Gift cards are a must-have for ecommerce stores, especially for Shopify-based businesses. They not only provide customers with a convenient gifting option but also help boost your store’s revenue by bringing in new customers. In fact, gift card recipients typically spend more than the card’s value, which can drive higher order values for your store.
But with so many Shopify gift card apps available, it can be tricky to choose the right one for your business. To help you out, we’ve curated a list of the 7 best Shopify gift card apps that stand out for their customization features, ease of use, pricing, and overall value. Whether you’re looking for bulk gift card options, loyalty program integration, or personalized designs, these apps have something for every type of store.
The average conversion rate on Shopify is 1.4%, with top-performing stores reaching above 3.3%. (source)
7 Best Shopify Gift Card Apps for 2024
1. Rise.ai: Gift Cards & Loyalty
Rise.ai is a powerful Shopify app that focuses on gift cards and loyalty programs. It’s perfect for stores looking to boost customer retention and lifetime value by offering store credits, gift cards, and other incentives.
Key Features:
- Store Credit Instead of Refunds: Allows you to offer store credits instead of cash refunds.
- Advanced Loyalty Program: Integrates with loyalty programs to keep customers coming back.
- Omnichannel Support: Works seamlessly across various channels, including POS.
- Customizable Gift Cards: Personalize gift cards to align with your branding.
Pros:
- Great for customer retention with its loyalty and referral features.
- Seamless integration with Shopify POS and omnichannel capabilities.
- Easy-to-use interface for both merchants and customers.
Cons:
- More expensive than basic gift card apps.
- Learning curve for businesses unfamiliar with loyalty programs.
Pricing: Starts at $19.99/month with a 7-day free trial
Rating: 4.8/5
Read More:Top 08 Shopify Apps for Gift Receipts, Wraps & Messages
2. Gift Card Pro
Gift Card Pro stands out for its flexibility in scheduling and delivering gift cards. It offers advanced customization options, allowing you to create a personalized gift card experience for your customers.
Key Features:
- Schedule Gift Card Delivery: Send gift cards via email or text at a specific time.
- 50+ Gift Card Designs: Choose from a wide range of designs or upload your own.
- Video Message Integration: Customers can add a personal video message to their gift cards.
- Bulk Ordering: Send gift cards to up to 1,000 recipients at once.
Pros:
- Extremely user-friendly.
- High level of customization, including video messages.
- Bulk ordering capabilities for large campaigns.
Cons:
- Limited features in the lower pricing tiers.
- Bulk feature may be overkill for smaller stores.
Pricing: Starts at $9.99/month with a 14-day free trial
Rating: 5.0/5
3. Vify: Professional Gift Cards
Vify focuses on making the gift card process seamless and user-friendly. It is ideal for stores with international customers thanks to its multilingual support and customization options.
Key Features:
- Multilingual Support: Automatically displays the gift card interface in the customer’s language.
- Balance Check Widget: Customers can check their remaining balance through a simple widget.
- Custom Value Selection: Customers can choose custom amounts for their gift cards.
- Expired Gift Card Reminders: Automatically reminds customers of unused or expired balances.
Pros:
- Highly flexible with value selection and expiration reminders.
- Multilingual support for international customers.
- Easy balance management for both customers and store owners.
Cons:
- Limited advanced features for large-scale operations.
- No support for physical gift cards.
Pricing: Free plan available, with paid plans starting at $9.99/month
Rating: 4.9/5
Read More:10 Best Gift Apps for Shopify: Free Gifts & Gift Messages Included
4. Govalo | Gift Card Suite
Govalo offers a fully customizable gift card experience, perfect for businesses that want to align their gift cards with their branding. It also supports corporate gifting and store credit.
Key Features:
- Customizable Gift Cards: Tailor the design, language, and features to suit your brand.
- Corporate Gifting: Supports gifting for businesses looking to send out gift cards in bulk.
- Giftable Subscriptions: Allows customers to gift subscriptions or products.
- Advanced Email Marketing Integration: Works seamlessly with marketing tools for better targeting.
Pros:
- Highly customizable for corporate gifting and branded experiences.
- Easy to use for businesses with specific branding needs.
- Supports corporate gifting and subscription gifts.
Cons:
- Expensive for smaller businesses.
- Some advanced features may require technical setup.
Pricing: Starts at $19.99/month, free plan available
Rating: 4.9/5
5. Gift Card Hero
Gift Card Hero is an all-in-one gift card management solution, making it easy to offer both digital and physical gift cards. It’s an ideal choice for stores that want a simple and comprehensive tool for managing gift cards.
Key Features:
- Customizable Designs: Choose from templates or upload your own.
- POS Tools: Offers physical and digital gift cards with Shopify POS integration.
- Balance Top-Up: Allows customers to top up gift cards.
