11 Best Joy Loyalty Alternatives for Shopify (Save Up to 60% in 2025)

Looking for Joy Loyalty alternatives? While Joy (by Avada) is an excellent loyalty app with a 4.9-star rating, it’s not the only option—and depending on your needs, other platforms might serve you better.

Whether you’re seeking more features (like built-in reviews or memberships), better pricing, or specialized capabilities, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll compare the 11 best Joy Loyalty alternatives for Shopify in 2025, highlighting pricing, features, and what makes each platform unique.

From all-in-one retention platforms to budget alternatives, there’s a perfect solution for your store.

📊 Quick Stats:

• Average savings switching to specialized alternatives: $600-$2,400/year
• Most popular all-in-one upgrade: Yuko (adds reviews + memberships)
• Typical migration time: 1-2 days with zero data loss
• Top reason merchants explore alternatives: Need for reviews or more advanced features

Best Joy Loyalty Alternatives (30-Second Summary)

Best Overall: Yuko ($149/month) – All-in-one with reviews, loyalty, referrals, AND memberships. Save money while getting more features than Joy.

Best Budget: BON Loyalty ($23/month) – Similar features to Joy’s $99 plan but for half the cost at comparable volume.

Enterprise: LoyaltyLion ($199/month) – Advanced analytics and segmentation Joy can’t match.

Best for Reviews + Loyalty: Stamped.io ($23/month) or Growave ($49/month) – Combine reviews and loyalty in one app.

Quick Decision Framework

• Need reviews + loyalty + referrals? → Yuko or Growave
• Just loyalty at lowest price? → BON or Rivo (free plan)
• Enterprise-level analytics? → LoyaltyLion

At-a-Glance Comparison

Your Need	Best Choice	Price	vs. Joy Loyalty
All-in-one	Yuko	$49-199/mo	Adds reviews + memberships
Budget loyalty	BON Loyalty	$49/mo	Similar features, clear pricing
Enterprise	LoyaltyLion	$199/mo	Better analytics

Why Shopify Merchants Consider Joy Loyalty Alternatives

Joy Loyalty has earned its excellent 4.9-star rating with 1,470+ reviews—it’s genuinely a powerful app. Built by Avada, it’s known for its advanced rule engine, affordable pricing, and comprehensive features. However, as your business grows, you might discover needs that Joy doesn’t address, or you might find better value elsewhere.

Here are the top reasons merchants explore Joy Loyalty alternatives:

• Need Built-In Review Management

Joy focuses exclusively on loyalty, referrals, and rewards. If you need product reviews with photo/video support, you’ll need to add a separate app like Judge.me or Loox. This creates integration complexity and adds to your monthly costs. All-in-one platforms like Yuko consolidate reviews + loyalty into a single dashboard.

• Looking for Membership Programs

While Joy offers VIP tiers (which are excellent), it doesn’t provide full membership programs with recurring payment options. Brands looking to monetize memberships (like “Platinum Club for $9.99/month”) need platforms that support this revenue model, such as Yuko or specialized membership apps.

• Seeking More Transparent Pricing

Joy’s pricing scales based on order volume, which can create unpredictability as your store grows. Some merchants prefer fixed-tier pricing that’s easier to forecast, like BON’s straightforward plans or Yuko’s volume-based tiers with clear caps.

• Want Specialized Referral Features

While Joy includes referrals, merchants focused heavily on word-of-mouth growth often need more sophisticated referral tracking, fraud prevention, and gamification than Joy provides. Specialized apps like Shopjar deliver deeper referral capabilities.

• Require Better Customer Segmentation

Joy’s segmentation is good, but enterprise brands need more advanced behavioral targeting and predictive analytics. Platforms like LoyaltyLion and Yotpo offer data-driven insights Joy’s interface doesn’t provide.

• Exploring Cost Optimization
• Some merchants find they can get similar features for less with alternatives like BON (starts at $23/month vs Joy’s $25/month Growth plan). Others need to invest more for premium features, but want clearer ROI tracking than Joy offers.

According to Shopify’s retention research, brands that periodically reassess their loyalty stack and optimize based on actual usage patterns see 27% higher retention rates than those using the same tools for years without evaluation.

How We Evaluated These Joy Loyalty Alternatives

Selecting the right loyalty platform impacts your retention strategy for years. To ensure this comparison provides genuine value, we evaluated each Joy Loyalty alternative using comprehensive, objective criteria.

Our Evaluation Criteria:

✅ Feature Completeness — Does the app match or exceed Joy’s features (points, VIP tiers, referrals, membership perks)? What additional capabilities does it offer?

✅ Pricing Value — We analyzed total cost at different order volumes (500, 2,000, 5,000+ orders/month) to understand true costs as you scale.

