When getting started with Shopify, one of the things many people wonder about is the free trial period. This article clearly explains everything you need to know about Shopify's free trial.
We'll cover everything you should know before starting with Shopify — from the length of the free period and which pricing plans are eligible, to how to make the most of it. We'll also go into detail on the important features you should try during the free period, and what to do if you run into any issues. If you're thinking about starting an online store with Shopify, this article should be a valuable resource.
About Shopify's Free Trial
Source: Shopify free trial signup pageWhat Is Shopify, Anyway?
Shopify is one of the world's largest ecommerce platforms, used by millions of stores across 175 countries.
Because you can choose from multiple plans to match your business size, it's a service that works well for everything from small businesses to large enterprises.
It also offers a very rich set of extensions that integrate with external applications, allowing you to customize things like inventory syncing and data integration with physical stores to fit your own operations.
The blog article below introduces Shopify in more detail. Please use it as a reference.
How Many Days Is the Free Trial?
As of January 2026, it's 3 days.
※ Please note that the free trial is subject to change.
Do You Need Credit Card Information for the Free Trial?
You do not need to register a credit card during the free period/free trial.
If you want to keep using Shopify after the free period ends, you'll need to choose the Shopify plan you want and enter your credit card information.
Which Shopify Plans Are Eligible for the Free Trial?
The following Shopify plans are eligible for the free period/free trial.
- Starter plan
- Basic plan
- Grow plan (formerly: Shopify plan)
- Advanced plan (formerly: Premium plan)
For Shopify Plus, you'll need to contact Shopify directly via the link below.
The blog article below introduces each of Shopify's plans. Please use it as a reference.
Can the Free Period Be Extended?
Unfortunately, the free period cannot be extended.
That said, special offers (additional offers) are sometimes available depending on the time of year, so it's worth checking for the latest information.
Are There Special Offers (Additional Offers)?
Depending on the time of year, you may be able to get an app credit you can use toward Shopify apps, or a discount offer or credit toward your Shopify plan's monthly fee.
As of January 2026, there's an offer available on certain plans for 150 yen for 3 months.
※ Please note that you will not necessarily receive it.
What Happens If You Upgrade to a Paid Plan During the Free Trial?
If you decide to upgrade to a paid plan during the free period/free trial, billing will begin once the free period/free trial ends.
Can You Deactivate Your Store During the Free Trial?
You can deactivate it at any time.
Deactivating ends your Shopify subscription, and you'll no longer be able to access the admin.
(If you've chosen a paid plan)
If you upgraded to a paid plan during the free period/free trial, you'll need to manually pause or deactivate your store and cancel your account. (Be careful to avoid being charged for the paid plan.)
(If you haven't chosen a paid plan)
If you choose to end your Shopify account during the free period/free trial, no additional steps are needed.
How to Start Your Shopify Free Trial
- Access the free trial signup page
- Enter your email address and click "Start free trial"
- Answer the survey (can be skipped)
- Specify where you're starting your business
- Create your Shopify account
Things to Try During Your Shopify Free Trial
Shopify's free period is short, but making the most of it lets you get a thorough feel for the platform's features and usability. Below, we go into detail on the important features you should try during the free period and why each one matters.
Try Adding a Product
Adding products is the most basic of basics for an online store.
Try adding a product from the Shopify admin and setting the product name, description, price, images, and so on. It's also worth trying how to register a product with multiple variants, and testing out the inventory management features. This lets you get a feel for how easy to use and flexible Shopify's product management system is.
The blog article below introduces the steps for registering a product on Shopify. Please use it as a reference.
Try Customizing Your Shopify Theme
Shopify offers a wide range of free and paid themes.
Try out several themes during your free period to find the design that best fits your brand. You should also try the theme customization features — adding your logo, changing colors, and adjusting the layout. This lets you experience Shopify's design flexibility and user-friendly interface.
The blog article below introduces the types of Shopify themes. Please use it as a reference.
Try Configuring Shipping Settings
Shipping settings are an important factor that significantly affects your business's profitability.
Try out different shipping methods and rate settings on Shopify's shipping settings screen. Also check out region-based shipping rate settings and weight-based shipping rate calculations. This lets you understand the flexibility and ease of use of Shopify's shipping management system.
The blog article below introduces how to configure shipping settings on Shopify. Please use it as a reference.
Try Configuring Payment Settings
A smooth payment process is essential for an online store.
Try adding different payment methods (credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, etc.) in Shopify's payment settings. Also check how to set up Shopify Payments. This lets you experience the security and ease of use of Shopify's payment system.
The blog article below introduces the payment methods available on Shopify. Please use it as a reference.
Try Placing a Test Order
Try placing a test order to experience the actual purchase process. Choose a product, add it to your cart, and complete the checkout process. Doing this lets you check how easy your store is to use from a customer's point of view. Also check the order confirmation email and how orders are processed in the admin.
Use the page below as a reference to try a test order.
Test orders | Shopify Help Center
Try Creating a Blog Post
Content marketing is an important strategy for many online stores.
Try using Shopify's blog feature to create and publish a post. Try out the post editing interface, adding images, and SEO settings. This lets you understand how easy Shopify's content management features are to use.
The blog article below introduces how to create a blog post on Shopify. Please use it as a reference.
Try Shopify Apps
The Shopify App Store offers a huge number of apps that extend your store's functionality. During your free period, try installing and using a few popular apps. For example, try out an SEO optimization app, email, a marketing app, an inventory management app, and more. This lets you experience how rich Shopify's ecosystem is and how easily you can extend its functionality with apps.
The blog article below introduces recommended Shopify apps by category. Please use it as a reference.
What to Do If You Run Into Trouble During the Free Period/Free Trial
Check the Shopify Help Center
Shopify provides an official help center.
It offers detailed guides and explanations about Shopify. Start by searching the help center and checking any relevant articles or tutorials. Many common issues and questions can likely be resolved this way.
Search the Internet
Since Shopify is widely used around the world, there's a wealth of information available online. Use a search engine like Google to look up specific questions or issues. You may find helpful information in many forms — blog posts, forum threads, YouTube tutorials, and more.
This site also publishes a lot of information about Shopify, so searching for "Shopify [topic] Tsun" can help you find relevant information on our site.
Consult Shopify Support
If you can't find the information you need online, you can also reach out directly to the Shopify Support team.
Shopify offers customer support 24/7/365, available via chat and email. If you have a technical issue or a question about Shopify's features or specifications, Shopify Support is your best option. Their support staff have deep knowledge and experience and can offer quick, accurate solutions.
You can reach Shopify Support via the web chat on the Shopify Help Center.
Consult the Shopify Community
If none of the above resolves your issue, Shopify also has an active user community.
On the official Shopify Community forum, you can connect with other store owners and developers, ask questions, and share experiences. Especially if you're facing a specific situation or a unique challenge, advice from others who have had similar experiences can be extremely valuable.
The blog article below explains the Shopify Community's overview, how to use it, and how it differs from official support. Please use it as a reference.
In Closing
The free trial is a great opportunity to actually try out Shopify's features. Even though it's just 3 days, trying as many features as you can will help you decide whether Shopify is the right fit for your business.
Be sure to broadly experience Shopify's features, focusing on the seven key areas covered in this article (adding products, customizing your theme, shipping settings, payment settings, test orders, creating a blog post, and using apps). And if you run into any issues, you have plenty of resources to draw on — the Help Center, internet searches, official support, and the community forum.
Shopify is an ecommerce platform chosen by businesses all over the world — thanks to its ease of use, flexibility, and rich set of features. Make the most of your free period and unlock the potential of your online business. We hope Shopify helps your business achieve new growth and success.
