From marketing to fulfillment, developers have created thousands of apps to facilitate every aspect of online business management via Shopify’s platform.
With over 11,000 apps and billions in collective developer earnings, it is a driving force behind Shopify’s current growth and future growth projections.
Total Number of Apps: The Shopify App Store hosts over 11,905 apps, making it one of the largest eCommerce ecosystems globally.
Top Apps on Shopify: According to Store Leads, Shopify Inbox is the most used app installed on over 388,042 stores followed by Judge.me and others.
Merchant Dependency on Apps: Approximately 87% of Shopify merchants use apps to enhance their eCommerce operations.
Revenue for Developers: Shopify app developers have collectively earned over $1.5 billion since the App Store’s inception, with top developers earning up to $167,000 annually.
Average Number of Apps Installed per Merchant: On average, merchants install six apps to optimize their stores, with some using as many as 30 apps.
Impact on Conversion Rates: Using apps like 3D product images can increase Shopify conversion rates by up to 250%.
What makes the Shopify App Store so reliable is its constant growth and adaptability. While the number of apps surged by over 50% in 2023, Shopify also tightened its quality standards, leading to a slight drop in app count by 2024.
But this wasn’t a bad thing—it just meant merchants had access to better, more reliable apps. From small businesses to big-name brands, Shopify merchants use these apps to grow their sales and improve their customer experience.
The Shopify App Store contained over 13,000 apps, making it one of the largest eCommerce app ecosystems. However, as of the Nov 14, 2024 there are 11,905 apps on the Shopify app store with 257 added in the last 30 days.
Merchants can find tools to address nearly every business need, ranging from marketing automation to inventory management. The size and diversity of the app ecosystem reflect Shopify’s commitment to innovation and scalability.
Apps Growth Trends
Source: App Navigator
The App Store has seen remarkable growth over the years:
| Year | Number of Apps | Growth Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,649 | – |
| 2022 | 7,014 | +24.17% |
| 2023 | 10,557 | +50.48% |
| 2024 | 9,701 | -8.15% |
| 2024 (Fourth Quarter) | 11,905 | +22.7% |
Shopify apps, “Privy ‑ Pop Ups, Email, & SMS” tops the list as the most popular app in 2024, based on the number of reviews.
It’s not just about popularity—these apps play a critical role in helping merchants boost sales and enhance customer engagement.
Here’s a breakdown of the top Shopify apps by review count and average rating:
| App Name | Developer | Total Reviews | Average Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Privy ‑ Pop Ups, Email, & SMS | Privy Operations | 24,818 | 4.6 |
| Judge.me Product Reviews | Judge.me | 21,277 | 5.0 |
| DSers‑AliExpress Dropshipping | DSers | 21,215 | 5.0 |
| Loox Product Reviews & Photos | Loox | 15,595 | 4.9 |
| Ali Reviews ‑ Product Reviews | FireApps | 13,902 | 4.9 |
| Hextom: Free Shipping Bar | Hextom | 11,268 | 4.9 |
| TikTok | TikTok | 9,924 | 4.8 |
| PageFly Landing Page Builder | PageFly | 9,045 | 4.9 |
| BEST Currency Converter | Grizzly Apps SRL | 9,018 | 4.7 |
| Hextom: Ultimate Sales Boost | Hextom | 8,563 | 4.8 |
Interestingly, product review apps dominate the top 10, with four of them making the list. This highlights how crucial social proof and customer feedback are to Shopify merchants.
From product reviews to marketing automation, these apps offer invaluable tools to help online stores drive customer trust.
Shopify apps come in a variety of pricing options, including free and paid plans, with many offering tiered pricing to suit different needs. Merchants can choose from a wide range of apps, depending on their budget and requirements.
Interestingly, apps with free plans or trials tend to gain more popularity. While the correlation is weak, it still suggests that offering a free option increases an app’s likelihood of being widely adopted by Shopify users.
The Shopify App Store is valuable for merchant success. Let’s look at some of the most impactful statistics.
Shopify apps are essential for merchants to thrive in today’s competitive landscape:
The App Store is not just a tool for merchants but also a lucrative platform for developers:
The leading app categories include:
These categories host numerous apps designed to boost merchant performance.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Marketing Apps | Essential for customer acquisition and retention |
| Fulfillment Apps | 1,026+ apps for logistics and shipping |
| Design & Customization | Enables unique storefront experiences |
Marketing apps are among the most popular categories, helping merchants attract and retain customers.
These apps include tools for email campaigns, SMS marketing, and social media integration. They are indispensable for scaling an online business.
Logistics and shipping are critical for eCommerce success.
The App Store offers over 1,026 apps dedicated to fulfillment, simplifying complex processes such as order tracking and global shipping. Merchants can use these apps to ensure timely and efficient deliveries.
Apps in this category enable merchants to create aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly stores. From drag-and-drop builders to advanced customization tools, these apps ensure that merchants can deliver a seamless shopping experience.
Developers have reaped significant financial rewards from the App Store:
Interestingly, 82.4% of developers focus on a single app. This focus often leads to high-quality apps with robust support and regular updates, as developers specialize in solving specific merchant challenges.
Despite the opportunities, developers face challenges such as fulfilling Shopify’s overly complicated quality guidelines, standing out in a crowded marketplace, and responding quickly to user feedback.
Apps are important in driving revenue for merchants. For example:
Some apps have become indispensable for Shopify merchants:
Studies show a clear link between app usage and higher revenue. Merchants using multiple apps tend to see significant improvements in operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and overall sales.
Shopify’s introduction of AI-powered tools like Shopify Magic and Sidekick exemplifies this trend. These tools assist merchants in generating product descriptions and managing tasks efficiently. The adoption of AI is expected to boost merchant productivity and improve customer engagement.
The Shopify App Store has grown substantially, offering over 11,000 apps developed by more than 7,000 vendors. This expansion provides merchants with diverse tools to enhance their stores. The average merchant utilizes six apps, indicating a robust engagement with the app ecosystem.
Mobile commerce continues to rise, with mobile devices accounting for a significant portion of Shopify transactions. This trend underscores the importance of mobile-optimized apps and responsive designs to cater to the growing number of mobile shoppers.
Consumers are increasingly prioritizing sustainability, influencing merchants to adopt eco-friendly practices. Shopify’s Planet App, used by over 7,000 merchants, enables businesses to offset their carbon emissions, aligning with consumer preferences for sustainable shopping options.
Providing a seamless and personalized customer experience is crucial. Apps that offer features like 3D product imagery can increase conversion rates by up to 250%, which highlights the impact of advanced visual tools on sales performance.
Shopify’s presence in over 175 countries reflects its global reach. Merchants are using apps to manage international sales, currency conversions, and localized marketing strategies, facilitating smoother entry into new markets.
There’s a growing trend toward subscription-based services, with apps enabling merchants to offer subscription options that will bring customer loyalty for generating recurring revenue streams.
With increasing concerns over data security, apps focusing on compliance with regulations like GDPR are gaining traction, making sure that merchants can protect customer data and maintain trust.
The Shopify App Store feels like a reflection of how eCommerce itself has evolved—fast-paced, dynamic, and all about solving problems.
What makes it stand out isn’t just the sheer number of apps or the millions of dollars developers make; it’s how deeply these tools impact the way merchants operate and grow. Apps aren’t just extras—they’re the backbone of customization, efficiency, and scalability for Shopify stores.
