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Ignite Customer Retention: Unveil the Best Shopify Loyalty Apps

July 25, 2023
Written and researched by experts at AvadaLearn more about our methodology

By Sam Nguyen

CEO Avada Commerce

In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, building a loyal customer base is essential for the success and growth of any Shopify store. In this article, we will delve into the world of Shopify loyalty apps, unveiling the top choices for small to mid-sized store owners in the apparel industry.

Key Takeaways

  • [Smile: Loyalty & Rewards]: Best for creating customized loyalty and rewards programs. It offers a user-friendly interface, seamless integration with other apps, and the ability to turn first-time customers into loyal advocates. With quick setup, brand customization, and 24/7 support, Smile empowers businesses to engage and reward customers effectively.
  • [Joy: Rewards, Loyalty Program]: Best for providing a seamless shopping experience and offering loyalty programs, VIP levels, and rewards based on customer actions.
  • [Seal Subscriptions℠ & Loyalty]: Best for simplifying subscription-based models and managing subscriptions efficiently, with control over subscribers, products, and discounts.
  • [Growave: Loyalty & Wishlist]: Best for consolidating loyalty programs, reviews, wishlists, referrals, and user-generated content into one platform. It consolidates multiple features into a single solution, enhancing customer engagement and streamlining setup processes. 
  • [LoyaltyLion Rewards & Referral]: Best for personalized loyalty experiences, customized programs, and advanced features like referrals and reviews. It enables businesses to create customized programs aligned with their brand identity, utilizing features such as referrals and reviews. 
  • [AiT: Loyalty Program & Reviews]: Best for all-in-one marketing solutions, including loyalty programs, product reviews, and automation features. With personalized marketing features and different pricing plans, AiT offers a comprehensive solution for boosting customer engagement.
  • [Loloyal: Loyalty & Referrals]: Best for enhancing customer loyalty and driving repeat business through loyalty and referral programs. With features like customized branding, premium customer service, and seamless integration with Shopify POS, Loloyal offers businesses the tools to build trust and foster a strong community.

How to Choose the Best Loyalty App for Shopify

Before diving into the implementation details, it’s essential to consider several key factors when choosing the best loyalty app for your Shopify store. Here are some important considerations:

  • Ease of Use: Choose a loyalty app that is user-friendly for both you and your customers. An intuitive and straightforward app interface will encourage customer participation and engagement in the loyalty program.
  • Focus: Determine the key feature or functionality that is most important for your business. Whether it’s extensive points redemption options, vital referral programs, customizable VIP tiers, or other loyalty features, choose an app that excels in the area that matters most to your brand.
  • Platform: Consider whether you want an app explicitly optimized for Shopify or if you prefer a multi-platform integration-friendly app. This decision should align with your brand’s online presence and the platforms you use to engage with customers.
  • Integrations: Verify that the Shopify loyalty app you select can seamlessly integrate with your existing systems and other Shopify apps. This compatibility will streamline your business operations and allow you to leverage the benefits of various interconnected apps.
  • Added Features: Consider the added features that come with the loyalty app. Apps that offer additional functionalities like wishlists, referral programs, user-generated content (UGC), social media tokens, and more can provide comprehensive solutions without installing multiple separate apps.
  • Customization: Look for an app that allows you control over customization and content. Loyalty apps serve as crucial touchpoints with customers, so having the ability to tailor the app’s appearance and messaging to your brand’s identity is essential.
  • Price: Evaluate the pricing plans of different loyalty apps. Check the features offered under the free plan and consider whether the add-ons provided by the paid plans justify the cost significantly if your sales numbers are still growing.
  • Support: Excellent customer and technical support are vital for the smooth operation of your loyalty program. Ensure that the app you choose offers reliable support to address any issues or questions that may arise.

7 Best Shopify Loyalty Program Apps 

Read on to discover the top loyalty program apps available for Shopify and find the perfect fit for your business.

Smile: Loyalty & Rewards

Smile: Loyalty & Rewards is a powerful Shopify loyalty program app that allows you to create customized loyalty and rewards programs.

