Should we build an embedded app, a theme app extension or a checkout extension?
Most apps need more than one surface. Picking the right ones affects speed, approval and merchant trust.
- Which surface should we build?
- Do we need all three?
- What does Shopify prefer?
An embedded app runs inside the Shopify admin for settings and dashboards. Theme app extensions add storefront features merchants place with the theme editor, without editing theme code. Checkout extensions add features to checkout where Shopify allows. Most apps combine an embedded admin with theme or checkout extensions. Shopify's current guidance favours these over older methods like script tags.
Surfaces
| Surface | Use for |
|---|---|
| Embedded app | Settings, dashboards, onboarding |
| Theme app extension | Storefront widgets and blocks |
| Checkout extension | Checkout and thank-you features |
| Functions | Custom discounts, shipping and payment logic |
How we look at it at ShoutEx
Our developers plan and build the right surfaces for your app.
- Editing merchant theme code.
- Outdated script tag methods.
- Non-embedded admin.
- Building surfaces no one uses.
- Embedded admin.
- Theme app extensions.
- Checkout extensions where useful.
- Current Shopify methods.
What developers and Shopify say
Here is what Shopify and developers say.
Community summaries describe recurring themes in public threads, not individual posts. Vendor pages describe vendor claims, so test them on your own calls.
Read next
Go deeper in the ShoutEx guides, or check the sources behind this answer.
We'll plan and build the right surfaces.
Book a call →Follow-up questions
Are checkout extensions Plus-only?
Some checkout features are. Check current docs.
Should we use Shopify Functions?
For discount, shipping and payment logic, yes.
Does Shopify review extensions?
As part of app review.