The best Smile.io alternatives & competitors, compared
Kris JamesAlternativesSmile.io has been on the Shopify App Store since 2014, and with 4,657 reviews it's the most-reviewed loyalty app there. It has a generous free plan, the Built for Shopify badge, and a setup most merchants finish on their own. Its floating rewards widget is probably the best of any loyalty app.
If you're opening a new store, it's one of the easiest ways to get a loyalty program going. The questions tend to start once the brand grows.
If you're shopping for Smile.io alternatives, it's usually for one of these reasons:
- VIP tiers cost $199. Essential is $15 a month and Standard is $79, but VIP tiers, points expiry and redeem at checkout only arrive on Growth at $199. That's a big jump if tiers are the main thing you're after.
- The jump to Plus. If you want API access, the JavaScript SDK or white-glove migration, you need Smile Plus. That's $999 a month, billed annually.
- Built around the widget. Most of Smile's effort goes into its rewards widget. Brands that want fully custom loyalty pages, branded customer accounts or newer ways to reward customers tend to outgrow it.
- Simple program logic. Smile is easy to run because it keeps things simple, and that's a big part of its appeal. In our experience, though, bigger brands with more complex earning rules, tiers or segments find it limiting.
Mage
- Founded: 2024
- Most similar to: Rivo
- Typical users: Marketing managers, ecommerce directors and ecom teams
- Typical customers: Brands doing $1M+ a year in revenue, plus smaller brands getting started
- Shopify App Store: 5.0 (7 reviews)
What is Mage?
Mage (that's us 👋) is a Shopify loyalty platform. Points or store credit, VIP tiers, referrals and wishlists come as standard, and branded customer accounts and paid memberships are there on Enterprise when you need them. It all runs in one app, so a returning customer sees one experience rather than three stitched together.
Most of the brands we work with do $1M+ a year. At that size, enough revenue comes from repeat customers that the details start to matter: what you reward, where your tier thresholds sit, whether the loyalty page looks like your store, and whether your team can act on the data in Klaviyo or Shopify segments. That's the work Mage is built for.
We still keep a $15 Essential plan for stores that are just starting out. It covers the basics, and when you need more you upgrade inside Mage instead of migrating to another app.
Not the best fit for: Brands that want product reviews from the same vendor (we partner with Judge.me for that), stores that aren't on Shopify, and teams that want a big vendor behind them. We're a bootstrapped team of four, we launched on the App Store in 2025, and we have far fewer reviews than the other apps here.
Key features
- The basics, done properly: Points, unlimited VIP tiers, referrals, wishlists, Shopify POS and store credit are all on Starter at $49. Every loyalty app has some version of these. The rest of this list is where we go further.
- Points or store credit, your choice: Some brands want points and give them their own name, like beauty points. Others want customers to see exactly what they have, so Mage can show the balance as store credit in your store's currency: $10, not 100 points. That matters because 100 points is worth $10 at one brand and $1 at the next, so most customers don't know what a points balance means. It also makes remarketing easier. "You've got $10 in store credit waiting for you" lands with customers in a way "You've got 100 points" doesn't. Both models are on Starter.
- Earning rules that go past points per dollar: There are more than 20 earning rules, and every one works with points or store credit. A one-time purchase rule rewards a single big basket, so if your AOV is $50 you can give a bonus for orders over $100. A stamp card rewards a pattern, like three orders over $100 in 60 days earning a free product, a perk or a unique discount. All of it is on Starter.
- Tiered referral rewards: Most referral programs stop at give $5, get $5. On Growth, rewards can grow with every friend someone brings in: $5 for the first, $10 for the second, $20 for the third and a free product for the fourth.
- Referral fraud checks: We see a lot of fraud attempts on referrals. Mage checks the usual signals, like similar or aliased emails, self-referrals and repeat IP addresses, and also looks at the device, which catches one person using several email addresses from the same phone. Fraud prevention is on Growth.
- Exclusive access built on loyalty data: Mage writes loyalty data into Shopify metafields and Shopify's segment builder, on Starter. You can lock pages by VIP tier, points earned or how long someone has been a member, add countdowns to them, and build segments natively in Shopify, like members for more than a year, lifetime points over a set amount or store credit balance over $50, then use them for offers wherever you already use Shopify segments.
- First-party data capture: Loyalty touchpoints reward customers for joining your SMS list or newsletter, and everything syncs to Klaviyo, Postscript, Omnisend, Attentive and the other email and SMS tools you already use (21 integrations in all).
