Hi all,
I’m building a shipping label platform (similar to ShipStation) that integrates with Shopify and other ecommerce platforms. Shopify flagged our app during review because we charge a monthly subscription for the platform on our website (Stripe) instead of using Shopify Billing.
However, large multichannel tools like ShipStation also have subscriptions and allow connecting multiple platforms (Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, etc.). My confusion is around this scenario: if a merchant signs up for a platform like ShipStation outside Shopify (for example through Etsy or directly on their website) and later connects a Shopify store, the subscription clearly wasn’t purchased through Shopify. How do these platforms handle that case while still complying with Shopify’s billing rules for App Store apps?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Hi @Christon1
I do not know how it goes in your example, if the customer signs up through Etsy, not sure why he would not be charged again for the Shipstation Shopify app? Or maybe they get it free, but it is not very likely. Think one part it service to Shipstationand other Shipstation Shopify app. But I may be wrong.
And no, you can not charge a subscription on your site with Stripe. It has to go through Shopify.
You see on the Shipstation page, there are clear pricing plans, but also “External charges may be billed by ShipStation separately from your Shopify invoice.”
Hi,
Thanks for getting back to me.
That makes sense regarding subscriptions needing to go through Shopify for App Store apps. The part I’m still trying to understand is the multichannel scenario. If a merchant signs up for a platform like ShipStation directly on their website (or through another channel like Etsy) and already has a paid account, then later decides to connect their Shopify store, the billing relationship already exists outside Shopify.
In that situation, does Shopify require the merchant to start a new subscription through Shopify Billing just to use the Shopify integration, or can the Shopify app simply act as a connector while the existing external subscription remains in place?
So the user in this scenario would pay a subscription fee (e.g. $15) for EACH of the apps (such as Etsy, Shopify etc.) that they connect to? On their website it says $15 for “unlimited store connections“. The app I am trying to build is 1:1 to their app, I’m just getting blocked for offsite subscriptions (even though I am making the ability to connect to a shopify store free)
Again, I do not know how that goes, but " and already has a paid account, then later decides to connect their Shopify store, the billing relationship already exists outside Shopify." I think they have a subscription for Shipstation, but they do not have a subscription for an shopify app. Also, we do not know the agreement between Shipstation and Shopify.
And of course, best to ask Shopify if you can, and also maybe post the same topic at