StarApps has announced the acquisition of enterprise mobile app platform AppMaker in an all-cash deal, bringing together a Shopify app developer serving more than 30,000 merchants with a native mobile app platform powering over 200 enterprise brands.
The acquisition positions StarApps to combine its product merchandising and product discovery capabilities with AppMaker’s mobile commerce platform, as Shopify brands increasingly focus on customer retention, repeat purchases and personalized shopping experiences across web and mobile channels.
Acquisition announced amid changing ecommerce priorities
StarApps, known for some of the most widely installed product merchandising apps on the Shopify App Store, said the acquisition comes at a time when ecommerce brands are shifting investment away from rising paid customer acquisition costs and toward owned retention channels.
Native mobile apps have become a key part of that strategy, with brands using them to drive repeat purchase behavior and strengthen customer loyalty.
For many Shopify merchants, however, mobile app adoption has often involved a trade-off between limited template-based products and expensive custom development.
According to the companies, the acquisition is designed to address that constraint by combining enterprise-grade mobile app capabilities with Shopify ecosystem distribution.
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StarApps has grown without outside funding
Founded in 2016, StarApps has grown into one of the most widely adopted app developers in the Shopify ecosystem. The company said it generates more than $6 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) without external funding.
Its merchandising apps are currently used by more than 30,000 merchants, including over 2,500 Shopify Plus stores. The platform helps brands optimize product discovery, merchandising and the online shopping experience.
AppMaker powers mobile apps for more than 200 enterprise brands
AppMaker enables Shopify brands to build fully customized native mobile apps focused on conversion, retention and repeat revenue.
The platform currently supports more than 200 enterprise brands, which together process over $100 million in annual gross merchandise value (GMV) through their mobile apps.
A key feature of AppMaker is its open architecture model. Rather than restricting merchants to a fixed product roadmap, the platform allows a brand’s internal technology team or Shopify development partners to build custom features directly on top of the platform.
The companies said this approach reduces dependence on external provider development queues for custom functionality.
Reported performance metrics
Customers using AppMaker have reported:
- Up to 3x higher conversion rates
- 28% revenue growth within one year
- A 5x increase in customer lifetime value
- Up to 30% reductions in ad spend
StarApps said bringing these capabilities onto a single platform gives brands greater control over conversion and retention, two of the largest drivers of ecommerce growth.
Shopify Plus merchants become a key opportunity
The acquisition is particularly relevant for the more than 2,500 Shopify Plus merchants already using StarApps. The company described mobile apps as a natural next investment for enterprise brands seeking additional growth channels.
By combining both platforms, StarApps said it can support merchants across a larger portion of the customer journey, from product discovery through post-purchase engagement and repeat revenue generation.
“We’ve spent years helping merchants improve how customers shop online,” said Shashank Agrawal, Founder of StarApps.
“The next step was helping brands nurture stronger relationships after that first purchase. AppMaker, which has achieved an exceptional enterprise platform that complements what we do, allows us to support merchants across a much larger part of the customer journey. AppMaker is the perfect fit for what we’re trying to achieve on an enterprise level.”
“Mobile apps are the most powerful retention channel a brand can own,” added Saleeh K, Founder of AppMaker.
“Our customers consistently see some of their highest repeat purchase rates and strongest loyalty metrics through their app. Joining forces with StarApps allows us to bring this impact to many more brands, at scale.”
Existing customers and partners to continue receiving support
AppMaker will continue supporting its existing customers and partners while leveraging StarApps’ scale and distribution within the Shopify ecosystem.
The two companies said they will continue developing software and platform architectures aimed at enabling ecommerce brands to create faster, more personalized and higher-converting shopping experiences across both web and mobile environments.
