Shopify Theme Licenses Explained

Shopify theme licenses confuse many merchants, so here is the short, practical version. When you buy a premium theme, the license generally covers use on a single store.

The key rules

• One purchase usually equals one store — using the same paid theme on multiple unrelated stores needs a license per store.
• Free themes and Shopify's Dawn reference theme are more permissive.
• Always check the specific theme's license terms before reusing it.

Development stores

You can test a premium theme on a Partner development store before launch, but once the store goes live you need a valid license for it. This keeps you compliant and avoids surprises at launch.

The custom alternative

A fully custom theme built for you avoids licensing limits entirely — you own the code and can use it however you like. Experts Cabin builds custom themes, and also works correctly within premium theme licenses when that is the better fit.