You don’t need 1,000 apps—you need the right ones. These are the trusted tools I personally use or recommend to help my Shopify clients grow faster, automate smarter, and boost profits. If you’re just getting started, you can launch your Shopify store with a free trial here. P.S. Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you use them—at no cost to you. I only recommend what I trust 💯.

🛒 Store Setup & Operations

From launch to logistics, these tools help you build a strong foundation for growth. Whether you're just getting started or streamlining for scale, this is your back-end power crew — themes, fulfillment, automation, and time-saving essentials included. 

🛠️ Need help setting up the tools that actually make your store run smoother? Start here →

🎨 Be Yours Theme Launch Fave

A high-performing Shopify 2.0 theme with clean layouts, built-in upsell blocks, and great mobile UX. Easy to customize, beginner-friendly, and designed to convert right out of the box.+

Best for: Brands that want a modern, conversion-ready store from Day 1

Explore Be Yours Theme

Concept Theme

Concept is a sleek, image-driven theme ideal for lifestyle and product-forward brands. Fast, responsive, and built to showcase your products beautifully while remaining easy to manage.+

Best for: Brands that want stunning visuals without slowing down the site

Explore Concept Theme

Bulk Product Edit by Hextom

Save hours updating product info, tags, prices, and SEO across your entire catalog. Bulk Edit helps you scale faster without spreadsheet headaches..

Best for: Stores with large catalogs or frequent inventory changes

Explore Bulk Product Edit

🌟 Gorgias Founder Fave

All-in-one ecommerce helpdesk built for Shopify. Automate up to 40% of your support with AI-powered responses, macros, and deep Shopify/Klaviyo integration. Gorgias turns customer service into a revenue channel, not just a cost center..

Best for: Streamlining support, reducing tickets, upselling through CX

Explore Gorgias

ShipStation

Shipping software that integrates with Shopify, Etsy, Amazon, and more. Offers discounted USPS/UPS rates, batch label printing, branded tracking, and automation rules. Built for growing brands that need fulfillment to feel seamless..

Best for: Centralized multi-channel shipping with automation

Explore ShipStation

Loop Returns

Returns and exchanges app that lets customers self-serve and shop again. Loop turns a pain point into a retention opportunity — and it connects to Shopify, Gorgias, Klaviyo, and more.

Best for: Reducing return-related friction and turning refunds into reorders

Explore Loop Returns

💡 Rebuy Conversion Booster

Personalized product recommendations, upsells, and reorder flows — powered by AI and customer behavior. Rebuy helps you increase AOV and reduce drop-off by putting the right offer in front of the right person at the right time..

Best for: Smart cross-sells and personalized shopping experiences

Explore Rebuy

AfterShip

Branded order tracking, shipping notifications, and delivery performance insights. AfterShip keeps your post-purchase experience smooth and professional while helping reduce “where’s my order?” tickets.

Best for: Branded tracking and keeping customers in the loop

Explore AfterShip

ShipBob

Tech-enabled 3PL for ecommerce brands. Offers U.S.-based fulfillment centers, same-day shipping, and real-time inventory syncing with Shopify, Amazon, and more. If you’re ready to outsource fulfillment to scale, this is a top-tier pick.

Best for: Scaling DTC brands that want to outsource shipping

Explore ShipBob

🖨️ Print-on-Demand (POD)

These platforms make it easy to launch and scale your own branded products without holding inventory. Whether you’re focused on apparel, art prints, books, or accessories, these tools offer U.S.-based fulfillment, customization options, and seamless integration with your Shopify store.

👕 Need help choosing the right POD partner? Start here →

Printful #1 Rated

A well-established POD platform with global fulfillment centers and premium product quality. Offers embroidery, cut & sew, custom branding (including inside labels), and an intuitive Shopify integration. Reliable fulfillment and consistent quality make it a go-to for serious ecommerce brands..

Best for: Global fulfillment, branded details, premium apparel basics

Explore Printful

Printify

Massive POD catalog with access to dozens of independent print providers. Lets you compare pricing, shipping times, and quality across vendors. Great for testing margins and scaling with flexibility. Offers a premium plan for extra savings and profit margin improvement..

Best for: Budget-friendly POD, variety, vendor flexibility

Explore Printify

Gelato

Eco-conscious POD platform with fast global production and a growing range of essential products. Offers a clean interface, localized printing, and sustainability features. Great for global brands looking for ethical fulfillment options with reliable quality..