- Loyalty pages that look like yours: A lot of loyalty apps start you from one template and let you change the colours and fonts. We build fully custom loyalty landing pages, so no two Mage programs look the same. Branded customer accounts and paid memberships work the same way, as Enterprise modules.
- Mage Canvas, or code if you'd rather: Canvas is our no-code editor for loyalty pages, wishlists and customer accounts, so your marketing team can change things without waiting on a developer. When you do want a developer involved, there's a full API on Growth and up, plus CSS editing.
- Migration: Automated importers for Yotpo, LoyaltyLion and Smile.io, plus CSV for anything else. If you're moving over, we do the whole migration for you, from members and points to tiers and history. It's free on Growth and up, and most brands go live in 1 to 2 weeks.
How does Mage compare to Smile.io?
| Feature | Mage | Smile.io |
|---|---|---|
| Free planA free tier you can stay on, not just a trial | Up to 200 orders | |
| Points and rewardsEarn points for purchases and actions, redeem for rewards | ||
| ReferralsGive-and-get rewards for referring friends | ||
| Tiered referral rewardsRewards that grow with each friend referred, e.g. $5, then $10, then $20 | Growth ($499) | Not listed |
| Referral fraud checksBlocks self-referrals, duplicate or disposable emails and repeat IPs before rewards go out | Growth ($499), with device checks | |
| VIP tiersStatus tiers with their own perks, earned by spend or points | Starter ($49) | Growth ($199) |
| Shopify POSEarn and redeem in physical stores | Starter ($49) | |
| Redeem at checkoutSpend points inside Shopify checkout (checkout extensions usually need Shopify Plus) | Growth ($499) | Growth ($199), Shopify Plus |
| Store credit as a rewardPoints can be redeemed for Shopify store credit | Starter ($49) | Standard ($79) |
| WishlistsCustomers save and share favorite products | Starter ($49) | Not listed |
| Paid membershipsRecurring paid programs, not just earned tiers | Enterprise module | |
| Product reviewsCollect and display product reviews from the same vendor | Via Judge.me partnership | |
| Shopify FlowTrigger Shopify Flow automations from loyalty events | Essential ($15) | |
| API and headlessBuild custom experiences or headless storefronts | Growth ($499) | Plus ($999, annual) |
| Built for Shopify badgeShopify's badge for apps that meet its performance, design and integration standards | ||
| Migration helpHow the vendor moves your members and points across | Done for you, free on Growth+; Yotpo, LoyaltyLion and Smile importers | CSV import; white-glove on Plus |
Main differences between Mage and Smile.io
- Mage has unlimited VIP tiers on Starter at $49; Smile's are on Growth at $199.
- Mage includes wishlists from Starter and offers branded customer accounts and paid memberships on Enterprise. Smile doesn't list wishlists or branded accounts.
- From Starter, Mage can run the whole program as store credit in your store's currency instead of points.
- Smile has a free plan up to 200 orders; Mage doesn't.
- Smile has the Built for Shopify badge and 4,657 reviews. Mage doesn't have the badge yet, or many reviews.
Main similarities between Mage and Smile.io
- Both start at $15 a month and include Shopify POS.
- Both offer store credit rewards and integrate with Klaviyo, Judge.me, Okendo and Recharge.
| Detail | Mage | Smile.io |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No free plan; 7-day free trial | Up to 200 orders |
| Paid plans | Essential $15 for brand-new stores (500 orders, on the Shopify App Store). Starter $49 (500 orders, then $0.20 each). Growth $499 (2,500 orders, then $0.15 each). Enterprise from $999 on an annual agreement. | Essential $15 (500 orders). Standard $79 (1,000). Growth $199 (2,500, then $20 per 100). Plus $999 billed annually (7,500). Enterprise custom. |
| Billing | Monthly, no contract; Enterprise is annual | Monthly up to Growth; Plus and Enterprise annual |
| App Store rating | 5.0 (7 reviews) | 4.9 (4,657 reviews) |
Why do companies use Mage?
Mostly for the help. We're a small, founder-led team, and we work with brands more like a partner than a software vendor: we get on a call, look at your customers and margins, and plan the program with you before anything gets built.
That covers the strategy (what to reward, how your tiers should work, what a member is actually worth to you), the design (a loyalty page and widget that look like your store, not like an app someone installed), and the setup itself, including moving your members and points across from Yotpo, Smile or wherever you are now.
