Shopify Admin API vs Storefront API – Which One Should You Use in 2025?
November 26th, 2025
When building Shopify apps or custom storefronts, one of the biggest questions developers ask is:
“Should I use the Shopify Admin API or the Storefront API?”
Both APIs are powerful, but they serve completely different purposes. Understanding the difference helps developers choose the right one for their project.
What Is Shopify Admin API?
The Shopify Admin API gives developers full backend access to store data such as products, orders, inventory, discounts, customers, and more.
It is mainly used for apps, dashboards, backend workflows, store automation, and private integrations.
Key Admin API Features:
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Read + Write full store data
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Manage orders, customers, inventory
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Create automation workflows
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Create and update products
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Perform bulk operations
What Is Shopify Storefront API?
The Shopify Storefront API is designed for headless commerce, meaning custom front-end experiences like Next.js PWAs, React storefronts, or mobile apps.
Key Storefront API Features:
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Fast product and collection queries
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Optimized for checkout, cart, and storefront
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Allows custom commerce experiences
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Used for Hydrogen & Oxygen storefronts
Admin API vs Storefront API — Key Differences
| Feature | Admin API | Storefront API |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Store management | Front-end storefront |
| Data Access | Full backend access | Restricted to public data |
| Use Case | Apps, automation | Headless storefront |
| Write Data | ✔ Yes | ❌ Limited |
| Most Used By | App developers | Front-end or headless devs |
Which One Should You Use?
Use the Admin API if you want to:
✔ Build Shopify apps
✔ Automate tasks
✔ Sync order or product data
✔ Manage inventory
✔ Build private dashboards
Use the Storefront API if you want to:
✔ Build a custom front-end
✔ Make a headless website
✔ Create a mobile app
✔ Improve storefront speed
Conclusion
Both APIs are powerful, but choosing the right one depends on your project type. For backend or automation projects, go with the Admin API. For custom storefronts or headless commerce, use the Storefront API.
