How much does Shopify take from a $100 sale?

Using Shopify Payments on the Basic plan, you pay 2.9% plus 30 cents, or about $3.20 per $100 sale. Switch to a third-party gateway, and that climbs to roughly $5.20 once Shopify's surcharge is added.

What is the biggest drawback of Shopify?

Cost creep. The base subscription is affordable, but apps, premium themes, and transaction fees compound fast, and most merchants don't notice until the bill has already doubled.

Is Shopify worth it for small businesses in 2026?

For fast setup and dropshipping-style models, yes. For content-heavy or WordPress-native businesses, the ongoing costs and content limitations often outweigh the convenience.

Which should you choose based on the pros and cons of Shopify?

If your growth plan leans on paid ads and speed to launch, Shopify's convenience usually wins. If it leans on organic content and long-term ownership, the math tends to favor a self-hosted setup instead.