10 Best Free Shopify Apps for New Stores to Boost Sales and Growth

Best free Shopify apps can make or break the success of your new online store, especially in a competitive e-commerce market. But here’s the real question — are you using the right tools to give your business the advantage it needs from day one? With so many apps promising to boost sales, enhance customer experience, and optimize store performance, finding the truly valuable ones is essential. According to this complete small business guide, choosing the right platform is just the first step — selecting the right supporting apps is where real growth happens.

Think about it: in your first few months of running a Shopify store, every marketing dollar counts, every customer matters, and every tool you add needs to deliver measurable results. The wrong apps can waste your time and slow down your site. The right ones? They can streamline order processing, boost customer trust, improve your SEO, and even drive up average order values through strategic upselling.

So, what if you could find the perfect mix of apps without spending a single cent? What if those apps covered everything — from product reviews and email marketing to shipping optimization and upsell tools? That’s exactly what we’re about to uncover in this guide to the 10 must-have and free Shopify apps for new stores.

Why Free Shopify Apps Are a Smart Starting Point for New Stores

When launching a Shopify store, budget is often tight. Free apps allow store owners to experiment with features, test marketing strategies, and optimize processes without immediate financial commitments. More importantly, they offer a low-risk way to discover what works for your unique business model.

These apps often cover essential areas like:

• Collecting and displaying customer reviews to build trust

• Running targeted email marketing campaigns

• Improving SEO performance for higher search visibility

• Streamlining shipping optimization for faster deliveries

• Increasing sales through upsell apps

By starting with free apps, you can build a foundation for your store’s growth, adding paid solutions later when you’ve validated their value.

 The 10 Best Free Shopify Apps for New Stores

1. Loox – Social Proof Through Visual Reviews

Loox allows you to collect and display customer photo reviews, which helps create trust. When buyers see others using your products, conversion rates can increase dramatically.

Key features:

• Automated review requests via email

• Photo and video reviews

• Customizable display widgets

 2. Klaviyo – Email Marketing Automation for Growth

Klaviyo gives you advanced segmentation tools, email automation, and powerful analytics. Even the free plan offers excellent functionality for startups.

Best for:

• Abandoned cart recovery

• Welcome series

• Post-purchase follow-ups

 3. SEO Booster – Improve Search Rankings

This app simplifies the complex process of optimizing your Shopify store for search engines. It automates many SEO tasks so you can focus on content and products.

Features include:

• Automatic meta tag optimization

• Image alt text insertion

• Broken link fixing

4. Oberlo – Product Sourcing Made Easy

Perfect for dropshippers, Oberlo lets you find and import products from suppliers straight into your store with just a few clicks.

 5. Privy – Pop-Ups and Email Collection

Privy helps grow your email list and convert visitors into customers using pop-ups, banners, and exit-intent triggers.

 6. Tidio – Live Chat and Chatbots

Tidio combines live chat with AI-driven bots, allowing you to interact with customers instantly and improve conversion rates.

7. AfterShip – Shipping Optimization Made Simple

AfterShip provides customers with real-time tracking updates, improving the post-purchase experience and reducing support requests.

 8. ReConvert – Boost Average Order Value

ReConvert helps you upsell and cross-sell to customers right after they make a purchase, increasing your revenue without extra ad spend.

9. Judge.me – Affordable Alternative for Reviews

Judge.me is another excellent app for collecting customer reviews, especially if you want fast-loading and SEO-friendly review pages.

 10. PushOwl – Web Push Notifications

PushOwl allows you to re-engage visitors who didn’t purchase, using browser notifications for abandoned carts and promotions.

 How to Choose the Right Apps for Your Store

Choosing the best free Shopify apps isn’t just about popularity — it’s about matching features to your business needs. As this Shopify vs WooCommerce comparison explains, the right integrations can transform your store’s performance.

Common Mistakes New Store Owners Make with Free Apps

• Installing too many apps, which can slow site speed

• Not testing app impact on conversions

• Ignoring compatibility between apps

Real-World Example – A Store That Grew with Free Apps

One fashion retailer launched with just three free apps: a review app, an email marketing tool, and a shipping tracker. Within six months, they increased customer retention by 28% and sales by 40%, proving that free tools can deliver major results when used strategically.

Additional Factors to Consider When Using Free Shopify Apps

Performance Impact on Store Speed

Many new store owners overlook the fact that every app installed adds scripts that can slow down website loading times. Speed is a critical factor for both user experience and search engine ranking.

• Monitor your store speed after installing any new app using Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix.

• Prefer multi-functional apps that combine features, rather than installing multiple single-purpose apps.

Data Privacy and Compliance

With stricter data protection laws like GDPR in the EU and CCPA in California, ensuring compliance is crucial.

• Review the app’s privacy policy before installation.

• Avoid apps requesting unnecessary access to sensitive customer data.

App Update Frequency and Developer Support

Outdated apps may break or cause compatibility issues with the latest Shopify updates.

• Check the update history on the Shopify App Store listing.

• Choose apps backed by active, responsive developers.

Advanced Free Tools for Specific Business Models

For Print-on-Demand Stores

• Printful (Free plan): Seamlessly integrates with Shopify for on-demand printing and direct customer shipping.

• Printify (Free plan): Offers a broader supplier network and product variety.

For Subscription-Based Stores

• Seal Subscriptions: Free tool for creating recurring billing plans for products or services.

• Bold Subscriptions (Free trial): Ideal for testing subscription management before committing to a paid plan.

Integrating Free Apps with Other Platforms

Pairing Shopify’s free apps with external tools can amplify their benefits:

• Connect email marketing apps like Klaviyo with Facebook Custom Audiences to target customers via social ads.

• Sync review apps with Google Shopping so your product ratings appear in search results.

Measuring the ROI of Free Apps

Even free apps cost time and resources, so it’s vital to track their performance. Set KPIs such as:

• Increased conversion rate after app installation.

• Higher customer retention rates.

• Reduced cart abandonment rates.

Use Shopify Analytics or Google Analytics to monitor and compare results over time.

Strategically Transitioning from Free to Paid Plans

Instead of upgrading blindly:

• Identify apps with the most significant impact on sales or customer satisfaction.

• Trial paid features before committing.

• Compare similar paid apps to find the best value.

FAQs

Q1: Are free Shopify apps enough for long-term growth?

Yes, many free Shopify apps offer robust features that can support long-term growth, especially for small and medium-sized businesses.

Q2: How many apps should I install when starting?

Keep it between 5–7 apps to avoid performance issues and maintain focus on essentials.

Q3: Do free Shopify apps include customer support?

Some do, but support levels vary. Always check the app’s support policy before installing.

Q4: Can I switch from a free plan to paid later?

Yes, most apps allow easy upgrades to unlock more advanced features.

Q5: Which app should I install first?

A review app like Loox or Judge.me is a great starting point to build credibility.

Conclusion – Build a Solid Foundation with Free Tools

Starting your Shopify journey with the best free Shopify apps is a smart move for long-term growth. Before you invest in paid tools, use these free solutions to test, optimize, and grow your store effectively.

If you want to explore more ways to enhance your online store, check out this guide on tools that can help grow your e-commerce business.