The short answer
Shopify Basic costs ₹1,994/month on annual billing (more month-to-month) — but that is not what you'll pay. Add 18% GST on the subscription, payment-gateway fees (Shopify Payments is not available in India, so you use Razorpay/PayU and pay their per-transaction rates), a theme if the free ones don't fit, and apps for WhatsApp, reviews and delivery. Indian agencies that set up Shopify stores consistently document real totals of ₹4,000–₹15,000 per month. Figures checked 12 August 2026 — always confirm current pricing on shopify.com/in.
The line-by-line math
| Cost | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify Basic subscription | ₹1,994/mo | Annual billing; month-to-month is higher |
| GST on subscription | + ₹359/mo | 18% — often forgotten in budgeting |
| Payment gateway | ~2% + GST per transaction | Razorpay/PayU/etc. — no native Shopify Payments in India |
| Theme | ₹0 or $100–350 one-time | Free themes exist; distinctive ones are paid, customisation extra |
| WhatsApp app | ₹999–2,500/mo typical | Interakt/Zoko-class apps for catalog + customer chat |
| Reviews / upsell / other apps | ₹500–3,000/mo | Most stores run 3–6 paid apps |
| Designer/agency (optional) | ₹10,000–75,000 one-time | What many Indian SMBs actually pay to get the store looking right |
| Realistic monthly total | ₹4,000–15,000 | Matches what Indian Shopify agencies themselves publish |
When Shopify is worth every rupee
Honestly: at scale, it is. If you run hundreds of SKUs, ship internationally, need ERP hooks or advanced apps, Shopify's ecosystem pays for itself. The businesses that regret the bill are usually small: under ~50 orders/month, single-city, WhatsApp-driven — paying enterprise-grade rent for a corner-shop workload.
What the same money buys elsewhere
| First-year cost | What you get | |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify Basic (lean setup) | ≈ ₹28,000+ | Template store, apps extra, you build it |
| Manva | ≈ ₹2,800–13,000 | AI-designed multi-page website (₹999 one-time) + WhatsApp assistant that runs it (from ₹149/mo), UPI/COD/GST/Shiprocket included |
Different tools for different sizes — see the full Manva vs Shopify comparison for when each is right, including using both together.
Spend ₹999 once, not ₹4,000 a month
Get an AI-designed website with store, UPI, COD and GST invoices — then run it from WhatsApp.
Start free — build your site in minutesFrequently asked questions
What is the cheapest Shopify plan in India?
Basic at ₹1,994/month on annual billing (as of August 2026), plus 18% GST. The Starter plan is cheaper but only gives links/checkout, not a full store.
Does Shopify charge transaction fees in India?
You pay your payment gateway's fees (Razorpay/PayU etc.) since Shopify Payments isn't available in India. Depending on plan and gateway setup, additional platform transaction fees can also apply — check your plan's terms.
Is GST charged on Shopify subscriptions?
Yes — 18% GST applies to your Shopify bill for India-registered businesses. Budget ₹2,353/month for Basic, not ₹1,994.
Why do agencies say Shopify costs ₹6,000–15,000 per month?
Because real stores use paid apps (WhatsApp, reviews, bundles), often a paid theme, and gateway fees on every order. The subscription is a third or less of the true monthly cost for many Indian stores.