ComparisonMar 14, 2026

Smile.io vs LoyaltyLion: Loyalty App Compared

Smile.io and LoyaltyLion are two long-running loyalty apps for Shopify. Smile.io publishes six price points from free to $999/mo, while LoyaltyLion starts paid plans at $199/mo and quotes its higher plans. This comparison uses both vendors' pricing pages and Shopify App Store listings, checked in October 2026, and only states plan details those sources show. If you want to see how a wallet-based approach compares, check out the JeriCommerce vs Smile.io comparison.

Quick Verdict

Smile.io is the better fit for smaller stores: it has a free plan, paid plans from $15/mo and published prices up to 7,500 orders. LoyaltyLion is the better fit if you want unlimited integrations on every plan, multi-location POS on higher plans and an optional Loyalty Pass wallet add-on.

Choose Smile.io if:

You want published pricing, a low entry price ($15/mo for 500 orders) and a free plan with points, rewards and referrals.

Choose LoyaltyLion if:

You want unlimited integrations on all plans, multi-location POS on Advanced and Plus, and an optional Apple and Google Wallet add-on, and you are fine with quoted pricing above 500 orders.

The Contenders

Smile.io

Loyalty, referrals and VIP tiers for Shopify

Focus: Points, rewards and referrals on a free plan, with VIP tiers, points expiry and API access on Growth ($199/mo)Starting at: Free plan (200 orders/mo)

LoyaltyLion

Loyalty points, rewards, referrals and VIP tiers for Shopify

Focus: Points, rewards, referrals and VIP tiers, with unlimited integrations on all plans and an optional Loyalty Pass (Apple and Google Wallet) add-onStarting at: Free (400 orders/mo, App Store); Classic $199/mo

Head-to-Head Comparison

Entry Price & Free PlancriticalSmile.io wins

5vs3

Smile.ioSmile.io has a Free plan at $0/mo (200 orders/mo, points, rewards and referrals) and Essential at $15/mo (500 orders, 1 integration with Klaviyo, nudges, analytics).

LoyaltyLionLoyaltyLion's Shopify App Store listing shows a Free plan for 400 monthly orders, but the pricing page we checked starts at Classic, $199/mo for 500 orders with a 14-day free trial.

Pricing at ScalecriticalSmile.io wins

4vs3

Smile.ioStandard is $79/mo (1,000 orders), Growth $199/mo (2,500 orders, $20 per extra 100 orders), Plus $999/mo billed annually (7,500 orders), and Enterprise is contact sales.

LoyaltyLionAdvanced and Plus are custom quotes. The pricing page has a monthly-order slider from 500 to 1M+ orders, with the price set by quote above 500 orders.

VIP TiersimportantTie

4vs4

Smile.ioVIP tiers and points expiry are on Growth ($199/mo).

LoyaltyLionLoyaltyLion's pricing page lists dynamic VIP tiers as an optional add-on on Classic and included on Advanced and Plus. The App Store listing also shows VIP tiers on Classic, so check current plan details.

Referral ProgramimportantTie

4vs4

Smile.ioReferrals are included on the Free plan.

LoyaltyLionReferrals are part of the product (the App Store lists them as a program type); we did not see a plan-specific row for them.

IntegrationsimportantLoyaltyLion wins

3vs4

Smile.ioEssential includes 1 integration (Klaviyo), Standard 2, and Growth unlimited. Smile.io works with Gorgias, Judge.me, Klaviyo, Loox, Mailchimp, Recharge and Shopify Flow, per its App Store listing.

LoyaltyLionUnlimited integrations on all three plans, including a Klaviyo integration on Classic with ready-to-use email flows. It works with Attentive, Gorgias, Klaviyo, ReCharge, Tapcart, Yotpo and Shopify Flow.

Shopify POSnice-to-haveTie

4vs4

Smile.ioShopify POS support is on Standard ($79/mo), per smile.io's pricing page. Its App Store listing places it on Free, so check current details.

LoyaltyLionOne POS location on Classic, multiple locations on Advanced and Plus.

Wallet Passesnice-to-haveLoyaltyLion wins

3vs4

Smile.ioWe did not find a wallet pass option on Smile.io's pricing page.

LoyaltyLionLoyalty Pass (Apple and Google Wallet) is an optional add-on on all plans.

API & Developer AccessimportantTie

4vs4

Smile.ioAPI access is on Growth, and Plus adds custom API rate limits.

LoyaltyLionLoyaltyLion links a headless API and developer portal from its site. The pricing page does not state which plans include API access.

