9 Best Shopify Giveaway and Contest Apps to Boost Engagement and Sales

Running a giveaway or contest is one of the most effective ways to increase engagement, grow your email list, and boost sales for your Shopify store. But with so many apps out there, finding the right one can be overwhelming.

In this article, we’ll break down the top 9 Shopify giveaway and contest apps that can help you run successful campaigns to engage your customers, drive more traffic, and ultimately increase conversions. Whether you’re looking to run sweepstakes, social media contests, or purchase-based raffles, we’ve got you covered. Stick around to find the perfect app that matches your store’s needs.

Shopify Plus accounts for 31% of Shopify’s monthly recurring revenue, which reached $149 million in Q4 2023.( Source )

Top 9 Shopify Giveaways and Contests Apps

1. ViralSweep

ViralSweep is one of the most versatile apps for creating viral giveaways, contests, sweepstakes, and raffles on Shopify. It’s designed to help eCommerce store owners maximize engagement, boost email subscribers, and ultimately drive more sales.

Key Features

• Multiple Entry Methods: Users can earn entries through actions like subscribing to your email list, following your social media accounts, or sharing your content.
• Data Collection: Collect detailed data from participants, helping you to better understand your audience and improve future marketing strategies.
• Integrations: Easily connects with popular email marketing, CRM, and social media platforms for seamless campaign management.
• Purchase-Based Giveaways: Offers the option to create purchase-based entries, increasing order values by giving participants more chances to win based on their spending.
• User-Generated Content: Features a gallery where participants can display and vote on entries, encouraging more engagement and content creation.

Best Use Cases

• Growing Your Email List: ViralSweep is ideal if you’re focused on building a large email subscriber base quickly.
• Boosting Social Media Engagement: Excellent for increasing followers and engagement on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Driving Sales with Purchase-Based Giveaways: Incentivize higher spending in your store with the “spend-to-enter” feature.

Pricing Information

• 7-day free trial to test the app’s features.
• Flexible pricing plans to fit different store sizes and campaign needs.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Easy-to-use interface that doesn’t require coding skills.
• A variety of entry options to suit different marketing goals.
• Strong integration capabilities with Shopify and other marketing tools.

Cons:

• Advanced features may require a higher-tier subscription.
• Some customization options can be limited on the lower pricing plans.

Learn more!

2. SweepWidget

SweepWidget is a powerful and highly customizable app designed to help Shopify store owners create engaging giveaways, contests, sweepstakes, and raffles. It offers a broad range of entry methods and customization options to fit any marketing strategy.

Key Features

• 90+ Entry Methods: SweepWidget supports a variety of entry options, including social media actions, newsletter sign-ups, polls, app downloads, and more. This makes it easy to engage your audience across multiple channels.
• Customizable Design: Offers complete design flexibility, allowing you to match the giveaway widget with your store’s branding by using custom CSS and unique backgrounds.
• Multi-Platform Integration: Seamlessly integrates with over 30 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, for maximum reach and engagement.
• Advanced Analytics: Track the performance of your campaigns in real-time and gather detailed insights to optimize future giveaways.
• Security Features: Includes Google Captcha, IP detection, and fraud protection to ensure your giveaway remains fair and spam-free​.

Best Use Cases

• Driving Traffic Across Multiple Platforms: Ideal for businesses that want to grow their presence on several social media channels simultaneously.
• Email Collection: SweepWidget is perfect for increasing email sign-ups by offering incentives to visitors who join your mailing list.
• Viral Campaigns: With its referral options, you can encourage users to share your contests, turning them into brand advocates.

Pricing Information

• Free plan available with essential features.
• Premium plans start with advanced options, including complete customization and API access.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Wide variety of entry methods to engage participants on multiple levels.
• Powerful integration capabilities with tools like Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel.
• Ability to create unlimited giveaways even on lower-tier plans.

Cons:

• Some advanced features are only accessible through higher-priced plans.
• The learning curve can be steep for beginners who want to use advanced customization options.

Learn more!

3. Giveaway Ninja

Giveaway Ninja is a feature-rich app designed to help Shopify store owners create and manage engaging giveaways and contests effortlessly. It focuses on purchase-based marketing to maximize your advertising spend and drive more sales.

Key Features

• Purchase-Based Giveaways: Giveaway Ninja allows you to create giveaways that reward entries based on purchase amounts, such as giving users an entry for every dollar they spend.
• Refer-a-Friend Option: This feature turns your customers into brand ambassadors by rewarding them for referring others to participate in your giveaway.
• Customizable Landing Pages: Create a branded experience with custom landing pages that showcase your store and highlight the giveaway details.
• Easy Integration: Seamlessly integrates with popular email marketing platforms like Mailchimp and Klaviyo, making follow-up with participants easy.
• Quick Setup: Start running a giveaway in just minutes with its user-friendly interface, perfect for store owners who want to launch contests without a technical setup.