After launch you're still talking to the same people. Our playbooks, benchmarks and video masterclasses are free for anyone, and on Enterprise you get a shared Slack channel with us.
The trade-off is size. We're four people, so there's no 24/7 chat, and you're choosing a younger company with a handful of App Store reviews over one with thousands.
“We are really happy with working with the Mage team and getting this program up and running. They are very responsible and professional. Very seamless and the upsell features seem to already be helping with adoption!”
Read the Tea Drops case study →
Bottom line
If you've outgrown Smile, we think Mage is the natural next step. You get unlimited VIP tiers from $49 instead of $199, wishlists and store credit on the same plan, and fully custom loyalty pages, with branded accounts and memberships on Enterprise. If you're a brand-new store that wants a free plan, Smile is still the better pick.
Try Mage free for 7 days
Install from the Shopify App Store, or book a demo and we'll plan your migration with you.
Rivo
- Founded: On the Shopify App Store since January 2021
- Most similar to: Mage, Smile.io
- Typical users: Ecommerce and marketing teams
- Typical customers: Shopify and Shopify Plus DTC brands
- Shopify App Store: 4.7 (1,438 reviews)
What is Rivo?
Rivo is a Shopify retention platform based in Las Vegas. It launched on the App Store in 2021, grew fast, and now sells its loyalty plans alongside two separate products, Cashback and Accounts.
It's easy to get set up. The cost goes up as you add features, though. Referrals and VIP tiers are on Scale, checkout touchpoints and the developer toolkit are on Plus at $499, and wishlists only come with Accounts, which is another product starting at $499.
We've run Rivo ourselves on the Scale plan. Getting a working program and widget took about 15 minutes, and longer once we added VIP tiers, referrals and email branding. When we asked questions in chat, we got quick replies. Rivo ships a lot, and fast (its site advertises 115+ product updates this season), and some of the newer features felt less finished than the core loyalty program. The docs are thorough but hard to find your way around, and the admin feels a bit dated next to newer Shopify apps.
Not the best fit for: Brands that want the developer toolkit, checkout touchpoints or wishlists without paying $499 a month or more. Wishlists only come with Accounts, a separate product from $499.
Key features
- Loyalty from $15: Essentials gets you a loyalty and referrals page, an account page widget, Shopify POS, birthday rewards and 11 loyalty emails you can switch on or off.
- VIP, referrals and store credit on Scale: Scale (from $49) adds VIP tiers, referrals, points expiry, bonus campaigns, point drops, store credit, Shopify Flow and 50+ integrations.
- Plus for developers and checkout: Plus ($499) adds the Developer Toolkit, 6+ checkout touchpoints, a page builder with custom CSS, and a custom email sending domain.
- Cashback and Accounts: Both sold separately. Cashback starts at $199 a month, and Accounts (wishlists, wallet pass, passwordless login, subscriptions and returns portal) starts at $499.
- Migration: Automated migration from Yotpo and LoyaltyLion, guides for Smile.io, Stamped, Growave and Rise, and CSV imports.
How does Rivo compare to Smile.io?
| Feature | Rivo | Smile.io |
|---|---|---|
| Free planA free tier you can stay on, not just a trial | Up to 200 orders | Up to 200 orders |
| Points and rewardsEarn points for purchases and actions, redeem for rewards | ||
| ReferralsGive-and-get rewards for referring friends | Scale (from $49) | |
| Tiered referral rewardsRewards that grow with each friend referred, e.g. $5, then $10, then $20 | Custom plan | Not listed |
| Referral fraud checksBlocks self-referrals, duplicate or disposable emails and repeat IPs before rewards go out | ||
| VIP tiersStatus tiers with their own perks, earned by spend or points | Scale (from $49) | Growth ($199) |
| Shopify POSEarn and redeem in physical stores | Essentials ($15) | |
| Redeem at checkoutSpend points inside Shopify checkout (checkout extensions usually need Shopify Plus) | Plus ($499) | Growth ($199), Shopify Plus |
| Store credit as a rewardPoints can be redeemed for Shopify store credit | Scale (from $49) | Standard ($79) |
| WishlistsCustomers save and share favorite products | Accounts product, from $499 | Not listed |
| Paid membershipsRecurring paid programs, not just earned tiers | Custom plan | |
| Shopify FlowTrigger Shopify Flow automations from loyalty events | Scale (from $49) | Essential ($15) |
| API and headlessBuild custom experiences or headless storefronts | Plus ($499) | Plus ($999, annual) |
| Built for Shopify badgeShopify's badge for apps that meet its performance, design and integration standards | ||
| Migration helpHow the vendor moves your members and points across | Automated from Yotpo and LoyaltyLion | CSV import; white-glove on Plus |
Main differences between Rivo and Smile.io
- Rivo's VIP tiers start at $49 on Scale; Smile's start at $199.