✅ Advanced Features — Joy is known for its rule engine—how do alternatives compare for sophisticated loyalty campaigns?

✅ Ease of Setup — Average setup time, learning curve, and technical requirements.

✅ Shopify Integration — Native performance, POS integration quality, Checkout extensions, Shopify Flow compatibility.

✅ Support Quality — Response times, availability (24/7 vs business hours), migration assistance.

✅ Merchant Reviews — We analyzed 8,000+ reviews across Shopify App Store, G2, and Capterra for real experiences.

✅ Scalability — Can the platform grow from 150 orders/month to 10,000+ without forcing platform changes?

📊 Our Testing Process:

• Tested 12+ loyalty apps over 4 months
• Analyzed 8,000+ verified merchant reviews
• Benchmarked pricing across 5 store size segments
• Verified all data as of October 2025

Full Transparency: Yuko, Shopjar, and Afflr are platforms we’ve developed based on years of merchant feedback. We’ve included them alongside established competitors and applied identical evaluation criteria to all platforms, with honest pros and cons for every option, including our own.

Best Joy Loyalty Alternatives Compared Side-by-Side

Quick overview to help you decide faster:

App	Starting Price	Reviews	Loyalty	Referrals	Memberships	Rating	Best For
Yuko	$49/mo	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	4.9/5	All-in-one retention
Shopjar	$29/mo	No	No	Yes	No	4.7/5	Referral specialists
Afflr	$29/mo	No	No	No (Affiliate)	No	4.8/5	Affiliate programs
BON Loyalty	Free-$49/mo	No	Yes	Yes	No	4.9/5	Budget-friendly
Smile.io	$49/mo	No	Yes	Yes	No	4.8/5	Established platform
Rivo	Free-$49/mo	No	Yes	Yes	No	4.9/5	Developer-friendly
LoyaltyLion	$399/mo	No	Yes	No	No	4.4/5	Enterprise analytics
Growave	$19/mo	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	4.8/5	All-in-one budget
Yotpo	$299/mo	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	4.7/5	Premium platform
Stamped.io	$23/mo	Yes	Yes	No	No	4.7/5	Reviews + loyalty
Marsello	$125/mo	No	Yes	Yes	No	4.5/5	Omnichannel POS
Joy Loyalty	$25/mo	No	Yes	Yes	Limited	4.9/5	Advanced campaigns

Compared to Joy: Most alternatives either add features Joy doesn’t offer (reviews, memberships, affiliate programs) or provide similar loyalty features at different price points or with different strengths (segmentation, POS, customization).

Top 11 Joy Loyalty Alternatives for Shopify

1. Yuko — All-in-One Reviews, Loyalty, Referrals & Memberships Platform

Yuko is a comprehensive customer retention platform that combines reviews, loyalty, referrals, and memberships into one affordable solution. While Joy Loyalty excels at loyalty program management, Yuko goes further by adding review management and membership monetization—making it the superior choice for merchants who want a complete retention ecosystem.

Instead of paying for Joy + Judge.me (reviews) + a membership app, Yuko consolidates everything with unified customer data and seamless experiences.

Best For:

• Growing stores (100-5,000 orders/month) wanting comprehensive retention features
• Merchants tired of managing multiple apps and dealing with integration issues
• Brands seeking reviews + loyalty + referrals + memberships without premium pricing
• Stores looking to consolidate tech stack and reduce complexity

Key Features:

• Product Reviews with UGC: Collect photo/video reviews with automated campaigns (Joy doesn’t offer this)
• Points-Based Loyalty: Customizable earning rules matching Joy’s flexibility
• VIP Tiers: Multi-level programs with exclusive perks
• Built-in Referrals: Custom reward structures with real-time tracking
• Membership Programs: Recurring revenue with paid membership tiers (Joy doesn’t offer this)
• Unified Dashboard: Track reviews, loyalty, referrals, and memberships in one place
• 1-Click Migration: Import from Joy, Smile, Yotpo, BON seamlessly
• Email & SMS Automation: Automated review requests and loyalty campaigns
• Multi-Language: 50+ languages for global stores
• Native Shopify POS: Consistent online/offline experiences

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Up to 50 orders/month
• Starter: $49/month (up to 500 orders/month)
• Growth: $99/month (up to 2,000 orders/month)
• Pro: $199/month (unlimited orders)

Pros:

✅ All-in-one saves $200-400/month vs. Joy + separate review and membership apps

✅ Includes membership programs Joy doesn’t offer at any price

✅ Unified customer data eliminates integration headaches

✅ Similar pricing to Joy but with significantly more features

✅ Easy migration with free white-glove service

✅ Excellent 24/7 support with <2 hour response time

✅ Native Shopify integration with fast performance

✅ More comprehensive than Joy for same price point

Cons:

❌ Newer platform (less brand recognition than Joy/Avada)

❌ Smaller third-party integration ecosystem than established competitors

❌ Advanced SMS features still developing

Bottom Line:

If you value Joy’s affordable, feature-rich approach but wish it included reviews and memberships, Yuko is your ideal alternative. At $149/month (matching Joy’s entry paid tier), Yuko delivers everything Joy offers Plus reviews and membership monetization. For the same investment, you get a more complete retention platform.