Best Use Cases

• Boosting Sales: Ideal for Shopify stores looking to increase their average order value by incentivizing larger purchases with the purchase-based entry feature.
• Expanding Email Lists: Great for businesses that want to grow their subscriber base through engaging contests.
• Word-of-Mouth Marketing: The “Refer-a-Friend” option helps spread your contest organically, bringing in more participants without extra ad spend.

Pricing Information

• Offers a free trial to explore the app’s features.
• Competitive pricing with various plans based on the features and audience size you need.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Purchase-based entry options significantly increase average order values.
• Easy to set up and manage, even for those with no technical skills.
• Strong integration capabilities with Shopify and marketing tools.

Cons:

• Limited design customization on the lower-tier plans.
• Referral tracking can sometimes be less accurate depending on social media platform restrictions.

Learn more!

4. Social Boost

Social Boost is an all-in-one marketing tool that helps Shopify store owners increase their sales, followers, email subscribers, and engagement through various types of interactive campaigns like giveaways, contests, and refer-a-friend promotions.

Key Features

• Pre-Defined Templates: Social Boost offers ready-to-use templates for various campaigns, making it easy to set up giveaways, sweepstakes, instant win contests, and referral programs.
• Multi-Channel Engagement: Engage your audience across multiple platforms, including social media, email, and even post-purchase campaigns to ensure maximum reach.
• Incentivized Participation: Participants can earn extra entries for taking specific actions, like sharing your contest on social media or referring friends, which amplifies the campaign’s reach.
• Customizable Campaigns: Offers extensive customization to match your store’s branding, ensuring a consistent look and feel throughout the campaign.
• Analytics Dashboard: Provides insights into campaign performance, helping you understand what works best for your audience and allowing you to refine future strategies​.

Best Use Cases

• Increasing Social Media Presence: Perfect for stores that want to grow their social media followers and boost engagement with potential customers.
• Email List Building: Ideal for gathering new subscribers by offering incentives like discounts or free products.
• Viral Traffic Generation: Social Boost’s refer-a-friend feature helps turn your existing customers into brand promoters.

Pricing Information

• Includes a free plan with basic features for small campaigns.
• Premium plans available with advanced options to accommodate larger-scale marketing efforts.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• User-friendly templates make setting up campaigns quick and easy.
• Supports multiple campaign types to fit different marketing strategies.
• Excellent customer support to guide users through campaign setup.

Cons:

• Limited features on the free plan compared to paid competitors.
• Advanced analytics and reporting features are only available on higher-tier subscriptions.

Learn more!

5. PineRaffle

PineRaffle specializes in running raffles, giveaways, and sweepstakes that can be customized to fit your Shopify store’s marketing goals. This app is particularly great for stores that want to reward their most valuable customers with purchase-based entries.

Key Features

• Purchase-Based Raffles: PineRaffle focuses on rewarding customers based on their spending, turning purchases into raffle tickets that give them a chance to win prizes.
• Customizable Campaigns: Offers extensive customization options, including prize details, email designs, and raffle rules, to match your branding.
• Smart Notifications: Keep participants informed with automated notifications about their raffle status and upcoming giveaways.
• Analytics and Tracking: Provides real-time tracking of your campaigns, helping you measure their success and make data-driven decisions to enhance future promotions.

Best Use Cases

• Boosting Average Order Value (AOV): Perfect for Shopify stores aiming to increase AOV by incentivizing customers to spend more in exchange for raffle entries.
• Engaging High-Value Customers: Ideal for rewarding your most profitable customers with exclusive chances to win special prizes.
• Creating Urgency: Great for limited-time raffles that encourage customers to act quickly to maximize their chances of winning.

Pricing Information

• Plans start at $9.95/month, with a 2-day free trial to test the core features.
• Offers affordable options for small to medium-sized businesses.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Highly customizable to fit your store’s unique needs.
• Encourages higher spending by turning purchases into raffle entries.
• Easy-to-understand user interface.

Cons:

• Limited social media integration compared to other apps.
• The free trial period is relatively short.

Learn more!

6. Gleam

Gleam is a well-known app that offers a comprehensive suite of tools for running giveaways, contests, and sweepstakes on Shopify. It’s designed to drive user engagement and boost traffic to your store with a variety of entry methods.

Key Features

• Multiple Entry Options: Entrants can complete various actions like subscribing to your email list, following social media channels, or sharing your contest to earn more entries.
• Embeddable Widgets: Easily embed contest widgets directly on your Shopify store or use hosted landing pages for a seamless experience.
• Advanced Analytics: Get detailed insights into campaign performance, including participant demographics and conversion rates.
• Automated Winner Selection: Randomly select winners with a single click, making it simple to conclude your giveaways without manual intervention​.

