Shopify Admin API vs Storefront API – Which One Should You Use in 2026?

Today, we’re getting started with Shopify’s API. We’ll take a closer look at what an API actually is, what it’s all about, and why it matters—especially if you’re working with a Shopify store.

We’ll also go through some practical, real-world examples and talk about how you can get started. These days, it feels like everyone is talking about APIs. Maybe not everyone, but at some point, you’ll hear someone mention an API—and after reading this, you’ll be ready.So let’s dive right in.

What Is an API? (Simple Explanation)

API stands for Application Programming Interface. And honestly, that name alone doesn’t explain much. So let’s use a simple and intuitive analogy.

The Restaurant Analogy

Imagine you’re going to a restaurant.

A restaurant is actually a very complex system:

A cook who knows different recipes
Kitchen infrastructure and appliances
Staff who know how to operate everything
Dishes that need to be cleaned and managed
An order system and bookkeeping (the boring but important stuff)

As a guest, you don’t need to know any of this.

Why? Because you interact with one person only: the waiter.

You can:

Ask for food or drinks
Ask questions
Get your bill
Enjoy the entire experience

All without ever touching the kitchen or understanding how the restaurant works behind the scenes.

The Waiter = The API

In this example:

The waiter is the API
The restaurant is the system
The menu is the API documentation

The waiter acts as an interface between you and the restaurant’s internal system. He shields you from complexity and lets you communicate in a simple, structured way.

The menu tells you:

What requests you can make
What options are available
What response you can expect

That’s exactly how APIs work.

Your expert reference for Shopify's core developer APIs

How This Applies to Shopify APIs

Now let’s transfer this idea into the Shopify world.

Shopify itself is a very complex system:

We don’t know how their databases are structured
We don’t know how products are stored internally
We don’t know how payments, banks, or gateways are handled
We don’t know how the cart or order system works in detail

And the good news is—we don’t need to.

Instead, we communicate with Shopify using its APIs.

Just like:

The menu becomes Shopify’s API documentation
The waiter becomes Shopify’s API
The guest becomes the developer

Through Shopify APIs, we can exchange information, use Shopify’s services, and build features—without ever touching Shopify’s internal systems.

So to wrap it up:

Shopify is a complex system
Everything it offers is well documented
The API is the interface that lets us communicate with it easily

Shopify Admin API vs Storefront API: The Two Main Shopify APIs

Before getting into practical examples, it’s important to understand that Shopify provides two main APIs:

1. Shopify Admin API

The Shopify Admin API is used to integrate apps, services, and features inside a Shopify store.

This API is mainly for:

Managing products
Handling orders
Working with customers
Creating apps and backend integrations

Real-World Example

Let’s say you want to collect email addresses on your store’s homepage and send them to a third-party email marketing tool.
That communication happens through the Shopify Admin API.

In short:

It works behind the scenes
It requires authentication
It has access to store data

2. Shopify Storefront API

The Shopify Storefront API is used to power customer-facing experiences.

It’s commonly used when:

Building custom storefronts
Using headless Shopify
Fetching products, collections, and cart data for the frontend

This API is designed for performance and security, exposing only what customers need to see.

Shopify Admin API vs Storefront API: Key Difference

Feature	Shopify Admin API	Shopify Storefront API
Used for	Store management & integrations	Customer-facing storefront
Access level	High (orders, customers, products)	Limited & safe
Authentication	Admin credentials	Storefront access token
Best for	Apps, automation, backend logic	Headless commerce, frontend UI

Understanding this difference is crucial when deciding which API to use for your project.

How to Get Your Shopify API Key (Quick Overview)

To work with Shopify APIs, you’ll need an API key:

Go to Shopify Admin
Navigate to Apps
Create a Custom App
Generate API credentials
Use the key with either the Admin API or Storefront API

This step is essential when learning How to Get Your Shopify API Key for development or integration purposes.

As mentioned earlier, when you need to manage store data or integrate third-party services inside a Shopify store, you would use the Shopify Admin API.

The Shopify Storefront API, on the other hand, is used to create shopping experiences outside or separate from your Shopify theme. This is especially useful when you want customers to buy products in places other than your default online store.

Let’s look at real-world examples to make this clearer.

Real-World Shopify Admin API Example

As a first real-world example, I want to show you an app that was built by the agency I’m currently working at. The app is fairly new—it was released about a month ago—and in my region, it’s currently featured on the front page of the Shopify App Store, which is pretty cool.

If you’re not familiar with Idealo, it’s a massive price comparison platform in Germany. It lists products from multiple sellers so customers can compare prices and delivery conditions. When a user clicks on a listing, they are redirected to the seller’s store to complete the purchase.

How the Shopify Admin API Was Used

During development, we received access to the Idealo API, which allows sellers to upload and manage product listings on their platform.

