This is where a powerful loyalty program comes in. It’s your single best tool for increasing customer lifetime value (LTV) and turning one-time buyers into passionate, repeat advocates for your brand. But with so many apps on the Shopify store, how do you choose the right one?

The Modern Retention Challenge

We’ve all seen the data. Depending on your industry, it costs 5 to 25 times more to acquire a new customer than to retain an existing one. In today’s eCommerce landscape, a “set it and forget it” loyalty program just doesn’t cut it.

You need a solution that actively builds relationships, offers true value, and gives you the data to make smarter decisions. You’re not just giving away points for discounts; you’re designing an experience that makes your customers feel seen, valued, and excited to come back. A great loyalty app transforms your customer base from a list of transactions into a thriving community.

Key Takeaways

  • Retention is the New Growth: With rising acquisition costs, focusing on customer retention is the most profitable strategy for 2026.
  • One Size Doesn’t Fit All: The best loyalty app for a new startup isn’t the same as for a high-growth, enterprise-level brand.
  • Strategy Over Tactics: A successful program isn’t just about points. It’s about deep customization, VIP tiers, and a strategic approach to rewarding the right behaviors.
  • Data is Your Best Friend: Choose a platform with robust analytics. You must be able to measure your program’s ROI and understand how it impacts customer behavior.
  • Support Matters: Look for a partner, not just a plugin. The best-in-class solutions offer strategic guidance to help you build and optimize a program that actually works.

“I’ve worked with hundreds of Shopify brands, and the ones that win in the long run are those that invest in retention. A well-executed loyalty program is no longer a ‘nice to have’—it’s a core pillar of a resilient eCommerce business. It’s your direct line to building a community that can weather any market shift.”

— Itamar Haim, eCommerce Retention Expert

What to Look for in a Shopify Loyalty App

Before we jump into the list, let’s establish what separates a great loyalty app from a basic one. When you’re evaluating your options, keep these five key factors in mind.

1. Deep Customization and Branding

Your loyalty program is an extension of your brand. Customers shouldn’t feel like they’re interacting with a third-party tool. Look for an app that gives you complete control over the look and feel.

This includes:

  • On-site widgets and pages that you can style to match your Shopify theme.
  • Customizable email notifications for points balances, tier updates, and reward availability.
  • The ability to name your program and your points currency (e.g., “Gems,” “Leaves,” “Tokens”) to make it uniquely yours.

If your program looks generic, it will feel generic. True brand loyalty comes from a seamless, branded experience at every touchpoint.

2. Flexible Rewarding and VIP Tiers

A basic program only rewards purchases. A great program rewards a wide range of valuable behaviors that build a deeper relationship with your brand.

Does the app let you reward customers for:

  • Signing up?
  • Following on social media?
  • Celebrating a birthday?
  • Referring a friend?
  • Leaving a review?

Beyond simple points, look for powerful VIP Tiers. Tiers are a fantastic way to gamify the experience and make your best customers feel special. A good app lets you create tiers with clear entry requirements (e.g., “Spend $500” or “Earn 5,000 points”) and offer exclusive, non-monetary perks like free shipping, early access to sales, or members-only products.

3. A Powerful Referral Program

Word-of-mouth is still the most powerful marketing channel. Your loyalty app should have a built-in referral program that makes it easy for your happy customers to become your best salespeople.

Look for features like:

  • Easy-to-share, unique referral links or codes.
  • Double-sided incentives (e.g., “Give $10, Get $10”) to motivate both the referrer and their friend.
  • Clear tracking so you can see who your top advocates are.

A strong referral program, integrated with your loyalty system, is a powerful engine for cost-effective customer acquisition.

4. Robust Analytics and Reporting

How do you know if your program is working? If your app’s dashboard only shows “points spent,” you’re flying blind.

You need actionable insights. A top-tier loyalty platform will provide deep analytics that show you:

  • Program ROI: Are you making more money than you’re giving away in rewards?
  • Member vs. Non-Member Behavior: Do loyalty members have a higher average order value (AOV) or purchase frequency?
  • Redemption Rates: Are customers actually using their rewards?
  • Tier Performance: How many customers are in each VIP tier, and how engaged are they?

Without this data, you can’t optimize your program, test new ideas, or prove its value to your team. Choose a platform built on accurate, transparent reporting.

5. Shopify Integration and Scalability

Finally, the app needs to work flawlessly with your Shopify store. This is especially critical for brands with both an online and physical presence.

