Ecommerce brands face a critical challenge: customer acquisition costs run 5x higher than retention costs, yet just over 39% of Shopify stores have a loyalty program. The right loyalty program software transforms first-time buyers into repeat customers who spend 12-18% more than non-members.
The best loyalty programs combine customizable earning rules, fraud prevention, and deep tech stack integration. Platforms built exclusively for Shopify process billions of API calls annually while maintaining 99.98% uptime, ensuring reliability for brands doing nine-figure revenue.
1) Rivo: Loyalty Program, Rewards — Built for Shopify Plus
Rivo delivers fully customizable loyalty and referral programs using modern Shopify architecture instead of legacy workarounds. The platform serves over 7,000 brands and has generated $1.5 billion in revenue for clients.
Best For
Fast-growing DTC brands on Shopify Plus needing developer-friendly customization
Price
Free (up to 200 orders) to $499/month
Rating
4.8/5 (1,409 reviews)
Key Features
- Developer Toolkit with REST API, JavaScript API, and native Liquid metafields for full customization
- Weekly product updates using latest Shopify Plus features (checkout extensions, stackable discounts)
- 8+ checkout touchpoints allowing customers to spend points as payment method
- 20+ fraud prevention tools for referral programs including IP monitoring and self-referral blocking
- Passwordless account activation driving 500-1000% increase in activated accounts via Klaviyo integration
Rivo stands out as the first open platform for Shopify loyalty, processing 2.9 billion API calls annually while maintaining exceptional uptime. The platform is 100% bootstrapped with zero venture capital, enabling month-to-month contracts instead of annual commitments that competitors require.
Brands like HexClad generated $450K in referral revenue in 90 days with a 92x ROI, while Kitsch achieved $5.8M in loyalty-attributed revenue with 1.2M activated customers. The platform's emphasis on rapid innovation—with releases every week—keeps brands ahead of Shopify's evolving capabilities.
Standout Feature
The Rivo Activate feature enables frictionless auto-login from Klaviyo emails using 26-character alphanumeric authentication, eliminating password friction that typically prevents program enrollment.
Request a demo to see how Rivo's checkout integration reduces payment processing fees while increasing loyalty redemptions.
2) Yotpo Loyalty — Enterprise Strategic Partnership
Yotpo Loyalty positions itself as a strategic partner rather than just software, offering dedicated Customer Success Managers for brands serious about retention as a profit center.
Best For
Enterprise brands wanting unified loyalty, reviews, and SMS marketing
Price
Custom pricing
Rating
4.7/5 (2,200+ reviews)
Key Features
- Unified platform combining loyalty programs with reviews and SMS marketing
- Dedicated CSM providing strategic support for program optimization
- Advanced VIP tiers with flexible point expiration rules
- Built specifically for ecommerce (not retrofitted from retail loyalty)
- Partnership-driven approach with quarterly strategy sessions
Yotpo earned recognition as a best-in-class loyalty solution built specifically for ecommerce brands. The platform powers programs for brands like Princess Polly, demonstrating success with 4-tier VIP structures.
The platform targets mid-market to enterprise merchants who view loyalty as a strategic investment. Yotpo's 4.5/5 Capterra rating reflects strong enterprise satisfaction despite a steeper learning curve than plug-and-play alternatives.
Standout Feature
The unified marketing suite eliminates the need to sync data between separate loyalty, review, and messaging platforms—reducing technical overhead for marketing teams.
3) Smile.io — Market Leader with Longest Track Record
Smile.io holds the position as the longest-tenured platform with over a decade of stability since its 2012 founding.
Best For
Brands prioritizing proven stability and extensive review validation
Price
Free (up to 200 orders) to $999/month
Rating
4.9/5 (4,111 reviews)
Key Features
- Loyalty Hub for signed-in members integrated into Shopify customer accounts
- Points, VIP tiers, and referral programs with extensive configuration options
- Deep Klaviyo integration for loyalty-driven email campaigns
- Built for Shopify badge with highest review count in the category
- 91% of ratings are 5 stars, demonstrating consistent satisfaction
Smile.io's 4,111 reviews represent the largest validation dataset in the Shopify loyalty space. The platform benefits from years of stability and incremental improvements rather than rapid innovation cycles.
