Can I list my Shopify app, which is a part of my SaaS, which has hybrid payment subscription model?

Technical Q&A

Topic summary

Issue: Eligibility and compliance for listing a Shopify extension app that is part of a broader SaaS using a hybrid subscription billing model.

Proposed setup:

  • For Shopify merchants: install a Shopify app that redirects to an external SaaS URL to create/manage products and push them to the Shopify store. The app also adds extra customer input fields at add-to-cart. Billing would use Shopify Billing API on a subscription basis, covering both the Shopify app and the SaaS access.
  • For non-Shopify merchants: use the SaaS separately to export products via Excel for upload to non-Shopify stores. Billing would be via a third‑party gateway (e.g., Stripe) within the SaaS, with no Shopify involvement.

Key considerations raised:

  • Whether this hybrid billing approach complies with Shopify App Store policies (Shopify Billing for Shopify users, external payments for non-Shopify users).
  • Whether an app that redirects externally and is part of a larger SaaS can be listed.

Status: Open question; no responses or decisions yet.

Summarized with AI on January 3. AI used: gpt-5.
1

Hello,

My SaaS is about creating and managing products, there are two types of my users.

  1. if my users (merchants) are selling on their Shopify store, they can install my Shopify extension app, they will be redirect to my SaaS external URL, and there they can upload products to their store directly, I can charge them via Shopify billing API on a subscription basis for using my Shopify app and SaaS. My Shopify app will allow them to provide their customers additional info/input fields while adding product to cart.

  2. if my users (merchants) are selling on their non-Shopify store (store which is not built upon Shopify platform), they can download products in an excel and upload to their store as per their convenience, I need to charge those users via a third-party payment gateway (such as Stripe) on a subscription basis within my SaaS, there is no role of Shopify in this scenario.

But I am not sure whether my above makes sense, and this type of Shopify app (out of my SaaS) can be listed on Shopify app store, could you guys assist please?

1 Like