Free planning tool
What does your Shopify app stack really cost?
Add your plans and usage charges. See your monthly budget, first-year spend and the extra sales you would need to cover the recurring cost.
No signup. Your figures stay in this page and are not saved or sent to StackFit.
A worked example
A $99 plan can cost more than $99.
Suppose an app charges $99/month, 1% of $10,000 in billable revenue, and $0.20 on each of 200 billable orders. That is $239/month, or $2,868/year. A $300 setup brings the first year to $3,168. At a 40% contribution margin, you need $597.50 in extra monthly revenue just to cover the recurring app cost.
These are illustrative figures, not a quote for a particular app. Included allowances, minimum fees, tier changes, currency conversion and tax can change your bill.
Check the cost drivers before choosing.
Common questions about Shopify app costs.
Are free-to-install Shopify apps really free?
Not always. Installation can be free while usage, transactions or a paid contract cost extra. Other free plans are limited to development stores. Read the eligibility and billing terms, not just the install button.
How do I include an annual plan?
Enter the full annual invoice in the annual-plan field and leave monthly plan at zero. The calculator divides it by 12 to show a monthly equivalent. This is not a monthly payment schedule.
Does this calculate an exact vendor invoice?
No. It adds the figures you enter. Calculate billable usage after allowances, and check minimum charges, tier changes, taxes and currency conversion separately. It assumes the same usage each month.
How much should I spend on Shopify apps?
There is no useful universal budget. Start with a specific problem and compare the total cost with the extra contribution profit or measurable time saved. A higher-priced app can be worthwhile, while a cheap unused app is still wasted money.
Will an app pay for itself if its dashboard reports more revenue?
Not necessarily. Attributed revenue is not automatically additional revenue. Compare against a baseline or controlled test and account for discounts, returns and the work needed to operate it.
Billing reference: Shopify's guide to app charges. Calculator methodology updated 7 September 2026.