The 5 Best Tapcart Alternatives To Build A Shopify Mobile App

Brief Article Overview

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• ‍Tapcart is a strong platform, but it can fall short for larger brands or those with tighter budgets.

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• Venn Apps is the best Tapcart alternative for brands needing stronger design and functionality continuity, as well as proper internationalisation.

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• ‍Shopney, MageNative and Vajro are more affordable alternatives that are easy to use and better suited to smaller or budget-conscious brands.

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• Migrating from Tapcart to Venn Apps is straightforward, with opt-ins, data and app users retained throughout the process.

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• Tapcart remains a good option for many, but if your brand is running into its limitations, there are better-fit alternatives worth exploring.

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If you're looking to build a mobile app for your Shopify store, you've likely come across Tapcart. As one of the first mobile app builders in the Shopify ecosystem, and with considerable funding behind them, Tapcart is often the go-to name when it comes to turning your store into an app.

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There’s no denying Tapcart has a strong product. It’s trusted by a range of Shopify brands and has played a key role in making app-based commerce more accessible. But while it's a solid choice for many, it’s not necessarily the right fit for everyone.

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Some design-led brands find the platform restrictive when it comes to customisation. Others are put off by transaction-based success fees, a lack of internationalisation features, or the need to rely on developers for customisation beyond standard templates.

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If any of that sounds familiar, you may be in the market for a Tapcart alternative. In this article, we’ll explore the best options available in 2025 and which one might be best suited to your brand’s needs.

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What is Tapcart?

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Tapcart is a no-code mobile app builder for Shopify merchants. Its app studio allows you to build a mobile app using a drag-and-drop editor and a library of pre-built components.

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It's one of the most advanced no-code platforms on the market, with support for push notifications, detailed analytics & third-party loyalty program integrations. It also allows customisation beyond its templates with the ability to add your own React Native code through something called “Custom Blocks”. Naturally though, this requires developer resource.

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Tapcart pricing starts from $200 per month, but scales quickly to well over $1000 for larger brands. Some merchants have also reported being charged success fees based on revenue generated through the app which can disincentivise growing the channel.

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What are the main reasons brands switch to Tapcart Competitors?

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At Venn Apps, we’ve worked with and spoken to many Shopify merchants who previously used Tapcart, so we have a strong understanding of why some brands decide to switch to a Tapcart competitor.

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While Tapcart remains one of the most well-known Shopify mobile app builders, it's not the right fit for every brand. Below are some of the most common reasons we hear from merchants who move away from Tapcart in search of an alternative solution.

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Lack of continuity between website & app

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One of the biggest challenges with Tapcart’s templated approach is that it often limits how much of your website’s functionality and design can be replicated in the app. While some of this can be achieved using Custom Blocks, it typically requires in-house React Native expertise.

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For brands that don’t want to commit developer resources to make their app feel consistent with their site, this quickly becomes a blocker. As a result, they end up seeking out a more flexible solution or one that can handle the heavy-lifting for them.

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Trouble with localisation

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For global brands, Tapcart’s localisation capabilities can be limiting. The platform doesn’t support multi-language across all app touchpoints, which can result in a disjointed experience for international customers. This is especially impactful as your app is likely where your most loyal customers will be shopping.

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In addition, managing multiple expansion stores on Tapcart requires separate apps for each store. This creates extra work for internal teams and prevents brands from scaling their mobile presence efficiently.

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Punitive success fees

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Many merchants are surprised to find that Tapcart sometimes charges success fees on top of the monthly subscription. These fees are calculated as a percentage of revenue generated through the app, which can become significant as your order volume increases.

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As a result, brands looking for predictable, scalable pricing often move to providers that offer fixed monthly fees, without charging extra on each transaction.

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Lack of code ownership

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Some brands, particularly those with strong in-house tech teams, prefer to own the source code for their mobile app. This allows them complete control over features, integrations and long-term development.

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Tapcart, like most SaaS platforms, does not offer code ownership. For brands that need a highly customised mobile experience or want to develop their own IP, this can be a deciding factor. These brands will often choose either in-house development or an agency to create their app.

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So while Tapcart is a powerful tool, it may not be the most cost-effective or flexible solution, especially for brands with high order volumes, a global customer base or more advanced design requirements. 

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With that in mind, let’s explore the best Tapcart alternatives in 2025, based on different priorities and budgets.

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5 Best Tapcart Alternatives For Different Budgets and Use Cases

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Best For Design-Focused & Global Brands 

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Venn Apps

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Venn Apps is a top choice for Shopify Plus brands looking for a mobile experience that truly reflects their brand. Unlike Tapcart’s DIY model, Venn Apps builds bespoke mobile apps that match the design, features and UX of your online store without requiring internal development resources.

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Beyond just matching the looking and feel of your website, Venn Apps also allows you to create a host of app-exclusive experiences thanks to its powerful set of native features. These features not only create an elevated app feel but also help drive engagement, growth and ultimately ROI from the channel.

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While Tapcart puts the onus on internal teams to build and maintain the app, Venn Apps offers a fully managed white-glove service from initial designs through to launch and post-launch strategy. This approach significantly reduces the workload for eCommerce teams and makes running a successful mobile app much more efficient.

