If you’re running an ecommerce business, you’ve probably encountered challenges like visitors leaving without purchasing or carts being abandoned right before checkout. Push notifications are an easy and effective way to bring those customers back and keep them engaged.
These notifications pop up on your customers’ devices, even when they aren’t browsing your site. You can send them reminders about abandoned carts, exclusive promotions, or let them know when items they were interested in are back in stock. And best of all, you don’t need any coding skills to set these up with Shopify’s push notification apps!
In this post, we’ll break down the 9 best push notification apps for Shopify, covering their features, pricing, and why they’re the perfect fit for ecommerce store owners looking to boost sales.
Shopify merchants processed 300 million orders in 2019, demonstrating the platform’s scale.( Source )
What are Push Notification Apps and Why You Need Them on Shopify?
Push notification apps let you send real-time messages to your customers’ devices, whether they are browsing your site or not. These messages could be alerts about promotions, abandoned carts, or even a reminder about products they viewed. It’s a direct and non-intrusive way to keep customers engaged without relying on email or social media ads.
Here’s why they’re a game-changer for Shopify stores:
- Instant Engagement: Push notifications appear on the customer’s screen immediately, boosting visibility and encouraging quick action.
- Recover Abandoned Carts: Automated cart recovery messages can remind customers about items left in their cart and entice them to complete the purchase.
- Increased Sales: You can send targeted promotions, price drop alerts, or restock notifications to drive sales and encourage customers to return.
- Cost-Effective: Unlike email marketing or paid ads, push notifications are relatively affordable. Many Shopify apps even offer free plans.
For ecommerce owners, using push notifications means getting through to customers instantly, without having to rely on an algorithm to show your message. This is a powerful tool that can help grow sales while keeping customers engaged and informed.
Criteria for Choosing the Best Push Notification App
Not all push notification apps are created equal, and the right choice depends on your store’s size, marketing goals, and budget. Here are some key criteria to help you decide which Shopify push notification app will suit your needs:
1. Automation Features
Look for apps that automate key tasks like abandoned cart recovery, back-in-stock alerts, and price drop notifications. These features help save time and boost sales without manual effort. The more automation options available, the easier it will be to run multi-step campaigns.
2. Personalization
The ability to segment your audience based on behavior, location, or previous interactions allows you to send highly targeted notifications. This results in better engagement and a higher chance of conversions. Personalization ensures that customers receive messages relevant to their interests and purchase history.
3. Multi-Channel Support
Some apps combine push notifications with other marketing channels like SMS or email. If you prefer an all-in-one solution to manage multiple channels from one platform, this feature is a must.
4. Analytics and Reporting
Tracking the performance of your push notifications is critical. Look for apps that provide detailed analytics on delivery rates, click-through rates (CTR), and conversions. This helps you understand what’s working and make data-driven decisions.
5. Easy Integration with Shopify
A seamless integration with Shopify ensures that the app works well with your existing setup. It should be easy to install, configure, and use without needing a developer. Also, check for integration with other essential Shopify apps like email marketing or customer review tools.
6. Pricing Plans
Consider the pricing structure. Many apps offer free plans with limited features or subscribers, while others provide premium plans with more advanced options. Make sure the app fits your budget while offering the features you need. For smaller stores, starting with a free plan can be a good way to test the waters.
