Catalog API vs Storefront API
Shopify offers multiple APIs for accessing product data. Understanding the differences between the Catalog API and Storefront API helps you choose the right tool for your project.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Catalog API | Storefront API |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Multiple stores | Single store |
| Primary Use | Product discovery | Storefront building |
| Authentication | Bearer token (JWT) | Storefront access token |
| Results Limit | 10 products per request | Configurable (up to 250) |
| Checkout | Redirect to merchant | Full checkout flow |
| Cart Management | No | Yes |
| Customer Accounts | No | Yes |
| Collections | Categories only | Full collection data |
| Search Type | Semantic / AI-powered | Keyword-based |
When to Use the Catalog API
Choose the Catalog API when you need to:
- Search products across multiple Shopify stores
- Build AI shopping assistants or recommendation engines
- Create product comparison or discovery experiences
- Integrate with the Universal Commerce Protocol ecosystem
- Build tools for the agentic commerce space
The Catalog API excels at discovery but leaves the purchasing experience to the merchant's own storefront.
When to Use the Storefront API
Choose the Storefront API when you need to:
- Build a custom storefront for a single merchant
- Manage carts and checkout flows
- Access customer account functionality
- Work with merchant-specific collections and navigation
- Build headless commerce experiences with full control
The Storefront API gives you complete control over a single store's shopping experience.
Using Both Together
In many applications, you'll use both APIs together:
- Discovery with Catalog API: Use the Catalog API to help users find products across multiple stores. This works well for search interfaces, AI assistants, or comparison tools.
- Purchase with Storefront API: Once a user selects a product, redirect them to the merchant's store or use the Storefront API to handle the checkout flow if you have access to that store.
This pattern is common in agentic commerce, where an AI agent searches broadly with the Catalog API and then facilitates purchase through individual merchant storefronts.
Key Differences in Search
The search capabilities differ significantly between the two APIs:
Catalog API Search
Uses semantic search that understands intent. A search for “comfortable work from home chair” returns ergonomic office chairs even if those exact words aren't in the product title. Results come from all participating merchants.
Storefront API Search
Traditional keyword-based search within a single store's catalog. More predictable but less flexible. Returns only products from the specific store you're querying.