A free Shopify loyalty program can do more than most merchants expect. Smile.io's 2025 loyalty report, built on 585 million orders, found that the top 5% of customers bring in 35% of an ecommerce store's revenue. Points, referrals and rewards are how you keep those customers coming back, and you do not need a paid plan to start.
The hard part is that "free" means something different in every loyalty app. Some free plans stop at a monthly order count. Some leave out the one feature you actually need, such as emails, Shopify POS or reporting. One app on this list has no paid plan at all.
We read the free plan of every major Shopify loyalty app on the App Store, scored each one on the same five measures, and picked the seven worth installing. Every rating and plan detail was checked on October 23, 2026. If your free program is already live and nobody is joining, jump to the problems and fixes.
The best free Shopify loyalty app in 2026 is Appstle Loyalty Program Reward. Its free plan covers 250 orders a month and includes points, referrals, store credit, loyalty emails, analytics and data exports.
Runner up: Fast Loyalty, if you want an app with no paid plan at all and can accept a newer app with fewer reviews.
- Best free plan overall: Appstle Loyalty, with analytics and exports at no cost.
- Best fully free app: Fast Loyalty, with no paid plan and no order cap.
- Best free VIP tier: Essential Loyalty, whose cap counts only loyalty orders.
- Best free checkout redemption: BON Loyalty, on Shopify Plus stores.
- Before you install, check how the free cap is counted and whether emails are included.
Contents
- Key takeaways
- What "free" really means
- How we picked these apps
- Best free loyalty apps compared
- 1. Appstle Loyalty
- 2. Essential Loyalty
- 3. BON Loyalty
- 4. Joy Loyalty
- 5. Smile
- 6. Fast Loyalty
- 7. Rivo
- Features almost never free
- Facts other roundups get wrong
- How to set up a free program
- Common problems and fixes
- Which app should you choose?
- FAQ
What "free" really means in a Shopify loyalty app
On the Shopify App Store, three different things are all labeled free. Knowing which one you are installing saves you a surprise later.
This label only means the install costs nothing. It does not promise a free plan, so always open the pricing section of a listing before you rely on it.
How we picked the best free Shopify loyalty apps
We opened the listing of every major loyalty app with a free plan and recorded the free plan word for word: the order cap, every feature on the free card, and what moves to paid plans. Then we read the one-star reviews and developer replies, and checked the Shopify Community for the problems merchants post about most. Each app is scored out of 5 on five measures, and the overall score is the plain average.
- Free order cap: how many orders the free plan carries.
- Free features: whether the free plan can run a real program, with referrals, emails and a place to see points.
- Room to grow: how easily the app scales with you once you need more.
- Support on free: what help a free merchant actually gets.
- Track record: rating, review count, Built for Shopify status and age.
Ecomzier works with many app partners as a Shopify Plus agency. No app paid to be listed, and we do not use affiliate links.
Best free Shopify loyalty apps compared
Tap an app name to jump to its full review, or Get app to open its App Store listing.
| App | Rating | Free orders/mo | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ 5.01,441 reviews | 250 | 4.8 | |
| ★ 5.0488 reviews | 250* | 4.6 | |
| ★ 5.01,938 reviews | 150 | 4.5 | |
| ★ 4.91,790 reviews | 250 | 4.4 | |
| ★ 4.94,649 reviews | 200 | 4.3 | |
| ★ 5.034 reviews | No cap | 4.2 | |
| ★ 4.71,441 reviews | 200 | 4.0 |
* Essential counts only loyalty-influenced orders. Fast Loyalty is fully free with no order cap.
Below, each app is broken down the same way: what the free plan includes, what moves to paid plans, our scores, and what merchants say.
1. Appstle Loyalty: best free Shopify loyalty app overall
Appstle Loyalty has the most complete free plan we found. You can run points, referrals and store credit, send loyalty emails, and then see what the program earned with analytics and exports. Most free plans let you run a program. This one lets you measure it too.
What the free plan includes
- Points earning and reward rules
- A loyalty page and store credit
- Customer referral program with rewards
- Emails at key loyalty moments
- Performance analytics with data exports
- Basic branding, integrations and 24/7 live support
Free plan at a glance
On the free plan you get points, referrals, emails and analytics. Shopify POS and VIP tiers are not part of the free plan.
What moves to paid plans
Shopify POS, widget customization and on-site nudges come on the first paid plan. VIP tiers, points expiry and free product rewards come on the plan after that. Checkout redemption for Shopify Plus is on the top plan.