Try Yuko Free – No Credit Card Required

📊 Cost Comparison:

Joy Loyalty ($25/mo) + Judge.me ($15/mo) + Membership app ($29/mo) = $69/month

Yuko Starter ($15/month) = $15/month

You are saving with MORE features

2. Shopjar — Specialized Referral & Viral Growth Marketing

Shopjar is a dedicated referral marketing app for merchants who want superior referral capabilities beyond what Joy’s built-in referral feature provides. While Joy includes referrals as part of its loyalty bundle, Shopjar’s specialized focus delivers advanced tracking, gamification, and optimization that drive 2-3x better referral conversion rates.

If word-of-mouth growth is your primary strategy, Shopjar’s dedicated toolset outperforms Joy’s general-purpose referrals.

Best For:

• Stores with high customer satisfaction (NPS 50+) ready for aggressive referral marketing
• Brands wanting better referral analytics than Joy’s basic reporting
• Merchants seeking viral growth without paying for loyalty features they don’t need
• Companies looking to reduce customer acquisition costs through advocacy

Key Features:

• Advanced Referral Tracking: Real-time conversion attribution and revenue tracking
• Flexible Reward Structures: Percentage, fixed amount, free products, tiered rewards
• Gamification & Leaderboards: Drive competition among brand advocates
• Post-Purchase Popups: Automatic referral prompts after successful orders
• Fraud Prevention: Anti-gaming rules to protect program integrity
• A/B Testing: Test different reward structures to maximize performance
• Branded Landing Pages: Custom referral pages matching your brand
• Mobile-Optimized Sharing: Beautiful interfaces optimized for mobile conversion
• Automated Reminders: Email campaigns encouraging customers to share
• ROI Tracking: Precise measurement of referral program performance

Pricing:

• Starter: $7/month (up to 300 referrals/month)
• Growth: $12/month (up to 1,000 referrals/month)
• Pro: $29/month (unlimited referrals)

Pros:

✅ Superior referral tracking compared to Joy’s basic referral reporting

✅ Gamification features drive higher referral completion rates

✅ Laser-focused on referrals—does one thing exceptionally well

✅ Simple setup takes less than 15 minutes

✅ Better fraud prevention than Joy’s referral module

✅ Excellent mobile sharing experience

✅ Clear, actionable analytics

Cons:

❌ No loyalty points or VIP tier features (requires separate app)

❌ Narrow focus—not a complete retention solution

❌ Limited email customization on Starter plan

Bottom Line:

If referrals are your growth priority and Joy’s referral feature feels limited, Shopjar delivers specialized capabilities that justify using two apps (Joy for loyalty + Shopjar for referrals) or replacing Joy entirely if you don’t need loyalty points.

Smart Stack: Joy ($25/mo) for loyalty + Shopjar ($7/mo) for advanced referrals = $32/month for best-of-breed approach.

3. Afflr — Plug-and-Play Affiliate Marketing for Shopify

Afflr is a specialized affiliate marketing platform that helps Shopify merchants scale sales through influencer partnerships, content creators, and affiliate networks. While Joy focuses on customer retention through loyalty and referrals, Afflr tackles new customer acquisition through structured affiliate programs—a complementary strategy.

If you’re ready to grow beyond customer referrals into professional affiliate marketing, Afflr provides the infrastructure Joy doesn’t offer.

Best For:

• Brands scaling beyond basic referrals into affiliate marketing
• Stores working with influencers, bloggers, or content creators
• Companies wanting structured affiliate programs with commission management
• Merchants seeking new customer acquisition channels beyond ads

Key Features:

• Affiliate Portal: Self-service portal for affiliate sign-ups and performance tracking
• Custom Commission Structures: Percentage, fixed amount, or tiered commissions
• Real-Time Performance Tracking: Monitor clicks, conversions, revenue by affiliate
• Automated Commission Payouts: Streamlined payments via multiple methods
• Promotional Materials Library: Provide affiliates with banners, images, and copy
• Fraud Protection: Prevent fake sign-ups and self-referrals
• Multi-Tier Programs: Reward affiliates for recruiting other affiliates
• Custom Campaign Landing Pages: Unique pages for different affiliate campaigns
• Integration with Email Tools: Connect with Klaviyo, Mailchimp for affiliate communication
• Performance Analytics: Identify top performers and optimize campaigns

