Building customer loyalty programs on Shopify drives retention at a fraction of acquisition costs. The right rewards platform transforms one-time buyers into repeat customers through points, referrals, and VIP tiers that integrate directly into your store's checkout and customer accounts. The right loyalty platform scales with your brand, from launching your first rewards program to managing complex VIP structures for enterprise operations. These 10 options represent the strongest choices for Shopify merchants in 2025, based on verified user ratings, feature depth, and proven results from DTC brands.
1) Rivo: Loyalty & Referrals
Rivo operates as a modern retention platform built exclusively for Shopify Plus merchants. The platform serves 9,000+ brands including HexClad, Ridge, Dr. Squatch, True Classic, and Kitsch.
Best For
Developer-focused teams and brands requiring deep customization with proven ROI metrics
Price
Free up to 200 orders/month, then starting at $49/month
Rating
4.8-4.9/5 (1,400+ reviews)
The platform differentiates itself as the first open platform for Shopify loyalty and referrals, emphasizing developer-friendly architecture. Rivo provides full API/SDK access, webhooks, and native Liquid metafields for custom integrations that competitors treat as afterthoughts.
Key Features
- Developer Toolkit with REST API, JavaScript API, and webhooks for unlimited customization
- Shopify Plus checkout extensions allowing point redemption as a payment method
- Drag-and-drop loyalty page builder with custom CSS and font support
- 20+ built-in fraud prevention tools for referral programs
- Advanced analytics dashboard with points liability tracking and redemption trends
HexClad generated $450,000 in referral revenue in the first 90 days using Rivo, achieving 92x ROI with 17% higher AOV from referred customers. Portland Leather Goods tied 17% of total revenue to their loyalty program after migrating from Yotpo.
The platform processes 2.9 billion API calls annually with 99.98% uptime. Rivo integrates directly into Shopify's infrastructure using theme app extensions that load under 100ms, avoiding legacy workarounds like Shopify Scripts.
Pros
- Best-in-class developer experience with unrestricted API access
- Proven ROI metrics with 52x return based on weighted case study medians
- Month-to-month contracts with no long-term commitments
- White-glove onboarding and dedicated success managers on Plus/Enterprise plans
Cons
- Memberships product limited to Shopify Plus merchants over $5M GMV
- Smaller install base compared to legacy competitors like Smile.io
2) BON Loyalty Rewards Referrals
BON Loyalty ranks as the best loyalty app for merchants with global customer bases. The platform has 1,400+ reviews with a 4.9/5 rating.
Best For
International merchants requiring multilingual support and generous free plans
Price
Free up to 250 orders/month, then starting at $25/month
Rating
4.9/5 (1,400+ reviews)
Founded August 16, 2021, BON Loyalty provides AI-powered automation for points programs, VIP tiers, and referral marketing. The platform supports 250+ languages, making it ideal for stores selling across multiple countries.
Key Features
- 250+ language support for global stores
- AI-driven points automation and VIP tier management
- Seamless Shopify POS integration for omnichannel programs
- Up to 9 types of automated emails for customer engagement
- Free plan up to 250 monthly orders
The platform offers the most generous free tier among top-rated apps. BON's multilingual capabilities eliminate the need for separate apps or manual translations.
Pros
- Strongest international support with 250+ languages
- Most generous free plan (250 orders vs. 100-200 for competitors)
- Excellent support consistently noted in reviews
- Lower entry pricing than Smile.io ($25 vs $49)
Cons
- Less developer flexibility compared to Rivo
- Smaller brand recognition than legacy platforms
3) Smile.io - Loyalty & Rewards
Smile.io operates as the market leader with 100,000+ businesses using the platform. As one of the longest-standing loyalty apps, Smile.io has rewarded 330 million customers across 148 countries.
Best For
Established brands wanting proven reliability and extensive integrations
Price
Free up to 200 orders/month, then starting at $49/month to $999/month
Rating
4.9/5 (4,000+ reviews)
The platform serves major brands including Polaroid, LiquidDeath, Hush Puppies, and Birchbox. Smile.io has processed $136 billion in sales, demonstrating enterprise-scale reliability.
