Pre-orders let you take payment for a product before it is in stock, which makes them useful for new launches, made-to-order items, and products that keep selling out. For a high-ticket store they can also help with cash flow, because a deposit on a large order covers part of the cost before anything ships. The risk is that a pre-order is a promise with a date on it, and a store that misses the date will face refunds, chargebacks, and angry emails. I run my own stores and help coaching students and done-for-you clients at Ecommerce Paradise build high-ticket stores, so I look at pre-order apps from two angles: what they cost, and what they do when something goes wrong.
Everything below comes from each vendor’s own Shopify App Store listing, plus the FTC’s business guide on shipping rules, as I reviewed them in October 2026. Where a page does not show a number, I write “not shown” instead of guessing, and you should confirm current pricing before you install anything. Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
Pre-orders work best when you control the ship date, such as with a supplier who confirms a delivery window in writing. If you are still choosing what to sell, start with my high-ticket niches list. If you are new to the model, read my guide to what high-ticket dropshipping is.
Shopify Pre-Order Apps at a Glance
| App | Starting price | Free plan or trial | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preorder, Back In Stock (STOQ) | Lite at $10 a month for 100 preorders | Free plan with 10 preorders; 14-day trial on paid plans | Stores that want deposits, SMS alerts, and a long feature list |
| PreOrder Globo | Lite at $9.90 a month for 100 presale orders | Free plan with the first 20 presale orders; 7-day trial | Stores that want unlimited orders at a low price |
| Essent Preorder Back in Stock | Lite at $4.95 a month for 100 preorders | Free plan with 25 preorders; 14-day trial on paid plans | Small stores that want the lowest paid entry price |
| Timesact | CORE Flex at $5 a month plus per-order fees | Free plan with 20 orders a month | Stores that want 0-down and charge-on-fulfillment options |
| PreProduct | Free to install with a 5% commission, or Scale at $59.99 a month | 7-day trial on Scale | Stores with larger preorder revenue that want automation |
This is not every pre-order app on Shopify. These are five that I could verify from the official listings, and they happen to be among the most reviewed in Shopify’s pre-order category.
Want a Shopify store built for high-ticket sales, with the apps and systems chosen for you? My team can do it. See the done-for-you store build →
What Shopify Says About Pre-Orders
Shopify’s help page on pre-orders describes them as a way for customers to purchase or reserve items that are not ready for fulfillment yet, with fulfillment happening later. The page I could read does not show setup steps, payment options, requirements, or limits, and it points to a separate page for more detail.
That means the practical features, such as deposits and order limits, come from the apps. If you do not have a store yet, you can start one with Shopify and test a free pre-order plan before you commit to a paid one.
What Pre-Order Apps Really Cost
The listed monthly price is only part of the bill, because most of these apps cap the number of pre-orders and charge for the extra. To compare them, here is my own illustration with two levels of monthly pre-orders at an average order of $100. It uses only the prices each listing shows and excludes payment processing and taxes.
| App | 80 pre-orders a month ($8,000) | 400 pre-orders a month ($40,000) |
|---|---|---|
| STOQ | $10 (Lite, 100 included) | $29 (Pro, 400 included) |
| PreOrder Globo | $9.90 (Lite, 100 included) | $19.90 (PRO, unlimited) |
| Essent | $4.95 (Lite, 100 included) | $24.95 (Essentials, 500 included) |
| Timesact CORE Flex | About $15 (my estimate) | About $79 (my estimate) |
| PreProduct Starter | $400 (5% commission) | $2,000 (5% commission) |
| PreProduct Scale | About $75 (my estimate) | About $235 (my estimate) |
The Timesact numbers assume the free plan’s 20 orders plus the 10 extra that CORE Flex adds, then $0.20 for each order above 30. The PreProduct Scale numbers assume 0% on the first $5,000 of monthly paid pre-order revenue and 0.5% after that, though the listing does not show what currency the threshold uses. Treat both as estimates and check them against the vendor’s billing before you rely on them.
The lesson is that commission-based pricing can cost far more than flat plans once you sell steadily. PreProduct’s free Starter plan is attractive for a test, but at $8,000 a month in pre-orders it costs more than the flat-fee apps combined. My guide to Shopify pricing plans covers the other costs that stack up around any app.
1. Preorder, Back In Stock (STOQ)
The STOQ listing shows a 5.0 rating from 3,864 reviews, a Built for Shopify badge, and developer Artos Software. Plans are Free at $0 with 10 preorders and 30 emails a month, Lite at $10 for 100 preorders and 1,000 emails or SMS, Pro at $29 for 400 and 2,000, and Unlimited at $69 for unlimited preorders. Overage is $0.25 per preorder on Lite and $0.10 on Pro, and SMS costs $0.025 each.
The feature list is long. It shows preorder, backorder, presale, and made-to-order types, deposits, partial and split payments, payment reminders, mixed carts, split shipping, countdown timers, order limits, B2B preorders, a POS widget, and 26 languages. It also includes back-in-stock alerts with Klaviyo sync and compatibility with Mailchimp and Omnisend.
