I’ve spent years working with Shopify stores, and one question keeps coming up: which of Shopify’s own apps are actually worth installing? Today, I’m ranking all the major Shopify-made apps from must-have to skip-it-entirely, based on real store experience and practical value.
Here’s what you’ll discover:
Key Insights Summary
- S-Tier Must-Haves: Shopify Email, Search & Discovery, Flow, and LinkPop deliver exceptional value
- Solid A-Tier: Inbox and Collabs serve most stores well with essential functionality
- Situational B-Tier: Translate & Adapt, Forms, Geolocation, and Customer Privacy fill specific needs
- Avoid D-Tier: Product Reviews app is outdated and lacks modern features
- Most apps are free, making them low-risk experiments for your store
The Complete App Ranking Breakdown
S-Tier: Essential Apps Every Store Needs
Shopify Email
This is Shopify’s answer to Klaviyo, and honestly, it’s impressive. You get 10,000 emails free monthly (automated or manual), then just $1 per 1,000 emails after that.
What it does well:
- Abandoned cart and checkout recovery
- Product browse abandonment (this one’s gold)
- Custom automation workflows
- Basic but effective email design tools
If you’re starting out or want to save money on email marketing, this is your ticket. I wouldn’t recommend switching from Klaviyo if you’re already invested, but for new stores? This gets you making money from email without spending anything initially.
Search & Discovery
Most people don’t even know this app exists, but it’s become essential. It handles three critical functions:
- Product filters - Let customers filter by color, price, size, and stock status
- Search synonyms - Map “pants” to include “trousers” and “shorts” in search results
- Product recommendations - Customize your “you might also like” sections
If you’re using some old third-party filter app, ditch it. This handles everything natively and gives you search analytics, too.
Shopify Flow
Think of this as Zapier built into Shopify. The automation possibilities are endless:
- Hide/show products based on inventory
- Send custom notifications to your team
- Trigger actions across connected apps
- Automate customer tagging and segmentation
It’s incredibly powerful once you understand it. Not everyone needs it immediately, but the functionality is S-tier quality.
Linkpop
This is Shopify’s Linktree competitor, and it’s better than the free Linktree version. You get video embeds, product showcases, and detailed analytics - features that Linktree charges for.
If you’re on social media (which you should be), you need a link-in-bio solution. Why pay for Linktree when this does more for free?
A-Tier: Great Apps Most Stores Should Have
Shopify Inbox
Live chat functionality that integrates directly with your store data. You can:
- View customer order history during chats
- Send product recommendations within conversations
- Manage Instagram DMs, Messenger, and website chat in one place
The integration depth gives it an edge over third-party chat tools. If you don’t have chat functionality yet, install this immediately.
Shopify Collabs
Your influencer management hub. Find creators, organize campaigns, handle payments, and track performance all in one place.
Even if you’re not ready for influencer marketing yet, having this set up makes sense. UGC and influencer content are becoming essential, and this organizes everything nicely.
B-Tier: Useful for Specific Situations
Translate & Adapt
Perfect for multi-market stores. Beyond translation, you can customize content by region (like showing different shipping thresholds for US vs UK customers).
Setup can be confusing initially, but once your Shopify Markets are configured, this works well. Only install if you’re actually selling internationally.
Customer Privacy
Handles GDPR, CCPA, and cookie consent requirements. Not exciting, but legally necessary.
The 2.3-star rating mostly reflects frustrated users dealing with complex privacy laws, not app functionality. You need compliance tools - this does the job for free.
Geolocation
Shows visitors a pop-up suggesting they switch to their regional store version. Works with Translate & Adapt to offer localized experiences.
Again, only valuable if you have multiple markets set up. The poor ratings (2.4 stars) are harsh - it’s a simple pop-up that works as intended.
Shopify Forms
Basic email capture functionality. Very simple, very limited compared to Klaviyo or other pop-up apps.
Use this if you have nothing else installed, but upgrade to something more sophisticated when you can. The persistent corner popup is nice, but customization options are minimal.
C-Tier: Limited Use Cases
Buy Button Channel
Let you embed purchase buttons on external websites and blogs. Functional but niche.
Unless you have specific partnerships or content collaborations planned, most stores won’t use this. It works, but the use cases are limited.
Planet (Carbon Neutral Shipping)
Calculates shipping emissions and lets customers pay to offset them. Great for brand image with environmentally conscious customers.
Whether you “need” this depends entirely on your brand values and customer base. It’s well-executed but optional.
D-Tier: Skip These
Product Reviews
This app feels frozen in 2010. Lacks modern features like photo reviews, UGC integration, and proper management tools.
Even for beginners, I’d recommend a third-party review app. This one needs a complete overhaul to be competitive.
Practical Implementation Tips
Start with the S-tier apps - they provide immediate value regardless of your store size or niche.
For new stores, prioritize:
- Shopify Email (start collecting emails immediately)
- Search & Discovery (better user experience)
- Inbox (customer service foundation)
- LinkPop (social media presence)
For established stores:
- Audit your current app stack against these free alternatives
- Consider switching from paid apps where Shopify’s version meets your needs
- Test Flow for advanced automation opportunities
Quick Implementation Guide
| App | Setup Time | Immediate Value | Learning Curve |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify Email | 30 minutes | High | Low |
| Search & Discovery | 15 minutes | High | Low |
| LinkPop | 10 minutes | Medium | None |
| Inbox | 20 minutes | High | Low |
| Flow | 2+ hours | Variable | High |
Pro tip: Since all these apps are free, you can experiment without risk. Install the S and A-tier apps, test them for a month, then decide which ones add real value to your specific operation.
What’s Next for Your Store
The beauty of Shopify’s native apps is their seamless integration with your store data and other Shopify features. While they might not have every bell and whistle of specialized third-party apps, they often provide 80% of the functionality at 0% of the cost.
Start with the must-haves (Shopify Email and Search & Discovery), then work your way through the A-tier apps based on your immediate needs. Your store - and your budget - will thank you.
FAQ
Q: Should I replace my existing apps with these Shopify alternatives?
Only if the Shopify version meets your current needs. Don’t downgrade functionality just to save money, but do test these alternatives - you might be surprised by what they can do.
Q: Why do some of these apps have poor ratings despite being functional?
Most poor ratings stem from user confusion about setup or unrealistic expectations, not actual app failures. The apps work as intended, but the documentation could be better.
Q: Can I use multiple email apps simultaneously?
Not recommended. Pick either Shopify Email or your current solution (like Klaviyo) and stick with it to avoid conflicts and duplicate emails.
Q: Are these apps really completely free?
Yes, though some have usage limits (like Shopify Email’s 10,000 monthly emails). The limits are generous for most stores, and paid tiers are competitively priced.
Q: Which app should I install first if I’m just starting out?
Shopify Email. Building your email list from day one is crucial, and this app makes it effortless while providing immediate automation capabilities.