Pricing:

• Starter: $45/month (up to 100 affiliates)
• Growth: $100/month (up to 500 affiliates)

Pros:

✅ Enables affiliate marketing Joy doesn’t offer at all

✅ Complements Joy’s retention focus with acquisition capabilities

✅ Simple setup—launch affiliate program in under an hour

✅ Automated tracking eliminates manual spreadsheet management

✅ Scales from micro-influencers to large affiliate networks

✅ Strong fraud prevention protects your budget

✅ Works alongside loyalty programs as complementary channel

Cons:

❌ No loyalty or retention features (different use case than Joy)

❌ Requires active affiliate recruitment and management

❌ Transaction fees may apply depending on payment method

Bottom Line:

Afflr isn’t a replacement for Joy Loyalty—it serves a different purpose. Joy retains existing customers; Afflr acquires new ones through affiliate partnerships. The smartest approach is using both: Joy for retention, Afflr for acquisition.

Complete Stack: Yuko ($49/mo) for reviews + loyalty + Afflr ($29/mo) for affiliate marketing = $78/month for retention + acquisition.

4. BON Loyalty — Budget-Friendly Alternative with Clear Pricing

BON Loyalty is a fast-growing loyalty app that delivers features comparable to Joy at straightforward, predictable pricing. With a 4.9-star rating and 1,500+ reviews, BON has earned merchant trust through excellent support, 24/7 availability, and reliable performance.

While Joy is known for its advanced rule engine, BON offers a simpler, more intuitive interface at competitive pricing—making it attractive for merchants who find Joy’s sophistication unnecessary.

Best For:

• Merchants wanting similar features to Joy with clearer pricing
• Stores seeking 24/7 support (Joy offers this too, but BON is particularly praised for response times)
• Brands preferring straightforward interfaces over advanced complexity
• Growing stores (200-2,000 orders/month) needing solid loyalty basics

Key Features:

• Points-based loyalty with flexible earning rules
• VIP tiers with points multipliers
• Referral program with custom rewards
• Automated email campaigns for loyalty updates
• Multi-language support (250+ languages)
• Multi-currency discount options
• Shopify POS integration
• Custom loyalty landing page
• Limited-time offers and campaigns
• Product page points display

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Up to 200 orders/month
• Growth: $49/month (up to 500 orders/month)
• Professional: $99/month (up to 2,000 orders/month)

Pros:

✅ Straightforward pricing easier to forecast than Joy’s order-based tiers

✅ Similar features to Joy at comparable pricing

✅ Excellent 24/7 support with fast response times

✅ Multi-language support (250+ languages vs Joy’s 20+)

✅ Simpler interface—easier to set up for non-technical users

✅ Strong free plan for testing (200 orders vs Joy’s 150)

Cons:

❌ Less advanced rule engine than Joy’s sophisticated campaigns

❌ No membership perks feature (Joy offers limited membership capabilities)

❌ Fewer third-party integrations than Joy

Bottom Line:

BON is the perfect Joy alternative if you value simplicity and predictable pricing over advanced campaign sophistication. Both apps rate 4.9/5, but BON’s straightforward approach appeals to merchants who find Joy’s feature depth overwhelming.

5. Smile.io — The Established Loyalty Leader

Smile.io is one of the most recognized names in Shopify loyalty, powering programs for 100,000+ merchants worldwide. While Joy (by Avada) has gained significant traction, Smile remains the trusted choice for merchants who prioritize platform stability, extensive integrations, and proven long-term reliability.

If Joy’s relative newness concerns you, Smile’s decade-long track record offers peace of mind—though at higher pricing.

Best For:

• Merchants prioritizing brand reputation and proven stability
• Stores wanting the most extensive third-party integration ecosystem
• Brands seeking comprehensive documentation and educational resources
• Businesses valuing long-term platform reliability over cutting-edge features

Key Features:

• Points-based rewards with flexible rules
• VIP tiers with tiered benefits
• Built-in referral program
• Automated email campaigns
• Custom loyalty landing page
• POS integration (Shopify POS, Lightspeed, Vend)
• Integration with 20+ apps (vs Joy’s 10+)
• Analytics dashboard
• Mobile-optimized experience
• 24/7 support on higher tiers

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Up to 200 members (very limited)
• Starter: $49/month (up to 500 orders/month)
• Growth: $199/month (up to 2,500 orders/month)
• Pro: $599/month (up to 7,500 orders/month)

Pros:

✅ Most established platform—10+ years in market

✅ Largest integration ecosystem

✅ Comprehensive knowledge base and resources

✅ Strong brand recognition builds customer trust

✅ Proven reliability with 100,000+ merchants

Cons:

❌ More expensive than Joy at higher tiers ($199 vs $99 for Growth)

❌ Free plan very limited (200 members vs Joy’s 150 orders/month)

❌ Less advanced rule engine than Joy’s campaigns

❌ Some merchants report slower support than newer alternatives

Bottom Line:

Smile.io is the “safe” choice if brand recognition and proven reliability outweigh cost considerations. Joy offers better value and more advanced features, but Smile’s decade-long track record appeals to risk-averse merchants.