- Rivo's developer toolkit is on Plus at $499 a month; Smile's API needs Plus at $999, billed annually.
- Smile has the Built for Shopify badge and more than three times as many reviews.
Main similarities between Rivo and Smile.io
- Both have a free plan up to 200 orders and paid plans from $15.
- Both are quick to set up without a developer.
| Detail | Rivo | Smile.io |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Up to 200 orders | Up to 200 orders |
| Paid plans | Essentials $15 (500 orders). Scale from $49 (400 orders, then $20 per 100, up to $499). Plus $499 (2,500 orders). Cashback from $199 and Accounts from $499 are separate. | Essential $15 (500 orders). Standard $79 (1,000). Growth $199 (2,500, then $20 per 100). Plus $999 billed annually (7,500). Enterprise custom. |
| Billing | Every 30 days, month to month | Monthly up to Growth; Plus and Enterprise annual |
| App Store rating | 4.7 (1,438 reviews) | 4.9 (4,657 reviews) |
Why do companies use Rivo?
According to Shopify App Store reviews, merchants choose Rivo because:
- Easy to set up: Shopify's review summary says merchants find it easy to set up and use, even without a technical team.
- Helpful agents on tricky issues: Several reviews name support agents who sorted out complicated problems quickly.
- Straightforward imports: Merchants mention bringing points over from a previous app and connecting Klaviyo without any trouble.
Bottom line
Rivo gets you VIP tiers from $49 and more integrations. Developer access, checkout touchpoints and wishlists cost more, though, on $499 plans and products.
LoyaltyLion
- Founded: 2012, London
- Most similar to: Smile.io, Yotpo
- Typical users: Ecommerce and CRM teams
- Typical customers: Mid-market and Shopify Plus brands
- Shopify App Store: 4.7 (547 reviews)
What is LoyaltyLion?
LoyaltyLion is a loyalty platform from London, founded in 2012 and built only for Shopify. It's more hands-on than most: an onboarding manager builds your branded loyalty page with you and moves over your points, tiers and birthdays.
The feature set is good, and API and headless access come on every plan, which is unusual. It's one of the older players and parts of the platform feel dated, though it has been shipping improvements through 2026. The trade-off is cost. Classic starts at $199 for 500 orders, VIP tiers are an add-on on that plan, and Advanced and Plus are quote-only.
Not the best fit for: Smaller stores keeping an eye on cost. The first public paid price is $199 for 500 orders, VIP tiers are an add-on on that plan, and Advanced and Plus are quote-only.
Key features
- Points and referrals: On-site and off-site earning on every plan, bonus points by product or collection, and IP-based duplicate detection on referrals.
- VIP tiers: Up to five tiers (more if you ask), based on spend or points. An add-on on Classic, included on Advanced and Plus.
- API on every plan: API and headless API on all plans, plus a connection for AI assistants.
- Managed onboarding: An onboarding manager rebuilds your current program and migrates points, tiers and birthdays, usually within three weeks.
- Languages and currencies: Any currency on every plan; 130+ languages on Advanced and Plus.
How does LoyaltyLion compare to Smile.io?
| Feature | LoyaltyLion | Smile.io |
|---|---|---|
| Free planA free tier you can stay on, not just a trial | Up to 400 orders | Up to 200 orders |
| Points and rewardsEarn points for purchases and actions, redeem for rewards | ||
| ReferralsGive-and-get rewards for referring friends | ||
| Tiered referral rewardsRewards that grow with each friend referred, e.g. $5, then $10, then $20 | Not listed | Not listed |
| Referral fraud checksBlocks self-referrals, duplicate or disposable emails and repeat IPs before rewards go out | ||
| VIP tiersStatus tiers with their own perks, earned by spend or points | Add-on on Classic; Advanced+ | Growth ($199) |
| Shopify POSEarn and redeem in physical stores | ||
| Redeem at checkoutSpend points inside Shopify checkout (checkout extensions usually need Shopify Plus) | Shopify Plus stores | Growth ($199), Shopify Plus |
| Store credit as a rewardPoints can be redeemed for Shopify store credit | Not listed | Standard ($79) |
| WishlistsCustomers save and share favorite products | Not listed | Not listed |
| Paid membershipsRecurring paid programs, not just earned tiers | Not listed | |
| Product reviewsCollect and display product reviews from the same vendor | ||
| Shopify FlowTrigger Shopify Flow automations from loyalty events | Essential ($15) | |
| API and headlessBuild custom experiences or headless storefronts | All plans | Plus ($999, annual) |
| Built for Shopify badgeShopify's badge for apps that meet its performance, design and integration standards | ||
| Migration helpHow the vendor moves your members and points across | Onboarding manager migrates for you | CSV import; white-glove on Plus |
Main differences between LoyaltyLion and Smile.io
- LoyaltyLion starts at $199 for 500 orders; Smile has a free plan and paid plans from $15.
