Stores & marketplaces

Shopify App Store

Merchants search here for solutions. The review process is strict.

Visit apps.shopify.com
Cost
Free

Could not confirm listing or paid-app fees from Shopify's pages. Check current app developer terms before you charge for an app.

Verdict
slow burn

Slow burn: merchants search here, and the review is strict.

Difficulty
Hard

Gatekept or reviewed, or needs an existing audience or reviews first.

Effort
High

About 10 or more hours a month, mostly during launches or a regular posting habit.

First result
1 to 3 months (review)

A rough range for one person working on it part-time.

Payoff
Compounds

keeps growing while you keep at it.

Best for

Tools for Shopify merchants.

Not for

Products for sellers who do not use Shopify.

Pros

  • Merchants search for solutions here
  • Buyers pay for apps

Cons

  • Strict review
  • Fees could not be confirmed; check terms

The full guide

Last verified 2026-10-30

Links checked 2026-10-30 · All links answer

01What it is and who is there

The Shopify App Store is where Shopify merchants find apps to add features to their stores, such as reviews, upsells, shipping or analytics. Merchants search by problem and compare ratings. Shopify reviews apps before listing, and its requirements are strict. Merchants pay for apps that make them money.

02Cost and what you actually pay for

The Shopify help page checked for this entry did not state listing fees or a revenue share. Shopify's partner and app developer terms cover fees for paid apps; check them before you set pricing.

03Is it right for you?

It fits tools for e-commerce merchants on Shopify. It fits poorly for sellers on other platforms, and for products with no Shopify integration. Expect real build and review effort.

04Before you start

  • A Shopify Partner account and a development store.
  • Read Shopify's app requirements and app store review guidelines.
  • An app built with Shopify's APIs, with a clear install and onboarding flow.
  • Listing assets: icon, screenshots, demo video, description, pricing.

05Step-by-step: how to distribute here

  1. Build the app and test it in a development store.
  2. Check it against Shopify's current requirements.
  3. Submit for review and fix what the review flags.
  4. Write a listing that names the merchant's problem and the result.
  5. Ask early merchants for honest reviews through the normal review flow.
  6. Answer support quickly; ratings matter in the store.

06What to post or submit

App name and tagline:

[Product]: [result for merchants], e.g. "[Product]: Recover abandoned carts by SMS"

Description:

[Product] helps Shopify stores [result]. Setup takes [time]. Works with [themes/apps]. Pricing: [plans, as in your listing].

07Common mistakes and do-nots

  • Do not offer incentives for reviews in ways Shopify forbids.
  • Do not submit before testing install and uninstall.
  • Do not overpromise revenue results.

08How to measure it

  • Track installs, uninstalls and listing views in the Partner dashboard.
  • Track paid conversions.
  • A realistic test: two to three months after approval.

09Time budget

  • Before: 40 or more hours to build and pass review.
  • Ongoing: 5 to 10 hours a month on support and updates.

10Pair it with

11Sources

Sources