Our app works by:

Fetching product data from Shopify using the Shopify Admin API
Mapping the product data to Idealo’s required format
Sending that data to Idealo via their API
Allowing merchants to list products with a single click

At a high level:

Shopify Admin API → fetch products
Idealo API → publish listings

Of course, the real challenges live in the technical details, but that’s the bird’s-eye view.

Another Common Admin API Use Case: Order Fulfillment

Another very common use case for the Shopify Admin API is automated order fulfillment.

Here’s how it usually works:

A new order is placed in Shopify
The Admin API sends order details to a shipping carrier or fulfillment partner
The carrier ships the product automatically based on those details

This is one of the most powerful ways the Shopify Admin API helps merchants scale operations.

Shopify Storefront API Use Cases (Beyond the Theme)

Now that we’ve seen how the Admin API is used, let’s look at situations where the Shopify Storefront API is the better choice.

You already know that the Storefront API allows you to build shopping experiences decoupled from Shopify theme files. This means you’re not limited to selling only through your online store.

Where Storefront API Is Commonly Used

You can use the Shopify Storefront API to sell products through:

Android apps
iOS apps
React or Next.js web apps
Kiosks or embedded systems
Games and virtual experiences

In these cases, Shopify becomes the commerce engine, while your frontend lives elsewhere.

Advanced Example: Gaming & In-Game Commerce

If you’re into gaming, this is a really exciting area.

Game engines like Unity can be integrated with Shopify. Using the Shopify Storefront API, you can create in-game shopping experiences.

For example:

A player unlocks an achievement → they become eligible to buy exclusive merch
A player generates in-game content → it’s instantly available as a print-on-demand product
A boss fight is completed → a special product unlocks for purchase

This opens up entirely new market opportunities as Shopify evolves into a full-scale e-commerce engine.

Simple Storefront API Code Example (GraphQL)

Here’s a very basic example of fetching products using the Shopify Storefront API:

fetch('https://your-store.myshopify.com/api/2024-01/graphql.json', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: {
    'Content-Type': 'application/json',
    'X-Shopify-Storefront-Access-Token': 'YOUR_STOREFRONT_TOKEN'
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    query: `
      {
        products(first: 5) {
          edges {
            node {
              id
              title
              handle
            }
          }
        }
      }
    `
  })
})
.then(res => res.json())
.then(data => console.log(data));

This example shows how easily Shopify products can be pulled into any external app or platform.

Shopify Access Tokens (Admin API & Storefront API)

If you’re learning Shopify development and feeling confused about access tokens, especially temporary vs permanent access tokens, this section is for you.

In the next few minutes, you’ll clearly understand:

What Shopify access tokens are
Why some tokens expire and others don’t
Which token to use for the Shopify Admin API, Shopify Storefront API, and headless setups

By the end, you’ll know exactly which token to use and when, without guessing—or accidentally breaking your app.

What Are Shopify Access Tokens?

A Shopify access token is what allows your app or integration to securely communicate with Shopify APIs.

Think of it as a key:

No token → no API access
Wrong token → request fails
Expired token → app breaks

That’s why understanding tokens is critical in Shopify development.

Temporary Access Token (Expires in 24 Hours)

Let’s first look at how to create a temporary access token, which expires after 24 hours.

Step-by-Step: Create a Temporary Shopify Access Token

Go to your Shopify Admin
Click Settings
Open Apps
Click Develop apps
Select Build apps
Click Create app
Name it anything (example: API Connection)

Now your app is created.

Define API Scopes

Next, define what your app can access.

For example:

Select Products
Enable read & write access for the Admin API
Click Done
Click Release

At this stage, we’ll use this version to generate a temporary token.

Install the App

Before generating a token, you must install the app:

Click Install App
Select your store
Confirm installation

Once installed, Shopify allows token generation.

Generate the Temporary Token (OAuth Request)

Now we make a POST request to Shopify’s OAuth endpoint:

Required Parameters:

client_id
client_secret
grant_type

You’ll find:

Client ID → App Settings
Client Secret → App Settings

Example Request (Temporary Token)

Result

Shopify returns an access token
This token expires in 24 hours
Used mainly for testing or short-term access

This is your temporary Shopify Admin API token.

Permanent Access Token (Does Not Expire)

Now let’s create a permanent access token, which is what most production apps use.

Create a New App Version

Go back to your app
Click Versions
Create a new version

Add Redirect URL (OAuth Callback)

Shopify needs a redirect URL where it sends the authorization code.

You can:

Use a webhook testing service
Or your own backend endpoint

Example:

Paste this URL into:
App Setup → Redirect URLs

Update Permissions (Scopes)

For permanent tokens, you usually need broader permissions, such as:

Orders → read & write
Customers → read & write
Inventory → read & write

Once selected:

Save changes
Release the app version

This version will generate a permanent token.

Why This Token Is Permanent

Generated via OAuth authorization
Linked to your app installation
Does not expire
Ideal for production apps and automation

Which Shopify Token Should You Use?

