A loyalty program gives customers a reason to buy again, which is the cheapest growth a store can get. Points, tiers, and referral rewards turn a one-time buyer into someone who has a balance to spend, and that balance pulls them back. The catch is that loyalty only pays off if customers actually come back, and that depends heavily on what you sell. 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 loyalty apps with one question in mind: does the program fit how my customers buy, and what does it cost once my order volume grows?
Everything below comes from each vendor’s own Shopify App Store listing as I reviewed it 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.
I could verify three loyalty apps from their official listings. A few other well-known apps did not load for me, so I left them out instead of quoting prices I could not confirm. 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 Loyalty Apps at a Glance
| App | Starting price | Free plan or trial | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smile: Loyalty Program Rewards | Free for up to 200 orders a month; Essential at $15 | Free plan; 14-day trial on paid plans | Stores that want a simple points program that scales in clear steps |
| Growave: Loyalty and Wishlist | Free for up to 200 orders a month; Entry at $15 | Free plan; 14-day trial on paid plans | Stores that also want a wishlist and reviews in one app |
| LoyaltyLion | Free to install for up to 400 orders a month; Classic at $199 | 14-day trial on Classic | Larger stores that want VIP tiers and hands-on onboarding |
The pattern is clear from the table. Two of the three start free and step up in small increments, and the third gives you a larger free tier but a big jump to the next plan.
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Does Loyalty Fit a High-Ticket Store?
Be honest about this before you install anything. A customer who buys a $3,000 piece of equipment may not buy another one for years, so a points balance has little to pull them back with. Loyalty works best on products people reorder, such as supplies, consumables, parts, and accessories that go with a bigger purchase.
That does not mean high-ticket stores should skip it. A referral reward can be worth a lot on a large order, and a loyalty program on the accessories and replacement parts you sell after the main sale can lift repeat revenue. The key is to build the program around what customers will actually buy again, not around the big first purchase.
Shopify’s help page I checked mentions tools for staying connected with customers who have bought before, but it does not describe loyalty programs or how to set one up. So the setup details below come from the apps themselves.
What Loyalty Apps Really Cost
Most loyalty apps price by monthly order volume, so the cost steps up as you grow. To compare them, here is my own illustration at three levels of monthly orders. It uses only the prices each listing shows and excludes payment processing and taxes.
| Monthly orders | Smile | Growave | LoyaltyLion |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 | $0 (Free, up to 200) | $0 (Free, 200 included) | $0 (Free, up to 400) |
| 450 | $15 (Essential, up to 500) | $15 (Entry, 500 included) | $199 (Classic) |
| 900 | $79 (Standard, up to 1,000) | $95 (Entry plus 4 overage blocks) | Custom quote, not shown |
The Growave number at 900 orders is my own calculation: the $15 Entry plan includes 500 orders and the listing shows $20 for each additional 100, so 400 extra orders adds $80. The Growth plan at $199 includes 1,500 orders, so Entry plus overage is cheaper at that volume. LoyaltyLion’s listing says stores above 500 orders a month should contact the company for a custom quote on its Advanced or Plus plans, and it does not show those prices.
The lesson is that features, not just price, should decide the plan. The cheap tiers cover basic points and rewards, and things like VIP tiers, points expiry, and checkout redemption sit on higher plans. My guide to Shopify pricing plans covers the other costs around the store.
1. Smile: Loyalty Program Rewards
The Smile listing shows a 4.9 rating from 4,651 reviews, a Built for Shopify badge, and developer Smile.io. Plans are Free for up to 200 orders a month, Essential at $15 for up to 500, Standard at $79 for up to 1,000, and Growth at $199 with 2,500 included and $20 for each additional 100. The paid plans list a 14-day trial.
The Free plan includes points, rewards, and referrals, more than 15 ways to earn and redeem, discount and free shipping rewards, full branding customization, more than 20 languages, and Shopify POS support. Essential adds a dedicated loyalty page, free product rewards, on-site nudges, and analytics, and Standard adds bonus events such as double-points weekends, points on product pages, subscription and gift card rewards, and loyalty segments.
