Wondering how to give your Shopify store a boost in sales while engaging customers in real time? Live shopping might be your answer. Live shopping has become a powerful tool for eCommerce businesses, allowing you to showcase products, interact with your audience, and drive sales—all at the same time. But with so many apps available, which one should you choose?
In this post, we’ll break down the 6 best Shopify live shopping apps that can help you run smooth, interactive live sessions. Whether you’re a small store owner looking for a simple tool to stream on Facebook, or an agency managing multiple clients, there’s an app here for everyone. We’ll cover the key features, pricing, and what type of store each app is best suited for. So, let’s dive in.
Shopify has more than 9,200 employees as of 2023, following a 20% reduction earlier that year.( Source )
6 Best Shopify Live Shopping Apps
1. Videeo
Key Features:
- Integrated on-site live shopping: Videeo allows Shopify store owners to add live streaming directly to their store’s product pages. This way, customers don’t need to navigate away from the store to watch a live event, keeping the shopping experience seamless.
- Multi-channel streaming: Videeo supports simultaneous streaming on popular platforms like Facebook and Instagram, allowing you to engage multiple audiences at once. Soon, it will expand its support to YouTube and TikTok, further broadening your reach.
- Shoppable replays: If customers miss your live session, no problem. Videeo automatically saves your streams and offers shoppable replays. This feature ensures that your audience can still purchase products even after the live event ends.
Pricing:
- Videeo offers a free starter plan for those looking to test the waters. However, for premium features, such as extended streaming options and advanced analytics, you will need to contact their sales team for a custom quote.
Best For:
- eCommerce stores that want to run live shopping events directly on their Shopify storefront while also reaching their social media followers.
Pros:
- Easy integration with Shopify
- Shoppable replays help increase conversions after the live event
- Multi-channel live streaming
Cons:
- Full pricing details for premium features are only available through sales consultations
- Customization options for advanced users may require tech support.
2. LiveMeUp
Key Features:
- Mobile-first design: LiveMeUp focuses on providing a mobile-friendly experience for both merchants and customers. This makes it an ideal tool for engaging with shoppers who prefer to use their smartphones for online purchases.
- Social media simulcasting: You can stream your live shopping events not only on your Shopify store but also on social platforms like Instagram and Facebook, expanding your reach.
- Shoppable replays and integrated checkout: Like many live shopping apps, LiveMeUp offers the ability to replay past sessions, keeping them shoppable. This means that customers can still buy products featured in the video after the live event ends, with integrated one-click checkout.
- Real-time analytics: Merchants can access insights on customer interaction and engagement during live sessions. This allows you to tweak your strategy based on what works best for your audience.
Pricing:
- The app offers a free plan with basic features, making it accessible to smaller businesses. There are also three premium options, starting at $89/month and going up to $399/month depending on your store’s needs.
Best For:
- Stores with a focus on mobile shopping and those that want to extend their live shopping efforts to social media while keeping the process seamless across devices.
Pros:
- Strong focus on mobile-first engagement
- In-depth analytics to track live session performance
- Shoppable replays for boosting sales after the event
Cons:
- Pricing can be steep for smaller stores with limited budgets
- Some advanced features are only available on the higher-tier plans.
3. Channelize.io
Key Features:
- Live shopping shows and shoppable videos: Channelize.io lets Shopify merchants create immersive live shopping experiences directly from their storefronts. You can showcase new products, provide style guides, or offer exclusive promotions during live events.
- In-video checkout: One of the standout features of Channelize.io is the ability for customers to make purchases directly from the video. The integrated “add-to-cart” button ensures a frictionless shopping experience without needing to leave the stream.
- Seamless Shopify integration: Product information, inventory, and availability are synced with your Shopify store, making it easy to manage live sales in real-time without worrying about overselling.
- Product spotlight and live chat: The app allows you to highlight products during the stream, while customers can ask questions through live chat. This interactive feature enhances engagement and increases trust with potential buyers.
Pricing:
- Channelize.io offers a free plan, perfect for smaller stores to start with. For more advanced features, premium plans begin at $99/month and go up to $299/month depending on the scale of your live shopping needs.
Best For:
- Mid-sized Shopify stores looking to increase customer engagement with shoppable videos and live shows that integrate smoothly with their existing product catalog.
Pros:
- Real-time product syncing with Shopify for smoother live shopping
- Built-in add-to-cart feature within the video stream for direct purchases
- Useful for stores wanting an interactive shopping experience
Cons:
- Premium features may feel costly for smaller stores
- Some technical setup may be required to optimize use.
4. SoldLive (FB & IG Live Selling)
Key Features:
- Live selling on Facebook and Instagram: SoldLive focuses on live streaming directly on social platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Viewers can purchase products during a live stream simply by commenting with a product number. After commenting, they receive an automated message with a checkout link, making the process smooth and immediate.
- Barcode scanning and product overlays: To enhance the live selling experience, SoldLive offers advanced features like barcode scanning and product overlays during the stream, allowing for quick product management and easy customer navigation.