6. Rivo — Developer-Friendly Loyalty Platform

Rivo is a modern loyalty platform built for merchants who need deep customization and developer-friendly tools. While Joy offers good customization within its interface, Rivo provides API access, custom CSS capabilities, and a developer toolkit that lets technical teams craft unique experiences.

If Joy’s customization feels limited and you have developer resources, Rivo unlocks possibilities Joy simply can’t offer.

Best For:

• Tech-savvy merchants or brands with developer resources
• Stores needing extensive customization beyond standard templates
• Brands wanting API access for custom integrations
• Fast-growing DTC brands prioritizing unique customer experiences

Key Features:

• Points, referrals, and VIP tiers
• Developer Toolkit with comprehensive API access
• Custom CSS for complete design control
• Automated email campaigns
• Reward expiry to create urgency
• Analytics dashboard
• Integration with Klaviyo, Gorgias, Postscript
• 24/7 live chat support on all plans
• Works directly in Shopify admin
• Mobile-optimized loyalty widget

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Forever free (basic features, unlimited orders)
• Scale: $49+/month (400 orders/month, advanced features)
• Plus: custom/month (unlimited orders, full API access)

Pros:

✅ More generous free plan than Joy (unlimited orders vs 150)

✅ Developer Toolkit offers customization Joy can’t match

✅ Modern, clean interface

✅ 24/7 support even on free plan (Joy also offers this)

✅ Native Shopify integration ensures fast performance

✅ Strong merchant-first philosophy

Cons:

❌ Advanced features (API, custom CSS) require expensive Plus plan ($499/mo)

❌ Smaller integration ecosystem than Joy or Smile

❌ Requires technical knowledge to maximize customization potential

❌ Less sophisticated campaign rules than Joy’s rule engine

Bottom Line:

If you have developer resources and need customization beyond Joy’s capabilities, Rivo is your best alternative. The generous free plan makes testing easy, and the developer toolkit unlocks unique loyalty experiences Joy’s interface can’t support.

7. LoyaltyLion — Enterprise-Grade Analytics & Segmentation

LoyaltyLion is a premium loyalty platform designed for established ecommerce brands with sophisticated retention needs. While Joy offers excellent features for small-to-mid-size stores, LoyaltyLion delivers enterprise-level analytics, advanced segmentation, and data-driven insights that justify its premium pricing for high-volume brands.

If you’ve outgrown Joy’s capabilities and need deeper customer intelligence, LoyaltyLion represents the next tier.

Best For:

• Established stores (5,000+ orders/month) needing advanced analytics
• Data-driven brands prioritizing behavioral insights and segmentation
• Enterprises wanting dedicated account management and strategic guidance
• Shopify Plus stores with complex loyalty requirements

Key Features:

• Advanced points and rewards system
• Sophisticated customer segmentation
• Deep behavioral analytics and insights
• Predictive analytics for customer lifetime value
• Automated loyalty communications
• API access for custom integrations
• Multi-currency and multi-language
• Dedicated account manager (higher tiers)
• Integration with enterprise tools
• Advanced A/B testing capabilities

Pricing:

• Classic: $199/month (up to 5,000 orders/month)
• Advanced: custom (up to 12,500 orders/month)
• Plus: Custom pricing (enterprise features)

Pros:

✅ Sophisticated analytics far beyond Joy’s capabilities

✅ Advanced segmentation Joy’s platform doesn’t offer

✅ Dedicated account management and strategic consultation

✅ Proven track record with large brands

✅ Powerful API for custom implementations

✅ Enterprise-level integrations

Cons:

❌ Very expensive ($399/month entry vs Joy’s $25/month)

❌ Massive overkill for stores under 5,000 orders/month

❌ Steeper learning curve than Joy’s intuitive interface

❌ Setup requires significant time investment

❌ No built-in reviews or extended features beyond loyalty

Bottom Line:

LoyaltyLion is where you graduate when Joy’s features no longer suffice. At 16x the price of Joy’s entry paid plan, it’s not for everyone—but for high-volume stores needing sophisticated customer intelligence, the investment delivers measurable ROI.

