Last updated: 21 January 2026
Shopify subscription apps help merchants sell products on a recurring basis, manage subscriber billing, and build predictable revenue. From simple recurring deliveries to advanced prepaid and bundle subscriptions, the right Shopify subscription app depends on your business size, pricing strategy, and level of customization required.
This guide compares some of the best subscription apps for Shopify, covering features, pricing models, and ideal use cases to help merchants choose the right solution for their Shopify subscriptions.
| App Name | Best For | Key Features | Pricing model | Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skio | Enterprise subscription brands | Passwordless login, conditional flows, custom setup | Paid | 5.0 (231+ Reviews) |
| Recharge | Enterprise subscription brands | Retention Engine, forecast and insights | Paid | 4.8 (2019+ Reviews) |
| Recurpay | Growth-focused subscription brands | Custom Subscription widgets, native cart upsells, robust customer portal | Free + Paid | 5.0 (445+ Reviews) |
| Bold Subscriptions | Enterprise subscription brands | Pay as you go & gift plans Addons for upsell Dynamic Discounts | Paid | 4.3 (375+ Reviews) |
| Appstle subscritptions | Small and mid-size brands | Ongoing and Prepaid plans, volume discounts | Free + Paid | 4.9 (5443+ Reviews) |
| Shopify Subscriptions(Native) | Small and mid-size brands | Native recurring subscriptions | Free | 3.5 (452+ Reviews) |
| Loop | High-growth and enterprise brands | Gamified experience, cancellation flows | Free + Paid | 5.0 (588+ Reviews) |
| Stay AI | Retention-focused enterprise brands | Retention Engine, forecast and insights | Paid | 5.0 (134+ Reviews) |
| Seal Subscriptions | Small and mid-size brands | Magic links | Free + Paid | 4.9 (2371+ Reviews) |
Subscription apps for Shopify let you sell products or services on a recurring basis instead of one-time purchases. Customers can subscribe weekly, monthly, or annually, while billing and renewals happen automatically in the background.
Subscriptions are important because it means more predictable revenue, better customer retention, and higher lifetime value. Rather than constantly chasing new sales, you build long-term relationships with existing customers. That's why subscription apps have become essential for Shopify stores looking to grow sustainably.
Recharge is one of the most established subscription apps in the Shopify ecosystem and is widely used by large, high-volume brands. It offers a broad integration ecosystem and advanced analytics suited for complex subscription programs.
Enterprise and high-growth subscription businesses
Paid plans only
Recharge is a strong Shopify subscription app for brands operating at scale and needing advanced analytics and integrations. It's often considered one of the best Shopify subscription apps for enterprise use, but its pricing and setup can be restrictive for smaller businesses looking for flexibility.
Recurpay is a flexible Shopify subscription app built for brands that want control over how subscriptions are created and presented. It supports advanced Shopify subscriptions without forcing merchants into rigid pricing or workflows.
Growth-focused Shopify brands that need flexibility and customization
Free + Paid Plans
Recurpay is a strong subscription app for Shopify merchants who want flexibility without committing to expensive enterprise plans. If you are looking for one of the best Shopify subscription apps that adapts as your subscription revenue grows, Recurpay is a solid option for scaling brands.
Skio is a premium Shopify subscription app built specifically for brands that prioritize a fast, native checkout experience. It’s commonly adopted by large merchants running high-volume Shopify subscriptions.
Enterprise Shopify brands focused on performance and scale
Paid plans only
Skio is a powerful subscription app for Shopify brands that need advanced subscription and retention capabilities. It’s often considered one of the best Shopify subscription apps for enterprise merchants, but its pricing and learning curve may require handholding during setup.
Stay AI is a retention-focused Shopify subscription app designed to reduce churn and increase lifetime value for existing Shopify subscriptions. It combines subscription management with strong retention and engagement workflows.
Brands focused on reducing churn and improving subscriber lifetime value
Paid plans only
Stay AI is a strong subscription app for Shopify brands that prioritise retention and subscriber engagement. It’s often considered one of the best Shopify subscription apps for reducing churn and maximising lifetime value, especially for stores with an established subscriber base.
