RetainleyBest Shopify Loyalty and Rewards Apps for 2026: Free and Paid Options Compared
A loyalty program should give customers a real reason to come back. Here is how the leading Shopify loyalty and rewards apps compare on features, pricing and fit, so you can choose the right one for your brand.
Retainley TeamOctober 10, 202611 min readThe best Shopify loyalty app depends on how you want to reward customers. If you want wallet cashback, referrals, reviews and WhatsApp nudges in one platform, choose Retainley. For a simple points program, Smile.io and BON Loyalty are easy to start with. Growave suits brands that also want wishlist and reviews, while Yotpo and LoyaltyLion fit larger brands with bigger budgets.
Why loyalty programs matter in 2026
Winning a first order keeps getting more expensive. The brands that grow profitably are the ones that turn first-time buyers into repeat customers, and a loyalty program is one of the most direct ways to do that.
A good program gives customers a reason to return, rewards the behaviour you want (repeat orders, referrals and reviews) and does it without training shoppers to wait for the next discount.
Customer expectations have also moved on. Shoppers are used to wallet balances, cashback and instant rewards from the apps they use every day, so a loyalty program that is hard to understand or redeem gets ignored.
How we compared these apps
We looked at each app through the lens of a growing D2C brand on Shopify:
- Reward typesPoints, cashback, store credit, VIP tiers and how easy rewards are to understand.
- Growth leversReferrals, reviews and other ways to engage customers between orders.
- Redemption experienceHow easily customers can see and use their rewards at cart and checkout.
- CommunicationWhether the app can remind customers through email, SMS or WhatsApp.
- Pricing and scaleFree plan limits, entry price and how costs grow with order volume.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Free plan | Paid plans from | App Store rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retainley | D2C brands that want cashback, referrals and reviews in one platform | Yes | $39/month (billed yearly) | Working with enterprises |
| Smile.io | Easy points and VIP programs | Yes (up to 200 orders/month) | $15/month | 4.9 (4,625 reviews) |
| Yotpo Loyalty | Brands already using Yotpo | Free to install | $199/month (Pro) | 4.7 (970 reviews) |
| LoyaltyLion | Data-driven, scaling brands | Free to install | $199/month (Classic) | 4.6 (543 reviews) |
| Rivo | Free plan with room to scale | Yes | $15/month | 4.7 (1,443 reviews) |
| BON Loyalty | Budget option for small stores | Yes (up to 150 orders/month) | $15/month | 5.0 (1,956 reviews) |
| Growave | All-in-one for loyalty, wishlist and reviews | Yes (200 orders/month) | $15/month | 4.8 (1,295 reviews) |
| YOYO | Membership and store-credit programs | Yes | See listing | 5.0 (173 reviews) |
Pricing and ratings are taken from each app’s Shopify App Store listing in October 2026 and may change. Always confirm current details before installing.
1. Retainley
Retainley is an AI-powered retention platform built for Shopify and e-commerce brands. Instead of a points-only program, it is wallet-first: customers earn cashback they can see and spend on their next order, alongside loyalty tiers, two-sided referrals and product reviews.
Key features- Wallet cashback and store credit customers can redeem at cart
- Loyalty tiers with birthday and milestone rewards
- Two-sided referrals shared over WhatsApp, SMS and email
- Text, photo and video reviews with rewards where permitted
- Omnichannel nudges on WhatsApp, SMS, RCS and email
- Retention analytics, custom reports and 30+ integrations, including GoKwik, Shiprocket and Judge.me
Free plan available. Paid plans: Starter $39/month, Pro $119/month and Enterprise $399/month when billed yearly ($49, $149 and $499 billed monthly). 15-day free trial.
Shopify and Shopify Plus D2C brands that want one connected retention journey instead of separate loyalty, referral and review apps.
Retainley is our product, so we have put it first. Compare it with the alternatives below using the same criteria.
2. Smile.io
Smile.io is one of the most widely used loyalty apps on Shopify, known for a simple setup and a polished points, referral and VIP experience.
Key features- Points, rewards and referrals with 15+ ways to earn and redeem
- VIP tiers and points expiry on the Growth plan
- Works with Shopify POS and supports 20+ languages
- Integrations such as Klaviyo and Judge.me
- Redeem at checkout on Shopify Plus
Free up to 200 monthly orders. Essential $15/month (500 orders), Standard $79/month (1,000 orders), Growth $199/month (2,500 orders, then $20 per 100 extra orders).
Brands that want a proven, easy-to-launch points program.
VIP tiers and checkout redemption sit on higher plans, and pricing scales with monthly orders.
3. Yotpo Loyalty
Yotpo Loyalty & Referrals is part of Yotpo’s wider e-commerce marketing suite, which also covers reviews and SMS.
Key features- Loyalty and rewards program
- Referral program
- Part of the wider Yotpo e-commerce marketing suite
Free to install, with a Pro plan listed at $199/month.
Mid-size and larger brands that already use Yotpo for reviews or SMS.
The value is highest when you use several Yotpo products together.
4. LoyaltyLion
LoyaltyLion offers loyalty programs designed to increase repeat purchases, grow customer lifetime value and reduce reliance on discounts.
