---
title: Stores
description: >-
  Learn about the store types available to your organization, and when to use
  each one.
source_url:
  html: 'https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/stores'
  md: 'https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/stores.md'
---

# Stores

**Info:**

Access to store management depends on your role and permissions in your organization. [Learn about user permissions →](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/dev-dashboard/user-permissions)

You work with the following store types in your organization:

* [Dev stores](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/stores/development-stores) that you own and test against.
* [Client transfer stores](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/stores/client-transfer-stores) that you build and hand over to a merchant.
* [Collaborations](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/stores/collaborations) on stores a merchant already owns.

***

## Where to manage stores

In the [Dev Dashboard](https://dev.shopify.com/dashboard/), the **Stores** tab lists every store connected to your organization. Learn how to create [dev stores](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/stores/development-stores) and [client transfer stores](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/stores/client-transfer-stores), or [request access to a merchant's store](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/stores/collaborations).

***

## Store types

There are three store types: dev stores, client transfer stores, and collaborations. The Dev Dashboard gives each one its own sub-tab.

### Dev stores

Dev stores are testing environments that you own and control. They're the right choice when you're building or testing an app, experimenting with a theme, or need a Shopify store that behaves like a real merchant store without the risk of affecting live data.

Dev stores can be created on any Shopify plan, and you can enable [feature previews](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/stores/feature-previews) to test capabilities that aren't available to all stores yet.

[Learn more about dev stores →](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/stores/development-stores)

***

### Client transfer stores

Client transfer stores are stores you build on behalf of a client. You own and configure the store during the build phase, then transfer ownership to the client when it's ready.

Use a client transfer store when a merchant has hired you to build their store. The store is created under your organization, giving you full access to configure and customize it, and a clean handoff when the work is done.

[Learn more about client transfer stores →](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/stores/client-transfer-stores)

***

### Collaborations

Collaborations are access relationships with merchant-owned stores. When a merchant grants your organization collaborator access, that store appears in your Collaborations tab. You're working inside a live merchant store; you don't own it, and it isn't transferred to you.

Use collaborations when an existing merchant needs ongoing support, customization, or app development on their store.

[Learn more about collaborations →](https://shopify.dev/docs/apps/build/stores/collaborations)

***

***

## Choosing the right store type

| | Dev store | Client transfer store | Collaboration |
| - | - | - | - |
| **Who owns the store** | You (your organization) | You during build; merchant after transfer | The merchant |
| **Primary use** | App and theme development and testing | Build a store to hand off to a client | Work on a merchant's live store |
| **Transferable to a merchant** | No | Yes | N/A — merchant already owns it |
| **How to create** | Dev Dashboard | Dev Dashboard | Neither — the merchant initiates, or you request access using **Stores → Request store access** |
| **Real transactions** | No | No | Yes |
| **Install custom or draft apps** | Yes | No | Depends on merchant permissions |

***