Home / Loyalty and rewards / Compare
Essential Loyalty vs Smile.io
Essential Loyalty has a free plan and paid plans from $10/mo, and is a newer build (launched 2024); Smile.io has a free plan and paid plans from $15/mo, and has a larger review base (4,653 reviews).As of Oct 30, 2026. From public Shopify App Store listings. How we rank
What makes each one different
Essential Loyalty
- has a lower starting paid price ($10/mo)
- is a newer build (launched 2024)
Best for: stores that want a low monthly cost as they grow.
Smile.io
- has a larger review base (4,653 reviews)
- has a longer track record (since 2014)
Best for: merchants who want a widely used, well reviewed option.
Both are top-rated loyalty and rewards apps. This read is generated only from differences in their public listings, not from opinions.
Full lineup
| Essential LoyaltyApp Store Essent Loyalty Program Rewards | Smile.ioApp Store Smile: Loyalty Program Rewards | |
|---|---|---|
| Pack Rating | 90 | 93 |
| Stars | 5.0★ | 4.9★ |
| Reviews | 494 | 4,653 |
| Rating breakdown | Not listed | 5★91% 4★5% 3★1% 2★1% 1★1% |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Cheapest paid (real monthly cost) | $10/mo | $15/mo |
| Free trial | Not listed | Not listed |
| Pricing tiers |
|
|
| Integrations only this app lists | Not listed | Not listed |
| Features only this app lists | Not listed | Not listed |
| Languages | Not listed | Not listed |
| Built for Shopify | Not listed | Not listed |
| Launched | November 25, 2024 | December 2, 2014 |
| Developer | Essential Apps | Smile.io |
| Source | Shopify listing fetched 2026-10-30 | Shopify listing fetched 2026-10-30 |