What Percentage Does Shopify Take Per Sale?

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Anatomy of a Shopify Transaction
3. Breaking Down the Percentages by Shopify Plan
4. The Margin Squeeze: Why Percentages Matter
5. How Shopify Payments Changes the Equation
6. The Hidden Costs of Apps and Integrations
7. Beyond Physical Goods: The Power of Digital Products
8. Building a Recurring Revenue Stream
9. Real-World Scenarios: Fees in Action
10. Strategies to Minimize the Percentage Shopify Takes
11. The Tevello Advantage: No Success Fees
12. Technical Superiority and the Customer Experience
13. Diversifying Revenue: The Hybrid Model
14. Managing Expectations: The Path to Growth
15. ROI Analysis: When to Upgrade Your Shopify Plan
16. Conclusion
17. FAQ

Introduction

Imagine selling a handcrafted product for $100. You’ve accounted for the materials, the labor, the packaging, and the marketing. But when the notification "Order Confirmed" pops up, the amount that actually hits your bank account is lower than you expected. This is the reality of modern e-commerce, where every transaction carries a digital "toll." The global e-learning market is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030, and while physical product sales remain the backbone of retail, many merchants are finding their margins squeezed by rising shipping costs and complex fee structures. Understanding exactly what percentage Shopify takes per sale is no longer just a bookkeeping task; it is a fundamental survival skill for any online business owner.

The purpose of this guide is to pull back the curtain on the various layers of fees that Shopify applies to your revenue. We will explore the differences between credit card processing fees and platform transaction fees, analyze how your choice of a subscription plan affects your bottom line, and discuss strategies to keep more of your hard-earned money. Most importantly, we will show you how to leverage high-margin digital products to offset these costs. At Tevello, our mission is to turn any Shopify store into a digital learning powerhouse. We believe that by diversifying your revenue streams with courses and memberships, you can maximize your profitability while securing a fixed cost structure for digital products.

The Anatomy of a Shopify Transaction

To understand what percentage Shopify takes per sale, we must first distinguish between the two primary types of fees: processing fees and transaction fees. Many merchants use these terms interchangeably, but they represent two very different costs.

Credit Card Processing Fees

Whenever a customer uses a credit card to buy something from your store, a payment processor has to move that money from the customer’s bank to yours. This service is never free. Whether you use Shopify Payments, PayPal, or Stripe, you will pay a percentage of the sale plus a small fixed fee (usually $0.30). These fees go toward the financial infrastructure and security required to handle sensitive data.

Platform Transaction Fees

This is where many new store owners get confused. A transaction fee is a "cut" that Shopify takes specifically for using a third-party payment gateway instead of their own system, Shopify Payments. If you use Shopify’s internal gateway, this fee is waived. However, if you prefer to use an external provider, Shopify charges an additional 0.5% to 2% depending on your plan.

Subscription Fees vs. Per-Sale Fees

Your monthly subscription (e.g., $39 for Basic) covers the right to use the software. The per-sale percentage covers the activity within the software. As we will see, choosing a higher monthly subscription can actually be cheaper in the long run if your sales volume is high enough to justify the lower per-sale percentage.

Breaking Down the Percentages by Shopify Plan

Shopify offers several tiers, and each one comes with a specific fee structure. The higher the tier, the lower the percentage Shopify takes from each sale.

The Basic Plan

This is the most popular starting point for entrepreneurs. While it has a lower monthly commitment, the per-sale costs are the highest.

• Online Credit Card Rate: 2.9% + $0.30
• Transaction Fee (if not using Shopify Payments): 2.0% On a $100 sale, you would pay $3.20 in processing fees. If you aren't using Shopify Payments, you’d pay an additional $2.00 to Shopify, totaling $5.20 or 5.2% of your revenue.

The Shopify (Standard) Plan

Designed for growing businesses, this plan lowers the friction of scaling.

