LoyaltyLion vs Smile: which loyalty app should you pick in 2027?
TL;DR:
- Pick Smile if you take up to 2,500 orders a month, because it offers points, referrals, POS and VIP tiers for $199/month.
- Pick LoyaltyLion when you need RFM reports, API access on every paid plan or a connection to Claude and Sidekick. It costs $349/month at 2,000 orders, before its VIP add-on.
- When pricing is the problem with both, I'd recommend a third app, Love Loyalty, which offers the same loyalty features for up to 2,000 orders at $79/month, and unlimited orders for $399/month.
You've narrowed your loyalty app down to LoyaltyLion and Smile. Both offer points, referrals and VIP tiers, so the basics won't separate them.
The choice comes down to 2 things: what you pay as your orders grow, and how much reporting and developer access you need. Choose by your store's size, because the cheaper app changes as your order volume does.
So I installed LoyaltyLion and Smile on the same test store. Below, you'll find what each one costs as of November 2026, how they differ and which one I'd pick at each store size. I'll also recommend a third app that offers the same loyalty features but costs less than both.
LoyaltyLion vs Smile pricing: what will you pay as your orders grow?
Smile costs less over time. Over 2 years at 2,000 orders a month, Smile costs about $4,776 and LoyaltyLion about $8,376, before its VIP add-on.
When I compared their pricing plans at 5 order volumes, this is what each app costs a month:
| Orders a month | LoyaltyLion | Smile | Love Loyalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | $199 on its Classic plan | $15 on its Essential plan | $12 on its Professional plan |
| 1,000 | $249 on its Classic plan | $79 on its Standard plan | $79 on its Growth plan |
| 2,000 | $349 on its Classic plan | $199 on its Growth plan | $79 on its Growth plan |
| 5,000 | A custom quote | $999 on its Plus plan | $399 on its Plus plan |
| Unlimited orders | A custom quote | A custom quote on its Enterprise plan | $399 on its Plus plan |
Prices as of November 2026. Developers change them, so check each app before you choose.
LoyaltyLion's price rises by $50 for every 500 orders, and above 4,000 orders it moves to a quote. In the reviews I read, Fendrihan said in September 2025 that its custom plan rose 20% to 30% a year.
Smile's price jumps at its plan limits instead. Its $15 and $79 plans pause your programme at the limit until you upgrade. Above 2,500 orders, Smile costs $999/month on its Plus plan, which includes 7,500 orders, and Smile charges for 12 months at once.
So the cheaper app changes with your volume. Up to 2,500 orders, Smile costs less. From 3,000 to 4,000 orders, LoyaltyLion costs $449 to $549/month against Smile's $999/month.
Neither app keeps its price flat at every volume. Smile's Enterprise plan offers unlimited orders, but only by quote and with yearly billing.
Winner: Smile, because it costs about $3,600 less over 2 years at 2,000 orders.
Third app: Love Loyalty offers VIP tiers, paid memberships and POS for up to 2,000 orders for only $79/month. For Shopify Plus brands, it offers unlimited orders for only $399/month.
Quick comparison of LoyaltyLion and Smile
LoyaltyLion is strongest on reporting and developer access, and Smile is strongest on price.
LoyaltyLion's strengths:
- API access on every paid plan: from $199/month against Smile's $999/month, so custom work doesn't need the top plan.
- RFM reports from $199/month: they sort customers into segments such as lapsed and at risk. I didn't find RFM reports in any Smile plan.
- A connection to Claude and Sidekick from $199/month: you can ask questions about your programme in plain language. I didn't find AI features in any Smile plan.
Smile's strengths:
- A lower price up to 2,500 orders: $199/month at 2,000 orders against LoyaltyLion's $349/month, so the saving is $150 a month.
- VIP tiers in the plan price: included for $199/month, while LoyaltyLion sells them as an add-on by quote on its $349 plan.
- POS from $15/month: in-store rewards start on Smile's first paid plan, while LoyaltyLion's start at $199/month.
LoyaltyLion vs Smile features: which one offers more?
Smile offers more for the price, and LoyaltyLion offers more for developers and analysts. I set up the same points and VIP programme in both apps, then checked which plan each feature needs.
