For merchants on Shopify’s Shopify Plan in the UK, the standard payment fee is from 1.7% + £0.25 per transaction. While this appears lower than the Basic plan’s 2%, it’s important to understand the real impact of fixed fees, payment method differences, and how your order size influences final payout values.
In this article, we break down real examples of payouts from Shopify UK merchants and explain how Pay by Bank can help lower your transaction costs even further.
⚠️ This article is based on live payout observations and general merchant data on 27.03.2025. It is for informational purposes and is not endorsed by Shopify.
Real Examples: Shopify Plan Payouts vs. Gross Orders
Here are some order examples and payout comparisons from a UK merchant using Shopify Payments:
While the base fee is from 1.7% + £0.25, the real commission varies based on card type, gateway (Shop Pay, Apple Pay), and flat-fee influence on small orders.
Average Fees by Order Value Tier
You can also evaluate how fees change based on the average order value (AOV):
Why Effective Commission May Be Higher
1. Card Type Matters
Premium cards like American Express often result in higher transaction costs, as seen in the £238.76 → £232.06 payout example (2.81%).
2. Flat Fees on Small Orders
The £0.25 fee disproportionately impacts low-ticket orders. For example, on a £10 order, the fee could amount to 4%+.
3. Delayed Payouts
Payouts are typically batched, meaning merchants wait up to 3 business days to receive funds. Instant liquidity isn’t always guaranteed.
Final Thoughts
Shopify’s Shopify Plan offers competitive pricing — but the real cost per transaction can still exceed 2–3% depending on the card and order value.
By analysing your payouts and supplementing card payments with Pay by Bank, you unlock faster settlements, fewer fees, and better profit margins
By analysing your payouts and supplementing card payments with Pay by Bank, you unlock faster settlements, fewer fees, and better profit margins
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What are the standard fees on the Shopify Plan in the UK?
A: Shopify charges 1.7% of the order value plus £0.25 per transaction. However, real fees vary depending on card type, payment method (e.g. Apple Pay, Shop Pay), and order size.
Q2: Why do smaller orders result in higher effective fees?
A: The flat £0.25 fee has a stronger percentage impact on small transactions. For example, a £10 order can carry an effective fee of 4% or more due to the fixed component.
Q3: How do payment methods and card types impact payouts?
A: Premium cards like American Express typically carry higher processing costs. Gateways like Shop Pay or Apple Pay also influence the final payout merchants receive.
A: Shopify charges 1.7% of the order value plus £0.25 per transaction. However, real fees vary depending on card type, payment method (e.g. Apple Pay, Shop Pay), and order size.
Q2: Why do smaller orders result in higher effective fees?
A: The flat £0.25 fee has a stronger percentage impact on small transactions. For example, a £10 order can carry an effective fee of 4% or more due to the fixed component.
Q3: How do payment methods and card types impact payouts?
A: Premium cards like American Express typically carry higher processing costs. Gateways like Shop Pay or Apple Pay also influence the final payout merchants receive.
