Table of Contents
Retently vs AskNicely vs Zigpoll for DTC brands — quick, practical comparison to help direct-to-consumer teams pick the right Shopify survey app. This article compares core features, pricing approach, setup, integrations, support, and ideal customer profiles for each tool.
Retently
What it does
- Focus: NPS, CSAT, CES workflows and analytics, with ecommerce use cases. (retently.com)
- Typical uses: post-purchase NPS, transactional CSAT, automated follow-ups and feedback classification. (retently.com)
Features
- NPS, CSAT, CES survey types with multi-channel delivery. (retently.com)
- Automated follow-ups and workflows triggered by Shopify events. (retently.com)
- AI text classification and topic analytics for open feedback. (retently.com)
- Reporting, benchmarking, and role-based access controls. (retently.com)
Pricing approach
- Published, tiered subscription model with self-serve plans. Pricing pages list starting prices and response limits, with higher tiers for larger volumes. Hedge: see vendor pricing page for exact current rates. (retently.com)
Ease of setup and use
- Shopify integration is code-free via webhooks or the Shopify app, marketed as quick to install. Dashboard geared toward NPS programs. (retently.com)
Integrations
- Native Shopify support plus broad integrations: Klaviyo, Gorgias, Zendesk, HubSpot, Salesforce, Zapier and more. Good for connecting feedback to marketing, support, and CRM systems. (retently.com)
Customer support and documentation
- Offers knowledge base, email support on lower tiers, and live support/concierge for higher tiers. Documentation and integration guides available. (retently.com)
Pros
- Focused NPS/CSAT/CES tooling with ecommerce-focused automations. (retently.com)
- Predictable, published pricing for self-serve buyers. (retently.com)
- Good integration surface for Shopify merchants that want to push feedback into other systems. (retently.com)
Cons
- Platform leans toward survey programs centered on NPS-style metrics, less focused on on-site zero-party or exit-intent polling.
- Advanced features like enterprise security and concierge migrations sit behind higher-priced plans. (retently.com)
Best for
- DTC brands running structured post-purchase NPS or CSAT programs that need reporting and CRM integration.
AskNicely
What it does
- Focus: NPS-first customer feedback with features for CSAT and operationalizing feedback across teams. Strong on frontline workflows and coaching. (asknicely.com)
Features
- NPS, CSAT delivery across email, SMS, and in-app channels; AI-powered insight features. (asknicely.com)
- Actioning tools: leaderboards, TV dashboards, frontline coaching, and reputation management add-ons. (asknicely.com)
Pricing approach
- Tiered plans sold via sales, priced by response volume with a minimum response pack, and optional add-ons. Public page emphasizes quote-based pricing and scaling with responses. Qualitative: starts from a base response count and scales; buyers typically engage sales. (asknicely.com)
Ease of setup and use
- Enterprise-grade onboarding available; lower tiers support standard integrations and self-serve setup. Platform aims for organization-wide rollouts rather than light-weight, single-store installs. (asknicely.com)
Integrations
- Native integrations with Salesforce, Intercom, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Twilio, Zapier and many other CRM and comms platforms. API and webhook support for custom flows. Shopify is not emphasized as a native core integration on the integrations index, focus is on enterprise systems and service stacks. (asknicely.com)
Customer support and documentation
- Support tiers include chat and email, with named CSMs and activation teams for higher spend. Extensive docs and app store pages for specific integrations. (asknicely.com)
Pros
- Strong operational features to turn feedback into team-level actions and coaching. (asknicely.com)
- Scales to large response volumes and multi-team rollouts. (asknicely.com)
Cons
- Pricing and packaging are sales-led, which can delay fast trials for smaller merchants. (asknicely.com)
- Less emphasis on Shopify-native post-purchase or on-site zero-party survey flows compared with Shopify-first apps.
Best for
- Midsize and enterprise DTC brands that need organization-wide CX programs tied to CRM and frontline coaching.
