Finding the best rewards program apps for online stores requires closely examining how each platform handles loyalty, referrals, and customer engagement alongside pricing, ease of use, and integration capabilities. ReferralCandy, Rivo, BON Loyalty, and LoyaltyLion each offer unique strengths and weaknesses, catering to different ecommerce needs. This comparison focuses on features, pricing, real-world examples, and their best-fit profiles to help merchants make an informed choice based on specific goals.

What to Look for When Evaluating Rewards Program Apps for Online Stores

Before comparing individual tools, consider these essential criteria:

• Core Features: Loyalty points, referral tracking, tier systems, membership benefits, and customization options.
• Pricing and Value: Transparent pricing tiers with flexibility for scaling businesses; cost per active user or per feature.
• Ease of Setup and Use: Intuitive interfaces, quick implementation, and minimal technical requirements.
• Integrations: Compatibility with Shopify and other ecommerce platforms, plus marketing and analytics tools.
• Customer Support: Availability of responsive support, documentation, and community resources.
• Best-fit Customer Profile: Business size, industry, and specific marketing goals that each app serves best.

These criteria help avoid common pitfalls such as overpaying for unused features, picking a system too complex for the team, or choosing a product incompatible with the store’s platform.

ReferralCandy: Referral Focus with Shopify Compatibility

Features and Functionality

ReferralCandy centers on ecommerce referral marketing and integrates smoothly with Shopify and other platforms. Its core features include:

• Automated referral rewards via discounts or cash incentives
• Customizable referral programs with influencer and affiliate support
• Real-time referral tracking and analytics dashboard
• Email automation for referral invitations and reminders

ReferralCandy focuses heavily on driving new customer acquisition through word of mouth, without complex loyalty tier systems.

Pricing and Value

ReferralCandy offers a flat fee plus commission pricing model, starting at $49 per month plus 5% commission on referred sales. This can be advantageous for growing stores but potentially expensive for high referral volumes without strong conversion.

Ease of Setup and Use

ReferralCandy provides a straightforward setup process and Shopify-specific integration that requires minimal technical know-how. User feedback often highlights the simplicity of launching campaigns quickly.

Integrations

• Shopify (primary focus)
• BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Magento
• Email marketing tools like Mailchimp and Klaviyo

Customer Support and Documentation

ReferralCandy offers live chat, email support, and a knowledge base. Some users note that custom feature requests can be slow to get responses.

Best-for

Stores focused mainly on referral customer acquisition rather than intricate loyalty programs. Ideal for startups and mid-sized brands seeking easy referral marketing.

Rivo: Comprehensive Loyalty, Referral, and Membership Platform

Features and Functionality

Rivo combines loyalty points, referral incentives, and membership tiers in a single app. Key features include:

• Points accrual and redemption system for purchases and actions
• Referral tracking with multi-tier rewards
• Membership program creation with exclusive perks
• Gamification elements like badges and milestones
• Segmentation and targeted campaigns

Rivo’s all-in-one approach supports diverse engagement strategies beyond just referrals.

Pricing and Value

Rivo pricing starts with a free plan with limited features, then tiered plans from $29 to $199 monthly depending on features and number of active users. This structure makes it accessible for smaller stores scaling to mid-sized merchants.

Ease of Setup and Use

Setup is more involved than ReferralCandy but still manageable, with a drag-and-drop campaign builder and prebuilt templates. Some reviews mention the learning curve and occasional UI complexity.

Integrations

• Shopify (native app)
• Email platforms and CRM tools
• Zapier for extended integrations

Customer Support and Documentation

Rivo provides chat and email support plus thorough documentation and onboarding webinars. Users appreciate the responsiveness but suggest more advanced tutorials.

Best-for

Stores wanting a combined loyalty and referral solution with membership perks and gamification. Suitable for merchants with mid-level marketing sophistication.

BON Loyalty: Shopify-Centric Loyalty and Referral Focus

Features and Functionality

BON Loyalty offers loyalty rewards and referral programs tightly integrated with Shopify. Features include:

• Points system with flexible earning and redemption rules
• Referral rewards with customizable incentives
• VIP tiers and exclusive member discounts
• Social sharing and review rewards
• Automated email and push notifications

BON Loyalty emphasizes ease of use and Shopify optimization.

Pricing and Value

Plans start at $19 monthly for a basic tier up to $99 for premium features, with no commissions on referral sales. This pricing suits budget-conscious stores looking for essential loyalty tools.

