If you run a Shopify store seeking to boost customer retention and engagement, you might already be familiar with BON Loyalty, a popular choice for loyalty rewards and referral programs. However, if you want to explore other options for specific features, pricing models, or integration needs, there are several bon loyalty alternatives for Shopify stores worth considering. This article will walk through some of the top contenders, comparing their features, cost structures, ease of use, and ideal user scenarios.
Why Look Beyond BON Loyalty?
BON Loyalty offers a solid basic package for loyalty and referral programs, but stores with unique needs—such as advanced customization, detailed analytics, or multi-channel marketing—might find it limiting. Also, pricing considerations and integration flexibility can drive merchants to explore alternatives that better fit their business size, growth plans, or technical comfort.
BON Loyalty at a Glance
Before diving into alternatives, a quick overview: BON Loyalty enables Shopify merchants to create points-based rewards, referrals, and VIP tiers. It supports automatic points accrual for purchases, social sharing incentives, and email marketing integrations. The app is built for simplicity and straightforward setup, targeting small to medium-sized businesses.
BON Loyalty pricing?
BON Loyalty offers a free plan that includes basic loyalty features and referral programs. Paid plans start around $29 per month and scale based on the number of loyalty members and advanced features like VIP tiers and analytics. This pricing is competitive for small stores but can become expensive for larger stores with extensive member bases.
BON Loyalty reviews?
User feedback often highlights BON Loyalty's ease of setup and clean interface. However, some users mention limitations in feature depth and occasional bugs in referral tracking. Ratings on Shopify’s app store average around 4 stars across several hundred reviews, indicating general satisfaction but room to grow.
BON Loyalty competitors?
Several Shopify apps aim to provide more comprehensive or specialized loyalty programs. Key competitors include Smile.io, LoyaltyLion, and ReferralCandy, each with different strengths depending on your store's scale and needs. We'll explore these and others in detail below.
Smile.io: Feature-Rich Loyalty with Customization
Summary
Smile.io is one of the most widely used loyalty apps on Shopify, offering extensive options for points, referrals, VIP programs, and even cashback-like rewards. It’s known for its flexibility and integrations, making it a common choice for mid-sized to larger retailers.
Key Features
- Points-based rewards, referral programs, VIP tiers
- Customizable reward triggers (social shares, product reviews, birthdays)
- Built-in email campaigns and integration with Klaviyo, Mailchimp
- Multi-channel support: web, mobile apps, POS
- Advanced analytics and reporting dashboards
Pricing and Value
Smile.io offers a free tier with limited features. Paid plans start around $49 per month, with higher tiers reaching $199+ depending on the number of orders and users. Compared to BON Loyalty, Smile.io’s higher tiers provide more robust features but at a steeper price.
Pros
- Highly customizable program rules and branding
- Supports a variety of reward and engagement types
- Strong integrations with marketing tools
- Good for scaling businesses requiring detailed analytics
Cons
- More complex initial setup, steeper learning curve
- Pricing can be prohibitive for small stores
- Some users report occasional delays in points syncing
Best For
Stores that need a highly flexible loyalty program and are prepared to invest in setup and monthly fees for advanced features.
LoyaltyLion: Data-Driven Loyalty and Customer Insights
Summary
LoyaltyLion focuses not just on loyalty points and referrals but on actionable customer insights. It combines rewards with behavior tracking for data-driven marketing.
Key Features
- Points and rewards, referrals, VIP tiers
- Customer analytics platform integrated within the app
- Custom rewards and engagement triggers
- Integration with Shopify Plus, Klaviyo, Gorgias
- API access for custom development
Pricing and Value
LoyaltyLion starts with a free plan supporting up to 100 orders per month. Paid plans begin at $159 per month, which includes analytics and additional customization. Pricing is positioned for mid-size to enterprise-level merchants.
Pros
- Deep customer data and segmentation tools
- Robust integrations and API support
- Trusted by larger Shopify Plus stores
- Dedicated account management for higher plans
Cons
- Price point is high for small businesses
- Setup and configuration may require technical skills
- Some users find reporting overwhelming if not data-savvy
Best For
Mid to large Shopify stores looking for loyalty solutions tied to customer analytics and marketing automation.
ReferralCandy: Referral Program Specialist
Summary
ReferralCandy is primarily a referral marketing app but also includes loyalty incentives. It excels at turning customers into brand advocates through referral rewards without a complex loyalty points system.
Key Features
- Automated referral campaigns with email triggers
- Integration with Shopify and third-party email platforms
- Customizable rewards (cash, discount, free products)
- Fraud detection and performance tracking
- Supports multi-store and multi-channel marketing
Pricing and Value
ReferralCandy charges a $49 monthly fee plus 5% commission on referred sales. This model works well for stores with steady sales volume where referral growth is a priority.