Why we love this app:

Smile: Loyalty & Rewards empowers Shopify store owners to create customized loyalty and rewards programs easily. With Smile, you can effortlessly turn first-time customers into forever customers by offering enticing incentives and rewards. 

One of the best things about Smile is how quick and easy it is to set up a program. In just a few minutes, you can have your loyalty program up and running, ready to engage and reward your customers. 

The app seamlessly integrates with your favorite apps, allowing easy data synchronization and enhancing the overall customer experience. You can customize your program to align with your brand’s identity and customer preferences, ensuring a tailored and engaging loyalty experience.

In addition, Smile offers 24/7 support from a team of experts. Whether you have technical questions or need guidance on rewards and loyalty best practices, the Smile team can always assist you. 

Rating

  • Score: 4.9/5.0 with 2157 reviews on Shopify

Highlight Features of The App: 

Here are the highlighted features of Smile: Loyalty & Rewards

  • Customizable Branding: Customize the rewards launcher, panel, and emails to match your brand’s aesthetic, ensuring a cohesive and branded loyalty program experience for your customers.
  • Guest Shopper Rewards: Encourage repeat purchases by allowing guest shoppers to earn and redeem points, even without creating an account, providing a seamless loyalty experience for all customers.
  • Seamless Integrations: Integrate Smile with all your favorite apps for email marketing, customer reviews, and customer service, allowing you to leverage your existing tools and streamline your loyalty program management.
  • Nudges for Engagement: Use Nudges to remind customers of their points balance and referral link, encouraging them to participate in your loyalty program and increase engagement actively.
  • Multilingual Support: Auto-translate your loyalty program to one of the six preset languages, ensuring a localized experience for your international customers and breaking down language barriers.

Pros & Cons

Let’s explore the pros and cons in the table below

Pros: 

  • Easy and quick setup process, allowing you to have your loyalty program up and running in minutes.
  • Customizable branding options, ensuring a cohesive and branded loyalty program experience.
  • Seamless integration with your favorite apps, simplifying data synchronization and enhancing the customer experience.
  • The guest shopper rewards feature encourages repeat purchases from registered and guest shoppers.
  • Nudges for engagement help remind customers of their points and referral link, boosting program participation.
  • Multilingual support enables you to cater to an international customer base and break language barriers.
  • 24/7 support from a team of experts, assisting with technical queries and best practices.

Cons:

  • Higher-tiered plans may be expensive for small businesses.
  • Advanced features and customization options may require higher-priced plans.
  • Limited to the features and functionalities provided by the app, which may only partially meet the unique requirements of every business.

This app is best for

Business Scale: It is flexible and can be used by businesses of any size, from small startups to large enterprises. The app offers different pricing plans, allowing businesses to choose a plan that aligns with their needs and budget.

Business Industry: It can be utilized by businesses across various industries. Whether you run an apparel store, electronics shop, beauty brand, or any other online business, Smile: Loyalty & Rewards provides the tools and features to create a tailored loyalty program that suits your industry and target audience.

Joy: Rewards, Loyalty Program

Joy: Rewards Loyalty Program is a Shopify app designed to ensure a seamless shopping experience without compromising the loading speed of your online store.

Why we love this app: 

Joy: Rewards Loyalty Program helps boost customer loyalty and retention. It is designed to be easy to use and ensures your store’s loading speed is not compromised. 

With Joy: Rewards, Loyalty Program, you can effortlessly create loyalty programs, VIP levels, and rewards based on customer actions, among other features. The app also supports point-of-sale (POS) systems, has built-in automated email notifications, and integrates seamlessly with other applications. 

