If you’re thinking about cybersecurity in 2025, your head is in the right place. It’s smart to take threats like malware, data breaches, and ransomware seriously, especially considering these attacks rose by over 70% in just one year.
Are Shopify Apps Safe for Your Store?
Shopify apps are safe for you as a merchant, for your website, and for your customers. App developers must pass a strict security review by Shopify’s team before the application is available for installation.
Of course, no website or software can guarantee that it will prevent 100% of data breaches; even tech giants like Cisco, Apple, and AT&T have been hit by cyberattacks in the past. So, when we say that Shopify apps are safe, we mean that they follow good cybersecurity practices and meet trustworthy data standards.
The Shopify App Review Process
App developers who want to offer their creations to Shopify merchants have to go through a time-consuming review process. All public apps that are available for Shopify undergo this revision, including ones that are offered on third-party sites.
The full checklist for app developers is too long to share here, but some key requirements touch on:
- Prohibited features and configurations
- Restrictions on merchant data collection
- Functionality and performance
- Account security and authentication guidelines
- Cybersecurity requirements
- Compliance with protected customer data security standards
For example, public Shopify apps are not allowed to collect user credentials (e.g., username, and password). Instead, they must use the OAuth standard to generate a unique token that protects private information and allows for secure logins.
Shopify Apps and OAuth
In simple terms, with OAuth, Shopify vouches for you when it comes to third-party apps. For example, here’s what would happen if you decide to install Kiwi Sizing for your store:
- Shopify replaces your username with a token, like an alias: For example, your account is called “Sam Example,” but Shopify creates the token “User%757AB”.
- Shopify creates a secret code that represents your password: Instead of your real password, “EXaMPL4S#0P”, Shopify tells the app that your authorized code is ^R40Pkgh20&kfNB.
- The app never sees your real credentials. When you log into Shopify with your username and password, the app only sees the token and secret code every time.
This process helps to protect your data and keep your store safe from hackers.
Cloud-Based Operations Instead of On-Device Installation
Shopify sites don’t support independent software installations, meaning that developers have to use Shopify’s setup tools whether they highlight the app directly on the Shopify store or through curated Shopify app stacks.
This is good for your website because it means that developers have to follow certain cybersecurity rules. They can’t create standalone software with malicious code that installs on your computer and runs in the background, for example. Everything has to happen in the cloud using Shopify’s Application Programming Interface.
Apps can only access the data that related Shopify APIs allow (with your permission). For example, an app that streamlines dropshipping may need access to shipping addresses and customer names, but not to their payment information or billing history.
Payment Security
Another reason you can trust that Shopify apps are safe is that they have to use the Shopify Payments API for any payment processing integrations. Shopify takes this type of sensitive customer information extremely seriously.
Shopify limits any payment processing features or apps to approved Payments Partner developers only. To qualify, app developers have to pass three separate reviews:
- Application to become a Payments Partner and qualifications
- Security review of the payment extension
- Testing of the completed payments app
Only approved partners can create this type of Shopify app, and only approved payment apps get published. This restriction significantly improves the safety of apps that appear on the Shopify store, limiting your store’s risk of exposing sensitive payment card information.
Are Shopify Apps Secure?
Shopify requires apps on its store to follow strict security standards. These requirements include SSL certification and protection against common vulnerabilities.
TLS/SSL Certificates
Secure Sockets Layer or Transport Layer Security protocols are related to data encryption. Apps and websites with TLS/SSL technology can use the HTTPS URL which means the data transmission pipeline is secure. With this encryption, hackers can’t access your private information in transit. Shopify apps must obtain a TLS/SSL certificate from an established certificate authority, a trusted third-party vendor.
Vulnerability Protection
Shopify’s app revision checks that developers have taken measures to protect merchants against common application vulnerabilities, such as:
- Cryptographic failures
- Access control failures
- Security logging vulnerabilities
- Software integrity violations
- Outdated components
- iFrame injection attacks
Every year, the Open Web Application Security Project updates its list of current vulnerabilities. Developers who want to keep their apps on the Shopify store must keep up with emerging threats and new cybersecurity solutions.
Is Shopify Safe From Hackers?
As a platform, Shopify has a good reputation for cybersecurity. For one thing, it holds the highest level of PCI DSS compliance, a cybersecurity standard for online payments and credit cards. Level 1 PCI DSS compliance means:
- Annual security audits and quarterly system scans
- Ongoing risk management
- Real-time threat monitoring
- Data encryption in transit and at rest
- Antimalware systems
- Strict access control measures
As of the end of 2024, no data breaches have been linked to Shopify failures. That said, there have been a few merchant data breaches connected to third-party vendors.
App Removal
Shopify has also taken steps to keep its app store secure. If developers stop updating apps or make changes to the way they function, Shopify removes them from the store. This usually only happens to a small percentage of apps, however (1% or 2%).
How Can You Be Sure a Shopify App Is Safe?
Although the chance of installing Shopify apps with vulnerabilities or malicious code is minuscule, it still exists. To avoid problems, a good habit is to only install apps with a good reputation. Longtime apps with thousands of installations and ratings of four stars or more are a safe bet.
At StayTuned Digital, we’re experts in app development and Shopify integrations. You can trust our apps to help your store, not hurt it. We stay up to date with cybersecurity advancements and curate trusted solutions. Browse a complete list of Shopify apps that are safe for your business.