26 July 2026 · Checkout
Dynamic checkout Shopify: how it works
Dynamic checkout Shopify refers to the express payment buttons that let customers skip the cart and go straight to purchase. Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal can all appear as dynamic buttons on product pages and in the cart.
Short answer: dynamic checkout speeds up purchases for customers who already trust an express wallet. It is not always right for subscriptions or high-consideration products. For recurring billing, use Checkivo to keep the subscription logic intact while still offering fast checkout. Related: Shopify checkout blocks app and Shopify Plus custom checkout.
What dynamic checkout buttons are
Dynamic checkout buttons appear on product pages and in the cart, usually below the Add to Cart button. They let a customer buy the currently selected product using a stored payment method and shipping address, skipping the cart and checkout form.
Shopify decides which button to show based on the customer's device, browser, location, and payment history. A customer on an iPhone with Apple Pay set up may see Apple Pay; another on Android may see Google Pay.
The button is dynamic because it changes per customer. You do not manually pick one wallet for everyone. Shopify selects the most relevant option from the wallets you have enabled.
Which wallets Shopify supports
Shopify supports several express wallets depending on your plan, region, and payment provider:
Shop Pay. Shopify's own accelerated checkout. Works for most Shopify stores and can be combined with subscriptions in some setups.
Apple Pay. Available on Safari and Apple devices. Requires Stripe, Shopify Payments, or a supported gateway.
Google Pay. Available on Chrome and Android devices. Supported by most major gateways.
PayPal. Shown when PayPal is enabled and the customer has a PayPal account.
Meta Pay, Amazon Pay, and others. Available in some regions via specific integrations.
Not every wallet works for every product type. Subscriptions, pre-orders, and products with complex shipping rules may be blocked from some express checkouts.
When dynamic checkout helps
Dynamic checkout is strongest for low-friction, low-consideration purchases:
Impulse buys where the customer already knows the product.
Mobile purchases where typing forms is annoying.
Returning customers who have used the wallet before.
Markets where a specific wallet is dominant.
For these cases, the speed of dynamic checkout can reduce abandonment and increase conversion. The customer sees a familiar button and completes the purchase in a few taps.
When to disable or limit it
Dynamic checkout is not always the right choice. Consider turning it off or limiting it for:
High-consideration products where customers want to review the full cart before buying.
Subscriptions with complex terms that need explicit consent.
Products with required upsells, add-ons, or customization steps.
Orders where shipping options or delivery dates matter a lot.
In these cases, the speed of dynamic checkout works against you. The customer skips the very information they need to make a confident decision.
Dynamic checkout and subscriptions
Subscriptions are a special case. Most express wallets were designed for one-time purchases. They may not support the full subscription lifecycle: recurring charges, plan changes, dunning, and cancel flows.
Shopify's native subscriptions and some apps support Shop Pay for subscriptions. Other wallets may not. If you use a custom subscription engine, you need to make sure the wallet supports the required payment flow.
With Checkivo, recurring billing happens on Stripe. You can offer a fast first checkout experience while keeping the subscription engine reliable. The first purchase may use Shop Pay or a card form; renewals run on Stripe with full dunning and plan management.
How to configure dynamic checkout
Configuration is mostly done in Shopify admin:
Go to Settings → Payments and enable the wallets you want to support.
In the theme editor, find the dynamic checkout button setting for product pages and cart.
Choose whether to show the button on product pages, cart, or both.
Test on different devices and browsers to confirm the right wallet appears.
Some themes let you hide the button for specific products using templates or tags. Use that to exclude subscriptions or high-consideration items if needed.
Measuring the impact
Do not assume dynamic checkout always helps. Run a test:
Compare conversion rate with and without dynamic checkout.
Check average order value. Express checkout may reduce upsell opportunities.
Watch mobile vs desktop behavior. Mobile often benefits more.
Measure support tickets. Faster checkout can increase buyer's remorse if customers skip important details.
Common mistakes with dynamic checkout
Showing dynamic checkout on every product is the most common mistake. For complex or high-ticket items, customers need the full cart and checkout to review details. Skipping those steps can increase returns and support tickets.