Ask these questions:

  • Does it integrate with Shopify POS? Can customers earn and redeem points in-store as easily as they do online?
  • Does it integrate with Shopify Checkout? Can customers see and apply their rewards directly in the checkout process without friction?
  • Can it scale with you? A free app might work for 100 orders a month, but can it handle 10,000? Look for a solution with a proven track record of supporting high-growth, enterprise-level brands.

Now that you know what to look for, let’s explore the 10 best loyalty apps that can help you win on Shopify in 2026.

The 10 Best Shopify Loyalty Apps for 2026

1. Yotpo Loyalty

Yotpo Loyalty is a best-in-class solution designed for Shopify brands that are serious about building and scaling customer retention. This isn’t just a simple “points-for-discounts” plugin; it’s a strategic platform built to foster genuine, long-term relationships that maximize customer lifetime value.

It’s an ideal choice for growth-focused and enterprise-level merchants who want a partner, not just a tool.

Why It’s a Top Choice

Yotpo Loyalty stands out because of its foundational belief that every brand’s loyalty program should be unique. It combines deep, flexible customization with a layer of strategic expertise that few others offer. With over a decade of eCommerce experience, Yotpo provides the guidance to help you design and launch a program that is perfectly tailored to your business model and customer base.

The platform is engineered for strategic growth, focusing on robust analytics and a partnership approach to help you build a dynamic, profitable retention strategy.

Key Features and Capabilities

  • Strategic Guidance and Expert Support This is a core differentiator. Yotpo partners you with a team of eCommerce loyalty experts. From day one, you get dedicated support to help you design your program’s structure, from point-earning rules to VIP tiers. This “extension of your team” approach continues post-launch, with regular check-ins to analyze performance, identify opportunities, and help you iterate and optimize for maximum ROI.
  • Unmatched Flexibility and Customization Yotpo Loyalty empowers you to create a truly branded experience. You have granular control over every on-site element, from dedicated rewards pages to pop-ups and widgets, ensuring the program feels like a natural part of your store.
    • Versatile Campaigns: Launch over 20 pre-built, out-of-the-box campaigns to reward any behavior. This goes far beyond purchases to include social follows, birthdays, and goal-spending (e.g., “Spend $50, get 500 points”).
    • Custom VIP Tiers: Design a sophisticated VIP program that creates aspiration. You can customize tier names, entry requirements, and perks, offering valuable, non-monetary benefits like early access, exclusive content, or free shipping.
  • Powerful, Accurate Analytics and Segmentation Yotpo believes in conservative, accurate reporting—no inflated metrics. Its robust dashboards give you a clear, actionable view of your program’s health.
    • Actionable Insights: Easily track your program’s ROI, member-only revenue, and key behavioral metrics like repeat purchase rate and average order value.
    • Deep Segmentation: Group customers by loyalty-specific data like point balance, VIP tier, or purchase frequency. This allows you to create highly targeted campaigns and personalized offers.
  • Integrated Referral Program The platform includes a powerful, built-in referral program designed to turn your most loyal customers into active brand advocates. You can easily set up double-sided rewards and track your top referrers, driving new, high-intent customers at a low acquisition cost.
  • Seamless Shopify Integration Yotpo Loyalty is built to work flawlessly with the entire Shopify ecosystem. It features deep integration with Shopify POS, allowing you to offer a seamless omnichannel experience where customers can earn and redeem points online or in-store. It also integrates directly into the Shopify Checkout for a frictionless redemption process.

The Strategic Advantage

Choosing Yotpo Loyalty means you’re investing in a scalable, best-in-class solution. It’s built for brands that understand loyalty is a long-term strategy, not a short-term gimmick. The combination of a highly flexible platform and dedicated strategic support empowers you to build a program that grows with you.

You can even structure campaigns to reward customers for other high-value actions, such as awarding points for leaving detailed feedback with Yotpo Reviews. This creates a powerful, self-sustaining cycle of engagement and social proof, all while keeping the customer experience front and center.

2. LoyaltyLion

LoyaltyLion is a data-driven loyalty and engagement platform popular with Shopify Plus merchants. It focuses on helping brands understand their customers and use those insights to drive repeat purchases and increase lifetime value.

Core Functionality

  • Loyalty Tiers: The platform allows for the creation of tiered programs. Customers can move up through levels to unlock perks, which helps encourage continued engagement.
  • Points & Rewards: Merchants can set rules for earning points based on purchases and other on-site activities. These points can be redeemed for various rewards, such as percentage discounts, fixed-amount vouchers, or free shipping.
  • Data & Analytics: LoyaltyLion provides an analytics dashboard that tracks member activity and program performance. It focuses on identifying at-risk customers and segmenting audiences based on their loyalty status.
  • Customization: The app offers tools to customize the on-site loyalty panel and pages to align with a store’s branding. This includes colors, text, and layout options.
  • Integrations: It connects with various email service providers and helpdesks, allowing loyalty data (like point balances and tiers) to be used in other marketing communications. It also offers a Shopify POS integration.

Summary

LoyaltyLion is a solid solution for brands that want to use loyalty data to personalize their marketing efforts and build a tiered program.

3. Smile

Smile (often cited as Smile.io) is one of the most well-known loyalty apps in the Shopify ecosystem. It provides a straightforward way for businesses of all sizes to launch a points, referral, and VIP program.

Core Functionality

  • Program Types: Smile bundles three main features: a points program, a referral program, and a VIP program. Merchants can choose to use one or all three.
  • Points Program: This is the core feature. Customers can earn points for actions like creating an account, placing an order, and celebrating a birthday. They can then redeem points for coupon codes or other rewards.
  • Referral Program: The app generates unique referral links for customers to share. It facilitates the “give-and-get” reward structure to encourage word-of-mouth marketing.
  • VIP Tiers: Brands can create VIP tiers based on customer spending or points earned. Higher tiers can offer perks like bonus points or exclusive rewards.
  • On-Site Display: Smile uses a customizable on-site launcher or “panel” that lets customers see their point balance and available rewards without leaving the store.

Summary

Smile is a popular choice for many Shopify merchants, especially those just starting with loyalty, due to its clean interface and easy-to-understand program structures.

4. Okendo

Okendo is a customer marketing platform that offers several products, including a loyalty solution. It is often used by high-growth Shopify brands that are also focused on collecting user-generated content (UGC).

Core Functionality

  • Loyalty and Reviews: Okendo’s loyalty component is part of its broader suite, which also includes product reviews and surveys. This allows brands to manage these functions from one provider.
  • Earning Rules: The loyalty program allows merchants to set up various point-earning rules. This includes rewarding customers for purchases, writing reviews (using Okendo’s review product), or following on social media.
  • Rewards: Customers can redeem their points for standard rewards, such as dynamic coupons (e.g., $10 off) or free shipping.
  • VIP Tiers: The platform includes functionality for creating VIP tiers. Brands can set spending thresholds for each tier and offer different perks or point multipliers for their most valuable customers.
  • On-Site Experience: Okendo provides on-site widgets and a dedicated loyalty page that can be customized to match the store’s branding.

Summary

Okendo presents an option for brands that are looking to source their loyalty and reviews programs from a single vendor, offering integrated functionality between the two.

5. Stamped

Stamped (also known as Stamped.io) is another platform that bundles multiple products, primarily focusing on reviews and loyalty. It serves a wide range of Shopify businesses, from small shops to larger brands.

Core Functionality

  • Loyalty & Rewards: The platform’s loyalty component is built around a points-based system. Merchants can customize the number of points earned per dollar spent and set up rewards.
  • VIP Tiers: Stamped includes a VIP tier program. Brands can create multiple tiers to reward their most loyal customers with special perks, such as higher point-earning rates.
  • Referral Program: A referral program is also included, allowing brands to reward customers for referring their friends.
  • Combined Suite: Like Okendo, Stamped’s main proposition is its combined offering. Brands can use the same platform to manage both their product reviews and their loyalty program, which can streamline workflows.
  • Customization: The app provides options for branding the on-site loyalty launcher, including changing colors and text to fit the store’s theme.

Summary

Stamped is a functional choice for merchants who want a combined solution for both reviews and basic loyalty, allowing them to manage both from one dashboard.

6. Rivo

Rivo is a Shopify-exclusive app that focuses on loyalty, rewards, and referral programs. It targets fast-growing DTC brands and emphasizes a clean user interface and a native-feeling Shopify experience.

Core Functionality

  • Loyalty & Referrals: Rivo’s platform is centered on a points-based loyalty program and an integrated referral system.
  • Customization: The app heavily promotes its customization capabilities. It features a “no-code” editor that allows merchants to build and style a dedicated, on-brand loyalty page for their store.
  • Points & Tiers: Brands can set up various ways for customers to earn points, including purchases, birthdays, and social follows. It also supports a tiered VIP program to segment and reward top customers.
  • Shopify Integration: Rivo is built specifically for Shopify and integrates with Shopify Checkout and POS. It also offers a “Loyalty Card” feature for Apple and Google Wallets.
  • Analytics: The platform includes a dashboard for tracking key program metrics, such as revenue from loyalty members and referral program performance.

