Shopify questionAnswer4 min read
What Is the Best Shopify Loyalty App for Repeat Customers?
Smile and Rivo both start free and cost $15 a month as you grow. Here is how they compare, what VIP tiers cost, and when loyalty is worth it.
Key takeaways
- Smile and Rivo both have free plans for up to 200 orders a month, with points and rewards. Their next tier is $15 a month for up to 500 orders.
- VIP tiers cost more: Smile includes them from its $199 Growth plan and Rivo from its $49 Scale plan, as checked on 7 November 2026.
- LoyaltyLion is free up to 400 monthly orders, then $199 a month for its Classic plan.
- A loyalty program only pays when customers would buy again anyway. Fix your repeat purchase basics first.
- Who it is for
- Stores with repeat customers
- Time needed
- 4 minutes to read
- What you need
- Your margin and repeat rate
For most stores, the best Shopify loyalty app is Smile or Rivo, because both have a free plan with points, rewards and branding, and a $15 tier when you grow. Pick Rivo if you want VIP tiers without a big jump in price, and Smile if you want the most widely used option. LoyaltyLion suits larger brands that want hands-on setup and VIP tiers at $199 a month.
I set up loyalty programs for stores selling consumables and repeat-purchase products. Prices and ratings below come from each app's Shopify App Store listing, as checked on 7 November 2026.
The loyalty apps compared
| App | Free plan | Next tier | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smile | Up to 200 orders | $15 a month, 500 orders | 4.9 from 4,668 |
| Rivo | Up to 200 orders | $15 a month, 500 orders | 4.7 from 1,437 |
| LoyaltyLion | Up to 400 orders | $199 a month | 4.7 from 549 |
| Okendo | Up to 50 orders | $19 a month, 200 orders | 4.8 from 1,447 |
Okendo is a reviews app that also includes loyalty, which can save you running two apps. Its order limits apply to the whole app, so check the tier that fits your volume.
What you get at each price
Smile: the free plan includes points, rewards and referrals, 15+ ways to earn and redeem, and Shopify POS support. Essential ($15) adds a loyalty page and free product rewards. Standard ($79, up to 1,000 orders) adds bonus events and points on product pages. Growth ($199 for 2,500 orders) adds VIP tiers, points expiry and redeeming at checkout on Shopify Plus.
Rivo: free covers points, branding and automated emails. Essential ($15) adds a loyalty page, POS and two integrations. Scale costs $49 for 400 orders, then $20 per extra 100, capped at $499, and adds VIP tiers, referrals and bonus campaigns. Plus is $499 for up to 2,500 orders.
LoyaltyLion: free up to 400 orders with points, discounts and analytics. Classic ($199) adds VIP tiers, POS, unlimited integrations and onboarding support.
Price of VIP tiers
- Rivo Scale$49For 400 orders, then $20 per 100 more.
- Smile Growth$199For 2,500 orders a month.
- LoyaltyLion Classic$199Up to 500 orders, larger stores quoted.
- Free plans–None of the free plans include VIP tiers.
Do you need a loyalty app yet
Loyalty rewards existing customers for buying again. If you sell one-off products, such as furniture, points rarely change behavior. If you sell coffee, skincare, supplements or pet food, a simple points program can give customers a reason to come back to you instead of a competitor. Before adding one, make sure you have a post-purchase email flow and a reason to reorder, which my guide on increasing repeat purchases covers.
How to set it up
- Pick a reward rate. Work out what a reward costs you as a share of the order. Use the profit margin calculator to check your margin can carry it.
- Install the free plan. Start with Smile or Rivo free and brand the widget to match your store.
- Announce it. Email existing customers and show points on product pages.
- Upgrade on evidence. Pay for VIP tiers only when you have enough repeat buyers to fill them.
My step-by-step loyalty program setup guide goes deeper on rules and rewards.
By country
- UK and EU: loyalty emails are marketing, so they need consent under UK GDPR and GDPR, and point balances should be clear about expiry.
- US and Australia: state your program terms, including expiry and how points are valued, on a dedicated page.
- All markets: app prices are listed in $.
What to do next
Start on a free plan, run it for three months, and look at how many customers redeem. If you want a review of your repeat purchase setup, send me your store.
Free tools
Check your own store
Free, no sign-up. Each one runs a part of this guide for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free Shopify loyalty app?
Smile and Rivo both have free plans for up to 200 orders a month with points and rewards. LoyaltyLion is free up to 400 orders a month, as checked on 7 November 2026.
How much does Smile.io cost?
Smile is free up to 200 orders a month, then $15 (Essential), $79 (Standard) and $199 (Growth) a month, according to its App Store listing on 7 November 2026.
Which loyalty app has the cheapest VIP tiers?
Of the apps I checked, Rivo, whose Scale plan includes VIP tiers from $49 a month for 400 orders. Smile and LoyaltyLion include VIP tiers from $199 a month.
Does a loyalty program work for every store?
No. It works best for products people buy again, such as coffee, skincare or pet food. For one-off purchases, points rarely change behavior.
Can I use loyalty points in Shopify POS?
Yes, with apps that support it. Smile includes POS on its free plan, Rivo from Essential and LoyaltyLion on Classic.
Should I combine reviews and loyalty in one app?
It can save money and code. Okendo includes both, from free for up to 50 orders a month.
Sources
- Smile: Loyalty Program Rewards, Shopify App Store
- Rivo: Loyalty Program, Rewards, Shopify App Store
- LoyaltyLion Loyalty and Rewards, Shopify App Store
- Okendo: Reviews and Loyalty, Shopify App Store
Related services and work
I'm a Shopify developer and CRO specialist. I have built and improved Shopify stores since 2018, completed more than 1,000 projects, and hold a 4.96 average rating across 719 client reviews.
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