Customer loyalty platforms help ecommerce businesses retain customers, increase repeat purchases, and boost lifetime value. The best customer loyalty platforms combine features like points, tiers, referrals, ease of integration, and clear pricing. This article compares BON Loyalty, LoyaltyLion, Rivo, ReferralCandy, and Smile.io on features, pricing, setup, and real-world use to help you pick the right fit.
What to Look for When Evaluating Customer Loyalty Platforms
- Core features: Points, tiers, referrals, VIP programs.
- Pricing: Transparent tiers, value for features, scalability.
- Ease of use: Setup simplicity, user interface.
- Integrations: Support for Shopify and other platforms.
- Support/documentation: Availability and quality.
- Fit: Does it match your store size, budget, and marketing goals?
BON Loyalty: Shopify-Centric Rewards and Referral App
Features
- Points earning and redemption.
- Referral programs with rewards.
- Customizable campaigns.
- Shopify native app, easy product and order syncing.
Pricing
- Free plan with basic features.
- Paid plans start around $29/month.
- Offers scalable tiers based on features and monthly orders.
Pros
- Deep Shopify integration.
- Simple setup and UI.
- Good for small to mid Shopify stores.
Cons
- Limited to Shopify.
- Lacks advanced tier levels.
- Some users report limited reporting options.
Best for
Shopify merchants wanting straightforward rewards and referral campaigns without complex tier structures. Ideal for stores focused on simplicity.
LoyaltyLion: Feature-Rich Ecommerce Loyalty Platform
Features
- Points, VIP tiers, referral programs.
- Advanced customization and segmentation.
- Gamification features.
- Integrates with Shopify, Magento, BigCommerce.
Pricing
- Free plan with limited features.
- Paid plans start at $159/month.
- Custom enterprise pricing.
Pros
- Powerful loyalty program customization.
- Supports multiple platforms.
- Rich analytics and segmentation.
Cons
- Pricey compared to others.
- Setup and customization can be complex.
- Some users face a learning curve.
Best for
Medium to large stores needing highly customizable loyalty programs and multi-platform support. Good for marketers wanting granular control.
Rivo: All-in-One Loyalty, Referral, and Membership for Shopify
Features
- Points, tier programs, referrals.
- Membership subscriptions.
- Shopify app with easy campaign builder.
- Automated reward triggers.
Pricing
- Free trial available.
- Paid plans start at $39/month.
- Flexible plans based on order volume.
Pros
- Combines loyalty and membership.
- User-friendly interface.
- Good automation features.
Cons
- Shopify only.
- Limited third-party integrations.
- Membership features may not suit all.
Best for
Shopify stores wanting a mix of loyalty rewards and membership/subscription perks in one app.
ReferralCandy: Focused Ecommerce Referral Marketing
Features
- Referral program to drive word-of-mouth.
- Automated reward delivery.
- Multiple reward types (discount, cash).
- Works on Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce.
Pricing
- 30-day free trial.
- Plans start at $49/month + 5% commission.
- Enterprise plans available.
Pros
- Specialist in referrals with proven ROI.
- Works across major platforms.
- Easy to launch and manage.
Cons
- No points or tier loyalty system.
- Commission costs add up for high volume.
- Less suited for deep loyalty beyond referrals.
Best for
Stores focusing mainly on referral marketing rather than full loyalty programs. Useful for mid-sized businesses across platforms.
Smile.io: Shopify Loyalty with Points, VIP, and Referrals
Features
- Points, VIP tiers, referral programs.
- Customizable reward rules.
- Integrates primarily with Shopify.
- Branded reward widgets and emails.
Pricing
- Free plan for basic features.
- Paid plans start at $49/month.
- VIP and referral features in higher tiers.
Pros
- Popular and widely used Shopify app.
- Good balance of features and price.
- Strong support and documentation.
Cons
- Advanced features require higher plans.
- Limited integrations beyond Shopify.
- Some UI elements feel dated.
Best for
Shopify merchants wanting a reliable, moderately priced loyalty solution with a good mix of points, tiers, and referrals.
Master Comparison Table: Features, Pricing, and Support
| Platform | Core Features | Pricing (Starting) | Integrations | Ease of Setup | Support & Docs | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BON Loyalty | Points, referrals | Free / $29/month | Shopify only | Easy | Good | Small to mid Shopify stores |
| LoyaltyLion | Points, tiers, referrals, gamification | Free / $159/month | Shopify, Magento, BigCommerce | Moderate | Extensive | Medium to large stores |
| Rivo | Points, tiers, referrals, membership | Trial / $39/month | Shopify only | Easy | Good | Shopify stores with memberships |
| ReferralCandy | Referrals only | Trial / $49 + 5% commission | Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce | Easy | Good | Referral-focused businesses |
| Smile.io | Points, VIP tiers, referrals | Free / $49/month | Shopify | Easy-Moderate | Solid | Shopify merchants |
What Are the Best Customer Loyalty Platforms for Your Needs?
- Small Shopify stores: BON Loyalty for simple, cost-effective rewards.
- Medium to large multi-platform stores: LoyaltyLion for customization and analytics.
- Shopify with membership focus: Rivo blends loyalty with memberships.
- Referral-only focus or multi-platform: ReferralCandy excels at referral marketing.
- Balanced Shopify loyalty: Smile.io covers points, tiers, referrals with good support.
Each platform has trade-offs between features, pricing, and ease of use. Check your specific needs around platform compatibility, program complexity, and budget before choosing.
BON Loyalty alternatives?
- LoyaltyLion offers more tiers and gamification beyond BON Loyalty.
- Rivo adds memberships which BON lacks.
- Smile.io provides a broader feature set for Shopify stores.
- ReferralCandy suits if your focus shifts to pure referrals.
LoyaltyLion alternatives?
- For simpler pricing and setup, Smile.io or Rivo are good options.
- BON Loyalty for Shopify-only shops wanting fewer features.
- ReferralCandy if loyalty is secondary to referral marketing.
Rivo alternatives?
- BON Loyalty and Smile.io as simpler Shopify rewards apps.
- LoyaltyLion if you want more customization and cross-platform.
- ReferralCandy if you want to skip membership and points.
For more strategies on integrating customer data platforms with loyalty tools, see 7 Powerful Customer Data Platform Integration Strategies for Mid-Level Customer-Success and 10 Strategic Customer Data Platform Integration Strategies for Executive Customer-Support.
Worth a Look: Zigpoll
If you're evaluating options, Zigpoll is also worth a look. It is a Shopify survey app offering post-purchase, on-site, and exit-intent surveys. While not a loyalty platform, Zigpoll can complement your customer engagement and retention strategies by gathering actionable feedback from shoppers.