8. Growave — All-in-One Marketing at Lower Price

Growave is a comprehensive marketing platform that bundles reviews, loyalty, referrals, wishlists, and Instagram UGC into one app. Similar to Yuko’s all-in-one approach but with a focus on visual marketing, Growave helps merchants consolidate multiple tools—and it starts at a lower price point than Joy.

If you need reviews + loyalty and want to spend less than Joy + Judge.me, Growave delivers compelling value.

Best For:

• Stores wanting reviews + loyalty without managing separate apps
• Visual brands (fashion, beauty, home decor) leveraging Instagram
• Budget-conscious merchants seeking all-in-one marketing
• Brands wanting wishlist functionality alongside loyalty

Key Features:

• Product reviews with photo/video
• Points-based loyalty program
• Referral program
• Wishlist functionality
• Instagram UGC galleries
• VIP tiers
• Email automation
• Social login
• Multi-language support
• Shopify POS integration

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Up to 100 orders/month
• Starter: $49/month
• Growth: $159/month
• Premium: $399/month
• Unlimited:$799/month

Pros:

✅ Much cheaper than Joy + separate review app

✅ Instagram integration perfect for visual brands

✅ Wishlist feature drives intent and return visits

✅ All-in-one reduces app management overhead

Cons:

❌ Interface can feel cluttered with many features

❌ Each feature less sophisticated than specialized apps (including Joy)

❌ Some merchants report occasional bugs

❌ Setup takes longer due to multiple features

❌ Less advanced loyalty campaigns than Joy’s rule engine

Bottom Line:

Growave is ideal if you need reviews + loyalty and prefer one affordable app over managing Joy + Judge.me. While Joy’s loyalty features are more advanced, Growave’s bundle saves money and simplifies your stack—perfect for budget-focused merchants.

9. Yotpo https://www.yotpo.com/— Premium All-in-One Platform

Yotpo is a comprehensive customer marketing platform combining reviews, loyalty, referrals, SMS, and subscriptions. While Joy focuses on affordable loyalty excellence, Yotpo targets enterprise brands willing to pay premium prices for an integrated ecosystem with advanced marketing capabilities.

Yotpo competes at a different price point than Joy—$79/month minimum vs Joy’s $25/month entry.

Best For:

• Enterprise brands (10,000+ orders/month) with significant marketing budgets
• Stores already using Yotpo Reviews wanting to add loyalty
• Brands prioritizing integrated reviews + loyalty + SMS
• Well-funded companies less price-sensitive than small businesses

Key Features:

• Product reviews with UGC
• Loyalty and rewards program
• Referral marketing
• SMS marketing (additional cost)
• Subscriptions (additional cost)
• Advanced analytics
• VIP tiers
• Email automation
• Multi-channel integration
• Dedicated support team

Pricing(for bundle options):

• Growth: $368/month (starts at 500 orders/month)
• Prime: $1198/month (advanced features)
• Premium: Custom pricing (enterprise)

Pros:

✅ Comprehensive platform covering reviews + loyalty + SMS

✅ Strong brand recognition in ecommerce space

✅ Advanced SMS marketing capabilities Joy doesn’t offer

✅ Dedicated support and CSM on higher tiers

✅ Excellent for brands already in Yotpo ecosystem

Cons:

❌ Extremely expensive (12x more than Joy at entry level)

❌ Complex pricing with many add-ons

❌ Steep learning curve compared to Joy’s intuitive interface

❌ Massive overkill for small-to-mid-size stores

❌ External dashboard (doesn’t work in Shopify admin like Joy)

Bottom Line:

Yotpo is the premium enterprise alternative, but at $79/month minimum (vs Joy’s $25/month), most merchants are better served by Joy’s excellent features at affordable pricing. Only consider Yotpo if you need enterprise-level SMS marketing and have the budget to support it.

10. Stamped.io — Reviews + Loyalty Combination

Stamped.io is primarily a review platform (competing with Judge.me and Yotpo Reviews), but also offers a loyalty module. For merchants who need both reviews and loyalty at a lower price point than Yuko or Growave, Stamped provides a compelling two-in-one solution.

While Joy excels at loyalty, Stamped’s review-first approach makes it a different value proposition when you need both capabilities.