Pros
- Easy to set up and use
- Focused entirely on referrals with strong tracking
- Pay-for-performance pricing aligns with growth
- Good customer support and documentation
Cons
- Limited loyalty program features beyond referrals
- Monthly + commission pricing may add up for larger volumes
- Less suited if points or tiered loyalty are key goals
Best For
Stores prioritizing referral marketing over complex loyalty rewards, especially those wanting a cost-effective pay-for-performance model.
Marsello: All-in-One Loyalty and Marketing Automation
Summary
Marsello combines loyalty, email marketing, and SMS campaigns in one app. It aims to handle multiple marketing needs, reducing the need for multiple tools.
Key Features
- Points, referrals, VIP tiers
- Email and SMS marketing automation
- Customer segmentation and dynamic campaigns
- POS integration and offline rewards
- Performance analytics
Pricing and Value
Marsello has a free plan for up to 100 customers. Paid plans start at around $49 per month, scaling with contacts and features. This makes it a compelling option for stores wanting loyalty and marketing in one.
Pros
- Combines loyalty and marketing automation to streamline workflows
- Supports offline and online purchase rewards
- Good automation capabilities for personalized messaging
- Detailed reporting and segmentation
Cons
- Some users report the UI can be cluttered or complex
- Pricing can increase quickly with contacts and subscribers
- Setup may require time to optimize campaigns and automation
Best For
Stores seeking integrated loyalty and marketing automation features within one platform.
Swell Rewards (formerly Swell.io): Flexible Custom Rewards
Summary
Swell Rewards offers powerful customization for loyalty and referral programs, including flexible reward types and conditions.
Key Features
- Multi-tier loyalty and referral programs
- Customizable reward rules and triggers
- Email and SMS integrations
- API for advanced customizations
- Fraud prevention measures
Pricing and Value
Swell offers a free starter plan with basic features. Premium plans start at $79 per month, targeting growing ecommerce brands who want more control over program details.
Pros
- Highly customizable loyalty and referral setups
- Strong developer API and webhook support
- Supports multiple reward types and redemption methods
- Good for technically skilled teams or agencies
Cons
- Pricing is higher than some alternatives for advanced features
- Setup can be complicated without technical support
- Limited pre-built automation compared to Marsello
Best For
Stores needing detailed control over loyalty program mechanics and willing to invest in setup.
Comparison Table: BON Loyalty Alternatives for Shopify Stores
| Feature / App | BON Loyalty | Smile.io | LoyaltyLion | ReferralCandy | Marsello | Swell Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Loyalty Types | Points, Referrals, VIP | Points, Referrals, VIP | Points, Referrals, VIP | Referrals focus | Points, Referrals, VIP | Points, Referrals, VIP |
| Marketing Automation | No | Limited | Limited | No | Email/SMS | Limited |
| Pricing Structure | Free + $29+/month | Free + $49–199+ | Free + $159+ | $49 + 5% commission | Free + $49+ | Free + $79+ |
| Ease of Setup | Easy | Moderate | Moderate | Easy | Moderate | Complex |
| Shopify Integration | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Analytics/Reporting | Basic | Advanced | Advanced | Basic | Advanced | Moderate |
| Best For | Small stores, simplicity | Mid-size, customization | Larger stores, data-driven | Referral focus, pay-for-performance | Loyalty + marketing automation | Customizable programs, developers |
Situational Recommendations for Choosing a BON Loyalty Alternative
If your Shopify store is small and you want a straightforward solution, BON Loyalty or ReferralCandy might be best. ReferralCandy works well if your focus is purely referral marketing with low setup hassle.
For mid-sized stores needing more customization and detailed rewards, Smile.io balances feature depth and ease of use. If your store has the resources to handle a more complex setup and wants loyalty tied to customer analytics, LoyaltyLion could be valuable.
Marsello suits businesses looking to merge loyalty rewards with marketing automation tools like email and SMS campaigns. Swell Rewards is for technically inclined merchants or agencies wanting to build highly tailored programs and are comfortable with advanced setup processes.
BON Loyalty Alternatives for Shopify Stores: Addressing Common Questions
What is BON Loyalty pricing?
BON Loyalty offers a free plan with basic features and paid plans starting near $29 per month. Pricing increases with added features like VIP tiers and larger member counts.
What do users say about BON Loyalty?
Reviews praise BON Loyalty’s ease of use and clean interface but note limits in advanced features and occasional referral tracking issues. It holds around a 4-star rating on Shopify’s app store.
Who are the main BON Loyalty competitors?
Top competitors include Smile.io, LoyaltyLion, ReferralCandy, Marsello, and Swell Rewards—all offering varied loyalty and referral capabilities with different pricing and target users.
Worth a Look: Zigpoll
While this article focuses on loyalty apps, if you’re also evaluating tools for customer feedback, Zigpoll is worth considering. Zigpoll is a Shopify survey app providing post-purchase, on-site, and exit-intent surveys, helping stores gather actionable customer insights alongside loyalty efforts.
For more detailed comparisons of Shopify loyalty apps, you might find helpful insights in the articles comparing ReferralCandy, Smile.io, and BON Loyalty or a broader overview of best Shopify loyalty apps to help refine your choice.