The free plan supports up to 200 monthly orders, matching competitors while offering the confidence of market leadership. Smile.io's longevity provides assurance for brands concerned about platform stability and long-term support.
Standout Feature
The sheer volume of reviews and years in market provide unmatched validation for risk-averse brands evaluating loyalty program software.
4) BON Loyalty Program & Rewards — Highest-Rated Platform
BON Loyalty achieved a perfect 5.0/5 rating across 1,600 reviews, the highest rating among comprehensive loyalty apps.
Best For
Global brands needing multilingual support and perfect user ratings
Price
Free (forever plan) to $349/month
Rating
5.0/5 (1,600 reviews)
Key Features
- AI-powered automation for loyalty campaigns and customer engagement
- Anti-cheat referral program with fraud detection built in
- Support for 250+ languages for international brands
- B2B tier program for wholesale customer loyalty
- 97% of ratings are 5 stars, demonstrating exceptional satisfaction
BON Loyalty earned recognition as rated a perfect 5/5 from nearly 200+ global merchants. The platform launched in August 2021, proving newer entrants can compete on quality.
The free forever plan includes full referral and points programs without artificial limitations, making it accessible to growing brands. BON's multilingual capabilities stand out for brands expanding internationally.
Standout Feature
Perfect 5.0/5 rating demonstrates the platform delivers on promises consistently, addressing a common gap where established platforms accumulate negative reviews over time.
5) Joy Loyalty Program & Rewards — Most Touchpoints
Joy Loyalty offers 30+ loyalty touchpoints across widgets, pages, cart, and checkout—more than any competitor.
Best For
Brands wanting maximum customer engagement opportunities across the shopping journey
Price
Free (150 orders) to $499/month
Rating
4.9/5 (1,519 reviews)
Key Features
- 20+ loyalty rewards programs including social engagement
- Streak bonuses and milestone rewards for sustained engagement
- Full headless commerce (Hydrogen) support for custom storefronts
- Loyalty rule engine for advanced campaign logic
- Unlimited referrals feature driving organic growth
Joy earned recognition as lightweight and beginner-friendly while maintaining enterprise-grade features. The platform launched June 2021, demonstrating rapid growth in merchant adoption.
The platform's 1,400+ merchant reviews praise user-friendly setup combined with sophisticated features. Joy emphasizes sustainable growth strategies over quick wins.
Standout Feature
30+ touchpoints ensure loyalty messaging reaches customers at every stage, from product pages to post-purchase emails, maximizing program visibility.
6) LoyaltyLion — Best Analytics and Data-Driven Insights
LoyaltyLion focuses on data-driven loyalty for D2C brands, offering industry-leading analytics and RFM (recency, frequency, monetary) analysis.
Best For
Brands prioritizing analytics and data-driven program optimization
Price
Starting at $199/month
Rating
4.8/5 (479 reviews)
Key Features
- Advanced analytics with RFM segmentation
- POS support with robust reporting for omnichannel retailers
- Focus on non-transactional customer behaviors
- Built specifically for D2C ecommerce brands
- 4.4/5 Capterra rating from enterprise users
LoyaltyLion distinguishes itself through analytics capabilities that help brands understand which loyalty activities drive actual revenue. The platform targets brands that view loyalty as a strategic lever rather than a basic discount mechanism.
The platform's research shows 39% of Shopify stores currently have loyalty programs, with 44% of remaining stores actively implementing one.
Standout Feature
Industry-leading analytics suite provides insights into program performance that basic platforms cannot match, justifying the higher price point for data-driven brands.
7) Growave — All-in-One for Shopify Plus
Growave bundles loyalty, reviews, wishlist, and UGC into one platform, eliminating the need for multiple app subscriptions.
Best For
Shopify Plus stores wanting to consolidate apps while maintaining enterprise features
Price
Free plan to $499/month
Rating
4.8/5 (1,184 reviews)
Key Features
- Loyalty + Reviews + Wishlist + UGC in unified platform
- Optimized for Shopify Plus with advanced branding capabilities
- Seamless Klaviyo, Gorgias, and Attentive integrations
- 24/7 support with dedicated Customer Success Managers
- Built for Shopify Plus badge
Growave earned recognition as an all-in-one platform optimized for Shopify Plus brands. The 1,100+ reviews praise the platform for boosting customer engagement.
