Customer acquisition costs have climbed while loyalty programs now drive measurable retention for Shopify brands. Over 60% of surveyed Shopify stores run active loyalty programs, and those with engaged members see repeat purchase rates increase by 2-3x compared to non-members. For brands on Shopify Plus looking to build sustainable growth through retention, a modern loyalty platform becomes essential infrastructure rather than a nice-to-have feature. The best loyalty programs combine technical performance with business results. We analyzed 14,000+ merchant reviews, verified 2025 pricing, and examined real ROI data from brands like HexClad and Kitsch to identify the top 10 platforms for Shopify stores.
1) Rivo – Modern Retention Platform Built for Shopify Plus
Rivo operates as a comprehensive retention ecosystem designed specifically for Shopify and Shopify Plus merchants. The platform combines loyalty programs, referral marketing, and paid memberships in one unified system.
Best For
Fast-growing DTC brands doing 200+ monthly orders seeking developer-friendly customization and white-glove support.
Price
$49 to $1,999/month
Rating
4.9/5 stars (1,987 reviews)
Key Features
- Open API platform with REST API, JavaScript API, native Liquid metafields, and webhooks
- 8+ checkout extensions for point redemption at checkout, reducing payment processing fees
- VIP tier automation based on spend, points earned, or order count
- 20+ fraud tools for referral programs including IP monitoring and self-referral blocking
- 60+ integrations including Klaviyo, Gorgias, Skio, and Shopify Flow
- Passwordless auto-login from Klaviyo emails via Rivo Activate
- 24/7 live support with dedicated Slack channels for Enterprise clients
Rivo differentiates itself as the first open platform for Shopify loyalty. The developer toolkit handles 95% of use cases out-of-box while enabling full customization for edge cases through best-in-class API access. The platform loads in under 100ms using Shopify theme app extensions instead of legacy workarounds.
HexClad generated $450K in referral revenue during the first 90 days with 92x ROI. Referred customers showed 17% higher AOV compared to non-referred shoppers. Kitsch produced $5.8M in loyalty-attributed revenue with 1.2M activated customers.
The platform targets Shopify Plus merchants over $5M GMV with features like paid memberships using checkout extensions and stackable discounts. Month-to-month billing eliminates annual commitments, and the company operates 100% bootstrapped with zero venture capital.
2) Smile.io – Industry Leader with Proven Track Record
Smile.io represents the established standard in Shopify loyalty programs with a 10+ year track record and the largest user base among loyalty platforms. The platform earned "Built for Shopify" certification for native integration quality.
Best For
Brands seeking proven enterprise-level loyalty infrastructure with extensive third-party integrations.
Price
Free to $999/month
Rating
4.9/5 stars (4,111 reviews)
Key Features
- Loyalty Hub providing personalized rewards space in customer accounts
- Checkout extensions and embedded blocks for full customer journey integration
- 30+ integrations including Klaviyo, Gorgias, and Judge.me
- Advanced analytics dashboard with performance tracking
- VIP tier management with automated progression
- Points earning for purchases, reviews, social follows, and custom actions
Businesses using Smile see members return 2× more often than non-members. Active programs deliver 48% increases in CLV for loyalty participants compared to one-time buyers.
The platform's maturity shows in comprehensive feature coverage and integration depth. Founded in 2014, Smile has processed loyalty transactions for thousands of Shopify stores across multiple verticals.
3) LoyaltyLion – Data-Driven Loyalty Marketing
LoyaltyLion focuses on analytics-driven loyalty strategies with advanced segmentation capabilities. The platform serves brands that use loyalty data to power lifecycle marketing campaigns.
Best For
Data-conscious merchants using loyalty insights to drive email segmentation and personalization.
Price
Free to $1,500+/month
Rating
4.6/5 stars (500+ reviews)
Key Features
- Advanced analytics dashboard with actionable insights and cohort analysis
- POS integration for omnichannel loyalty tracking
- Custom reward rules for unique brand interactions (blog reads, quiz completions)
- Automated email campaigns triggered by loyalty behaviors
- API access for custom implementations
- Points expiration management with automated reminders
The platform excels at rewarding unique brand interactions beyond basic purchases. Merchants can configure points for product reviews, social follows, and blog engagement to drive content consumption.
LoyaltyLion's analytics capabilities make it particularly valuable for merchants running data-driven retention strategies. The dashboard provides visibility into redemption trends, points liability, and program ROI metrics.
4) BON Loyalty – Affordable International Solution
BON Loyalty targets global Shopify stores with multilingual support and competitive pricing. The platform serves 1,588 merchants across international markets.
Best For
International stores requiring multilingual support and affordable pricing for growing businesses.
Price
Free to $349/month
Rating
4.9/5 stars (1,588 reviews)
Key Features
- 250+ languages support for international customer bases
- Points display widgets on product pages
- Automated email notifications for points earned and redemption opportunities
- Referral program with unique sharing links
- VIP tier management with spend-based progression
- Integration with popular email service providers
BON Loyalty's multilingual capabilities surpass most competitors. The 250+ language support enables brands selling in multiple countries to maintain consistent loyalty experiences across regions.
