Free Tool

Startup Cost Calculator

Estimate how much it costs to launch your Shopify store. Customize each line item based on your needs.

What's your business model?

✓ Required

Shopify Plan (Monthly)Basic plan for most new stores
$29
$29$299
Domain Name (Yearly)Your .com or other domain
$15
$10$50

→ Recommended

ThemePremium theme (free themes available)
$180
$0$380
Logo DesignProfessional logo (DIY options available)
$100
$0$500
Product PhotographyPer product or DIY
$200
$0$1,000
Initial InventoryStarting stock (varies widely)
$2,000
$500$10,000
Packaging & SuppliesBoxes, tape, tissue, etc.
$150
$50$500

○ Optional

Email Marketing AppKlaviyo, Mailchimp, etc.
$0
$0$100
Reviews AppLoox, Judge.me, etc.
$0
$0$50
Initial Ads BudgetFacebook/Google ads to start
$500
$0$2,000
Business RegistrationLLC or incorporation fees
$100
$0$500
Accounting SoftwareQuickBooks, Xero, etc.
$0
$0$50

Estimated Budget

Required$44
Recommended$2,630
Optional$600
Total Startup Cost$3,274
Monthly Recurring
$29/mo

Budget Breakdown

Required (1%)
Recommended (80%)
Optional (18%)

These are estimates. Actual costs vary based on your specific needs, location, and choices. Many costs can be reduced by DIY or starting smaller.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to start a Shopify store?

A basic Shopify store costs $500-$2,000 to launch (Basic plan at $39/month, domain $15/year, basic theme). A professional setup runs $2,000-$10,000 (premium theme, apps, initial inventory, marketing). Enterprise stores can exceed $50,000 with custom development.

What are the ongoing costs for a Shopify store?

Monthly costs include: Shopify plan ($39-$399), apps ($50-$300 typical), email marketing ($20-$100), transaction fees (0.5-2%), and marketing/ads (varies). Most small stores spend $100-$500/month on operational costs, plus advertising budget.

Do I need to buy inventory upfront?

Not necessarily. Dropshipping requires no inventory investment - you only pay when customers order. Print-on-demand is similar. However, holding inventory often means better margins (30-50% vs 10-20% for dropshipping) and faster shipping.

What Shopify plan should I start with?

Start with Basic Shopify ($39/month) for most new stores. It includes all essential features. Upgrade to Shopify ($105/month) when you need professional reports or want lower transaction fees. Advanced ($399/month) is for high-volume stores needing calculated shipping and advanced reports.

What hidden costs should I budget for?

Often overlooked costs: transaction fees (if not using Shopify Payments), premium app subscriptions, professional product photography, accounting software, returns/refunds buffer (5-10% of sales), and taxes. Budget an extra 20-30% for unexpected expenses.