How can I set up a digital service subscription?

Shopify Apps
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Topic summary

A user wants to set up a monthly subscription for a digital service managed outside Shopify, similar to a marketing agency’s recurring billing model.

Initial Response:

  • One participant expressed doubt about feasibility, noting that while subscription apps exist, they typically can’t grant access to external platforms.

Proposed Solution:

  • Seal Subscriptions app offers a workaround using customer tagging:
    • The app automatically tags customers with active subscriptions
    • These tags could integrate with a content-restriction app to control access
    • Requires finding a compatible app that unlocks content based on customer tags

Alternative Approach:

  • Another suggestion recommends using dedicated subscription billing platforms that support:
    • Recurring billing for non-physical products
    • Automated invoicing and client portals
    • Custom access management for external services

Status: The discussion remains open with multiple potential solutions but no confirmed implementation path.

Summarized with AI on October 29. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
2

This doesn’t sound doable.

You could definitely setup a store with a subscription product, using a subscription app from the Shopify app store, but it wouldn’t be able to give access to something outside of Shopify.