If you’re thinking about starting an online store with Shopify, one of the first questions that pops up is pretty simple… how much do they actually take from each sale?
And yeah, it matters. A lot. Because those small percentages — they add up faster than you think.
So let’s break it down in a real, human way. No robotic jargon. Just what you actually need to know.
The Short Answer (But Not the Whole Story)
The percentage Shopify takes depends on two main things:
- Your pricing plan
- Whether you use Shopify Payments or a third-party gateway
And… honestly, this is where people get confused.
Shopify UK Fees Per Sale (Quick Table)
Here’s a simple breakdown of what you’ll pay in the UK:
| Shopify Plan | Monthly Fee | Online Card Rate | Additional Fee (if NOT using Shopify Payments) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | £25/month | 2.0% + 25p | 2.0% |
| Shopify | £65/month | 1.7% + 25p | 1.0% |
| Advanced | £344/month | 1.5% + 25p | 0.5% |
Now pause for a second…
That “additional fee” part? That’s where Shopify quietly takes more if you don’t use their payment system.
So… What Do You Actually Pay Per Sale?
Let’s make it real with a quick example.
Say you sell a product for £100 on the Basic plan using Shopify Payments:
- 2.0% = £2.00
-
- 25p fixed fee
- Total = £2.25 per sale
Not terrible, right?
But… if you don’t use Shopify Payments:
- £2.25 (card fee)
-
- 2% extra (£2.00)
- Total = £4.25 per sale
Yeah. That’s almost double.
Why Shopify Charges This (And Why It Feels… Meh)
Shopify isn’t just taking a random cut. You’re paying for:
- Hosting your store
- Security (SSL, compliance, etc.)
- Checkout system
- Built-in tools and apps
And honestly — it’s convenient. Very.
But still… when you see money disappearing on every sale, it stings a little.
Shopify Payments vs Third-Party Gateways
Here’s the thing.
If you’re in the UK, Shopify Payments is usually the smarter choice.
Why?
- No extra transaction fees
- Faster payouts
- Everything managed in one place
Third-party gateways (like PayPal or Stripe)? They’re fine… but you’ll pay Shopify extra on top. And that’s where profits slowly leak.
Hidden Costs (Yep, There Are a Few)
This is where people get caught off guard.
Shopify’s percentage isn’t the only cost. There’s also:
- Apps (some are £5… some are £50/month)
- Themes (one-time or subscription)
- Marketing costs (ads, email tools, etc.)
So even if the transaction fee looks small — the total cost of running a store can creep up.
Is It Worth It?
Short answer… yeah, for most people.
But it depends on your situation.
Shopify makes sense if:
- You want something easy to set up
- You don’t want to deal with technical headaches
- You’re scaling a real business
It might not be ideal if:
- You’re on super tight margins
- You hate ongoing fees
- You prefer full control over everything
And yeah… some people switch later because of fees. It happens.
Real Talk — What Beginners Usually Miss
A lot of new sellers focus only on “how much percentage shopify take each sale uk” — but forget the bigger picture.
Here’s the truth:
- Fees matter… but conversion rate matters more
- A platform that sells better can still make you more profit, even with higher fees
- Cheap isn’t always better (learned that the hard way…)
Quick Recap (Simple + Honest)
- Shopify takes 1.5% to 2.0% + 25p per sale in the UK (with Shopify Payments)
- If you don’t use Shopify Payments, expect extra fees up to 2%
- Higher plans = lower percentages
- Total cost includes apps, tools, and marketing — not just transaction fees
Final Thought…
So yeah — Shopify does take a percentage. No way around that.
But it’s kind of like renting a shop in a busy high street. You pay more… but you also get traffic, tools, and ease.
And sometimes, that trade-off just makes sense.

