic as soon as automation or themed branding is required.
Shopify Dropshipping Plans: Basic vs Shopify
| Feature | Basic | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Staff accounts | 2 | 5 |
| Extra fee (non-Shopify Payments) | 2 % | 1 % |
| Professional reports | Lite set | Funnel, cohort, profit |
| International domains | Sub-folders | Country-specific domains |
| Recommended GMV range | $0–16 k | $16–40 k |
Basic = indie film, nimble budget. Shopify = studio sequel—worth its ticket once box-office (GMV) funds it.
Hidden Costs in Your Shopify Dropshipping Plan
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Automation – DSers Advanced $19/mo, Spocket Pro $49/mo.
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Premium theme – Ella or Dawn 2 Pro $180–$250 one-time.
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Currency conversion – Shopify Payments adds 1.5 % on foreign cards.
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Chargebacks – $15 per dispute; upload tracking numbers religiously.
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Shipping automation – AutoDS or ShipStation $0.15 per order once quota passes.
Log every cent in a Google Sheet titled “Silent Costs.”
Dropshipping Fee Calculator – Worked Example
Scenario: $12 000 GMV, 90 % Shopify Payments, 10 % PayPal.
| Basic | Shopify | |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | $39 | $105 |
| Card fees | $12 000 × 2.9 % = $348 | $312 |
| PayPal extra | $1 200 × 2 % = $24 | $12 |
| Total | $411 | $429 |
At $12 k you stay $18 ahead on Basic. Plug your own forecast into the same formula; upgrade only when math proves cheaper processing beats higher subscription.
International Seller Note – VAT & Duties
Selling to EU / UK? Shopify Advanced auto-calculates local duties at checkout—huge for avoiding angry customers. On lower plans you’ll need an app like Zonos ($20/mo) or manual HS-code tables.
Real Merchant Examples
Case A – Hoodie-Only Niche
GMV $9 500/mo • Basic Plan. Upgrading would add $66 in subscription but save only $28 fees—net loss. Merchant stays on Basic until $18 k GMV.
Case B – Gadget Store Scaling Fast
GMV $22 400/mo • Shopify Plan. Lower fee saves $78, beating the $66 price jump. Extra funnel reports revealed Germany as a surprise best-ROI market.
Six-Month Shopify Dropshipping Plan Roadmap
| Month | GMV Goal | Recommended Plan |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | $0 → $2 k | Starter (manual orders) |
| 2–3 | $5 k | Basic + DSers |
| 4–6 | $16 k | Shopify plan |
| 7–12 | $40 k + intl duties | Advanced or Zonos app |
Switch on math, not emotion.
FAQ
Which Shopify plan is best for dropshipping?
Under $16 k GMV choose Basic; above that choose the Shopify Plan.
Cheapest Shopify dropshipping plan for beginners?
$5 Starter—great for validation but no apps.
Is Shopify Basic enough for DSers auto-orders?
Yes. All major automation apps work on Basic and higher.
Do I need Advanced for live carrier rates?
No. Shippo or Pirate Ship handle real-time rates on lower tiers.
Conclusion
Dropshipping profits live and die by fractions of a percent. Start with Starter to validate, level up to Basic while you grow, and jump to Shopify only when card-fee savings outpace the higher subscription. Track hidden costs monthly, follow the upgrade roadmap, and let data—not hype—decide your Shopify dropshipping plan.
Resources
Dropship on BigCommerce – fee-free alternative. Live Shopify pricing & offers – https://www.shopify.com/pricing.