Running an online store on Shopify comes with a variety of costs—but what many merchants don’t realize is that there are smart ways to save money across the platform. From reduced subscription fees and seasonal deals on premium themes to exclusive offers on essential apps and discounted shipping rates, Shopify provides multiple ways to lower operational costs without compromising store performance. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most effective ways to access and make the most of these Shopify discounts, helping you grow your business more efficiently and cost-effectively.

What Are Shopify Discounts?

Shopify discounts are cost-saving offers provided to merchants to help reduce the expenses associated with running a store on the platform. Unlike promotional codes used by customers at checkout, these discounts are used for store owners and apply to various Shopify services—such as subscription plans, themes, apps, and shipping.

• Subscription plans (e.g. paying $1/month for the first 3 months, or saving up to 25% with annual billing)
• Premium themes (through seasonal sales or third-party marketplaces)
• Shopify apps (via free trials, promo codes, or bundle deals)
• Shipping rates (discounted carrier rates when using Shopify Shipping)

These discounts help merchants lower the overall cost of running a Shopify store, making the platform more accessible and scalable—especially for new or budget-conscious entrepreneurs.

What Types of Shopify Discounts Can I Get?

You can get different types of Shopify discounts, depending on the location of your Shopify store and the service you have signed up for. Some of these Shopify discounts include:

Shopify Subscription Plan Discounts

• $1/month for 3 months: New merchants can access any Shopify plan for just $1 per month during their first 3 months
• Annual payment discount: Save up to 25% by paying for your subscription annually instead of monthly
• Plan optimization: Right-size your plan to avoid paying for features you don’t need
• Shopify Partner Program: Earn discounts by becoming a Shopify Partner and referring new customers

Shopify Themes Discounts

• Free themes: Access Shopify’s collection of free themes with professional designs
• Seasonal sales: Look for discounts during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and other promotional periods
• Third-party marketplaces: Find discounted Shopify themes on platforms like ThemeForest and Template Monster
• Bundle deals: Some theme developers offer discounts when purchasing multiple themes or add-ons

Shopify App Discounts

• Free trials: Test apps before purchasing with no-cost trial periods
• Promotional discounts: Take advantage of limited-time offers from app developers
• Discount codes: Look for coupon codes on developer websites or social media
• Bundle packages: Some developers offer discounted rates when purchasing multiple apps together

Shopify Shipping Discounts

• Shopify Shipping: Access carrier discounts up to 85% on USPS, UPS, and DHL Express
• Carrier negotiations: Negotiate better rates directly with shipping carriers for high-volume shipping
• Regional carrier programs: Explore specialized discounts available in your specific location

Now that you have the first look at some of the Shopify discounts you can get when selling on Shopify. It’s time to go into detail about each of them.

Shopify Subscription Plan Discounts

Shopify Subscription Plan Discounts are promotional offers offered by Shopify on its various pricing plans.

Depending on the promotion or territory, these Shopify discounts can vary from a percentage off the monthly fee, a fixed amount discount, free trials Shopify, or other incentives.

How to Get Shopify Subscription Plan Discounts?

There are various ways to get a discount on your monthly subscription fees when selling on Shopify.

#1: Pay $1 each month for the next three months

One of the most popular ways to get a price reduction on your Shopify monthly subscription fees is to take advantage of the shopify 1 dollar deal.

This promotion is offered to all new Shopify merchants who sign up for any of the main Shopify plans (Basic plan, Shopify plan, and Advanced plan), and it allows businesses to try out the platform at a significantly reduced cost.

It’s worth noting that this offer may be available for a limited time. So, it’s best to act quickly and sign up now before it’s gone.

Here is how to get $1 each month for the three months

• Step 1: Visit Shopify’s website or use a partner link (such as Avada’s exclusive partner link)
• Step 2: Sign up for a Shopify account and start your 3-day free trial
• Step 3: Select a plan when prompted (Basic, Shopify, or Advanced)
• Step 4: Complete the billing information page
• Step 5: Review the offer showing $1/month for the first 3 months
• Step 6: Confirm your subscription to activate the discount

#2: Pay for Your Shopify Subscription Annually

Shopify’s yearly subscription

Another way to get a discount on your Shopify subscription plan is to pay for the service annually instead of monthly. Committing to a yearly plan can save up to 25% on your monthly fees. While this may require a more considerable upfront investment, it can lead to significant savings over time.