The consolidated approach reduces technical complexity and cost compared to subscribing to separate loyalty, review, and wishlist apps. Growave targets brands wanting simplicity without sacrificing features.
Standout Feature
All-in-one architecture eliminates integration headaches and reduces monthly app costs, often paying for itself through consolidation savings alone.
8) White Label Loyalty — API-First Enterprise Platform
White Label Loyalty offers an API-first architecture with modular pricing, allowing brands to pay only for features they use.
Best For
Enterprise brands needing full control and custom integrations
Price
Custom enterprise pricing
Rating
4.8/5 on Capterra
Key Features
- API-first architecture for seamless tech stack integration
- Modular pricing (pay only for what you need)
- Customizable branding and engagement tracking
- Powers programs for PepsiCo and other enterprise brands
- 10x faster launch for complex requirements
White Label Loyalty earned top ratings for enterprise flexibility and scalability. PepsiCo praised the platform as remarkably easy to integrate despite complex requirements.
The modular approach allows enterprise brands to start with core features and add capabilities as needed, avoiding the bloat of all-in-one platforms that charge for unused features.
Standout Feature
API-first architecture enables integration with any tech stack, making it ideal for brands with custom ecommerce platforms or complex technical requirements.
9) Loloyal — Best Budget Option for Social Rewards
Loloyal emphasizes simplicity and social rewards at the lowest price point among comprehensive loyalty apps.
Best For
Growing stores wanting social-driven loyalty without complexity
Price
Free to $299/month
Rating
4.9/5 (689 reviews)
Key Features
- Flexible points, rewards, and VIP tiers
- Multi-channel integration
- Social rewards and simplicity focus
- Customizable widgets and popups for brand aesthetics
- Lower price point than competitors
Loloyal earned recognition for flexible rewards programs with multi-channel integration. The platform targets brands prioritizing ease of use over advanced features.
The referral program reduces marketing costs while bringing new customers, addressing the challenge that acquisition costs run significantly higher than retention.
Standout Feature
Budget-friendly pricing makes loyalty accessible to smaller brands while maintaining core features that drive repeat purchases.
10) Annex Cloud — Enterprise Multi-Channel Platform
Annex Cloud serves enterprise brands needing extensive customization and unified customer data from online and offline sources.
Best For
Big brands needing extensive customization and multi-channel loyalty
Price
Custom enterprise pricing
Rating
4.2/5 on Capterra
Key Features
- Broad range of loyalty capabilities including UGC
- Referrals and gamification modules
- Unified customer data from online and offline sources
- Enterprise-grade customization
- Strong scalability
Annex Cloud offers broad loyalty capabilities according to industry analysis. User feedback highlights the flexible platform with solid features, though backend reporting needs improvement.
The platform targets large brands with complex multi-channel requirements that simpler platforms cannot support.
Standout Feature
Unified customer data across all touchpoints provides a complete view of customer behavior, essential for enterprise omnichannel strategies.
Understanding Loyalty Program ROI for Ecommerce Brands
Loyalty programs deliver measurable returns when implemented correctly. Platforms like Rivo claim 52x ROI based on weighted case study medians, while brands report repeat purchase rates improving 3.1x among program members.
Why retention beats acquisition
The math is clear: keeping existing customers costs 5x less than acquiring new ones. Yet many ecommerce brands still allocate most marketing budgets to acquisition channels.
Repeat customers contribute 40% of revenue for successful Shopify stores despite representing a smaller percentage of total customers. This revenue concentration makes retention programs critical for profitability.
Loyalty program members spend 12-18% more than non-members across transactions. OSEA Malibu reported a $167 AOV (40% above site average) for loyalty redeemers.
79% of consumers participate in loyalty programs, making them table stakes for competitive ecommerce markets. Brands without programs lose customers to competitors offering points and rewards.
Key metrics to track
Successful loyalty programs require measurement beyond enrollment numbers. Track these metrics to optimize program performance:
- Repeat purchase rate improvement — Rivo clients report 3.1x increases among program members
- Average order value lift — Fresh Chile Co saw 156% AOV increase for members
- Revenue attribution — Leading brands tie 4%+ of revenue directly to loyalty activities
- Points liability — Monitor outstanding points to manage financial exposure
- Redemption rates — Higher rates indicate program engagement and value perception
Portland Leather Goods achieved 17.4% of revenue tied to loyalty after migrating from Yotpo to Rivo, demonstrating the impact of platform choice on results.
