When browsing the Shopify App Store, you may have noticed certain apps come with a “Built for Shopify” badge. This small label carries big weight, it signals that an app meets Shopify’s highest standards for speed, security, design, and support.

But what exactly does it mean for an app to be “Built for Shopify”? How is it different from other apps? And why should merchants or app developers care?

In this guide, we’ll break down:

• What the Built for Shopify badge actually means
• The benefits for both merchants and developers
• The requirements your app must meet to earn the badge
• And how to actually apply and maintain it

Whether you’re a merchant looking for reliable apps or a developer aiming to stand out in the App Store, this article gives you everything you need to know.

Let’s dive in.

Built for Shopify vs Regular Apps: What’s the Difference?

What does Built for Shopify mean?

The Built for Shopify badge is a mark of quality awarded to public apps that meet Shopify’s highest standards across four key areas: performance, user experience, security, and merchant support. You’ll see this badge on select apps listed in the Shopify App Store, often in the top search results or featured collections.

Unlike regular apps, BFS-certified apps are thoroughly reviewed by Shopify, not just for what they do, but how they do it. The badge confirms that the app:

• Uses Shopify’s latest development frameworks (like App Bridge and theme app extensions)
• Delivers fast performance without bloating store load time
• Follows Shopify’s Polaris design system for a native, consistent experience
• Offers reliable support, clear documentation, and maintains strong merchant ratings

Shopify launched the Built for Shopify program to improve the overall app ecosystem. It gives merchants an easier way to find apps they can trust, while rewarding developers who go the extra mile to follow best practices.

In short, it’s not just a badge, it’s a signal of excellence.

Feature comparison: BFS apps vs regular apps

So, what actually sets Built for Shopify apps apart from regular apps in the App Store? The table below highlights key differences:

Do BFS apps actually perform better?

Yes, in most cases, they do. Shopify doesn’t hand out the badge lightly. BFS apps must pass a comprehensive review, ensuring they don’t slow down storefronts, break layouts, or confuse users with poor UI. They’re also more likely to work seamlessly with Online Store 2.0 themes, mobile devices, and embedded admin interfaces.

For merchants, that translates to better performance, fewer headaches, and more confidence when installing an app.

Key Benefits of the Built for Shopify Badge

Built for Shopify benefits for merchants

For merchants, the Built for Shopify badge isn’t just a label—it’s a shortcut to finding reliable, high-quality apps that won’t compromise store performance or customer experience. Here’s why many store owners actively look for BFS-certified apps:

1. Reviewed and vetted by Shopify

Every BFS app goes through Shopify’s in-depth review process. This includes checks for security, performance, UI consistency, and merchant feedback, giving store owners confidence right from the start.

2. Better store speed and stability 

BFS apps are optimized for speed. They use theme app extensions instead of injecting code directly into themes, which reduces the risk of bloated pages or broken layouts.

3. Lower risk of bugs and conflicts 

Because these apps follow strict technical guidelines and integrate using approved Shopify methods, they’re less likely to conflict with themes or other installed apps.

4. More reliable support and documentation 

Shopify requires BFS apps to offer accessible support, clear onboarding, and useful help documentation. That means fewer support tickets and smoother setups for merchants.

In short, the badge acts as a trust signal, making it easier for merchants to choose Shopify apps that just work.

Built for Shopify benefits for app developers and providers

For app developers, earning the Built for Shopify badge is a strategic advantage in a crowded marketplace. Here’s how it helps your app stand out and grow:

1. Increased visibility and ranking in the Shopify App Store 

BFS apps are prioritized in search results, featured collections, and curated app groups. This gives them more exposure to merchants actively browsing for trusted solutions.

2. Higher conversion rates due to merchant trust 

The badge signals quality. Merchants are more likely to install apps that have already been vetted, especially if they’ve experienced buggy or unsupported apps in the past.

3. Stronger positioning in a competitive market 

With thousands of apps in the Shopify ecosystem, BFS status helps your app stand out, showing that it meets Shopify’s own standards, not just the developer’s.

4. Eligibility for Shopify’s promotional perks and highlights 

Shopify may include BFS apps in newsletters, recommendation widgets, onboarding flows, and other promotional surfaces, boosting installs and long-term growth.

For developers serious about scale and long-term adoption, earning the BFS badge is a proven lever for visibility, credibility, and growth.

What Are the Built for Shopify Requirements?

Shopify created the Built for Shopify badge to protect merchants and elevate app quality across the ecosystem. Every requirement is designed to solve common pain points: apps that slow down storefronts, inject messy code, confuse users, or lack support.

