After eight years as a Shopify certified expert, I’ve watched countless apps launch with big promises and quietly disappear. Most are just noise. But a few? They genuinely transform how stores operate and sell.
I run a team that optimizes seven-figure Shopify stores, and we’ve tested hundreds of apps. Instead of overwhelming you with a massive list, I’m sharing the seven apps that consistently deliver results for our clients (and could do the same for your store).
Key Insights Summary
- Most Shopify apps are unnecessary - focus on the few powerful ones that truly add value
- Reviews remain essential - but choosing between Judge.me vs Loox depends on your priorities
- Email marketing scales fastest with Klaviyo’s advanced segmentation
- Inventory management prevents lost sales with automated back-in-stock notifications
- Push notifications work but require careful execution to avoid spam
- Smart search transforms large catalogs and increases discovery
- Advanced analytics unlock insights without paying for Shopify Plus
The Essential Seven: Apps That Actually Matter
1. Review Apps: Judge.me vs Loox (Choose Your Fighter)
Every Shopify store needs reviews - they’re trust signals that prove your products are real and loved. But here’s where most people mess up: they don’t choose based on their actual needs.
I recommend Judge.me if you want maximum features for minimum cost. At $15/month for their Awesome plan, you get everything: text, photo, and video reviews, plus easy customization. It’s straightforward - no hidden fees or usage limits.
Choose Loox if visual appeal is your top priority. Yes, it costs more (their plans have various conditions and add-on charges), but the visual integration with customer photos and videos can be worth it for brands where aesthetics matter most.
Here’s my honest take: For most stores, Judge.me offers better value. You get all the functionality you need without the pricing complexity.
2. Email Marketing: Klaviyo (The $11 Billion Reason)
Klaviyo isn’t just another email app - it’s a publicly traded company worth $11.16 billion (about 1/12th of Shopify’s market cap). That massive scale means resources most competitors can’t match.
What makes Klaviyo special is its data-driven approach. You can segment customers based on purchase behavior, browsing patterns, and engagement levels. This means sending targeted campaigns that actually convert instead of generic blasts everyone ignores.
The advanced automation flows are where the magic happens. Set up abandoned cart sequences, post-purchase follow-ups, and win-back campaigns that run on autopilot. I’ve seen these automations generate 25-30% of total email revenue for our clients.
Yes, it’s pricier than alternatives like Omnisend (expect around $60/month for 4,000 contacts with email and SMS). But the ROI justifies every dollar when you’re turning one-time buyers into repeat customers.
3. Inventory Management: Back in Stock
Nothing hurts more than losing sales because customers can’t find what they want when it’s available again. Back in Stock solves this elegantly.
When products go out of stock, customers can subscribe for notifications via email, SMS, or push notifications. The app automatically alerts them when items return - no manual work required.
Here’s a bonus insight: Those subscription lists tell you which products are most in demand. Use this data to plan inventory smarter and focus on what customers actually want. Some of our clients even use temporary “out of stock” status to test demand for new products.
The app integrates seamlessly with Klaviyo, so those restock notifications become part of your broader email strategy.
4. Push Notifications: PushOwl (Use With Caution)
Push notifications can boost sales, but they can also annoy customers into never returning. PushOwl makes it easier to get this balance right.
The app automatically sends notifications for abandoned carts, back-in-stock products, and special offers. But here’s the key: customize everything. Generic push notifications feel like spam. Personalized ones feel helpful.
Start with their free plan (perfect for smaller stores) to test effectiveness. If you’re seeing good engagement rates and conversions, their paid plans offer more volume and advanced targeting.
Warning: Don’t overdo it. I’ve seen stores kill their push notification performance by sending too many messages. Quality over quantity wins here.
5. Search Enhancement: Omega Instant Search
If you have more than 50 products, your default Shopify search probably isn’t cutting it. Omega Instant Search transforms how customers find products.
The instant results, typo correction, and product suggestions make shopping smoother. But the real value is in the analytics - you’ll see exactly what customers search for and can optimize accordingly.
Best part? It’s free for stores with up to 250 products. Even if you have more, the paid plans are reasonable. For any store with a search bar, this is a no-brainer upgrade.
6. Volume Discounts: Quantity Breaks
Simple concept, powerful results: offer discounts when customers buy more units. This app adds tiered pricing directly to your product pages.
The pricing model is smart - it’s free up to $300 in additional revenue generated, then $9.99/month (capped at higher volumes). You only pay when the app is actually making you money.
Perfect for consumable products, bulk items, or anything where customers might be tempted to buy more with the right incentive.
7. Advanced Analytics: Lifetimely (For Serious Stores)
If you’re running a bigger operation but don’t want to pay for Shopify Plus, Lifetimely gives you enterprise-level analytics without the enterprise price tag.
Track customer lifetime value, analyze cohorts, and understand which acquisition channels bring your best customers. We use this internally to make smarter decisions about where to focus our clients’ marketing spend.
The profit calculations and consolidated dashboards save hours of manual analysis. When you know your most valuable customers come from specific countries, products, or channels, you can optimize accordingly.
Practical Implementation Tips
Start Small, Scale Smart
Don’t install all seven apps at once. Begin with reviews and email marketing (they impact revenue immediately), then add others based on your specific needs.
Test Everything
Most of these apps offer free trials or free tiers. Use them. Measure impact before committing to paid plans.
Integration Matters
These apps work better together. Klaviyo integrates with Back in Stock, PushOwl connects with your email flows, and Lifetimely provides data that informs all your other decisions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Over-installing: More apps don’t equal better results. Each app should solve a specific problem you actually have.
Ignoring setup: Installing an app isn’t enough. Take time to configure settings, create automations, and customize the experience.
Set-it-and-forget-it mentality: Review performance regularly. What works for one store might not work for another.
My Final Take
Shopify’s built-in features have improved dramatically over the years, reducing the need for many apps. But the right ones still make a massive difference - both for your sales and your sanity.
Focus on apps that either directly increase revenue (like reviews and email marketing) or save you significant time (like inventory notifications and analytics). Everything else is probably just noise.
FAQ
Q: How many apps should I install on my Shopify store?
Start with 3-5 essential apps rather than trying to install everything at once. Focus on reviews, email marketing, and one app that solves your biggest current pain point.
Q: Are these apps worth the monthly costs?
Most of these apps pay for themselves quickly if implemented correctly. Judge.me at $15/month typically increases conversion rates enough to cover the cost within days. Klaviyo often generates 10-20x its monthly fee in additional revenue.
Q: Which app should I install first if I’m just starting out?
Begin with a review app (Judge.me for most stores) and email marketing (Klaviyo). These create immediate trust and help you build relationships with customers from day one.
Q: Do I need all these apps if I’m using Shopify Plus?
Even Shopify Plus stores benefit from specialized apps. While Plus includes advanced analytics, apps like Lifetimely often provide more detailed insights. The key is choosing apps that complement, not duplicate, your existing features.
Q: How do I know if an app is actually working for my store?
Track specific metrics before and after installation. For review apps, monitor conversion rates. For email marketing, track revenue per email sent. Most apps provide their own analytics, but always cross-reference with your Shopify analytics to see the full picture.