The difference is the website. The starter plan's website is just product pages, so you'd wanna link those from elsewhere (eg. social media). On the basic plan, you get a fully customizable website, where you can add own marketing material. You can definitely start with the Starter plan, and then upgrade as you go if you think a real online shop would help your business. Answer from StillNoNumb on reddit.com
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Shopify Community
community.shopify.com › shopify discussion
Is the basic plan better than the starter plan for self
December 21, 2023 - Here is a video you can watch that compares the two plans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJEEOvgnh6I
People also ask

What is the Shopify Starter Plan?
The Shopify Starter plan is an entry-level subscription tier designed for aspiring eCommerce entrepreneurs. With its focus on simplicity, it's an affordable option for those new to online selling, allowing easy setup and management of a basic online store.
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pagefly.io
pagefly.io › blogs › shopify › shopify-starter-plans
Shopify Starter Plan: Best Plan for Beginners?
Is The Shopify Starter Plan Enough?
I'd say it depends on what you need. If you are selling on social media and just need the ability to sell yes. But if you want an eCommerce store I'd recommend the Basic Plan.
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creatingawebsitetoday.com
creatingawebsitetoday.com › shopify-starter-plan-review
Shopify Starter Plan Review 2025 (Pros, Cons, & Is It Good?)
How Does the Shopify Starter Plan Work?
The Shopify Starter Plan allows newcomers to easily set up and manage a basic online store. With simplified features and integration with social media platforms, it's an ideal starting point for those new to eCommerce.
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pagefly.io
pagefly.io › blogs › shopify › shopify-starter-plans
Shopify Starter Plan: Best Plan for Beginners?
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Shopify
help.shopify.com › en › manual › intro-to-shopify › pricing-plans › plans-features › shopify-starter-plan
Shopify Help Center | Starter plan
The Starter plan is for merchants that are just starting out and who want to sell to their customers through social media platforms or messaging apps, with a simplified online store.
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Avada
avada.io › home › blog › shopify starter vs basic: which pricing plan is for you?
Shopify Starter Vs Basic: Which Pricing Plan Is For You?
April 19, 2025 - Basic Reporting for Some Features: ... plans. ... The Shopify Starter Plan is more affordable but has higher transaction fees, whereas the Shopify Basic Plan costs more monthly but offers lower transaction fees....
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Lit Extension
litextension.com › home › ecommerce platforms › shopify › shopify starter plan review: key features & who is this plan for?
Shopify Starter Plan: Pros & Cons of the $5/mo Option [2025]
November 9, 2025 - When considering the differences in pricing, it's clear that Shopify Starter and Basic Shopify offer distinct features. Choosing the Shopify Starter plan allows you to start selling online without a website and at minimal costs.
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Create A Website Today
creatingawebsitetoday.com › shopify-starter-plan-review
Shopify Starter Plan Review 2025 (Pros, Cons, & Is It Good?)
Shopify Starter Plan
Ready to move beyond Shopify’s $5/month Starter Plan? You can upgrade anytime as your business grows. The Starter Plan limits you to basic selling through social media with minimal customization. Curious about the Shopify Starter Plan? Yeah me too!! I did some research and got some answers on what it is and more just for you.
Rating: 4.4 ​
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Upsell
upsell.com › blog › shopify-starter-plan-review
Shopify Starter Plan Review: Is This New $5/mo Plan Right For You? (2025) | ReConvert
Due to its lightweight nature, Shopify’s starter plan isn’t the best choice for all merchants. If you’re a fast growing store, it’s definitely worth upgrading to Shopify’s basic plan where you can take advantage of features like abandoned cart recovery and custom domain support.
Find elsewhere
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PageFly
pagefly.io › blogs › shopify › shopify-starter-plans
Shopify Starter Plan: Best Plan for Beginners?
January 9, 2025 - The Starter plan is very affordable but has limitations. The Basic plan unlocks essential features for a successful online store. Transaction fees impact profits. Consider your sales volume when choosing a plan.
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HulkApps
hulkapps.com › home › shopify hub › shopify starter vs basic: a head-to-head comparison for new merchants
Shopify Starter vs Basic: A Head-to-Head Comparison for New Merchants
February 16, 2024 - Basic is more robustly feature-packed than Starter and is tailored for merchants who not only want to sell products but also build a recognizable brand online. A customizable online storefront with a variety of themes ...