Appstle is a popular Shopify subscription app known for its generous free plan and wide feature coverage. It's commonly chosen by merchants looking to launch and scale Shopify subscriptions without heavy upfront costs.
Small to mid-sized Shopify stores
Pricing:
Free + Paid
Appstle is a solid subscription app for Shopify merchants who want to get started quickly and scale over time. It's often considered one of the best Shopify subscription apps for newer and growing brands, though usability and portal experience may require some adjustment.
Loop is a retention-driven Shopify subscription app built for brands that want more control over customer experience and churn across their Shopify subscriptions. It's known for its focus on engagement and lifecycle optimization via gamified experience.
Optimizing existing subscriptions
Free + Paid
Loop is a strong subscription app for Shopify merchants who already run subscriptions and want to optimize retention and engagement. It's often considered one of the best Shopify subscription apps for improving subscriber experience, but may not be ideal for smaller stores just starting out.
Bold is a long-standing Shopify subscription app that focuses on prepaid and recurring subscriptions with revenue-optimisation tools. It's one of the earlier players in the Shopify subscriptions space.
Small to mid-sized Shopify businesses looking for prepaid subscription options
Paid plans only
Bold is a decent subscription app for Shopify merchants with straightforward subscription needs. While it’s not as flexible or modern as some newer platforms, it's still considered among the best Shopify subscription apps worth testing for prepaid subscription use cases.
Seal is an affordable Shopify subscription app that focuses on flexibility and customization without enterprise-level pricing. It’s widely used by merchants running Shopify subscriptions on a tighter budget.
Small to mid-sized Shopify stores looking for a cost-effective subscription solution
Free + Paid
Seal is a practical subscription app for Shopify merchants who want flexibility at a lower cost. It’s often considered one of the best Shopify subscription apps for budget-conscious stores, though larger businesses may eventually need a more scalable solution.
Shopify Subscriptions is Shopify’s own native solution for managing Shopify subscriptions directly within the Shopify ecosystem. It provides basic recurring billing functionality without relying on third-party subscription apps.
New Shopify merchants testing simple subscription models
Free
Shopify Subscriptions is useful for merchants who want to experiment with Shopify subscriptions at no cost. However, most growing stores eventually move to a full-featured subscription app for Shopify when they need flexibility, customization, and advanced subscription management.
The right Shopify subscription app depends on how you sell and how fast you plan to grow.
Before choosing one, think about:
There's no single "best" app for everyone - the right one fits your business now and still works when you scale.
The Shopify App Store helps you discover subscription apps, but it doesn't always make choosing easier. Reviews are often one-off experiences and don't show how apps compare side by side. Comparison guides help fill that gap by looking at features, flexibility, and real-world fit, making it easier to choose a Shopify subscription app that actually works for your business.
The right Shopify subscription app depends on your store size, growth plans, and how central subscriptions are to your business. Some apps work well for simple setups, while others are built for scale, flexibility, and advanced use cases.
If you're looking for a subscription app that can grow with you, many growing Shopify brands choose Recurpay for flexibility and scale. Use the comparison above to shortlist your options and choose the app that fits how you sell today and where you’re headed next.
If you want a closer look at how popular Shopify subscription apps compare, explore our detailed guides:
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A Shopify subscription app lets you sell products or services on a recurring basis - weekly, monthly, or custom intervals. It helps brands build predictable revenue and improve customer retention.
There are many good Shopify subscription apps available, but the best choice depends on how flexible and scalable you want your setup to be. For brands that want to start free, customize their subscription experience, and scale without complex pricing, Recurpay stands out as one of the best subscription apps for Shopify.
Shopify offers a basic native subscription option, but most merchants use a dedicated Shopify subscription app to access advanced features like prepaid plans, custom customer portals, analytics, and churn control.
Choose a subscription app based on your store size, growth plans, customization needs, and pricing preference. If you want to start free and scale without heavy upfront costs, Recurpay is a strong option for growing Shopify brands.