Rating

  • Score: 4.9/5.0 with 933 reviews on Shopify

Highlight Features of The App: 

Here are the highlighted features of Joy: Rewards, Loyalty Program:

  • Rewards for sign-up, reviews, social media follows, and more
  • Manage customer levels and points with export and import capabilities
  • Optimized to maintain fast loading speed for your store
  • POS support and customizable language options
  • Built-in email notifications and automation

Pros & Cons

Let’s explore the pros and cons in the table below

Pros: 

  • User-friendly solution for boosting customer loyalty and retention
  • Seamless shopping experience without compromising store loading speed
  • Easy creation of loyalty programs, VIP levels, and rewards based on customer actions
  • Supports point-of-sale (POS) systems for offline sales
  • Built-in automated email notifications for effective customer communication

Cons:

  • The free version has a limitation of 250 orders per month
  • Limited customization options compared to some other loyalty program apps

This app is best for

Joy: Rewards, Loyalty Program Shopify app is suitable for businesses of various scales and industries that aim to boost customer loyalty and retention. It can be used by small, medium, and large businesses alike, as the app provides customizable features to cater to different business needs. 

Whether running an online store or a brick-and-mortar business with a point-of-sale system, Joy can be a valuable tool for creating and managing loyalty programs. It applies to many industries, including e-commerce, retail, hospitality, and more, where building strong customer relationships and encouraging repeat purchases are essential.

Seal Subscriptions℠ & Loyalty

Seal Subscriptions℠ & Loyalty is a powerful app designed to help businesses unlock the potential of recurring revenue through subscription-based models.

Why we love this app:

Seal Subscriptions℠ & Loyalty is an excellent app that simplifies setting up and managing subscriptions for your business. You can configure your subscription rules and generate recurring revenue with simple steps. 

The app provides comprehensive control over your subscribers, products, discounts, churn rate, and cancellations, empowering you to make data-driven decisions. Additionally, Seal Subscriptions offers exceptional questions you may encounter. 

This app is proudly developed in Europe, ensuring reliability and quality in subscription management. With Seal Subscriptions, you can quickly enter the world of subscriptions and grow your business with recurring revenue.

Rating

  • Score: 4.9/5.0 with 753 reviews on Shopify

Highlight Features of The App: 

Here are the highlighted features of  Seal Subscriptions℠ & Loyalty

  • Sell classic and prepaid subscriptions with options for discounts, free trials, and more.
  • Implement tiered discounts, custom shipping options, gifts, and other loyalty features.
  • Enable easy access to subscriptions for your customers through magic links.
  • Gain valuable insights into your business with comprehensive statistics and a payment calendar.
  • Customize the app’s branding with white-label functionality, including custom email domains.

Pros & Cons

Let’s explore the pros and cons in the table below
Pros:

  • Simplifies the setup and management of subscriptions, allowing businesses to unlock recurring revenue.
  • Offers comprehensive control over subscribers, products, discounts, churn rate, and cancellations.
  • Provides exceptional support to assist with any challenges or questions.
  • Developed in Europe, ensuring reliability and quality in subscription management.
  • Offers a variety of pricing options to cater to different business needs.

Cons:

  • The free trial period is limited to 30 days.
  • Some advanced features may require higher-tier pricing plans.
  • Limited information is available on specific integrations and customization options.
  • The app’s user interface may require some learning for new users.
  • The pricing structure may only be suitable for some business sizes or budgets.

This app is best for

Seal Subscriptions℠ & Loyalty suits businesses of all sizes and industries looking to implement subscription-based models. It is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses, e-commerce retailers, service-based businesses, subscription-driven industries, and businesses focused on customer retention.

Growave: Loyalty & Wishlist 

Growave: Loyalty & Wishlist is an all-in-one Shopify app that offers loyalty programs, reviews, wishlists, referrals, and user-generated content to enhance customer engagement and boost sales. 

Why we love this app: 

Growave: Loyalty & Wishlist is an all-in-one Shopify app that allows you to boost customer loyalty and increase sales by offering bonuses, reviews, wishlists, referrals, and user-generated content. 

With  Growave: Loyalty & Wishlist, you can replace multiple apps with one powerful solution, simplifying your setup process and enhancing your brand’s conversion rate and visibility. The app’s revamped interface and compatibility with the online store 2.0 make configuration a breeze. 

