Best Shopify apps 2026: must-have apps compared by category
Must-have Shopify apps compared by category: reviews, popups, cart recovery, email, SMS, WhatsApp, CRM, live chat and subscriptions, with prices side by side.
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The best Shopify app for each need in 2026.Last updated: October 19, 2026
The best Shopify app depends on what you want to improve: reviews, abandoned cart recovery, loyalty or customer service. For each need, this table shows the app ranked #1 in our comparison, with the rating, review count and price shown in that comparison. Open the comparison to see the other ranked apps and how we compared them.
Judge.me Review
AfterSell
Kanal WhatsApp
KlaviyoKanal WhatsApp
Smile.io
Easy Subscription AppAfterSell
CJdropshippingKanal is our own app. Ratings, reviews and prices are the ones shown in each comparison. Prices change often, so check the App Store listing before you install.
Must-have Shopify apps for 2026.22 comparisons by need.
Most Shopify stores need the same core stack: apps that convert visitors, apps that bring shoppers back, and apps that support customers after they buy. Start with the stage where your store loses the most sales, then open the comparison for that category: each one lists the apps we compared, what they do and their starting price.
Convert more visitors
Social proof, list growth and bigger baskets from the traffic you already have.
10 apps comparedBest Shopify review appsWe compared 10 Shopify review apps, from Judge.me to Trustpilot, on free plans, prices, photo and video reviews and Google sync. Read on October 7, 2026.IncludesJudge.me ReviewLoox ReviewReviews.ioRivyo Review+6 moreView
11 apps comparedBest Shopify popup appsThe best Shopify popup app by need: 11 pop up apps compared on email, SMS and coupon popups, A/B testing, free plans and price, plus WhatsApp opt-ins.IncludesPop ConvertSendWILLPrivyJustuno+7 moreView
11 apps comparedBest Shopify upsell appsWe compared the 11 best Shopify upsell apps on placement (product, cart, checkout, post-purchase), AI recommendations, A/B testing and pricing to lift AOV.IncludesAfterSellHoneyComb UpsellEssential UpsellSelleasy Upsell+7 moreView
13 apps comparedBest Shopify bundle appsThe best bundle app for Shopify, by need: 13 Shopify bundle apps and Shopify's free Bundles app compared on bundle types, ratings and price in 2026.IncludesFast BundleRapiBOGOSBundler+9 moreViewBring shoppers back
Recover abandoned carts and reach customers again by email, SMS or WhatsApp.
12 apps comparedBest Shopify abandoned cart appsWhich Shopify abandoned cart app fits your store? We compare 12 apps by channel (WhatsApp, email, SMS, push), automation flows and starting price.IncludesKanal WhatsAppKlaviyoOmnisendRecart+8 moreView
9 apps comparedBest Shopify email marketing appsKlaviyo, Omnisend, Shopify Messaging, Mailchimp and 5 more: the 9 best Shopify email marketing apps compared on flows, channels, pricing and ratings.IncludesKlaviyoOmnisendShopify Messaging (formerly Shopify Email)Mailchimp+5 moreView
10 apps comparedBest Shopify SMS appsThe best SMS marketing apps and platforms for Shopify, compared on campaigns, automation, compliance and cost per message, with Kanal first for stores running SMS next to WhatsApp and RCS, with iMessage coming soon.IncludesKanal WhatsAppPostscriptAttentiveKlaviyo+6 moreView
11 apps comparedBest Shopify WhatsApp apps11 WhatsApp apps for Shopify compared on October 7, 2026: ratings, prices, official API, cart recovery and campaigns. Chat buttons vs marketing platforms.IncludesKanal WhatsAppZokoPushdaddySeedGrow+7 moreView
10 apps comparedBest Shopify back in stock appsWe compared 10 Shopify back in stock apps on alert channels, pre-orders, demand analytics and pricing, from email and SMS alerts to restock alerts on WhatsApp.IncludesKanal WhatsAppKbiteNotify Me!STOQ+6 moreViewKeep customers
Reward repeat buyers, sell subscriptions and keep customer data in one place.
13 apps comparedBest loyalty apps for ShopifyWe compared the 13 best loyalty apps for Shopify on points, VIP tiers, referrals, POS support and pricing, and matched each app to a store size.IncludesSmile.ioLoyaltyLionLoyolyYotpo Loyalty+9 moreView
11 apps comparedBest Shopify subscription appsWe compared 11 Shopify subscription apps on billing models, customer portal, dunning, fees and analytics, plus Kanal for WhatsApp renewal reminders and failed-payment recovery.IncludesEasy Subscription AppSeal SubscriptionsSkio SubscriptionsSubi Subscriptions+7 moreView
12 apps comparedBest Shopify CRM appsIs Shopify a CRM? Not quite. We compared 12 Shopify CRM apps on customer profiles, segments, channels and pricing, from listings read on October 7, 2026.IncludesKanal WhatsAppKlaviyoGorgiasActiveCampaign+8 moreViewSupport and deliver
Answer questions fast and keep customers informed after they order.