The page does not show the Free plan’s SMS quota or the full compatibility requirements. If you want one tool for pre-orders and restock alerts and you plan to take deposits, this is the most complete option here.
2. PreOrder Globo
The PreOrder Globo listing shows a 4.9 rating from 1,971 reviews and developer Globo.io. The Free plan covers the first 20 presale orders and 100 restock emails. Lite is $9.90 a month or $99 a year for 100 presale orders and 1,000 restock emails, and PRO is $19.90 a month or $199 a year for unlimited presale orders and 5,000 restock emails, each with a 7-day trial.
Features include pre-order buttons for any product, partial and split payments, automatic discounts, availability dates, scheduled pre-orders with start and end dates, automatic order tagging, and a custom delivery note below the button. The page does not show how partial payments are charged, whether as a percentage or a fixed amount, so test that before you promise it to customers.
For a store that expects steady pre-order volume, the $19.90 unlimited plan is the best flat price on this list.
3. Essent Preorder Back in Stock
The Essent listing shows a 5.0 rating from 1,315 reviews and developer Essential Apps. The Free plan includes 25 preorders and 300 back-in-stock notifications a month, with full and partial payment. Lite is $4.95 for 100 preorders, Starter is $8.95 for 300, Essentials is $24.95 for 500, and Professional is $59 for unlimited volume, with $0.10 to $0.25 charged per preorder above the limit on the paid tiers.
It lists deposits, split and deferred payments, payment schedules, mixed cart handling, and 24 languages, plus integrations with Omnisend, Shopify Flow, GemPages, and PageFly. The listing shows it launched in November 2024, so it is the newest app here, and the page does not show overage pricing for the Free plan or details of the Professional plan.
It is the cheapest paid entry point, which makes it a good first test for a small store.
4. Timesact
The Timesact listing shows a 5.0 rating from 2,118 reviews and developer Kairock Partners SRL. The Free plan covers 20 orders a month with Timesact branding. CORE Flex is $5 a month with $0.20 per order above the limit, and it adds split payments, deposits, 0-down pre-orders, and SMS. PRO Flex is $7 a month with $0.30 per extra order and adds a charge-on-fulfillment option.
CORE Fixed is listed at $23 a month or $204 a year with unlimited orders on what the page calls CORE experiences, but the page does not explain that term. The listing also does not show the app’s own free trial length, and the higher plans it mentions are not listed.
The charge-on-fulfillment option is useful if you want to collect payment only when the item ships. Check the exact terms with the vendor before you build a policy around it.
5. PreProduct
The PreProduct listing shows a 4.9 rating from 108 reviews. The Starter plan is free to install with a 5% commission on paid pre-order revenue. Scale is $59.99 a month with 0% commission on up to 5,000 of monthly paid pre-order revenue and 0.5% after, and Scale Plus is $259.99 a month with 0%. Both paid plans show a 7-day trial.
The feature list includes charging upfront, later on a vaulted card, or by deposit, holds until you release orders, listing automation, 15 Shopify Flow actions on Scale, and integrations with Gorgias, Klaviyo, Loop Returns, and PageFly. The page does not show whether it supports selling plans or what limited support covers on the free plan.
It is built for larger pre-order revenue. At small volume, the commission makes it the most expensive option in this list.
The Rules Behind the Promise
A pre-order is a sale with a ship date, and the FTC has rules about that. Its business guide to the Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule says you need a reasonable basis for any shipping time you state, and a reasonable basis to expect shipment within 30 days if you state none. I am not a lawyer, so ask an attorney how it applies to your store.
As I read the guide, if you cannot ship on time you must promptly offer the buyer a choice between agreeing to a delay and canceling with a prompt refund, and you cannot substitute store credit for the refund. The guide also lists refund timing and says the notice must include a revised date or a statement that you cannot give one. The page does not define how many days promptly means or give a required format for delay notices.
The practical takeaway is to set a ship date you can actually meet and to get it from your supplier in writing. My dropshipping shipping policy guide shows how to write the page. For the delay emails themselves, my customer service scripts give you wording.
Pre-Orders and Dropshipping: What Changes
A dropshipper does not hold stock, so a pre-order only makes sense when your supplier confirms availability and a delivery window. If the supplier can ship tomorrow, you do not need a pre-order, and if the supplier cannot give you a date, you should not sell one. None of the listings I reviewed show how an app handles supplier stock, so you will need to track that yourself.
The safest pre-orders for a dropshipper are made-to-order or new-release items from a single supplier with a clear lead time. Confirm pricing terms in writing before you sell, because a supplier price increase can erase your margin on an order you cannot cancel. My supplier sourcing guide covers how to vet them.
Deposits or Full Payment?
Most of these apps support deposits and partial payments, and the choice matters. A deposit lowers the barrier for a large purchase and can improve conversion, but you then have a second payment to collect, and some customers will not pay it. Full payment up front is simpler and covers your supplier cost, but it raises the stakes if the ship date slips.
For a high-ticket item, I would lean toward a deposit large enough to cover your costs and to discourage casual orders, then collect the balance before shipping. Whatever you choose, state the terms on the product page and in the confirmation email, and keep the refund rules from the FTC guide in mind.
