You built a Slack app. It works. People like it. And now someone’s asked: “Can other companies use this too?”
That’s where the Slack Marketplace comes in — Slack’s official app directory, where apps are available for any Slack user to discover and install. It’s how apps go from solving one team’s problem to reaching teams everywhere. But what does it take to get your app there?
What is the Slack Marketplace?
The Slack Marketplace is a curated storefront where teams discover and install apps directly into their workspaces. It covers a wide range of categories — from project management and communication to security and developer tools — and serves teams of all sizes, from startups to enterprises.
The key word is curated. The Slack Marketplace maintains a high bar for what gets listed. Every app goes through a review process for quality, security, and user experience before it’s listed. That review gives users confidence that the apps they install meet a consistent standard, and it gives developers credibility they can’t get from self-distribution alone.
Internal Slack app vs. Slack Marketplace app: What’s the difference?
Here’s how the two compare:
| Internal Slack App | Marketplace App | |
|---|---|---|
| Installed on | A single workspace or workspaces owned by your org | Any workspace, each authorizing separately |
| Users | Your team | Anyone who installs it |
| Discovery | Shared via Slack message or word of mouth | Searchable in the Marketplace by any Slack user |
| Review required | No | Yes — Slack reviews your app before listing |
| Support expected | Up to you | Professional — public support page, timely responses |
| Security bar | Best practices recommended | Slack sets the standard — encryption, secure credentials, verified requests |
An internal Slack app serves your team. A Slack Marketplace app serves anyone who installs it — people who expect a working install flow, responsive support, and an app that doesn’t break. That wider audience changes what it means to maintain your app.
What you gain
- You gain reach. Any Slack user can find your app through the Slack Marketplace.
- You gain credibility. A Slack Marketplace listing signals that Slack has reviewed your app for quality and security. For enterprise buyers, that matters.
You gain responsibility. Marketplace apps must be maintained — the listing must be kept current, support requests answered, API changes followed. If your app goes stale, Slack can de-list it. They may unapproved it entirely if no steps are taken to address these issues. You are also responsible for communicating in a timely manner with the Marketplace team.
The journey from code to listed
Here’s the high-level path from a working app to a live Slack Marketplace listing:
Some things to note:
- Step 3 is a gate. You need real users on multiple workspaces before you can submit — this ensures your app works beyond your own environment.
- Step 7 takes time. You can reduce the waiting time by submitting a quality app with no issues. Read the official requirements thoroughly before submitting and ensure your app passes all them before submitting.
- Once the app is approved, it’s up to you to hit that publish button for your app to go live on the marketplace.
Two paths to the Slack Marketplace
Developers generally take one of two paths to get their app into the Marketplace:
Extending an existing product
You have a SaaS product and want to meet your users in Slack — surfacing notifications, enabling quick actions, or syncing data. Think Jira, GitHub, or Salesforce.
Building a Slack-first product
Your app lives entirely in Slack — it *is* the product. Workflow automations, standup bots, and productivity tools fall here. The Slack Marketplace is your primary distribution channel.
Both paths lead to the same submission process, but your approach to onboarding and pricing may look different. A SaaS integration typically complements an existing product, while a Slack-first app needs to stand on its own.
What the Slack Marketplace is not
- It’s not a hosting platform. You host your own app. The Slack Marketplace is where users discover apps.
- It’s not a one-time submission. Significant feature changes require resubmission for review.
- It’s not the only distribution option. You can share your app directly with friends and people you know without adding it to the Slack Marketplace. However all commercial distribution of apps needs to happen via the Marketplace.
- It’s not just for big companies. The barrier to entry is quality, not size.
Next steps
This post is the first in a series on building for the Slack Marketplace. Up next: Is Your App Right for the Slack Marketplace?
If you’re ready to start building, create a Slack app and explore the Slack Marketplace to see what’s already out there.
