01
Discovery
Who the repeat customer is, what the app does that your site can’t, and which backend and platforms to build on.
FIG 01 · Ecommerce App Development
Ecommerce app development that passes review and sells
iOS and Android shopping apps for D2C brands and retailers, built on your store’s data, planned around the store rules, and focused on the repeat customers a website can’t keep.
See how it works
FIG 02 · Quick answer
What does an ecommerce app development company do?
An ecommerce app development company designs and builds the iOS and Android shopping apps your customers install. Elgrith builds native, React Native or Flutter apps on Shopify’s Storefront API, headless or custom backends, adds Apple Pay, Google Pay and push notifications, and plans each app around Apple’s rule against apps that only repackage a website.
- Stores planned for from day one: App Store and Google Play
- 2
- Projects delivered since 2015
- 1,000+
- Clients across the USA, UK and India
- 250+
- Your code, repository and IP
- 100%
FIG 03 · Why it matters
Apple’s rules decide the scope before the designer does.
From Apple, Google and Shopify, checked 24 Oct 2026.
01
4.2
More than a repackaged website
Apple’s minimum-functionality guideline says an app should include features, content and UI that “elevate it beyond a repackaged website”. A web wrapper is the first thing a shopping app gets rejected for.
Source: Apple, App Review Guidelines (read 24 Oct 2026)(opens in a new tab)02
3.1.3(e)
Physical goods skip in-app purchase
Apps that sell physical goods “must use purchase methods other than in-app purchase”, such as Apple Pay or card entry. Google Play says its billing must not be used for physical goods either.
Source: Apple, App Review Guidelines (read 24 Oct 2026)(opens in a new tab)03
30 Jun 2026
Supreme Court review of link-out fees
Apple’s 10-Q says the Ninth Circuit ruled on 11 Dec 2025 that Apple can charge some commission on link-out purchases, and the Supreme Court granted review on 30 Jun 2026.
Source: Apple, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 27 Jun 2026(opens in a new tab)
FIG 04 · Backend
Shopify, headless or custom backend?
The app is only as good as the store data behind it. We choose the backend in discovery, because it decides checkout, accounts and how fast new products reach the app.
| Shopify: Storefront API and Checkout Kit | Headless storefront | Custom backend | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Your Shopify store’s products, carts and customers, read through Shopify’s Storefront API | Hydrogen and Oxygen, or Magento, BigCommerce or WooCommerce APIs, behind your own front ends | Your own catalogue, orders and payments services |
| Checkout | Shopify checkout inside the app through Checkout Kit | The platform’s checkout or your own | Your own, with a payment gateway |
| Fits | Brands already selling on Shopify | Brands running one headless stack across web and app | Unusual models: subscriptions, marketplaces or B2B pricing |
| Trade-off | Bound to Shopify’s APIs and checkout rules | More moving parts to run | Most to build and maintain |
Shopify’s headless docs say you can “build iOS, Android, and React Native apps with the Storefront API and Checkout Kit”. We don’t hold Shopify Partner status; we build on Shopify’s public APIs. Shopify plan prices are set on Shopify’s own pricing page; check them there.
Need the web store itself? Ecommerce developmentFIG 05 · What you get
What our ecommerce app development covers
From the first sketch to the update after launch. These are the parts we design, build and ship, for iOS and Android.
02
UX and UI design
Native-feeling navigation, product pages and checkout, designed and tested on real phones before the build.
03
App build
Native, React Native or Flutter, connected to Shopify, a headless stack or your own APIs.
04
Payments
Apple Pay, Google Pay, saved cards and Shop Pay through your checkout or payment gateway.
05
Push notifications
Back-in-stock, order updates and offers, with opt-in and frequency rules that respect the shopper.
06
Analytics
Product views, add-to-cart, checkout and retention events, sent to the analytics you already use.
07
Store submission
Privacy details, screenshots, review notes and test accounts prepared for App Store and Google Play review.
08
Maintenance
OS updates, SDK changes and fixes after launch, under terms agreed in your written scope.
Deliverables
10
deliverables, in writing
Included in every build, written into your fixed quote before work starts.
