Choosing between Shopify and Amazon FBA is the biggest decision for e-commerce sellers. While Amazon brings traffic, their fees can eat up your margins. Our free calculator compares both platforms side-by-side.
Shopify vs Amazon Fee Breakdown
Amazon FBA Fees Amazon charges you for access to their audience and fulfillment network: - **Referral Fee:** Typically 15% (varies by category, from 8% to 20%) - **Fulfillment Fee (FBA):** $3.22 to $6.00+ depending on size and weight - **Storage Fees:** Monthly charges per cubic foot, tripling in Q4 - **Monthly Subscription:** $39.99/month (Professional account)
Shopify Fees Shopify gives you a standalone website, but you must drive your own traffic and handle fulfillment: - **Subscription:** $39/month (Basic plan) - **Credit Card Processing:** 2.9% + 30¢ (using Shopify Payments) - **Transaction Fees:** 0% with Shopify Payments (or 2% if using Stripe/PayPal) - **Fulfillment:** Whatever you pay your 3PL or USPS/UPS
The Profitability Tipping Point
Generally, Shopify yields higher margins per unit (often 10-20% higher than Amazon). However, Amazon requires zero ad spend to generate initial sales.
Use the calculator above to enter your product cost and see the exact net profit difference between the two platforms.