• Online Credit Card Rate: 2.6% + $0.30
• Transaction Fee (if not using Shopify Payments): 1.0% On that same $100 sale, your processing cost drops to $2.90. The lower transaction fee for external gateways also helps preserve your margins.

The Advanced Plan

For high-volume stores, the Advanced plan offers the most competitive rates.

• Online Credit Card Rate: 2.4% + $0.30
• Transaction Fee (if not using Shopify Payments): 0.5% At this level, a $100 sale costs you only $2.70 in processing. When you are processing thousands of orders a month, that 0.5% difference becomes a significant amount of capital that can be reinvested into marketing or product development.

The Margin Squeeze: Why Percentages Matter

For a merchant selling physical goods—let's say organic coffee beans—the fees are just one part of the cost. You also have the Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), storage, and the ever-increasing cost of shipping. When Shopify takes 2.9% + $0.30, and your shipping takes another 15%, and your COGS is 40%, your actual take-home profit can quickly drop below 20%.

This is why we advocate for a hybrid model. Imagine that same coffee merchant creating a "Master the Pour-Over" video course. By adding a digital product, the merchant creates a high-margin upsell that requires no shipping boxes and no inventory storage. When you use a solution that offers all the key features for courses and communities, you are not just selling a product; you are building an ecosystem. Because digital products have near-zero marginal costs, the percentage Shopify takes per sale becomes much easier to absorb.

How Shopify Payments Changes the Equation

The single most effective way to reduce the percentage Shopify takes is to use Shopify Payments. By keeping the transaction within the Shopify ecosystem, you eliminate the "third-party transaction fee" entirely.

However, Shopify Payments isn't available in every country. If you are operating in a region where it is not supported, you must factor in the 0.5% to 2% extra fee as a mandatory "cost of doing business." It is also worth noting that even with Shopify Payments, you are still paying the credit card processing fee (e.g., 2.9% + $0.30). No platform can eliminate the fees charged by the credit card networks (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) themselves.

The Hidden Costs of Apps and Integrations

When calculating what percentage Shopify takes, many merchants forget to include the monthly cost of the apps they use. The average Shopify store uses between 6 and 10 apps to handle everything from SEO to email marketing to loyalty programs. If these apps charge a percentage of sales (common in "upsell" apps), your effective fee per sale can climb even higher.

At Tevello, we believe in transparency and predictability. We reject the complicated tier structures that many apps use. Instead, we offer a flat-rate plan that supports unlimited members. This allows you to scale your community and your courses without worrying that your app bill will skyrocket as you become more successful.

Beyond Physical Goods: The Power of Digital Products

If you are concerned about the "Shopify cut," the best defense is a good offense. This means increasing your Average Order Value (AOV) and Customer Lifetime Value (LTV). Digital products are the ultimate tool for this.

Consider the examples of successful content monetization on Shopify that we have seen through our platform. Merchants aren't just selling "files"; they are selling expertise, access, and community. When a customer buys a $200 course, the 2.9% processing fee ($5.80) is much more palatable because there are no physical fulfillment costs associated with that $200.

Native Shopify Integration: Why It Matters

One reason merchants hesitate to sell courses is the fear of a disjointed customer experience. They don't want to send their customers to a third-party site where they have to create a new login. This is where Tevello shines. Our "Native Shopify Integration" ensures a seamless checkout experience using the payment gateways the merchant already trusts. The customer stays on your URL, your brand remains front and center, and the transaction is recorded right alongside your physical sales.

This native approach is powerful. We have seen merchants unifying a fragmented system into a single Shopify store and immediately seeing a drop in customer support tickets. When everything lives in one place, there is less confusion for the buyer and less technical overhead for the seller.

Building a Recurring Revenue Stream

One of the best ways to stabilize your business against fluctuating per-sale fees is to build recurring revenue through memberships. Instead of chasing a new sale every day, you provide ongoing value to a dedicated community.

Memberships allow you to:

1. Predict Revenue: Know exactly how much is coming in each month.
2. Lower Acquisition Costs: It’s cheaper to keep a member than to find a new customer.
3. Increase Brand Loyalty: A community creates "sticky" customers who are more likely to buy your physical products as well.