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Key Features:

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• Bespoke app design built by a dedicated in-house team
  
  
• Full design and functionality continuity with your Shopify site (including metafields and metaobject setup)
  
  
• Native support for international storefronts and multi-language experiences
  
  
• Unlimited third-party integrations (Klaviyo, LoyaltyLion, Yotpo, Recharge, and more)
  
  
• No success fees - fixed monthly pricing
  
  
• Built-in push notifications and loyalty programme support
  
  
• App-exclusive features to boost engagement (early access, gated collections, Interactive ‘Shop The Look’ etc.)
  
  
• Dedicated Account Manager and ongoing support

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Pricing:

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• Starts from £1,500/month, depending on complexity and feature requirements
  
  
• No success fees or transaction-based pricing
  
  
• Includes white-glove onboarding, app design, development, integrations and ongoing support

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👉 Get in touch today for a personalised demo or to learn why brands like Cernucci, Anine Bing, Au Vodka, and Pink Gellac have made the switch from Tapcart.

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Best for Budget-Conscious Brands

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Shopney

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Shopney is a strong entry-level choice for Shopify merchants looking to launch a mobile app without a large investment. It offers a simple no-code setup, making it easy for non-technical teams to create and manage an app that covers the basics of mobile commerce.

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The platform focuses on essential features like push notifications, loyalty integration and multi-language support, all within a clean and intuitive interface. While design flexibility is somewhat limited compared to more customisable platforms, it’s a reliable and cost-effective option for brands looking to test mobile commerce before scaling further.

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Key Features:

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• Drag-and-drop editor for fast, code-free app creation
  
  
• Multi-language and multi-currency support for international stores
  
  
• Built-in loyalty programme integrations and push notifications
  
  
• Fast go-live process, often within a few days
  
  

Pricing:

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• Starts from $99/month for basic functionality
  
  
• Pro plan at $199/month includes more integrations and features
  
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Best for Fast App Launch and Simplicity

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MageNative

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MageNative is designed for speed and ease of use. It’s ideal for merchants who want to get an app live quickly without complex design or development work. The platform offers a range of pre-built templates and core features to cover most mobile commerce needs, including internationalisation.

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While it may not offer the depth of customisation or design control that larger brands require, MageNative is a practical solution for smaller businesses or those operating on tight launch timelines.

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Key Features:

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• Pre-designed themes that speed up time to launch
  
  
• Multi-language and multi-currency support out of the box
  
  
• Seamless integration with Shopify and key apps
  
  
• Push notifications, cart recovery and loyalty tools
  
  
• Straightforward backend with minimal learning curve

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Pricing:

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• Starts from $49/month
  
  
• Mid-tier plans at $99–$149/month with additional features and integrations
  

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Best for Brands That Want Full Code Ownership

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POQ

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POQ offers a different model entirely from most SaaS app builders. It’s built for larger retailers who want to own and maintain their mobile app infrastructure. This allows complete control over features, user experience and long-term development.

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Brands working with POQ typically have internal tech teams or established digital partners. This level of ownership is ideal for retailers looking to invest in app-based IP, build deeply custom functionality or maintain tight control over performance, data and compliance.

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Key Features:

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• Full access to and ownership of the app codebase
  

• Custom integrations, payment flows and third-party tools
  

• Tailored architecture that fits complex brand requirements

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Pricing:

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Typically starts at £100,000+ annually

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Best for Budget-Conscious Brands with Niche Integration Needs

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Vajro

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Vajro strikes a balance between affordability and integration flexibility. It's well suited to growing brands that require specific third-party integrations or want to experiment with more interactive shopping formats like live video commerce.

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The platform offers a no-code app builder with a range of templates, as well as features like automation flows and in-app video. Vajro also stands out for its extensive integrations, making it easier to plug into less common tools and custom workflows.

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Key Features:

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• Drag-and-drop builder with a range of mobile-optimised templates
  
  
• Built-in live video shopping and real-time engagement tools
  
  
• Integration support for marketing, reviews, rewards and more
  

• Flexible pricing plans for different brand sizes
  
  

Pricing:

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• Starter plan at $99/month
  
  
• Growth plan at $249/month
  
  
• Plus plan at $399/month
  

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Is it difficult to migrate from Tapcart to another mobile app builder?

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Not at all - if you choose an app builder that has an established migration playbook. For instance, migrating from Tapcart to Venn Apps is a smooth and straightforward process. We’ve handled numerous Tapcart migrations, and we have a tested onboarding flow that ensures minimal disruption to your team.

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All push notification opt-ins, user data and app installs are retained, so you won’t lose any momentum. Our team handles the heavy lifting making the transition seamless for your brand.

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The Bottom Line

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Tapcart is a well-established platform and continues to serve many Shopify brands successfully. However, like any solution, it has its limitations. For some merchants, these can start to hold back growth.

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If you're exploring Tapcart alternatives, the right choice depends on your brand’s size, goals and technical needs. Whether you're looking for greater design flexibility, lower costs, faster time to launch or full ownership, there's now a mature ecosystem of options available.

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For design-led Shopify Plus brands who want a best-in-class mobile experience without the hassle of DIY platforms, Venn Apps stands out as the most complete alternative - combining native performance, white-glove service and powerful features that drive real business results.

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Get in touch with Venn Apps today to learn more about why we’re a better alternative to Tapcart!