Key Features
- Points, referrals, and VIP tiers with no-code widget interface
- Shopify-native surfaces including POS, checkout, and customer accounts
- Auto-translation into 6 preset languages
- Integrations with Klaviyo, Omnisend, Gorgias, Judge.me, and Okendo
- Mature ecosystem with 16-year legacy
Smile.io provides proven frameworks for brands at every stage. The platform's extensive integration network makes it compatible with most Shopify tech stacks.
Pros
- Largest install base with 100,000+ stores
- Proven with major enterprise brands
- Comprehensive integration ecosystem
- Reliable platform with long track record
Cons
- Higher pricing than BON and Loloyal
- Less developer flexibility than Rivo
- Annual contracts on some plans
4) Joy Loyalty & Rewards Program
Joy Loyalty brings over a decade of ecommerce experience to Shopify, with 1,400+ reviews and a 4.9/5 rating.
Best For
Mid-market and enterprise stores needing advanced omnichannel support
Price
Free to $499/month
Rating
4.9/5 (1,500+ reviews)
The platform specializes in milestone rewards and advanced tier perks with automatic discounts. Joy's smooth POS extension integration makes it strong for brands with retail locations.
Key Features
- Milestone Rewards and advanced Tier Perks system with auto discounts
- Omnichannel support for online, Shopify POS, and POS Pro
- Built-in email notifications and automation on all plans
- Strategic advice from experienced team for complex loyalty needs
- Advanced customization for mid-market and enterprise stores
Joy's omnichannel capabilities synchronize loyalty data across digital and physical touchpoints. The platform's experienced team provides strategic guidance beyond basic setup.
Pros
- Strong omnichannel POS focus
- Proven enterprise experience
- Auto-discount innovation in tier perks
- Strategic consultation included
Cons
- Smaller language support than BON
- Higher pricing than budget options
5) LoyaltyLion
LoyaltyLion serves 10,000+ brands including Levo, Lifeboost, and Bellami. The platform has operated for a decade with a data-first approach.
Best For
Data-driven Shopify stores prioritizing segmentation and analytics
Price
Free to $729+/month (custom enterprise pricing)
Rating
Not specified in Shopify App Store
LoyaltyLion ranks top for conversions of one-time buyers into loyal customers. The platform emphasizes ROI measurement, referral performance tracking, and competitive benchmarking.
Key Features
- Advanced segmentation and retention analytics dashboards
- Up to 4 configurable VIP tiers with multipliers
- Free loyalty page design service (~$1,500 value) on Classic tier
- Gamification with badges and leaderboards
- Data-driven ROI and benchmarking analytics
The platform provides free design services worth approximately $1,500 on the Classic tier. LoyaltyLion's analytics capabilities exceed most competitors.
Pros
- Best-in-class analytics and segmentation
- Proven with 10,000+ brands
- Strong DTC/Plus credentials
- Free design service on Classic plan
Cons
- Higher entry pricing than competitors
- Analytics focus may be overkill for simple programs
6) Yotpo Loyalty & Referrals
Yotpo operates as an enterprise marketing platform with a dedicated loyalty module. Used by Steve Madden, Soko Glam, and Chubbies, Yotpo launched July 28, 2015.
Best For
Brands wanting loyalty tightly integrated with UGC, reviews, and SMS
Price
Free to $799+/month (custom enterprise pricing)
Rating
4.7/5 (900+ reviews)
The platform offers 20+ predefined campaign types beyond purchases, including reviews, social actions, and milestones. Yotpo's unified ecosystem combines loyalty, reviews, UGC, and SMS.
Key Features
- 20+ predefined campaign types for diverse earning opportunities
- Deep integration with Yotpo Reviews, UGC, and SMS
- Flexible VIP tiers based on points, spend, referrals, or orders
- Anti-cheat protections and escalating referral rewards
- Enterprise-grade analytics and reporting
Yotpo's integrated approach reduces app sprawl by consolidating multiple retention tools. The platform handles loyalty, social proof, and messaging in one system.
