WhatsApp on Shopify vs Salla vs Zid
Salla and Zid merchants find WhatsApp apps in their own app stores and help centers; Shopify merchants install them from the Shopify App Store as embedded apps with Theme App Extensions. The capabilities are similar on paper, so the differences that matter are consent handling, language support and whether the app uses the Business API or your own number.
By Mousa Alhelo, founder, E-SAFQA · Updated · 5 min read · How we write and test these guides
Where the integration lives
| Shopify | Salla / Zid | |
|---|---|---|
| App marketplace | Shopify App Store, global | Platform app stores, regional |
| Storefront button | Theme App Extension, no code | Platform apps or theme settings |
| Order events | Webhooks: orders/create, checkouts/update | Platform webhooks and app integrations |
| Consent data | Customer marketing consent on the customer record | Platform-specific |
| Languages | Store language plus app templates; WhatsApp Pilot offers EN, AR, FR, PT and ES | Arabic-first apps common |
What to check whichever platform you use
- Does the app send from your own number or through the Business API with per-message fees?
- Are abandoned-checkout reminders gated on consent in code?
- Does the app confirm cash-on-delivery orders in Arabic without a template approval cycle?
- Can you see every message and the reason it was skipped?
If you are migrating to Shopify
Install the WhatsApp app before launch, enable the widget on the new theme, and test the order confirmation with a real test order and an Arabic template. Keep the same WhatsApp number so your customers' chat history stays in one place.
Ready to put WhatsApp to work on your store?
Start with the free widget. Upgrade to Pro for order messages, cart recovery, the smart product button, back-in-stock alerts and Product Demand.