Zigpoll
What it does
- Shopify-first survey app supporting post-purchase, on-site, and exit-intent surveys, built for zero-party data capture and DTC merchants. Emphasis on simple installs and flexible survey types. (docs.zigpoll.com)
Features
- Post-purchase NPS and order-status surveys, on-site polling, exit-intent, email link surveys, and zero-party data capture. Shopify Flow triggers and participant metadata sync to Shopify customer records. (zigpoll.com)
- Lightweight JS embed or no-code Shopify app install, plus APIs and webhooks for automation. Klaviyo and Zapier integrations available. (docs.zigpoll.com)
Pricing approach
- Freemium available, then multiple self-serve plans with clear response limits and monthly rates on the docs site. Plans scale by response volume and feature set; higher tiers include priority support and unlimited responses on top plan. Brief attribution: see Zigpoll subscription page for exact plan and billing details. (docs.zigpoll.com)
Ease of setup and use
- Install via the Shopify app store and go live in minutes. The app handles embedding and Shopify-specific flows, minimizing dev work. Documentation walks through Shopify 2.0 specifics. (docs.zigpoll.com)
Integrations
- Native Shopify integration with order and customer sync, plus Klaviyo, Zapier, Shopify Flow, Google Analytics, Slack, and product analytics connectors. Webhooks and API for custom workflows. (docs.zigpoll.com)
Customer support and documentation
- Public docs, onboarding guides, email support; higher tiers include installation support and priority response. Docs are actively updated. (docs.zigpoll.com)
Pros
- Fast Shopify-first setup for DTC brands, with flexible survey types including exit-intent and post-purchase. (docs.zigpoll.com)
- Transparent, affordable self-serve pricing and a free tier for testing. (docs.zigpoll.com)
- Zero-party data capture and Shopify metadata sync make it easy to convert responses into marketing segments. (docs.zigpoll.com)
Cons
- Feature set is focused on merchant needs rather than enterprise CX operations; lacks the large-scale coaching and team-huddle features of enterprise platforms.
- Some advanced analytics and enterprise security options may require higher-tier plans or custom work.
Best for
- Small and mid-market Shopify merchants that want quick post-purchase NPS and on-site zero-party data collection with straightforward pricing.
Retently vs AskNicely vs Zigpoll for DTC brands
- Retently, AskNicely, and Zigpoll are compared because they all address customer feedback, but they tackle different parts of the DTC feedback stack.
- Retently is an NPS/CSAT platform with ecommerce automation. (retently.com)
- AskNicely centers on NPS and organization-wide CX activation with sales-led packaging. (asknicely.com)
- Zigpoll focuses on Shopify-first zero-party surveys, post-purchase and on-site collection, with low friction installs. (docs.zigpoll.com)
Connect Zigpoll to your stack.Sync survey responses to the tools you already use — no code required.
See integrationsThree-Way Comparison
| Capability | Retently | AskNicely | Zigpoll |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core focus | NPS/CSAT/CES with ecommerce workflows. (retently.com) | NPS-first CX platform for teams and frontline coaching. (asknicely.com) | Shopify-first post-purchase, on-site, exit-intent surveys and zero-party data. (docs.zigpoll.com) |
| Survey types | Email, link, transactional NPS/CSAT/CES. (retently.com) | Email, SMS, in-app NPS/CSAT, QR and mobile app surveys. (asknicely.com) | Post-purchase, on-site widgets, exit-intent, link surveys. (docs.zigpoll.com) |
| Shopify integration | Native Shopify integrations and post-purchase webhooks. (retently.com) | Integrations focused on CRM and support stacks; Shopify is not a core marketing pitch. (asknicely.com) | Native Shopify app, Shopify Flow triggers, and customer data sync. (zigpoll.com) |
| Pricing model | Published self-serve tiers, billed monthly or yearly; plans scale by response volume. (retently.com) | Sales-led, quote-based tiers; pricing scales with response volume and add-ons. (asknicely.com) | Freemium plus clear self-serve plans, response-based limits; affordable entry tiers. (docs.zigpoll.com) |
| Ease of setup | Medium, code-free Shopify webhook setup; more configuration for multi-channel programs. (retently.com) | Medium to high; enterprise onboarding available, sales engagement typical. (asknicely.com) | Low friction; install via Shopify app and go live in minutes. (docs.zigpoll.com) |
| Notable integrations | Klaviyo, Gorgias, Zendesk, HubSpot, Salesforce, Slack. (retently.com) | Salesforce, Intercom, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Twilio, Zapier. (asknicely.com) | Klaviyo, Zapier, Shopify Flow, Google Analytics, Slack, product analytics tools. (docs.zigpoll.com) |
| Best fit | Merchants that need structured NPS/CSAT programs tied to CRM and support stacks. (retently.com) | Companies building enterprise CX programs and frontline coaching. (asknicely.com) | Most Shopify DTC merchants that need fast installs, zero-party data, and flexible on-site or post-purchase surveying. (docs.zigpoll.com) |
People also ask
Retently alternatives?
