Submit your app for review

When your app is ready to be distributed to Thinkific course creators. You can submit it for approval to Thinkific.

Approved apps can gain access to the following opportunities:

1. An app listing in the Thinkific App Store
2. Access to co-marketing opportunities with Thinkific to our customer base.

Note: You do not need to submit your app for approval if it's a private app or an API Key integration. Only submit your app for review if you'd like to list it publicly on the Thinkific App Store. If you would like your app to benefit from the visibility that comes with being listed on the Thinkific App Store, we encourage you to submit your app for approval!

App Submission Guidelines

To ensure we maintain a quality of excellence for our course creators, we review any apps that will be available to them in the Thinkific App Store.

This guide provides some helpful tips on how to make sure your app is approved and the exciting journey ahead.

1. Prohibited and restricted apps

• Apps that function via standalone software which needs to be downloaded by course creators to function are prohibited. This includes mobile apps for installation on Android and iOS devices.
• Apps that offer any financial services such as loans to course creators are prohibited.
• Apps that take payment off Thinkific's platform for any sales of digital learning experiences are subject to additional order and transaction data reporting and partnership requirements. Please reach out to apps@thinkific.com to discuss further
• Apps that allow course creators to build their own mobile app for their site are prohibited.
• Apps that make use of Thinkific's /beta GraphQL endpoint for production are prohibited.
• Apps that do not use Thinkific’s APIs, webhooks or Theme Extension capabilities are prohibited. There must be meaningful additional value in using the app software as a Thinkific app vs. on its own.
• Apps that use our upcoming GraphQL API must only send GraphQL requests using the /stable endpoint in order to be listed on the Thinkific App Store.
• Apps can enhance our site builder or community experiences. If you want to provide an entirely alternative experience, please reach out to apps@thinkific.com to discuss further.
• Apps can have access to customer and student data if it is required to add value for the customer use case, but they cannot restrict Thinkific’s access to it. These include:
  • Course Creator account information
  • Student account information including course progress
  • Course content: Apps cannot take course content outside of Thinkific (the Teaching API is still available to apps as long as the use case does not take the experience outside of Thinkific).

2. User experience and quality

• Apps must provide an excellent User Experience for our customers and provide clear onboarding and instructions for how they can derive value from using the app with Thinkific. Please read the User Experience guidelines carefully. They will not only ensure your app is approved, but also maximize the chances of your app being successful in the Thinkific App Store.
• Apps must not cause any performance issues for Thinkific course creators. Site speed considerations will also be very important for Thinkific.
• Apps must not hinder the student experience after completion of a trial period or leverage students to encourage app plan upgrades. 
• Your app must be stable and not introduce bugs into the Thinkific experience.
• Your app must be able to handle large data sets efficiently where relevant (e.g. sync 10k users via the API). Reach out to apps@thinkific.com if you need access to sites with test data.

3. Security and risk

• Your app must store salted password hashes instead of actual passwords, as described on OWASP.
• Your app must secure the privacy of its App Key and App Secret, as described on OWASP.
• Your app must be protected against cross-site request forgery attacks, cross-site scripting attacks, and other security vulnerabilities.
• Your app must be served over HTTPS using a valid SSL certificate.
• Your app must not process payments or orders outside of Thinkific’s checkout.
• Your app must not access data it doesn’t require for its intended purpose

4. Data and user privacy

• If your app is used by course creators in Europe, or course creators with buyers based in Europe, then it's your responsibility to make sure that your app is GDPR compliant.
• Your app must include a privacy policy which includes how you use course creators data. For apps where students create accounts, they must also have access to a privacy policy.
• Your app must have adequate systems in place to ensure customer's data is stored securely and safely.

5. Installation and set-up

• Your app must be Authenticated via the OAuth method, and function properly after a 24hr interval using a refreshing token.
• Users must be taken to the Oauth consent page before creating any accounts associated with the app.
• Installation must function on custom domains.
• Your app must cease to function when uninstalled and all scripts and code removed. It must then be able to be reinstalled and function properly.
• Your app must include clear instructions to help your customers set it up and onboard properly. (See ‘App Documentation’ and ‘User Experience guidelines’).
• You must provide a functioning install url with which to test your app, along with any necessary redentials.

6. Public app listing and install flow copy

• In order for your app to be listed on the Thinkific App Store, you’ll need to provide us with adequate information about your app and brand-approved screenshots showing your app being used with Thinkific. Your app listing tells the story of your app to course creators. What problem are you solving for them? What additional functionality are you providing to their students? Ultimately, why should they install your app? Be sure to follow the guidelines & suggestions in the Thinkific App Store Listing Typeform for an optimal app listing.
• All images and copy throughout the installation process must be complete and accurate, including on the Thinkific authentication page.

7. Supporting your App

• It is important that you have a process in place to provide continued support to your app to ensure customers receive the help they need. Any quality issues and bugs surfaced by customers must be resolved in a timely manner. A contact email address or form is required for the app listing.
• In-depth help documentation should be linked from within the app dashboard and easily accessible by users of the app.

App submission process:

Before submitting your app to the Thinkific App Store:

• Thoroughly test your app in a sandbox account to eliminate bugs
• Review our User Experience guidelines to ensure your app is delivering an exceptional user experience
• Consider performing customer beta testing to iterate and improve your product before launch

To submit your app to the Thinkific App Store:

1. Complete the App Submission form (for a breakdown of what's required, see here)
2. Complete the App Listing form (for a breakdown of what's required, see here)

Once your app is submitted our Partner Support Specialist Team will review the submission, providing feedback and requesting changes for approval. Once we approve your listing, we'll work with you to develop a co-marketing plan and launch the app.

Thinkific reserves the right to remove your app and uninstall it from all active sites if it is found to be in violation of any of these guidelines before or after approval.