To get discounts, you need to: 

• Step 1: Log in to your Shopify admin dashboard
• Step 2: Go to Settings → Plan
• Step 3: Click “Switch to yearly billing”
• Step 4: Review the discounted annual rate (typically 25% off the monthly price)
• Step 5: Confirm the change and complete payment

#3: Change Your Shopify Plan

Another way to get a reduced price on your Shopify subscription plan is to upgrade or downgrade your Shopify plan based on your needs.

If you are currently paying for a more expensive plan than what actually fits your business, consider downgrading to a lower-tier Shopify plan to save on monthly subscription fees.

On the other hand, if your business requires additional features, upgrading to a higher tier may be a more cost-effective option than paying for individual add-ons separately.

How to optimize your plan tier:

• Step 1: Analyze your current usage and feature requirements
• Step 2: From your Shopify admin, go to Settings → Plan and permissions
• Step 3: Select “Change plan” to view all plan options
• Step 4: Compare features and choose the most appropriate tier
• Step 5: Confirm the change to your subscription

#4: Become a Shopify Partner

You can obtain a discount on your Shopify monthly plan if you become a Shopify partner. As a partner, you can earn commissions by referring new sign-ups to Shopify and receive exclusive offers on Shopify pricing plans, apps, and other services.

Becoming a Shopify Partner, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Sign up for the Shopify Partner Program on the Shopify Partners website
• Step 2: Complete the application process
• Step 3: Once approved, access partner-exclusive discounts on your dashboard
• Step 4: Apply these discounts to your store or client stores

Shopify Themes Discounts

Shopify Themes Discounts are special promotions offered by Shopify to its merchants that allow them to purchase premium Shopify themes at a discounted price.

How Can I Get Discounts on Shopify Themes?

Shopify does not typically offer direct discounts on its templates in the Shopify Theme Store. However, there are still a few ways to potentially obtain discounts or savings on Shopify themes:

Look for Free Shopify Themes

Shopify provides a selection of free themes that merchants can use for their Shopify store. While these templates may not have all the bells and whistles of premium Shopify themes, they can still offer a sleek and practical design.

Read more: Top 10 best free Shopify Themes for you.

Wait for Sales

One way to get a discount on premium Shopify themes is through seasonal sales or promotions. In fact, Shopify may offer discounts on its premium themes during special occasions like Black Friday or Cyber Monday, allowing its merchants to purchase them at a lower price. So, keep an eye out for these promotional offers when they become available.

Use a third-party marketplace

There are many third-party marketplaces that offer discounts or discount codes on Shopify themes. However, it’s essential to ensure that the marketplace is reputable and that the themes offered are of good quality and support the Shopify platform before making a purchase.
Two popular providers of Shopify themes are ThemeForest and Template Monster.

Shopify Apps Discounts

Shopify Apps Discounts are special offers and promotions that allow Shopify merchants to save money on Shopify apps. These discounts can take many forms, including percentage or value-based discounts, free trials, coupon codes, or bundled deals.

By using the Shopify Apps Discounts, you can easily get your desired apps at reasonable rate, for instance, the app that can help you change the product price, or the app that can assist your shipping operation.

How to Grab Discounts on Shopify Apps?

There are several ways to grab discounts on Shopify apps. Here are some of them:

Sign up for free trials

Most Shopify Apps offer free trials, allowing you to test out their features before committing to a monthly plan. This can help you make an informed decision about which app is right for your business without having to pay any money upfront.

Keep An Eye Out for Promotions

Keeping an eye out for promotions is another way to grab discounts on Shopify apps.

Shopify app developers often run limited-time promotions and sales on their apps, offering discounts or special deals. You can subscribe to app developer newsletters or follow them on social media to stay up to date with the latest promotions and discounts.

Look for discount codes

Another way to get discounts on Shopify apps is to look for a coupon or discount code. Many Shopify app developers offer special promotional codes that allow you to purchase their apps at a reduced price. You can find these discount codes on their websites or social media pages.

Shopify Shipping Discounts

Shopify Shipping Discounts are special promotions or deals that allow Shopify merchants to reduce costs on shipping rates for their online store. These discounts are offered by shipping carriers, such as USPS, UPS, and DHL, as well as third-party shipping apps integrated with the Shopify platform.

