A regular bot is a message conversation. A Mini App is a separate screen inside Telegram with a real interface: catalog, buttons, and cart, without commands.
Telegram Mini App
Telegram Mini App store: what it is and how to create one
A Mini App is a Telegram app format that opens directly in the messenger with an interface, buttons, and screens instead of a bot conversation. tShop builds this kind of store without a developer.
What is a Mini App
A Mini App is a web application built into Telegram. It opens by button or link inside the messenger, without opening a browser or installing anything. For a store, this means customers see a catalog, product cards, and a cart like in a regular app instead of reading a list of products in messages.
Mini App or a regular bot store
| Mini App | Command-based bot | |
|---|---|---|
| Catalog | Visual storefront with images and a grid | A list in messages |
| Cart | A separate screen; products do not get lost | Collected manually in a chat |
| Search and categories | Search bar, filters, and categories | Usually unavailable |
| Experience | Like a separate app | Like a chat |
A command-based bot is easier to put together, but does not scale to a catalog of dozens or hundreds of products - a Mini App is better suited for this.
What is included in a tShop Mini App
- Catalog with categories, search, and filters
- Product card, cart, and checkout
- Discount promo codes at checkout
- Customizable design: colors, font, grid, and card shape
- Favorites section and customer order history
- Opens through your own Telegram bot
How to create a Mini App store
In tShop, you do not need to build the Mini App separately - the builder creates the interface from your dashboard settings: products, categories, colors, and logo. Fill in the catalog, connect a bot using a token from @BotFather, and publish the store - detailed instructions are on the page “How to create a Telegram store”.
Frequently asked questions
No. The Mini App opens directly inside Telegram by button or link; nothing else needs to be installed.
Yes. In tShop, the Mini App is assembled in a visual dashboard; the builder generates the interface from your settings and products.