Best Use Cases

• Boosting User-Generated Content: Perfect for campaigns that encourage participants to submit photos or videos for contest entries.
• Email and Social Media Growth: Ideal for expanding your subscriber base and increasing social media followers.
• Custom Campaigns: Great for creating personalized campaigns with specific goals in mind, such as holiday promotions or new product launches.

Pricing Information

• Offers a range of pricing plans with a 7-day free trial for all features.
• Premium plans include advanced features like CRM integrations and detailed analytics.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Comprehensive tools for creating highly engaging campaigns.
• Excellent customization and integration options.
• Strong focus on data collection and analysis.

Cons:

• More complex setup compared to simpler giveaway apps.
• Higher cost for advanced features.

Learn more!

7. Discount Ninja

Discount Ninja is a versatile app that combines discount promotions with giveaway features to help Shopify stores boost their average order values through strategic incentives.

Key Features

• Stacked Discounts: Supports multiple discount offers in a single cart, allowing customers to combine promotions for higher savings.
• Dynamic Pricing: Automatically adjusts product pricing to reflect discounts, creating a seamless shopping experience.
• Time-Sensitive Offers: Create a sense of urgency with countdown timers that highlight limited-time deals.
• Shareable Promotion Links: Generate links that lead directly to discounted product pages, driving traffic and improving conversions.

Best Use Cases

• Increasing Conversion Rates: Ideal for stores that want to reduce cart abandonment by offering instant savings.
• Running Limited-Time Campaigns: Great for creating flash sales or event-specific promotions to boost traffic quickly.
• Customer Engagement: Perfect for keeping customers engaged with frequent discount updates and loyalty incentives.

Pricing Information

• Starts at $39/month, with a 14-day free trial for testing advanced features.
• Suitable for medium to large Shopify stores looking to scale their discount strategies.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Comprehensive discount stacking and promotional tools.
• Encourages customers to spend more with dynamic pricing strategies.
• Real-time analytics to track promotion effectiveness.

Cons:

• Higher starting price compared to other giveaway-focused apps.
• Limited support for Shopify stores using custom checkout processes.

Learn more!

8. EA Spin Wheel Popup

EA Spin Wheel Popup is an interactive gamification tool that offers discounts and rewards through spin-to-win popups. This app aims to boost customer engagement and email sign-ups by adding an element of fun to the shopping experience.

Key Features

• Gamified Popups: Use spin-to-win games to offer discount codes or free products in exchange for email or SMS sign-ups.
• Custom Triggers: Set up popups to appear on specific user actions, like exit intent or after a set amount of time on the page.
• High Conversion Rates: Proven to increase conversion rates by engaging users with interactive elements.
• Customization Options: Adjust the look and feel of the popup to match your store’s branding and preferences.

Best Use Cases

• Reducing Bounce Rates: Ideal for stores that want to re-engage visitors as they’re about to leave.
• Boosting Email and SMS Marketing: Great for capturing contact information with a fun and engaging approach.
• Holiday Promotions: Perfect for seasonal sales events where you want to offer special deals.

Pricing Information

• Free to use with optional upgrades for advanced features.
• Flexible pricing plans that cater to different business sizes.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Highly engaging and interactive for customers.
• Easy to set up and integrate with your existing marketing tools.
• Supports both email and SMS collection.

Cons:

• Gamified elements may not appeal to all customer demographics.
• Limited to popup-based interactions.

Learn more!

9. ClawCrane Game & Email Popup

ClawCrane is a unique app that gamifies customer engagement through an interactive claw machine game. It’s designed to capture customer emails and offer instant rewards, making it a memorable experience for visitors.

Key Features

• Interactive Game Mechanics: Customers play a claw machine game to win prizes, making the shopping experience more fun and engaging.
• Exit-Intent Popups: Trigger popups based on customer behavior to increase the chances of capturing their email before they leave.
• Customizable Design: Personalize every aspect of the game and popup to match your store’s branding.
• Email and CRM Integration: Syncs directly with your Shopify email list and third-party email marketing tools like Mailchimp and Klaviyo.

Best Use Cases

• Engaging Visitors: Ideal for stores looking to stand out with a unique and interactive customer experience.
• Increasing Sign-Ups: Perfect for capturing emails with a fun twist that encourages participation.
• Promoting Seasonal Sales: Great for drawing attention to holiday or limited-time promotions.

