When Should You Upgrade to Shopify Plus? A Guide for Growing Brands

If you’re using Shopify and seeing serious growth, there’s a moment when you’ll ask: Is it time to upgrade to Shopify Plus?

The answer depends on more than just revenue. Shopify Plus isn’t just “Shopify with a bigger price tag” , it’s a powerful platform tier built for complexity, scale, and operational efficiency.

This article breaks down when it makes sense to switch, who should consider it, and what you gain by upgrading.

What Is Shopify Plus?

Shopify Plus is the enterprise version of Shopify. It offers advanced features, deeper access to your store’s backend, and more control over your tech stack.

Brands on Plus get:

• Customisable checkout
  
  

• Higher API limits and automation access
  
  

• Advanced permissions and multi-store control
  
  

• Launch engineer support from Shopify
  
  

• Exclusive B2B tools and wholesale functionality
  
  

When to Move from Shopify to Shopify Plus

There’s no one-size-fits-all revenue threshold, but based on the brands we’ve worked with, here are the signs it’s time to upgrade:

1. You're hitting $1M–$5M+ in annual revenue

At this level, even small conversion gains or automation efficiencies can deliver a fast ROI on the Plus fee.

2. You need a custom checkout

Only Plus allows checkout.liquid access, letting you offer tiered pricing, B2B experiences, or custom UX at the most critical point of sale.

3. Your ops team is buried in manual work

Shopify Flow, exclusive to Plus, unlocks automation for tagging customers, routing orders, and syncing systems.

4. You’re expanding internationally or B2B

Multiple stores, currencies, and customer groups? Plus makes it manageable. Plus also gives you access to 9 expansion stores included in the plan. That's up to 10 total stores with 1 Plus subscription!

5. You’re integrating with complex tech

ERP systems, IMS tools, CDPs, Plus handles higher API limits and more stable integrations.

Who Should Stay on Standard Shopify?

You might not need Plus (yet) if:

• You’re under $1M revenue, and growth is steady
  
  

• You don’t needa custom checkout or automation
  
  

• Your operations are still relatively simple
  
  

• You’re not using advanced integrations or apps
  
  

How Much Does Shopify Plus Cost?

As of 2025, Shopify Plus starts at US$2,300/month, with pricing based on revenue tiers.

It’s a serious investment, but for brands hitting operational bottlenecks or aiming for 8-figure growth, it often pays for itself in speed, conversions, and backend efficiency.
Another thing to remember is how many apps you can start saving on by moving towards a native Shopify infrastructure.

How Atlas Supports Shopify Plus Brands

We’ve guided over 20 high-growth brands through the move to Plus, from the consultancy stage to the design and implementation. Speak to our expert UX, Engineering and Strategy teams to assess whether a Plus move is the right move for you.

If you're unsure whether Plus is worth it, we can run a quick audit to assess:

• Checkout upgrade potential
  
  

• Automation opportunities
  
  

• Integration and fulfilment improvements
  
  

• Expected ROI timelines based on your current setup
  
  

📈 Considering the switch to Shopify Plus? Reach out for an honest take.