The platform's pricing structure makes it accessible for growing brands. The top tier at $349/month costs significantly less than enterprise alternatives while maintaining core functionality.
Merchants rate BON Loyalty 4.9/5 stars for ease of use and intuitive setup. The dashboard simplifies program management without requiring technical expertise.
5) Yotpo Loyalty & Rewards – Enterprise Marketing Ecosystem
Yotpo Loyalty integrates with the broader Yotpo marketing suite, combining loyalty with reviews, SMS, and email in a unified platform. This ecosystem approach serves Shopify Plus merchants seeking consolidated marketing technology.
Best For
Shopify Plus merchants wanting unified loyalty, reviews, and SMS marketing in one vendor relationship.
Price
Free to quote-based
Rating
4.6/5 stars (400+ reviews)
Key Features
- Integration with full Yotpo suite (SMS, email, reviews, visual UGC)
- 20+ pre-built campaigns for quick program launch
- Advanced VIP tier customization with tier-specific benefits
- Enterprise-grade analytics and reporting dashboards
- Dedicated account management for larger brands
- API access for custom integrations
The unified marketing ecosystem reduces technical complexity for brands using multiple Yotpo products. Data flows seamlessly between loyalty, reviews, and communication channels without custom integration work.
Yotpo targets enterprises and larger DTC brands with complex marketing needs. The platform handles enterprise-scale programs with sophisticated tier structures and reward options.
6) Joy Loyalty Rewards Program – Omnichannel Leader
Joy Loyalty specializes in omnichannel synchronization, connecting online stores, mobile apps, and physical retail locations in unified loyalty programs. The platform serves 1,500+ merchants with retail presence.
Best For
Stores with physical retail locations needing seamless online and in-store loyalty tracking.
Price
Free to $499/month
Rating
4.9/5 stars (1,500+ reviews)
Key Features
- Omnichannel sync across online, mobile, and in-store touchpoints
- Advanced campaign rule engine for complex earning scenarios
- Unlimited referrals without transaction caps
- Social-first rewards for Instagram follows and shares
- POS integration with Shopify Point of Sale
- Customizable widgets and branded loyalty pages
Joy's omnichannel capabilities shine for brands operating both e-commerce and brick-and-mortar stores. Customers earn and redeem points regardless of purchase channel.
The platform suits brands with larger order volumes that have dedicated staff managing loyalty programs. The advanced features require more setup time compared to simpler alternatives.
7) Growave – All-in-One Marketing Platform
Growave consolidates loyalty, reviews, wishlists, and social login into a single app. This approach reduces monthly subscription costs by replacing multiple standalone applications.
Best For
New and growing stores seeking cost-effective multi-functional marketing tools.
Price
Free to $349/month
Rating
4.8/5 stars (1,400+ reviews)
Key Features
- Combined loyalty, reviews, wishlist, and social login functionality
- Shoppable Instagram integration for social commerce
- Automated review collection and display
- User-generated content galleries
- Points programs with multiple earning actions
- Email marketing capabilities for loyalty campaigns
Growave delivers value for brands wanting multiple features without juggling numerous app subscriptions. The consolidated approach simplifies app management and reduces technical overhead.
The platform targets growing Shopify stores looking for affordable entry into loyalty and reviews. The all-in-one structure works well for brands with straightforward requirements.
8) Rise.ai – Store Credit & Gift Card Focus
Rise.ai approaches loyalty through store credit instead of traditional points systems. The cash-based model simplifies customer understanding and integrates naturally with returns management.
Best For
Brands wanting simplified rewards through store credit and advanced gift card capabilities.
Price
$19.99 to $599.99/month
Rating
4.7/5 stars (1,000+ reviews)
Key Features
- Cash-based store credit instead of points for simpler customer experience
- Advanced gift card automation and management
- Bulk gift card generation (up to 10,000 cards)
- Returns integration to retain revenue through store credit
- Integrated wallet for consolidated rewards tracking
- Customizable credit expiration rules
The store credit approach resonates with customers who find traditional points programs confusing. Customers immediately understand "$10 store credit" versus "1000 points worth unknown value."
Rise.ai excels at handling returns by converting refunds into store credit. This retention strategy keeps revenue within the business rather than processing actual refunds.
9) Toki – Premium Membership Platform
Toki differentiates through paid membership capabilities and digital wallet pass integration. The platform enables recurring revenue through VIP club memberships.
Best For
Brands launching paid VIP clubs and membership programs with exclusive benefits.
Price
Scalable pricing from free to enterprise
Clients
500+ Shopify stores
Key Features
- Paid membership tiers for recurring revenue streams
- Apple & Google Wallet digital passes for omnichannel access
- Advanced gamification with challenges and achievement badges
- Tier-based benefits and exclusive access controls
- Integration with Shopify POS for in-store benefits
- Comprehensive analytics for member engagement
Toki's paid membership capability stands out among Shopify loyalty apps. Brands can charge monthly or annual fees for VIP access, creating predictable recurring revenue.