Here’s the simple rule 👇

Shopify Admin API

✅ Permanent access token (recommended)
❌ Temporary token (testing only)

Shopify Storefront API

✅ Storefront access token (public, limited)
❌ Admin tokens (never expose)

Headless Shopify Setup

Admin API → backend (permanent token)
Storefront API → frontend (storefront token)

Once you’ve added the redirect URL and updated the permissions, paste your redirect URL and click Release.

After releasing the new app version, go back to the app dashboard. Now we need to generate the authorization code, which is the most important step in creating a permanent Shopify access token.

Step 1: Create the Authorization URL

To begin, we need to open a specific URL in the browser so Shopify can authenticate the request.

Authorization URL Format

Now we add the required query parameters.

Required Parameters Explained

1. Client ID

Copy the Client ID from:
App → Settings
Add it to the URL as:

2. Scope

The scope defines what your app is allowed to access.

Go to App → Versions
Open the active version
Copy the scopes (for example: orders, customers, inventory, products)
Paste them into the URL

⚠️ Make sure there are no extra spaces or line breaks.

3. Redirect URI

This is the endpoint where Shopify sends the authorization code.

Final Authorization URL Example

Open this URL in your browser.

Step 2: Approve App Permissions

Once you open the URL:

Shopify asks for permission
Review the access scopes
Click Install / Update permissions

After approval, Shopify redirects you to the redirect URI with a code in the URL.

Example:

This authorization code is short-lived and can be used only once.

Step 3: Exchange Code for Permanent Access Token

Now we’ll use that code to generate the permanent Shopify Admin API access token.

Access Token Endpoint

Request Type

Method: POST
Body format: x-www-form-urlencoded

Required Body Parameters

client_id
client_secret
code

Example POST Request

Once you send this request, Shopify responds with a permanent access token.

What You Get After a Successful Request

✅ Permanent access token
✅ No expiry time
✅ Access based on approved scopes

Example permissions:

write_products
write_orders
write_customers
write_inventory

This token is safe to store securely on the backend and use for all Shopify Admin API requests.

Temporary vs Permanent Token (Final Comparison)

Feature	Temporary Token	Permanent Token
Expiry	24 hours	Never
Usage	Testing	Production
OAuth Flow	No	Yes
Admin API	Limited	Full
Headless Setup	❌	✅

Conclusion

By now, you should have a clear idea of how Shopify APIs work and how to use them the right way. We covered what an API is, the difference between the Shopify Admin API vs Storefront API, and when to use each one based on your use case. We also walked through temporary vs permanent access tokens, why some tokens expire, and how to safely generate and use them without breaking your app.

The key takeaway is simple:

Use the Admin API for backend work like products, orders, customers, and automation
Use the Storefront API for customer-facing and headless experiences
Use temporary tokens only for testing
Use permanent tokens for real apps and production setups

Once you understand these basics, Shopify development becomes much less confusing and a lot more predictable. You don’t need to guess anymore—you know which API to use, which token to generate, and how everything fits together.

If you’re serious about Shopify development, this foundation will save you a lot of time, mistakes, and frustration as you build more advanced apps and custom storefronts.

What Is an API? (Simple Explanation)

The Restaurant Analogy

The Waiter = The API

How This Applies to Shopify APIs

Shopify Admin API vs Storefront API: The Two Main Shopify APIs

1. Shopify Admin API

Real-World Example

2. Shopify Storefront API

Shopify Admin API vs Storefront API: Key Difference

How to Get Your Shopify API Key (Quick Overview)

Real-World Shopify Admin API Example

How the Shopify Admin API Was Used

Another Common Admin API Use Case: Order Fulfillment

Shopify Storefront API Use Cases (Beyond the Theme)

Where Storefront API Is Commonly Used

Advanced Example: Gaming & In-Game Commerce

Simple Storefront API Code Example (GraphQL)

Shopify Access Tokens (Admin API & Storefront API)

What Are Shopify Access Tokens?

Temporary Access Token (Expires in 24 Hours)

Step-by-Step: Create a Temporary Shopify Access Token

Define API Scopes

Install the App

Generate the Temporary Token (OAuth Request)

Required Parameters:

Example Request (Temporary Token)

Result

Permanent Access Token (Does Not Expire)

Create a New App Version

Add Redirect URL (OAuth Callback)

Update Permissions (Scopes)

Why This Token Is Permanent

Which Shopify Token Should You Use?

Shopify Admin API

Shopify Storefront API

Headless Shopify Setup

Step 1: Create the Authorization URL

Authorization URL Format

Required Parameters Explained

1. Client ID

2. Scope

3. Redirect URI

Final Authorization URL Example

Step 2: Approve App Permissions

Step 3: Exchange Code for Permanent Access Token

Access Token Endpoint

Request Type

Required Body Parameters

Example POST Request

What You Get After a Successful Request

Temporary vs Permanent Token (Final Comparison)

Conclusion

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