Is it possible to have an app with two plans, let’s say Basic and Pro, where all merchants can use the Basic features, while only Plus merchants could upgrade to the Pro plan which contains Plus-exclusive features?
Context:
We currently have an app that relies on checkout UI extensions, and there is some Shopify mechanism that prevents non-Plus merchants from installing it. This makes sense. However, if we wanted to create a different app plan, available to everyone, that used Shopify functions, while still keeping a Plus-only plan that used checkout UI extensions, how can we work around the Shopify restriction that prevents non-Plus merchants from installing the app?
This model should be possible - your app can query the merchant’s Shopify plan using the Admin API’s shop query. This query provides details about the shop, including whether it is on a Shopify Plus plan. Based on this information, you can create logic to enable or restrict access to the Pro plan features, and create a pricing model for stores that meet these conditions.
Yes, that makes sense. My issue is that, when viewing the app listing while logged into a non-Plus store, the “Install” button is greyed out and there is a message saying, “This app isn’t compatible with your store”. Clicking on the message opens a modal explaining that the issue is that the store is not on the Shopify Plus plan.
I am trying to identify the mechanism that blocks non-plus stores from installing the app. Is it the mere presence of a checkout extension? Or perhaps some setting added by Shopify, since the app was Plus only at the time of review? Based on other apps I have seen, it does appear to be possible to do what we want, but I just want to make sure I understand exactly how it works before building out the non-Plus plan.
My apps offer both Checkout UI Extensions and non-Plus required extensions like TYP/OSP extensions. I have never seen this behavior you’re referring to. It would be a huge problem for us if Shopify started gating based on plan during installation.
Can you share this screenshot of this explanation screen that you’re seeing about Plus plan requirement to continue?
So there can be apps that are Plus only (for all plans) - the Shopify App Store team can configure that on our side. However that would block non-Plus installing the app on any plan, which is not what you want.
Got it, sounds like our app is currently configured that way. So if we build a non-Plus plan, I assume we could then reach out to Shopify app support and have them adjust the configuration to allow non-Plus users?
@Dylan Based on Liam’s most recent response, it sounds like this is something that is configured by Shopify during the app review process. Our app is currently, and has always been, plus only, so they were right to configure it this way. I assume they can also reconfigure it to allow both plans, waiting on Liam to confirm. But if plus and non-plus merchants have always been able to install your apps, I don’t think you have anything to worry about.
For reference, this is the install button on the app listing page if you are signed in to a non-Plus store:
