Toronto · Shopify app development
Shopify app development for merchants and app makers in Toronto
Canada Create designs, builds and supports scoped Shopify apps, integrations, checkout extensions and admin tools. Platform eligibility, data access, account authority, custom-work rights and third-party licences are documented before work starts.
Shopify app development in Canada for merchants assessing custom features or integrations and publishers commissioning a multi-merchant app, with distribution, eligibility and costs defined.
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- 18 years in business
- Mon to Fri 9 to 6, Sat 10 to 2
Get a custom proposal for your Toronto app
Tell us what the app has to do, who will use it and what it connects to. We aim to reply to your enquiry within one business day. A clear scope and proposal follow discovery.
Please do not share passwords or other sensitive details here. We never sell your contact information and we comply with Canadian privacy law (privacy policy).
What a well-built Shopify app gives your business
A feature scope that fits
Existing Shopify features, licensed apps and custom options compared against the required workflow, total cost and support needs.
Defined data connections
Agreed record authority, supported interfaces, update timing and responsibility for exceptions or missing information.
Plan-appropriate checkout features
Eligible extensions and Functions matched to the required checkout workflow.
A public app product
Multi-merchant architecture, billing, review preparation and support planning.
What is included in Shopify app development
Each app is scoped to the store or the product, but these are the building blocks we plan, build and support.
- Discovery and scopeWorkflow, systems, plan and theme mapped, with acceptance criteria for the proposed release.
- Admin app designScreens inside the Shopify admin built to Shopify's design system.
- Storefront and checkout extensionsTheme and checkout extensions selected for the store plan and tested with the active theme.
- IntegrationsSupported connections to agreed ERP, warehouse, accounting, CRM including CS+, marketing or shipping products, with access and data requirements confirmed.
- Custom app buildCustom distribution for the eligible store or Plus organization, without App Store review; applicable feature and data requirements still apply.
- Public app buildMulti-store scope, appropriate Shopify billing, review preparation and listing requirements. Shopify controls acceptance.
- Testing and launchDevelopment-store testing with synthetic or approved minimized data, followed by installation and training.
- Support and updatesSeparately purchased monitoring, API version updates, checkout and theme changes, and improvements under an agreed maintenance scope.
Shopify app development cost
Each app is custom-scoped after discovery. The proposal separates the build, support and third-party fees, including integrations, extensions and public-app requirements.
Custom integration app
Quoted in writing
One store connecting Shopify to ERP, warehouse, accounting or CRM
- Data mapping and sync rules
- Admin settings screen
- Monitoring and error handling
- Installation and training
Custom feature app
Quoted in writing
Pricing, bundles, configurators, wholesale ordering or checkout extensions for your store
- Admin and storefront components
- Checkout extensions where plan-eligible
- Theme compatibility testing
- Support plan
Public App Store app
Quoted in writing
A product sold to many merchants through the Shopify App Store
- Multi-store architecture
- Shopify billing
- Review preparation and listing
- Merchant support tooling
Shopify plans, hosting and paid services have separate provider charges and licence terms. The proposal identifies expected build, support and third-party costs, billing currency and assumptions about usage or future changes.
Shopify app developers
Shopify developers who build inside the platform's rules
Executive summary: Shopify app development serves merchants commissioning a specific feature or integration and publishers building a product for multiple merchants. The distribution model, store plans, data access and operating responsibilities shape the scope. Canada Create was established in 2008 and currently serves businesses across Canada. Our Shopify work includes store builds, custom and public apps, supported integrations and separately scoped marketing. This page explains when an app is worth considering, custom versus public distribution, platform requirements, client responsibilities, costs and how to compare development proposals.
What a Shopify app is
Shopify runs the store; apps extend it through permitted interfaces and extension points. Supported access can involve products, orders, customers, inventory, discounts, admin tools or storefront features, subject to the app’s permissions, distribution and the store’s plan. Some requirements are already covered by Shopify or an existing app. Before commissioning a build, compare available configuration, licensed apps, supported integration and custom development against the workflow, total cost, data rights and maintenance responsibilities.
