Shopify app comparison
Shopify Subscriptions vs Loop
Choose Shopify Subscriptions when A controlled test of a simple replenishment offer. Choose Loop Subscriptions when Growth subscription brands focused on retention. Choose neither if your current setup already does enough or the expected improvement would not justify the extra cost and work.
Shopify Subscriptions
A controlled test of a simple replenishment offer. Shopify Subscriptions is a free Shopify's own tools for a simple test. Merchant feedback is currently weaker than for the specialist alternatives, so test it carefully before relying on it.
Setup: Light setup
Official vendor website.
Loop
Growth subscription brands focused on retention. Loop is a retention-led subscription platform for growth brands that will actively improve the subscriber portal, cancellation journeys and failed-payment recovery.
Setup: Heavier setup
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Wait if the subscriptions problem is still occasional, your current setup already handles it or your team does not have time to use either app well.
See the simpler starting point →The differences that matter
Swipe the table to see both apps →
| What to check | Shopify Subscriptions | Loop |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | Recurring purchase plans managed in Shopify, Weekly, monthly or yearly billing schedules, Percentage, fixed amount and buy-X-get-Y discounts | Branded self-service customer portal, Personalised cancellation flows and analytics, Smart failed-payment recovery |
| Important limitation | Merchant feedback is currently weaker than for the specialist alternatives, so treat it as a baseline to test rather than an automatic first choice | Paid plans combine a monthly fee with a percentage transaction charge |
Shopify Subscriptions is the stronger fit when:
- A controlled test of a simple replenishment offer
- Merchants that want a free Shopify-Shopify's own tools
- Teams prepared to test every product-page and customer-account interaction before launch
Loop Subscriptions is the stronger fit when:
- Growth subscription brands focused on retention
- Teams that will own cancellation and dunning optimisation
- Stores needing subscriber self-service and bundles
What will you actually pay?
Shopify Subscriptions
FreeThe app is free. Payment processing, fulfilment and the Shopify plan still cost money; check store and payment eligibility.
Pricing checked 2026-09-07Check official pricing ↗Loop
FreeFree Forever covers up to 50 active subscriptions. Starter is $99/month plus 1% per transaction; Pro is $399/month plus 0.75% per transaction. Prices are in USD. Check current limits and terms before choosing.
Pricing checked 2026-09-22Check official pricing ↗You might not need either yet
Wait if the subscriptions problem is still occasional, your current setup already handles it or your team does not have time to use either app well.
- A high-volume programme that depends on advanced retention tooling
- A simple validation-stage subscription with little volume
- The problem is still occasional, your current setup already handles it or neither app would create enough value to justify the extra cost and work.
Ready to set it up?
Start with one useful feature and test the customer journey before switching on more.
Set up Shopify Subscriptions
Use Shopify Subscriptions for a controlled first use case and expand only after the result is proven.
- Prove the offer before choosing the app
- Prepare payments, customer accounts and policy
- Install the app and build one representative plan
- Configure the storefront and subscriber access
Set up Loop
Use Loop Subscriptions for a controlled first use case and expand only after the result is proven.
- Build the subscription business case
- Configure the core selling plan before growth features
- Design the customer portal as a service channel
- Build transparent cancellation flows
Checks that apply to either app
- The complete customer and operational journey works on mobile and desktop.
- Required Shopify data and integrations update once and in the intended place.
- A person responsible can resolve common failures without unsafe access or manual workarounds.
- The measured value is compared with software cost, team time and new support demand.
Common questions
Is Shopify Subscriptions better than Loop Subscriptions?
Not automatically. Shopify Subscriptions is the better fit when a controlled test of a simple replenishment offer. Loop Subscriptions is the better fit when growth subscription brands focused on retention.
Which is easier to set up: Shopify Subscriptions or Loop Subscriptions?
Shopify Subscriptions is currently classed as light setup, while Loop Subscriptions is heavier setup. The real effort depends on your data, integrations, theme and the number of workflows you enable.
How should I test Shopify Subscriptions against Loop Subscriptions before committing?
Choose one real customer journey and one measurable outcome. Complete the same checks for both options, including the complete customer and operational journey works on mobile and desktop. and required shopify data and integrations update once and in the intended place., then compare the result and the work your team had to do.
What should I measure after choosing Shopify Subscriptions or Loop Subscriptions?
Record the current result before launch, then measure the customer outcome the app is meant to improve alongside app cost, support demand, errors and the time required to run it. Keep the app only when the total value is clear.
Can I switch between Shopify Subscriptions and Loop Subscriptions later?
Usually, but switching can affect settings, customer data, theme placements, integrations and reporting. Export what you can, document the current setup and test the replacement before removing the original app.
Still comparing?
All subscriptions options →Sources and independence
Based on official app listings and vendor documentation, not a claim of hands-on testing of every feature. Affiliate relationships do not decide which app we recommend.
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