FIG 06 · Features
Features shoppers use
An app earns its place on the home screen when it is faster and more personal than the website. These are the features that do that.
- Product catalogue
- Customer accounts
- Orders and stock
- Loyalty points
Your shopping app
- iOS app
- Android app
- Push messages
- Checkout
Search and discovery
- Shoppers get
- Fast search, filters and recently viewed
- Built with
- Your catalogue and a search service where the range is large
Wishlists and saved carts
- Shoppers get
- Saved items across phone and web
- Built with
- Customer accounts from your store
One-tap checkout
- Shoppers get
- Apple Pay, Google Pay and saved cards
- Built with
- Checkout Kit or your payment gateway
Order tracking
- Shoppers get
- Status and delivery updates in the app
- Built with
- Order data and carrier tracking
Loyalty and offers
- Shoppers get
- Points, tiers and app-only offers
- Built with
- Your loyalty tool’s API or a custom program
Offline browsing
- Shoppers get
- Recently viewed products on a weak signal
- Built with
- On-device cache with sensible expiry
Many sellers in one app?
Multi-vendor apps need seller onboarding and split payouts. Our marketplace team builds those.
Marketplace Development
FIG 07 · Review
Passing App Store review
Most shopping-app rejections are avoidable. We plan for these rules in discovery, not just before submission. Checked against Apple’s and Google’s rules on 24 Oct 2026.
04principles
Guideline 4.2: minimum functionality
Apple expects features, content and UI that lift an app beyond a repackaged website. Native navigation, accounts, push and offline browsing do that; a web view of your site doesn’t.
Guideline 3.1.3(e): physical goods
Physical goods and services used outside the app must be paid for by methods other than in-app purchase, such as Apple Pay or card entry.
Privacy details
Apple requires a privacy policy link in App Store Connect and in the app, and metadata, including privacy information, must match what the app does.
Google Play payments
Google Play’s Payments policy says Play billing must not be used for physical goods, so your checkout handles them.
FIG 08 · Launch
Design, launch and growth
An app that ships is half the job. These are the teams that design it, list it and keep it healthy.
04principles
App store optimization
Titles, screenshots and keywords so shoppers find the app.
App store optimization
FIG 09 · UK
Ecommerce app development for UK retailers
For UK brands and retailers, we work through our London client-partnership centre, with delivery from our New Delhi HQ. Copy, prices and formats are built for UK shoppers, and working hours are agreed in your written scope.
03principles
Built for UK shoppers
GBP pricing, UK addresses and postcodes, VAT-inclusive prices and UK spelling throughout the app.
UK delivery and returns
Carrier tracking, click-and-collect and returns flows connected to the carriers and tools you already use.
Consent and privacy
Push and tracking consent designed with UK GDPR and PECR in view. General guidance, not legal advice.
FIG 10 · Plan
Planning the app
Guides that help you budget, pick a platform and decide whether you need an app yet.
04principles
Budgeting the build?
What drives ecommerce app cost in 2026, including store fees.
Ecommerce app cost guide
FIG 11 · Process · 6 steps
Ecommerce mobile app development, step by step
A fixed written quote after a free call, then discovery, design, build, test, submit, launch and grow, with a demo every week. You own the code, the IP and the developer accounts.
- Step 01
Discovery
Your repeat customers, your backend and the store rules that shape the scope, ending in a written scope and a fixed quote.
- Step 02
Design
Navigation, product pages, cart and checkout designed and tested on real phones.
- Step 03
Build
The app and its connections to your store, payments, push and analytics, in sprints with a demo every week.
- Step 04
Test
Real devices, real orders in a test store, slow networks and the edge cases checkout always finds.
- Step 05
Submit
Privacy details, screenshots, review notes and test accounts prepared for App Store and Google Play review.
- Step 06
Launch and grow
Release, store listing work and updates after launch, under terms agreed in your written scope.
FIG 12 · What you get
Everything included
Written into your fixed quote, so you know exactly what you are paying for before work starts.
