If you’re running a Shopify store and looking to boost customer retention, you’ve probably come across two of the most popular loyalty apps: Yotpo and Smile.io.
They both promise to help you increase repeat purchases, reward loyal customers, and build long-term relationships.
But which one is actually better for your store?
After analyzing the features, pricing, integrations, and user experience of both platforms, I’ve put together this in-depth comparison to help you make the right decision.
Here’s what you need to know.
Quick Verdict: Smile.io vs Yotpo
Smile.io is best if you’re just getting started or running a growing Shopify store with a tight budget. It’s user-friendly, affordable, and purpose-built for Shopify.
Yotpo is best for larger brands that want advanced loyalty tools, omnichannel capability, and deeper analytics. It’s a stronger fit if you have complex needs and a bigger team.
Take a look at the quick comparison table below for a side-by-side overview.
Yotpo vs Smile.io: Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Smile.io | Yotpo |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Shopify-first brands | Scaling or enterprise-level brands |
| Starting Price | Free (up to 200 orders) | Free (up to 100 orders) |
| Mid-Tier Plan | $199/month (2,500 orders) | $199/month + usage fees |
| Advanced Plan | $999/month (annual billing) | $799/month |
| Points Program | Yes | Yes |
| Referrals | Yes | Yes |
| VIP Tiers | Yes | Yes |
| Shopify POS Support | Yes | Yes |
| Omnichannel Tools | Limited | Advanced |
| Segmentation & Campaigns | Basic | Advanced |
| Analytics | Standard | Deep, customizable |
| Onboarding Support | Limited | Dedicated success manager (Premium plan) |
Pricing: Smile.io Offers Better Value for Most Brands
Let’s start with pricing, since it’s often the biggest factor for stores looking to launch a loyalty program. Both Smile.io and Yotpo offer free plans, but they’re structured differently—and the paid plans can vary significantly depending on your order volume.
Smile.io Pricing
Smile.io is one of the most affordable loyalty apps for Shopify, especially for smaller brands. Here’s a breakdown of its pricing structure:
- Free: Up to 200 monthly orders
- Essential: $15/month for up to 500 orders
- Standard: $79/month for up to 1,000 orders
- Growth: $199/month for up to 2,500 orders (then usage-based)
- Plus: $999/month (billed annually)
All plans include core features like points, referrals, and a loyalty page. VIP tiers and more advanced capabilities unlock at higher tiers.
Yotpo Pricing
Yotpo starts with a free plan but scales much faster in price:
- Free: Only for stores with under 100 orders per month
- Pro: $199/month for up to 500 orders, plus $0.20 per order overage
- Premium: $799/month with advanced segmentation, analytics, and support
At first glance, it might seem similar to Smile’s Growth plan. But the extra per-order charges can make Yotpo significantly more expensive at scale.
Example: If your store processes 2,000 orders per month:
- Smile.io Growth: $199/month
- Yotpo Pro: $199 + ($0.20 × 1,500 overage orders) = $499/month
If cost is a concern, Smile.io offers a more predictable and affordable path.
Features: Both Are Strong, but Yotpo Has More Power
Both platforms offer the same loyalty essentials, including points, referrals, and VIP programs. But how deep those features go differs.
Smile.io Features
Smile.io is ideal for stores looking for an easy-to-use, straightforward loyalty program. Its core features include:
- Points: Reward customers for purchases, birthdays, and actions like reviews or social sharing
- Referrals: Customers can refer friends and earn rewards
- VIP tiers: Customizable levels unlock at higher plans
- Dedicated loyalty page: Easily add it to your Shopify storefront
- Embeds: Show loyalty widgets at checkout, account pages, or product pages
Everything is designed to work within Shopify, which keeps setup simple.
Yotpo Features
Yotpo includes the same basics but offers a more robust set of tools designed for teams managing retention at scale:
- Points and referrals: Similar to Smile.io, with more rules and automation
- VIP programs: Add advanced tier logic and custom rewards
- Ready-made campaigns: Launch targeted loyalty campaigns with templates
- Advanced segmentation: Target by purchase behavior, demographics, or loyalty status
- Custom rules: Create earning and redemption rules per customer group
If you want to do more than set up a points program—like win back lapsed customers, run tiered events, or launch advanced retention flows—Yotpo gives you that flexibility.
