Shopify's checkout is fast, secure, and conversion-optimized. But it's also locked down compared to open platforms like Magento or WooCommerce. What you can customize depends on your plan. Here's a clear breakdown of Shopify checkout customization options in 2025.
What You Can Customize on All Plans
Even on Basic, you have some control via the checkout editor in Shopify admin:
- Checkout branding: Logo, colors, fonts (within Shopify's design system)
- Order status page: Additional scripts and content
- Customer accounts: Whether login is required, optional, or disabled
- Contact methods: Email, phone, or both
- Tip and donation blocks: Add tipping or donation options
Checkout Extensibility (Shopify and Plus)
Checkout Extensibility replaces the legacy Script Editor and checkout.liquid. It's a modular, upgrade-safe framework that lets you add UI blocks and run custom logic without editing core checkout code. Available on Shopify and Plus plans.
- Checkout UI extensions: Add custom fields, banners, upsells, delivery date pickers, gift messaging, and content blocks at predefined checkout surfaces
- Post-purchase extensions: Customize the thank-you page, add one-click upsells (available on all plans except Starter)
- Functions: Run custom backend logic for discounts, shipping, cart validation, and payment customization. Functions execute in a specific order: validation, payment, discounts, delivery, order routing, cart transform
Shopify Plus: Advanced Customization
Plus unlocks the most flexibility:
- Checkout.liquid: Full access to checkout template (being phased out in favor of Extensibility)
- Script Editor (legacy): Line-item and shipping scripts (deprecated, migrate to Functions)
- Custom checkout domains: Use your own domain for checkout
- B2B features: Company accounts, payment terms, custom pricing
- UI extensions on info/shipping/payment steps: Plus-only. Thank you and Order status extensions are available to all plans except Starter
What You Cannot Customize
Regardless of plan, Shopify controls:
- The core checkout flow (steps, layout)
- PCI compliance and payment processing
- Hosting and performance
- Certain security and fraud checks
You cannot rebuild checkout from scratch. If you need fully custom checkout logic, consider headless or custom builds.
Recommendations
For most stores, Checkout Extensibility on Shopify or Plus is enough. Use UI extensions for upsells, trust badges, and custom fields. Use Functions for dynamic discounts, tiered pricing, or validation. If you need more control, Shopify checkout optimization can help you maximize what's possible. For a full audit of your checkout, get a free site audit.