Percentage vs flat fee add-on pricing: which is cheaper?
Flat fee wins at almost every volume above $2,000/mo in customized sales. Percentage apps like Kickflip (1.95% starting per developer response on the Shopify App Store) or Zakeke (fee variants on some plans) can be cheaper only at very low volumes: under $1,500/mo in customized sales. At $10k/mo, 1.95% = $195/mo in fees alone. Print It My Way maxes at $24.99/mo Unlimited flat with no transaction fees.
Step-by-step setup
- Calculate your monthly customized sales. Total custom orders × average value.
- Multiply by percentage app's fee rate. $10k × 1.95% = $195/mo in fees.
- Compare against flat-fee alternative. Print It My Way max $24.99/mo.
- Pick the winner at your volume. Flat wins above ~$2k/mo custom sales.
Break-even math
| Monthly custom sales | 1.95% transaction fee | Flat $24.99 (Print It My Way Unlimited) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 | $9.75 | $24.99 | Percentage |
| $1,500 | $29.25 | $24.99 | Flat (barely) |
| $5,000 | $97.50 | $24.99 | Flat |
| $10,000 | $195 | $24.99 | Flat (7x savings) |
| $25,000 | $487.50 | $24.99 | Flat (20x savings) |
| $100,000 | $1,950 (if rate stayed) | $24.99 | Flat (rate decreases with volume: check current rate) |
When percentage can win
- Very low volume ($500-$1,500/mo custom sales)
- Uncertain future volume: no commitment to flat
- App's differentiator (3D configurator) justifies the fee
When flat wins
- Above $2,000/mo in customized sales (clear break-even)
- Growing store: flat means fees don't grow with success
- Predictable cash flow
Hidden costs of percentage pricing
Percentage apps often also charge a base subscription on top of the transaction fee. And the percentage may apply to gross (not net) sales, so returns don't reduce it.
Print It My Way is flat-fee
Every tier: Free ($0), Basic ($7.99), Pro ($13.99), Unlimited ($24.99). No percentage of custom sales. Ever.
Skip the percentage tax
Print It My Way is flat at every tier. Real permanent Free plan.
Install Print It My Way. Free No-transaction-fee roundup →Frequently asked questions
What's the break-even between percentage and flat fee?
Around $1,500-$2,000/mo in customized sales. Above that, flat is cheaper.
Does Kickflip's 1.95% decrease with volume?
Yes per their developer response. The starting rate decreases at higher volumes. Check current rate.
Does Zakeke charge transaction fees?
Fee variants on some plans per zakeke.zendesk.com. Verify current terms.
Do percentage apps charge a base subscription too?
Yes typically. Percentage is on top of a monthly subscription.
Is Print It My Way ever percentage-based?
No. Flat-fee at every tier including Free.
Sources & further reading
Primary sources referenced in this article. We link to official platform documentation and standards bodies rather than secondary summaries so you can verify claims directly.