10items
- Written scope and fixed quote
- UX flows and UI design for iOS and Android
- iOS and Android apps
- Store, payments and push connections
- Analytics events set up
- App Store and Google Play submission
- Privacy details and review notes prepared
- Developer accounts in your name
- Hand-over documentation
- IP assignment: code and designs are yours
FIG 13 · Tech & tools
The tools behind the work
Proven, well-supported tools, chosen for your project and set up in accounts your business owns.
- Swift
- SwiftUI
- Kotlin
- Jetpack Compose
- React Native
- Flutter
- Shopify Storefront API
- Checkout Kit
- Hydrogen
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- Stripe
- Firebase Cloud Messaging
- GraphQL
FIG 14 · Who it’s for
Shopping apps for D2C brands and retailers.
An app for the customers who already buy from you, and buy again.
3 audiences
D2C brands
Turn your Shopify store into an app, not a wrapper.
A native or cross-platform app on the Storefront API and Checkout Kit, with push, wishlists and loyalty for the customers who come back.
- Built on your store’s data
- Checkout Kit or your gateway
- Push and loyalty
- Designed to pass 4.2
Retailers
Apps that join up stores, stock and online orders.
For multi-store retailers on headless or custom backends: store stock, click-and-collect and loyalty that work in the shop and in the app.
- Headless or custom backend
- Store stock and pick-up
- Loyalty across channels
- Order tracking
UK retailers
Ecommerce apps for UK brands and retailers.
Through our London client-partnership centre, with delivery from our New Delhi HQ. GBP, UK formats and UK spelling throughout.
- GBP and VAT-inclusive prices
- UK delivery and returns
- UK GDPR in the design
- Fixed written quote
FIG 15 · Working with us from the USA and UK
Built in New Delhi. Run on your hours.
Every project gets a point of contact in New York or London and an engineering team in New Delhi. Here is how today’s working days line up, live.
New York
North America
--:--ET
New Delhi team Your working day- Shared working time
- ≈ 3 hours today
- New Delhi is
- 10.5 h ahead
- Live calls, your time
- 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET
London
UK & Europe
--:--UK
New Delhi team Your working day- Shared working time
- ≈ 4.5 hours today
- New Delhi is
- 5.5 h ahead
- Live calls, your time
- 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. UK
Three ways to work together
- 01
Fixed-scope project
A written scope, one fixed price and a dated plan. Suits websites, apps and MVPs.
- 02
Dedicated team
Designers and engineers on your roadmap every month, billed monthly.
- 03
White label
For US and UK agencies: our work, your brand, unbranded deliverables.
Every engagement
- Fixed quote in USD, GBP or INR after a free 30-minute call
- NDA before discovery. You own all code, designs and content
- A working demo every sprint, not status slides
- Reply within one business day, calls inside your hours
Book a call
Calls on ET or UK hours
FIG 16 · Platforms
Native, React Native or Flutter?
All three can make a fast, review-ready shopping app. The right one depends on your team, your budget and the device features you need.
| Native (Swift and Kotlin) | React Native | Flutter | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code bases | Two: one per platform | One shared, with native modules where needed | One shared |
| Fits | Device-heavy features and the most native feel | Teams with React and web skills | One brand-led UI across both platforms |
| Shopify Checkout Kit | iOS and Android | React Native | Not in Shopify’s listed platforms; checkout approach agreed in discovery |
| Trade-off | Two code bases to maintain | Some native work for device features | Custom work for some platform-specific features |
We choose with you in discovery and write the choice into your scope.
Weighing it up? Flutter vs React Native in 2026FIG 17 · Store fees
Store fees and link-outs in 2026 (as of October 2026)
As of October 2026, physical-goods sellers mostly sit outside store commission, because the stores’ billing isn’t used for physical goods. Link-out rules matter if you also sell digital items such as memberships or content.
