Are payment gateway charges separate from the transaction fees imposed by Shopify?

| January 10, 2023 | By Team Nextwebi
Are payment gateway charges separate from the transaction fees imposed by Shopify?

Yes, payment gateway charges are separate from Shopify's transaction fees. Shopify charges transaction fees based on the plan you're on, and these fees cover the use of Shopify's platform for processing payments. In addition to Shopify's transaction fees, you'll also incur payment gateway fees.

When customers make purchases on your Shopify store, the transaction goes through a payment gateway to process the payment securely. Payment gateways typically charge fees per transaction or a percentage of the transaction amount, and these fees are distinct from Shopify's transaction fees.

To break it down:

  • Shopify Transaction Fees:

    • These are fees that Shopify charges for each transaction processed through your store. The transaction fees depend on your Shopify plan, and they can be reduced if you use Shopify Payments (Shopify's built-in payment processing system).

  • Payment Gateway Fees:

    • These are fees charged by the payment gateway (such as Stripe, PayPal, or others) for processing credit card transactions. Payment gateway fees may include a combination of a fixed transaction fee and a percentage of the transaction amount.

It's important to consider both sets of fees when calculating the overall cost of processing transactions on your Shopify store. Keep in mind that if you use Shopify Payments as your payment gateway, you can often benefit from lower transaction fees compared to using external payment gateways. However, the availability of Shopify Payments may vary depending on your location.

Shopify Official Website Says. 

Are there any transaction fees?

There are no transaction fees for stores using Shopify Payments.

If you choose a third-party payment provider, there will be additional fees of 2%, 1%, or 0.5% for our Basic Shopify, Shopify, and Advanced Shopify plans, respectively. (also it varies from 2.9%)

Now the question is does Shopify provide a payment system in India and payment methods like NetBanking and UPI?

Shopify Payments is not available in India. This means that if you want to accept credit cards in your store, you would need to set up a third-party payment provider. There are two types of credit card payment providers: direct providers and external providers. If you're using a direct provider, your customers can complete their purchases directly on your store, and they won't have to pay at a third-party checkout. If you're using an external provider, your customers will need to complete their purchases on a checkout page that's hosted outside of your Shopify store.  Source Answer from Rick (Shopify) (Link)

What is direct provider and external provider on shopify?

In the context of Shopify, "Direct Provider" and "External Provider" typically refer to different types of payment providers that you can use to process transactions on your Shopify store.

  • Direct Provider:
    • A Direct Provider, also known as an "on-platform" or "native" provider, is a payment gateway that is directly integrated into the Shopify platform. Shopify has its built-in payment processing system called Shopify Payments, which is an example of a Direct Provider. When you use a Direct Provider, the entire transaction process, from selecting products to completing the payment, occurs on the Shopify platform.

  • External Provider:
    • An External Provider, on the other hand, refers to a third-party payment gateway that is not built into the Shopify platform. Shopify allows you to integrate external payment gateways to process transactions. Examples of External Providers include PayPal, Stripe, and other payment processors. When you use an External Provider, customers are redirected to the external payment gateway's site to complete the payment, and then they are redirected back to your Shopify store.

Choosing Between Direct and External Providers:

  • Direct Providers (e.g., Shopify Payments):
    • Seamless integration with the Shopify platform.

    • Typically, lower transaction fees for using the built-in payment processor.

    • Unified experience for customers as they stay on the Shopify platform throughout the payment process.

  • External Providers (e.g., PayPal, Stripe, Razorpay):
    • More flexibility in choosing a payment gateway based on specific features or regional availability.

    • Potential additional fees from the external payment gateway.

    • Customers may be redirected to the external provider's site during the payment process.

Considerations:

  • Geographical Availability: The availability of Direct and External Providers may vary by region.

  • Transaction Fees: Compare transaction fees and features when choosing between providers.

  • Customer Experience: Consider the user experience for customers during the payment process.

List of countries where Shopify payment is available.

  • Australia

  • Austria

  • Belgium

  • Canada

  • Czechia

  • Denmark

  • Finland

  • France

  • Germany

  • Hong Kong SAR

  • Ireland

  • Italy

  • Japan
  • Netherlands

  • New Zealand

  • Portugal

  • Romania

  • Singapore

  • Spain

  • Sweden

  • Switzerland

  • United Kingdom

  • United States

What are the potential charges that may arise when selecting Shopify for my e-commerce website?

When you choose Shopify for your e-commerce website, there are several potential charges and fees to consider. The specific charges may depend on your chosen plan, additional apps or services you use, and your business needs. Here are some common charges associated with using Shopify:

  • Monthly Subscription Fee:

    • Shopify offers different pricing plans, and each plan comes with a monthly subscription fee. The plan you choose depends on the features and services you need for your business.

  • Transaction Fees:

    • Depending on your chosen plan, you may be subject to transaction fees for each sale made through your Shopify store. Using Shopify Payments as your payment gateway can help reduce or eliminate transaction fees in some cases.

  • Credit Card Fees:

    • If you use a payment gateway other than Shopify Payments, you may incur credit card processing fees. These fees are charged by the payment gateway and are separate from Shopify's transaction fees.

  • App/Plugins Charges:

    • Shopify has an extensive app store where you can find various apps and plugins to enhance your store's functionality. Some apps are free, while others may come with a one-time fee or a recurring subscription.

  • Custom Domain Name:

    • While Shopify provides a free myshopify.com domain, many businesses choose to purchase a custom domain name for branding purposes. The cost of a custom domain varies and is usually an annual fee.

  • Theme Purchases:

    • While Shopify offers free themes, you may choose to purchase a premium theme to give your store a unique look. Premium themes may have a one-time cost.

  • Transaction Fee for External Payment Gateways:

    • If you use an external payment gateway (not Shopify Payments), you may incur additional transaction fees from that provider.

  • Shipping Costs:

    • Shipping costs are not directly charged by Shopify, but they are an essential part of running an e-commerce business. Consider the costs associated with shipping products to customers.

  • Additional Services:

    • Shopify offers additional services such as Shopify Plus (for larger enterprises), custom development, and professional services. These may have additional costs.

It's important to carefully review Shopify's pricing plans and terms, as well as the costs associated with any third-party services or apps you choose to use. Keep in mind that the charges mentioned here are subject to change, and it's advisable to check Shopify's official website or contact their support for the most up-to-date information.

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