Our scores
Reputation and support
Appstle Loyalty holds a 5.0 rating from 1,441 reviews, with 97% of ratings at five stars. Merchants praise the usable free plan and fast, hands-on support. One merchant in October 2026 found the first setup a little confusing.
What merchants like
- Analytics and exports on the free plan
- 24/7 live support, even on free
- Store credit included at no cost
- 97% of ratings are five stars
What to watch
- No Shopify POS on the free plan
- No VIP tiers on the free plan
- Widget styling is basic until you upgrade
- Setup can feel confusing at first
Stores that want a complete, measurable loyalty program on a free plan.
Skip it if: You sell in store and need POS rewards from day one.
Install Appstle Loyalty →2. Essential Loyalty: best free plan with a VIP tier
Essential Loyalty, listed on the App Store as Essent Loyalty Program Rewards, changes how the free cap works. It counts only loyalty-influenced orders, which are repeat sales and referrals, not every order your store takes. It is also the only established app here with a VIP tier on the free plan.
What the free plan includes
- Basic points program with 12 ways to earn
- A single VIP tier
- Referral program
- Product, cart, popup and account placements
- Built-in email notifications and Klaviyo
- Discount, gift and free shipping rewards
Free plan at a glance
On the free plan you get points, referrals, emails and one VIP tier. Shopify POS and analytics are not part of the free plan.
What moves to paid plans
A dedicated loyalty page, Shopify Flow points and POS support come on the first paid plan. Store credit, points on product cards and expiry rules come next. Analytics, unlimited VIP tiers and checkout redemption for Shopify Plus are on the top plan.
Our scores
Reputation and support
Essential Loyalty holds a 5.0 rating from 488 reviews. Merchants mention a quick setup, replacing separate referral apps, and fast support during migrations. It is younger than the other apps here, launched in November 2024.
What merchants like
- The cap counts loyalty orders only
- One VIP tier at no cost
- Free emails plus a Klaviyo connection
- Setup in minutes, per recent reviews
What to watch
- Younger app, launched November 2024
- No POS on the free plan
- No analytics until the top plan
- No dedicated loyalty page on free
Growing stores that want a VIP tier without paying.
Skip it if: You need reporting on the free plan.
Install Essential Loyalty →3. BON Loyalty: best free plan for Shopify Plus checkout redemption
BON Loyalty puts redeem at checkout for Shopify Plus on its free plan. Checkout is where customers decide to spend their points, and every other capped app here keeps that feature for paid plans. The catch is the 150-order cap, the lowest of the seven.
What the free plan includes
- Points and rewards program
- Anti-cheat referral program
- Automated emails for points and referrals
- Money-off, percentage-off and free shipping rewards
- Exclude collections or products from earning
- Redeem at checkout on Shopify Plus
Free plan at a glance
On the free plan you get points, referrals and emails. Shopify POS, VIP tiers and analytics are not part of the free plan.
What moves to paid plans
A dedicated loyalty page, birthday rewards and points expiry come first. Shopify POS, 2x point days and analytics come next. VIP tiers and unlimited orders are on the higher plan.
Our scores
Reputation and support
BON Loyalty holds a 5.0 rating from 1,938 reviews, one of the largest review bases here. Merchants consistently praise fast, human support. One merchant who migrated about 30,000 customers called setup complicated because of the many options, but said support solved it quickly.
What merchants like
- Checkout redemption free on Plus
- Referral fraud protection
- Automated emails included
- Fast human support, 24/7
What to watch
- Lowest free cap here, 150 orders
- No loyalty page on free
- No analytics on free
- Many options can make setup complex
Shopify Plus stores that want points spent inside checkout.
Skip it if: You already take more than 150 orders a month.
Install BON Loyalty →4. Joy Loyalty: best free plan for referral-led stores
Joy Loyalty gives you 250 free orders, a referral program with fraud prevention, and 24/7 live chat, all on the free plan. If your growth depends on customers inviting friends, fraud prevention is the line on this free plan that others do not name.
What the free plan includes
- Flexible points and rewards program
- Referral program with fraud prevention
- Unified loyalty widget
- On-brand loyalty design
- Email reward notifications
- 24/7 live chat support
Free plan at a glance
On the free plan you get points, referrals and emails. Shopify POS, VIP tiers and analytics are not part of the free plan.
What moves to paid plans
A dedicated loyalty page, analytics, Shopify Flow and 30+ integrations come on the first paid plan. VIP tiers, POS and wallet passes come on the higher plan.
Our scores
Reputation and support
Joy holds a 4.9 rating from 1,790 reviews. Merchants like the easy setup and the support team's help with custom styling and CSS. The free plan is solid, but the move to paid features is a bigger step than on Appstle or Essential.