This is the plan and price where each feature starts:
- Referrals: LoyaltyLion on its $199 Classic plan, Smile on its $15 Essential plan and above
- VIP tiers: LoyaltyLion as a paid add-on to its $199 Classic plan, Smile on its $199 Growth plan
- POS: LoyaltyLion on its $199 Classic plan for 1 location, Smile on its $15 Essential plan and above
- Scheduled bonus points: LoyaltyLion on its Advanced plan, a custom quote, Smile on its $79 Standard plan
- Points on product pages: LoyaltyLion on its Advanced plan, a custom quote, Smile on its $79 Standard plan
- RFM reports: LoyaltyLion on its $199 Classic plan, Smile not offered
- API access: LoyaltyLion on its $199 Classic plan, Smile on its $999 Plus plan
Only LoyaltyLion offers RFM reports. You can use them to reach lapsed customers before they stop buying.
Only Smile publishes a price for double points weekends and product page points. So you can plan a campaign without asking for a quote.
Winner: Smile, because VIP tiers, bonus events and product page points all come at published prices.
Third app: Love Loyalty offers VIP tiers, paid memberships, POS, bonus campaigns and Apple and Google Wallet passes for up to 2,000 orders for only $79/month.
LoyaltyLion vs Smile integrations: which one works with your other apps?
LoyaltyLion includes all its integrations from $199/month, while Smile limits how many you can connect below its $199 Growth plan. I checked the integrations in each app's settings.
These are the tools each app connects to:
- Email and SMS: LoyaltyLion works with Klaviyo and Attentive, Smile with Klaviyo and Mailchimp
- Reviews: LoyaltyLion works with Loox and Yotpo, Smile with Judge.me and Loox
- Subscriptions: both work with Recharge
- Helpdesk: both work with Gorgias
- Shopify POS and Shopify Flow: both
- Mobile app: LoyaltyLion works with Tapcart
Smile offers 1 integration on its $15 Essential plan, 2 on its $79 Standard plan and unlimited integrations on its $199 Growth plan. LoyaltyLion keeps subscription rewards for its Advanced plan, a custom quote.
Winner: LoyaltyLion, because every paid plan includes all its integrations.
Third app: Love Loyalty offers Shopify Flow, Klaviyo and 30+ other integrations for up to 500 orders for only $12/month.
LoyaltyLion vs Smile AI features: what does AI do in each app?
LoyaltyLion has AI features, and I didn't find any in Smile's plans. I checked which plan includes each one.
LoyaltyLion connects to Claude, Sidekick and other AI assistants on every paid plan, from $199/month. You can ask questions about your programme in plain language. Its Loyalty Agent also suggests changes to your setup. AI campaigns, which recommend bonus points timing and reward discounts, need its Plus plan at a custom quote.
Winner: LoyaltyLion, because Smile doesn't offer AI features.
Third app: Love Loyalty offers AI that suggests a loyalty programme for your store, from only $79/month. It doesn't connect to Claude or Sidekick, so I wouldn't recommend it when you need that.
LoyaltyLion vs Smile design: how does each one look on your store?
LoyaltyLion looked more like part of my store, and Smile matched my fonts better. I installed both apps on the same test store and theme.
LoyaltyLion showed the programme as a page on my store, not as a pop-up over it. Points and VIP status also showed in the customer account. But my theme's fonts didn't carry over, and the page needed CSS to match.
Smile showed a floating loyalty button by default, on every plan. It picked up my branding without changes. Its loyalty page starts on the $15 Essential plan, product page points on the $79 Standard plan and the Loyalty Hub in customer accounts on the $199 Growth plan.
In the reviews I read, Faylit said in November 2025 that LoyaltyLion's font slowed their site. Bins and Boxes said the same month that Smile ignored their button position.
Winner: LoyaltyLion, because the programme showed as part of my store on its first paid plan.
Third app: On my test store, Love Loyalty showed points on the product page, and customers redeemed them in the cart without a pop-up. It also picked up my theme's fonts and colours.
LoyaltyLion vs Smile setup: how long does each one take?
Smile took me 18 minutes and LoyaltyLion took 20. I timed each app from install to a working points and VIP programme.
In Smile, VIP tiers, referrals, points expiry and POS each needed their own settings. In LoyaltyLion, the VIP tiers and earning rules took the time. On paid plans, LoyaltyLion's team builds the loyalty page for you, so your launch waits on them.
For existing points, Smile imports balances by CSV and offers migration help on its $999 Plus plan. LoyaltyLion's team helps import your customer data once your account is ready.
