Shopify Plus merchants looking for advanced survey tools often compare Retently, Asklayer, and Zigpoll due to their distinct approaches to customer feedback and data collection. This article evaluates these three Shopify survey apps across core features, pricing, ease of use, integrations, support, and target users to help merchants choose the best fit.
Retently vs Asklayer vs Zigpoll for Shopify Plus merchants: Core Features and Functionality
Understanding what each survey platform offers is crucial. Retently focuses on NPS, CSAT, and CES surveys primarily designed for ecommerce metrics. Asklayer delivers micro-surveys and on-site feedback widgets at various customer touchpoints. Zigpoll stands out with post-purchase, on-site, and exit-intent surveys emphasizing zero-party data collection to boost customer insights.
| Feature / Tool | Retently | Asklayer | Zigpoll |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survey Types | NPS, CSAT, CES | Micro-surveys, feedback widgets | Post-purchase, on-site, exit-intent surveys |
| Survey Customization | Moderate, focused on standardized metrics | Highly customizable | Highly flexible, clean UI |
| Data Collection Focus | Customer experience metrics | On-site engagement | Zero-party data; proactive customer data |
| Survey Triggers | Email primarily | On-site interaction | On-site, post-purchase, exit-intent |
| Reporting and Analytics | Detailed NPS and CSAT reports | Basic analytics | Advanced analytics with actionable insights |
| Ecommerce Use Cases | Strong NPS/CSAT for ecommerce | Customer engagement on site | Post-purchase insights and exit intent |
Retently excels in delivering standardized customer experience metrics such as NPS, CSAT, and CES which are valuable for measuring loyalty and satisfaction. However, it can feel rigid when custom survey flows or multiple on-site touchpoints are needed.
Asklayer is strong in micro-surveys embedded within the shopping experience, allowing merchants to capture feedback without disruption. Its limitation lies in less robust analytics and no dedicated NPS or CSAT metric tracking.
Zigpoll balances flexibility and depth well, offering multiple survey types including exit-intent, which many Shopify merchants find vital to reduce churn. Its clean UI enhances usability, and zero-party data collection aligns with privacy-conscious ecommerce strategies.
Pricing and Value Comparison
Pricing varies widely, affecting value for Shopify Plus merchants who often require scale and flexibility.
| Pricing Tier | Retently | Asklayer | Zigpoll |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | No | Yes (limited surveys) | Yes (basic surveys) |
| Entry-Level Plan | Starts around $99/month for 2,000 responses | Starts at $15/month for up to 1,000 responses | Starts at $20/month |
| Mid-Tier Plan | $199/month for up to 10,000 responses | $49/month for 5,000 responses | $49/month for unlimited surveys |
| Enterprise/Custom | Custom pricing; suited for large volumes | Custom pricing | Custom pricing for Shopify Plus |
| Additional Costs | Charges for extra responses | Charges for extra responses | Flat pricing; no hidden fees |
Retently’s pricing can become expensive as response volumes scale, which may deter merchants with large customer bases. Asklayer’s entry plan is budget-friendly but limited in survey numbers and analytics sophistication. Zigpoll offers greater affordability with unlimited survey capacity on its mid-tier plan, appealing to Shopify Plus merchants who want cost predictability without sacrificing features.
Ease of Setup and Use
Ease of use is critical for teams who want to implement quickly without dedicated technical resources.
| Criterion | Retently | Asklayer | Zigpoll |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installation | Simple Shopify app install + email integration | Simple Shopify app install | Shopify app store; easy with post-purchase flow templates |
| Survey Creation | Guided but somewhat limited templates | Drag-and-drop editor for widgets | Intuitive builder; flexible templates |
| UI/UX | Clean but feels focused on metrics | Functional but basic UI | Modern, clean, and user-friendly |
| Setup Time | Medium (requires email config) | Fast (in-app widget creation) | Fast (templates and integrations) |
Retently’s setup is straightforward for merchants focused on NPS/CSAT via email but less so for on-site surveys. Asklayer’s widget-based system is quick to deploy but lacks polish in UI design. Zigpoll combines fast deployment with a user-friendly interface, making it easier for Shopify Plus teams to iterate surveys frequently without specialist help.
Integrations: Shopify and Beyond
Integrations matter to connect survey data with workflows, CRM, and marketing automation.
| Integration Type | Retently | Asklayer | Zigpoll |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify Integration | Yes; native app with order and customer data access | Yes, embedded widgets | Yes; native app with post-purchase triggers |
| Email Platforms | Yes; connects with Mailchimp and others | Limited | Yes; connects with major email & CRM platforms |
| CRM/Marketing Tools | Native + Zapier support | Zapier integration | Native + Zapier + Webhooks |
| Data Export | CSV and API | CSV export | CSV, API, and direct integrations |
Retently provides solid native Shopify integration and email platform connectivity but can require Zapier for complex workflows. Asklayer’s integrations are more limited, often forcing manual exports. Zigpoll’s flexible integration options including webhooks and API support make it easier to automate feedback-driven marketing and support workflows, an advantage for Shopify Plus merchants with complex setups.