What merchants like
- Referral fraud prevention on free
- 24/7 live chat for free merchants
- Help with custom styling
- Large, steady review history
What to watch
- No analytics on the free plan
- No loyalty page on free
- VIP tiers and POS only on a higher plan
- Paid plans add charges per 100 extra orders
Stores that win most new customers through referrals.
Skip it if: You need to report on the program before you upgrade.
Install Joy Loyalty →5. Smile: best free plan for Shopify POS and multi-language stores
Smile is the most reviewed loyalty app on Shopify and a 2026 Shopify Build Award winner. Its free plan includes Shopify POS and more than 20 languages, which no other capped free plan here offers. The gap is reporting: you cannot see what the program earns until you upgrade.
What the free plan includes
- Points, rewards and referrals
- 15+ ways to earn and redeem
- Discount and free shipping rewards
- Full branding customization
- 20+ languages
- Shopify POS
Free plan at a glance
On the free plan you get points, referrals and Shopify POS. Emails, VIP tiers and analytics are not part of the free plan.
What moves to paid plans
A dedicated loyalty page, on-site nudges, analytics and a first integration such as Klaviyo come first. Bonus events and points on product pages come next. VIP tiers, points expiry and checkout redemption for Shopify Plus are on the higher plan.
Our scores
Reputation and support
Smile holds a 4.9 rating from 4,649 reviews and has been on the App Store since December 2014, the longest track record here. Merchants praise the generous free plan, no-code setup and hands-on onboarding.
What merchants like
- Shopify POS on the free plan
- Full branding and 20+ languages
- More than 11 years on the App Store
- Helpful onboarding in recent reviews
What to watch
- No analytics on the free plan
- No loyalty page on free
- Emails not listed on the free plan
- VIP tiers only on the top listed plan
Stores that sell in store and online and want one free program for both.
Skip it if: Automated loyalty emails matter on day one.
Install Smile →6. Fast Loyalty: best fully free Shopify loyalty app
Fast: Loyalty Rewards Program is the only app on this list with no paid plan at all. Points, VIP tiers, referrals and Shopify POS are all included, and there is no monthly order cap to watch. What holds it back is track record: it launched in June 2026, so far fewer stores have tested it than the apps above.
What the free plan includes
- Points, VIP tiers, referrals and rewards
- Loyalty page and Loyalty Hub in customer accounts
- Rewards on product pages and at checkout
- Earn and redeem online and in Shopify POS
- Klaviyo, Judge.me, Recharge, Seal and Flow
- 20 languages
Free plan at a glance
Every core feature is free: points, referrals, emails, Shopify POS, VIP tiers and analytics.
What moves to paid plans
Nothing. The app has no paid plan, so every feature on the listing is part of the free app.
Our scores
Reputation and support
Fast Loyalty holds a 5.0 rating from 34 reviews. Recent merchants mention setup finished in under an hour and support replies within minutes. It is the newest app here, so expect the review base to grow.
What merchants like
- No paid plan and no order cap
- VIP tiers and POS at no cost
- Works with subscription apps
- Support replies within minutes
What to watch
- Only 34 reviews so far
- Launched in June 2026
- Smaller integration list than older apps
- No long track record at high volume yet
Stores that want a complete loyalty program that stays free as they grow.
Skip it if: You only trust apps with years of reviews behind them.
Install Fast Loyalty →7. Rivo: best free plan for points plus email reminders
Rivo's free plan is simple: a points program, branding and automated email campaigns for 200 orders a month. The emails are the useful part, because reminders are what get points redeemed. The gap is referrals, which Rivo keeps for its paid plans.
What the free plan includes
- Loyalty points program
- Ways to earn and redeem
- Branding
- Automated email campaigns
Free plan at a glance
On the free plan you get points and emails. Referrals, Shopify POS, VIP tiers and analytics are not part of the free plan.
What moves to paid plans
A loyalty and referral page, Shopify POS and on-site prompts come first. The referral program, VIP tiers and analytics come on the next plan. Checkout extensions and the developer toolkit are on the top plan.
Our scores
Reputation and support
Rivo holds a 4.7 rating from 1,441 reviews. Merchants describe it as easy for non-technical teams. A September 2026 reviewer said the live chat option was sometimes hard to reach, but email support still worked well.
What merchants like
- Automated emails on free
- Easy for non-technical teams
- Large review base
- Frequent product updates
What to watch
- No referral program on free
- No POS on free
- No analytics on free
- Live chat can be hard to reach
Stores that want a light points program that reminds customers by email.
