Different Types of Shopify App: Public, Custom & Unlisted Apps
By Sam Nguyen
In this blog post, we delve into all types of Shopify apps, exploring the difference between them and how they can tailor your e-commerce operations to fit your specific needs.
- Public apps for all store owners through the Shopify App Store. It comes in two forms: Listed and Unlisted.
- Private apps for a specific Shopify store and not listed on Shopify App Store, such as Custom CRM Integration App.
- Custom apps for specific needs that aren’t met by public apps and can be used by multiple stores, such as Custom Multi-carrier Shipping App
- Draft apps for testing purposes, used by Shopify Partners during development
How Shopify Categorizes their Apps
Shopify organizes its App Store into four main categories:
- Public Apps are broad solutions available to all users.
- Private Apps offer customized functionality for specific stores.
- Custom Apps fill niche demands across multiple stores.
- Draft Apps are in the development stage, perfect for refining features before a full release.
By understanding these classifications, you can easily navigate Shopify’s app ecosystem, finding or creating the perfect set of tools to streamline your e-commerce operations and enhance your store’s overall performance.
Different Types of Shopify App
Public apps
What it is
The public app is another term for App Store apps. They are designed with general use cases in mind, enabling widespread usage across different types of stores.
There are two types of public apps – listed and unlisted. Unlisted apps do not appear in search results or categories and can be installed from the app’s listing or the developer’s website. Both types must pass Shopify’s app review process and can be installed from the Shopify App Store.
How does it work?
Public apps work by integrating directly with the Shopify platform via Shopify’s API. Once a merchant installs a public app, it extends the native functionality of their Shopify store, offering additional features such as SEO enhancement, email marketing, or inventory management.
Benefits of this app type
The benefits of public apps are plentiful. They offer a quick and simple way to enhance the functionality of your Shopify store without requiring technical expertise. They are regularly updated and improved based on feedback from a large user base, ensuring a mature, user-friendly, and refined solution that keeps up with evolving e-commerce trends.
Custom apps
What it is
Custom apps are bespoke applications specifically created for individual Shopify stores. These apps aren’t available on the public Shopify App Store as they are tailor-made for unique requirements. A trusted external developer or the store owner can create and install a custom app using an installation link.
How does it work?
Custom apps are developed with Shopify’s API to offer bespoke functionalities that aren’t provided by public apps. Each app is designed and installed to work differently in each store, offering tailor-made features based on store-specific requirements.
Benefits of this app type
Custom apps provide the benefits of scalability and adaptability. They offer the flexibility of private apps but can be used across multiple stores, allowing a business to scale its operations while maintaining consistency. As your business grows and evolves, custom apps can be tweaked or expanded to match these changes.
Draft apps
What it is
Draft apps serve as a development tool exclusive to Shopify Partners, designed for testing exclusively on development stores. Once a draft app is installed on a development store, it permanently inhibits the transferability of the store.
How does it work?
Developers create draft apps to test new features or functionalities. They serve as a staging environment for refining and perfecting features before launching them for wider use. They utilize the Shopify API to create and test functionalities in a safe, controlled environment.
Benefits of this app type
Draft apps offer the invaluable advantage of iterative development and testing. By testing in a safe environment, developers can ensure the app’s functionality and user experience are polished, reliable, and optimized before being launched for wider use. This reduces the risk of post-launch issues and ensures a smoother integration with the Shopify store.
Shopify App Types: FAQs
Final Words
Understanding the different Shopify app types – Public, Private, Custom, and Draft apps – can be integral for tailoring your e-commerce experience. Leveraging the correct blend of these apps can significantly enhance your store’s functionality, streamline your operations, and propel your business growth, making your Shopify journey an exciting and rewarding venture.
