Quick answer
- Start with free Shopify-made apps: Shopify Email, Shopify Inbox, Shopify Forms, Search & Discovery, Shopify Flow, Shopify Subscriptions.
- Then add: product reviews and email/SMS marketing. These have the biggest impact.
- Avoid: installing apps "just in case". They cost money and speed.
Free apps made by Shopify
| App | What it does |
|---|---|
| Shopify Email | Newsletters and automated emails, with a free monthly allowance |
| Shopify Inbox | Live chat with shoppers on your store |
| Shopify Forms | Email/SMS sign-up forms and pop-ups |
| Search & Discovery | Better search, filters and product recommendations |
| Shopify Flow | No-code automations (tag customers, alert on low stock, etc.) |
| Shopify Subscriptions | Sell subscriptions. See subscription boxes |
| Shopify Bundles | Create fixed bundles and multipacks |
| Translate & Adapt | Translate your store for new markets |
Best Shopify apps by category
Product reviews
Reviews are social proof, and they lift conversion. Popular choices include Judge.me (generous free plan), Loox (photo reviews) and Yotpo. Pick one with a free tier and upgrade later.
Email and SMS marketing
Shopify Email is enough to start. As you grow, Klaviyo is the go-to for advanced segmentation and automated flows such as welcome series, abandoned cart and post-purchase.
Dropshipping and print on demand
DSers (AliExpress), Spocket, Syncee and Shopify Collective connect you to suppliers. Printful and Printify handle custom printed products. See best platform for dropshipping and print on demand.
Subscriptions
Shopify Subscriptions is free and covers the basics. Recharge, Loop, Skio and Appstle add advanced retention features.
SEO and speed
Shopify covers technical SEO basics without apps. Use an SEO app mainly for bulk editing meta tags or structured data. Read our Shopify SEO guide before installing one.
Data import and migration
Matrixify is the power tool for bulk import/export, which is useful when migrating to Shopify.
A lean starter app stack
Search & Discovery + Shopify Inbox
Help shoppers find products and ask questions.
A reviews app
Collect reviews from your first orders automatically.
Shopify Forms + Shopify Email
Capture emails and send a welcome discount.
Only then: a niche app
Upsells, bundles or subscriptions, once you have data showing you need it.
Budget check: five paid apps at $20 each is $100/month, more than the Basic plan itself. Review your apps every quarter. Our Shopify store cost guide has realistic budgets.
Frequently asked questions
How many apps should a new Shopify store have?
As few as possible. Most new stores need 3–6 apps. Each app can add cost and page weight, so add them only to solve a specific problem.
Are Shopify apps free?
Many have free plans, and Shopify makes several free apps itself. Paid apps typically charge monthly, sometimes based on orders or revenue.
Do apps slow down my Shopify store?
Some do, especially ones that add scripts to every page. Uninstall unused apps and remove leftover code to keep your store fast.