Shopify’s app ecosystem offers a range of loyalty tools that make it easier to reward repeat purchases, boost customer retention, and encourage long-term relationships. But with so many options available, how do you know which solution is right for your store?

In this article, we’ll explore five of the best loyalty apps for Shopify - covering what each one does well, who it’s best suited for, and when you might need something more advanced.

Best for: Simple, easy-to-launch loyalty programs

Smile.io is one of the most popular loyalty apps in Shopify’s ecosystem, known for its plug-and-play setup. It allows merchants to quickly launch programs that reward customers with points, VIP tiers, or referrals.

What it does well:

When it works best: If you’re a small to mid-sized brand just starting with loyalty, Smile.io helps you launch quickly without a ton of technical complexity.

Best for: Data-driven loyalty programs

LoyaltyLion is a step up for brands that want more control over their loyalty data. It focuses heavily on customer analytics, enabling brands to target rewards to specific segments.

What it does well:

When it works best: Mid-market Shopify merchants that want to use customer data more effectively to retain high-value shoppers.

Best for: Loyalty plus reviews and UGC in one ecosystem

Yotpo is best known for its reviews and user-generated content (UGC) tools, but its loyalty and referrals module has become a strong contender for Shopify brands. Having reviews, SMS, and loyalty all under one roof can streamline operations.

What it does well:

When it works best: If you’re already using Yotpo for reviews or SMS, adding their loyalty functionality helps centralize your marketing stack.

Best for: Fast-growing Shopify stores on a budget

Rivo is an up-and-coming loyalty and rewards app designed with Shopify merchants in mind. It offers straightforward points, referrals, and VIP tiers while keeping pricing simple and accessible.

What it does well:

When it works best: Stores looking for a balance of features and affordability, without the overhead of complex systems.

Best for: Enterprise-ready loyalty and promotions

While the apps above work well for small to mid-market brands, larger or rapidly scaling businesses often find themselves limited by “earn-and-burn” loyalty programs. That’s where Talon.One comes in.

Talon.One is the enterprise-grade loyalty and promotions engine trusted by the world’s biggest brands, including Sephora, Gymshark and Adidas. Unlike most apps that focus only on points or tiers, Talon.One gives merchants complete flexibility to design sophisticated, real-time incentives that go far beyond discounts.

What sets Talon.One apart:

How it works in Shopify:

When it works best: Shopify Plus or Enterprise brands that need future-ready loyalty and promotion strategies across multiple channels, regions, and storefronts.

When it comes to loyalty on Shopify, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Here’s a quick way to think about it:

Shopify’s app ecosystem makes it easy to launch a loyalty program at any stage of growth. Whether you’re a small business looking for a simple points program or a global enterprise ready to design personalized, multi-channel incentives, there’s a solution for you.

For brands that need to push beyond the basics and unlock loyalty and promotions as a true growth driver, Talon.One offers the flexibility, scalability, and performance that today’s enterprise brands demand.