Shopify vs SHOPLINE vs a custom online shop in Hong Kong: costs compared
For a new shop with a modest range, Shopify (Basic from US$25 a month, billed yearly) or SHOPLINE (Basic HK$5,988 a year plus a 0.8% system fee) is the fastest and cheapest start. If you need memberships, wholesale pricing, bookings, bilingual SEO or custom flows and don't want a platform taking a share of every order, a custom shop costs HK$16,000 – 32,000 once and is entirely yours.
By Abhinav Saxena · Prices checked
- Shopify Basic
- from US$25/month
- SHOPLINE Basic
- HK$5,988/year + 0.8%
- Custom shop
- HK$16,000 – 32,000
Own store
off high-commission marketplaces, full margin retained
What does Shopify cost in Hong Kong?
Shopify charges in US dollars: Basic US$33 a month (US$25 billed yearly), Grow US$92 (US$69 yearly), Advanced US$399 (US$299 yearly). With Shopify Payments, Basic pays 3.3% + HK$2.35 per card order; using a third-party payment provider instead adds a 2% transaction fee (1% on Grow, 0.6% on Advanced). Most themes and apps cost extra.
What does SHOPLINE cost?
SHOPLINE charges in Hong Kong dollars, billed yearly: Basic HK$5,988 (about HK$499 a month), Advanced E-commerce HK$14,799, Advanced Social Commerce HK$19,988 and OMO HK$26,988. On top, a monthly system fee on sales: 0.8% on Basic and Advanced E-commerce, 0.5% on Social Commerce, 0.3% on OMO; Advanced E-commerce waives it on SHOPLINE Payments orders. Payment fees depend on the method.
What does a year cost at HK$50,000 of sales a month?
For HK$50,000 a month (HK$600,000 a year, about 2,000 orders), counting subscriptions, platform fees and card fees only (not themes, apps or delivery):
- Shopify Basic (yearly): subscription about HK$2,340 + Shopify Payments fees about HK$24,500 = about HK$26,840
- SHOPLINE Basic: HK$5,988 + 0.8% system fee HK$4,800 = HK$10,788, plus payment fees
- Custom shop: HK$16,000 – 32,000 once, no subscription or platform share; Stripe card fees about HK$25,100, plus hosting at cost
When to use a platform, and when to go custom
- A small catalogue, testing the market, selling next week: Shopify or SHOPLINE
- Membership tiers, wholesale prices, bookings, subscriptions or unusual checkout flows: custom
- English and Chinese on separate URLs that rank in both languages: custom handles hreflang properly
- Large sales volume: custom avoids a percentage on every order
- Owning the site, data and customer list outright: custom, with every account in your company's name
Three ways to sell online in Hong Kong
| Option | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify | US$25–299/month (yearly) + from 3.3% + HK$2.35 | The fastest start on the world's most-used platform |
| SHOPLINE | HK$5,988–26,988/year + 0.3–0.8% system fee | HK$ billing, local support, social-commerce features |
| Custom shop (Kodinav) | HK$16,000 – 32,000 once | Special features, bilingual SEO, no platform share |
Shopify and SHOPLINE prices from their official pricing pages on 6 October 2026; US$ converted at about HK$7.8. Platforms can change prices.
Official sources
Questions about online shop platforms in Hong Kong
There's no single best. For a simple start, Shopify or SHOPLINE; for memberships, wholesale, bookings, bilingual SEO or high volume without platform fees, a custom shop. Compare the total yearly cost, not the monthly fee.
Yes, through payment providers that support them, on both platforms and custom shops. Each provider's methods and fees differ.
Usually 3 to 6 weeks, including catalogue, cart, payments, order management and delivery settings.
Yes. Products, customers and orders can be exported and imported, and old URLs redirected to keep your rankings.