Read More:Top 11 Best Shopify Popup Apps: Reviews & Features
8 Best Shopify Push Notification Apps
1. PushOwl
- Key Features:
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Back-in-stock alerts
- Multi-channel notifications (mobile, web)
- Customizable push campaigns
- Pros:
- Easy setup and user-friendly interface
- Free plan available for new or small stores
- Highly rated customer support
- Works well with mobile and desktop notifications
- Cons:
- Advanced features (like segmentation) are limited to premium plans
- Not suitable for stores with very large subscriber bases on the free plan
- Pricing: Free plan available (up to 500 impressions/month), premium plans start at $19/month
- Rating: 4.9/5 (Shopify App Store)
- User Review: Users praise PushOwl’s easy integration and excellent support. Many small business owners highlight the free plan as a huge benefit, allowing them to try out push notifications before scaling up to paid plans
2. Firepush
- Key Features:
- Multi-channel campaigns (SMS, email, and push notifications)
- Cart abandonment, price drop, and shipping updates
- Detailed reporting and analytics
- Pre-built campaign templates for ease of use
- Pros:
- Supports SMS and email alongside push notifications
- Affordable for small stores
- Customizable campaigns for different touchpoints (e.g., promotions, abandoned carts)
- Cons:
- Free plan limited to 250 contacts
- The interface can feel a bit outdated compared to newer apps
- Pricing: Free for up to 250 contacts, paid plans start at $16/month
- Rating: 4.8/5 (Shopify App Store)
- User Review: Firepush users love the multi-channel functionality and praise it for abandoned cart recovery features. However, some feel the UI could use an update
Read More:6 Best Shopify Apps for Product Badges and Labels
3. PushEngage
- Key Features:
- Personalized push notifications
- A/B testing for campaigns
- Advanced analytics (CTR, conversion rates)
- Cart and browser abandonment notifications
- Pros:
- Excellent for personalized messaging
- Allows A/B testing to optimize campaigns
- Advanced reporting for data-driven decision making
- Cons:
- Limited free plan features
- More suited for larger businesses looking for deep insights
- Pricing: Free plan available (up to 200 subscribers), paid plans start at $9/month
- Rating: 4.9/5 (G2 reviews)
- User Review: Customers appreciate the A/B testing features and the flexibility of messaging, making it ideal for data-driven businesses
4. Hextom: WhatsApp, SMS & Push
- Key Features:
- Multi-channel messaging (WhatsApp, SMS, push)
- Abandoned cart and browser recovery
- Customizable pop-ups to grow subscribers
- Price drop alerts and stock notifications
- Pros:
- All-in-one messaging tool
- Easy to use and set up campaigns
- Great for stores that want to diversify channels
- Cons:
- The user interface could be more modern
- Limited customization in the free plan
- Pricing: Free to install; paid plans start at $15/month
- Rating: 4.8/5 (Shopify App Store)
- User Review: Users love the convenience of multi-channel integration but some suggest that the free plan’s features are limited
Read More:Top 8 Accessibility Apps on Shopify
5. Omnisend
- Key Features:
- Push notifications, email, and SMS automation
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Advanced segmentation and customer targeting
- Built-in campaign templates
- Pros:
- Offers a variety of communication channels in one tool
- Advanced segmentation for targeting
- Intuitive automation workflows
- Cons:
- Paid plans required for many key features
- Takes time to explore all options
- Pricing: Free plan allows 500 emails/SMS and push notifications; paid plans start at $16/month
- Rating: 4.8/5 (Shopify App Store)
- User Review: Omnisend is praised for being a complete marketing tool. Customers appreciate the easy integration with email and SMS, but beginners may find it overwhelming
6. Smart Push Marketing
- Key Features:
- Automated push notifications for abandoned carts and price drops
- Subscriber segmentation for personalized messages
- Detailed performance analytics
- Multi-step drip notifications
- Pros:
- Robust automation features
- Ideal for recovering lost sales
- Great customer segmentation options
- Cons:
- Limited to web push notifications
- Free plan only allows up to 100 subscribers
- Pricing: Free plan available (up to 100 subscribers), paid plans start at $9.99/month
- Rating: 4.7/5 (Shopify App Store)
- User Review: Users appreciate its easy automation but mention that the subscriber limits on the free plan are restrictive
Read More:9 Best Event Calendar Apps for Shopify – Shopify App Store
7. ChirpyWeb by Push Monkey
- Key Features:
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Real-time push notifications
- Price drop alerts
- Subscriber analytics
- Pros:
- Straightforward setup for beginners
- Great for cart recovery
- Free plan offers good value for small stores
- Cons:
- Limited advanced features compared to competitors
- Lacks in-depth analytics
- Pricing: Free plan available; premium plans offer more features
- Rating: 4.6/5 (Shopify App Store)
- User Review: ChirpyWeb is simple to use but may not be the best choice for large businesses that need more advanced analytics
8. Wonderpush
- Key Features:
- Abandoned cart and browse abandonment recovery
- Subscriber segmentation
- Unlimited notifications across all plans
- Real-time performance tracking
- Pros:
- Affordable pricing with unlimited notifications
- Excellent customer segmentation
- Scalable for growing businesses
- Cons:
- No free plan, only a 14-day free trial
- The dashboard can feel overwhelming for beginners
- Pricing: Paid plans start at €1/month for 1,000 subscribers
- Rating: 4.7/5 (Shopify App Store)
- User Review: Customers love the affordable pricing and advanced targeting options, though the dashboard can be complex for first-time users
Read More:Top 8 Shopify Store Locator Apps
How to Set Up Push Notifications in Shopify
Getting started with push notifications in Shopify is simpler than you might think. With just a few steps, you can integrate any of the apps listed above and start engaging your customers in real time. Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up push notifications on your Shopify store:
1. Choose and Install a Push Notification App
- Start by selecting one of the apps we’ve reviewed. Head to the Shopify App Store and search for the app by name (e.g., PushOwl, Firepush). Click Add App to install it on your Shopify store.
Steps:
- From your Shopify dashboard, go to Apps > Shopify App Store.
- Search for your desired app and click Add App.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to install and give the app necessary permissions to access your store data.
2. Configure Basic Settings
- Once installed, you’ll need to configure the app to suit your needs. Most apps will guide you through an onboarding process where you can set up your store’s push notification preferences.
Steps:
- Open the app from your Shopify dashboard.
- Set your preferences for pop-up notifications (e.g., when customers first visit your site).
- Customize notification templates, including abandoned cart recovery, price drops, or product back-in-stock alerts.
3. Set Up Notification Campaigns
- With your app configured, it’s time to create campaigns. Many apps, like PushEngage or Omnisend, allow you to automate key notifications, such as cart abandonment or promotional offers.
Steps:
- Go to the app’s dashboard and select Create New Campaign.
- Choose the type of notification you want to send (e.g., abandoned cart, back-in-stock, or welcome notification).
- Customize the message and schedule the timing for when it should go out.
4. Enable Automation
- Automation is key for ecommerce. You can automate abandoned cart reminders, product recommendations, or price drop alerts. Apps like Firepush and Omnisend offer pre-built templates for common scenarios.
Steps:
- In the app dashboard, navigate to the Automation tab.
- Select the scenario you want to automate (e.g., cart recovery).
- Set the trigger (e.g., when a customer abandons their cart for more than 1 hour).
- Activate the automation.
5. Monitor Performance and Optimize
- Every good marketing strategy needs tracking. Most apps provide analytics so you can measure the performance of your campaigns in real-time. Check out the click-through rates (CTR), conversions, and delivery rates for each notification you send.
Steps:
- Go to the Analytics or Reports section of the app.
- Review performance data for each campaign.
- Adjust and optimize future notifications based on the results.
6. A/B Testing (Optional)
- Some apps, like PushEngage, allow you to run A/B tests to see which notifications get the best results. You can test different wording, CTAs, or timing to maximize engagement.
Steps:
- Go to the Campaign section of the app.
- Choose the A/B Testing option.
- Set up two versions of the same notification with different messaging or send times.
- Review the results and choose the more successful version.
Are push notifications more effective than email marketing?
Push notifications are known for faster engagement since they appear directly on a user’s device. They are ideal for time-sensitive updates, like flash sales and abandoned cart recovery. Email marketing, on the other hand, offers more room for detailed messaging and personalization, making both channels complementary for eCommerce stores
What’s the best Shopify push notification app for small stores?
For small stores with limited budgets, PushEngage or AAA Web Push Notifications are great choices. They both offer free plans with features like abandoned cart notifications and subscriber growth tools, helping small businesses start simple but effective campaigns
Can push notifications help with abandoned cart recovery?
Yes. Apps like Firepush and Omnisend offer automated abandoned cart recovery notifications. These apps detect when a customer leaves items in their cart and send timely reminders, sometimes paired with discounts to encourage purchase completion
How do push notifications work with Shopify stores?
Once installed, the app integrates with your Shopify store and tracks user actions, like cart abandonment or product browsing. You can then set triggers to send notifications based on these actions, such as reminding users of abandoned items, alerting them about stock updates, or promoting flash sales
Are there any free Shopify push notification apps?
Yes. AAA Web Push Notifications offers a completely free version, while other apps like PushEngage and Hextom provide free tiers with limited features. These are great for businesses just starting out and wanting to test push notifications without upfront costs
Conclusion
Push notifications have become a powerful tool for Shopify store owners and ecommerce agencies to engage customers, recover abandoned carts, and increase sales. By using any of the top push notification apps, you can automate personalized messages that reach your customers at the right time, whether they’re on your site or not.
Choosing the right app depends on your store’s needs—whether you’re focused on multi-channel communication with SMS and email (like with Firepush or Omnisend), or you’re just looking for a simple web push solution (like PushOwl or ChirpyWeb). Each app offers unique features that can benefit businesses of all sizes, from small stores just starting out to large ecommerce businesses handling thousands of subscribers.
Remember to start with an app that offers a free plan if you’re new to push notifications, and always look for options to automate key processes like cart recovery or back-in-stock alerts. As you grow, you can scale up to more advanced features like A/B testing and deep customer segmentation.
