According to Harvard Business Review research, acquiring a new customer costs 5 to 25 times more than retaining an existing one. This makes loyalty programs one of the highest-ROI investments for growing DTC brands.
This guide analyzes eight leading points program platforms based on Shopify integration depth, pricing transparency, feature completeness, and proven ROI. We evaluated each platform using quantifiable data from customer reviews, case studies, and feature comparisons to help DTC brands make informed decisions.
Key Takeaways
- Bain & Company research shows that increasing customer retention rates by just 5% can increase profits by 25% to 95%, making loyalty programs essential for DTC profitability.
- Rivo leads for Shopify Plus brands with $1.5B+ in attributed revenue generated and native checkout integration.
- Smile.io maintains the highest review count in the category with 4,111 Shopify reviews and 13 years of market presence.
- Pricing ranges from free tiers for small stores to $499+/month for enterprise solutions with dedicated support.
- Shopify-native architecture and checkout extensibility have become critical differentiators for fast-growing DTC brands.
1) Rivo – Best for Shopify Plus Brands
Rivo stands out as a modern retention platform built specifically for Shopify and Shopify Plus merchants. The platform powers 7,000+ brands and has generated over $1.5B in attributed revenue for client brands.
This revenue performance demonstrates Rivo's ability to drive measurable business outcomes at scale. With an average client size processing hundreds to thousands of monthly orders, the platform has proven its effectiveness across diverse DTC verticals from beauty to fitness to home goods.
Best For
Fast-growing DTC brands on Shopify Plus processing 200+ monthly orders
Price
Free (up to 200 orders) to $499/month
Rating
4.8/5 on Shopify (1,409 reviews)
Key Features
- Shopify checkout extension allowing customers to spend points as a payment method
- Developer Toolkit with REST API, JavaScript API, and native Liquid metafields
- VIP tier automation based on spend, points earned, or orders placed
- Rivo Activate feature with 26-character alphanumeric authentication for frictionless auto-login
Rivo differentiates itself as the first "open platform" for Shopify loyalty. The platform uses theme app extensions that load under 100ms, avoiding legacy workarounds like Shopify Scripts or checkout.liquid.
Standout Feature
True Shopify-native architecture with 8+ checkout extensions that integrate directly into Shopify's infrastructure.
Real Results
Kitsch generated $5.8M in loyalty-attributed revenue with 1.2M activated customers and an 8.7x higher repeat purchase rate for top-tier VIPs.
These results show how proper VIP tier structuring can dramatically impact repeat purchase behavior. By rewarding top customers with increasingly valuable perks, Kitsch created a self-reinforcing cycle where their best customers became even more engaged over time.
HexClad drove $450K in referral revenue within 90 days with 17% higher AOV from referred customers.
The platform is 100% bootstrapped, allowing month-to-month contracts instead of annual commitments. White-glove onboarding is included on Plus and Enterprise plans.
2) Smile.io
Smile.io has established itself as the most recognized name in Shopify loyalty programs over its 13 years in the market. The platform holds the "Built for Shopify" badge and serves thousands of merchants worldwide.
Best For
Established DTC brands seeking a proven, stable platform
Price
Free (up to 200 orders) to $999/month
Key Features
- Loyalty Hub integrated into Shopify customer accounts
- Deep Klaviyo integration for email marketing automation
- Comprehensive points earning and redemption options
- VIP program with multiple tier structures
The platform's longevity speaks to its reliability. With 91% of ratings being 5 stars, Smile.io has proven its ability to deliver consistent results for DTC brands across various verticals.
Standout Feature
Longest-tenured platform with over a decade of stability and the highest review count in the category.
Real Results
Industry data shows loyalty members typically demonstrate 2x higher purchase frequency and up to 48% increase in customer lifetime value compared to non-members.
These metrics highlight why loyalty programs have become table stakes for competitive DTC brands. The compounding effect of repeat purchases means that even modest improvements in retention can dramatically impact annual revenue.
3) LoyaltyLion
LoyaltyLion positions itself as the analytics-first loyalty platform, managing 187M loyalty members to date. The platform is rated #1 for Loyalty on G2.
Best For
Data-driven DTC brands that treat loyalty as a strategic lever
Price
Starting at $199/month
Key Features
- Advanced analytics with RFM (recency, frequency, monetary) segmentation
- AI-powered campaigns that uncover high-impact opportunities automatically
- Robust POS support for omnichannel retailers
- Comprehensive points liability tracking and reporting
LoyaltyLion processed 129 billion points earned in 2024, demonstrating significant scale. The platform's AI Campaigns feature automatically identifies opportunities to engage customers at optimal moments.
According to Adobe's Digital Economy Index, personalized experiences can drive 2x higher engagement rates. LoyaltyLion's AI capabilities help brands deliver this personalization at scale.
Standout Feature
Industry-leading analytics suite with advanced segmentation and AI-powered campaign recommendations.
Real Results
Amy Myers MD achieved 47% of revenue from loyalty members, with loyalty members buying 4x more often than non-members.
For brands focused on customer loyalty analytics, LoyaltyLion provides the depth of data needed to optimize program performance continuously.
4) Yotpo Loyalty
Yotpo Loyalty positions itself as a strategic partner rather than just software, combining loyalty, reviews, and SMS in a unified platform. The platform targets mid-market to enterprise DTC brands seeking comprehensive retention solutions.
