Shopify vs Shopify Plus: The Ultimate 2025 Comparison Guide
Introduction
The eCommerce landscape in 2025 is more competitive than ever. With online shopping becoming the default for consumers, choosing the right platform is one of the most critical decisions for any business. Whether you’re a startup entrepreneur in London or a global enterprise scaling into new markets, your eCommerce platform needs to be secure, scalable, and flexible.
Two of the most popular choices today are Shopify and Shopify Plus. Both belong to the same ecosystem, but they’re designed for businesses at very different stages of growth.
As a leading digital web design agency in London, Digital Web London has worked with brands of all sizes from startups like local FMCG websites to established names such as Quality Foods London and SK Foods Ltd. We’ve helped them select the right platform, design their stores, integrate payment gateways, and scale internationally.
This guide will provide the ultimate 2025 comparison of Shopify vs Shopify Plus. By the end, you’ll know exactly which option fits your business needs and how our London website design agency can support your journey
Shopify vs Shopify Plus: Quick Comparison
Feature | Shopify | Shopify Plus |
Best For | Small to medium businesses | High-growth enterprises & global brands |
Pricing (2025) | £19/month – £259/month | ~£1,600/month (custom contracts) |
Scalability | Suitable for SMEs & local brands | Built for global, enterprise-level growth |
Customisation | Theme-based, app integrations | Checkout scripts, APIs, multi-store options |
Support | 24/7 standard support | Dedicated account manager & launch engineer |
Integrations | Basic third-party apps | ERP, CRM, advanced automation |
Payments | Shopify Payments + gateways | Enterprise solutions (Worldpay, Braintree, etc.) |
Shopify: A Closer Look
Who Should Use Shopify?
Shopify is designed for:
- Small to medium businesses launching online stores.
- Local retailers and web design companies in London helping SMEs go digital.
- Businesses with low to moderate order volumes.
- Entrepreneurs who need quick setup, cost-effective pricing, and ease of use.
Example: A small London bakery or a local FMCG retailer wanting to create website in London could use Shopify to quickly sell products online with minimal setup costs.
Shopify Key Features (2025)
- Affordable Plans – Pricing starts from £19/month (Basic) to £259/month (Advanced).
- Beautiful Themes – Mobile-friendly, responsive web design options (perfect for web design services in London).
- SEO & Marketing Tools – SEO-friendly architecture, blogging tools, and app integrations for social media optimization (SMO).
- Multi-channel Selling – Sell on Amazon, eBay, TikTok, Instagram, and more.
- Payment Gateways – Multiple options, including Shopify Payments, PayPal, Klarna, etc.
- Security & Hosting – Free SSL certificates, PCI compliance, unlimited bandwidth
Shopify Plus: A Closer Look
Who Should Use Shopify Plus?
Shopify Plus is built for:
- High-growth enterprises, wholesalers, and global brands.
- Businesses processing thousands of orders daily.
- Companies needing enterprise-level integrations (ERP, CRM, custom workflows).
- Brands expanding internationally with multi-store requirements.
Example: A brand might choose Shopify Plus for multi-currency, multi-language, and global scalability needs.
Shopify Plus Key Features (2025)
- Dedicated Support – Access to a launch engineer and account manager.
- Custom Checkout – Advanced checkout scripts for personalized customer journeys.
- API Integrations – Seamless connection with ERP systems (see successful ERP implementation examples), CRM, and third-party apps.
- Unlimited Staff Accounts – Perfect for enterprises with large teams.
- International Scaling – Multi-store, multi-currency, and multi-language support.
- Advanced Automation – Shopify Flow, Scripts, and Launchpad for streamlined operations.
- Enterprise Payments – Integration with gateways like Worldpay Magento 2, Braintree Magento 2, and others.
Pricing: Shopify vs Shopify Plus
Shopify Pricing (2025)
- Basic Plan – £19/month
- Shopify Plan – £69/month
- Advanced Plan – £259/month
Great for businesses that want affordability and essential features.
Shopify Plus Pricing (2025)
- Starts from around £1,600/month.
- Pricing depends on contract, transaction volumes, and additional services.
While Shopify Plus costs more, it often pays for itself by increasing conversion rates, reducing downtime, and streamlining global operations
Support & Resources
- Shopify: Standard support via chat and email. Good for startups but limited for complex setups.
- Shopify Plus: Priority support with a dedicated manager. Many web design agencies in London recommend this for enterprise clients handling critical sales volumes
Payment Gateways & Options
- Shopify: Shopify Payments + multiple third-party gateways.
- Shopify Plus: Wider flexibility, integration with enterprise solutions and region-specific options.
This flexibility makes Shopify Plus ideal for international enterprises with complex payment requirements.
Scalability & Performance
- Shopify: Works great for small to mid-size businesses.
- Shopify Plus: Handles flash sales, high-traffic events, and enterprise-level volumes with ease. For example, if you’re running large campaigns Shopify Plus ensures seamless performance
SEO & Marketing Tools
Both Shopify and Shopify Plus provide:
- SEO-friendly URLs and meta tags.
- Blog and content marketing features.
- Integration with SMO social tools and digital web agency marketing strategies.
However, Shopify Plus offers advanced integrations with enterprise marketing tools, making it easier for large companies to implement AI-driven personalization and email marketing campaigns at scale.
Shopify vs Shopify Plus: Which Is Right for You?
Choose Shopify if:
- You’re a startup or SME.
- You run a local store or small eCommerce site.
- You need a budget-friendly, reliable platform.
- You don’t require heavy customisation
Choose Shopify Plus if:
- You’re a high-growth or enterprise-level business.
- You need ERP/CRM integrations.
- You process thousands of transactions daily.
- You want advanced checkout customisation and automation.
- You plan to expand globally.
How Digital Web London Helps You Choose
As a top web design company in London, Digital Web London provides:
- Shopify & Shopify Plus consultancy
- Responsive web design services London
- Custom development & ERP integrations
- SEO web design London & digital marketing
- Ongoing support & optimisation
Our position among the top 10 web design companies in London ensures businesses trust us for professional web design in London and long-term success.
Final Thoughts
The Shopify vs Shopify Plus decision in 2025 ultimately depends on your business goals, scale, and budget. While Shopify is ideal for startups and SMEs, Shopify Plus is built for enterprises that require advanced scalability, integrations, and dedicated support.
If you’re unsure which path to take, our experts at Digital Web London a trusted London website design agency can help you make the right choice.
👉 Ready to grow your business? Contact Digital Web London today and let’s build your future-ready Shopify store