Growth adds VIP tiers, points expiry, a Loyalty Hub for signed-in members, and unlimited integrations, with redemption at checkout listed for Shopify Plus. The page does not show annual pricing or what happens when a store goes over its order limit, so ask before you rely on a plan.
For most small stores, this is the cleanest starting point, because the free plan is generous and each step up has a clear purpose.
2. Growave: Loyalty and Wishlist
The Growave listing shows a 4.8 rating from 1,289 reviews. Plans are Free with 200 orders included, Entry at $15 with 500 and $20 for each additional 100, Growth at $199 with 1,500 and $15 for each additional 100, and Plus at $499 with 3,000 and $10 for each additional 100. The paid plans list a 14-day trial.
The Free plan covers a loyalty points program, a wishlist, product reviews, and data import and export, with Growave branding and 48-hour email support. Entry adds advanced rewards, a referral program with fraud protection, on-site nudges, a review request email series, and one integration. Growth adds VIP tiers, store credit, points expiration, gift cards, and a custom loyalty page design, and Plus adds checkout extensions, a headless API, and B2B points.
The overview also mentions cashback, punch cards, and wishlist price-drop alerts, but the page does not say which plan includes them. If you want loyalty, a wishlist, and reviews from one vendor, this is the most bundled option here, though you may not need all three. My guide to Shopify review apps covers the review side if you would rather pick that separately. My Loox review is a good place to start.
3. LoyaltyLion
The LoyaltyLion listing shows a 4.7 rating from 543 reviews. The Free to install plan covers up to 400 monthly orders and includes points for on-site activities, discount rewards, branding, loyalty analytics and segments, on-site notifications, and 7 pre-written languages. Classic is $199 a month with a 14-day trial, and it adds a free loyalty page design, VIP tiers, unlimited integrations, onboarding support, and Klaviyo loyalty flows built for you.
The page says stores above 500 monthly orders should contact the company for a custom quote on its Advanced or Plus plans, and it does not show those prices. It also does not show whether the trial applies to the free plan or what happens when a free store passes 400 orders.
LoyaltyLion’s free tier is the largest of the three, but the next step is a big one. It makes the most sense for a store that already has real volume and wants the onboarding help.
What About Other Loyalty Apps?
Several other loyalty apps are popular on Shopify, but their App Store listings did not load for me, so I did not include them. I would rather leave an app out than quote a price I could not verify. If you want to compare another one, read its listing directly and run the same order-volume cost check I used above.
Designing a Program That Pays for Itself
A loyalty app is a tool, and the program design decides whether it makes money. Start by working out what a point is worth. If a customer earns one point per dollar and 100 points buys a $5 reward, your reward cost is 5% of spend, which has to fit inside your margin.
Here is a hypothetical example, not a promise. Say you sell a $200 accessory with a supplier cost of $120 and fees of about $9, leaving roughly $71 before ads. A 5% reward on that order costs $10, which cuts the margin to about $61 on the first order. If the reward brings the customer back for a second order, the program pays off, but if it only discounts orders that would have happened anyway, it costs you money.
The card fee in that example uses the standard online rate on Shopify’s pricing page, which is 2.9% plus 30 cents on the Basic plan. Whatever you choose, test the reward math before you launch, and cap the rewards so they cannot exceed your margin on a single order.
Loyalty and Dropshipping: What Changes
A dropshipper does not control the shipping experience, and loyalty only works if customers have a good one. If a supplier ships late or sends the wrong item, a points balance will not save the relationship. Fix the fulfillment first, then add loyalty on top.
Also check your supplier terms before you promise rewards like free products. A free product reward is a real cost to you, and your supplier will not give it to you free. My supplier sourcing guide covers how to vet suppliers. For the problems that come up, my customer service scripts give you wording.