Key features- Points and rewards
- Referral program
- VIP tiers
Free to install. Classic plan at $199/month, with Plus plans for larger brands. 14-day free trial.
Established brands with a team to manage and optimise the program.
Paid plans start at a higher price point than most alternatives.
5. Rivo
Rivo offers loyalty, rewards and referral programs for Shopify, and its listing says it is trusted by over 11,000 Shopify merchants.
Key features- Points and rewards program
- Referral program
- Plans from free up to Shopify Plus scale
Free forever plan, with paid plans listed from $15/month up to $499/month (Plus). 14-day free trial.
Brands that want to start free and upgrade as they grow.
Advanced features sit on the higher plans.
6. BON Loyalty
BON Loyalty is a popular, affordable option for small and growing Shopify stores that want points, referrals and VIP tiers without a large budget.
Key features- Points and rewards program
- Referral program with anti-cheat protection
- Automated emails for points and referrals
- Redeem at checkout on Shopify Plus
Free up to 150 monthly orders. Starter $15/month (300 orders), Basic $29/month and Growth $129/month. 7-day free trial.
Early-stage stores starting their first loyalty program.
Order limits on lower plans can be reached quickly as you grow.
7. Growave
Growave combines loyalty, wishlist and product reviews in one app, which helps brands reduce the number of separate tools they install.
Key features- Loyalty points program and referrals
- Wishlist and product reviews
- Data imports and exports
Free plan with 200 orders/month. Entry $15/month (500 orders, $20 per additional 100 orders), Growth $199/month and Plus $499/month. 14-day free trial.
Stores that want loyalty, wishlist and reviews from one vendor.
Order-based pricing can rise quickly with volume.
8. YOYO
YOYO lets brands run loyalty as points, cashback or store credit, with membership and VIP features.
Key features- Points, cashback or store credit rewards
- Membership and VIP programs
- Loyalty displays on the storefront
Free Starter plan available. Check the Shopify App Store listing for current paid plans.
Brands exploring paid memberships or store-credit rewards.
A smaller review base than the more established apps.
How to choose the right loyalty app for your Shopify store
Use these questions to narrow down your shortlist:
- What reward will your customers value? Points work for some audiences, while cashback or store credit is easier to understand for many D2C shoppers.
- Do you need referrals and reviews too? One connected platform avoids juggling several apps and data sources.
- How will customers hear about their rewards? Check support for email, SMS and WhatsApp reminders.
- Can customers redeem easily? Test the cart and checkout experience on mobile.
- How does pricing scale? Compare costs at your current order volume and at two to three times that volume.
- Does it fit your margins? Make sure earn and burn rules, caps and expiry can protect profitability.
Start with a simple program customers can understand in one sentence, then add tiers, referrals and reviews once you see what drives repeat orders.
Final take: why Retainley is our pick for D2C brands
Most apps on this list do one job well, whether that is points, VIP tiers or a wishlist. But retention does not happen inside one widget. It happens across the whole journey after the first order: the reward a customer earns, the reminder that brings them back, the friend they refer and the review they leave.
That is why Retainley is our top pick for D2C brands that want repeat purchases, not just a points page. It connects every retention lever in one platform:
- Wallet cashback customers can see and spend at cart, instead of points they forget about.
- Loyalty tiers that give your best customers a reason to keep levelling up.
- Two-sided referrals shared over WhatsApp, SMS and email.
- Text, photo and video reviews that build trust and feed your loyalty program.
- Nudges on WhatsApp, SMS, RCS and email that reach customers at the right moment.
- Retention analytics that show what actually drives repeat revenue.
Built by founders who have worked with 600+ brands on website optimisation and retention.
If you only need a basic points program, Smile.io, BON Loyalty or Rivo can get you started. If you want one platform built to turn first-time buyers into loyal, repeat customers, start with Retainley.
Make Retainley your retention engine
Retainley helps Shopify brands turn first-time buyers into repeat customers with wallet cashback, loyalty tiers, referrals and reviews in one platform.
Start free, or get a walkthrough tailored to your brand.
Free plan available. Paid plans include a 15-day free trial.Frequently asked questions
Q. What is the best free loyalty app for Shopify?
Several apps offer free plans, including Retainley, Smile.io, BON Loyalty, Rivo, Growave and YOYO. Free plans usually limit monthly orders or features, so check the limits against your current order volume.
Q. Is cashback better than points for a loyalty program?
Cashback and store credit are often easier for customers to understand because they show a clear money value. Points can work well too. Choose the format your customers will value and can redeem easily, and measure repeat purchases.
Q. Can a loyalty app help with customer acquisition?
Yes. Referral programs reward existing customers for bringing in new ones, so many loyalty apps, including Retainley, combine loyalty with two-sided referrals.
Q. How quickly can I set up a loyalty app on Shopify?
Most apps install from the Shopify App Store in minutes. Designing rewards, rules and messaging takes longer, so plan time to test the experience on mobile before launch.
Q. What features should I prioritise in a loyalty app?
Look for clear rewards, easy redemption at cart, referrals, reviews, reminders on the channels your customers use, analytics and pricing that scales with your order volume.