Custom/Admin app or public app? Which one I need?

Shopify Apps
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Topic summary

Choosing the app type to sync orders from a custom PHP Symfony marketplace to partner Shopify stores. The goal is to onboard 2–3 new partners weekly, restrict access to the app to own clients only, and use API-based integration.

  • Options compared: Custom/Admin app vs Public app. The key difference noted is the installation workflow and API credential handling.
  • Recommendation given: Build a Custom/Admin app, as it suits restricted, client-only access rather than broad distribution.

Follow-up: The author asks how partners should provide access, proposing a workflow where each partner retrieves API credentials/access token from their Shopify admin (referencing a help article link).

Outcome/Status: Preliminary direction set toward a Custom/Admin app. The exact installation and token acquisition process for partners is not yet confirmed; awaiting clarification, so the thread remains open.

Summarized with AI on January 31. AI used: gpt-5.
1

Hi everyone!

I am brand new to shopify development that is why I came here for advices and help :slightly_smiling_face:

We own a marketplace which is full custom code, no CMS, and I would like to sync the orders that clients do on our marketplace with our partner Shopify stores.

Global info:

  • We have 2-3 new partners each week

  • Our back end run with PHP Symfony

  • I obviously want only my clients on this app

  • I have knowledge to develop an app using an API

Questions:

I have seen two types of apps: Custom/admin apps created from shopify admin and public app.

The main difference seems to be the workflow needed to “install” the app and the credentials used to access the API.

Seeing my use case, which one do you advice me to develop?

2

Hi,

Custom/Admin apps that’s what you need.

3

OK @jazz-jay thanks for your answer!

If I understood correctly, I need to ask my partner to follow this kind of workflow to give me the access token right ?

https://help.plytix.com/en/getting-api-credentials-from-your-shopify-store