Best for: Fast, eco-friendly global fulfillment

Explore Gelato

Apliiq

Premium POD with a focus on fashion-forward customization — think custom embroidery, sewn-in neck tags, private labeling, and cut & sew options. Positioned more like a streetwear production partner than a typical POD provider. Strong branding options for creators and boutique labels.

Best for: Fashion brands, premium streetwear, private label POD

Explore Apliiq

Prodigi

Specialist POD platform known for museum-grade art prints, photo books, framed posters, and other high-quality printed media. Excellent for artists, photographers, and publishers looking to monetize wall art, limited editions, or visual content with premium finishes. Global fulfillment and white-label shipping included.

Best for: Art prints, photography merch, custom books

Explore Prodigi

Teelaunch

Focused on print-on-demand for Shopify with unique offerings like Bluetooth speakers, laser-etched drinkware, and custom canvas. Smaller catalog than others, but highly curated. Great for niche stores or lifestyle brands looking to stand out.,

Best for: Unique product selection, niche merch, Shopify-first sellers

Explore Teelaunch

🚚 Top Dropshipping Apps

These tools are handpicked for modern brands looking to increase revenue, streamline fulfillment, and deliver a better customer experience. All of them support U.S. fulfillment or warehousing options. 🇺🇸

🚚 Not sure which dropshipping tool fits your biz? Start here and I’ll walk you through it.

🌟 Spocket Top Pick

Spocket connects you with thousands of fast-shipping, vetted suppliers that offer competitive margins, branding options like custom invoicing, and 2–5 day delivery. It’s beginner-friendly yet powerful enough to scale — a go-to for lifestyle brands that want to avoid AliExpress but still keep product variety..

Best for: Stores focused on quality control, fast U.S./EU fulfillment, and easy product discovery

Explore Spocket

DropCommerce

Designed for brands that care about quality and customer satisfaction, DropCommerce only works with suppliers in the U.S. and Canada. It supports branded invoices, strong vendor accountability, and curated products with boutique appeal. Bonus: you keep more profit than with marketplaces charging high transaction fees..

Best for: Premium brands, boutique stores, makers who want reliable domestic sourcing

Explore DropCommerce

Zendrop

Zendrop gives you the flexibility of global sourcing with the benefits of optional U.S. warehousing. The Pro plan includes branded packaging, private label support, and automation tools that make scaling fast and efficient. Especially helpful for stores moving off AliExpress..

Best for: Scaling stores, branded dropshipping, automation-friendly ops

Explore Zendrop

Trendsi

Trendsi is tailor-made for fashion-forward stores and influencer sellers. You’ll find on-trend apparel, curated product photos, real-time inventory syncing, and automatic fulfillment. Plus, they support branded packaging and returns — ideal for brands that care about style and service.,

Best for: Apparel brands, boutique stores, influencer-ready fulfillment

Explore Trendsi

Carro

Carro helps you sell products from other top Shopify stores as if they were your own. Think of it as cross-store dropshipping with better brands, no inventory holding, and curated partnerships. It’s an incredible way to expand your catalog with complementary products while maintaining premium standards.

Best for: Collab-driven brands, premium catalog expansion

Explore Carro

Shopify Collective

A program that lets you partner with other Shopify brands to list and fulfill their products in your store. It offers tight integrations, trusted product quality, and seamless fulfillment — all under your own brand.

Best for: Trusted product expansion, brand collabs, hands-off fulfillment

Explore Shopify Collective

🧳 Curated & Nearshore Sourcing Platforms

These platforms provide access to distinctive products and manufacturing options, emphasizing U.S.-based and nearshore suppliers to help you diversify your offerings while maintaining efficient logistics.

🌍 Need help choosing a sourcing path that fits your goals? Start here →

Faire

Faire is a wholesale marketplace with a massive network of independent brands. While not a dropshipping platform, many sellers use Faire to curate small-batch inventory that stands out. Faire offers net 60 terms, easy reordering, and U.S.-based fulfillment from many makers — ideal for brands that want more control without sourcing overseas..

Best for: Inventory-based stores that want unique, U.S.-made products with low minimums

Explore Faire

🌟 Nearshored.ai Nearshore Fave

Nearshored.ai connects you to verified factories in Latin America, the U.S., and Europe. Using AI matching, they help you produce your own private-label or branded products — often faster and closer to home than traditional manufacturers. Ideal for brands ready to move from POD to custom manufacturing without dealing with China..

Best for: Founders building custom products or transitioning from print-on-demand

Explore Nearshored.ai

🧵 Makers Row U.S. Mfg Fave

Makers Row connects you with thousands of U.S.-based factories across fashion, accessories, and lifestyle goods. It's built for small businesses ready to level up from print-on-demand into custom, ethically made products — with production that’s local, transparent, and made to scale. A solid next step for founders who want more control without going overseas.