Pros
- Best for all-in-one retention stack
- Enterprise features and scalability
- Proven with major brands
- Unified customer data across modules
Cons
- More expensive than pure-play loyalty apps
- Some features require higher-tier plans
- Rivo offers superior API flexibility for customization
7) Loloyal: Loyalty and Referral
Loloyal serves 25,000+ brands including SHEIN, Pop Craft, Ebanx, and Banggood. The platform emphasizes cost-effective pricing with frequent feature updates.
Best For
Brands seeking best value for money with 24/7 support
Price
Free to $299/month
Rating
4.9/5 (700+ reviews)
Loloyal offers more affordable pricing than competitors for equivalent features. The platform provides 24/7 live customer support and monthly product updates.
Key Features
- Cost-effective pricing more affordable than competitors
- Limited-time offers perfect for events like Black Friday
- 24/7 live customer support
- Early bird discount up to 50% off first month
- Custom CSS for complete brand customization
- Monthly feature updates and product development
The platform's massive user base of 25,000+ brands demonstrates broad market acceptance. Loloyal balances affordability with feature depth.
Pros
- Best value for money
- Massive user base (25K brands)
- Frequent updates and improvements
- Round-the-clock support
Cons
- Less language support than BON
- Newer platform with shorter track record
8) Growave: Loyalty & Wishlist
Growave combines loyalty, reviews, wishlists, UGC, and social login in a single app. The platform has 1,200+ reviews with a 4.8/5 rating.
Best For
Merchants wanting to reduce app sprawl with an all-in-one solution
Price
Free to $499/month
Rating
4.8/5 (1,200+ reviews)
Growave includes 150+ preset loyalty features in a single app installation. The platform provides value pricing by bundling multiple tools.
Key Features
- 150+ preset loyalty features in one app
- Combines loyalty, reviews, wishlists, UGC, and social login
- VIP tiers with 3 levels and 5 perks each on Growth plan
- Multi-language built-in for EMEA/global brands
- Single app reduces store complexity
The all-in-one approach eliminates the need for separate review, wishlist, and loyalty apps. Growave provides bang-for-buck with fewer integrations to manage.
Pros
- Best all-in-one value proposition
- Reduces app complexity and costs
- Strong feature set for the price
- Good for international brands
Cons
- Less analytics depth than Yotpo or LoyaltyLion
- Not as easy to use as BON
9) Froonze: Loyalty & Wishlist
Froonze offers budget-friendly loyalty with 200+ merchants rating it 5/5 stars. The platform focuses on native Shopify store credit.
Best For
Small-to-medium businesses on tight budgets
Price
Free up to 100 orders/month, then starting at $10/month to $60/month
Rating
5/5 (200+ reviews)
Froonze supports native Shopify store credit for New Customer Accounts, a unique feature among competitors. The platform bundles loyalty, wishlist, and custom forms.
Key Features
- Native Shopify store credit loyalty program
- Includes wishlist and custom form widgets
- Simple and transparent pricing structure
- Free for stores under 100 monthly orders
- Multiple modules at low price point
The store credit feature integrates with Shopify's native functionality rather than external systems. Froonze's $10 entry tier makes it the most affordable paid option.
Pros
- Most affordable paid option ($10/month)
- Unique native store credit feature
- Perfect for small businesses
- Perfect 5/5 rating
Cons
- Smaller feature set than enterprise options
- Limited to smaller store volumes
10) Gameball: Loyalty & Rewards
Gameball serves 3,000+ brands including Yassir, SEGA, Trolley, and Breadfast. Founded December 2, 2019, the platform processes 10 million transactions weekly.
Best For
Brands wanting gamification mechanics to boost engagement
Price
Free to $159/month
Rating
4.6/5 (160+ reviews)
Gameball differentiates through gamification elements like badges, levels, and leaderboards. The platform manages 2 billion points and engages over 100 million customers.
Key Features
- Gamification with badges, levels, and leaderboards
- Cashback rewards option
- Processes 10 million transactions/week
- Merges online and in-store customer data seamlessly
- Free setup and onboarding call with every plan
The gamification approach increases customer engagement beyond traditional points systems. Gameball's scale demonstrates enterprise-grade reliability.