12 apps comparedBest Shopify customer service appsGorgias, Kanal, Zendesk, Re:amaze, Tidio and 7 more: the 12 best Shopify customer service apps compared on AI agents, channels, order data and pricing.IncludesGorgiasKanal WhatsAppZendeskRe:amaze+8 moreView
12 apps comparedBest live chat apps for ShopifyTidio is our pick for web chat with AI, Kanal for chat that continues on WhatsApp. 12 Shopify live chat apps compared on AI, channels and price.IncludesTidioKanal WhatsAppGorgiastawk.to+8 moreView
12 apps comparedBest Shopify chatbot appsWe compared the 12 best Shopify chatbot apps on AI answers, channels, human handoff and pricing. Sell and support 24/7 on WhatsApp, web chat and social.IncludesTidioKanal WhatsAppGorgiasShopify Inbox+8 moreView
10 apps comparedBest Shopify order tracking appsWe compared 10 Shopify order tracking apps on tracking pages, proactive shipping notifications and pricing, plus Kanal for order updates sent on WhatsApp.IncludesAfterShipCWILL (ParcelPanel)17TRACKTrack123+6 moreViewAutomate and scale
Run workflows and campaigns without manual work, including during peak season.
12 apps comparedBest Shopify automation appsShopify Flow, Kanal, Klaviyo, Omnisend, Zapier and 7 more: the 12 best Shopify automation apps for marketing, orders and products, with prices and ratings.IncludesShopify FlowKanal WhatsAppKlaviyoOmnisend+8 moreView13 apps comparedBest Shopify marketing appsThe 13 best Shopify marketing apps for 2026, compared on channels, automation and pricing. Build a stack with WhatsApp, email, SMS, reviews and loyalty.IncludesKlaviyoKanal WhatsAppOmnisendPrivy+9 moreView
13 apps comparedBest Shopify BFCM appsWe compared the 13 best Shopify apps for BFCM 2026 on cart recovery, upsells, email, SMS, reviews and loyalty, with a timeline to be ready by November.IncludesAfterSellJudge.me ReviewPrivyAftership SMS+9 moreViewBy type of store
Comparisons for a specific business model or Shopify plan.
12 apps comparedBest Shopify apps for clothing storesWe compared 12 Shopify apps for clothing and fashion stores: size charts, photo reviews, returns, search, bundles, restock alerts, wishlists, color swatches and WhatsApp.IncludesKiwi Size Chart & RecommenderJudge.me Product ReviewsLooxAfterShip Returns & Exchanges+8 moreView
12 apps comparedBest Shopify Plus appsThe 12 best Shopify Plus apps by need, from Shopify Flow, Launchpad and Checkout Blocks to Klaviyo, Recharge and Gorgias, with prices read on October 7, 2026.IncludesShopify FlowShopify LaunchpadShopify Checkout BlocksKlaviyo+8 moreView
12 apps comparedBest Shopify dropshipping appsWe compared the 12 best dropshipping apps for Shopify on supplier location, shipping times, automation, print on demand and pricing for growing stores.IncludesCJdropshippingHertwill DropshippingAuto DropshippingDSers Dropshipping+8 moreViewThere is no single best Shopify app: the right one depends on what you want to improve. This page gathers our comparisons by need, from abandoned cart recovery and SMS marketing to loyalty programs and customer service. Each comparison lists the ranked apps with their Shopify App Store rating, review count and starting price, and shows the date it was last updated.
Looking for WhatsApp marketing specifically? See how Kanal compares or read our latest guides.
Frequently asked questions about Shopify apps
Which Shopify apps should you install first?
Start with the stage where your store loses the most sales. To convert the traffic you already have, install a product review app and a popup app. To bring visitors back, add abandoned cart recovery and a channel to reach customers again: email, SMS or WhatsApp. Loyalty, customer service and automation come next. The table on this page shows the app ranked #1 for each need and links to the full comparison.
How much do Shopify apps cost?
Most apps on the Shopify App Store charge a monthly subscription. Many offer a free plan or a free trial to get started, then plans that grow with your number of contacts, orders or messages. Others are free, charge per use or are priced on request. The table on this page shows the price listed in each comparison: check the App Store listing before you install, as prices change often. Plans for Kanal, our WhatsApp app, start at $89/month.
What is the best Shopify app for WhatsApp?
Kanal, ranked #1 in our comparison of WhatsApp apps for Shopify. It runs on the official WhatsApp Business API, connects to your store and handles WhatsApp campaigns, abandoned cart recovery, order notifications and back in stock alerts. Plans start at $89/month. Kanal is our own app: the comparison puts it side by side with the other WhatsApp apps on the Shopify App Store.
How do you install a Shopify app?
Open the app's listing on the Shopify App Store, click Install, then approve the permissions it requests in your store admin. The app then opens in your Shopify admin, where you set it up. You can uninstall it at any time from your admin settings.
How is this ranking built?
For each category, we read every app's Shopify App Store listing, including its Pricing section, and compare the same points: the features that matter for that need, the channels it covers, whether it has a free plan and its starting price. The table on this page automatically shows the app ranked #1 in each comparison, with the rating, review count and price shown there. Each comparison shows when it was last updated.