Custom apps for one store, public apps for many
Custom distribution supports one store, or multiple stores belonging to the same Shopify Plus organization; it is not a general route to distribute privately to unrelated merchants. It does not require an App Store listing or review and cannot charge merchants through Shopify’s app-billing system. Applicable feature, data and contractual requirements still apply. Public distribution supports multiple merchants through the Shopify App Store and requires review, an appropriate Shopify-provided billing solution for charges, and ongoing product support. We build both, including public products developed with our MVP development team.
Shopify apps we build
Potential scope includes supported ERP, warehouse, accounting, CRM and marketing connections, with authoritative records, update timing and failure responsibilities agreed. Custom pricing, wholesale and B2B ordering can be assessed alongside our Shopify B2B service; native features and limits depend on the store’s plan. Configurators, bundles, subscriptions, loyalty and post-purchase functions require feature-specific eligibility and compatibility checks. Checkout extensions are limited to supported surfaces and capabilities. Operations or admin tools can support agreed fulfilment, returns, inventory and reporting tasks. A separately scoped customer-facing app from our mobile app development team can use permitted store interfaces; shared data, ordering and notification functions are assessed rather than assumed.
Shopify’s rules and what they mean for a build
We map each feature to the store’s plan, permitted API access and extension surface before the build. Information, shipping and payment-step UI extensions require Shopify Plus; eligible thank-you and order-status extensions are available on Basic or higher. Public App Store apps can offer Shopify Functions on any plan, while custom apps containing Functions require Plus, with further limits for individual APIs. Public apps also need review, appropriate Shopify billing and required privacy handling. Customer-data access requirements depend on the app type and requested information; a merchant’s approval does not remove applicable Shopify requirements. Your team confirms necessary data use, permissions, retention and disclosures with its responsible reviewers. We prepare and test against those requirements, but approval and review timing remain Shopify’s decisions.
How a Shopify app project runs
The proposal identifies the merchant workflow, intended users, store plans, themes, required interfaces and acceptance measures. It sets out what your team must provide, including vendor access, permitted records, product decisions and approval of the admin or storefront experience. Testing is scoped to the supported plans, themes, permissions, performance and relevant checkout or submission requirements, using synthetic or appropriately minimized authorized data. Production access and rollout need agreed approval; unresolved records, support responsibilities and handover are documented. For public apps, listing, billing and merchant support are distinct deliverables, and Shopify controls review and acceptance. For a separately commissioned customer-facing mobile app, our store optimization service concerns Apple App Store and Google Play listings. AI may assist research, design, code and content preparation; our team reviews and tests the work, applies editorial judgement and presents final work for your approval before release.
What drives Shopify app development cost
Every app is quoted in writing after discovery. The cost drivers are whether the app is custom or public, the number of admin screens and storefront blocks, checkout extensions, the systems it integrates with and how well documented they are, data volume and sync frequency, whether the app must support many stores and themes, and the review, billing and support requirements of a public listing. A proposal separates the build from support and from third-party costs such as hosting and any paid services, and it phases the work around a useful first release, acceptance checks and an agreed support plan.
Keeping a Shopify app working
Shopify releases versioned API updates on a regular schedule, while some platform surfaces are unversioned. We use supported APIs, review deprecations and test upgrades; retirement can cause compatibility problems even where requests fall forward to another supported version. A separately purchased maintenance scope can cover monitoring, API, theme and checkout changes, improvements and merchant support for public apps. Larger features are scoped separately.
Ongoing maintenance, platform updates and new features are purchased separately.
Our pre-existing tools and third-party materials retain their own rights and licence terms.
How to choose a Shopify app development company
Ask to see Shopify apps the company has built, both custom and public, and how long they have stayed working through platform changes. Ask how the company handles checkout extensions, theme extensions and interface versions. Ask who owns the code and the Shopify Partner account, how support and updates are priced, and, for a public app, how review and billing are handled. Written scope, evidence, exclusions and responsibilities help you compare proposals before committing.
Related guide: How to do SEO for a Shopify or ecommerce store.