If unifying your stack is a priority, start by a simple, all-in-one price for unlimited courses. By having a fixed cost for your digital infrastructure, you can accurately project your margins regardless of how many new members join your community.

Real-World Scenarios: Fees in Action

Let's look at a few practical scenarios to see how these percentages play out in the real world.

Scenario A: The High-Volume Physical Store

A store sells fitness equipment and does $50,000 a month in sales on the Basic Shopify plan. They use an external payment gateway because they prefer their local bank's integration.

• Monthly Subscription: $39
• Processing Fees (2.9% + $0.30): ~$1,550
• Shopify Transaction Fees (2%): $1,000
• Total Monthly Cost: $2,589 In this case, the merchant is paying over 5% of their revenue in fees. By simply switching to the Advanced plan, they could drop their transaction fee to 0.5% and their processing fee to 2.4%, saving over $1,000 a month.

Scenario B: The Digital-First Creator

An artist sells digital painting tutorials. They do $5,000 a month in sales on the Basic plan using Shopify Payments and Tevello.

• Monthly Subscription: $39
• Tevello Unlimited Plan: $29.99
• Processing Fees (2.9% + $0.30): ~$175
• Transaction Fees: $0
• Total Monthly Cost: $243.99 Here, the merchant is paying about 4.8% of their revenue. However, because they have no shipping or inventory costs, their net profit is exceptionally high. They can see how merchants are earning six figures by focusing on these high-margin items.

Strategies to Minimize the Percentage Shopify Takes

While you can't eliminate fees entirely, you can certainly optimize them. Here is a checklist for the savvy Shopify merchant:

1. Use Shopify Payments: This is the most obvious step. It eliminates the extra 0.5% to 2% transaction fee.
2. Audit Your Plan Regularly: Calculate your "break-even" point. If the savings from lower processing rates on a higher plan exceed the increase in the monthly subscription fee, it’s time to upgrade.
3. Sell Digitally: As discussed, digital products that live directly alongside physical stock allow you to maintain high margins that make platform fees less impactful.
4. Annual Billing: Shopify often offers a 25% discount if you pay for your subscription annually rather than monthly.
5. Minimize App Overlap: Ensure you aren't paying for three different apps that all do the same thing. Look for all-in-one solutions that cover courses, communities, and digital downloads.

The Tevello Advantage: No Success Fees

One of the most frustrating aspects of many e-learning platforms is the "success fee." These platforms wait until you are doing well and then take a percentage of every course you sell. We believe this penalizes growth.

At Tevello, we charge 0% transaction fees. Whether you sell ten courses or ten thousand, your app cost remains the same. This is why we are the preferred choice for those migrating over 14,000 members and reducing support tickets. We want to be a partner in your growth, not a tax on your success. Our Unlimited plan includes unlimited courses, unlimited students, and unlimited video hosting, providing you with a robust toolset to amplify your efforts without the fear of hidden costs.

Technical Superiority and the Customer Experience

A major part of what you are paying for with Shopify’s percentage is the security and stability of the platform. When you add Tevello to the mix, you aren't adding a "clunky" layer. You are adding a native-feeling extension of your store.

Our technical advantages include:

• Native Shopify Integration: No redirects to third-party sites.
• Unified Login: One account for physical products and digital learning.
• Drip Content Scheduling: Keep students coming back by releasing lessons over time.
• Quizzes and Community: Build engagement and prove the value of your content.

When customers have a smooth experience, they are less likely to request refunds. In the world of e-commerce, a "saved" refund is just as good as a new sale. By reviewing the Shopify App Store listing merchants install from, you can see how other store owners have utilized these features to streamline their operations.

Diversifying Revenue: The Hybrid Model

The future of e-commerce is not just about selling "stuff." It is about selling "value." A merchant selling yoga mats should also sell yoga classes. A merchant selling high-end kitchen knives should also sell a course on knife skills.

