How I choose apps

I’m Patrick, I work with Shopify every day and maintain this directory myself. Here I explain how a listing comes about, what it tells you and what it does not.

Four steps to a listing

  1. Headquarters in Europe

    Only providers based in Europe make it into the directory. I document the headquarters with the Shopify listing and the provider's own details.

  2. Data and contracts

    Which data does the app need? Is there a data processing agreement (DPA)? Where is the data stored, and which service providers are involved?

  3. Testing and asking

    I test apps myself and ask support when features or privacy details are unclear. How deeply I test depends on the app.

  4. Source and date

    Every claim gets its source right next to it, every research a check date. Whatever I cannot document is marked as open.

What a listing means

A listing means …

  • The provider is demonstrably based in Europe.
  • Linked claims come from the provider's public documents.
  • Missing evidence is shown as “open”, never as “met”.

… and does not mean

  • No GDPR seal, no privacy certification.
  • No audit of source code or infrastructure.
  • Not automatically fully tested by me.
  • No substitute for your own test in your store or for legal advice.

Symbols in the directory

Location documentedThe headquarters in Europe is documented with a source. Not a privacy seal.Location symbol

Means: The provider's European location is placed using the linked source. Source and check date are on the detail page.

Does not mean: No security audit, no privacy seal. Older entries may come from the original starting set; their check notes say so.

Source availablePrivacy source

Means: I have linked public privacy information from the provider.

Does not mean: No proof that a suitable DPA exists or that all data stays in the EU. I separate what is documented from what is open on the detail page.

Built for Shopify

Means: Shopify rates the app's performance, design and integration.

Does not mean: Not a privacy certificate. The Shopify listing shows the current status.

Stars

Means: A snapshot from the Shopify App Store.

Does not mean: Not my own rating. For new research entries I show no unchecked numbers.

Recently checked

For these apps I have read the provider's website, contracts and privacy documents. Prices and features may have changed since.

How the directory is funded

What there is

  • Some apps have a partner link to the vendor in addition to the App Store link. If you sign up through it, I earn a commission. Your price stays the same.
  • Every partner link is labelled “Partner link” right next to it. The link to the Shopify App Store never carries a partner ID.

What there is not

  • Listings cannot be bought. Only the check described above decides whether an app is listed.
  • A partner programme changes neither the order nor the text or assessment of an app.

There are currently no partner links in the directory.

Before you install: six questions

Who gets your customers' data, what does the app cost at your volume, and how do you get rid of it again?

To the checklist

Something out of date?

Send me the app and a current source. I check the listing and update it.

Send a correction

Want the apps in your own store reviewed? I do that as a paid App-Stack-Check. It has no influence on the directory.

Go to the App-Stack-Check