Skip it if: Referrals are part of your plan from day one.
Install Rivo →Which loyalty features are almost never free
Every free plan on this list gives you points and basic rewards such as discounts and free shipping. Beyond that, a few features are rare on free plans. If one of them is your must-have, choose the app that already gives it at no cost, even if its order cap is lower.
Free loyalty plan facts other roundups get wrong
Loyalty apps change their free plans often, and many articles never catch up. We checked several roundups still ranking on Google against the live App Store on October 23, 2026.
| What some roundups say | What the App Store shows now |
|---|---|
| Joy's free plan covers 150 orders | Joy's free plan covers 250 orders |
| BON's free plan covers 250 orders | BON's free plan covers 150 orders |
Before you install any loyalty app, open its listing and read the free plan card yourself. We will keep this page updated when plans change.
How to set up a free loyalty program on Shopify
- Pick the app whose free plan already has your must-have feature.
- Install it on a duplicate theme first, so your live store is not affected while you test.
- Set two or three ways to earn, such as orders, account sign-up and birthdays.
- Choose a first reward that is easy to reach, ideally on a customer's second order.
- Show points everywhere customers shop: product pages, cart, account page and emails.
- Publish to your live theme and check sign-ups and redemptions after two weeks.
For screen-by-screen steps, read our guide on how to create a loyalty program on Shopify.
Common free loyalty program problems (and how to fix them)
Which free Shopify loyalty app should you choose?
The only free plan here with analytics and data exports.
No paid plan and no order cap, with tiers and POS included.
One free VIP tier and a cap on loyalty orders only.
Both include Shopify POS on free.
Checkout redemption on the free plan.
Referral fraud prevention and 24/7 chat on free.
Our verdict
The best free Shopify loyalty app for most stores is Appstle Loyalty, because its free plan runs and measures a full program. Fast Loyalty is the pick if you want an app that never asks you to upgrade. Essential Loyalty suits growing stores that want a VIP tier, BON Loyalty suits Shopify Plus, and Smile suits stores with a physical counter.
Whichever you choose, customers must be able to see the program, and you must know how your free plan's limit is counted. If you want it set up properly from day one, talk to the Ecomzier team.
Free Shopify loyalty program FAQ
Does Shopify have a built-in loyalty program?
No. Shopify offers native store credit, discounts and gift cards, but no points, VIP tiers or referral program. To run a full loyalty program you need an app from the Shopify App Store. Several of them, including Appstle Loyalty and Fast Loyalty, have free options.
What is the best free loyalty program for Shopify?
Appstle Loyalty Program Reward has the best free plan in our October 2026 review. It covers 250 orders a month and includes points, referrals, store credit, loyalty emails, analytics and data exports.
Is there a Shopify loyalty app that is completely free?
Yes. Fast: Loyalty Rewards Program has no paid plan and no order cap, and includes points, VIP tiers, referrals and Shopify POS. It launched in June 2026, so it has fewer reviews than older apps.
How many orders do free Shopify loyalty plans allow?
Most free plans cover between 150 and 250 orders a month. Appstle, Joy and Essential allow 250, Smile and Rivo allow 200, and BON allows 150. Essential counts only loyalty-influenced orders, and Fast Loyalty has no cap.
Can I use a free loyalty app with Shopify POS?
Yes. Smile's free plan includes Shopify POS, and Fast Loyalty includes POS as part of its fully free app. Most other loyalty apps add POS only on a paid plan.
Do free Shopify loyalty plans include VIP tiers?
Rarely. Essential Loyalty includes one VIP tier on its free plan, and Fast Loyalty includes VIP tiers as standard. The other apps in this list keep VIP tiers for paid plans.
Do free loyalty apps send emails to customers?
Some do. Appstle, Essential, BON, Joy and Rivo include automated loyalty emails on their free plans. Smile does not list emails on its free plan, so check before relying on it.
What is the difference between a free plan and free to install?
A free plan means you can keep using the app at no cost, usually up to an order limit. Free to install only means installing costs nothing. Always open the pricing section of the listing to see which one you are getting.
How do I set up a free loyalty program on Shopify?
Install a free loyalty app, choose two or three ways for customers to earn points, set a first reward that is easy to reach, and add the widget to your theme. Test everything on a duplicate theme before publishing it to your live store.
Is a free loyalty program worth it for a small Shopify store?
Yes, if customers can see it. A free plan costs nothing to test, and repeat buyers drive a large share of revenue. Promote the program on product pages, in the cart and in emails, or sign-ups will stay low.