This hybrid model—combining physical products with digital learning—is the most effective way to protect your business against the rising costs of traditional retail. When you diversify, the 2.9% fee that Shopify takes per sale becomes a small price to pay for access to a global audience and a world-class checkout system. You can even start your 14-day free trial and build your first course now to see how easily these two worlds can coexist.

Managing Expectations: The Path to Growth

It is important to be realistic. Moving to a higher Shopify plan or adding a course won't make you a millionaire overnight. However, these are the structural changes that allow for sustainable growth. By comparing plan costs against total course revenue, you can make data-driven decisions that protect your margins.

Our goal at Tevello is to provide the robust tools you need to build a brand that lasts. Whether you are just starting out or you are an established merchant looking to avoiding per-user fees as the community scales, we provide the ecosystem to make it happen.

ROI Analysis: When to Upgrade Your Shopify Plan

Many merchants stay on the Basic plan far longer than they should. Here is a simple way to know when to upgrade to the $105/month "Shopify" plan.

The difference in processing fees between Basic (2.9%) and Shopify (2.6%) is 0.3%. The difference in monthly cost is approximately $66 ($105 - $39). To save $66 through that 0.3% difference, you would need to process roughly $22,000 in monthly sales.

However, if you are not using Shopify Payments, the calculation changes. The transaction fee drops from 2% to 1%. That 1% difference means you only need to process $6,600 in monthly sales to justify the higher subscription fee.

Always look at the "all-in" percentage Shopify takes per sale, not just the individual lines. This bird's-eye view is essential for proper financial planning.

Conclusion

Understanding what percentage Shopify takes per sale is the first step in taking full control of your e-commerce business. Between credit card processing fees and potential transaction fees, most merchants will see between 2.9% and 5% of their gross revenue diverted to platform costs. While these fees are a standard part of doing business online, they don’t have to dictate your profitability.

By leveraging the power of Shopify Payments, choosing the right subscription tier for your volume, and incorporating high-margin digital products through Tevello, you can significantly improve your net margins. Remember, our Unlimited Plan is just $29.99 per month with 0% transaction fees, meaning you keep 100% of the revenue from your digital sales. Whether you're building a community or launching a flagship course, we are here to help you turn your Shopify store into a digital learning powerhouse.

To build your community without leaving Shopify, start by reviewing the Shopify App Store listing merchants install from. You can install Tevello from the Shopify App Store today and take advantage of our 14-day free trial to build your entire curriculum before paying a cent.

FAQ

1. Does Shopify take a cut if I sell a digital course?

Shopify treats a digital course like any other product. If you use Shopify Payments, you will pay the standard credit card processing fee (e.g., 2.9% + $0.30 on the Basic plan) but no additional transaction fee. If you use an app like Tevello, we do not take any additional percentage of your sales, ensuring your margins stay as high as possible.

2. Can I avoid the transaction fee by using PayPal?

No. In fact, using PayPal usually costs more. If you use PayPal instead of Shopify Payments, Shopify will charge you an additional transaction fee (0.5% to 2% depending on your plan) on top of the fees that PayPal already charges you. To avoid this "double-dipping," it is always best to use Shopify Payments as your primary gateway.

3. How do I know if I'm ready to upgrade to the Advanced Shopify plan?

The Advanced plan becomes financially beneficial when your monthly sales volume is high enough that the savings from the lower credit card rate (2.4% vs. 2.6%) and the lower transaction fee (0.5% vs. 1.0%) outweigh the $399 monthly subscription cost. Generally, if you are processing over $15,000 - $20,000 a month, it is time to run the numbers on an upgrade.

4. Are there any hidden fees for video hosting when selling courses?

On many platforms, yes. They often charge for bandwidth or storage. However, with Tevello's Unlimited Plan at $29.99 per month, you get unlimited video hosting and bandwidth included. We believe in predictable pricing without hidden transaction fees, so you can focus on creating great content rather than worrying about your hosting bill.