Updated October 2026
Short answer: Shopify's built-in free shipping covers a simple offer: every rate free above a minimum order, optionally only for some countries, customer segments or Markets. RM: Advanced Free Shipping handles the rest: offers that depend on which rate, which products or where in a country, and discounts other than free, such as a percentage off or a capped price.
What Shopify does without an app
Free shipping discount (Discounts → Create discount → Free shipping):
Automatic or discount code.
All countries or selected countries.
A minimum purchase amount or minimum quantity of items.
All customers, specific customers, customer segments or Markets.
One-time purchases, subscriptions or both.
Excluding shipping rates over a certain amount.
When it applies, every eligible rate is free.
A free rate (Settings → Shipping and delivery): any rate, including live carrier rates, can offer free shipping above a minimum order amount. It applies to everyone that rate covers.
Free shipping on some products: a separate shipping profile for those products, with a free rate.
What needs an app
Specific rates by name, for example Standard free and Express full price.
Percentage off, fixed amount off or a fixed price instead of free.
Product, variant or collection conditions, including "unless the cart contains oversized items".
Province/state and postcode/ZIP conditions, for example the 48 contiguous US states.
Order value and cart weight together, for example free over $100 but only under 20 kg.
A threshold before discounts, so a discount code doesn't remove free shipping.
Customer conditions combined with the above, for example VIPs get free Standard shipping only.
Several conditions together, or alternative ways to qualify (AND/OR).
Different discounts on different rates, for example free Standard and $10 off Express.
Fixed thresholds per currency, for example USD 75 and GBP 60.
RM: Advanced Free Shipping does all of these, on every Shopify plan, without carrier-calculated shipping.
What no shipping discount can do
Create, hide or rename rates. Set up rates in your shipping settings, and use a delivery customization app to hide or rename them.
Discount local pickup.
Raise a rate or add a surcharge.
Discount shipping for individual items. Shipping is charged per rate, so a discount changes the whole rate.
Cost
$9.90 USD a month, one flat price for every store, with a 7-day free trial and no per-order fees.
Common questions
Can Shopify make only standard shipping free without an app?
Only with a $0 rate in your shipping settings, which applies to everyone that rate covers. Shopify's free shipping discount makes every rate free.
Can Shopify give free shipping on specific products without an app?
Only with a separate shipping profile and a free rate. The free shipping discount has no product conditions.
Can Shopify take a percentage off shipping?
Not with its free shipping discount, which only makes shipping free.
Does the app replace my shipping rates?
No. It discounts the rates you already have, so your shipping settings and carrier rates stay as they are.