Shopify Fit: Smile.io Is the More Seamless Option
Both tools work well with Shopify, but Smile.io is the more native choice. It was built specifically for Shopify merchants and feels more intuitive inside the Shopify admin.
Smile.io Integration
Smile.io integrates closely with:
- Shopify POS and Checkout
- Customer accounts and storefront surfaces
- Key Shopify apps like Klaviyo, Gorgias, Judge.me, and Shopify Flow
You can manage the program directly inside your Shopify dashboard. Setup is quick, and you don’t need development resources to get started.
Yotpo Integration
Yotpo supports Shopify too, but it’s not Shopify-exclusive. It also works with Magento, BigCommerce, and custom platforms.
Yotpo loyalty integrates with:
- Shopify Checkout and POS
- Other Yotpo tools like SMSBump, Reviews, and Subscriptions
- Klaviyo and Recharge for multichannel retention
Yotpo’s strength is in its broader ecosystem. If you’re using other Yotpo tools, this can be a major plus.
Omnichannel Capability: Yotpo Wins for Cross-Channel Loyalty
Yotpo is the clear winner when it comes to omnichannel loyalty. If your store operates both online and in physical retail or across multiple regions, Yotpo offers more advanced options to unify the customer experience.
Yotpo Omnichannel Tools
- Wallet passes: Let customers use rewards in-store via Apple or Google Wallet
- Receipt scanning: Capture loyalty data from in-store purchases
- Custom in-store rules: Set earning rates and rewards per location
- Multi-storefront support: Manage loyalty across multiple Shopify storefronts
These tools are perfect for growing retail brands and multi-location operators.
Smile.io Omnichannel Support
Smile.io supports Shopify POS and tracks in-store purchases as long as they flow through Shopify’s system. But it doesn’t include tools like wallet passes or receipt scanning.
If you’re 100% Shopify-based, Smile does everything you need. If you’re branching into retail or marketplaces, Yotpo is more future-proof.
Integrations and Ecosystem: Depends on Your Tech Stack
Both Smile.io and Yotpo integrate with dozens of tools in the Shopify ecosystem, but the way they do it differs.
Smile.io Integrations
Smile is built around Shopify-first tools. It works well with:
- Klaviyo: Send emails based on loyalty data
- Gorgias: See loyalty info in customer support tickets
- Judge.me: Trigger rewards based on product reviews
- Shopify Flow: Automate loyalty workflows
It also integrates with over 30 apps that most small to mid-sized brands already use.
Yotpo Integrations
Yotpo goes deeper with integration across its own suite, including:
- Yotpo SMS: Trigger loyalty messages via text
- Yotpo Reviews: Reward for leaving reviews or UGC
- Recharge: Connect loyalty to subscriptions
- Klaviyo: Segment email flows based on loyalty activity
If you’re already using Yotpo Reviews or SMS, adding Yotpo Loyalty creates a seamless retention stack.
Support and Onboarding: Yotpo Offers More Hands-On Help
When it comes to support, both platforms offer help through documentation and email. But the level of hands-on onboarding and strategy support differs significantly.
Smile.io Support
- Email support for all plans
- Help documentation and guides
- Priority support on Standard plan and above
- Dedicated support only at the Plus and Enterprise levels
Smile is ideal for merchants comfortable with a self-serve setup. You can always get help, but it’s not baked into the lower-tier pricing.
Yotpo Support
- Dedicated customer success manager on Premium
- Onboarding help and strategic consultation included
- Always-on technical support for enterprise users
Yotpo’s support is designed for brands that want white-glove service and have dedicated retention teams in-house.
Final Verdict: Which Loyalty App Is Right for You?
Still not sure which one to pick? Here’s a summary based on store type and business goals:
Choose Smile.io If You…
- Are just starting out or scaling a Shopify-only brand
- Want a clean, easy-to-use loyalty system
- Need to keep costs low while building engagement
- Prefer a self-service setup with optional upgrades
Choose Yotpo If You…
- Run a larger or omnichannel business
- Already use other Yotpo tools (like Reviews or SMS)
- Need advanced segmentation and campaign automation
- Want help from a customer success manager
Both platforms are solid choices, but they’re built for different types of stores.
If you’re focused on Shopify and want fast, simple, and affordable, Smile.io is your best bet.
If you’re looking to scale your retention strategy with enterprise-level features, Yotpo is worth the investment.
