Shopify app development cost – what to expect

Written on April 17, 2024. Posted in Shopify.

If store owners need/want a Shopify app, one of the first questions they will ask is: “How much does Shopify app development cost?” It’s important to get an answer to this question because the cost can significantly impact each brand budget and strategy.

Shopify mobile app or Shopify app?

Shopify apps can be broadly categorized into two main types: mobile apps for selling products and apps – plugins (or extensions) for online stores. Each serves distinct purposes and operates differently within the Shopify ecosystem.

Shopify mobile apps

Shopify mobile apps are applications designed for shopping online through mobile devices. These apps allow both merchants and customers to interact with a unique Shopify store via mobile devices.

For merchants, mobile apps can provide a portable management system to oversee operations such as order processing, inventory management, and customer service, all from their mobile devices. For customers, these apps enhance the shopping experience by offering a mobile-optimized interface where they can browse products, make purchases, and track orders.

Shopify plugins (extensions)

Shopify plugins, often referred to as extensions or apps within the Shopify environment, are designed to extend the functionality of an online store. These plugins are integrated into a Shopify store’s dashboard and can add specific features or automate various tasks.

Shopify’s App Store features a wide range of plugins covering different functionalities, including SEO enhancements, accounting integrations, marketing tools, and customer support features and merchants could buy an app from the App Store. But, if they need an app developed exactly for their needs, it can be developed on demand.

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What can Shopify apps be used for?

Shopify apps can help you do all sorts of things with your online store.

You can use them to manage your inventory by tracking how much stock you have and when to restock. They also make marketing activities easier, like sending out emails to customers or setting up reminders for abandoned carts.

If you want to offer better customer service, there are apps for live chat, loyalty programs, and even personalized recommendations. Shopify apps also simplify shipping and payments, letting you offer more options for checkout and automatically handling things like shipping labels and order tracking.

Basically, Shopify apps are tools to help you run your store more smoothly! And depending on what you need, you can make your own Shopify app to fit your needs the best.

Factors influencing (any) Shopify app development cost

Complexity. The more complex your app, the higher the Shopify app development cost. If your app includes advanced features with higher customization, be prepared for higher costs. Simple apps with basic functionality will naturally be less expensive.

Developer expertise and location. Your developer’s experience level and geographical location can also affect the cost of Shopify app development. Experienced developers may charge more, but their expertise can lead to a more stable and efficient app, potentially saving you money in the long run. Developers in countries with lower living costs may offer more competitive rates.

Integration needs. If your app needs to integrate with other systems, this can add to its complexity and cost. Each integration can require additional development and testing time, which adds up.

Maintenance and support. Developing the app is just the beginning. Maintaining it, updating it to keep up with new Shopify API changes, and providing support to users will run up ongoing costs. These should be factored into the overall Shopify app development cost.

Factors influencing Shopify app development cost: complexity, developer expertise and location, integration needs and maintenance and support needs, all listed with paired symbol.

Shopify app development cost – mobile app

Shopify mobile apps are designed to improve the mobile shopping experience, increase sales, or provide merchants with mobile management capabilities. Mobile app for Shopify store is like transforming that online store into a mobile app that could be installed from app stores. Developing a mobile app involves several stages, including design, development, testing, and deployment, each adding up to the overall cost.

Design and User Experience (UX). Good design means it’s intuitive and engaging enough to result with a high conversion rate. Custom designs can be expensive, especially if you want a unique look or advanced features like animations or interactive elements.

Development. The complexity of the app determines the development time and resources needed. Features like real-time synchronization with the Shopify store, push notifications, and native hardware features (camera, GPS, etc.) can increase development costs.

Maintenance and updates. Mobile apps require regular updates to fix bugs, address OS updates, and add new features. This ongoing maintenance can be a significant part of the budget. Also, for publishing the app to both Google Play Store and App Store requires developer accounts.

Shopify mobile app – estimated costs

Simple apps can start from around $20,000 to $50,000.

More complex apps with multiple features and custom design elements can cost $50,000 or more, depending on the specifics.

Shopify app development cost – store plugins

Shopify plugins enhance or add new functionalities to online stores. These can range from simple features like custom checkout fields to complex inventory management systems.

Complexity of features. Simple plugins that perform straightforward tasks (like adding a banner or a basic form) are cheaper to develop than complex systems (like advanced shipping calculators or dynamic pricing models).

Integration with other systems. Plugins that require integration with external systems (such as third-party APIs for payment gateways or CRM systems) will be more expensive due to the additional complexity.

Compliance and security. Ensuring that the plugin complies with Shopify’s standards and security requirements can add to the development time and cost. From our experience, there are special requirements and testing from their side, so this is why apps are not that cheap.

Shopify app plugin – estimated costs

Basic plugins might cost between $5,000 to $10,000.

More advanced plugins that require extensive custom development and integration can easily exceed $15,000 to $30,000.

How to manage total Shopify app development cost and sleep peacefully?

When developing a Shopify app, it’s important to plan thoroughly if you’d like to avoid the headache. Start with defining all your requirements clearly to avoid costly changes later, so – think about your future plans as well. What influences total cost is choosing the right developer – experienced developers charge more but save money in the long run by working efficiently and minimizing errors.

While the costs provided here are general estimates, we offer specialized services in developing all kind of Shopify apps. We love to meet the needs of our clients with keeping cost-effectiveness in mind!