What is a Shopify public app and how is it different from a private app?

A Shopify public app is listed on the Shopify App Store and can be installed by any Shopify merchant. It uses OAuth 2.0 for authentication and goes through Shopify's review process before listing. A private app, by contrast, is installed directly on a single store without App Store listing or review. Public apps are ideal for SaaS businesses that want to reach Shopify's 4+ million merchants, while private apps are for custom, store-specific functionality.

What is your Shopify App Store approval rate?

Our first-submission approval rate is 95%. We achieve this by strictly following Shopify's app review guidelines, building with Polaris components for UI compliance, implementing proper OAuth 2.0 flows, handling webhooks correctly (including mandatory GDPR webhooks), meeting performance benchmarks, and ensuring accessibility standards. On the rare occasion an app needs revisions, we address reviewer feedback within 24 hours.

How does the Shopify Billing API work and which pricing models do you support?

The Shopify Billing API allows you to charge merchants directly through Shopify's billing system. We support all billing models: recurring subscriptions (monthly or annual), one-time charges, usage-based billing with capped amounts, and free trial periods. Shopify takes a revenue share (currently 0% for the first $1M in lifetime revenue, then 15%). We implement the full billing lifecycle including plan creation, charge confirmation, plan upgrades/downgrades, cancellation handling, and failed payment recovery.

How long does it take to build and launch a public app?

A simple single-feature public app can be built in 2-3 weeks. A professional multi-feature app typically takes 4-8 weeks. Complex SaaS platforms with advanced features may take 8-16 weeks. After development, Shopify's app review process takes 5-10 business days for new submissions. We prepare your app to pass review on the first attempt, so the total timeline from kickoff to live App Store listing is typically development time plus 1-2 weeks for review.

Do you help with App Store listing optimization and marketing?

Yes. We optimize every aspect of your App Store listing: keyword research for the app title and tagline, compelling feature descriptions, professional screenshots with annotations, demo video production guidance, and proper category selection. We also advise on launch strategy, including how to generate initial reviews, which Shopify partner programs to join, and how to leverage Shopify's Built for Shopify badge requirements.

Can you help us migrate an existing app to the latest Shopify standards?

Absolutely. We regularly help app developers migrate to the latest Shopify requirements including App Bridge 4.0, session token authentication (replacing cookie-based sessions), Polaris component updates, GDPR webhook compliance, and the new Shopify CLI 3.0 development workflow. We also help apps transition from REST API to GraphQL API, which Shopify increasingly favors.

What technology stack do you use for Shopify public apps?

Our standard stack for public apps includes Node.js or Remix with the official Shopify app template, React with Polaris components for the frontend, Prisma with PostgreSQL for multi-tenant data storage, Redis for session management and caching, and deployment on AWS, Vercel, or Fly.io. For apps requiring background job processing, we use BullMQ with Redis. We can also work with other stacks like Python/Django or Ruby on Rails based on your preference.

Public Apps

Shopify Public App Development

We build revenue-generating public apps that get approved on the Shopify App Store on the first submission. From OAuth 2.0 authentication and Billing API integration to App Store listing optimization and Polaris UI compliance, we handle the entire lifecycle of getting your SaaS product in front of millions of Shopify merchants.

Schedule a Call

INR 2000/hr

~$24/hr

200+

Apps Delivered

4.9/5

Client Rating

<2 Weeks

MVP Delivery

Everything You Need to Launch on the App Store

We build public apps that meet every Shopify requirement and are optimized for discoverability, conversion, and long-term revenue growth

App Store Listing Optimization

We craft high-converting app listings with keyword-optimized titles, compelling descriptions, professional screenshots, and demo videos. Our listings are engineered for Shopify App Store search visibility and merchant conversion.

OAuth 2.0 Authentication

Secure, standards-compliant OAuth 2.0 authorization flow with proper scopes, session tokens, and HMAC validation. We implement the complete auth handshake so merchants install your app with confidence and zero friction.

Shopify Billing API

Full integration with Shopify's Billing API for recurring charges, one-time payments, usage-based pricing, and free trials. We handle plan upgrades, downgrades, grace periods, and failed payment recovery automatically.

Polaris UI Compliance

Every interface built with Shopify Polaris design system components ensuring native admin look and feel. We follow Shopify's UX guidelines precisely, which is a key factor in passing the App Store review process.

App Review Preparation

We prepare your app for Shopify's rigorous review process including performance benchmarks, security audit, accessibility checks, and proper webhook handling. Our 95% first-submission approval rate speaks for itself.

Monetization Strategy

We help you choose the right monetization model: freemium, tiered subscriptions, usage-based billing, or one-time charges. We analyze competitor pricing, build plan management UIs, and implement analytics to optimize conversion funnels.

From Idea to App Store Listing

Our battle-tested process for building and launching successful Shopify public apps

Market Research & Scoping

We analyze the Shopify App Store landscape, identify gaps in your target category, study competitor apps, and define a feature set that differentiates your product. You receive a detailed PRD with wireframes and a competitive analysis.

Architecture & OAuth Setup

We set up the app scaffold with OAuth 2.0 authentication, session management, and webhook infrastructure. The architecture is designed for multi-tenant SaaS from day one with proper database isolation and scalability patterns.

Feature Development & Billing Integration

Core feature development with Polaris UI components, Shopify Billing API integration, and subscription plan management. Every sprint delivers a working increment you can test on development stores.

App Store Optimization & Submission

We prepare the complete App Store listing, take professional screenshots, write keyword-optimized copy, create a demo video, and submit for review. We address any reviewer feedback within 24 hours to accelerate approval.

Launch, Monitor & Iterate

Post-approval launch with install analytics, merchant onboarding flows, and performance monitoring. We track install rates, churn metrics, and review sentiment to drive your first feature iterations.

Public App Development Pricing

Transparent pricing to get your app live on the Shopify App Store. All prices in INR with USD equivalents.

Starter

INR 50,000~$600 USD

Simple single-feature public app to validate your idea on the App Store

Single core feature
OAuth 2.0 authentication
Polaris UI components
Basic Billing API (one plan)
App Store listing setup
Development store testing
Source code handover
14-day post-launch support

Get Started

What Our Public App Clients Say

"Edesy built our product reviews app from scratch and got it approved on the Shopify App Store on the first submission. The Billing API integration handles 4 subscription tiers seamlessly, and their App Store listing optimization helped us rank on the first page for our target keyword within 3 months. We now have 2,000+ active installs."

Founder

Product at SaaS Review Platform

"We had tried to build our inventory forecasting app in-house but kept failing Shopify's app review. Edesy rewrote the entire OAuth flow, fixed our webhook handling, rebuilt the UI in Polaris, and got us approved in under two weeks. The app now generates $8K MRR and they continue to maintain it for us."

CTO

Technology at E-Commerce Analytics Startup

"The team understood the Shopify App Store ecosystem inside out. They advised us to switch from a one-time payment model to a freemium strategy with tiered subscriptions, built the entire billing flow, and our conversion from free to paid is now 12%. Their monetization expertise alone was worth the investment."

Product Manager

Product at Shopify App Studio