Another mistake is ignoring the impact on subscriptions. Express wallets do not always handle recurring billing well. If the wallet skips your subscription terms, you may face disputes and chargebacks.
Merchants also sometimes remove the standard checkout entirely in favor of dynamic buttons. That is risky. Not every customer has or wants to use an express wallet. The standard checkout should remain available.
Finally, dynamic checkout data is not always easy to analyze. Make sure your analytics can distinguish between standard checkout conversions and express-wallet conversions, and track AOV separately for each path.
Key takeaways
Dynamic checkout is a conversion tool, not a universal fix. Use it for simple, low-friction purchases and mobile customers. Limit or disable it for subscriptions and complex products. For recurring billing, keep the engine on Stripe with Checkivo while offering a fast first purchase experience.
Implementation checklist
Use this checklist before enabling or changing dynamic checkout:
Identify which products are eligible for express checkout and which are not.
Enable the wallets that your target customers actually use.
Test the experience on iPhone, Android, and desktop.
Confirm that subscriptions, pre-orders, and digital products behave correctly.
Check analytics to distinguish express-wallet conversions from standard checkout.
Set a review date to compare conversion and AOV with and without dynamic checkout.
Dynamic checkout is not a default-on feature for every store. Use it where it genuinely improves the customer experience.
Analytics and attribution
Express checkout conversions can be harder to attribute because the customer skips several funnel steps. Make sure your analytics stack records the product page, the wallet used, and the final order value. Without this, you may overstate or understate the impact of dynamic checkout.
Watch for wallet-specific behavior. Apple Pay customers may convert faster but have different refund patterns than standard checkout customers. PayPal customers may have higher AOV in some markets. Segment your analysis so you optimize for the right audience.
Global and regional considerations
Wallet popularity varies by country. In the Netherlands, iDEAL and Wero matter. In Germany, PayPal and Klarna are strong. In the US, Apple Pay, Shop Pay, and PayPal dominate. If you sell internationally, enable the wallets your customers expect.
Dynamic checkout also depends on browser and device. Apple Pay only works on Safari with Apple devices. Google Pay works on Chrome and Android. Test your store in the markets you serve, not just on your own phone.
Frequently asked questions
What is dynamic checkout on Shopify?
Dynamic checkout buttons let customers buy using stored wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Shop Pay, skipping the cart and checkout form.
Does dynamic checkout work for subscriptions?
It depends on the wallet and your subscription setup. Shop Pay supports some subscription flows; other wallets may not.
Can I choose which wallet to show?
Shopify dynamically selects the wallet based on the customer. You can enable or disable wallets, but not force one for everyone.
Should I show dynamic checkout on product pages?
For simple, low-consideration products, yes. For subscriptions or complex products, consider limiting it to the cart or disabling it.
Does dynamic checkout reduce cart abandonment?
It can for mobile and returning customers, but it may also reduce order value and increase confusion for complex products.
How do I test dynamic checkout?
View your store on different devices and browsers with wallet accounts set up. Shopify's preview can show you the available buttons.
Can Checkivo use dynamic checkout?
Checkivo runs first purchase and renewals on Stripe. You can offer a fast checkout experience while Checkivo manages the subscription logic.
Will dynamic checkout hurt my subscription terms?
It can if the wallet skips your terms. Make sure the product page and checkout clearly explain the recurring commitment.
Does dynamic checkout affect A/B testing?
Yes. Express wallets convert differently than standard checkout. Keep variants balanced by wallet availability.
Can I disable dynamic checkout for one product?
Many themes allow you to hide the button for specific products using templates or tags. On Plus, you have more control.
Is dynamic checkout the same as Shop Pay?
Shop Pay is one of the wallets that can appear as a dynamic checkout button. The term dynamic checkout covers all eligible wallets.
Do dynamic checkout buttons work with subscription apps?
Some subscription apps support Shop Pay. Others require standard checkout. Confirm with your subscription provider before enabling.