- LoyaltyLion includes API access on every plan; Smile needs Plus.
- LoyaltyLion builds the program with you through an onboarding manager; Smile is self-serve.
Main similarities between LoyaltyLion and Smile.io
- Both have a free plan.
- Both cover points, referrals, VIP tiers and Shopify POS.
| Detail | LoyaltyLion | Smile.io |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Up to 400 orders (on the App Store listing) | Up to 200 orders |
| Paid plans | Classic $199 (500 orders). Advanced and Plus by quote. VIP tiers are an add-on on Classic. | Essential $15 (500 orders). Standard $79 (1,000). Growth $199 (2,500, then $20 per 100). Plus $999 billed annually (7,500). Enterprise custom. |
| Billing | Every 30 days through Shopify; contract terms not published | Monthly up to Growth; Plus and Enterprise annual |
| App Store rating | 4.7 (547 reviews) | 4.9 (4,657 reviews) |
Why do companies use LoyaltyLion?
According to Shopify App Store reviews, merchants choose LoyaltyLion because:
- Flexible and customisable: Shopify's review summary says merchants find it intuitive, flexible and easy to customise.
- Integrations: Merchants mention hooking it up to their ERP, Attentive and Recharge.
- The onboarding team: Reviews praise the team's help during setup and onboarding.
Bottom line
LoyaltyLion suits brands that want a team to build the program with them and API access on every plan. It starts at $199, and merchants tell us its custom quotes get expensive.
Yotpo
- Founded: 2011; loyalty app on Shopify since 2015
- Most similar to: Okendo, LoyaltyLion
- Typical users: Marketing and retention teams
- Typical customers: Mid-market and enterprise brands, often already on Yotpo Reviews
- Shopify App Store: 4.7 (968 reviews)
What is Yotpo?
Yotpo is a big ecommerce retention company, founded in 2011. Its loyalty product started life as Swell, and today it covers points, referrals, VIP tiers and memberships, sold on its own or alongside Yotpo Reviews. There's a lot of venture money behind it: more than $400 million raised, including a $230 million Series F in 2021 at a $1.4 billion valuation.
Breadth is where it wins. It runs on Shopify, BigCommerce, Adobe Commerce, Salesforce Commerce Cloud and WooCommerce, and you can get reviews and loyalty from the same company. The catch is cost, and it climbs quickly. Pro is published at $199 a month, but VIP tiers are on Premium, which is quote-only, and the Premium and Enterprise quotes merchants have shared with us are the highest we've seen in Shopify loyalty.
Not the best fit for: Smaller stores that want VIP tiers without asking for a custom quote (tiers sit on the Premium plan), and teams that want to see published pricing at every level.
Key features
- Points and referrals: On every plan, Free included. Referral fraud prevention blocks by user agent, IP and billing address.
- Redeem at checkout: Pro and up, through a Shopify Plus checkout extension. Pro also gets you webhooks.
- VIP tiers: On Premium and Enterprise, both priced by quote, along with smart segments, ROI analytics and a dedicated CSM.
- Reviews and the wider suite: Yotpo Reviews is sold separately. A Reviews and Loyalty bundle starts at $199 a month.
- Integrations and platforms: Klaviyo, Attentive, Postscript, Omnisend, Gorgias and Recharge, among many others. It also runs on four platforms besides Shopify.
- Migration service: Yotpo's team moves your existing program data and balances across in a six-step process, which includes setting up your Klaviyo flows.