Winner: Smile, by 2 minutes. That gap shouldn't decide your choice.
Third app: Love Loyalty took me 15 minutes to set up. It offers free migration from only $79/month.
LoyaltyLion vs Smile customer support: who helps you faster?
Smile's reviews mention support problems less often. Support came up in 43 of Smile's 4,673 reviews and in 21 of LoyaltyLion's 550. I read every review where customers shared a problem.
LoyaltyLion offers live chat, email and an onboarding specialist on paid plans. In April 2026, AKIRA said the app works but called support "arguably the worst". LoyaltyLion replied to 41 of the 42 reviews where customers shared a problem.
Smile offers live chat on every plan and priority support on its $999 Plus plan. In May 2026, Moehair USA waited 2 to 3 days for replies. Smile replied to 112 of 152 such reviews.
Winner: Smile, because under 1% of its reviews mention a support problem, against about 4% for LoyaltyLion.
Third app: Love Loyalty offers live chat on every plan, and it answered within minutes in my test.
LoyaltyLion vs Smile reviews: what do merchants say?
Smile has 4.9 stars from 4,673 reviews on the Shopify App Store, and LoyaltyLion has 4.7 from 550. I read the 20 newest 5-star reviews of each app, and every review where customers shared a problem.
Recent LoyaltyLion reviewers praise its onboarding and its reports. Of the 42 reviews I read where customers shared a problem, 19 mention price. Price rises and custom quotes came up most.
Recent Smile reviewers praise a quick launch and helpful onboarding. Of the 152 reviews I read where customers shared a problem, 40 mention price. Many of those point at the $199/month plan.
Winner: Smile, because 3% of its reviews share a problem, against 8% of LoyaltyLion's.
Third app: Love Loyalty has 5.0 stars from 428 reviews on the Shopify App Store.
LoyaltyLion vs Smile: which one should you pick at your store size?
For most stores, I'd pick Smile, because it costs less up to 2,500 orders a month and includes VIP tiers. From 3,000 to 4,000 orders, LoyaltyLion costs less. I matched the plan each app charges at 4 store sizes, so each pick is on the same order volume.
Which plan fits a store that just launched?
LoyaltyLion's $199 Classic plan:
- Monthly cost: $199/month
- Orders included: 500
- Above the limit: $249/month at 1,000 orders
- Must-have features: points, with VIP tiers as a paid add-on by quote
- Support: live chat, email and an onboarding specialist
Smile's $15 Essential plan:
- Monthly cost: $15/month
- Orders included: 500
- Above the limit: $79/month on the Standard plan, for 1,000 orders
- Must-have features: points, without VIP tiers
- Support: live chat
My pick: Smile, because it costs $15/month at 500 orders, while LoyaltyLion costs $199/month. Neither plan includes VIP tiers at that price.
Which plan fits a growing brand?
LoyaltyLion's $349 Classic plan:
- Monthly cost: $349/month at 2,000 orders, or $249/month at 1,000
- Orders included: 2,000
- Above the limit: no fee per order, but a plan review after 3 months at 25% over
- Must-have features: points, with VIP tiers as a paid add-on by quote
- Support: live chat, email and an onboarding specialist
Smile's $199 Growth plan:
- Monthly cost: $199/month
- Orders included: 2,500
- Above the limit: $999/month on the Plus plan
- Must-have features: points and VIP tiers
- Support: live chat
Below 1,000 orders, Smile's $79 Standard plan costs less again, but it doesn't offer VIP tiers.
My pick: Smile, because its $199 Growth plan includes VIP tiers at 2,000 orders, while LoyaltyLion's $349 Classic plan needs an add-on. LoyaltyLion makes more sense when RFM reports or API access matter more than $150 a month.
Which plan fits a scaling store?
LoyaltyLion's $549 Classic plan:
- Monthly cost: $549/month at 4,000 orders, or $399/month at 2,500
- Orders included: 4,000
- Above the limit: a custom quote
- Must-have features: points, with VIP tiers as a paid add-on by quote
- Support: live chat, email and an onboarding specialist
Smile's $999 Plus plan:
- Monthly cost: $999/month, and Smile charges for 12 months at once
- Orders included: 7,500
- Above the limit: $5 per 100 orders
- Must-have features: points and VIP tiers
- Support: priority support, a launch plan and migration help
My pick: LoyaltyLion, because it costs $549/month at 4,000 orders against Smile's $999/month. VIP tiers still need LoyaltyLion's add-on, so ask for that price first.