Pros
- Unique gamification differentiator
- Proven at massive scale
- Cashback option available
- Free onboarding included
Cons
- Lower rating than top competitors
- Less customization than Rivo
Benefits of Implementing Shopify Rewards Programs
Shopify loyalty programs deliver measurable returns through increased repeat purchase rates, higher average order values, and reduced customer acquisition costs. These programs provide strategic advantages beyond simple point systems.
Increased customer lifetime value
Rewards programs directly impact customer lifetime value by incentivizing repeat purchases. Kitsch generated $5.8M in loyalty-attributed revenue with 1.2M activated customers, demonstrating how loyalty drives long-term value.
OSEA Malibu achieved a 77% repeat purchase rate among redeemers with $167 AOV—40% above site average. Customers who redeem points make 5.5x more orders than non-members.
CLV improvements include:
- Higher order frequency from VIP tier members
- Increased basket sizes when redeeming rewards
- Lower churn rates among active program participants
- Cross-selling opportunities through targeted point campaigns
Fresh Chile Co saw 156% AOV lift for members versus non-members. These metrics demonstrate how loyalty programs compound value over customer lifecycles.
Lower customer acquisition costs
Retention costs 5x less than acquiring new customers. Loyalty programs reduce dependence on paid advertising by creating organic growth loops through referrals.
HexClad's referral program generated $450K in 90 days with referred customers showing 17% higher AOV. Referral marketing turns existing customers into acquisition channels.
Cost reduction mechanisms:
- Referral programs generate qualified leads at lower CAC
- Repeat customers require less marketing spend
- Word-of-mouth reduces paid channel dependency
- Organic social sharing amplifies brand reach
Brands using Rivo achieve 52x ROI, primarily through reduced acquisition costs and increased retention. The platform's fraud prevention tools ensure referral quality while maintaining program economics.
Enhanced customer engagement
Loyalty programs create regular touchpoints that keep brands top-of-mind. VIP tier systems drive engagement through status and exclusive benefits.
Kitsch reported 8.7x higher repeat purchase rates for top-tier VIP members. The gamification elements in tier programs motivate continued interaction.
Engagement tactics include:
- Birthday rewards and anniversary bonuses
- Early access to sales for VIP tiers
- Points for social media follows and reviews
- Exclusive member-only products
Tuckernuck generated 2.4M wishlist favorites using Rivo Accounts. Personalized account portals increase engagement beyond transactional interactions.
Data-driven customer insights
Loyalty programs generate first-party data on customer preferences and behaviors. This data enables segmentation strategies that improve marketing efficiency.
Analytics capabilities provide:
- Purchase pattern identification for inventory planning
- Customer retention rate tracking by segment
- Points liability management for financial forecasting
- Redemption trend analysis for offer optimization
LoyaltyLion's analytics dashboards include ROI measurement and competitive benchmarking. Data-driven brands use these insights for strategic planning.
Rivo's analytics dashboard provides 20+ reports on program performance, enabling brands to optimize earning rules and redemption options based on actual behavior.
How to Choose the Right Rewards Program for Your Store
Selecting loyalty software requires matching platform capabilities to your business model, technical resources, and growth stage. The wrong choice leads to implementation delays and underperforming programs.
Assess your business requirements
Start by defining success metrics for your loyalty program. Brands focusing on repeat purchase rate need different features than those prioritizing referral growth.
Key assessment questions:
- What's your current monthly order volume? (determines plan eligibility)
- Do you operate physical retail locations needing POS integration?
- Is your customer base international requiring multi-language support?
- Do you have developer resources for API customization?
Stores under 200 monthly orders should prioritize generous free plans like BON or Froonze. Brands exceeding 2,500 orders need enterprise features from Rivo, Smile.io, or Yotpo.
Review your existing tech stack. Klaviyo users benefit from deep email integration. Brands using Gorgias need platforms with helpdesk synchronization.
Compare pricing and features
Map features to pricing tiers across platforms. Entry-level plans often restrict critical capabilities like VIP tiers or checkout integration.
Feature comparison priorities:
- Points earning rules (purchases, reviews, social, custom actions)
- Redemption options (discount codes, store credit, free products, free shipping)
- VIP tier automation and customization
- Referral program functionality and fraud prevention
- Shopify Plus checkout extensions for point redemption
BON offers the most generous free plan at 250 orders. Froonze provides the lowest paid entry at $10/month. Rivo's month-to-month billing eliminates long-term contract risk.