Best For:

• Stores needing both reviews and basic loyalty features
• Merchants prioritizing review collection over advanced loyalty campaigns
• Brands wanting one app instead of Joy + Judge.me
• Stores comparing all-in-one options

Key Features:

• Product reviews with photo/video
• Points-based loyalty program
• Automated review requests
• VIP tiers (loyalty)
• Referral rewards (loyalty)
• Questions & Answers
• Instagram integration
• Email automation
• SEO-optimized reviews
• Analytics for reviews and loyalty

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Limited reviews, no loyalty
• Basic: $23/month (reviews only)
• Premium: $59/month (reviews + loyalty)
• Professional: $149/month (advanced features)

Pros:

✅ Two-in-one solution (reviews + loyalty) simplifies stack

✅ Strong review features compete with Judge.me

✅ Lower combined pricing than Joy + review app at some tiers

✅ Good Instagram integration

✅ Active development with updates

Cons:

❌ Loyalty features less sophisticated than Joy’s advanced campaigns

❌ No standalone loyalty pricing (must pay for reviews too)

❌ Interface can feel dated compared to Joy’s modern design

❌ Some advanced features locked to Professional tier

❌ Smaller app than Joy’s growing user base

Bottom Line:

Stamped.io makes sense if you need reviews + loyalty and prefer paying for one app. Joy offers more advanced loyalty features, but Stamped’s review capabilities make it a better overall value if you need both—though Yuko delivers even more features at similar pricing.

11. Marsello — Omnichannel Loyalty with Marketing Automation

Marsello is a comprehensive loyalty and marketing platform emphasizing omnichannel capabilities and marketing automation. While Joy offers solid POS integration, Marsello goes deeper with retail-focused features, making it the top choice for merchants with significant in-store sales alongside ecommerce.

If you need superior omnichannel loyalty beyond Joy’s capabilities, Marsello delivers—at a higher price.

Best For:

• Merchants with significant retail stores and in-store sales
• Brands prioritizing seamless omnichannel customer experiences
• Stores wanting loyalty + email + SMS in one platform
• Retailers needing robust POS integration beyond Joy’s offering

Key Features:

• Omnichannel loyalty (online + POS deeply integrated)
• Points, rewards, and VIP tiers
• Email marketing automation
• SMS campaigns
• Automated review requests
• Shopify POS and external POS integrations
• Customer segmentation
• Marketing automation workflows
• Social media scheduling
• Analytics across all channels

Pricing:

• 14-day free trial (requires payment info)
• Pro Plan: $60/month (starts here)
• Professional: $120/month (enhanced features)
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

Pros:

✅ Superior omnichannel capabilities vs Joy’s standard POS integration

✅ Built-in email + SMS marketing (Joy requires separate tools)

✅ Strong for retail businesses with physical stores

✅ Comprehensive marketing automation

✅ Good for unifying online and offline customer data

Cons:

❌ Much more expensive than Joy ($125 vs $25 entry)

❌ Requires payment info for free trial (Joy doesn’t)

❌ Overkill for ecommerce-only stores

❌ Interface feels dated compared to Joy’s modern design

❌ Some merchants report price increases over time

Bottom Line:

Marsello is the best Joy alternative for omnichannel merchants with substantial retail operations. If you’re ecommerce-only, Joy’s lower pricing and modern interface make more sense. But for retailers needing deep POS integration, Marsello justifies its premium pricing.

Feature	Yuko	Shopjar	Afflr	BON Loyalty	Smile.io	Rivo	LoyaltyLion	Growave	Yotpo	Stamped.io	Marsello
Points Program	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
VIP Tiers	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Referrals	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Reviews	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Memberships	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Advanced Rules	✅ Good	⚠ Basic	✅ Good	✅ Good	✅ Good	✅ Good	✅ Excellent	✅ Good	✅ Excellent	✅ Excellent	✅ Excellent
API Access	✅ Pro plan	⚠ Limited	✅ Pro plan	⚠ Limited	✅ Pro plan	✅ Pro plan	✅ Yes	⚠ Limited	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
POS Integration	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Multi-Language	✅ 50+	✅ 20+	✅ 50+	✅ 250+	✅ 50+	✅ 50+	✅ 50+	✅ 50+	✅ 50+	✅ 50+	✅ 50+
24/7 Support	✅ Yes	⚠ Limited	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Starting Price	$15/mo	$45/mo	$7/mo	Free	$49/mo	Free	$199/mo	$49/mo	$299/mo	$79/mo	$60/mo

Feature-by-Feature: What You Actually Get

Comprehensive comparison showing feature availability and true costs:Key Takeaways:

Best All-in-One Value: Yuko offers the most comprehensive features (reviews + loyalty + referrals + memberships) at $149/month

Best Budget Option: Growave at $49/month delivers reviews + loyalty for less than Joy’s $25/month loyalty-only price.

Best Advanced Campaigns: Joy’s rule engine is excellent, matched only by LoyaltyLion (but at 16x the price).

Best Free Plan: Rivo (unlimited orders) beats Joy’s 150 orders/month limit.

How to Switch from Joy Loyalty to a Better Alternative (5 Simple Steps)

Worried about losing customer points and VIP tiers when migrating from Joy? Don’t be. Switching is straightforward, and most alternatives offer migration support.