Best for: Brands moving from POD to private-label manufacturing, made-in-USA sourcing

Explore Makers Row

💳 Checkout + Conversion Boosters

These tools help you convert more visitors into buyers, increase average order value, and keep customers coming back. Think of this as your built-in optimization crew.

💸 Want a full review of your checkout setup? Let’s talk →

Judge.me Trust Builder Fave

Affordable, high-performing review app for Shopify. Add photo and video reviews, showcase social proof on product pages, and sync with Google Shopping + Klaviyo. Great for SEO too!

Best for: Boosting trust and conversions with automated review collection

Explore Judge.me

Zonos – Duty & Tax Calculation

Let international shoppers prepay duties and taxes at checkout. This improves transparency, reduces cart abandonment, and makes you more competitive globally.

Best for: Brands selling internationally who want to eliminate surprise fees

Explore Zonos

OrderlyEmails by FORSBERG+two

Make your Shopify notification emails (like order confirmations, shipping updates, etc.) look professional and on-brand — with built-in upsell and tracking blocks..

Best for: Creating trust and driving repeat purchases through branded email

Explore OrderlyEmails

🎨 Content Creation

Create high-converting graphics and videos in minutes — no design team needed. These tools are built for ecommerce sellers who want content that converts, without the stress or spend of outsourcing.

📸 Want help choosing tools based on your content style? Start here →

📐 Canva Pro Creator Fave

Design anything, even if you’re “not a designer.” Canva’s ecommerce templates for product mockups, email graphics, social posts, and Reels make it your one-stop content studio. Plus, it integrates with Meta, Dropbox, and Shopify.,

Best for: Fast graphics, social content, email banners, UGC mockups

Explore Canva Pro

Descript

Audio and video editing for non-editors. Remove filler words, generate captions, cut product demos and Reels in minutes — just by editing text. Also great for YouTube, testimonials, and audio-based storytelling..

Best for: Editing product demos, Reels, and TikToks fast

Explore Descript

Pictory

Turn long-form content (like blog posts or testimonials) into short, polished videos using AI. Add captions, stock footage, voiceovers, and repurpose like a pro — great for brand storytelling and social proof..

Best for: Repurposing blogs/testimonials into scroll-stopping videos

Explore Pictory

Magic Studio

Upload a product photo, and Magic Studio removes the background, lets you add shadows, change scenes, or auto-enhance it. Basically, a product photography booth in your browser.

Best for: Product shots for your website or ads without a photo shoot

Explore Magic Studio

Kapwing

Collaborative video editor built for creators, brands, and teams. Resize videos for each platform, add transitions, drop in product callouts, and repurpose clips with templates.

Best for: Resizing, remixing, and publishing content across platforms

Explore Kapwing

Lumen5

Create video ads and promo content in minutes using AI. Paste a script or text and it generates visuals, animations, and timing automatically. Good for social-first brands with limited design time.

Best for: Lightweight AI video production for ad creatives

Explore Lumen5

🤖 AI Business Boosters

These tools help you write faster, sell smarter, personalize your customer journey, and analyze what’s working (and what’s not). Every tool here is selected to help you increase sales, boost profit margins, and save serious time.

Need help picking the right tools for your biz goals? Start here →

💬 ChatGPT Founder Fave

The most flexible AI tool available. From writing product descriptions and emails to generating ad copy, FAQs, and customer replies, ChatGPT (especially GPT-4 or GPT-4o) is your marketing Swiss Army knife. Bonus: it can even help you brainstorm offers, quiz questions, or write backend code.,

Best for: Founders and marketers who want one AI tool to handle everything

Explore ChatGPT

Jasper AI

AI copywriter trained for marketing and branding. Comes with ecommerce workflows, brand voice memory, and integrations with Surfer SEO and Shopify.

Best for: High-converting, on-brand copy across platforms

Explore Jasper AI

Copy.ai

Affordable AI copywriter with solid ecommerce templates. Not as customizable as Jasper, but gets the job done for product descriptions, email subject lines, and quick content blocks.

Best for: Sellers who need quick, decent copy on a budget

Explore Copy.ai

Octane AI

Quiz-based personalization platform that helps customers find the right product — and increases AOV in the process. Integrates with Shopify, Klaviyo, and Meta Ads.

Best for: Personalized quizzes that boost conversion and email capture

Explore Octane AI

Descript

Edit videos, Reels, and audio like a Google Doc. Delete filler words, generate transcripts, and make ecommerce content super fast — even if you hate editing.