Plus, with 24/7 live support, you can confidently expand your international sales. Trusted brands like Kappa, Mustela, LEGO, Logitech, OPPO, Forever 21, and KOOKAI have trusted Growave for customer engagement needs.

Rating

  • Score: 4.8/5.0 with 1940 reviews on Shopify

Highlight Features of The App: 

Here are the highlighted features of Growave: Loyalty & Wishlist 

  • Loyalty and VIP Levels: Increase purchases and customer retention with loyalty programs and VIP levels, offering enticing bonuses to your customers.
  • Referral Program: Acquire more customers organically through a referral program and save on advertising costs.
  • Wishlist and Email Campaigns: Install wishlists on your store and send targeted emails to boost sales, such as showcasing items on sale or personalized recommendations.
  • Automated Reviews with Photos: Automatically collect reviews with photos from customers, and display them on your website and in Google search results, enhancing social proof and trust.
  • Instagram Photos and UGC: Generate conversions by displaying Instagram photos and user-generated content (UGC) to boost social media visibility and brand awareness.
Install wishlists on your store and send targeted emails to boost sales

Pros & Cons

Let’s explore the pros and cons in the table below

Pros:

  • All-in-One Marketing Platform: Consolidate loyalty programs, rewards, reviews, and wishlists into one platform, simplifying app management.
  • Social Login: Simplify account registration and increase signups with the social login feature.
  • Enhanced Customer Engagement: Boost customer engagement with interactive features like user reviews, rewards, and loyalty points.
  • Powerful Marketing Automation: Utilize Growave’s marketing automation tools to convert visitors into customers.
  • Personalized Shopping Experiences: Create personalized shopping experiences and increase revenue with features like discounts, coupons, and wishlist reminders.
  • Built-in Analytics: Track critical metrics such as abandoned cart rate, average order value, and conversion rates for more intelligent decision-making.

Cons:

  • Potential Expense for Smaller Stores: Smaller stores with limited funds may find Growave an added expense.
  • Limited Support for Lower-Priced Plans: Live chat and phone support may be available for something other than lower-priced plans.
  • Technical Knowledge Required: Proper setup of Growave may require some technical know-how.
  • Cancellation Terms: If you cancel an annual plan, Growave retains 20% of the remaining months’ amount.

This app is best for

Growave suits Shopify businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re a small or medium-sized business or an established enterprise, Growave provides features to help you grow your online business and enhance customer engagement.

For businesses in various industries, Growave offers valuable tools to manage customer loyalty programs, gather reviews and ratings, create wishlists, encourage social sharing, and facilitate referrals. It serves as a comprehensive solution to maximize your online store’s potential.

LoyaltyLion Rewards & Referral

LoyaltyLion Rewards & Referral is a robust Shopify loyalty app that goes beyond traditional points and rewards. 

Why we love this app:

LoyaltyLion Rewards & Referral enables businesses to create personalized loyalty programs that align with their brand identity. By offering loyalty points and rewards, businesses can drive customer engagement, increase sales, and foster repeat purchases. 

With features like referrals and reviews, businesses can reduce acquisition costs and create a community of brand advocates who attract new customers. The app also offers seamless integration with various tools and technologies to enhance the loyalty program experience.

Rating

  • Score: 4.5/5.0 with 494 reviews on Shopify

Highlight Features of The App: 

Here are the highlighted features of LoyaltyLion Rewards & Referral

  • Sell classic and prepaid subscriptions with options for discounts, free trials, and more.
  • Implement tiered discounts, custom shipping options, gifts, and other loyalty features.
  • Enable easy access to subscriptions for your customers through magic links.
  • Gain valuable insights into your business with comprehensive statistics and a payment calendar.
  • Customize the app’s branding with white-label functionality, including custom email domains.
Customize the app's branding with white-label functionality

Pros & Cons

Let’s explore the pros and cons in the table below

Pros:

  • An automated, user-friendly loyalty program that helps reward and retain customers.
  • Various methods, such as points, discounts, and exclusive products, incentivize customers to return.
  • Customizable point-earning options allow customers to maximize their rewards and drive more significant sales.
  • An easily accessible dashboard provides quick access to key metrics like customer engagement, point redemption, and total points earned.
  • Seamless integration with Shopify’s checkout process ensures easy access to customer accounts during purchases.
  • Real-time updates across all connected stores without manual effort.

