Operating a successful Shopify store in 2026 requires more than just a great product; it requires bulletproof compliance. For merchants selling age-restricted goods - such as alcohol, tobacco, vaping products, CBD, or adult content - age verification isn't just a "nice to have" feature; it is a legal mandate.

Standard legal apps often provide generic terms, but specialized Shopify Age Verification Apps act as a digital gatekeeper. They prevent underage access through popups, birthdate validation, and even government ID scanning. This guide breaks down the top tools to keep your store compliant, your brand protected, and your business away from hefty regulatory fines.

Why Do Shopify Merchants Need an Age Verification App?

• Legal & Regulatory Compliance: Global laws (like the UK’s Online Safety Act or various US state-level PACT Act requirements) demand "reasonable steps" to prevent minors from accessing restricted sites.
• Liability Protection: In the event of a legal dispute, having a logged record of age verification provides a critical "due diligence" defense for your business.
• Payment Gateway Approval: High-risk payment processors (like certain versions of Shopify Payments or third-party gateways for CBD/Vape) often require active age-gating before approving your account.
• Brand Trust & Authority: A professional age gate signals to customers—and search engines—that your store is a legitimate, responsible entity in a regulated space.
  

Top 7 Shopify Age Verification Apps

​Here is a summary of the leading apps designed to secure your storefront and ensure 18+/21+ compliance.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Data is updated in January 2026

1. Blockify Age Verification 18+

​Blockify offers a straightforward solution for merchants needing to implement age restrictions. It balances a user-friendly interface with essential features, making it a reliable choice for ensuring legal compliance on age-sensitive products. The app is known for its quick, code-free setup.

You can use it to:

• Set a minimum age requirement of 18 or 21.
• Customize the age verification popup to match your store's branding.
• Restrict access site-wide or to specific pages and products.
• Ensure a responsive design that works on all devices.

Rating: 5.0/5-star from 250+ reviews.

2. AVP ‑ Age Verification Popup

​AVP offers a simple yet effective tool for stores that need age restrictions. It focuses on providing a customizable popup that verifies a customer's age via birth date entry. Its reputation is built on ease of use and reliable performance across all devices.

You can use it to:

• Create customizable age verification popups without coding.
• Set age limits for the entire site or for specific pages only.
• Maintain brand consistency with design options.
• Ensure a user-friendly experience on desktop and mobile.

Rating: 4.8/5-star from 145 reviews.

3. NA Age Verification

​NA Age Verification provides a versatile and highly customizable solution for age gating. It allows merchants to choose from multiple verification methods and tailor the experience to their brand and legal needs. The app is also valued for its integration capabilities.

You can use it to:

• Verify age using yes/no buttons, birthday entry, or a checkbox.
• Customize the popup with custom text, images, and disclaimers.
• Set custom page rules to control where the age check appears.
• Integrate with Klaviyo for targeted marketing based on verification status.

Rating: 4.9/5-star from 90+ reviews.

4. AgeX ‑ age verification popup

​AgeX is another powerful and free app designed for seamless age verification. It helps merchants comply with regulations by restricting underage access with customizable popups. It is particularly useful for global stores due to its multi-language support and country-based settings.

You can use it to:

• Implement an age gate with customizable verification popups.
• Use country-based settings to adapt to different regulations.
• Ensure the popup is SEO-friendly and mobile-responsive.
• Leverage multi-language support for a global audience.

Rating: 4.9/5-star from 90+ reviews.

5. Hulk Age Verification

​Hulk Age Verification is a robust solution for merchants selling globally who need to adhere to varying regional laws. It is widely recognized for its geo-targeting capabilities, allowing you to set different age requirements based on where your customer is located.

You can use it to:

• Set country-specific age restrictions to comply with diverse international regulations.
• Customize the design of your popups to maintain a cohesive brand identity.
• Restrict access to specific pages or collections rather than the entire site.
• Access detailed analytics and reports on visitor verification status.

Rating: 4.6/5-star from 60+ reviews.

6. Age Gate: Age Verification 18+

​Developed by GoodApps, this tool is built for high-stakes compliance. It offers deep customization for underage actions - allowing you to redirect underage visitors to a specific URL or show a personalized "Access Denied" message.

You can use it to:

• Set up a legal age checkbox that requires active user consent.
• Manage "Splash Age" controls to warn visitors before they see sensitive imagery.
• Track detailed statistics on successful vs. failed age verifications.
• Deploy verification screens in under 2 minutes with an instant-install feature.

Rating: 4.8/5-star from 70+ reviews.

7. Age Verification ‑ Onlyage 18+

​Onlyage focuses on minimalism and speed. It is one of the most cost-effective paid options for growing stores, offering specific country targeting and luxurious design templates that don't feel like a "block" to the user experience.

You can use it to:

• Implement simple, clean yes/no verification popups.
• Redirect underage visitors to a safe, external landing page.
• Customize background images and date formats to match local standards.
• Leverage 24/7 live chat support for immediate setup assistance.

Rating: 4.9/5-star from 40+ reviews.

How to Pick the Right Age Verification App?

Choosing the right app requires careful consideration of your store’s unique needs. Here are the key factors to evaluate:

Verification Method: Do you need a simple "Yes/No" button, a birthdate entry, or a full ID scan? Check your local laws - vapes usually require DOB entry at minimum.

SEO Impact: Ensure the app doesn't block search engine crawlers (Googlebot). The best apps use "soft gates" that allow Google to see your content while blocking users.

Geo-Targeting: If you sell internationally, you need an app that can distinguish between a user in Germany (18+) and a user in the USA (21+).

Aesthetic Fit: The age gate is the first thing a customer sees. Pick an app like Bouncer or NA Age Verification that allows for full CSS customization to match your branding.​

Expert Tips for Implementation Age Verification

The "First Impression" Factor: Remember that an age gate is often the very first interaction a customer has with your brand. Ensure you choose an app like Blockify or NA Age Verification that allows you to upload high-quality lifestyle imagery to the background of the popup.

Mobile Speed: In 2026, Google prioritizes mobile page speed more than ever. If your age gate is slow to load, it can hurt your search rankings. Smart Age Verification Popup is specifically optimized for Core Web Vitals to prevent this.

Data Logging: For audit purposes, prioritize apps that log "Verified" status in your order notes (like NA Age Verification). This creates a paper trail that proves you performed due diligence for every sale.

FAQs about Age Verification on Shopify

1. Does Shopify have built-in age verification?

No. Shopify provides a platform, but the legal responsibility of verifying a customer's age falls on the merchant. You must use a third-party app to implement a functional age gate.

2. Will an age verification popup hurt my SEO?

If implemented poorly, yes. However, the apps in this list use SEO-friendly code that ensures your product pages are still indexed by Google even if the user sees a popup.

3. Is "Self-Certification" (Yes/No buttons) legally sufficient?

This depends on your region and product. For many industries, a "Self-Certification" is the standard, but for high-regulation products like tobacco in the US, more rigorous data-matching or ID checks may be required.

Conclusion

Choosing a Shopify Age Verification App is a strategic move to future-proof your business against evolving internet safety laws. Whether you need a simple free popup or a high-security ID scanner, the right tool will protect your revenue and your reputation.