Last updated: May 2026.
Shopify is the most popular eCommerce platform in the world and a natural first choice for UK small businesses looking to sell online. But is it the right fit for you? This review covers UK pricing, the key features that matter for small businesses, and an honest verdict on where it excels and where it falls short.
Shopify UK pricing (2026)
Shopify charges in USD but bills UK customers in GBP at the prevailing rate. Current plans:
- Basic — approximately £22/month (billed annually). Covers one store, two staff accounts, and online and in-person selling.
- Shopify — approximately £57/month. Adds five staff accounts, professional reports, and lower transaction fees.
- Advanced — approximately £289/month. For higher-volume stores needing custom reports and the lowest transaction fees.
All plans include a free SSL certificate, abandoned cart recovery, and access to the Shopify App Store. Transaction fees apply unless you use Shopify Payments, which is available to UK merchants and accepts all major cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
What Shopify does well
Setup speed
You can have a working online store live within a few hours. Shopify’s onboarding is the best in the industry and walks you through adding products, setting up payments, and configuring UK shipping rates without requiring any technical knowledge.
Themes and design
Shopify’s free themes are genuinely good. The paid themes (£150-£350 one-off) are among the best-designed eCommerce templates available. You do not need a designer to launch a professional-looking store.
App ecosystem
The Shopify App Store has over 8,000 apps covering everything from email marketing to inventory management to VAT compliance. For UK businesses, apps like TaxJar and Avalara handle Making Tax Digital requirements automatically.
Shopify Payments and checkout
Shopify Payments (powered by Stripe) removes the 0.5-2% transaction fee and is straightforward to set up with a UK business bank account. The checkout is fast, mobile-optimised, and converts well.
Where Shopify falls short
Ongoing costs add up
The base plan price is reasonable, but most serious stores end up paying for several apps on top. Budget an extra £20-£50/month for apps once you factor in email marketing, reviews, and a loyalty programme.
Blogging is basic
Shopify’s built-in blog is functional but limited compared to WordPress. If content marketing is central to your strategy, you may find it frustrating.
Shopify vs the alternatives
If you are deciding between platforms, see our full comparisons: Shopify vs WooCommerce and Squarespace vs Shopify.
Verdict
Shopify is the best all-round eCommerce platform for most UK small businesses. It is the right choice if you want to start selling quickly, do not have developer resources, and plan to grow.
If you are just starting out and selling a handful of products, WooCommerce on managed hosting like Cloudways may cost less in year one.