Shopify Glossary Terms

Shopify and Shopify Plus share the same core platform, but Plus adds features, flexibility, and support that matter at scale. The key differences sit in checkout customisation, automation, API access, and operational controls.

Checkout Extensibility is Plus-only. Standard Shopify uses Shopify's default checkout with limited branding options. Plus gives you Checkout UI Extensions, post-purchase upsells, and Shopify Functions for custom discount and payment logic.

Shopify Flow automation is included with Plus (previously Plus-exclusive, now partially available on standard plans). Plus also gets higher API rate limits, which matters for stores with complex integrations or high-volume operations. You also get expansion stores (up to 9 additional stores included), a dedicated merchant success manager, and Shopify's Launchpad tool for scheduling flash sales and product drops.

The decision point is usually revenue. Brands doing under $1M annually rarely need Plus. Brands doing $2M+ typically benefit from the checkout customisation and automation capabilities alone. Plus starts at $2,300/month versus $399/month for standard Advanced Shopify.

Think: the decision that comes down to whether $2,300/month buys you more than it costs.