Shopify Plus vs Standard Shopify Stores: What Developers Need to Know

When approaching a new Shopify project, developers often face an important question: is this a standard Shopify store or a Shopify Plus project? The difference impacts development scope, available tools, and technical possibilities. For B2B companies especially, understanding these differences can lead to better development decisions and more effective e-commerce solutions.

While both platforms share the same foundation, Shopify Plus offers enhanced capabilities designed for larger businesses with more complex needs. This guide explores the key differences developers should know when working with either platform.

Core Technical Differences

API Rate Limits

One of the most significant technical differences lies in API access. Standard Shopify stores have stricter API rate limits that can constrain development projects requiring frequent API calls. Shopify Plus stores enjoy much higher limits:

• Standard Shopify: 2 requests per second, with a bucket size of 40
• Shopify Plus: 4 requests per second, with a bucket size of 80

For B2B developers building integrations with other business systems, these higher API limits provide crucial flexibility when creating real-time inventory syncs, custom order processing workflows, or complex product information management systems.

Script Editor and Customization

Shopify Plus gives developers access to the Script Editor, which allows for direct modification of checkout processes using Ruby. This enables:

• Custom shipping calculators
• Advanced payment processing logic
• Conditional discounting rules
• Sophisticated promotion handling

For B2B scenarios where complex pricing models and approval workflows are common, these capabilities become essential rather than optional.

Development Workflow Considerations

Theme Development

Theme development remains largely consistent across both platforms, with some key differences:

• Both use the same Liquid templating language
• Both support theme customization through the same development tools
• Shopify Plus enables theme changes in staging environments without affecting production

This last point is particularly valuable for B2B stores where downtime or visual errors can damage business relationships more severely than in B2C contexts.

Version Control and Deployment

Developers on Shopify Plus benefit from additional deployment options:

• Theme version control through Git integration
• Multiple development environments
• Enhanced theme testing capabilities
• Role-specific access controls for development teams

These features allow for more structured development workflows, which typically align better with the governance requirements of B2B organizations.

Checkout Customization

Standard Shopify stores offer limited checkout customization, while Shopify Plus enables significant modifications:

• Standard: Basic branding and field adjustments
• Plus: Complete checkout.liquid access for full HTML/CSS/JavaScript customization

For B2B development projects, the ability to create completely tailored checkout experiences becomes important when addressing specific business requirements like:

• Purchase order integration
• Custom approval workflows
• Account-specific payment terms
• Multi-level user permissions for ordering

Multistore Management

Store Cloning and Management

Shopify Plus introduces capabilities for managing multiple stores from a single dashboard:

• Store cloning for rapid deployment of new markets or brands
• Centralized user management across stores
• Cross-store data sharing capabilities
• Consolidated analytics

These features simplify development for B2B companies operating across multiple divisions, regions, or customer segments, reducing redundant code and configuration work.

Custom App Development

Private Apps and Custom Integrations

Both platforms allow private app development, but with different constraints:

• Standard: Basic app development with limited API access
• Plus: Enhanced permissions for deeper system access and integration

When developing for B2B clients, these expanded permissions often determine whether certain integration requirements can be met natively or require workarounds.

Shopify Flow Automation

Shopify Plus includes Flow, a visual automation builder that developers can extend:

• Trigger-based workflow automation
• Integration with custom apps
• Conditional logic for business processes
• Reduced need for custom code in some scenarios

For developers, this means certain functionality that would require custom coding on standard Shopify can be configured visually on Plus, shifting development efforts toward more complex problems.

Backend Development Considerations

Database Access and Limitations

Both platforms have similar database constraints:

• No direct database access (both platforms)
• Reliance on APIs for data manipulation
• Similar data structuring limitations

However, Plus merchants receive priority support for GraphQL and REST API issues, which can significantly impact development timelines when unexpected API problems arise.

Custom Functionality with Shopify Functions

Shopify Plus recently introduced “Shopify Functions,” allowing developers to write custom code in Rust that runs directly on Shopify’s infrastructure. This enables:

• High-performance custom discount algorithms
• Advanced shipping calculations
• Payment processing logic

For B2B developers, this means business-specific pricing rules can be implemented with near-native performance instead of relying on third-party apps or slower webhook-based solutions.

Security and Compliance Features

Enhanced Security Options

Shopify Plus provides additional security features developers should leverage:

• Staff permission controls with granular access settings
• Two-factor authentication enforcement
• Enhanced PCI compliance support
• Dedicated SSL certificates

These security features are particularly relevant for B2B development projects where transaction values tend to be higher and security requirements more stringent.

Conclusion

For developers approaching Shopify projects with a B2B focus, understanding the technical distinctions between standard Shopify and Shopify Plus is essential for accurate scoping, appropriate architecture decisions, and effective solution design.

While standard Shopify offers remarkable capabilities for smaller B2B operations, Shopify Plus removes many constraints that would otherwise require complex workarounds. This makes it particularly suitable for B2B scenarios involving:

• Complex pricing and discount structures
• High transaction volumes
• Multiple approval layers
• Integration with enterprise systems
• Custom checkout requirements
• Multi-store management needs

The development approach should be tailored accordingly, with standard Shopify projects focusing on maximizing built-in capabilities and Plus projects leveraging the platform’s expanded customization options. By understanding these differences, developers can better advise their B2B clients on the technical implications of platform choice and deliver solutions that align with both business requirements and technical constraints.