How does Yotpo compare to Smile.io?
| Feature | Yotpo | Smile.io |
|---|---|---|
| Free planA free tier you can stay on, not just a trial | Up to 200 orders | |
| Points and rewardsEarn points for purchases and actions, redeem for rewards | ||
| ReferralsGive-and-get rewards for referring friends | ||
| Tiered referral rewardsRewards that grow with each friend referred, e.g. $5, then $10, then $20 | Not listed | Not listed |
| Referral fraud checksBlocks self-referrals, duplicate or disposable emails and repeat IPs before rewards go out | ||
| VIP tiersStatus tiers with their own perks, earned by spend or points | Premium (quote) | Growth ($199) |
| Shopify POSEarn and redeem in physical stores | ||
| Redeem at checkoutSpend points inside Shopify checkout (checkout extensions usually need Shopify Plus) | Pro ($199), Shopify Plus | Growth ($199), Shopify Plus |
| Store credit as a rewardPoints can be redeemed for Shopify store credit | Standard ($79) | |
| WishlistsCustomers save and share favorite products | Not listed | Not listed |
| Paid membershipsRecurring paid programs, not just earned tiers | ||
| Product reviewsCollect and display product reviews from the same vendor | Yotpo Reviews, sold separately | |
| Shopify FlowTrigger Shopify Flow automations from loyalty events | Essential ($15) | |
| API and headlessBuild custom experiences or headless storefronts | Yes; webhooks on Pro | Plus ($999, annual) |
| Built for Shopify badgeShopify's badge for apps that meet its performance, design and integration standards | ||
| Migration helpHow the vendor moves your members and points across | Yotpo's team migrates your program | CSV import; white-glove on Plus |
Main differences between Yotpo and Smile.io
- Yotpo runs on five ecommerce platforms and sells reviews; Smile sticks to loyalty.
- Yotpo's VIP tiers need its quote-only Premium plan; Smile's are on Growth at $199.
Main similarities between Yotpo and Smile.io
- Both have a free plan.
- Both put VIP tiers on a higher plan.
| Detail | Yotpo | Smile.io |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes (Yotpo's pages differ on the order cap) | Up to 200 orders |
| Paid plans | Pro from $199 (500 orders, then $0.20, $0.10 and $0.05 per order as volume grows). Premium and Enterprise by quote. Reviews and Loyalty bundle from $199. | Essential $15 (500 orders). Standard $79 (1,000). Growth $199 (2,500, then $20 per 100). Plus $999 billed annually (7,500). Enterprise custom. |
| Billing | Every 30 days | Monthly up to Growth; Plus and Enterprise annual |
| App Store rating | 4.7 (968 reviews) | 4.9 (4,657 reviews) |
Why do companies use Yotpo?
According to Shopify App Store reviews, merchants choose Yotpo because:
- It's reliable at scale: Shopify's own review summary calls it a reliable, long-term solution for loyalty and rewards.
- It pairs with Yotpo Reviews and headless setups: The same summary says merchants often run it alongside Yotpo Reviews and on headless storefronts.
- Migration help: One merchant called the team "extremely helpful" during their move to Shopify (May 2026).
Bottom line
Moving to Yotpo is more of a step up in price than in features. It makes sense if you sell on other platforms or want loyalty next to Yotpo Reviews.
Okendo
- Founded: On the Shopify App Store since 2018
- Most similar to: Yotpo
- Typical users: Ecommerce and marketing teams
- Typical customers: Shopify brands that want reviews and loyalty from one vendor
- Shopify App Store: 4.8 (1,445 reviews) (one listing for reviews and loyalty combined)
What is Okendo?
Okendo started out as a reviews app and has grown into a suite of reviews, loyalty, referrals, quizzes and surveys, sold separately or bundled inside one Shopify app. If you like Yotpo's one-vendor approach but only sell on Shopify, it's the closest match on this list. The platform has been getting noticeably better through 2026.
Pricing is worth modelling before you commit. Loyalty, referrals, reviews, quizzes and surveys are each sold separately, so it can look cheap until you add up everything you need. Loyalty alone runs from $99 a month for up to 200 orders on Essentials to $999 for up to 10,000 on Advanced. VIP tiers are based on spend only, and the merchant fulfils the perks by hand.
Not the best fit for: Smaller stores watching cost (loyalty starts at $99 a month for up to 200 orders), and brands that need VIP tiers based on points, since Okendo's tiers are spend-based only.
Key features
- Points: Earn for purchases, reviews, social follows, birthdays and anniversaries, with points backdated up to 12 months.
- VIP tiers: Unlimited spend-based tiers on a rolling-year or lifetime window. Perks are written as text, and the merchant fulfils them.
