Shopify App Store vs Hauntboard
Looking for a Shopify App Store alternative, or deciding where to launch? Here is how Shopify App Store compares with Hauntboard, our own launch board for indie makers and solo founders. We run Hauntboard, so we've kept the facts sourced and said where Shopify App Store is the better pick.
Shopify App Store facts checked 20 Oct 2026. See sources
The Short Answer
Unlike Shopify App Store ($19 one-time partner registration (0% rev-share on first $1M); Dofollow link), Hauntboard gives every approved launch a 7-day weekly board slot, verified public page views and outbound clicks, and a dofollow link ($0 with badge or $19 Launch Now with no badge).
Free Hauntboard listings show the Hauntboard badge on your site; while the badge isn't there, the link is nofollow.
Direct Feature Comparison
Pricing, link policy, review times, and the traffic data each platform shows.
| Dimension | Hauntboard | Shopify App Store |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Data | Each launch page shows its page views and the visits it sent to your site, in public (once per browser per day, known bots filtered) | Outbound clicks and visitor analytics are private to the platform. |
| Link Type | Dofollow link for every approved launch; a free launch's link is nofollow while the Hauntboard badge isn't on its site | Dofollow: Vendor support and marketing website links sit on a DR 94 domain. |
| Launch Format | One board of every launch: each spends its first 7 days in New this week, and its page stays up for good | Official Shopify merchant app marketplace |
| Review | Human review: about 72 hours on the free tier, within 24 hours on paid launches | 5-10 business days review |
| Pricing | Free (live once approved, Hauntboard badge required, 20 slots a week) · Launch Now $19 (review within 24 hours, top of New this week for 7 days, no badge) · Spotlight $49 (pinned top row for the week, 4 a week). One-time payments. | $19 one-time partner registration (0% rev-share on first $1M) |
1. Traffic Data
Upvotes and comments show interest, but not how many people clicked through to your site. On Shopify App Store: Outbound clicks and visitor analytics are private to the platform.
On Hauntboard, each launch page shows its page views and the visits it sent to the maker's site, in public. Each browser counts once per launch per day, and known bots are filtered out. Here's exactly how we count a visit.
2. Link Policy
Shopify App Store: Dofollow: Vendor support and marketing website links sit on a DR 94 domain.
On Hauntboard, every approved launch, free or paid, gets a dofollow link. Free Hauntboard listings show the Hauntboard badge on your site; while the badge isn't there, the link is nofollow.
3. Which One Fits?
Choose Shopify App Store if:
- • It's best for: E-commerce analytics, SEO, upsell, and retention SaaS
- • Its format suits you: Official Shopify merchant app marketplace
Choose Hauntboard if:
- • You want a week on the board, with a free tier.
- • You want to see your launch's page views and visits in public.
- • You want a dofollow link and are happy to show the Hauntboard badge (or pay $19 to skip it).
Ready to unghost your product?
Launch your app on Hauntboard. Free launches get human review in about 72 hours, a dofollow link while the Hauntboard badge is on your site, and public page views and visits.