By the Dropship Stair team. Last reviewed: November 2026.
Key takeaways:
- How much does it cost to start dropshipping? A lean launch fits under $500 in the first month, and the only fixed cost is the store plan and the domain.
- The Shopify Basic plan costs $39 per month, or $29 per month billed yearly, and a domain costs about $10 to $15 per year.
- Most of the first-month budget goes to samples and small ad tests, not to the store itself, because testing is what finds a winning product.
- Free plans cover the basics: a free theme, free supplier apps, and free traffic from short video cost time instead of money.
- The budget that works best for beginners is $300 to $500 for the first month, with a clear split between setup, samples, and testing.
How much does it cost to start dropshipping? A lean launch fits under $500. The plan and the domain are the only fixed costs, and most of the budget goes to samples and ad tests. This guide breaks down all 7 real numbers.
Many guides hide the real costs or quote a single low number that leaves out testing. This guide does the opposite: every cost below is a range you can check, with the source named where the number comes from. By the end, you will know what a lean launch costs, what a comfortable launch costs, and where beginners waste money.
What are the 7 real costs of starting dropshipping?
Here are the seven numbers, with what each one covers.
| Cost | What you pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Shopify plan | $29 to $39 per month | Basic plan, yearly or monthly billing |
| 2. Domain name | $10 to $15 per year | A short .com from Shopify or a registrar |
| 3. Theme | $0 to $400 one-time | Free Dawn theme, or a premium theme |
| 4. Supplier apps | $0 to $30 per month | Most have free plans to start |
| 5. Product samples | $20 to $50 per product | Check quality before you scale |
| 6. Ad testing | $150 to $300 per month | $5 to $10 per day, one product at a time |
| 7. Business setup | $0 to $100 one-time | Registration and tax setup, varies by state |
How much does the Shopify plan cost?
The Shopify Basic plan costs $39 per month when billed monthly, or $29 per month when billed yearly, according to Shopify pricing. That is the plan most beginners start on, and it includes the storefront, the checkout, and the basic reports. The higher plans cost more: Grow is $105 per month, or $79 billed yearly, and Advanced is $399 per month, or $299 billed yearly. You do not need those when you start.
There is also a Starter plan at $5 per month, but it is for selling through social links rather than a full store, so most beginners skip it. Paying yearly saves about 25 percent on the Basic plan, which is worth it once you know you will keep the store. Start monthly if you are still testing the idea, then switch to yearly when you commit.
How much does a domain and a theme cost?
A domain costs about $10 to $15 per year for a standard .com, whether you buy it through Shopify or through a registrar. Pick a short, memorable name that matches your store, and avoid hyphens and numbers that people forget. The domain is a small cost, but it makes the store look real, and a free subdomain does not.
A theme costs $0 if you use the free Dawn theme, which is fast, clean, and good enough for a first store. Premium themes in the Shopify Theme Store typically cost $140 to $400 as a one-time purchase. You do not need a premium theme to start. Spend that money on samples and testing first, and upgrade the theme later when the store earns.
How much do supplier apps and samples cost?
Most supplier apps have free plans. AliExpress, CJ Dropshipping, Spocket, and Zendrop all let you start free, and you pay the supplier cost only when a customer orders. Some apps charge $20 to $30 per month for premium features, but you do not need those at the start. Keep the free plan until your sales justify an upgrade.
Samples are a small but real part of how much does it cost to start dropshipping, and they are the best money you will spend. Samples cost $20 to $50 per product, including shipping. A sample tells you the real quality, the real packaging, and the real shipping time, before your customers find out. Order a sample of any product you plan to scale. If you want a full method for this, read our guide on why niche matters in dropshipping.
How much should you budget for ads?
Ads are the biggest variable in how much does it cost to start dropshipping, because you control the daily spend. Start with $5 to $10 per day on one platform, which works out to $150 to $300 per month. Test one product at a time, so you know what caused the result. Put more behind the ad that already gets clicks, and cut the ones that do not. A common beginner mistake is spending the whole budget on day one, then having nothing left to test the next product.
Free traffic costs time instead of money. Short video on TikTok and Instagram shows the product in use, and small creators with loyal audiences often outperform big names for a new store. If your budget is tight, start with free traffic and add paid ads once a product shows signs of life. Our Shopify dropshipping store 7 day guide gives you a day-by-day launch plan.
What hidden costs do beginners miss?
These are the costs people forget when they ask how much does it cost to start dropshipping, and they add up fast. Payment fees are the cost most beginners forget. With Shopify Payments on the Basic plan, online card payments cost 2.9 percent plus 30 cents per order. On a $30 order, that is about $1.17. It sounds small, but it adds up across hundreds of orders, so include it when you set your prices. Third-party gateways add a further fee on top, so use Shopify Payments where it is available.
Business setup is the other cost people miss. Rules vary by state, so check the requirements where you live before you launch. Many beginners start as sole proprietors and register a business as sales grow, which can cost $0 to $100 depending on the state. You will need to handle sales tax, so read the rules for your state early, not after your first sale.
How much does it cost to start dropshipping on a beginner budget?
The budget that works best for most beginners is $300 to $500 for the first month. Here is a lean split: Shopify Basic at $39 for the first month, a domain at about $12 for the year, $0 for the theme and supplier apps, $60 to $100 for two or three samples, and $150 to $300 for ad testing. That covers a real launch with room to test more than one product.
With $100, you can still start, but you will move slower, because you can only test one product and you will rely on free traffic. With $1,000, you can test faster, but do not spend it all at once. The budget matters less than how you use it: test one product at a time, fix the store before you buy traffic, and cut losers fast. If you are working with a small budget, read our guide on starting dropshipping under $500 in the USA.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start dropshipping on Shopify?
A lean launch fits under $500. The Shopify Basic plan costs $39 per month, or $29 billed yearly, plus a domain at about $10 to $15 per year. Most of the budget goes to samples at $20 to $50 each, and ad tests at $5 to $10 per day.
Can I start dropshipping with $100?
Yes, but you will move slower. The Shopify plan and domain take about $50 for the first month, leaving little for samples and ads. Use free traffic from short video instead of paid ads, and test one product at a time. A $300 to $500 budget gives you more room.
Is Shopify the cheapest platform for dropshipping?
Shopify is not the cheapest platform, but it is the easiest for most beginners. The Basic plan costs $39 per month, or $29 billed yearly, and it includes hosting, checkout, and supplier apps. Cheaper platforms exist, but they need more technical work and time.
Do I need a premium theme to start dropshipping?
No. The free Dawn theme is fast, clean, and good enough for a first store. Premium themes typically cost $140 to $400 as a one-time purchase, and they are worth it later, when the store earns. Spend your first budget on samples and testing, not on a theme.
What is the biggest waste of money for beginners?
Spending the whole budget on ads before the store is ready. If the product page is weak, the shipping policy is unclear, or the checkout confuses shoppers, paid traffic will not fix it. Fix the store first, test one product, and back the one that already gets orders.
Still wondering how much does it cost to start dropshipping? Use the numbers above, start lean, and test before you spend big. If you want the store built for you, our pre-built Shopify store gets you selling faster, or read our guide on how to start Shopify dropshipping for beginners for the full setup. Browse the blog for more dropshipping guides.