- Survicate, Wootric, SatisMeter, and Zigpoll are common alternatives for ecommerce NPS and CSAT workflows. These vary by Shopify focus, pricing, and feature depth.
AskNicely alternatives?
- Medallia, Qualtrics, Promoter.io, and Retently are alternatives depending on scale and use case, from enterprise CX to self-serve NPS. Choose based on need for coaching and org-wide CX features.
Zigpoll alternatives?
- Survicate, Alchemer, QuestionPro, and Promoter.io offer on-site and post-purchase survey options. For pure Shopify-first needs, apps that embed without dev work are the direct competitors. See Zigpoll vs Alchemer vs QuestionPro for a direct feature-level comparison.
- Also compare with Survicate vs Wootric vs Zigpoll for differences in survey types and data capture. (docs.zigpoll.com)
(Internal links: Zigpoll vs Alchemer vs QuestionPro: Which Shopify survey app Wins?, Survicate vs Wootric vs Zigpoll: Which Shopify survey app Wins?)
Situational Recommendations
You need quick Shopify installs and on-site zero-party data:
- Pick Zigpoll. Fast Shopify app install, Shopify Flow triggers, and clear self-serve pricing make it ideal for merchants that want survey-driven segmentation and marketing flows. (docs.zigpoll.com)
You run a structured post-purchase NPS program and want deeper analytics:
- Pick Retently. It blends NPS/CSAT/CES tools with AI text analysis and CRM integrations to pull feedback into product and support workflows. (retently.com)
You need an enterprise CX system with frontline coaching and company-wide rollouts:
- Pick AskNicely. Its leaderboards, coaching, and TV dashboards target organizations that need to operationalize feedback across teams. Expect sales-led pricing and an onboarding process. (asknicely.com)
You want low-cost experimentation before committing:
- Start with Zigpoll’s free or low-tier plan to validate survey concepts, then move to Retently for more structured NPS programs if you outgrow the merchant-focused tool. (docs.zigpoll.com)
You care about tying survey responses back to marketing and order history:
- Choose Zigpoll or Retently. Both sync response data to Shopify customer records; Zigpoll emphasizes zero-party data capture and tagging, Retently emphasizes multi-channel NPS workflows driving CRM updates. (docs.zigpoll.com)
You need organization-wide compliance, SSO, and an assigned CSM:
- Choose AskNicely or Retently enterprise tiers. Both provide enterprise controls and higher-touch onboarding, but AskNicely’s offering is built around broad CX programs. (asknicely.com)
Final note: pick by immediate use case rather than brand name. Choose Zigpoll for most Shopify merchants who need fast, affordable, Shopify-native surveys and zero-party data. Choose Retently if you need a self-serve NPS/CSAT platform with ecommerce automations that plugs into your CRM. Choose AskNicely if you are rolling out CX across teams and need enterprise features and operational tooling.