| Rule | Store | What it says | What it means for a shopping app |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guideline 3.1.3(e) | Apple App Store | Physical goods and services used outside the app must use purchase methods other than in-app purchase | Pay through Apple Pay, cards or your checkout |
| Payments policy | Google Play | Play billing must not be used for physical goods | Pay through Google Pay, cards or your checkout |
| Guideline 3.1.1(a) | Apple, US storefront | Buttons, external links and other calls to action are allowed in US storefront apps | Digital items can link out to web checkout in the US |
| Epic v. Apple | Apple, US | Ninth Circuit (11 Dec 2025): Apple can charge some commission on link-out purchases; Supreme Court granted review 30 Jun 2026 | Link-out fees for digital items are still being decided |
| US program changes | Google Play, US | Fee reporting for US external links began 1 Oct 2026 | Report link-out sales of digital items if you use them |
General guidance from public sources, not legal advice; your counsel confirms what applies to you. Sources: Apple App Review Guidelines (read 24 Oct 2026); Apple Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 27 Jun 2026; Google Play Payments policy and US program changes (read 24 Oct 2026).
FIG 18 · Cost
What drives ecommerce app development cost
We don’t publish prices. These are the things that move the cost and timeline of a shopping app, so you can decide what goes in the first release.
| Driver | Lower cost | Higher cost |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | One cross-platform code base | Two native apps |
| Backend | Shopify with the Storefront API and Checkout Kit | A custom catalogue, orders and payments backend |
| Features | Browse, search, cart and checkout | Loyalty, personalization, offline mode and store stock |
| Integrations | Your store and one analytics tool | ERP, POS, loyalty and several carriers |
| Design | Your brand applied to proven patterns | A fully custom UI with motion and AR |
Store developer fees and payment fees are set by Apple, Google and your payment provider. After a free call you get a written scope and a fixed quote.
Budgeting? Ecommerce app development cost in 2026FIG 19 · Rules and dates
Ecommerce app rules and dates (checked 24 Oct 2026)
What changed for shopping apps, and when. Checked at each source on 24 Oct 2026.
| Source | Date | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| Apple App Review Guidelines 4.2 and 3.1.3(e) | Read 24 Oct 2026 (page undated) | Apps must go beyond a repackaged website; physical goods use methods other than in-app purchase |
| Apple Guideline 3.1.1(a) | Read 24 Oct 2026 | US storefront apps may include buttons and external links to other purchase methods |
| Epic v. Apple (Apple 10-Q) | 11 Dec 2025; 30 Jun 2026 | Ninth Circuit allowed some commission on link-outs; Supreme Court granted review |
| Google Play US program | 1 Oct 2026 | Fee reporting for US external links began |
| Shopify headless docs | Read 24 Oct 2026 (page undated) | iOS, Android and React Native apps can use the Storefront API and Checkout Kit |
General guidance from public sources, not legal advice; your counsel confirms what applies to you. We re-check store rules before every submission.
FIG 20 · Compare
Which ecommerce build do you need?
| Ecommerce app development | Ecommerce development | Shopify app development | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What we build | iOS and Android shopping apps | Your online store on the web | Apps that merchants install in Shopify admin |
| Who uses it | Your shoppers | Your shoppers | Other Shopify merchants |
| Where it lives | App Store and Google Play | Your domain | The Shopify App Store |
| Start here if | Your store works and repeat buyers want an app | You need a store, a replatform or a faster site | You want to sell a tool to merchants |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about Ecommerce App Development with Elgrith.
We don’t publish prices, because cost depends on scope: one cross-platform code base or two native apps, Shopify or a custom backend, and how much loyalty, personalization and integration you need. Our ecommerce app cost guide walks through the drivers and the store fees, and after a free call you get a written scope and a fixed quote.
FIG 21 · Related
Keep exploring
App Development
iOS, Android & cross-platformReact Native App Development
Cross-platform apps in React NativeFlutter App Development
One codebase for iOS & AndroidE-commerce Development
Shopify, Plus & headless storesShopify App Development
Custom & public Shopify appsPayment Gateway Integration
Stripe, PayPal, Razorpay & more
Free 30-minute call
Build a shopping app worth installing.
Tell us about your store, your repeat customers and the app you have in mind. After a free call you get a written scope and a fixed quote.
Pick a day for your call
OpenPick a day. You'll choose a time in your own time zone on the next step.