Cons: 

  • Customer support may not provide instant troubleshooting.
  • UI can be overwhelming with an abundance of options and features.
  • Advanced features require higher payment plans.
  • Availability is limited in some countries due to legal restrictions or other reasons.

This app is best for

LoyaltyLion is ideal for e-commerce direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands selling on Shopify. It caters to businesses of all scales and industries that aim to boost customer retention, engagement, and repeat purchases. 

Whether you have a small store with few customers or a large enterprise with multiple platforms, LoyaltyLion’s customizable programs and features can effectively drive customer loyalty. It offers flexible points systems to align with your catalog and audience demographics, making it suitable for various business sizes. 

AiT: Loyalty Program & Reviews

AiT: Loyalty Program & Reviews is the ultimate all-in-one loyalty app to supercharge your Shopify store. 

Why we love this app: 

AiT: Loyalty Program & Reviews is a game-changing all-in-one marketing app that offers a wide range of features to help you boost customer engagement and drive sales. With AiT, you can create an exclusive loyalty rewards program to attract and retain new visitors while leveraging the power of product reviews and popups to build trust and credibility. 

The app enables you to run mass campaigns effortlessly, and automation flows through email, SMS, and web push notifications, ensuring your marketing messages reach the right audience at the right time. 

Additionally, AiT’s AI-based upsell and cross-sell capabilities and product recommendations empower you to maximize your revenue potential. With features like affiliate program management, live chat support, and the ability to set up membership programs, AiT provides everything you need to create a seamless and personalized shopping experience for your customers. 

Rating

  • Score: 4.7/5.0 with 363 reviews on Shopify

Highlight Features of The App: 

Here are the highlighted features of AiT: Loyalty Program & Reviews

  • Loyalty Rewards Program & Product Reviews: Build trust and loyalty by offering a comprehensive platform that combines a loyalty rewards program and product reviews.
  • Email, SMS & Web Push: Connect with your customers through various channels and automate your communication to reach them at the right time.
  • Membership & Affiliate Program: Increase recurring revenue by setting up membership and affiliate programs to attract and retain paying customers.
  • Product Recommendations, Popups & Announcement Bars: Engage more customers with personalized product recommendations, eye-catching popups, and attention-grabbing announcement bars.
  • All-in-One App: Access all 11+ features in a single app, saving you time and cost by eliminating the need for multiple apps.
AiT: Loyalty Program & Reviews

Pros & Cons

Let’s explore the pros and cons in the table below

Pros:

  • All-in-One Marketing App
  • Boosts Customer Engagement
  • Builds Trust and Credibility
  • Automation and Mass Campaigns
  • Increased Revenue Opportunities

Cons: 

  • Learning Curve
  • Pricing Considerations
  • Support Limitations
  • Country Restrictions

This app is best for

AiT: Loyalty Program & Reviews is ideal for Shopify store owners looking for a comprehensive marketing solution to enhance customer engagement, build trust, and drive sales. It caters to businesses of all sizes, from small-scale ventures to larger enterprises, across various industries. 

Whether focused on increasing customer loyalty, improving product reviews, implementing affiliate programs, or streamlining your marketing efforts, it provides the tools and features to support your business goals.

Loloyal: Loyalty & Referrals

Loloyal: Loyalty & Referrals is a powerful loyalty and referral Shopify app designed to enhance customer loyalty and drive repeat business.

Why we love this app: 

With its robust loyalty program and effective rewards system, you can significantly boost customer retention and encourage recurring sales. Furthermore, the ability to import data from other applications adds even more value to your loyalty program.

Use advanced features such as referral programs, personalized points, and customized rewards to foster a strong community, expand your marketing opportunities, and achieve business growth. 