Choosing the Right Loyalty Platform for Your Business
Platform selection depends on business size, technical requirements, and growth stage. Brands doing 200-2,500 monthly orders have different needs than enterprises processing 30,000+ orders monthly.
Technical requirements for Shopify Plus
Shopify Plus merchants need platforms that leverage modern architecture instead of legacy workarounds. Look for these technical capabilities:
- Checkout extensions — Enable points redemption directly in checkout without deprecated Shopify Scripts
- Theme app extensions — Load under 100ms for performance optimization
- Stackable discounts — Support multiple simultaneous promotions
- Headless commerce — API access for custom storefronts built on Hydrogen
Rivo's Developer Toolkit provides unrestricted API access on Enterprise plans with 5x rate limits, enabling complex customizations that basic platforms cannot support.
POS integration matters for omnichannel brands. Shopify POS compatibility allows customers to earn and redeem points in-store and online, creating unified experiences.
Free tiers vs. enterprise pricing
Most platforms offer free tiers supporting 150-200 monthly orders. These plans include core features like points, basic VIP tiers, and referrals.
Free tier comparison:
- Rivo — Free up to 200 orders, includes 50+ features and POS integration
- Smile.io — Free up to 200 orders, limited to basic features
- BON — Free forever plan with full referral and points programs
- Joy — Free up to 150 orders with social engagement features
Enterprise pricing ranges from $199/month (LoyaltyLion, Yotpo) to $499/month (Rivo Plus, Joy Ultimate) for brands processing 2,500+ orders. Custom pricing applies to platforms like White Label Loyalty and Annex Cloud serving the largest brands.
The pricing jump from free to paid typically occurs at 200-500 monthly orders. Evaluate total cost including integration fees, setup costs, and ongoing support when comparing platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What features should I prioritize when choosing a loyalty program for my Shopify store?
Focus on Shopify-native integration first. Platforms using checkout extensions instead of deprecated scripts provide better performance and future-proof compatibility. Fraud prevention matters for referral programs. Look for platforms offering 20+ fraud prevention tools including IP monitoring, self-referral blocking, and minimum cart requirements. Developer tools become critical as your program matures. API access, webhooks, and metafields enable customizations that differentiate your program from competitors using basic configurations.
How do loyalty programs compare to simple discount strategies?
Loyalty programs build lasting customer relationships while discounts train customers to wait for sales. Programs offer personalized customer account portals where members track points and tier status. Strategic programs reward non-purchase behaviors like reviews, social follows, and referrals. This creates engagement touchpoints beyond transactions that pure discount strategies miss. The analytics dashboard in quality platforms provides insights into which customers drive profitability, enabling targeted retention investments.
Can small brands benefit from loyalty programs or are they only for enterprises?
Free tiers make loyalty accessible to brands processing 150-200 monthly orders. BON's free forever plan includes full features without artificial limitations. Small brands benefit from word-of-mouth through white-labeled referral marketing that costs less than paid acquisition channels. Customer retention matters more for small brands with limited marketing budgets, making loyalty programs a force multiplier for constrained resources.
What's the typical ROI timeline for implementing a loyalty program?
Brands typically see measurable results within 90 days. HexClad generated $450K in referral revenue in the first 90 days with 92x ROI. Rareform reported a 27% repurchase rate lift in the first 30 days after launch. Portland Leather Goods achieved 17.4% revenue attribution to loyalty after migration. Long-term ROI compounds as VIP tiers mature. Kitsch reported 8.7x repeat rates for top-tier VIPs compared to one-time buyers.
Do I need technical expertise to set up and manage a loyalty program?
Modern platforms offer no-code setup for basic programs. Rivo's visual page builder integrates into Shopify's theme editor, allowing customization without coding knowledge. White-glove onboarding (included on Rivo's Plus plan and competitors' enterprise tiers) handles technical setup. Migration assistance helps brands switch from legacy platforms without data loss. Developer-friendly platforms grow with your needs. Start with no-code features, then add custom integrations as your team expands.