- Bulk Tools: Import, update, and send gift cards in bulk using CSV files.
Pros:
- Supports both digital and physical gift cards.
- User-friendly interface with balance top-up and bulk features.
- Good support and fast setup.
Cons:
- Lacks advanced loyalty integration.
- Limited customization options compared to competitors.
Pricing: Free plan available, paid plans start at $14.99/month
Rating: 5.0/5
6. Growave
Growave offers more than just gift cards—it combines loyalty programs, reviews, wishlists, and referrals into one app. It’s a great solution for stores looking to boost customer engagement and loyalty.
Key Features:
- Loyalty & Rewards: Set up a loyalty program with VIP tiers.
- Wishlist Feature: Let customers save products and receive notifications when items are back in stock.
- Referral Program: Encourage customers to bring in new clients with a referral system.
- Review Collection: Automatically collect product reviews to build trust.
Pros:
- Combines several marketing tools in one app.
- Easy to set up and manage.
- 24/7 support and compatibility with Online Store 2.0.
Cons:
- No free version, but a free trial is available.
- May be overkill for stores only interested in gift cards.
Pricing: Starts at $9/month, with a 30-day free trial
Rating: 4.8/5
7. Gift Box | Free Gift Motivator
Gift Box is designed to encourage customers to make larger purchases by offering free gifts or gift cards at checkout. It’s an excellent tool for boosting average order value.
Key Features:
- Automatic Gift Addition: Adds free gifts to the cart based on spending thresholds.
- Custom Gift Rules: Set specific conditions for customers to qualify for gifts.
- Discount Code Integration: Use gift cards alongside discount codes.
- Flexible Gifting Options: Customers can select their preferred gift.
Pros:
- Helps increase average order value by incentivizing larger purchases.
- Easy to set up and use.
- Works well with existing Shopify stores without needing additional customization.
Cons:
- Higher pricing for advanced features.
- Limited to stores with large purchase volumes.
Pricing: Starts at $29.99/month
Rating: 4.9/5 .
how to choose right shopify gift card apps
1. Define Your Business Goals
Start by identifying what you want to achieve with the gift card app. This will help narrow down the options:
- Boosting Sales: Apps like Gift Box or Gift Card Pro are designed to incentivize customers to spend more by offering free gifts or customizing the gifting experience.
- Improving Customer Loyalty: If your goal is to build loyalty, apps like Rise.ai integrate gift cards with loyalty programs, allowing you to retain customers longer.
- Managing Refunds Efficiently: If you’re looking for a refund alternative, Vify and Rise.ai allow you to issue store credits instead of cash refunds.
2. Consider Customer Experience
The right app should enhance your customer’s shopping experience. Look for features such as:
- Customization Options: Apps like Gift Card Pro and Govalo allow you to create branded gift cards, add video messages, and customize designs, which can improve the overall gifting experience.
- Ease of Use: Choose apps that are intuitive for both you and your customers. Gift Card Hero is known for its simple setup and user-friendly interface
- International Customers: If you have a global customer base, consider apps like Vify, which offer multilingual support and allow customers to choose currencies and languages
3. Look at Integration with Other Features
Some apps offer more than just gift cards:
- Loyalty Programs: If you also need loyalty or referral programs, Growave or Rise.ai bundle those features with gift cards
- Marketing Automation: Apps like Govalo allow you to integrate email marketing and customize campaigns based on customer data
4. Scalability and Bulk Features
For large or fast-growing businesses, scalability is crucial:
- Bulk Sending: If you plan on sending multiple gift cards (e.g., for corporate gifting or special promotions), apps like Gift Card Pro and Gift Card Hero offer bulk sending tools
- Physical vs Digital: Depending on whether you want to offer physical gift cards in addition to digital ones, apps like Gift Card Hero support both
5. Evaluate Pricing
Pricing varies widely based on the features you need. Consider your budget and how much you’re willing to spend:
- Free Plans: Apps like Gift Card Hero and Vify offer free plans with basic functionality
- Paid Plans: For more advanced features, prices can range from $9.99/month to over $100/month depending on the app and features offered (e.g., Rise.ai, Growave offer various paid plans)
6. Check for Support and Reliability
Make sure the app has reliable customer support and a good reputation:
- Customer Support: Apps like Growave and Gift Card Pro are known for responsive customer support.
- User Reviews and Ratings: Look at the reviews and ratings of the app to get a sense of reliability. For instance, apps like Rise.ai and Gift Card Hero consistently have ratings of 4.8/5 or higher
key features to look for shopify gift card apps
1. Customization Options
- Branded Gift Cards: Look for apps that allow you to fully customize the design, including uploading your logo and aligning with your store’s brand identity.