Calculate total cost including transaction fees and integration costs. Some platforms charge per transaction while others use fixed monthly pricing.
Evaluate integration capabilities
Platform effectiveness depends on seamless integration with your Shopify ecosystem. Check compatibility with email, SMS, subscriptions, and reviews apps.
Critical integrations include:
- Email service providers (Klaviyo, Postscript, Attentive)
- Subscription apps (Skio, Recharge, Loop)
- Review platforms (Okendo, Junip, Stamped)
- Customer service (Gorgias, Zendesk)
Rivo integrates with 60+ apps including Klaviyo, Shopify Flow, and major subscription platforms. The Developer Toolkit enables custom integrations not available out-of-box.
Verify the platform uses modern Shopify infrastructure. Rivo uses theme app extensions and checkout extensions, avoiding deprecated methods like Shopify Scripts.
Consider scalability and support
Loyalty programs grow with your business. Choose platforms that scale from startup to enterprise without forced migrations.
Scalability factors:
- Order volume limits on each pricing tier
- Performance at high transaction volumes (100K+ monthly)
- Multi-store support for international expansion
- API rate limits for custom integrations
Rivo processes 6M+ daily API calls with 99.98% uptime. The platform handles brands from 200 orders/month to 250,000+ monthly orders like Kitsch.
Evaluate support quality through reviews. Joy Loyalty provides strategic consultation. Rivo offers white-glove onboarding with dedicated success managers on Plus plans.
Check migration support if switching from competitors. Rivo provides migration assistance from Yotpo, Smile.io, LoyaltyLion, and Inveterate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best loyalty program app for Shopify stores?
Rivo ranks as the best option for Shopify Plus brands requiring customization and proven ROI. The platform delivers 52x return on investment with features like checkout extensions, developer APIs, and fraud prevention. For international merchants, BON Loyalty supports 250+ languages with a generous free plan. Budget-conscious stores benefit from Froonze's $10/month entry pricing. Established brands wanting market-leading reliability choose Smile.io's 100,000+ store network. The best choice depends on your budget, order volume, and technical requirements.
How much does a Shopify loyalty app typically cost?
Shopify loyalty apps range from free plans to $999+ monthly for enterprise solutions. Most platforms tier pricing by monthly order volume. BON offers free service up to 250 orders. Rivo's $49/month plan includes checkout integration and unlimited participants. Enterprise brands budget $500-$1,000 monthly for full feature access. Calculate ROI rather than focusing solely on cost. Brands achieve 52x returns through increased retention and referral revenue.
Can loyalty programs integrate with email marketing platforms?
Yes, all major loyalty apps integrate with email service providers like Klaviyo, Postscript, and Attentive. These integrations enable automated campaigns based on loyalty activity. Rivo's Klaviyo integration passes all events and customer data including points balance, VIP tier, and referral status. This enables segmented campaigns for high-value members. Rivo Activate enables passwordless auto-login from Klaviyo emails using 26-character authentication. One brand reported 500-1000’% increase in activated accounts.
How long does it take to set up a loyalty program on Shopify?
Simple programs launch in 24 hours to 1 week. Complex enterprise implementations take 2-3 weeks with white-glove onboarding. Teaspressa completed migration from a competitor to Rivo in 24 hours. Partners Coffee migrated from Inveterate in 3 weeks with full program customization. Rivo's white-glove onboarding on Plus and Enterprise plans includes dedicated success managers. DIY setups using free plans take longer without guided support.
Do loyalty programs work for small Shopify stores?
Yes, loyalty programs benefit stores of all sizes. Small stores use free plans to build retention habits before scaling to paid tiers. Froonze offers free service under 100 monthly orders. BON's 250-order free plan suits growing stores. These options eliminate financial risk while testing program effectiveness. Small stores focus on simple point systems and referrals rather than complex VIP tiers. The key is starting early to build customer loyalty habits as you scale. Statistics show that increasing retention by 5% can boost profits 25-95%. Even small stores benefit from these retention economics.
