Apps worth paying for and the ones that just eat into your margins
Gabriel Ribeiro · 2026-10-07
App categories
- REVIEWS: Apps like Yotpo and Loox are popular, but cost an average of R$ 150 to R$ 500 per month. If your store generates up to R$ 50 mil/month, consider using Shopify’s native reviews app, which already offers basic features.
- UPSELL: Apps like Bold Upsell and Frequently Bought Together are effective, but cost between R$ 100 and R$ 400 per month. Consider using native pop-ups to generate upsells at no extra cost.
- SHIPPING: Apps like ShipStation and AfterShip can cost between R$ 100 and R$ 600, depending on order volume. Check whether your theme already offers carrier integrations and tracking.
- FORMS: Apps like Form Builder and Shopify Forms can cost up to R$ 200. Shopify’s native forms can meet most needs at no cost.
- TRANSLATION: Apps like Langify and Weglot are useful, but can cost up to R$ 400 per month. Use Shopify Multilingual, which covers the basics out of the box.
Acceptable total monthly app cost by revenue
Generally, your monthly app spend shouldn’t exceed 10% of your revenue. For example, if your store brings in R$ 100 mil/month, keep app costs below R$ 10 mil. This helps ensure your profit margin isn’t compromised.
Apps with overlapping features
Review your apps and look for overlapping features. For example, if you use a reviews app that also lets you run upsells, consider removing one of them. This review can save you up to R$ 300 per month in subscription costs.
Native theme alternatives
Explore your Shopify theme’s built-in features. Many themes include solutions for things like reviews and upsells that can be highly effective and come at no extra cost. This can save you money and simplify store management.
Quarterly audit
Run a quarterly audit of the apps you use. Ask yourself:
- Is the app generating a return on investment?
- Is there a native alternative that can replace the app?
- Is the app’s cost proportional to the sales increase it generates?
This practice can help you identify and remove unnecessary apps, saving you R$ 100 to R$ 1,000 per month.
How much do you spend on apps for your Shopify store?