To earn the Built for Shopify badge, apps must meet clear, measurable standards across four core areas: performance, user experience, security, and merchant satisfaction. These requirements are designed to ensure apps enhance, not hinder, the Shopify experience for both merchants and customers.

Here’s a summary of the core badge requirements based on Shopify’s official documentation:

These requirements reflect Shopify’s ongoing push for a safe, performant, and merchant-friendly app ecosystem. Meeting them is about building an app that Shopify will support, promote, and recommend.

How to Get the Built for Shopify Badge (Developer Guide)

Step 1. Review Shopify’s requirements and documentation

Before you start optimizing, let’s get familiar with Shopify’s official badge criteria. You’ll find everything you need in the developer docs and your Partner Dashboard. These cover technical standards like App Bridge and Theme App Extensions, as well as expectations around UX, permissions, and support quality.

Step 2. Build & optimize your app to meet shopify’s standards

This is where the work happens. Make sure your app:

• Uses the latest Shopify App Bridge for a seamless admin experience
• Implements Theme App Extensions instead of editing theme files directly
• Follows Polaris design guidelines for clean, consistent UX
• Requests only the permissions it truly needs
• Provides helpful docs, clear onboarding, and responsive support

The goal is to make your app fast, intuitive, secure, and easy for merchants to trust.

Step 3. Submit your app for official review

Once your app meets all requirements, submit it for Built for Shopify evaluation via the Partner Dashboard. Shopify will conduct both automated audits and manual reviews of your listing, code, performance, and feedback history. If approved, your badge will appear on your app listing and in the Shopify admin.

Step 4. Maintain badge compliance over time

Approval isn’t permanent. Shopify now performs annual revalidation of all BFS apps. If your app falls out of compliance (due to performance drops, poor reviews, outdated APIs, etc.), you’ll receive a notice and have 30-60 days to resolve the issue or risk losing badge status.

Built for Shopify: 2025 Program Updates and Perks

In March 2025, Shopify announced major updates to the Built for Shopify (BFS) program, introducing new benefits and stricter requirements, which took effect in July 2025. These changes aim to reward high-quality apps and help merchants find trusted tools faster.

New perks include:

• A media kit to help developers promote their badge across marketing channels.
• Merchant plan-based ad targeting, allowing BFS apps to run App Store ads aimed at specific merchant tiers (e.g. Plus, Retail).
• A dedicated BFS search filter that lets merchants view only certified apps, driving more visibility and installs.

New criteria highlights:

• All apps must use the latest version of Shopify App Bridge for optimal performance.
• Apps in key categories – such as ads, analytics, email marketing, SMS, forms, and subscriptions – must meet category-specific requirements to ensure deep platform integration.

In addition, all BFS apps will now undergo annual reviews. Apps that fall out of compliance will have 30–60 days to resolve issues or risk badge removal.

These updates are designed to maintain the integrity of the badge while providing developers with additional tools to succeed. Meeting these standards ensures that your app stands out in a crowded marketplace and earns lasting trust from merchants.

Built for Shopify: FAQs

What is Built for Shopify? 

Built for Shopify (BFS) is a program that highlights apps meeting Shopify’s highest standards for performance, design, security, and support. Apps with the BFS badge are reviewed and verified by Shopify and appear in special App Store placements.

How does an app qualify for the Built for Shopify badge? 

To qualify, an app must meet strict criteria across performance, UX, permissions, and support, plus category-specific standards if applicable. Shopify reviews each app through both automated tests and manual audits before awarding the badge.

Are Built for Shopify apps safer to install? 

Yes. Shopify vets these apps to ensure they don’t harm performance, misuse permissions, or disrupt store functionality. They’re built using recommended frameworks and reviewed for security best practices.

Do Built for Shopify apps cost more than regular apps? 

Not necessarily. BFS status doesn’t determine pricing. Some are free, while others are paid, just like other apps. The badge indicates quality, not cost.

Can I trust apps without the Built for Shopify badge? 

Many non-badged apps are still great, especially newer ones. However, the BFS badge provides an additional layer of confidence that an app meets Shopify’s strictest standards.

Final Words

All in all, the Built for Shopify badge is a sign of trust, performance, and reliability. For store owners, it means selecting apps that are faster, safer, and designed to integrate seamlessly with Shopify. For developers and partners, it’s a path to visibility, credibility, and long-term growth in the App Store.

As Shopify continues to raise its standards, choosing BFS-certified apps – or building to meet those standards – has become essential for scalable, high-performing stores.

At LitOS, we help merchants and partners identify, integrate, and optimize with Shopify apps to ensure every solution meets Shopify’s best practices. From store builds to custom functionality, we focus on what performs and what lasts.

Looking to upgrade your Shopify stack with apps that are truly built for it? Let’s talk right today!