- Store credit and checkout: Store credit and cashback rewards, a checkout extension to apply points or credit, and a customer account extension with a digital loyalty card.
- Reviews bundle: Okendo Reviews is a separate product. You can bundle it with Loyalty and Surveys, or buy the full Okendo Platform.
- Migration: A CSV importer that reads export files from Yotpo, LoyaltyLion and Smile, including balances, VIP tiers and birthdays.
How does Okendo compare to Smile.io?
| Feature | Okendo | Smile.io |
|---|---|---|
| Free planA free tier you can stay on, not just a trial | Reviews only | Up to 200 orders |
| Points and rewardsEarn points for purchases and actions, redeem for rewards | ||
| ReferralsGive-and-get rewards for referring friends | ||
| Tiered referral rewardsRewards that grow with each friend referred, e.g. $5, then $10, then $20 | Not listed | Not listed |
| Referral fraud checksBlocks self-referrals, duplicate or disposable emails and repeat IPs before rewards go out | ||
| VIP tiersStatus tiers with their own perks, earned by spend or points | Spend-based only | Growth ($199) |
| Shopify POSEarn and redeem in physical stores | ||
| Redeem at checkoutSpend points inside Shopify checkout (checkout extensions usually need Shopify Plus) | Growth ($199), Shopify Plus | |
| Store credit as a rewardPoints can be redeemed for Shopify store credit | Standard ($79) | |
| WishlistsCustomers save and share favorite products | Not listed | Not listed |
| Paid membershipsRecurring paid programs, not just earned tiers | Early access | |
| Product reviewsCollect and display product reviews from the same vendor | Okendo Reviews, sold separately | |
| Shopify FlowTrigger Shopify Flow automations from loyalty events | Essential ($15) | |
| API and headlessBuild custom experiences or headless storefronts | Add-on | Plus ($999, annual) |
| Built for Shopify badgeShopify's badge for apps that meet its performance, design and integration standards | ||
| Migration helpHow the vendor moves your members and points across | CSV importer for Yotpo, LoyaltyLion and Smile files | CSV import; white-glove on Plus |
Main differences between Okendo and Smile.io
- Okendo sells reviews and loyalty from one vendor; Smile sticks to loyalty.
- Okendo Loyalty starts at $99 a month for 200 orders; Smile has a free plan up to 200 orders.
- Okendo's VIP tiers are spend-based only.
Main similarities between Okendo and Smile.io
- Both cover points, referrals, store credit and Shopify POS.
- Smile integrates with Okendo Reviews.
| Detail | Okendo | Smile.io |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Reviews only; no free loyalty plan listed | Up to 200 orders |
| Paid plans | Loyalty from $99 (Essentials, up to 200 orders) to $999 (Advanced, up to 10,000 orders), priced by order volume. Bundles with Reviews and other products. | Essential $15 (500 orders). Standard $79 (1,000). Growth $199 (2,500, then $20 per 100). Plus $999 billed annually (7,500). Enterprise custom. |
| Billing | Monthly per product, or annual for bundles | Monthly up to Growth; Plus and Enterprise annual |
| App Store rating | 4.8 (1,445 reviews) | 4.9 (4,657 reviews) |
Why do companies use Okendo?
Okendo has one listing for reviews and loyalty, and most of its reviews are about the reviews product. Merchants mention:
- More and better reviews: Shopify's review summary says merchants see the number and quality of their reviews go up quickly.
- One platform for several tools: The summary notes that a lot of merchants rely on its automations, quizzes, surveys and loyalty and referral tools together.
- Account support: Reviews mention individual account managers who made the platform easier to run.
Bottom line
Okendo makes sense if you'd also like reviews from the same vendor. For loyalty on its own, it costs more than Smile at low volume, and VIP tiers are spend-based only.
Which Smile.io alternative should you choose?
Every app here covers points, referrals, VIP tiers and help moving your data across, so those shouldn't decide it. What's different is who each one is built for:
- Outgrowing Smile and want custom loyalty pages, deeper earning rules, store credit and a team that plans the program with you? Go with Mage.
- Want more than 50 integrations and a free plan to start on? Try Rivo.
- Building headless, or need 130+ storefront languages? Look at LoyaltyLion.
- Selling on more than one platform, or want reviews and loyalty from one large vendor? Consider Yotpo.
- Want reviews, loyalty, quizzes and surveys from one Shopify-only vendor? Talk to Okendo.
Smile is still a great choice for a lot of stores. If you're on the smaller side and the free plan or Essential at $15 covers what you need, or you like Smile's widget and don't need custom pages or branded accounts, you probably don't need to move.