Which plan fits a Shopify Plus store?
LoyaltyLion's Plus plan:
- Monthly cost: a custom quote, based on your average monthly orders
- Orders included: set in your contract
- Above the limit: a plan review after 3 months at 25% over
- Must-have features: points and VIP tiers
- Support: an onboarding specialist and quarterly performance reviews
Smile's $999 Plus plan:
- Monthly cost: $999/month, and Smile charges for 12 months at once
- Orders included: 7,500
- Above the limit: $5 per 100 orders
- Must-have features: points and VIP tiers
- Support: priority support, a launch plan and migration help
My pick: LoyaltyLion when its quote comes in near Smile's $999/month, because it adds AI campaigns and 130+ languages. Smile makes more sense when you want a published price.
Both apps offer a 14-day trial on paid plans.
LoyaltyLion vs Smile: key takeaways at a glance
Smile costs less up to 2,500 orders a month, and LoyaltyLion costs less from 3,000 to 4,000. LoyaltyLion also offers RFM reports, AI features and API access from its first paid plan. A third app, Love Loyalty, offers the same loyalty features and costs less than both at 2,000 orders.
This is how they compare for each job:
- For a first points programme: Smile starts at $15/month, while LoyaltyLion starts at $199/month.
- For VIP tiers at the lowest price: Smile includes them for $199/month, while LoyaltyLion adds them to its $349 Classic plan by quote.
- For stores with a till: Smile offers POS from $15/month, while LoyaltyLion needs its $199 Classic plan.
- For winning back lapsed customers: LoyaltyLion offers RFM reports from $199/month, and Smile doesn't offer them.
- For custom development: LoyaltyLion offers API access from $199/month, while Smile needs its $999 Plus plan.
The short verdict
I'd pick Smile for most stores, because it costs less up to 2,500 orders and includes VIP tiers.
Pick LoyaltyLion if:
- You want RFM reports, so you can reach lapsed and at-risk customers.
- Your developers need API access without paying $999/month.
- You want to ask Claude or Sidekick about your programme.
- You take 3,000 to 4,000 orders, where LoyaltyLion costs $450 to $550 less a month.
Pick Smile if:
- You take up to 2,500 orders a month and want VIP tiers for $199/month.
- Your customers buy in person, so you need POS on every plan.
- You want a published price at 5,000 orders.
Pick Love Loyalty if:
- You want VIP tiers, POS and paid memberships for $79/month at 2,000 orders.
- Your customers should redeem points in the cart, so they don't need a pop-up.
- You're on Shopify Plus and want unlimited orders for $399/month.
At 2,000 orders a month, Love Loyalty costs $79, Smile costs $199 and LoyaltyLion costs $349. Both offer a 14-day trial on paid plans. Install both, set up the same programme on a copy of your theme and compare them on your phone.
What do merchants often ask about LoyaltyLion vs Smile?
Is Smile cheaper than LoyaltyLion?
Yes, up to 2,500 orders a month. At 2,000 orders, Smile costs $199/month and LoyaltyLion costs $349/month. At 4,000 orders, LoyaltyLion costs less, at $549 against Smile's $999. Above that, LoyaltyLion moves to a custom quote.
Is LoyaltyLion or Smile better for a small store?
Smile. At 500 orders a month, Smile costs $15/month and LoyaltyLion costs $199/month. Neither plan includes VIP tiers at that price.
Do LoyaltyLion and Smile both offer VIP tiers?
Yes. Smile includes them from its $199 Growth plan. LoyaltyLion sells them as a paid add-on to its $199 to $549 Classic plan, and includes them in its Advanced plan at a custom quote.
Can you move from LoyaltyLion to Smile?
Yes. Smile imports points balances by CSV, and its $999 Plus plan adds migration help. Export your customers' points and VIP status from LoyaltyLion before you cancel.
Will LoyaltyLion or Smile slow down your store?
I don't give speed scores, because they depend on your theme and your other apps. The total number of apps on your store matters more than one loyalty app. Test any app on your own store before and after you install it.
Which other loyalty app comparisons should you read?
These articles compare both apps with the rest of the category:
