Public Apps: Available to Everyone
What They Are
Public apps are listed in the Shopify App Store. Any Shopify merchant can find, install, and use them. We currently maintain many public apps including:
Combined Listings
Store Locator
Announcer
Product Options
Sticky Cart
Cookie Bar GDPR
Wishlist Pro
And more
How They Work
Install directly from Shopify App Store
Standard monthly pricing
Updates automatically
Support through help.pasilobus.com
Used by thousands of merchants
Benefits
✅ Proven functionality tested by many stores
✅ Regular updates and improvements
✅ Shopify App Store reviews for transparency
✅ Lower cost due to shared development
✅ Quick installation and setup
Limitations
Same features as competitors using the app
Limited customization options
Generic functionality
No exclusive advantages
Private Apps: Custom Solutions on Our Infrastructure
What They Are
Private apps are custom-built applications running on Pasilobus infrastructure. They're not listed in the public App Store and are installed directly by us.
How They Work
Built based on your requirements
Hosted on our infrastructure
Access through merchant.pasilobus.com
Custom pricing based on complexity
Maintained and updated by us
What "Private" Means
✅ Private access - Not available in public App Store
✅ Private installation - We install it for you
✅ Custom configuration - Set up for your needs
✅ Direct support - Priority assistance
What "Private" Doesn't Mean
❌ Exclusive features forever - Functionality may appear in other apps
❌ Proprietary ownership - Pasilobus owns the code
❌ Competitor blocking - Others might get similar features
❌ Feature monopoly - We may reuse good ideas
Benefits
✅ Get functionality before it's publicly available
✅ Influence feature development
✅ Custom implementation for your workflow
✅ No waiting for public app development
✅ Direct input on improvements
Requirements
Store Care Complete plan
Qualified merchant status
Clear business case
Ongoing partnership
Key Differences
Installation
Public: Shopify App Store → Install → Configure
Private: Pasilobus builds → We install → Custom setup
Pricing
Public: Fixed monthly price for everyone
Private: Custom pricing based on your app
Updates
Public: We update for all users simultaneously
Private: Updates coordinated with your schedule
Support
Public: Standard support channels
Private: Direct access to development team
Customization
Public: Settings and options available to all
Private: Built exactly for your requirements
When to Use Each
Choose Public Apps When:
You need common functionality
Budget is primary concern
Speed of implementation matters
Standard features work fine
Testing new concepts
Choose Private Apps When:
You need functionality that doesn't exist yet
Timing is critical for your business
Custom integrations required
Specific workflow needs
You want to influence development
Real Examples
Public App Example: Store Locator
Every retailer needs store locations on their site. Our Store Locator app provides this with great features at a standard price. Thousands use it successfully.
Private App Example: Custom Inventory Sync
A merchant needed real-time inventory sync with their warehouse system using proprietary APIs. We built a private app that handles their specific workflow. While the sync functionality is unique to them, the general inventory management features we developed might appear in future public apps.
The Hybrid Approach
Most successful merchants use both:
Foundation: Public Apps
Start with our public apps for standard needs:
Announcer for promotions
Combined Listings for variants
Store Locator for locations
Acceleration: Private Apps
Add private apps to move faster:
Get features before they're public
Custom integrations
Specific workflow solutions
Early access to innovations
How Private Apps Evolve
When building private apps, we often:
Combine existing Pasilobus features in new ways
Add custom functionality for your needs
Create solutions that solve broader problems
Learn what features merchants need most
This collaborative process means:
You get immediate access to the solution you need
We learn from real merchant challenges
The Pasilobus ecosystem improves over time
Future development is informed by actual use cases
Your private app remains your configured solution, but the experience helps us build better products for everyone.
Flexibility and Considerations
Private apps offer flexibility, but consider:
Month-to-month billing after initial development
30-day notice for cancellation
Some custom functionality may not have public alternatives
Data migration assistance provided when possible
⚠️ Important: While we strive to maintain flexibility, some highly custom private apps may be deeply integrated with your store's operations. Removing them could require workflow adjustments or finding alternative solutions. We'll always work with you to plan transitions carefully.
Transitioning Between App Types
From Private to Public
Sometimes the functionality you need in a private app becomes available in a public app:
You can switch to the public app anytime
We'll help migrate your data and settings
Often reduces your monthly cost
Keep your configurations intact
Discontinuing Private Apps
Need to remove a private app?
Cancel anytime with 30 days notice
We'll help preserve your data
Transition to public alternatives if available
No long-term contracts or lock-in
⚠️ Note: Some custom functionality in private apps may not have direct replacements in public apps. We'll work with you to find the best path forward, but transitioning away may require operational adjustments.
Flexibility First
You're never locked into a private app:
Month-to-month billing
Switch between solutions as needed
Upgrade or downgrade based on needs
Your data remains portable
Cost Considerations
Public Apps
Predictable monthly cost
Shared among all users
Immediate ROI
No development fees
Private Apps
Higher monthly cost
Possible development fee
Custom pricing model
Investment in early access
Access and Management
Public Apps
Manage in Shopify admin
Standard Shopify billing
Uninstall anytime
Settings in app interface
Private Apps
Manage via merchant.pasilobus.com
Billed through Pasilobus
Removal requires coordination
Custom admin interfaces
Making the Decision
Ask yourself:
Does this functionality exist? → Public app if yes
Can I wait for public development? → Public app if yes
Do I need it customized for my workflow? → Private app
Will early access give me an advantage? → Private app
Is standard good enough? → Public app
Getting Started
With Public Apps:
Browse Shopify App Store
Check our app listings
Read reviews and features
Install and configure
Contact support if needed
With Private Apps:
Must have Store Care Complete
Submit request through dashboard
Discovery call with team
Proposal and timeline
Development and deployment
Important Notes
Code Ownership: Pasilobus retains ownership of all code in both public and private apps.
Feature Distribution: Good ideas from private apps may be incorporated into public apps or other private apps. This helps the entire Pasilobus ecosystem improve.
First-Mover Advantage: While features aren't exclusive forever, being first to market with new functionality often provides significant competitive advantage.
What's Next
Ready to explore specific features? Check out:
[Requesting Custom Features]
[App Updates and Maintenance]
Learn about our complete ecosystem:
[Store Care Plans]
[Power Audit: Optimizing Your Existing Store]
Remember: Public apps give you proven functionality quickly. Private apps give you early access to custom solutions. Both run on our infrastructure with our support.