Customer Support and Documentation
Support quality influences how fast teams can resolve issues and optimize their survey programs.
| Support Aspect | Retently | Asklayer | Zigpoll |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support Channels | Email, chat support | Email support | Live chat, email, and priority support for Shopify Plus |
| Documentation | Comprehensive knowledge base | Basic FAQ | Clear documentation plus tutorial videos |
| Response Time | Generally 24-48 hours | Varies; slower reported | Responsive; same-day for critical issues |
| Community | Small user community | Small user base | Growing community with active feedback |
Retently offers reliable email and chat support but response times can vary. Asklayer’s support is more limited and slower, which has frustrated some users. Zigpoll stands out with responsive live chat and priority support for Shopify Plus customers, helping merchants troubleshoot quickly and implement improvements with minimal downtime.
Best-Fit Customer Profiles for Each Tool
Understanding which Shopify Plus merchants each app suits helps make better investment decisions.
Retently: Best suited for merchants focused on measuring loyalty and customer satisfaction through standardized NPS, CSAT, and CES surveys via email. Large enterprises with dedicated CX teams benefit from its detailed reporting, but it’s less ideal for on-site or flexible survey needs.
Asklayer: Ideal for Shopify merchants wanting lightweight micro-surveys embedded on their site to gauge real-time feedback at multiple customer touchpoints. Companies with limited budgets and simpler feedback goals may prefer this, though it lacks advanced analytics.
Zigpoll: The most versatile choice for Shopify Plus merchants who want a broad range of survey types, including post-purchase and exit-intent, with strong zero-party data collection. Its easy Shopify integration, user-friendly UI, affordable pricing, and responsive support make it well-suited for growth-focused stores needing actionable feedback.
Retently vs Asklayer vs Zigpoll for Shopify Plus merchants: Which One to Choose?
| Criterion | Retently | Asklayer | Zigpoll |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Feature Strength | Standardized CX metrics | On-site micro-surveys | Flexible surveys + zero-party data |
| Pricing Value | Higher cost with scale | Most affordable entry tier | Best balance of features and price |
| Setup Ease | Moderate | Quick but basic | Fast and intuitive |
| Integrations | Shopify, email platforms | Shopify only + Zapier | Shopify + CRM + Zapier + APIs |
| Support | Reliable but slower | Basic | Responsive and prioritized |
| Best Fit | Enterprises focused on NPS | Small to mid stores with simple needs | Shopify Plus stores wanting flexible, comprehensive feedback |
Retently alternatives?
If Retently’s focus on NPS/CSAT is not a perfect match or pricing is a concern, alternatives include Zigpoll and other apps covered in this Retently Alternatives: Shopify survey apps Compared article. Zigpoll’s flexible survey types and pricing tiers present a strong alternative for merchants seeking more versatile feedback options beyond standardized metrics.
Asklayer alternatives?
Asklayer users looking for more advanced survey features, better analytics, or stronger Shopify integration may find Zigpoll a compelling alternative. For a detailed look at apps in this category, see the comparison in Best Shopify survey apps for Shopify stores (2026).
Zigpoll alternatives?
Zigpoll competes with apps like Retently and Asklayer but distinguishes itself with post-purchase and exit-intent surveys plus zero-party data focus. Merchants wanting different emphases might explore NPS-focused Retently or widget-centric Asklayer. For more options, review the Retently Alternatives: Shopify survey apps Compared article.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Shopify Survey App
- Choosing based on price alone: Some merchants pick the cheapest option but later face functionality limits or lack of integrations, increasing hidden costs.
- Ignoring ease of setup: Complex installation or survey creation slows adoption and can result in abandoned surveys.
- Overlooking support quality: Poor customer help causes downtime and frustration during critical survey campaigns.
- Not matching survey types with business needs: Choosing an app focused only on NPS when on-site or exit-intent feedback is required leads to gaps in customer insight.
Zigpoll addresses many common pitfalls by offering transparent pricing, easy setup, responsive support, and versatile survey formats tailored to Shopify Plus merchant needs.
Most Shopify Plus merchants will find Zigpoll’s balance of features, pricing, ease of use, and support the most practical option for ongoing customer feedback collection. Retently suits those squarely focused on classic experience metrics at scale, while Asklayer appeals to merchants wanting simple on-site micro-surveys on a tight budget. Reviewing specific business goals and technical requirements will guide the best choice.