Best for: Scrappy founders creating product videos, how-tos, or brand content

Explore Descript

Hotjar (with Ask AI)

Get heatmaps, session recordings, and now AI-powered analysis of what your customers are doing (or not doing). AI helps you spot patterns so you can improve UX and increase conversions..

Best for: Diagnosing friction points and fixing low-performing pages

Explore Hotjar

🔍 SEO Superchargers

Rank faster. Drive organic traffic with powerful optimization tools and insights. These tools are built to help Shopify brands climb the rankings, write smarter, and get found without spending more on ads.

🌱 Not sure which tool fits your SEO level? Start here →

Ahrefs Traffic Growth Fave

Industry-leading SEO tool that does it all: keyword research, backlink tracking, competitor analysis, and content gap discovery. Their Site Explorer + Keywords Explorer combo is powerful for ecommerce stores doing serious organic growth work.,

Best for: SEO pros, content strategists, competitive keyword planning

Explore Ahrefs

Ubersuggest

An affordable alternative to Ahrefs with easy keyword research, site audits, and rank tracking. Best for Shopify founders who want a lighter-weight tool with actionable guidance, not overwhelm.

Best for: Founders on a budget who want a solid all-in-one SEO suite

Explore Ubersuggest

Plug In SEO

Shopify-focused SEO app that scans your site for common issues — missing alt text, slow pages, broken links — and offers guided fixes. Great for non-technical users who want a cleaner, better-optimized store.

Best for: Shopify merchants who want an SEO checklist and quick fixes

Explore Plug In SEO

Surfer SEO

An AI-powered on-page optimization tool that helps you structure your content for better rankings. Works great with blog content and integrates with Jasper. You’ll see exactly what to improve, from word count to headings to keywords..

Best for: Blog SEO, content marketing, product page optimization

Explore Surfer SEO

Google Search Console

Completely free, and packed with data on how people find your site. Track impressions, clicks, rankings, and site health. Often underused — but gold when paired with Shopify + other tools.

Best for: Tracking what’s already working and spotting missed opportunities

Google Search Console

Screaming Frog

A powerful desktop crawler that shows every technical SEO issue on your site. From broken links to duplicate content, this is a pro tool for brands doing technical audits or migrations.

Best for: Site health audits, technical SEO cleanup

Explore Screaming Frog

📩 Email & SMS Marketing

Build loyalty and revenue with automated messaging that works while you sleep. These tools help you welcome new subscribers, recover abandoned carts, and build repeat sales on autopilot — all while staying on-brand and on-task.

📬 Still using a Gmail address for your brand? Start here →

🚀 Klaviyo Revenue Powerhouse

The go-to platform for email, SMS, and now a full B2C CRM — all in one. Klaviyo helps you grow smarter with powerful automations, predictive analytics, deep Shopify integration, and a centralized customer hub. Build welcome series, abandoned cart flows, post-purchase emails, and track every customer like a VIP..

Best for: Brands ready to scale with automation, personalization, and real customer insight

Explore Klaviyo

Postscript

Built for SMS-first ecommerce brands. Postscript delivers high-converting texts that feel conversational, not spammy. Supports keyword opt-ins, two-way messaging, and A/B testing — plus Klaviyo/Shopify sync.

Best for: Text-first brands and stores that want mobile-focused retention

Explore Postscript

Omnisend

All-in-one email + SMS platform built for Shopify stores. Offers pre-built ecommerce workflows, product pickers, and visual automation builders — with pricing that scales for small teams.+

Best for: Growing brands looking for simplicity and solid features

Explore Omnisend

Drip

Behavior-based email and SMS marketing for ecommerce. Drip’s visual workflows and pre-built playbooks help you convert shoppers and build loyalty. More flexible than Omnisend, less complex than Klaviyo.

Best for: Brand-first founders who want control without complexity

Explore Drip

Google Workspace Pro Brand Essential

Still using your personal Gmail to run your business? Google Workspace (Gmail + Docs + Drive) lets you run everything from a custom domain (like you@yourbrand.com), organize your inbox, collaborate in Docs, and store everything securely in Drive. It’s the professional foundation your email marketing deserves..

Best for: Looking legit, staying organized, syncing all your ops in one place

Explore Google Workspace

OrderlyEmails by FORSBERG+two

Make your Shopify notification emails (like order confirmations, shipping updates, etc.) look professional and on-brand — with built-in upsell and tracking blocks.

