“Start dropshipping with just ₹2,000!” You’ve probably seen this in a reel. The Shopify plan might be that cheap for the first few months — but a working store has more costs than the plan itself. So what is the real Shopify store cost each month? Let’s add it up properly.
This guide lists every real cost of running a Shopify dropshipping store in India in 2026: what’s compulsory, what’s optional, and what most beginners forget until the bills arrive.
Shopify store cost: plans and prices in India (2026)
Here are Shopify’s India prices as listed on its official pricing page at the time of writing:
| Plan | Billed monthly | Billed yearly (per month) | Fee if you use a third-party payment gateway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | ₹1,994 | ₹1,499 | 2% |
| Grow | ₹7,447 | ₹5,599 | 1% |
| Advanced | ₹30,164 | ₹22,680 | 0.6% |
| Plus | From ₹1,75,000 | — | 0.2% |
Shopify currently offers a 3-day free trial, followed by a low introductory price (₹20/month) for the first three months on most plans. GST is added on top of these prices. Prices and offers change often, so check shopify.com/in/pricing before you sign up.
Which plan do beginners need? The Basic plan is enough for almost every new dropshipping store. Upgrade only when your sales are large enough that the lower transaction fee on Grow saves you more than the extra monthly cost.
The Shopify store cost beyond the plan
1. Payment gateway fees
In India, you’ll usually connect a gateway like Razorpay, Cashfree or PayU. They typically charge around 2% per transaction for standard domestic payments (cards, UPI, net banking), plus GST on the fee. Check each gateway’s current pricing page.
Watch out: on Shopify’s Basic plan, using a third-party gateway adds Shopify’s own 2% transaction fee on top. So on a ₹1,000 order, you could lose about ₹40+ in combined fees. Factor this into your pricing. Every one of these adds to your total Shopify store cost, so write it down.
2. Domain name
A .com or .in domain costs roughly ₹800–₹1,500 a year. It’s worth it — a custom domain looks far more trustworthy than a “myshopify.com” address.
3. Theme
Shopify’s free themes (like Dawn) are fast and good enough to start. Premium themes are a one-time cost, often a few thousand rupees or more. Don’t buy one until you’ve made your first sales. A premium theme is a one-time Shopify store cost, not a monthly one.
4. Apps
Apps are where costs quietly pile up. Typical beginner apps include product import/sourcing, reviews, WhatsApp chat and COD verification. Many have free plans, but paid ones often cost a few hundred to a couple of thousand rupees each per month. Start with only what you truly need.
5. Marketing and ads
This is usually your biggest cost. Most dropshipping stores rely on Meta (Instagram/Facebook) ads. A realistic testing budget for a beginner is ₹500–₹1,000 a day while testing products — so ₹15,000–₹30,000 for a month of testing. Organic content (Reels, Shorts) can reduce this, but it takes time to work.
6. Cash on Delivery (COD) and returns
In India, a large share of orders is COD — and some COD orders are refused at the door (RTO, “return to origin”). You often pay shipping both ways for those. Many sellers lose more money on RTO than on any app or plan. Use COD confirmation calls or WhatsApp verification, and consider a small prepaid discount to push customers to pay online.
7. GST and compliance
If you ship goods to customers in other states, you’ll generally need GST registration. You’ll also pay 18% GST on most services you buy (Shopify, apps, gateway fees) — which you may be able to claim back as input credit once you’re registered. See our guide on GST registration for online sellers.
Real monthly Shopify store cost: a beginner budget
| Cost | Lean start (per month) | Comfortable start (per month) |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify Basic (after intro offer, billed yearly) | ≈ ₹1,500 + GST | ≈ ₹1,500 + GST |
| Domain (yearly cost ÷ 12) | ≈ ₹100 | ≈ ₹100 |
| Theme | ₹0 (free theme) | ₹0 (free theme) |
| Apps | ₹0–₹500 | ₹1,500–₹3,000 |
| Ad testing budget | ₹10,000–₹15,000 | ₹25,000–₹40,000 |
| Approximate total | ≈ ₹12,000–₹17,000 | ≈ ₹28,000–₹45,000 |
Plus payment gateway fees and shipping/RTO costs, which depend on your sales. Ignore this line, and your Shopify store cost can quietly double.
So the honest answer to “how much does it cost to start dropshipping in India?” is: the store itself can cost under ₹2,000 a month, but you should budget ₹15,000 or more for the first month if you plan to test products with ads.
5 ways to cut your Shopify store cost
- Pay yearly once you’re sure. Yearly billing saves about 25% on the plan — but only commit after your first month.
- Use free tools first. Free theme, free app plans and Canva for creatives.
- Test with small ad budgets. Kill ads that don’t sell within 3–4 days instead of hoping they’ll improve.
- Reduce RTO. Confirm COD orders, show clear delivery times and offer a prepaid discount.
- Cancel unused apps. Review your app bill every month — it’s the easiest money to save.
Shopify vs the alternatives
- WooCommerce (WordPress): the software is free, but you pay for hosting, domain, plugins and maintenance. Cheaper in theory, more technical in practice.
- Marketplaces (Meesho, Amazon, Flipkart): no store to build and built-in traffic, but you pay commissions and have less control over branding and customer data.
- Indian store builders like Dukaan or Instamojo: often cheaper and simpler for basic stores, with fewer apps and integrations.
For a brand you want to grow, Shopify is still the easiest all-round option for most beginners.
Shopify store cost: frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to start a Shopify store in India?
Use the trial and introductory offer, the Basic plan, a free theme and only free apps. Then focus your money on testing products.
Can I start dropshipping in India without GST?
If you sell only within your own state and stay below the turnover threshold, you may not need GST at first. To ship across India, you generally need it. Check with a CA for your situation. In short, your monthly Shopify store cost depends far more on ads and returns than on the plan itself.
Do I need Shopify Payments in India?
No. Most Indian stores use gateways like Razorpay, Cashfree or PayU. Just remember the extra Shopify transaction fee on lower plans when using third-party gateways.
Is dropshipping still profitable in 2026?
It can be, but margins depend on product choice, ad costs and how well you control returns. Treat it as a real business, not a quick-money trick. Read our guide on dropshipping in 2026 for the full picture.
The bottom line on Shopify store cost
The Shopify subscription is the smallest part of your dropshipping budget. Plan for payment fees, apps, ads and COD returns from day one, start lean, and spend your money where it matters most: finding a product people actually want. Plan your Shopify store cost honestly before launch, and the numbers will not surprise you later.
Disclaimer: Prices and fees mentioned are based on publicly listed information at the time of writing and may change. Always confirm current pricing on the official Shopify, payment gateway and app websites before you buy.
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