Shopify App Store RatingimportantSmile.io wins

5vs4

Smile.io4.9 rating from 4,629 reviews on the Shopify App Store.

LoyaltyLion4.6 rating from 542 reviews on the Shopify App Store.

Analytics & ReportingimportantTie

4vs4

Smile.ioAnalytics start on Essential, and Growth lists 25+ reports.

LoyaltyLionThe App Store listing includes analytics and segments, even on the Free plan.

Pricing Comparison

Smile.io

Free$0/mo

200 orders/mo · Points, rewards, referrals · 15+ ways to earn and redeem

Essential$15/mo

500 orders/mo · 1 integration (Klaviyo) · Nudges · Analytics

Standard$79/mo

1,000 orders/mo · Free product rewards · Shopify POS support · 2 integrations · Bonus events

Growth$199/mo

2,500 orders/mo ($20 per extra 100) · VIP tiers and points expiry · Unlimited integrations · API and 25+ reports

Plus$999/mo billed annually

7,500 orders/mo · Custom API rate limits · Priority support

LoyaltyLion

Free (App Store)$0/mo

400 orders/mo · Points for on-site activities · Discount rewards · Analytics and segments

Classic$199/mo

500 orders/mo · 14-day free trial · Klaviyo integration · 1 POS location · VIP tiers as optional add-on

AdvancedCustom quote

Dynamic VIP tiers · Multiple POS locations · Unlimited integrations

PlusCustom quote

Everything in Advanced · Klaviyo Events · Loyalty Pass as optional add-on

Prices as of October 2026. Smile.io publishes its prices from free to $999/mo and is cheaper at entry level: $15/mo for 500 orders against LoyaltyLion Classic at $199/mo for 500 orders. At the $199/mo level, Smile.io Growth covers 2,500 orders with VIP tiers, points expiry, unlimited integrations and API access. LoyaltyLion's Advanced and Plus plans are quoted, so the comparison above 500 orders depends on the quote you receive. If budget matters, also consider wallet-based alternatives like JeriCommerce, which starts with a free plan.

Final Verdict

Smile.io

LoyaltyLion

Smile.io wins on entry price, published pricing and App Store rating. LoyaltyLion wins on integration limits (unlimited on every plan) and on wallet passes through its optional Loyalty Pass add-on. VIP tiers, POS, referrals, API and analytics are close. The deciding factors are budget and whether you want a wallet add-on: Smile.io is the cheaper path to a working program, while LoyaltyLion's plans above 500 orders are quoted. For a wallet-first approach, see JeriCommerce.

Choose Smile.io if:

You want published pricing, a free plan and a low entry price. You want VIP tiers, points expiry and API on a single published plan (Growth, $199/mo).

Choose LoyaltyLion if:

You want unlimited integrations on every plan, multi-location POS on higher plans and an optional Apple and Google Wallet add-on, and you are fine with quoted pricing.

FAQ

Which is cheaper: Smile.io or LoyaltyLion?

At entry level, Smile.io: Essential is $15/mo for 500 orders, while LoyaltyLion Classic is $199/mo for 500 orders (October 2026). LoyaltyLion's Shopify App Store listing also shows a free plan for 400 orders. Above 500 orders, LoyaltyLion prices Advanced and Plus by quote.

Can I migrate from Smile.io to LoyaltyLion or vice versa?

We did not find published migration terms or timelines for either app in the sources we checked. Ask each vendor about moving customer records, point balances and tier status before you switch.

Which has better Klaviyo integration?

Both list a Klaviyo integration. Smile.io includes one integration (Klaviyo) on Essential, and LoyaltyLion lists Klaviyo with ready-to-use email flows on Classic and Klaviyo Events on Plus.

Do either offer POS loyalty for physical stores?

Both support Shopify POS. Smile.io lists it on Standard ($79/mo). LoyaltyLion supports one location on Classic and multiple on Advanced and Plus. For wallet-based identification, see JeriCommerce.

Which plan do I need for VIP tiers?

On Smile.io, VIP tiers start on Growth ($199/mo). On LoyaltyLion, dynamic VIP tiers are an optional add-on on Classic and included on Advanced and Plus.

Does either app support Apple Wallet or Google Wallet?

LoyaltyLion offers Loyalty Pass (Apple and Google Wallet) as an optional add-on on all plans. We did not find a wallet pass option on Smile.io's pricing page.

Looking for a Third Option? Try Wallet Loyalty

JeriCommerce delivers loyalty through Apple Wallet and Google Wallet passes, with no separate app to download. Free plan for up to 50 loyalty cards.

Install Free on Shopify

5.0 ★ Shopify App Store · 200+ brands · Free plan available