- Personalization: Some apps, like Gift Card Pro and Govalo, offer personalization options such as video messages or custom notes, giving customers a more tailored experience
2. Gift Card Delivery Scheduling
- Scheduled Delivery: The ability to send gift cards on a future date or time is useful for holiday or birthday gifts. Apps like Gift Card Pro and Gift Card Hero offer scheduling options
3. Bulk Gift Card Features
- Mass Sending: If your business frequently deals with bulk gift card purchases for corporate clients or holiday campaigns, apps like Gift Card Pro and Gift Card Hero offer bulk ordering features
- Corporate Gifting: Apps like Govalo also cater to businesses looking to send out gift cards in bulk for corporate gifting
4. Multi-Language and Multi-Currency Support
- For businesses with international customers, apps like Vify offer multilingual support and allow customers to purchase and send gift cards in their preferred language
5. Gift Card Balance Management
- Balance Check Widget: Apps like Gift Card Hero and Vify provide a balance check feature that allows customers to monitor their remaining gift card funds
- Top-up Feature: Some apps also allow customers to top-up their gift card balance, which can be a convenient option for users to continue using the same card
6. Loyalty Program Integration
- If customer retention and loyalty are priorities, apps like Rise.ai and Growave integrate gift cards with loyalty and rewards programs. These apps help turn one-time buyers into repeat customers by offering loyalty points or store credit with each purchase
7. POS Integration
- If you operate both online and brick-and-mortar stores, choosing an app that integrates with Shopify’s POS system is crucial. Apps like Gift Card Hero support physical and digital gift cards for omnichannel use
8. Refund as Store Credit
- Instead of issuing refunds, some apps allow you to issue store credit in the form of a gift card, which can help retain sales and encourage future purchases. Rise.ai is particularly good for this functionality
9. Advanced Reporting and Analytics
- The ability to track how often gift cards are being used, who is using them, and what the return on investment (ROI) is can be crucial for measuring success. Look for apps that offer detailed analytics dashboards like Growave
10. Easy Setup and User-Friendly Interface
- Ensure that the app is easy to install and manage, both for you as a store owner and for your customers. Apps like Gift Card Hero and Gift Box are known for their simplicity and intuitive interface
11. Pricing and Free Trial
- Check for pricing plans that match your budget. Many apps offer free versions with limited features, while premium features might come with monthly subscription fees. Apps like Vify and Gift Card Hero offer free plans or trials
12. Support for Digital and Physical Gift Cards
- Some apps, like Gift Card Hero, support both digital and physical gift cards, which is important if you sell in-store and online
FAQs
What are the benefits of offering gift cards in my Shopify store?
Gift cards can:
Bring new customers to your store.
Encourage repeat purchases, especially when paired with loyalty programs.
Allow customers to spend more than the value of the gift card.
Provide a flexible return option by offering store credit instead of cash refunds.
How do I choose the best Shopify gift card app for my store?
Choose based on:
Your business goals: sales boost, customer retention, or managing refunds.
Customer experience: apps like Gift Card Pro or Govalo allow for customization and personalized gifting.
Integration needs: If you want to offer loyalty programs alongside gift cards, Rise.ai or Growave could be good options
Budget: Evaluate pricing plans based on your needs. Some apps offer free plans, while others come with premium features.
Can I use gift cards for both online and in-store purchases?
Yes. Some apps, like Gift Card Hero and Rise.ai, offer integration with Shopify POS, allowing customers to redeem gift cards both online and in physical stores.
How can gift card apps help manage refunds?
Several Shopify gift card apps, such as Rise.ai, allow you to issue store credit in the form of gift cards. This keeps the sale within your business and encourages customers to make future purchases.
Can I send gift cards in bulk to customers or clients?
Yes. Many apps, like Gift Card Pro and Gift Card Hero, offer bulk ordering features, which is useful for corporate gifting, promotions, or loyalty programs.
Do I need technical skills to set up a Shopify gift card app?
Most apps are designed to be user-friendly and offer easy installation. For example, Gift Card Hero and Growave have simple, intuitive interfaces and require minimal technical expertise.
Conclusion
Selecting the right Shopify gift card app can have a significant impact on your store’s performance, from increasing sales to enhancing customer loyalty. Whether you’re looking to offer personalized gift cards, integrate a loyalty program, or streamline your refund process, there’s a Shopify app designed to meet your needs.
For smaller stores focused on growing their customer base, apps like Gift Card Pro and Gift Card Hero provide affordable and easy-to-use solutions with essential features like bulk sending and customization. For businesses looking for advanced options, Rise.ai and Growave offer loyalty integration and omnichannel support, making them ideal for long-term customer engagement.
By focusing on features like customization, bulk sending, loyalty integration, and pricing, you can select the app that aligns best with your business goals. A well-chosen gift card app can significantly increase your store’s revenue and customer retention over time.