Email, Support, and the Rest of the Stack
A loyalty program needs messages to work. Customers should hear about their points balance, an upcoming reward, and a tier change, and a tool like Omnisend can send those emails automatically. Support volume goes up too, because customers ask about their points, 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 sell products people reorder, my guide to Shopify subscription apps covers the other repeat-revenue tool.
How to Choose
If you are testing, start with the free plan from Smile or Growave and run a simple points program for a month or two. If you also want a wishlist and review requests, Growave bundles them. If you already have several hundred orders a month and want onboarding help and VIP tiers, compare LoyaltyLion Classic against Smile Standard and Growave Entry using your own numbers.
Use the free plan seriously. Place a test order on a phone, check that points appear, redeem a reward, and see how the emails look. A confusing rewards flow costs you trust, and a careful test costs you an afternoon.
Setting Up the Business Side
Rewards create liabilities, such as discounts you owe and store credit you have issued, 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 ask your accountant how to record points and store credit, because the right treatment depends on your location.
Reward Types and Which Ones to Offer
Every app on this list supports several reward types, and the choice changes your cost. A percentage or fixed discount is the simplest, and it scales with order size. Free shipping is popular, but it costs you real money on heavy items, so check your freight before you offer it.
Free product rewards feel generous to customers, but they carry your full supplier cost, so keep them for higher tiers or for items with a wide margin. Early access and bonus events cost almost nothing, which makes them a good way to reward your best customers without touching your margin. Start with one or two reward types, watch what customers redeem, and add more only when the numbers support it.
Referral rewards deserve special attention for high-ticket stores. A customer who refers a friend to a large purchase brings you a buyer at a cost you control, and that is usually cheaper than the same sale from ads. Smile and Growave both list referral features, so test that before you build a complicated points system.
Common Mistakes With Loyalty Apps
The first mistake is launching a program before you have repeat buyers. If few customers return, points sit unused and the program adds cost without adding sales. The second is rewards so generous that they eat your margin, which is why the math above comes first.
The third is paying for a tier you do not need. A store with a few hundred orders does not need VIP tiers or a customer success manager. The fourth is hiding the program. Put the points balance and the earning rules where customers can see them, or no one will use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best loyalty app for Shopify?
It depends on your order volume and needs. Smile and Growave both start free for up to 200 orders a month and step up at $15, and LoyaltyLion offers a free tier for up to 400 orders but a $199 Classic plan after that.
Is there a free Shopify loyalty program app?
Yes. Smile, Growave, and LoyaltyLion all list free plans with monthly order limits. Check the limits and what happens when you pass them before you rely on one.
Do loyalty programs work for high-ticket products?
They work best on products customers reorder, such as accessories, parts, and supplies. For a one-time large purchase, a referral reward may be a better fit than a points balance.
How much do loyalty apps cost?
From free to $199 a month on the three listings I reviewed, depending on order volume and features. Growave’s top listed plan is $499 a month, and LoyaltyLion’s higher plans are custom quotes with prices not shown.
Can I combine loyalty with reviews and a wishlist?
Growave’s listing bundles loyalty, a wishlist, and product reviews, with reviews and the wishlist included in its free plan. Other apps handle these separately.
Final Verdict on Shopify Loyalty Apps
For most stores, I would start with the free plan from Smile or Growave, build the program around products customers actually reorder, and only pay for a higher tier once the program earns its cost. LoyaltyLion makes sense for larger stores that want onboarding and VIP tiers.
Check each vendor’s listing before you commit, since fees and plan limits change.
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Related Articles
If you found this useful, these guides go deeper on related topics:
- Shopify Subscription Apps in 2026: 6 Recharge Alternatives Compared by Price and Fit
- Shopify Bundle Apps in 2026: 4 Apps Compared by Price and Fit
- Shopify Pre-Order Apps in 2026: 5 Apps Compared by Price and Fit
- Best Shopify Apps for High Ticket Dropshipping Stores in 2026
- Best Shopify Review Apps for High-Ticket Dropshipping in 2026
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.
