The Shopify App Store offers thousands of apps promising to boost conversions, automate operations, and enhance customer experience. While this ecosystem is one of Shopify’s biggest strengths, it can also be a risk—installing the wrong app can slow down your store, introduce security issues, or create long-term technical debt.
Before clicking “Add app”, it’s essential to evaluate whether an app is truly right for your business. In this guide, we break down the key factors every merchant should consider when evaluating a public Shopify app.
1. Clearly Define the Problem You’re Solving
Before evaluating any app, start with your business objective.
Ask yourself:
- What specific problem am I trying to solve?
- Is this a short-term workaround or a long-term solution?
- Could Shopify’s native features already handle this?
Many merchants install apps reactively—leading to overlapping functionality, bloated code, and higher monthly costs. A well-defined use case helps you avoid unnecessary installs and keeps your tech stack lean.
2. Review App Ratings and Feedback Trends
Star ratings matter—but context matters more.
When reviewing ratings:
- Look for consistent feedback patterns, not just the average score
- Read recent reviews to see if issues are ongoing or resolved
- Pay attention to comments about performance, bugs, and support quality
Red flags include:
- Repeated complaints about slow site speed
- Frequent breaking changes after updates
- Poor or unresponsive support
Pro tip: A 4.5-star app with detailed, thoughtful reviews is often safer than a 5-star app with very few ratings.
3. Evaluate App Performance and Speed Impact
Apps can significantly affect your storefront performance, especially those that inject scripts into your theme.
Key things to consider:
- Does the app load scripts on every page or only where needed?
- Does it rely heavily on front-end JavaScript?
- Does the app offer performance optimization options?
Slow apps can hurt:
- Page load speed
- SEO rankings
- Conversion rates
If speed is critical (and it usually is), test the app in a staging or duplicate theme before rolling it out live.
4. Check Data Access and Permissions
Every Shopify app requires certain permissions—but not all permissions are justified.
Before installing, review:
- What customer data the app can access
- Whether it requires write access when read-only would suffice
- If it touches sensitive areas like orders, payments, or customer accounts
If an app asks for more access than its function requires, that’s a red flag. From a security and compliance standpoint, minimal access is always best.
5. Assess Compatibility With Your Tech Stack
Not all apps play nicely together.
Make sure the app:
- Is compatible with your Shopify theme (especially custom themes)
- Works alongside your existing apps without conflicts
- Supports Shopify Plus features if you’re on Plus (e.g., Scripts, Functions, Flow)
If you rely on tools like Klaviyo, ERP systems, or headless setups, confirm integrations upfront. Poor compatibility often leads to workarounds, custom code, or app removal later.
6. Understand Pricing and Hidden Costs
Many apps advertise low entry pricing—but costs can scale quickly.
Review:
- Usage-based pricing (orders, impressions, contacts)
- Feature gating at higher tiers
- Additional fees for premium support or advanced features
Also consider indirect costs, such as:
- Developer time to customize or fix conflicts
- Performance optimization work
- Long-term reliance on the app vendor
An app that’s cheap upfront but expensive to maintain may not be worth it.
7. Evaluate Support and Ongoing Maintenance
Strong support is critical—especially for apps tied to revenue or operations.
Look for:
- Fast response times mentioned in reviews
- Clear documentation and setup guides
- Evidence of regular updates and improvements
Apps that aren’t actively maintained may break with Shopify updates or become security risks over time. A well-supported app is far more reliable than a “set it and forget it” solution.
8. Consider Build vs. Buy
Finally, ask whether a public app is the best solution at all.
In some cases:
- A lightweight custom solution is more efficient
- Shopify’s native features can replace multiple apps
- A private or custom app offers better scalability and control
For growing brands, especially on Shopify Plus, reducing app dependency can improve performance, flexibility, and long-term ROI.
Final Thoughts
Installing a Shopify app is easy—but uninstalling the wrong one after it’s embedded in your store can be costly.
By carefully evaluating:
- Business fit
- Performance impact
- Security and permissions
- Compatibility and support
you can build a cleaner, faster, and more scalable Shopify ecosystem.
If you’re unsure whether a public app is right for your store—or want help auditing your current app stack—working with an experienced Shopify agency can save time, money, and technical headaches.