Significantly boost customer retention with Loloyal: Loyalty & Referrals

Rating

  • Score: 4.9/5.0 with 679 reviews on Shopify

Highlight Features of The App: 

Here are the highlighted features of Loloyal: Loyalty & Referrals

  • Customize launchers, panels, and multilingual widgets to align with your brand.
  • Enjoy premium 24/7 customer service that addresses your needs in minutes.
  • Utilize an incentive-based referral program to build trust and foster community.
  • Seamlessly integrate with Shopify POS for unified online/offline sales.
  • Unlock free features by searching for Easter eggs.

Pros & Cons

Let’s explore the pros and cons in the table below

Pros:

  • Powerful loyalty and referral programs to enhance customer loyalty and drive repeat business.
  • Advanced features include referral programs, personalized points, and customized rewards.
  • Seamless integration with Shopify POS for unified online/offline sales.
  • Customizable launchers, panels, and multilingual widgets to align with your brand.
  • Premium 24/7 customer service for prompt assistance.

Cons:

  • Limited free trial period of 7 days.
  • The app may require some initial setup and configuration.
  • Free features may be unlocked through Easter egg hunts, which all users may not prefer.
  • Limited information is available regarding the extent of data import capabilities from other applications.

This app is best for

Loloyal: Loyalty & Referrals is suitable for Shopify businesses of all sizes that want to enhance customer loyalty, increase repeat purchases, and build a strong community. It is especially beneficial for businesses looking to implement a robust loyalty program, referral system, and personalized rewards to engage customers and drive business growth. 

Whether you are a small startup or an established brand, Loloyal offers features tailored to your specific needs, making it a valuable tool for any Shopify seller.

How Loyalty Program Apps Work

Implementing a customer loyalty program requires offering incentives to customers, such as discounts, sales, early access, or exclusive benefits. While it involves giving something away, the rewards are significant:

  • Increased customer referrals: A well-designed loyalty rewards program can prompt customers to share their positive experiences with friends and family, resulting in more referrals and an expanded customer base.
  • Improved customer retention: When customers perceive value in a loyalty program, they are more likely to remain loyal to the brand and continue making purchases over an extended period.
Loyalty Program Apps improve customer retention
  • Boosted sales: Loyalty research indicates that 49% of consumers agree they have spent more money after joining a loyalty program. This suggests that loyalty programs can drive higher average order values and increase sales.
  • Enhanced brand advocacy: A successful loyalty program can transform regular customers into brand advocates. These advocates promote your company through word of mouth, helping you reach new customers without relying on expensive paid advertising.

Best Shopify Loyalty Program Apps: FAQs

Shopify loyalty apps are applications designed to enhance customer engagement and loyalty for Shopify stores. These apps provide various features and tools to incentivize customers to make repeat purchases, refer others, and engage in actions that benefit the business.
Using a Shopify loyalty app offers several benefits for your online business. These apps enable tracking customer behaviors and providing personalized experiences, fostering strong relationships with your shoppers. By offering rewards and incentives, you can enhance customer loyalty and increase the likelihood of repeat purchases. Loyalty programs create a sense of customer appreciation, leading to higher sales and increased customer engagement. Ultimately, loyalty and rewards apps help you build a loyal customer base, establish a personal connection with shoppers, and thrive in the competitive world of ecommerce.
To select the most suitable loyalty app for your Shopify store, there are several essential factors that you should take into account. These factors include cost, support, customization control, focal features, and brand presence.
Shopify loyalty apps provide support through documentation, customer support channels, and community forums.
Some popular Shopify loyalty apps include Smile: Rewards & Loyalty, LoyaltyLion, and Growave, and more.

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Final Words

This article overviewed several popular loyalty program apps for Shopify stores. These apps offer various features to help businesses create and manage loyalty programs, boost customer engagement, and drive repeat purchases.


Sam Nguyen is the CEO and founder of Avada Commerce, an e-commerce solution provider headquartered in Singapore. He is an expert on the Shopify e-commerce platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems. Sam loves talking about e-commerce and he aims to help over a million online businesses grow and thrive.