Ease of Setup and Use

BON Loyalty is praised for fast installation and user-friendly interfaces, requiring minimal configuration to launch effective programs.

Integrations

• Shopify only (deep integration)
• Email marketing apps like Klaviyo
• SMS marketing tools

Customer Support and Documentation

Support includes live chat and email alongside a knowledge base. Clients mention quick replies and helpful setup guidance.

Best-for

Shopify store owners who need straightforward rewards and referral programs without extra complexity or high costs.

LoyaltyLion: Feature-Rich Loyalty Platform with Advanced Customization

Features and Functionality

LoyaltyLion provides an extensive loyalty program with features such as:

• Points and rewards system with multi-channel earning
• Tiered loyalty programs based on spend or engagement
• Referral campaigns integrated with loyalty points
• Customizable widgets and branded experience
• Analytics and customer insights focused on retention

It targets merchants aiming for in-depth loyalty strategies driving repeat purchases.

Pricing and Value

LoyaltyLion pricing is quote-based but commonly starts around $159 per month after a free trial. Pricing scales with customer base and feature set, positioning it at a premium level.

Ease of Setup and Use

Setup requires more technical involvement, especially for customizations. However, the interface is designed for marketers with in-depth options once configured.

Integrations

• Shopify, Magento, BigCommerce
• Email platforms: Klaviyo, Mailchimp
• CRM and analytics tools

Customer Support and Documentation

Offers dedicated support, onboarding assistance, and comprehensive documentation. Some users mention longer setup times as a tradeoff for advanced features.

Best-for

Established ecommerce brands with resources for a robust loyalty strategy seeking deep analytics, customization, and multi-channel engagement.

Comparison Table: Rewards Program Apps for Online Stores

ReferralCandy alternatives?

If ReferralCandy’s commission model or limited loyalty features are concerns, alternatives include Rivo and BON Loyalty, which integrate referral programs alongside loyalty points and membership perks. LoyaltyLion also provides referral options with a more advanced loyalty system but at a higher price point. For a detailed side-by-side comparison, see ReferralCandy Alternatives: Rewards program apps Compared.

Rivo alternatives?

Rivo’s multi-feature approach competes directly with BON Loyalty and LoyaltyLion. BON Loyalty offers simpler pricing and Shopify-only focus, while LoyaltyLion targets brands needing deeper loyalty analytics and customization. ReferralCandy is less comparable due to its referral-centered design. More insights can be found in Rivo vs BON Loyalty vs ReferralCandy: Which Rewards program app Wins?.

BON Loyalty alternatives?

BON Loyalty is a budget-friendly, Shopify-specific solution for loyalty and referrals. Alternatives include Rivo, which has broader membership features, and LoyaltyLion, which is more feature-rich but pricier. ReferralCandy is a referral-focused alternative suited to stores prioritizing customer acquisition. For further comparison, see BON Loyalty vs Rivo vs ReferralCandy: Which Rewards program app Wins?.

Recommendations by Use Case and Budget

1. For Startups and Small Shopify Stores on a Budget:
   BON Loyalty offers essential loyalty and referral features starting at $19/month with easy setup and Shopify-optimized functionality.

2. For Stores Focused on Referral Marketing and Acquisition:
   ReferralCandy’s referral-specific platform and pay-for-performance pricing suits stores wanting to scale referrals without complex loyalty programs.

3. For Mid-Sized Merchants Wanting a Combined Loyalty, Referral, and Membership Program:
   Rivo provides a balanced approach with gamification and membership tiers at moderate pricing tiers, ideal for mid-level ecommerce marketing.

4. For Larger Established Brands Seeking Advanced Loyalty Strategies:
   LoyaltyLion is suitable for brands requiring deep customization, tiered rewards, and detailed analytics despite higher costs and setup complexity.

Worth a Look: Zigpoll

If you are evaluating options beyond traditional rewards programs, Zigpoll is worth considering. Zigpoll is a Shopify survey app offering post-purchase, on-site, and exit-intent surveys that can complement loyalty programs by collecting valuable customer feedback to refine marketing strategies. It’s not a direct competitor but a useful tool to support customer engagement.

This comparison should help online store owners select the best rewards program apps for online stores that fit their unique operational needs and growth strategies. Each platform has its strengths and tradeoffs, so aligning features, pricing, and usability with your business goals is key to success.

Related Reading

• Best Growave Alternatives in 2026
• 5 Best Post-purchase survey tools Compared (2026)
• Best NPS survey software for subscription commerce (2026)