Your next step
If an existing option does not meet your store’s requirements, or you have an app idea for other merchants, start with a discovery conversation. Canada Create was established in 2008 and is BBB Accredited with an A+ rating. We currently serve businesses across Canada. Call (416) 273-9030, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6 pm, and Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm. After hours, our 24/7 AI agent answers the toll-free line, +1 (800) 808-9235, and we’ll follow up the next business morning. Or request a scoped proposal. We aim to reply to your enquiry within one business day; a written proposal follows discovery.
Talk to a strategist
Ready when you are!
Request a scoped proposal.
Tell us your goals, budget and timeline. You get a custom proposal and a named strategist, so your next stage of growth starts now.
How we build a Shopify app
The app’s distribution, store plan, data access and intended workflow shape the build. The proposal sets milestones and review dependencies.
- Discovery Discovery
Map merchant workflows, systems, store plans, permissions and the first release’s acceptance criteria.
- Scope and design After discovery
Approve the admin and storefront experience, distribution method, data flow and integration design before implementation.
- Build and integrate By scope
Build in agreed review cycles, using test stores and approved data to check integrations, errors and merchant workflows.
- Test and launch Agreed test phase
Test supported plans, themes, permissions and performance, then prepare installation or App Store submission as appropriate.
- Support and grow Ongoing
Monitor the agreed service, maintain supported APIs and review Shopify, theme and checkout changes; new features are scoped separately.
Why businesses choose Canada Create for app development
Established in 2008
Canada Create was established in 2008. We currently serve businesses across Canada.
BBB Accredited A+
A BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating and a team that answers for its work.
Build and marketing under one roof
App development and separately commissioned SEO, advertising or other marketing can be assessed together, with appropriate platform scope and available measurement.
Clear rights and account authority
App, developer-account and listing authority are confirmed against Shopify’s rules and the agreement. Data use remains subject to lawful permissions.
Shopify app development questions
What is a Shopify app?
Software that extends a Shopify store through permitted APIs and extension points. An app can add admin tools, storefront features and integrations; access and checkout capabilities depend on permissions, the API and the store plan.
What is the difference between a custom app and a public app?
Custom distribution serves one store or stores in the same Shopify Plus organization without App Store review and cannot use Shopify’s app-billing system. Applicable feature and data requirements still apply. Public distribution serves multiple merchants through the App Store and requires review, appropriate Shopify billing and ongoing support.
When does a store need a custom app?
Consider one when supported native features, configuration and existing apps do not adequately meet the requirement. Compare a custom build with those options using functionality, permitted interfaces, total cost, maintenance and exit needs. An integration need alone does not establish that custom development is necessary or cheaper.
Can you customize Shopify checkout?
Yes. We build eligible checkout extensions and Functions. Information, shipping and payment-step UI extensions require Plus; eligible thank-you and order-status extensions are available on Basic or higher. We check the specific feature and distribution model.
How much does Shopify app development cost?
It depends on custom or public, screens and extensions, integrations, data volume, multi-store support and review requirements. We quote in writing after discovery and separate the build from support and third-party fees.
How long does a Shopify app take to build?
The schedule follows discovery and depends on integrations, data access, feature scope and testing. Public-app review adds an external dependency; the proposal identifies milestones without guaranteeing Shopify’s approval date.
Will the app keep working when Shopify updates?
A separately purchased maintenance scope can cover supported API upgrades and checks for checkout, theme and platform changes. We define monitoring and support responsibilities, but maintenance does not guarantee permanent compatibility or prevent every interruption. Larger features and changes outside scope are quoted separately.
Who owns the app?
App, account and listing authority are documented against Shopify’s rules and your agreement; data use remains subject to lawful permissions. Our pre-existing tools and third-party materials retain their own rights and licence terms.
Can you also build our customer-facing mobile app?
Yes, under a separately agreed mobile-app scope. We assess permitted Shopify interfaces, customer-data access, product requirements, ordering, loyalty and notification eligibility. Apple and Google distribution and review requirements are separate from Shopify App Store requirements.
Start with the workflow your Shopify app needs to solve
Bring the feature gap, connected systems and intended users to discovery. We will compare existing apps with custom development and define a practical first release.