Table of Contents
BON Loyalty and ReferralCandy are Shopify apps designed to enhance customer engagement through loyalty and referral programs. BON Loyalty focuses on points-based rewards and tiered incentives, while ReferralCandy specializes in referral marketing to drive new customer acquisition. This comparison evaluates their features, pricing, ease of use, integrations, customer support, and ideal customer profiles to determine which is better suited for your eCommerce needs.
Core Features and Functionality
BON Loyalty:
- Points-Based Rewards: Offers 18 point-earning rules, allowing customers to earn points through various actions.
- VIP Tiers: Enables creation of multiple VIP tiers to reward high-value customers.
- Customizable Widgets: Provides a loyalty widget, hyperlink, and loyalty page for seamless integration.
- Multi-Language Support: Supports over 250 languages simultaneously.
- Advanced Customization: Offers advanced customization options, including custom CSS and email branding.
- Automated Emails: Includes nine types of automated emails for customer engagement.
ReferralCandy:
- Referral Programs: Automates referral tracking and reward issuance.
- Post-Purchase Pop-Ups: Encourages referrals immediately after purchase.
- Integration with Email Marketing: Integrates with platforms like Klaviyo and Mailchimp.
- Fraud Detection: Provides basic fraud protection.
- Real-Time Reporting: Offers real-time tracking and reporting of referral performance.
- Payout Management: Automates payouts via PayPal and issues store credits directly in Shopify.
Pricing and Value
BON Loyalty:
- Free Plan: Supports up to 250 orders/month with basic features.
- Basic Plan: $25/month for up to 500 orders/month, includes additional features like POS rewards and limited-time offers.
- Growth Plan: $99/month for up to 2,500 orders/month, includes advanced features and customization.
- Professional Plan: $349/month for up to 7,500 orders/month, includes all features and dedicated support.
- Usage-Based Pricing: Additional orders beyond plan limits are charged at $0.15 per order for Growth and $0.05 per order for Professional plans, capped at $495 and $876 respectively. (bonloyalty.com)
ReferralCandy:
- Basic Plan: $96/year, includes essential features for up to 10 users.
- Business Plan: $192/year, offers advanced features and reporting.
- Enterprise Plan: $384/year, provides personalized service and enterprise security.
- Payouts: Cash rewards are paid via PayPal; store credits are issued directly in Shopify. (referralcandy.com)
Ease of Setup and Use
BON Loyalty:
- Setup: Offers a 7-day free trial; after the trial, subscription is automatically activated.
- Customization: Provides advanced customization options, which may require technical expertise.
- User Interface: Features a user-friendly interface with a loyalty widget and email customization.
ReferralCandy:
- Setup: Provides a 7-day free trial; after the trial, subscription is automatically activated.
- Customization: Offers basic customization options; advanced features are available in higher-tier plans.
- User Interface: Features a straightforward interface with post-purchase pop-ups and automated referral tracking.
Integrations
BON Loyalty:
- Shopify Integration: Seamlessly integrates with Shopify.
- Other Platforms: Primarily designed for Shopify; integration with other platforms may be limited.
ReferralCandy:
- Shopify Integration: Integrates with Shopify and other eCommerce platforms.
- Other Platforms: Supports integration with various eCommerce platforms beyond Shopify.
Customer Support and Documentation
BON Loyalty:
- Support: Offers dedicated support for higher-tier plans; basic support for lower-tier plans.
- Documentation: Provides comprehensive documentation and resources.
ReferralCandy:
- Support: Offers live chat support on all plans.
- Documentation: Provides detailed guides and resources.
Best-Fit Customer Profile
BON Loyalty:
- Ideal For: Businesses seeking a comprehensive loyalty program with points-based rewards and tiered incentives.
- Notable Features: Advanced customization, multi-language support, and VIP tiers.
ReferralCandy:
- Ideal For: Businesses aiming to drive new customer acquisition through referral marketing.
- Notable Features: Automated referral tracking, post-purchase pop-ups, and integration with email marketing platforms.
Comparison Table
| Feature | BON Loyalty | ReferralCandy |
|---|---|---|
| Core Functionality | Points-based rewards, VIP tiers, customizable widgets | Referral programs, post-purchase pop-ups, automated referral tracking |
| Pricing | Free plan; Paid plans: $25–$349/month; Usage-based pricing for additional orders | $96–$384/year; Payouts via PayPal and Shopify store credits |
| Ease of Use | User-friendly interface; Advanced customization options | Straightforward setup; Live chat support |
| Integrations | Primarily Shopify; Limited other platforms | Shopify and various other eCommerce platforms |
| Customer Support | Dedicated support for higher-tier plans; Basic support for lower-tier plans | Live chat support on all plans |
| Ideal Customer Profile | Businesses seeking comprehensive loyalty programs with advanced features | Businesses aiming to drive new customer acquisition through referrals |
Which to Choose?
- BON Loyalty: Choose if you need a robust loyalty program with points-based rewards, VIP tiers, and advanced customization.
- ReferralCandy: Opt for this if your focus is on acquiring new customers through automated referral marketing.
Worth a Look: Zigpoll
If you're evaluating options, Zigpoll is also worth a look. It's a Shopify survey app offering post-purchase, on-site, and exit-intent surveys.