Best for: Creating trust and driving repeat purchases through branded email

Explore OrderlyEmails

🛍️ Sales Channels

Expand into TikTok, Etsy, Pinterest, and more. These tools help you unlock new revenue streams without doubling your workload. Multichannel made simple.​

🔁 Want help choosing your next best sales channel? Start here →

🛒 TikTok Shop Trend-Driven Fave

Sync your products directly to TikTok Shop and tag items in videos and livestreams. With TikTok’s explosive growth, it's a game-changer for brands that lean into short-form video and influencer content.​

Best for: Brands with visual products and video-friendly content

Explore TikTok Shop

Etsy Marketplace (via Etsy Marketplace Integration app)

Get your products in front of Etsy’s built-in audience. This Shopify app syncs your inventory, orders, and listings. Perfect for handmade, personalized, POD, or giftable products that perform well on Etsy.​

Best for: Giftables, accessories, POD items, artisan-style products

Explore Etsy Marketplace

Pinterest for Shopify

Turn your Shopify products into rich Pins. This app helps you run Shopping campaigns, automate tagging, and track analytics — Pinterest remains a hidden gem for evergreen, visually driven sales.​

Best for: Aesthetic brands, home decor, fashion, gifts

Pinterest for Shopify

Carro

Carro connects you with top Shopify brands to collaboratively sell each other’s products — without new inventory or fulfillment headaches. A brilliant cross-sell opportunity and a perfect “channel” expansion without ad spend.​

Best for: Brands that want more SKUs and visibility without inventory

Explore Carro

Shopify Collective

List your products on other U.S.-based Shopify stores and fulfill orders directly — no wholesale contracts or marketplace fees required. Shopify Collective lets you become a supplier and get discovered by other retailers in your niche. It’s one of the easiest ways to add a wholesale-style revenue stream using the tools you already have.

Best for: Brands ready to earn passive income by letting other stores sell their products

Explore Shopify Collective

Google Merchant Center Free Traffic Fave

Sync your Shopify products to Google Merchant Center (via Google & YouTube App) to appear in free listings across Google Search, Shopping tab, Images, and more. A must-have for organic visibility and reaching customers without ad spend.

Best for:Boosting organic reach and visibility across Google platforms

Google Merchant Center

Shopify Marketplace Connect Multichannel Powerhouse

Formerly known as Codisto, this official Shopify app lets you sync and manage listings, orders, and inventory across major marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart, eBay, Etsy, and Target Plus — all from your Shopify admin.

Best for:Brands scaling into multiple marketplaces with centralized control

Shopify Marketplace

🧰 Mission Support Tools

Project management, dashboards, and back-end essentials to keep your business soaring smoothly. These are the tools that make your systems stronger, your workday smoother, and your strategy way more scalable.

🧑‍✈️ Want help setting up your mission dashboard or client systems? Start here →

🚀 ProfitFlyer Flight Deck Fave

Your business at a glance — ProfitFlyer is a custom dashboard designed to show ecommerce store owners the numbers that matter most. From revenue and conversion trends to product performance and regional sales heatmaps, it delivers clear insights that drive better decisions — without the overwhelm.

Best for: Shopify brands who want simple, visual, revenue-focused insights in one place

Explore ProfitFlyer

ClickUp

Project management built for product-based businesses. From planning product drops and campaigns to coordinating with freelancers, ClickUp helps Shopify brands stay organized, launch faster, and keep the back-end running smoothly. Use it to plan content, track inventory-related projects, or organize team workflows — all in one place..

Best for: Shopify stores managing multiple moving parts: product, marketing, people

Explore ClickUp

Google Workspace

Run your business like a pro with your own email domain, shared docs, team calendars, and cloud file access. Perfect for ecommerce brands..

Best for: Centralized, secure operations with a professional presence

Explore Google Workspace

Motion

This AI-powered scheduling calendar tool isn’t just smart — it’s ridiculously smart. Motion auto-plans your day around meetings, deadlines, and priorities. Great for solo founders or small teams juggling Shopify launches, supplier emails, and content calendars..

Best for: Smart scheduling, time blocking, productivity rescue

Explore Motion

Superhuman

Conquer inbox overload with blazing-fast tools, smart snippets, and AI that drafts and summarizes replies. Superhuman is built for busy entrepreneurs who want to clear their inbox and move on with their day.

Best for: Speedy communication, inbox zero, client follow-ups

Explore Superhuman

Zapier

Zapier connects Shopify with 6,000+ apps to automate the busywork — think order notifications in Slack, new customer tagging in Airtable, or auto-posting to your content calendar.

Best for: Streamlining operations, saving time, eliminating manual tasks

Explore Zapier