So you've decided your Shopify store needs a mobile app. Great decision. But now comes the hard part — choosing the right platform to build it.
There are dozens of Shopify app builders out there. Some are cheap but limited. Some look great in demos but fall apart in production. And some charge you thousands before you even see a working app.
Here's what you should actually look for before making a decision.
Native App or WebView Wrapper?
This is the most important question and most store owners don't even know to ask it.
A WebView app is basically your mobile website wrapped inside an app shell. It looks like an app on the outside, but inside it's just loading your website. It's slow, clunky, and your customers will notice.
A native app is built specifically for mobile. It loads faster, feels smoother, and supports features like push notifications, offline caching, and one-tap checkout.
Always ask the platform — is this a native app or a WebView? If they can't give you a straight answer, that's a red flag.
Real-Time Shopify Sync
Your app needs to stay in sync with your Shopify store at all times. When you add a new product, change a price, or update inventory — it should reflect in the app immediately.
Some platforms sync once a day or require you to manually push updates. That's not good enough. If a product is out of stock on Shopify but still showing as available in your app, you'll end up with angry customers and cancelled orders.
Look for real-time or near-real-time sync with your Shopify store. Products, collections, inventory, prices, and orders should all stay up to date automatically.
Push Notifications Built In
Push notifications are the single biggest advantage of having a mobile app. If your app builder doesn't include push notifications, you're missing the whole point.
Check if the platform lets you send targeted push campaigns — not just broadcast messages. Can you send a notification to customers who haven't purchased in 30 days? Can you send abandoned cart reminders? Can you schedule notifications in advance?
Also check if push notifications cost extra. Some platforms charge per notification or limit how many you can send per month. That adds up fast.
Customization Without Code
Your app should look like your brand, not like a generic template. Check how much control you have over the design.
Can you customize colors, fonts, and layouts? Can you add custom banners, carousels, and promotional sections? Can you rearrange the home screen to match your marketing strategy?
The best platforms give you a visual builder where you can drag and drop components without touching any code. If you need a developer to make basic design changes, the platform is too rigid.
App Store Publishing Support
Building the app is only half the battle. You also need to get it published on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
This process involves developer accounts, app review guidelines, screenshots, descriptions, and compliance requirements. It can take days or weeks if you don't know what you're doing.
Some platforms handle the entire publishing process for you. Others just give you the code and wish you luck. Make sure you know what's included before you sign up.
Analytics and Performance Tracking
You need to know how your app is performing. How many people installed it? How many are active daily? What products are they viewing? Where are they dropping off?
A good app builder includes a built-in analytics dashboard that gives you these insights without needing to set up Google Analytics or third-party tracking tools.
Look for metrics like daily active users, session duration, popular products, conversion rates, and push notification performance.
Pricing That Makes Sense
App builder pricing ranges from $30 per month to $500 or more. The cheapest option isn't always the best, but the most expensive one isn't either.
Look at what's included in each plan. Does the base plan include push notifications? Is there a limit on products or orders? Do you need to pay extra for app updates or new features?
Also check if there are any hidden costs — Apple Developer account fees, publishing charges, or per-notification pricing.
The best value is a platform that gives you a fully functional native app with push notifications, real-time sync, and a visual builder at a predictable monthly price.
Why Cartaisy Checks Every Box
We built Cartaisy specifically for Shopify store owners who want a real mobile app without the complexity and cost of custom development.
Native app performance, not a WebView wrapper. Real-time Shopify sync for products, collections, and orders. Built-in push notifications with no per-message fees. Visual App Builder with drag-and-drop components. Full App Store and Google Play publishing support. Analytics dashboard included in every plan. Transparent pricing with no hidden costs.
You can launch your app in a single day. No coding required. No developer needed.
Visit cartaisy.com to see it in action and start your free trial today.