Custom Shopify App Development
Build the exact functionality your business needs. No compromises. No workarounds. No monthly app fees.
When existing Shopify apps don't solve your problem—or cost $500/month for features you barely use—a custom app might be your answer. We build private apps for your store's unique workflows and public apps for the Shopify App Store.
✓ Trusted by brands tired of app subscriptions and limitations
Should You Build a Custom Shopify App?
Custom apps aren't always the answer. Here's when they make sense.
You Should Build a Custom App If:
You're Spending $500+/Month on Apps
If you're paying multiple apps for overlapping features or paying for features you don't use, a custom app can pay for itself in 18-24 months.
Existing Apps Don't Solve Your Problem
You've tested 10+ apps and none do what you need. You're forced to use workarounds or manual processes that waste hours every week.
You Need Complex Integrations
Connect Shopify to your ERP, WMS, custom CRM, or proprietary systems. Existing integration apps are too rigid or don't support your specific workflow.
Your Business Logic Is Unique
Custom pricing rules, complex inventory allocation, specialized fulfillment workflows, unique customer segmentation—logic that no generic app can handle.
You Want to Own the Code
No more worrying about apps shutting down, raising prices, or changing features. You own the codebase and control your destiny.
You Hit App Limitations
Performance bottlenecks, feature restrictions, or apps breaking with theme updates. Custom apps give you complete control.
You Should Use Existing Apps If:
- Commodity functionality (email marketing, reviews, live chat)
- You need features quickly (custom apps take 2-4 months)
- Your budget is under $15K
- The app ecosystem has mature, reliable solutions
- You don't have technical resources for maintenance
Custom App Categories
Integration Apps
Connect Shopify to Your Business Systems
- ERP Integration (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics)
- WMS Integration & fulfillment automation
- Accounting Software (QuickBooks, Xero, Sage)
- CRM Integration (Salesforce, HubSpot)
- POS Systems & 3PL/Fulfillment centers
Built a WMS integration for a D2C beauty brand managing 800+ SKUs across 3 warehouses with real-time stock sync. Eliminated 15 hours/week of manual order entry.
Workflow Automation Apps
Automate Repetitive Tasks and Complex Business Logic
- Order Processing & automated fraud checks
- Inventory Management & multi-warehouse allocation
- Customer Management & automated segmentation
- Pricing Automation & dynamic discounts
- Product Management & bulk updates
Built an automated B2B pricing app for a distributor with customer-specific pricing, volume tiers, and contract-based discounts. Handles 200+ customers with unique pricing.
Customer Experience Apps
Unique Frontend Features and Interactions
- Product Configurators with real-time pricing
- Advanced Search and AI-powered recommendations
- Pre-Order Management & deposits
- Custom Subscription Logic
- Personalization based on custom logic
Built a 3D furniture configurator allowing customers to customize fabric, wood finish, and dimensions with real-time pricing. Increased AOV by 41%.
Analytics & Reporting Apps
Business Intelligence Custom to Your Needs
- Custom Dashboards for your KPIs
- Advanced Reporting & cohort analysis
- Data Export & automated pipelines
- Profit Analysis including COGS and returns
- Multi-store analytics
Built a profit dashboard for an 8-brand D2C portfolio showing real-time profit by brand, product, channel, and customer segment. Replaced 3 apps costing $1,200/month.
Public Apps for App Store
Build Apps for Other Shopify Merchants
- Complete app development from concept to listing
- Monetization strategy and pricing model design
- App Store optimization for discoverability
- Ongoing maintenance and feature development
- Customer support infrastructure setup
- Marketing and growth strategy
Built our own AI product recommendations app (Solid AI Related Products) generating automatic product matches. Now serving 100+ stores.
How We Build Your Custom App
Phase 1: Discovery & Requirements
(1-2 weeks)- Deep dive into your business process and pain points
- Document current workarounds and manual workflows
- Define success criteria and KPIs
- Map data flow and integrations needed
- Identify edge cases and error scenarios
- Assess Shopify API capabilities and limitations
Deliverable: Functional specification document, project timeline, fixed-price quote
Phase 2: Design & Architecture
(1-2 weeks)- Database schema design
- API integration design and authentication planning
- Performance and scaling considerations
- User interface mockups (if applicable)
- Error handling and logging strategy
Deliverable: Technical architecture document, UI mockups, data models
Phase 3: Development
(6-10 weeks)- App infrastructure setup and OAuth implementation
- Shopify API integration and business logic
- Third-party integrations and background jobs
- Admin interface and configuration screens
- Testing, edge case handling, and security audit
Deliverable: Fully functional app
Phase 4: Testing & Launch
(2-3 weeks)- Install on staging store and test workflows
- Performance testing under load
- User acceptance testing with your team
- Production setup and team training
- Launch monitoring and immediate support
Deliverable: Live app, complete documentation, team training
Phase 5: Ongoing Support
(Optional)- Bug fixes and updates as needed
- Shopify API compatibility maintenance
- Feature enhancements and improvements
- Performance monitoring and optimization
Deliverable: Monthly maintenance retainers available
Custom App Pricing
Pricing varies significantly based on complexity. Here's transparent pricing based on app types.
