Hybrid billing question — Can we keep Stripe for core SaaS subscription when Shopify is only a data integration? (Requirement 1.2.2)

[jesse_epstein]

Hi everyone,

We are PureProfit.ai — a standalone AI-powered profit intelligence platform. Shopify is just one optional data source among many (Meta Ads, Google Ads, Klaviyo, QuickBooks, etc.). The core subscription and value live on pureprofit.ai (billed via Stripe).

Our two user paths:

1. Path 1 (most users): User signs up on pureprofit.ai → pays via Stripe → later connects Shopify as a data source.

2. Path 2: User discovers us in the Shopify App Store → installs → Shopify Billing API.

We are making the required change for 2.3.1 (all new Shopify connections now route through the App Store listing).

The conflict with 1.2.2

Shopify now requires us to use Shopify Managed Pricing / Billing API for any charges once the app is installed via their surface. However:

• Connecting Shopify itself adds $0 cost.

• The real paid product is the PureProfit platform (Advisor / Executive plans, etc.).

Our question to the community:

Is there an accepted way to:

• Use Shopify Billing API only for the free tier (Shopify data access), and

• Keep Stripe as the primary billing provider for the full PureProfit subscription (even after Shopify install)?

Or are we forced to move all paid plans to Shopify Managed Pricing if we want to stay in the App Store (even unlisted)?

We’ve seen conflicting guidance:

• Shopify support said a Free plan should be fine.

• The App Reviewer is pushing hard for full Shopify Billing flow.

Any real-world examples from other hybrid SaaS apps (where Shopify is only an integration) would be extremely helpful.

Thanks in advance!

[jesse_epstein]

And to add to this. I don’t know how this makes sense for the billing to be forced through Shopify. What if another platform decides they want to enforce a similar requirement (like klaviyo)…what if they come out with a requirement that enforces anyone connecting to their platform (even as a data source) forces the user to use klaviyo billing…then you wouldn’t be allowed to have both sources integrated because you’d be violating someone’s platform policy.

[KyleG-Shopify]

Hey @jesse_epstein, the reviewer pushback is likely coming from your shopify pricing not matching the pricing of your website.

Take a look at this thread here as it’s the same scenario you’re running in to: Clarification on Billing Requirements — App Using Stripe for Subscription & One-Time Charges (posts 2 and 4 are the relevant ones).

The TLDR is that we expect merchants to have a path to install your app and use it’s features without needing to set up separate billing outside of Shopify. For cases where merchants have their billing already set up with you and are adding your app to their store, switching their billing is not required.