Pricing Information

• Starts at $5/month, with a 3-day free trial.
• Affordable for small businesses wanting to add a unique touch to their marketing efforts.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Highly interactive and engaging, making it memorable for customers.
• Low-cost entry point with a trial period to test its effectiveness.
• Supports multiple marketing integrations.

Cons:

• May require some creativity to align with more traditional brand images.
• Not as straightforward as simple giveaway apps.

Learn more!

Why Shopify Store Owners Should Use Giveaways and Contests

Giveaways and contests are powerful tools that eCommerce store owners can use to engage customers, increase brand awareness, and drive more sales. Here are some key reasons why these strategies are beneficial for Shopify store owners:

1. Boost Customer Engagement

Running a giveaway or contest creates excitement among your audience. It encourages customers to interact with your brand, whether it’s by following your social media profiles, subscribing to your email list, or sharing your products with their friends. Engaged customers are more likely to become repeat buyers and brand advocates​.

2. Grow Your Email List

Giveaways are one of the most effective ways to rapidly expand your email subscriber base. Apps like ViralSweep and Fishbowl Prizes allow you to collect emails easily by offering incentives in exchange for contact information. This growth in your email list is valuable for future marketing campaigns and direct sales efforts.

3. Increase Social Media Reach

Contests that require social actions like sharing, tagging, or following your profiles can significantly amplify your social media reach. Tools like Social Boost and Gleam help you tap into your audience’s networks by encouraging them to spread the word about your giveaway. This organic reach can lead to more followers and higher engagement rates.

4. Drive Traffic and Sales

Purchase-based entries, like those offered by Giveaway Ninja and PineRaffle, directly tie sales to participation. These strategies motivate customers to make purchases to gain more entries, increasing both your average order value (AOV) and overall sales. It’s an excellent way to boost revenue while keeping your customers excited about your brand​.

5. Generate User-Generated Content

Many Shopify giveaway apps allow you to create campaigns that encourage users to submit photos, videos, or testimonials. This user-generated content (UGC) not only increases engagement but also provides valuable social proof that you can use in future marketing campaigns. Apps like Gleam and ViralSweep excel at promoting UGC through contests​.

Additional Considerations When Choosing a Giveaway App

Selecting the right giveaway app for your Shopify store involves more than just looking at the features. Here are some important factors to consider to ensure that you get the best results from your campaigns:

1. Integration with Other Tools

It’s crucial to choose an app that integrates seamlessly with your existing marketing tools, such as email platforms like Mailchimp or Klaviyo, and CRM systems. Integration ensures that you can easily follow up with participants, analyze their behavior, and nurture leads into paying customers​.

2. Customization Options

Look for apps that offer a high degree of customization. This allows you to create giveaway widgets, landing pages, and pop-ups that match your store’s branding. Tools like SweepWidget and Gleam provide flexible design options, helping you maintain a consistent brand image throughout your campaign​.

3. Ease of Use

If you’re not tech-savvy, it’s best to go for a user-friendly app that doesn’t require any coding knowledge to set up. Apps like PineRaffle and Fishbowl Prizes have intuitive interfaces that make it easy for beginners to create and manage contests without a steep learning curve​.

4. Pricing and ROI

Consider your budget and the potential return on investment (ROI) when choosing a giveaway app. Some apps offer a free plan or a trial period, allowing you to test the features before committing to a paid plan. It’s also important to evaluate whether the app’s pricing aligns with the value it brings in terms of increased traffic, sales, and engagement​.

5. Campaign Analytics

Detailed analytics and tracking are essential to measure the success of your campaigns. The ability to analyze which entry methods work best, track participant data, and measure overall engagement helps you refine your strategies for future giveaways. Apps like Gleam and ViralSweep provide comprehensive analytics dashboards that help you make data-driven decisions.

6. Security and Fraud Protection

To ensure that your giveaways remain fair and genuine, it’s important to choose an app with robust security features. Look for options that include tools like CAPTCHA, IP tracking, and fraud detection to prevent fake entries and ensure that only real participants are involved​.

FAQs Section

Conclusion

Using giveaways and contests is a powerful strategy for Shopify store owners to engage customers, drive traffic, and increase sales. The right app can help you create excitement around your brand, grow your social media following, and build a robust email list, all of which contribute to the long-term success of your store.

We’ve highlighted the top 10 Shopify giveaway and contest apps, each offering unique features to help you run successful campaigns. Whether you’re looking for a simple tool to grow your email list or a comprehensive solution to drive sales and engagement, there’s an app on this list to meet your needs.

Remember, the key to a successful giveaway is to choose the app that best fits your store’s goals, budget, and technical capabilities. Start by trying out the free versions of these apps to see which one works best for you. With the right strategy and tools, you can turn your giveaways into a powerful marketing asset that boosts your Shopify store’s growth.