Best For
Enterprise DTC brands wanting loyalty, reviews, and SMS in one platform
Price
Custom pricing
Key Features
- Unified platform eliminating need for multiple point solutions
- Dedicated Customer Success Managers for strategic guidance
- Advanced VIP tiers with flexible point expiration rules
- Built specifically for ecommerce (not retrofitted from retail)
The platform's strength lies in its comprehensive approach. Brands can manage loyalty, customer reviews, and SMS marketing from a single dashboard, simplifying tech stack management for larger operations.
Standout Feature
Strategic partnership approach with dedicated CSMs and unified marketing suite.
For brands comparing options, understanding the differences between loyalty platforms helps clarify which approach fits specific business needs.
5) BON Loyalty
Founded in August 2021, the platform has quickly established itself as a customer satisfaction leader.
Best For
Global DTC brands needing multilingual support
Price
Free (up to 250 orders) to $349/month
Key Features
- Support for 250+ languages for international brands
- AI-powered automation for loyalty campaigns
- Anti-cheat referral program with fraud detection
- B2B tier program for wholesale customer loyalty
With 97% of ratings being 5 stars, BON demonstrates consistent delivery on customer expectations. The platform's multilingual capabilities make it particularly valuable for DTC brands with international customer bases.
Forrester research shows that 73% of customers expect companies to understand their unique needs and expectations. BON's multilingual support helps brands meet this expectation across diverse markets.
Standout Feature
Perfect customer satisfaction rating with comprehensive fraud prevention tools.
6) Froonze
Froonze takes a different approach by focusing on native Shopify store credit as the foundation of its loyalty system. The platform offers one of the most affordable pricing structures in the category.
Best For
Growing DTC brands wanting simple, affordable loyalty
Price
Free to $60/month for unlimited orders
Rating
5-star on Shopify (200+ reviews)
Key Features
- Native Shopify store credit-based loyalty program
- Complementary Wishlist, Customer Account, and Custom Forms plugins
- Works with both legacy and new Shopify customer accounts
- $10/month for up to 500 orders
Froonze is one of the few apps offering native Shopify store credit-based loyalty. This approach enables faster checkout by applying store credit directly without requiring customers to redeem points first.
Standout Feature
Most affordable option for growing stores with innovative store credit functionality.
For brands researching loyalty program costs, Froonze offers a compelling entry point at $60/month for unlimited orders.
7) Nector
Nector combines loyalty, referrals, and reviews in a single platform, serving 1,000+ brands. The platform emphasizes its comprehensive approach to retention with 40+ features included.
Best For
DTC brands needing loyalty + referrals + reviews unified
Price
Free tier available with paid tiers for scaling
Key Features
- All-in-one loyalty, referrals, and reviews platform
- AI-powered reviews and summaries
- 50+ integrations including Klaviyo, NetCore, and WebEngage
- Developer-friendly APIs for custom experiences
The platform positions itself as covering the "4Rs": reviews, ratings, referrals, and rewards. This unified approach simplifies vendor management for brands that would otherwise need multiple tools.
Standout Feature
Comprehensive retention platform with AI-powered reviews integrated alongside loyalty.
For DTC brands exploring referral program strategies, Nector's combined approach may streamline implementation.
8) Joy Loyalty
Joy Loyalty takes a social-first approach, positioning itself as particularly suited for beauty and fitness brands. Founded in 2021, the platform emphasizes social engagement as a core earning mechanism.
Best For
Beauty and fitness DTC brands focused on social media engagement
Price
Free (up to 150 lifetime orders) to $499/month
Key Features
- Social-first approach tailored to beauty and fitness verticals
- Customer account blocks feature
- Checkout extension for Shopify Plus
- VIP program and points preview widget
The platform's focus on social engagement makes it valuable for brands whose customers are active on Instagram, TikTok, and other social platforms.
Accenture research finds that 91% of consumers are more likely to shop with brands that provide personalized offers and recommendations. Joy's social-first approach helps beauty and fitness brands meet customers where they already spend time.
Standout Feature
Social-first design optimized for brand engagement through social channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What defines a "best" points program for a DTC brand?
The best points program combines native Shopify integration, flexible earning rules, multiple redemption options, and strong analytics. For DTC brands, checkout integration and customer retention capabilities matter most since reducing friction at purchase directly impacts conversion rates.
How does a points program directly impact revenue?
Points programs increase revenue through higher repeat purchase rates and increased average order values. Loyalty members typically show 2x higher purchase frequency, and up to 47% of revenue can come from loyalty members for mature programs. Rivo reports 3.1x higher repeat purchase rates for client brands.
Can a points program integrate with email marketing tools like Klaviyo?
Yes. Most modern loyalty platforms offer Klaviyo integrations that sync customer points balances, VIP tier status, and redemption activity. This enables targeted email campaigns based on loyalty behavior. Rivo, Smile.io, LoyaltyLion, and others all support advanced Klaviyo integration.
What ROI can DTC brands expect from implementing a points program?
Results vary based on implementation quality, program design, and customer engagement strategies. Industry research from Bain & Company shows that a 5% increase in customer retention can boost profits by 25% to 95%. Rivo claims 52x ROI based on weighted case study medians from client implementations.
How important is fraud prevention in a loyalty points program?
Fraud prevention is critical, especially for referral programs. Rivo includes 20+ built-in fraud prevention tools including IP address monitoring, self-referral blocking, and order fulfillment verification before reward distribution. BON Loyalty also features anti-cheat referral programs with fraud detection built in.