The wallet pass integration enables members to access benefits through mobile wallets. This feature bridges online and offline experiences for omnichannel brands.
10) Loloyal – Beginner-Friendly Starter Option
Loloyal provides simple loyalty setup for brands launching their first retention programs. The platform emphasizes ease of use and quick implementation.
Best For
Small businesses just starting loyalty programs or international brands needing multilingual support.
Price
Free to $299/month
Clients
25,000+ brands (claimed)
Rating
4.9/5 stars
Key Features
- Multi-language support for international stores
- Quick setup process for beginners
- Customizable loyalty widgets
- Basic referral program functionality
- Points earning for purchases and actions
- Email integration for automated campaigns
Loloyal's simplicity makes it accessible for merchants without technical expertise. The setup process requires minimal configuration compared to enterprise platforms.
The affordable pricing tiers suit small businesses testing loyalty programs. Brands can start free and scale pricing as their program grows.
Choosing the Right Loyalty Platform for Your Shopify Store
Selecting a loyalty platform requires matching program complexity to business size and technical capabilities. Brands processing under 500 monthly orders often succeed with simpler solutions, while enterprise merchants need advanced segmentation and API access.
Integration requirements shape platform selection. Stores heavily invested in Klaviyo benefit from platforms offering advanced Klaviyo integration with full event passing. Brands using Gorgias for support need loyalty platforms syncing customer data to support ticket systems.
Technical expertise determines whether open platform architectures add value. Development teams can leverage developer toolkits to build custom loyalty experiences, while non-technical teams prefer out-of-box solutions.
Budget allocation beyond monthly subscription costs matters. Implementation time, migration services, and ongoing management require resource investment. Platforms offering white-glove onboarding reduce internal time requirements.
Growth trajectory influences platform scalability needs. Fast-growing brands require loyalty infrastructure handling 2,500+ monthly orders without performance degradation. Month-to-month contracts provide flexibility versus annual commitments locking brands into suboptimal solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of loyalty programs are most effective for Shopify stores?
Points-based programs with VIP tiers drive the strongest results for most Shopify stores. Research shows members return 2× more often compared to non-members when programs combine points earning with tiered status benefits. Referral programs generate incremental revenue beyond repeat purchases. HexClad produced $450K in 90 days through referral marketing with 92x ROI. Referred customers typically show higher AOV than organic shoppers. Paid membership programs create recurring revenue for premium brands. Shopify Plus merchants can implement membership tiers using checkout extensions for exclusive discounts and early access benefits.
How can a Shopify loyalty program help increase repeat customers and AOV?
Loyalty programs increase repeat purchases by providing clear incentives for second transactions. Active members demonstrate 3.1x higher rates compared to one-time buyers across Rivo's customer base. VIP tiers drive AOV increases by setting spend thresholds for status achievement. OSEA Malibu achieved $167 AOV among loyalty members, representing 40% above site average. Customers adjust cart values to reach tier qualification levels. Checkout integration enables point redemption as payment method. This reduces friction in the redemption process while decreasing payment processing fees for merchants. Portland Leather Goods attributes 17.4% of revenue to loyalty program activity.
What is the difference between a traditional loyalty program and a paid membership program on Shopify?
Traditional loyalty programs offer free enrollment with points earned through purchases and engagement. Members redeem accumulated points for discounts, free products, or free shipping without paying membership fees. Paid membership programs charge monthly or annual fees for VIP access. Fresh Chile Co saw 156% AOV lift from paid members compared to non-members. Paid tiers provide exclusive benefits like early product access and higher discount percentages.
Implementation differs technically on Shopify Plus. Membership programs require checkout extensions to apply member-only pricing and stackable discounts. Traditional points programs integrate through theme extensions and customer account portals.
How important is a Shopify-native integration for a loyalty platform?
Shopify-native integration directly impacts site performance and customer experience. Platforms using modern theme app extensions load under 100ms compared to legacy solutions requiring custom code modifications. Checkout integration quality determines redemption friction. Native checkout extensions enable customers to spend points as payment method during checkout, reducing abandonment compared to post-purchase discount codes. POS integration matters for omnichannel brands. Native Shopify POS connectivity allows in-store point earning and redemption without manual workarounds. BERO achieved success at launch with 1 billion impressions using omnichannel membership integration.
Can loyalty programs be integrated with other marketing tools like email and SMS?
Modern loyalty platforms integrate deeply with email service providers. Advanced Klaviyo integration passes loyalty events including points earned, tier changes, and redemptions for sophisticated segmentation and automation. SMS integration enables real-time notifications for point balance updates and exclusive offers. Platforms integrate with Postscript and Attentive for SMS campaign triggers based on loyalty behaviors. Customer support tools benefit from loyalty data visibility. Gorgias integration displays customer point balances and tier status within support tickets, enabling agents to provide loyalty-aware service without switching platforms.