Email, Support, and the Rest of the Stack
Pre-orders create a waiting period, and what you say during it decides whether the customer stays happy. A tool like Omnisend can send confirmation, progress, and shipping emails automatically, and several of the apps above integrate with it. Support volume also rises, because buyers ask where their order is, so a helpdesk like Gorgias can save you time.
For more app ideas, see my guide to the best Shopify apps for high-ticket dropshipping. If you also want to raise order value, my guide to Shopify bundle apps covers that side.
How to Choose
If you are testing, start with a free plan from Essent, STOQ, or PreOrder Globo and run one real pre-order. If you want unlimited volume at a flat price, PreOrder Globo’s PRO plan is the cheapest on this list. If you want the longest feature list and SMS alerts, STOQ is the most complete, and if you collect large deposits at scale, compare PreProduct Scale against the flat plans using your own numbers.
Use the free plan seriously. Create one pre-order product, buy it yourself on a phone, and check the button, the deposit, the confirmation email, and the order in your admin. A broken pre-order flow costs you trust, and a careful test costs you an afternoon.
Setting Up the Business Side
Pre-orders involve deposits, refunds, and sometimes sales tax questions, so set up the business properly first. If you have not formed your company yet, read my guide to business formation for high-ticket dropshipping.
I recommend Bizee for a simple LLC setup. If you want a registered agent with a privacy focus, look at Northwest Registered Agent instead.
Keep business and personal finances separate from day one, and keep records of every deposit and refund, because held customer money needs clean books.
Common Mistakes With Pre-Order Apps
The first mistake is promising a date you do not control. Get the supplier’s date in writing and add a buffer. The second is picking a commission-based plan without running the numbers, since the cost grows with every sale.
The third is leaving the pre-order button on after stock arrives, which confuses buyers and can create accidental pre-orders. The fourth is skipping the delay plan. Write your delay email and your refund process before the first order, not after the first missed date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best pre-order app for Shopify?
It depends on volume and features. For the lowest paid entry price, Essent starts at $4.95 a month. For unlimited orders at a flat price, PreOrder Globo PRO is $19.90 a month, and for the longest feature list, STOQ is the most complete.
Is there a free Shopify pre-order app?
Yes. STOQ, PreOrder Globo, Essent, and Timesact all list free plans with order limits, and PreProduct is free to install with a 5% commission. Check the limits before you rely on one.
Can I take a deposit on a pre-order?
Several of these apps list deposits and partial payments, including STOQ, Essent, Timesact, and PreProduct. PreOrder Globo lists partial payments but does not show how they are charged, so test it first.
What if I cannot ship a pre-order on time?
The FTC guide I reviewed says you must promptly offer the buyer a choice between agreeing to a delay and canceling with a prompt refund, and you cannot substitute store credit. Ask an attorney how it applies to your store.
Do pre-orders work for dropshipping?
They can, but only when your supplier confirms availability and a delivery window in writing. If the supplier cannot give you a date, do not sell a pre-order.
Final Verdict on Shopify Pre-Order Apps
For most stores, I would start with a free plan from Essent, STOQ, or PreOrder Globo, and move to a paid plan once pre-orders pass the free limit. Watch out for commission pricing at higher volume, and do not sell a ship date you cannot meet.
Check each vendor’s listing before you commit, since fees and plan limits change.
Ready to build a store that sells high-ticket products with the right apps and suppliers behind it? Let my team set it up for you. Get your store built →
Want to learn the model yourself? Start with my free mini course, or go deeper in the masterclass and coaching. Free mini course → Masterclass → Coaching →
Related Articles
If you found this useful, these guides go deeper on related topics:
- Shopify Bundle Apps in 2026: 4 Apps Compared by Price and Fit
- Shopify Subscription Apps in 2026: 6 Recharge Alternatives Compared by Price and Fit
- Best Shopify Apps for High Ticket Dropshipping Stores in 2026
- Best Shopify Apps in 2026: The Complete Stack to Build, Grow, and Scale Your Store
- Dropshipping Shipping Policy Guide
Trevor Fenner is an ecommerce entrepreneur and world traveler from Seattle, Washington, and the founder of Ecommerce Paradise, a platform focused on helping entrepreneurs build and scale profitable high-ticket ecommerce and dropshipping businesses. With over a decade of hands-on experience, Trevor specializes in high-ticket dropshipping strategy, niche and product selection, supplier recruiting and onboarding, Google & Bing Shopping ads, ecommerce SEO, and systems-driven automation and scaling. Through Ecommerce Paradise, he provides free education via in-depth guides like How to Start High-Ticket Dropshipping, advanced training through the High-Ticket Dropshipping Masterclass, and fully done-for-you turnkey ecommerce services for entrepreneurs who want a faster, more hands-off path to growth. Trevor is known for emphasizing sustainable, real-world ecommerce models over hype-driven tactics, helping store owners build scalable, sellable, and location-independent brands.
He maintains homes in Seattle and Bali, spends most of the year overseas, and usually returns to Seattle for about a month each summer.