The amount of savings offered by these discounts can vary depending on the shipping carrier and your store’s location.

How to Get Discounts on Shipping Rates

You can get discounts on shipping rates for your Shopify store in several ways. They are as follows:

1. Use Shopify Shipping Discounts

Shopify offers pre-negotiated discounted rates with various carriers, such as USPS, UPS, and DHL, through its Shopify Shipping feature. These discounts can be substantial, with savings of up to 88% on shipping costs. ​GemPagesShopify

To access these discounts:

• Step 1: From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Shipping and delivery.

• Step 2: In the Shipping section, click “Manage rates.​”
• Step 3: Ensure that your shipping zones and rates are configured correctly.​
• Step 4: When fulfilling orders, purchase shipping labels directly through Shopify to automatically apply the discounted rates.​

2. Create Free Shipping Discounts for Customers

Offering free shipping can enhance customer satisfaction and boost sales. Shopify allows you to set up free shipping discounts that can be applied automatically or through discount codes. ​

To create a free shipping discount:

• Step 1: From Your Shopify Admin: Navigate to Discounts.​

• Step 2: Click “Create discount.​”

• Step 3: Select “Free shipping” as the discount type.​

• Step 4: Choose between Discount code or Automatic discount.​

• Step 5: Configure the discount details, such as minimum purchase requirements and eligible countries.​
• Step 6: Save the discount to make it active.

3. Negotiate Rates with Carriers

If your shipping volume is substantial, consider negotiating directly with carriers for better rates. Once you have a negotiated rate, you can integrate it into your Shopify store.

To add your carrier account:

• Step 1: In your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Shipping and delivery.

• Step 2: In the Carrier Accounts section, click “Connect account.​”

• Step 3: Add your carrier account details as prompted.​

4. Use Third-Party Shipping Apps:

Apps like Shippo and Advanced Shipping Rules offer additional shipping discounts and customization options. These apps can provide access to discounted rates and more flexible shipping configurations. 

To install a shipping app:

• Step 1: Visit the Shopify App Store.​
• Step 2: Search for the desired shipping app.​
• Step 3: Click “Add app” and follow the installation instructions

Other Ways to Get Shopify Discounts

Apart from the methods mentioned earlier, there are other ways to get Shopify discounts. Here are a few:

• Purchase in bulk: From time to time, Shopify offers bulk discounts on themes and apps if you purchase multiple items at once.
• Take advantage of customer loyalty programs: Some Shopify app developers offer loyalty programs that reward merchants with discounts on their apps or subscription plans.
• Use Shopify price tracking tools: Various price tracking tools can help you track the prices of Shopify plans, apps, and themes. These tools can notify you when a product’s price drops or a Shopify discount becomes available.
• Attend Shopify events: Shopify hosts various events throughout the year, such as conferences, workshops, and meetups. These events often offer exclusive discounts and promotional offers to those who attend.

Our Expert Tips to Get the Most Out Of Shopify Discounts 

• Stay Updated on Promotions: Shopify and its app/theme partners often run limited-time offers around key events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and New Year. Subscribe to newsletters or follow them on social media to catch these deals early.
• Start with Free Options: Take advantage of free Shopify themes and apps before committing to paid versions. Many free tools are surprisingly powerful and can help you get started without upfront costs.
  Use Free Trials Wisely: Most Shopify apps offer free trials—use this time to test features, measure ROI, and cancel before charges begin if it’s not a good fit.
• Choose Annual Plans When Ready: Once your store is stable, consider switching to annual billing for Shopify or your favorite apps. You can often save 20–25% compared to monthly payments.
• Bundle and Save: Some app providers or marketplaces offer bundled discounts when you purchase multiple apps or themes. Look for “starter kits” or special packages.
• Join the Shopify Partner Program (if eligible): Developers, freelancers, and agencies can join the Shopify Partner Program and unlock access to exclusive discounts and early feature releases.
• Use a VPN to Check Region-Specific Pricing: Shopify sometimes adjusts pricing or promotions based on location. Use a VPN to check for better regional offers before signing up.

Shopify Discounts: FAQs

Bottom Line

That concludes everything you need to know about Shopify discounts and how to obtain them. Shopify discounts can be a great way to save big on various services offered by Shopify, such as subscription plans, themes, apps, and shipping rates.

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