- Subscriber alerts and waitlists: The app keeps engagement high with subscriber alerts, notifying customers of upcoming live events. There is also a waitlist option for sold-out products, which can be an excellent tool for keeping customers interested in restocking.
Pricing:
- SoldLive is available for $75/month and offers a 14-day free trial. While there is no free plan, the trial allows merchants to test the app’s features before committing.
Best For:
- Shopify store owners who want to focus on live selling through Facebook and Instagram, utilizing their existing social media audiences to boost sales.
Pros:
- Simplifies the purchasing process by letting customers buy through comments during live sessions
- Useful for stores with active social media followings, especially on Facebook and Instagram
- Includes engagement tools like subscriber alerts and waitlists for out-of-stock products
Cons:
- No free plan available
- Sync issues between Shopify and the app have been reported, which may cause occasional inventory discrepancies.
5. Showday Live & Shoppable Video
Key Features:
- Live and pre-recorded video shopping: Showday allows Shopify merchants to stream live or upload pre-recorded shoppable videos. Customers can interact with the video and make purchases directly from the stream, providing a seamless and engaging experience.
- Multi-channel broadcasting: With Showday, you can broadcast your live shopping sessions across multiple digital platforms, including social media. This helps expand your reach and attract more viewers to your live events.
- Real-time analytics and marketing tools: Showday includes built-in tools that help you collect valuable data on customer preferences and behaviors during live sessions. You can track engagement and conversions in real-time, making it easier to adjust your live strategy on the go.
- Shoppable video replays: Even after your live event ends, the videos remain shoppable. This is a great way to keep selling products to customers who couldn’t attend the live session.
Pricing:
- Showday offers a free plan with basic features, and premium plans start at $49/month. All plans come with a 14-day free trial.
Best For:
- Agencies or stores that want to manage live shopping sessions across multiple platforms while providing shoppable video content both live and pre-recorded.
Pros:
- Flexibility to host live or pre-recorded shoppable videos
- Supports multi-channel broadcasting, increasing exposure
- Real-time analytics provide useful insights for optimizing live sessions
Cons:
- Some merchants have reported issues with inventory synchronization between Shopify and the app
- Cost may be a concern for smaller stores or startups.
6. Livescale
Key Features:
- Interactive live shopping events: Livescale allows Shopify merchants to create immersive and interactive live shopping experiences. The platform enables real-time customer engagement through features like live polls and interactive product spotlights.
- Seamless Shopify integration: Livescale offers seamless integration with Shopify, allowing you to showcase shoppable products during live events without any interruptions. Customers can add products to their cart and complete purchases without leaving the stream.
- Social media simulcasting: You can simulcast your live events across multiple platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, helping you reach a wider audience and attract new customers.
- Real-time analytics and custom branding: Livescale also offers real-time analytics to track customer interactions and performance during live events. You can customize the interface to match your store’s branding, giving your live shopping events a professional, polished look.
Pricing:
- Livescale offers custom pricing based on the features and size of your store. While the base platform is free to test, larger brands or those needing advanced functionality will need to get a custom quote.
Best For:
- Larger eCommerce brands or agencies that want to create fully branded, high-production-value live shopping events with robust engagement features.
Pros:
- Offers a range of interactive features to engage customers in real time
- Social media simulcasting helps broaden the reach of live shopping events
- Fully customizable to reflect your store’s branding
Cons:
- Pricing is not transparent and may be too high for smaller businesses
- Advanced features may require a bit of a learning curve.
FAQ
What is live shopping, and how does it help Shopify stores?
Live shopping is a form of eCommerce where merchants host live streams to showcase and sell products. Viewers can make purchases in real-time during the live event. It boosts engagement, creates urgency, and can lead to higher conversion rates.
Can I simulcast live shopping events across multiple platforms?
Yes, several apps like Videeo, Restream, and Livescale allow simulcasting on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and more, helping you reach a broader audience.
What are the best free live shopping apps for Shopify?
Ch.io and Restream offer free plans with basic features. These are excellent starting points for smaller businesses testing live shopping.
Can customers purchase directly from the live stream?
Yes, many apps like Channelize.io, LiveMeUp, and SoldLive integrate with Shopify’s checkout system, allowing customers to add items to their cart and check out without leaving the live stream.
Do these apps offer analytics?
Most live shopping apps, including Livescale, Showday, and LiveMeUp, provide real-time analytics to track engagement, conversion rates, and customer interactions during live events.
Conclusion:
With live shopping on the rise, choosing the right Shopify app can make all the difference for your business. The 8 live shopping apps we’ve covered offer a variety of features, from basic live streaming on social media to fully integrated, shoppable videos directly on your store. The best app for your business depends on your needs, budget, and audience size.
- If you’re a small store just getting started with live shopping, Ch.io offers a great free plan with customizable branding.
- For mid-sized stores, Channelize.io or LiveMeUp provide a balance of robust features and pricing options to help boost engagement without breaking the bank.
- Larger brands or agencies might prefer the advanced customization and analytics features of Livescale or Videeo.
Don’t forget to try the free trials most of these apps offer before committing, so you can find the one that aligns with your goals.