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HulkApps
hulkapps.com › home › shopify hub › shopify starter vs basic: which plan is right for your business?
Shopify Starter vs Basic: Which Plan is Right for Your Business?
February 20, 2024 - Cost is often a pivotal factor in decision-making. While Shopify Starter requires less monetary commitment at $5 per month, with a 5% per transaction fee, the Basic Plan starts at $29 per month with a 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction fee.
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DemandSage
demandsage.com › home › latest blog posts › shopify starter plan (2025) – get started today
Shopify Starter Plan (2025) – Get Started Today
October 22, 2025 - But it is still not the ideal solution you may need. When compared against the Shopify Basic Plan, which offers a live store with a website, the Shopify Starter plan lacks several key features.
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YouTube
youtube.com › watch
Shopify Starter vs Basic — Which is Better? - YouTube
👉 Special 3 month trial of Shopify: https://shopify.pxf.io/xL5XL5 (affiliate link)*👉 View Shopify's full range of themes here: https://shopify.pxf.io/6yoWr...
Published   March 24, 2025
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YouTube
youtube.com › ecom learning with pagefly
Shopify Starter VS Basic Plan: Detailed Comparison + Store Examples - YouTube
🧐 This video provides a comprehensive comparison between Shopify Starter VS Basic Plan. We'll dive into pricing, features, customization options, and real u...
Published   June 12, 2024
Views   5K
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Nextsky
nextsky.co › blogs › shopify › shopify-starter-vs-basic
Shopify Starter vs Basic: Which Plan is Right for Your Business? – Nextsky
July 1, 2024 - Opt for Shopify Basic if you need ... and you’re willing to invest a bit more per month. The Shopify Basic Plan surpasses the Starter Plan with its advanced features, making it ideal for growing businesses needing a full-featured ...
Price   $$
Address   No. 3B1, CT2C2 Building, Tran Huu Duc Street, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi, 100000
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Style Factory Productions
stylefactoryproductions.com › home › shopify starter vs basic — which plan is right for you?
Shopify Starter vs Basic — Which Plan is Right for You?
March 14, 2025 - While the Basic Shopify plan also comes with this feature, the plan is more geared towards those aiming to build an entirely new store. Our new store builder finder tool helps you find the right ecommerce platform for your needs.
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HulkApps
hulkapps.com › home › shopify hub › shopify starter vs basic: which plan suits your online store best?
Shopify Starter vs Basic: Which Plan Suits Your Online Store Best?
February 16, 2024 - Price Point: The Starter plan is wallet-friendly at $5 per month. Transaction Fees: A 5% fee is applicable per transaction, making it higher than other plans. The Shopify Basic Plan is a step up for those ready to build a more sophisticated ...
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Shopify Theme Detector
shopthemedetector.com › shopify theme detector › shopify store set up › shopify comparison › comparing shopify starter and basic shopify for small sellers
Comparing Shopify Starter and Basic Shopify for Small Sellers 2025
August 21, 2024 - ... The Basic Shopify plan is a more comprehensive e-commerce solution that includes a full online store, the ability to sell on multiple channels, and access to more advanced features like discount codes, reports, and a wider range of payment ...
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Shopify Community
community.shopify.com › shopify discussion
What does the less expensive Shopify Lite or Starter plan include?
May 15, 2023 - I need a link to the Lite plan or Starter plan that is less expensive. And I need to understand what it includes/doesn’t include. I’ve spent time working with a free template online and added the products we will have. I…
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Avada
avada.io › home › blog › shopify starter plan review: simple, cost-effective for beginners in 2025
Shopify Starter Plan Review: Simple, Cost-Effective for Beginners in 2025
3 weeks ago - On the other hand, the Basic Shopify Plan provides a more robust e-commerce suite with a full website, advanced features, and enhanced analytics, ideal for growing businesses seeking a more substantial online presence.
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Shopify
shopify.com › starter
Shopify Starter Plan - Shopify
With Starter plan, you get access to essential features like product pages and checkout, so you can start selling right away, even if your only device is a smartphone. Once you’ve established a customer base and proven there is demand for ...