Shopify apps explained
Learn what Shopify apps are, how to find and install them, what they cost, and what to watch out for before adding them to your store.
Shopify's core platform is powerful, but it can't do everything out of the box. Apps are add-ons that extend your store with new features — from email marketing to loyalty programs to advanced product options. This guide explains how apps work and what to consider before installing one.
Quick summary
Shopify apps are installed from the Shopify App Store. Many are free; others charge monthly fees. App costs stack on top of your Shopify plan fee, so your total bill can grow quickly. Always check an app's pricing before installing. Review, test, and uninstall apps you no longer need — unused apps can still slow down your store or charge your card.
What is a Shopify app?
An app is a piece of software built by a third-party developer that connects to your Shopify store. Think of it like an app on your phone — it adds functionality that wasn't there before.
Examples of what apps can do:
- Abandoned cart recovery — send reminder emails to customers who didn't finish checking out
- Product reviews — let customers leave star ratings
- Subscriptions — charge customers on a recurring basis
- Loyalty programs — reward points and referral schemes
- Advanced product options — let customers personalize products with text or uploads
- Print on demand — automatically print and ship custom products
- Accounting — sync orders with QuickBooks or Xero
- Live chat — add a chat widget to your store
The Shopify App Store
You find apps in the Shopify App Store at apps.shopify.com. You can also browse from inside your Shopify admin under Apps → Visit the Shopify App Store.
Most apps have:
- A description and screenshots
- A star rating and reviews from other merchants
- Clear pricing information
- A list of permissions the app needs
How app pricing works
This is important to understand before you install anything.
Many apps offer a free plan with limited features, and a paid plan for the full feature set. Monthly fees typically range from $5 to $50+ depending on the app.
App costs stack up fast
If you install five apps at $15/month each, that is $75/month on top of your Shopify plan fee. Before installing any app, ask: is this feature worth the ongoing cost? Will I actually use it? Could Shopify's built-in features handle this instead?
Common pricing models:
| Model | How it works |
|---|---|
| Free | No charge, ever. May have feature limits. |
| Free trial + monthly | Try free for 7–14 days, then pay monthly |
| Tiered monthly | Different plans based on features or usage volume |
| Usage-based | Pay based on how many orders, emails, etc. you process |
| One-time | Rare. Pay once and own the app outright. |
How to install an app
Go to the App Store. From your Shopify admin, click Apps then Visit the Shopify App Store.
Search for what you need. For example, type "product reviews" or "email marketing."
Read the listing carefully. Check the reviews, the pricing, and what permissions the app needs.
Click Add app. You will be taken to a permissions screen.
Review the permissions. The app will list what data it can access — orders, customers, products, etc. This is normal, but review it.
Click Install app. The app is now in your store. Most apps take you to a setup screen next.
How to uninstall an app
If you installed an app but no longer need it, uninstall it. Unused apps can slow your store down and some still charge you even after you stop using them.
Go to Apps in your Shopify admin.
Find the app in your installed apps list.
Click the three-dot menu next to the app name, then click Delete or Uninstall.
Confirm. The app is removed from your store.
Cancel your billing separately
Uninstalling an app from Shopify cancels the Shopify billing — but if you also signed up for a separate account directly with the app company (e.g., Klaviyo, Gorgias), you may need to cancel that account separately to stop being charged.
How apps affect your store's speed
Every app adds code to your store. Too many apps — especially ones that load scripts on every page — can slow down your storefront. This affects both customer experience and your Google search ranking.
We recommend auditing your apps every few months. Ask: which of these do I actively use? Which are actually delivering results?
If you are unsure which apps are slowing your store, ask us — we can run a performance audit.
Apps vs built-in Shopify features
Before installing an app, check if Shopify already has the feature built in. Shopify has added many features over the years that once required a paid app:
- Gift cards (built in)
- Discount codes (built in)
- Basic email automations (built in via Shopify Email)
- Basic reports and analytics (built in on paid plans)
- Product bundles (added in recent versions)
Common questions
Related guides
- Using the Shopify theme editor
- Shopify plans & billing
- Troubleshooting Shopify problems
- Understanding orders in Shopify
Need a hand?
Learn more
How to refund an order in Shopify
Step-by-step instructions for issuing full or partial refunds in Shopify, including what happens to inventory and when money reaches the customer.
Using the Shopify theme editor
Learn how to use Shopify's theme editor to customize your store's appearance — what you can change yourself and when to call in a developer.