How to See What Apps a Shopify Store Is Using [4 Free Methods]

TL;DR: Use a free Shopify app detector like Store Inspector. Or check the page source and search for <!-- BEGIN app block: comments.

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Want to see what apps a Shopify store is using? You can find out in seconds.

This guide shows you four free ways to detect Shopify apps on any store. Use these methods to spy on competitor stores and find what apps they use.

Why Find Out What Shopify Apps a Store Uses?

Here's why this matters for competitor research:

• Learn from winners - See what apps top Shopify stores use
• Find new tools - Discover apps you didn't know existed
• Understand strategy - App choices show what a store focuses on
• Save money - Check if successful stores use an app before you buy it
• Find gaps - See what competitors aren't using
• Analyze the full tech stack - Apps are just one piece; combine with theme and pixel data for a complete tech stack analysis

The average Shopify store uses 6+ apps. Our own State of Shopify data from 211K+ stores shows the average is closer to 1.8 detected frontend apps.

Method 1: Use a Shopify App Detector Extension

This is the fastest way to see what apps a Shopify store is using. Extensions scan the page and show you what's installed.

~5 seconds

Store Inspector (Free)

Store Inspector is a free Shopify app detector that finds:

Install it. Visit any Shopify store. Click the icon. Done.

Pros:

• Free
• Works offline
• Detects apps, pixels, and themes
• Groups apps by category

Cons:

• Chrome only (for now)

Other Shopify App Detector Tools

For a full comparison of every option, see our best Shopify app detector tools roundup.

Method 2: Check the Source Code to Find Shopify Apps

Don't want to install anything? Check the page source yourself to see what apps a store uses.

5-15 minutes

How to View Page Source

1. Open the Shopify store in your browser
2. Right-click anywhere
3. Click "View Page Source" (or press Ctrl+U / Cmd+Option+U)
4. Press Ctrl+F / Cmd+F to search
5. Look for app signatures

What to Search For

App block comments

<!-- BEGIN app block: shopify://apps/klaviyo -->

The app name comes after /apps/. Replace dashes with spaces to find it in the Shopify App Store.

Script sources

<script src="https://cdn.judge.me/widget.js"></script>
<script src="https://static.klaviyo.com/onsite/js/klaviyo.js"></script>

Common domains

Pros:

• No tools needed
• Works in any browser
• Free

Cons:

• Takes time
• You need to know what to look for
• Easy to miss apps

Want faster results? Try Store Inspector - it finds Shopify apps automatically in one click.

Method 3: Inspect Network Requests to Find Shopify Apps

This catches apps that don't show up in the HTML. Good for finding hidden tracking pixels.

10-20 minutes

How to Use DevTools

1. Press F12 to open DevTools
2. Go to the Network tab
3. Refresh the page
4. Filter by "JS" or "XHR"
5. Look for third-party domains

What You'll Find

Some apps load after the page loads. Network inspection catches these.

Pros:

• Finds more apps
• Shows tracking pixels
• Shows API calls

Cons:

• Needs some tech knowledge
• Takes time

Method 4: Online Shopify App Detector Tools

Websites that scan stores for you. No install needed.

2-5 minutes

How It Works

Paste a Shopify store URL. The tool scans the site. You get a list of apps.

Options

• ShopScan.app - Claims 2,000+ apps
• PIPIADS App Detector - AI-powered
• Sell The Trend - Part of their research suite

Pros:

• No install
• Quick for one-off checks

Cons:

• Less accurate
• May need signup
• Limited free usage

What Shopify Apps Can (and Can't) Be Detected

Apps You Can Detect

Most frontend apps can be detected:

Apps You Can't Detect

• Backend apps - Inventory, fulfillment, accounting
• Private apps - Built for one store
• Customized apps - Signatures removed
• Admin tools - Never load on the storefront

Best Shopify App Categories to Research

Look at these categories when doing competitor research:

Stores using Klaviyo + ReCharge + Yotpo are usually doing 7-8 figures.

Tips for Shopify Competitor Research

Focus on why stores use apps, not just what they use.

FAQ

Can I see ALL apps a Shopify store uses?

No. Backend and private apps can't be detected. You'll find about 70-80% of apps.

Is it legal to see what apps a Shopify store is using?

Yes. You're viewing public information that's sent to your browser.

How often should I check competitor Shopify stores?

Every few months. App stacks don't change often.

What's the best Shopify app detector?

Browser extensions like Store Inspector. They're fast, accurate, and free.

Summary

Ready to see what apps any Shopify store is using?

Install Store Inspector - free, instant, detects apps + pixels + themes.