Summary

Rivo is a modern, Shopify-native app for brands that prioritize a highly-customized, on-brand loyalty page and a straightforward points-and-referral system.

7. Growave

Growave is an all-in-one marketing platform designed specifically for Shopify. It bundles several apps into one, including loyalty and rewards, reviews, wishlists, and social login.

Core Functionality

  • All-in-One Suite: Growave’s main selling point is its consolidation. Instead of installing separate apps for loyalty, reviews, and wishlists, merchants can use Growave for all of them.
  • Loyalty Program: The loyalty feature includes points, referral, and VIP tier programs. Customers can earn points for actions like purchases, reviews (within Growave), and social sharing.
  • Rewards: Rewards are fairly standard, including percent-off, dollar-off, and free shipping coupons.
  • On-Site UI: The app provides a customizable tab and widgets to show customers their loyalty status, available rewards, and wishlist items.
  • Pricing Model: Because it bundles so many features, its pricing is often positioned as a value proposition for new or small businesses that want to cover multiple marketing functions with a single monthly bill.

Summary

Growave is an option for Shopify merchants, particularly small to mid-sized businesses, who want to consolidate their marketing apps and prefer an all-in-one solution for loyalty, reviews, and wishlists.

8. Joy Loyalty

Joy Loyalty (by Avada) is a loyalty app that has gained popularity for its user-friendly interface and straightforward setup. It’s often favored by new and growing stores that need to get a program running quickly.

Core Functionality

  • Easy Setup: Joy is known for its simple, step-by-step onboarding. Merchants can typically configure and launch a basic points program in a short amount of time.
  • Points & Rewards: The app features a standard points-for-purchase system. It also allows rewards for sign-ups, social follows, and birthdays.
  • Referral Program: A built-in referral program is included to help merchants leverage word-of-mouth marketing.
  • Customization: It offers good customization for its on-site pop-up. Merchants can change colors, add banners, and adjust text to match their brand.
  • Shopify POS: The app provides a Shopify POS integration, making it a viable option for brands with both online and physical retail locations.

Summary

Joy Loyalty is a strong contender for new or small businesses that need a simple, reliable, and easy-to-use loyalty and referral program without a steep learning curve.

9. BON Loyalty

BON Loyalty is another popular, highly-rated loyalty and referral app on the Shopify App Store. It is recognized for its clean design, robust free plan, and strong multilingual support.

Core Functionality

  • Points & Referrals: The app provides a comprehensive points and referral system. It includes over 18 ways to earn points, from purchases and sign-ups to social media engagement.
  • Multilingual Support: This is a key feature for BON. The app and its on-site widgets can be translated into multiple languages, making it an excellent choice for international brands.
  • VIP Tiers: It includes a VIP tier program with customizable tier names, perks, and entry requirements to incentivize higher spending.
  • Customization: BON offers extensive customization for its widgets, pop-ups, and dedicated loyalty page. Merchants can even add custom CSS for deeper branding.
  • Shopify POS Integration: The app integrates with Shopify POS, ensuring a consistent loyalty experience for customers whether they shop online or in-store.

Summary

BON Loyalty is a powerful and flexible app, particularly well-suited for international Shopify stores that need strong multilingual capabilities for their loyalty program.

10. Rise.ai

Rise.ai takes a different approach to loyalty. Its platform is built around the concept of “store credit” and gift cards, positioning them as a more flexible and intuitive reward than a traditional points system.

Core Functionality

  • Store Credit Based: Instead of customers accumulating points (e.g., “5,000 points”), they accumulate a store credit balance (e.g., “$50”). Rise.ai’s premise is that this is easier for customers to understand and value.
  • Rewards & Referrals: Customers can earn store credit for purchases, referrals, or as a reward for other actions.
  • Gift Cards: The platform has a strong focus on gift cards. It allows merchants to sell branded, digital gift cards and use them in their marketing flows.
  • Automated Workflows: Merchants can set up automated “workflows” to send store credit rewards at key moments, such as a “welcome” bonus, a birthday gift, or a “win-back” incentive for lapsed customers.
  • Refunds to Store Credit: A notable feature is the ability to offer store credit as a refund option, helping to retain revenue that would otherwise be lost.

