7 Best Shopify Apps for Your Store

The Shopify App Store has thousands of apps, and it is easy to install a dozen in the first week. A better approach is to pick one app for each real job. Here are the seven jobs most stores need covered.

1. Email and SMS marketing

Shopify Messaging (formerly Shopify Email): free allowance of emails each month, built into the admin, good for new stores.
Klaviyo: powerful segmentation and flows for growing stores.
Omnisend and Mailchimp are other common choices.

Compare in the best email marketing app for Shopify.

2. Product reviews

Reviews increase trust and conversion. Popular apps include Judge.me, Yotpo, Loox (photo reviews) and Okendo. Shopify retired its own Product Reviews app, so a third-party app is now the norm. See how to import reviews into Shopify.

3. Search and discovery

Shopify Search & Discovery is free and lets you set filters, synonyms, boosts and product recommendations. Larger catalogues may use Searchanise, Boost or similar.

4. Upsells and bundles

Increase average order value with post-purchase upsells, "frequently bought together" offers and bundles. Shopify has a free Shopify Bundles app; see the best bundle apps and the best upsell apps.

5. Subscriptions

For consumables, subscriptions build recurring revenue. Shopify Subscriptions is free; Recharge, Skio, Loop and others offer more features.

6. Shipping and returns

Shopify Shipping handles labels in supported countries. Apps like ShipStation help multi-channel stores, and return apps like Loop or AfterShip Returns streamline exchanges. See Shopify shipping apps.

7. Customer support and chat

Shopify Inbox is free for chat. Help desks like Gorgias and Zendesk suit higher volumes.

How to choose any app

Define the problem you are solving.
Read recent reviews, especially negative ones.
Check pricing tiers against your order volume.
Test speed before and after.
Check uninstall behaviour: some apps leave code behind.

Apps you probably don't need yet

New stores often install apps that add complexity before they add value:

Countdown timers and fake stock counters: can damage trust and may mislead customers.
Multiple pop-up apps at once, which annoy visitors.
Heavy page builders when your theme's sections are enough.
Currency converters if you only sell in one country (Shopify Markets handles multi-currency natively when you need it).
Social proof pop-ups showing "someone just bought" before you have real volume.

An app audit routine

Every quarter:

List installed apps and their monthly cost.
Note what each one does and whether you used it.
Check site speed with and without heavy apps.
Uninstall what you do not need and remove leftover code (check the theme files or ask the developer).
Look for overlap: two apps doing the same job.

Free Shopify apps worth knowing

Shopify Messaging (email marketing), Shopify Forms (sign-ups), Shopify Inbox (chat), Search & Discovery (filters and recommendations), Shopify Bundles, Shopify Subscriptions and Digital Downloads cover many essentials before you pay for anything.

Start lean

A new store can run well with Shopify's free apps plus a reviews app. Add tools as specific problems appear. Read is it worth hiring a Shopify expert if setup becomes overwhelming.

Frequently asked questions

How many apps should a Shopify store have?

As few as possible. Each app can add scripts, cost and complexity. Install apps to solve specific problems and remove ones you no longer use.

Do apps slow down Shopify stores?

Some do, especially those that add scripts to every page. Test store speed before and after installing an app.

Are free Shopify apps good enough?

Often, for new stores. Shopify's own free apps like Shopify Messaging, Search & Discovery, Inbox and Forms cover many basics.

Sources and further reading

Platform features, prices and policies change. Check the official help pages linked above before you act on a detail that matters to your store.

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