Simple Private App
Timeline: 2-3 months
Inventory sync, order tagging, product import/export
- Single integration (e.g., ERP sync)
- Basic admin interface
- Automated data sync
- Simple business logic
- Error handling and logging
- Documentation
Medium Complexity App
Timeline: 3-4 months
B2B portal, multi-warehouse management, product configurator
- Multiple integrations
- Complex business logic
- Custom admin dashboards
- Real-time processing
- Advanced error handling
- Customer-facing components
Complex Enterprise App
Timeline: 4-6 months
Full ERP integration, multi-store platform, AI recommendation engine
- Multi-system integrations
- Complex data transformations
- Advanced admin interface
- High-performance requirements
- Extensive testing and QA
- White-glove development
Public App Store
Timeline: 3-6 months
Public apps for Shopify App Store marketplace
- Complete app development
- App Store listing optimization
- Billing integration
- Admin UI with Polaris
- Customer onboarding flow
- Documentation & help center
Ongoing Maintenance
Essential: $1,000/month
- Bug fixes and updates
- Shopify API compatibility
- Performance monitoring
Standard: $2,000/month
- Everything in Essential
- Minor feature additions (5 hrs/mo)
- Quarterly reviews
Premium: $4,000/month
- Everything in Standard
- Feature development (10 hrs/mo)
- Priority support SLA
What's Included in All Packages
Real Results: Furniture Retailer Custom App
A made-to-order furniture brand was spending $900/month on 4 different apps but still needed 8+ hours of manual work weekly.
The Challenge
- Multiple apps with overlapping features ($900/month)
- Manual order processing for custom furniture (8+ hours weekly)
- Complex pricing based on materials and dimensions
- No way to track production status
- Orders getting stuck between apps
- Apps breaking with theme updates
The Solution
- Single custom app with furniture configurator
- Automatic pricing based on materials and labor
- Integration with manufacturing system
- Production tracking through stages
- Automated customer updates
ROI: App paid for itself in 8 months
Total annual benefit: $25,800 in savings + increased revenue from higher AOV and better customer experience
"We should have built this 2 years ago. The app subscriptions were bleeding us dry, and we still had manual work. Now everything's automated."
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to build a custom app?
Simple apps: 2-3 months. Medium complexity: 3-4 months. Complex apps: 4-6 months. Timeline depends on scope, integrations, and your responsiveness during the project.
Do I own the code?
Yes, completely. You receive all source code, documentation, and deployment instructions. You can host it yourself, hire another developer to maintain it, or work with us ongoing.
What if the app breaks?
We include 30 days post-launch support for bug fixes. After that, you can hire us on retainer ($1-4K/month) or handle maintenance yourself. We document everything clearly.
Can you maintain apps built by other developers?
Often yes, if the code is well-documented. We'll review the codebase first to assess if we can work with it effectively.
How much does hosting cost?
Typically $200-500/month depending on traffic and database usage. We can deploy to Vercel, Railway, AWS, or your preferred platform.
What happens if Shopify changes their API?
Shopify API changes are rare and usually backward-compatible. If breaking changes occur, we can update your app. This is why many clients opt for maintenance retainers.
Can you integrate with any third-party system?
If it has an API, we can integrate with it. If no API exists, we can often scrape data or find workarounds, though this is less reliable.
Do you sign NDAs?
Yes, we're happy to sign mutual NDAs before discussing your specific business logic and requirements.
What if we want to add features later?
Easy. We can add features on a project basis or through ongoing retainer. Clean code means features are addable without rebuilding from scratch.
Can you help us decide between custom vs. existing apps?
Absolutely. We'll honestly tell you if existing apps are a better solution. We've turned down projects where apps made more sense.
Ready to Build Your Custom App?
Custom apps are significant investments. Let's make sure it's the right solution for your business.
✓ No obligation. Honest advice. • ✓ Response within 24 hours