Are custom apps hosted within the shopify store or on a separate server?

[grepsoft]

Hello,

I read through the documentation but am very confused. I am learning shopify app development and trying to figure out if I build a custom app where is it hosted? Do I need to host it on my server? I know the app has to be installed through some sort of a link right?

Any pointers will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Mircea_Piturca · Accepted solution]

Yes, your app will need to be hosted. AWS, Heroku... you need an environment to run your application.

To get started these are my best picks: 

https://shopify.dev/tutorials/build-a-shopify-app-with-node-and-react

https://shopify.github.io/shopify-app-cli/

In development, you do not need hosting, Ngrock helps you create a localhost server.