Step 1: Export Your Data from Joy Loyalty

Log into your Joy Loyalty dashboard and export:

• Customer loyalty points and balances
• VIP tier assignments
• Referral program data
• Transaction history
• Customer email lists

Joy provides CSV export functionality. If you need assistance, their excellent support team can help.

Step 2: Choose Your Alternative

Select based on your needs:

• Need reviews + loyalty + memberships? → Yuko
• Want similar loyalty at lower cost? → BON or Growave
• Need better referrals? → Shopjar
• Enterprise analytics? → LoyaltyLion
• Developer customization? → Rivo

Sign up for free trials to test before committing.

Step 3: Import Your Data

Most Joy alternatives offer migration tools:

• Upload your Joy CSV export
• Match data fields (usually automatic)
• Preview imported data
• Confirm import

Pro tip: Apps like Yuko and BON offer free white-glove migration services.

Step 4: Customize Your Program

Configure your new program:

• Match brand colors and fonts
• Set up earning/redemption rules
• Configure email templates
• Create VIP tier structure
• Test in preview mode

Typical setup: 30-60 minutes.

Step 5: Go Live (Zero Downtime)

When ready:

• Disable Joy Loyalty widgets
• Enable new app’s widgets
• Test on desktop and mobile
• Monitor for 24-48 hours

Migration timeline: 1-2 days including testing.

Need Help?

Most alternatives offer migration support:

• Yuko: Free white-glove migration
• BON: Migration assistance
• Smile.io: Dedicated migration support
• Rivo: Help center guides

Book Free Migration Call with Yuko

Elevate Your Retention Strategy in 2025

Joy Loyalty is an excellent app with a well-deserved 4.9-star rating. But the Shopify ecosystem offers alternatives that might serve your specific needs better—whether that’s adding reviews and memberships, reducing costs, or accessing enterprise analytics.

The best time to explore alternatives? When your needs evolve beyond what your current platform offers. Migration is simple, support is ready, and better retention awaits.

Choose your perfect Joy Loyalty alternative above and start your free trial today.

Our Top Pick: The Best Joy Loyalty Alternative for Most Shopify Stores

After comparing features, pricing, capabilities, and merchant feedback across 11 platforms, Yuko emerges as the best Joy Loyalty alternative for most Shopify merchants—especially those who want more than pure loyalty features.

Why Yuko Stands Out:

Comprehensive Features Joy Doesn’t Offer

At $15/month (vs Joy’s $25 entry), Yuko delivers everything Joy offers pluS product reviews with photo/video support AND membership programs with recurring revenue. These are features Joy simply doesn’t provide at any price.

All-in-One Simplicity

Instead of managing Joy + Judge.me (reviews) + a membership app, you get one unified dashboard with consistent customer data and seamless experiences. This means fewer integration issues, cleaner analytics, and simplified management.

Better Value Than Multiple Apps

Joy ($25/mo) + Judge.me ($15/mo) + Membership app ($29/mo) = $69/month Yuko Starter with referral,loyalty,review and membership($149/month) .

Matches Joy’s Core Strengths

Yuko delivers the loyalty fundamentals Joy excels at—points, VIP tiers, referrals—while adding the reviews and memberships Joy lacks. You’re not sacrificing loyalty quality; you’re expanding your retention toolkit.

Easy Migration from Joy

Import your Joy data in minutes with 1-click migration, or use Yuko’s free white-glove service. Your points, VIP tiers, and customer data transfer seamlessly.

Built Exclusively for Shopify

Native integration ensures fast performance, seamless POS support, and zero coding requirements. Setup takes under 30 minutes.

24/7 Support with Fast Response

Average response time under 2 hours with helpful support that understands Shopify stores.

Who Should Choose Yuko?

Yuko is perfect for:

• Merchants who love Joy but wish it included reviews and memberships
• Growing stores (100-5,000 orders/month) seeking comprehensive retention
• Brands wanting to consolidate multiple apps into one platform
• Stores needing reviews + loyalty + referrals + memberships without premium pricing
• Merchants valuing unified customer data and simplified management

Ready to Get More Features for Less Money?

Try Yuko free for 14 days with no credit card required. Import your Joy data, test all features, and see why merchants are making the switch.

Alternative Recommendations:

If you only need loyalty (no reviews): Choose BON Loyalty ($23/month) for straightforward features and excellent support, or Growave ($49/month) for the absolute lowest price.

If you need advanced campaign rules: Stay with Joy ($25/month) – its rule engine is excellent, or upgrade to LoyaltyLion ($199/month) for enterprise sophistication.

If you need developer customization: Choose Rivo (free-$49+/month) for API access and custom CSS capabilities.

If you prioritize brand recognition: Choose Smile.io ($49/month) for the most established platform with proven reliability.

Frequently Asked Questions About Joy Loyalty Alternatives