Using the right theme for your Shopify business can make or break your online store. In that case, you need to make sure you choose the right theme for your dropshipping business so that you can create an enjoyable shopping experience for your customers, build recognition, and attract customers. So, a tool like a Shopify theme detector can help you identify themes that successful Shopify businesses are using.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what exactly a Shopify theme detector is as well as which are the best ones to use. We’ll also divo into some alternative ways of identifying Shopify themes.
What’s a Shopify Theme Detector?
A Shopify theme detector is a tool that identifies which theme a Shopify store is using by scanning the site’s public source code. It’s commonly used by dropshippers to gain insights into store design, gather inspiration, or analyze competitors. When you do a little competitor research and find successful Shopify stores, the tool identifies their Shopify theme for you. These tools can reveal the theme name, developer, whether it’s a custom or pre-made theme, and sometimes even the version or modifications.
Best Shopify Theme Detectors (2025)
There are various Shopify theme detectors you can find; however, there are a few that stand out and work most effectively. The best Shopify theme detectors are:
BuildYourStore
BuildYourStore’s Shopify Theme Detector is a convenient and efficient tool for quickly identifying the themes used by Shopify stores. This makes it valuable for those seeking design inspiration or conducting competitive analysis.
Pros:
- Free & unlimited
- User-friendly & no technical expertise required
- Additional insights into functionality
Cons:
- Limited information on custom themes
By simply entering a store’s URL, users can quickly discover whether the theme is free, paid, or custom-built. Plus, the tool is entirely free and can be used multiple times without restrictions.
Shopify Theme Detector by PageFly
PageFly’s Shopify Theme Detector is another free and convenient tool to use when trying to find which Shopify theme any successful store is using. That way, you can make an informed decision on structuring your own store.
Pros:
- Checking feature
- Evaluating performance
Cons:
- Limited information for custom themes
- Potential inaccuracies
Koala Inspector
Koala Inspector has a free Chrome extension for their Shopify theme detector tool that undergoes updates to recognize the newest themes. The tool itself is very accurate and can identify essentially any Shopify theme, no matter how customized it is.
Pros:
- Recognizes even the most heavily customized and unique themes
- Incredible accuracy
Cons:
- Requires an extension
- Limited free plan
WhatRuns
WhatRuns is a pretty comprehensive Shopify theme detector because it provides deep insight into the site’s design and functionality features. However, it does limit the user to the Chrome browser because it only works as a Chrome extension.
Pros:
- Can find anything: CND, web apps being used, WordPress plugins, fonts
- Get notifications when the websites you follow change their tech
Cons:
- Requires a Chrome extension – limited to the browser
Manual Alternatives (No Tools Needed)
Manual alternatives to Shopify theme detectors are useful because they offer greater control and insight, especially when automated tools fall short. These methods can reveal detailed theme file names, stylesheet paths, and even clues about customizations that detectors may miss. They’re particularly helpful for advanced users who want to understand exactly how a store is built or verify the accuracy of detector results.
View Source
If you are tech-savvy enough and know your way around source code, you can pop the hood and see what’s under it. By viewing the store’s source code, we can find all sorts of details and design specs that a detector might miss. So, look for cdn.shopify.com to identify the theme.
Google Search the Theme Name If Visible
This is probably the most straightforward way of finding what Shopify theme a store is using. However, we do need to be a little lucky to be able to find the theme name on the website itself. Incredibly, though, many stores mention their theme name in the footer. If we can spot it, we can easily Google it.
Use Browser Dev Tools
Using browser developer tools is a powerful manual method for advanced users to detect a Shopify theme. Users can dig into the site’s underlying code to uncover valuable clues. Searching for terms like “theme,” “Shopify,” or “/themes/” in the code can reveal theme names embedded, but you can also find deeper insight into a store’s customizations and third-party integrations.
Check eCommerce Communities
Last but not least, we can also always rely on good old social media and dive into eCommerce communities. We can browse around the eCom communities on Twitter, Reddit, or even Discord and ask directly. Someone is bound to be able to help if all else fails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find out the exact theme a Shopify store uses?
Sometimes — but not always. Public themes are easier to detect and will give the Shopify theme detectors a chance to act. However, custom or heavily edited themes are harder to identify, and in some cases, they’re not able to be identified.
Are theme detectors safe to use?
Yes. Most just analyze a site’s public code with no login or access required.
What if the detector shows “Custom” or nothing at all?
If a detector shows “Custom” or nothing at all, it usually means the store uses a custom-built theme or has hidden the info.
Conclusion
Now that we know what a Shopify theme detector is and how it works, you’re ready to try out the best ones. We’ve taken a look at the best Shopify theme detectors out there, and for your next steps, you need to choose the right one for your business and get cracking. Once we have all the information we need, we can make a more informed decision about your store.
![What Is A Shopify Theme Detector [And Why You Should Use One]](https://www.buildyourstore.ai/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/shopify-theme-detectors.jpg.webp)