Dec 21, 2021
When to Build a Custom Shopify App vs Use an Existing One
The Shopify app store contains over 6,000 apps (and counting...)
For almost any standard ecommerce requirement, there is an existing app that addresses it.
Building something custom when a well-maintained app already exists is almost always the wrong decision — almost always.
The Default Position: Use an Existing App
The strongest argument for using an existing app is ongoing maintenance. An app built by a dedicated developer with a commercial stake in keeping it running will receive Shopify API updates, security patches, and bug fixes as a matter of course.
A custom app built for your specific store is entirely your responsibility to maintain — and Shopify's platform changes constantly.
A reviews app used by 50,000 stores has also been stress-tested at a scale that a custom-built equivalent never will be. Speed to implementation matters too: a good app can be installed, configured and live in hours.
When to Build Custom
There is no existing app that does what you need — this is rarer than clients initially believe, but it does happen.
The IVF Matters integration had no adequate app solution; a custom app was the only viable approach. The existing app solution creates unacceptable performance overhead — some functionality has a real performance cost when implemented via third-party apps, and if Core Web Vitals matter to your business, a custom implementation in the theme may deliver the same functionality with significantly better performance. You need proprietary functionality that represents competitive advantage.
Private Apps vs Public Apps
Most custom Shopify development doesn't mean building a public app for the app store — it means building a private app installed only on your store.
Private apps are the standard vehicle for custom integrations, bespoke functionality, and middleware solutions. The development, maintenance and review requirements are significantly different from public apps.
The Decision Framework
Find the best two or three existing apps in the category you need. Evaluate them against your actual requirements. If they meet 80% or more of your needs, the case for custom development needs to be very strong to justify the additional cost and ongoing maintenance responsibility.
If no existing app meets your requirements, or if performance is genuinely critical, the conversation about custom development becomes worthwhile.
If you're trying to decide whether a custom Shopify solution is the right answer for your requirements, we're happy to give you an honest assessment.
→ Read about our Shopify Integrations and Custom Development