Summary

Rise.ai is an excellent choice for brands that like the store credit model. It’s a powerful tool for using gift cards and store credit as a central part of the customer retention strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are answers to some of the most common questions I hear from brands about to launch a loyalty program.

1. What’s the real difference between a points program and a VIP program?

Think of it this way: a points program is transactional. Customers perform an action (like a purchase) and get a reward. It’s a simple, easy-to-understand exchange. A VIP program is relational. It’s about recognizing and elevating your best customers based on their long-term value (e.g., total spending). The perks are often about status and access (like free shipping or early access to new products) rather than just discounts. The most powerful strategies use both: points keep all members engaged, while VIP tiers give your top spenders a reason to feel special.

2. How long does it take to see results from a loyalty app?

You’ll see initial engagement (like sign-ups) right away, which is exciting! But the real results—a measurable lift in repeat purchase rate and customer lifetime value—take time. Generally, you should give your program at least 6 months to gather enough data. This allows you to see how many members make a second or third purchase compared to non-members. Loyalty is a long-term strategy, not a one-week campaign.

3. Can a loyalty program hurt my profit margins?

Yes, if it’s designed poorly. A common mistake is making rewards too easy to get or too generous (e.g., “10% off every order”). This just trains customers to wait for a discount. A profitable loyalty program, backed by strong analytics, ensures you’re rewarding the right behaviors. You might offer smaller, more frequent rewards to drive engagement, or use point multipliers on high-margin products. A platform with strong ROI reporting is essential so you can track your “points liability” and ensure the program is driving profitable growth, not just giving away margin.

4. What’s the biggest mistake brands make when launching a program?

The biggest mistake is “set it and forget it.” Many brands spend a week setting up an app, launching it, and then never looking at it again. A loyalty program is like a garden; it needs constant tending. You should be regularly checking your analytics, testing new reward campaigns, promoting your program to new customers, and finding new ways to surprise and delight your members. The launch isn’t the finish line; it’s the starting line.

5. How important is a referral program?

It’s critical. A referral program, especially one tied to your loyalty app, is your lowest-cost acquisition channel. Your most loyal customers are also your most effective salespeople. Giving them a simple, rewarding way to tell their friends about your brand is a huge, missed opportunity if you don’t have one. A “Give $10, Get $10” structure is a win-win and can be a powerful engine for growth.

6. Do I need a paid Shopify plan to use these apps?

All these apps work with all Shopify plans, including Basic Shopify. However, some advanced integrations or features, particularly those that modify the checkout, may require you to be on the “Shopify” plan or higher. Always check the app’s specific requirements, but in general, you can get a powerful loyalty program up and running on any plan.

7. How much should I budget for a loyalty app?

It ranges dramatically. Some apps offer a free-forever plan for very small stores, which is a great way to start. Paid plans for growing businesses can range from $50 to $500 a month, often based on your number of orders or customers. Enterprise-level platforms for Shopify Plus brands can be significantly more, but they also include dedicated strategic support and much deeper capabilities. My advice: Don’t just pick the cheapest. Pick the app that matches your business goals and scale.

8. What are some non-discount rewards I can offer?

These are often the most effective! They build brand love, not just discount-seeking behavior.

  • Free Shipping: This is the most-requested perk.
  • Free Product: (e.g., “Redeem 1,000 points for our new lip balm”).
  • Early Access: Let VIPs shop new collections or sales 24 hours before anyone else.
  • Exclusive Content: Access to a special tutorial, a “behind-the-scenes” video, or a digital style guide.
  • Community Access: Entry into a private “members-only” Slack or Discord group.

9. How do I promote my new loyalty program?

You have to shout about it from the rooftops! Don’t just let it sit behind a tiny “Rewards” tab.

  • Email Your List: Send a dedicated email blast announcing the program and its benefits.
  • Use a Site-Wide Banner: Announce the launch on your homepage for the first few weeks.
  • Post-Purchase Emails: Include a “P.S. Did you know you just earned 100 points?” in your order confirmation emails.
  • Social Media: Run a few posts explaining how the program works and why it’s a great deal for your customers.
  • Your Packaging: Include a small card in your shipments that invites customers to join.

10. Can I switch loyalty apps later?

Yes, but it can be a hassle. Most top-tier apps (like the ones on this list) have a process for helping you migrate. This usually involves exporting your customer list and their point balances from your old app and importing them into the new one. The most important part is communicating the change clearly to your customers. Let them know their points are safe and explain the benefits of the new, better program you’re moving them to.