Is Mage right for you?
We're biased, of course. But when a brand outgrows Smile, we think Mage is the natural next step. You'll probably like it here if:
- You want VIP tiers without paying $199 for them. Unlimited tiers, bonus campaigns, POS and wishlists are all on Starter at $49 a month.
- You want your loyalty page to feel like part of your store, not a widget sitting on top of it. The page is fully custom, and branded customer accounts and paid memberships are there when you need them.
- You'd rather customers see $10 of store credit than 100 points. From Starter, we can run the whole program in your store's currency. Points still work if you prefer them.
- You don't want to do the move yourself. We have a Smile.io importer, managed migration is free on Growth and up, and most brands go live in 1 to 2 weeks.
- You want someone to think the program through with you. We're founder-led, we help with strategy as well as setup, and our playbooks and video masterclasses are free.
Smile has the Built for Shopify badge and thousands of reviews. We don't have the badge yet or many reviews, so you're choosing a younger company over a well-established one.
Frequently asked questions
What is Smile.io used for?
Smile.io runs points, referral and VIP tier programs for Shopify stores. It comes with a floating rewards widget, a dedicated loyalty page and integrations for email, reviews and subscriptions. Its free plan makes it popular with smaller stores.
How much does Smile.io cost?
As of November 2026: Free up to 200 orders; Essential $15 a month (500 orders); Standard $79 (1,000 orders); Growth $199 (2,500 orders, then $20 per 100); Plus $999 a month billed annually (7,500 orders); Enterprise by quote.
Can Mage replace Smile.io?
Yes. Mage has a Smile.io importer, and Starter at $49 covers points, referrals, unlimited VIP tiers, store credit and wishlists. Enterprise adds branded customer accounts and paid memberships.
If you need a free plan or the Built for Shopify badge, Smile is still the better fit.
Which Smile.io alternatives have cheaper VIP tiers?
Mage and Rivo, both from $49 a month. Here's how the plans line up:
| App | Free plan | Paid from | VIP tiers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mage | No | $15/mo | Starter ($49) |
| Rivo | Up to 200 orders | $15/mo | Scale (from $49) |
| Smile.io | Up to 200 orders | $15/mo | Growth ($199) |
| LoyaltyLion | Up to 400 orders | $199/mo | Add-on on Classic; Advanced+ |
| Okendo | Reviews only | $99/mo | Spend-based only |
| Yotpo | Yes | $199/mo | Premium (quote) |
Is Smile.io good for enterprise brands?
Smile does sell Plus and Enterprise tiers, with API access, data warehouse sync and SOC 2. In our experience, though, it works best for smaller stores. Larger brands usually want custom loyalty pages, branded customer accounts and more complex program logic than it offers.
Can I switch from Smile.io without losing points?
Yes. Mage has a Smile.io importer for members and points, and managed migration is free on Growth and up. Okendo's CSV importer reads Smile export files, Rivo has a migration guide for Smile, and LoyaltyLion's onboarding team will migrate the program for you.
How did you compare these apps?
We make Mage, and we've weighed every app on the same terms, and we've said where others do things better than we do. Every fact comes from the vendor's own pricing pages, help docs or Shopify App Store listing, and each source is linked at the bottom of this page with the date we checked it.
Sources
Facts come from each vendor's own pricing pages, help centers and Shopify App Store listings, plus the third-party sources linked below. Prices are in USD per month.
- Smile.io, checked Nov 2, 2026: Smile.io pricing, Smile.io on the Shopify App Store, Smile.io paid plan features
- Mage Loyalty, checked Nov 4, 2026: Mage pricing, Mage on the Shopify App Store, Mage help center: migrating from Yotpo
- Rivo, checked Nov 2, 2026: Rivo pricing, Rivo on the Shopify App Store, Rivo help center: migrating from another app
- LoyaltyLion, checked Nov 2, 2026: LoyaltyLion pricing, LoyaltyLion on the Shopify App Store, LoyaltyLion on Trustpilot
- Yotpo Loyalty, checked Nov 2, 2026: Yotpo Loyalty pricing, TechCrunch: Yotpo raises $230M Series F (2021), Yotpo on the Shopify App Store, Yotpo loyalty tiers, Yotpo loyalty migration
- Okendo Loyalty, checked Nov 4, 2026: Okendo pricing, Okendo on the Shopify App Store, Filta case study: Okendo's outsourced support team