Current trial terms, from Shopify itself
The pricing page headline read: try 3 days free, then $1 a month for 3 months. Its FAQ says the free trial needs no credit card and that most plans then start at $1 a month for the first 3 months. [1]
The Help Center adds detail the headline leaves out. Trial length can vary by account; stores created with certain AI or partner tools currently get a longer trial. The trial cannot be extended, and support cannot reset promotional pricing. When the free trial ends without a plan, the store is paused until you choose one. [2]
Treat these as two windows: a short free setup window, and a low-cost promotional window in which you are on a real plan and can test real money flows.
| Window | Cost | Checkout | Test orders | Ends with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free trial | $0, no card required | Store is in private mode or checkout is inactive | Not available until a paid plan is chosen | Store paused if no plan selected |
| Promotional months | $1/month for 3 months on most plans (as advertised) | Active once a paid plan is chosen and payments are set up | Test gateway or Shopify Payments test mode | Regular plan price unless you pause or deactivate the store |
| Regular billing | Basic $39/mo monthly or $29/mo on yearly billing | Active | Available | Ongoing |
What you can and cannot test before paying
During the free trial the store starts in private mode or with checkout inactive, and Shopify says you need to select a paid plan before you start selling. Work done during the trial carries over when you pick a plan. [2]
The bigger constraint for testing: Shopify says you can test a payment gateway only after choosing a paid plan. Test orders through the Test payment gateway or Shopify Payments test mode are not charged, and they do not appear in payouts or reports. While test mode is on, customers cannot place live orders. You can also run a real order through a live provider and immediately cancel and refund it, but processor fees may apply. [3]
In practice that means the free days are for building, and the first $1 month is when you prove checkout, taxes and payouts actually work.
Day-by-day plan
This plan assumes the advertised 3 free days followed by promotional months. If your account shows a different trial length, stretch or compress the setup days to match the date shown in your admin.
| When | Do this | Done when |
|---|---|---|
| Free day 1 | Add 5 to 10 real products with prices, weights and photos; pick a free theme | Product pages look right on a phone |
| Free day 2 | Set shipping zones and rates; work out where you owe US sales tax and configure it | Cart shows the shipping and tax you expect for 3 test addresses |
| Free day 3 | Write policies, contact page and about page; decide on Shopify Payments or another provider | Every footer link works; decision on payment provider written down |
| Promo week 1 | Choose a plan; turn on test mode and run test orders for each shipping zone; then run one real low-value order and refund it | Order emails, tax lines and refunds all behave as expected |
| Promo weeks 2 to 4 | Complete Shopify Payments verification and watch the first payout arrive | Money lands in your bank account |
| Before promo ends | Compare real fees and sales to the regular plan price | Keep, change plan, pause or close, decided in writing |
Taxes, shipping and payouts: the three tests that matter
Taxes: Shopify automates charging US sales tax once you configure where you are liable, but it does not file or remit for you unless your tax is managed by Shopify or you enrol in automated filing with Shopify Tax. Shopify itself tells merchants to consult a tax professional. [5]
Shipping: the pricing page lists shipping discounts and automated sales tax calculation on all plans, but third-party calculated shipping rates are not included on Basic, are an add-on on Grow and are included on Advanced. If you need live carrier rates at checkout, that can change which plan you need. [1]
Payouts: for US stores the minimum settlement time is 3 business days, weekends and holidays do not count, and there is no minimum payout amount. Payouts can be held while onboarding verification is incomplete or if no bank account is added, so start verification early in the promotional window. [4]
Cancel, pause or keep
If you never selected a plan, Shopify says no action is needed and the account is frozen. If you did select a plan, you must pause or deactivate the store yourself to avoid being charged. [2]
The Pause and Build plan keeps admin access and the storefront visible at a reduced cost while checkout is turned off across all sales channels. It is only available after the free trial on a paid plan, takes effect at the end of the current billing cycle, and Shopify recommends uninstalling apps with recurring charges first. The Help Center article describes only a reduced subscription fee, not a dollar amount, so check the price in your admin. [6]
If you keep the store, the regular Basic price is $39 a month on monthly billing or $29 a month on yearly billing, plus card fees. [1]
- Uninstall any app with a recurring charge you no longer need before the promotion ends.
- Download product and customer data if you are leaving.
- Write down the date the promotional price ends; support cannot extend it.
Questions before you decide
Can I extend the Shopify free trial?
No. Shopify Help says it is not possible to extend the free trial, and support cannot extend trials or reset promotional pricing.
Can I place test orders during the free trial?
Shopify says you can test a payment gateway only after you have chosen a paid plan. Test orders through the Test payment gateway or Shopify Payments test mode are not charged.
What happens if the trial ends and I do nothing?
If no plan was selected, the store is paused until you choose one and no action is required to avoid charges. If you had selected a plan, you must pause or deactivate the store to stop billing.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- Shopify pricing Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Shopify Help Center: free trial Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Shopify Help Center: placing test orders Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Shopify Help Center: Shopify Payments payout timing Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Shopify Help Center: US sales tax setup Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Shopify Help Center: pausing or closing a store Accessed 30 Oct 2026
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