We audit a lot of Shopify stores. And almost every single one has the same problem: too many apps. We've seen stores with 30, 40, even 50 apps installed. Monthly app costs over $500. And most of them aren't doing anything.
Here's the truth: you only need 5 apps to run a profitable Shopify store. Everything else is either a nice-to-have or straight up bloat that's slowing down your site.
Why Too Many Apps Kill Your Store
Every app you install adds code to your site. That code has to load. And the more code that loads, the slower your site gets.
Google has made it clear: site speed matters. A one-second delay in page load can drop conversions by 7%. If your site takes 5 seconds to load instead of 2, you're losing sales. Period.
Beyond speed, apps conflict with each other. They break things. They require updates. They become security vulnerabilities. Keep it simple.
The 5 Essential Apps
1. Email Marketing (Klaviyo)
Email is still the highest ROI channel in e-commerce. You need an app that captures emails, segments your list, and sends automated flows. Klaviyo is the gold standard for Shopify.
At minimum, set up these flows: Welcome series, abandoned cart, post-purchase, and win-back. These four automations alone can add 20-30% to your revenue.
2. Reviews (Judge.me or Loox)
Social proof sells. You need a way to collect and display customer reviews. Judge.me is great if you want text reviews. Loox is better if photo reviews matter for your product.
Both have free tiers that work fine for most stores. Don't overthink this one.
3. Upsells (ReConvert or CartHook)
The easiest way to increase average order value is to make relevant offers at checkout and post-purchase. A good upsell app pays for itself in the first week.
Start simple: offer a complementary product at 15-20% off right after purchase. Test different offers until you find what converts.
4. SEO (No App Needed)
Hot take: you don't need an SEO app. Shopify's built-in SEO features are good enough for 90% of stores. Write good product descriptions, optimize your title tags, and focus on getting backlinks.
If you really want an app, Smart SEO is lightweight and handles the basics. But it's not essential.
5. Analytics (Lucky Orange or Hotjar)
You need to see how people actually use your site. Where do they click? Where do they get stuck? Where do they leave?
Session recordings and heatmaps will show you exactly what's broken. Fix those things and conversions go up. It's that simple.
Apps to Avoid
Some categories of apps are almost always a waste:
- Currency converters (Shopify has this built in now)
- Social media feed widgets (they slow your site and nobody cares)
- Exit-intent popups (usually annoying and rarely convert)
- Countdown timers (fake urgency doesn't work anymore)
- Chat widgets (unless you actually have someone to respond)
The Audit Process
Here's how to clean up your app situation:
- List every app you have installed
- For each app, ask: "Did this directly generate revenue in the last 30 days?"
- If the answer is no or you're not sure, uninstall it
- Test your site speed before and after (use Google PageSpeed Insights)
- Monitor your conversion rate for the next 2 weeks
Most stores see an immediate improvement in site speed and a gradual improvement in conversions after cleaning up their apps.
The Bottom Line
More apps doesn't mean more sales. Usually it means more problems. Stick to the essentials, keep your site fast, and focus on what actually moves the needle: great products, clear messaging, and consistent traffic.