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Head-to-head · Customer Loyalty Software

LoyaltyLion vs Smile.io

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score LoyaltyLion #6 in Customer Loyalty Software 8.5/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 3 features Visit LoyaltyLion
Smile.io #8 in Customer Loyalty Software 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Smile.io

LoyaltyLion leads on 0 checks, Smile.io on 1, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreLoyaltyLion · 8.5/10
  • Lowest starting priceSmile.io · $15/mo
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly LoyaltyLion

LoyaltyLion scores higher on our rubric for customer loyalty software: 8.5 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #8.

Smile.io is cheaper to start at $15/mo against $199/mo.

LoyaltyLion is the better fit for shopify brands scaling sophisticated loyalty. Smile.io is the better fit for small ecommerce stores starting loyalty affordably.

  • LoyaltyLion fits best

    Shopify brands scaling sophisticated loyalty

  • Smile.io fits best

    Small ecommerce stores starting loyalty affordably

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Side by side

Feature LoyaltyLion 8.5/10 Visit ↗ Smile.io 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 8.3
Ranking #6 in Customer Loyalty Software #8 in Customer Loyalty Software
Best for Shopify brands scaling sophisticated loyalty Small ecommerce stores starting loyalty affordably
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $199/mo $15/mo (best)
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Integrations 9 integrations 5 integrations
Features LoyaltyLion 0/3 · Smile.io 0/3
Referral program Not checked yet Not checked yet
POS integrations Not checked yet Not checked yet
Ecommerce integrations Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Program types Not checked yet Not checked yet
Reward types Not checked yet Not checked yet
Member limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Supports varied earning rules, referrals, challenges, and VIP qualification.
  • Connects with Shopify, Klaviyo, POS, subscription, and wallet tools.
  • Headless API supports custom storefronts, mobile apps, and POS integrations.
  • Free plan includes points, referrals, and discounts or free-shipping rewards
  • Supports Shopify POS plus Shopify and BigCommerce integrations
  • Paid tiers add VIP programs, embedded loyalty, and API access
Cons
  • Classic starts at $199/month and includes 500 orders per month.
  • Advanced and Plus use custom pricing.
  • The broad rules and automation may be more than a simple loyalty program needs.
  • Free and entry plans cap monthly orders at 200 and 500
  • Essential includes only 1 integration; Standard includes 2
  • API access appears only on Plus and Enterprise plans
Our verdict

LoyaltyLion is an ecommerce loyalty and rewards platform aimed especially at brands using Shopify, Shopify Plus, or Shopify POS. It covers points for purchases and activities such as account creation, birthdays, reviews, referrals, and…

Read the review →

Smile.io gives ecommerce businesses tools to run points and referral programs, offer rewards, and build VIP tiers. It is aimed particularly at stores using Shopify or BigCommerce, with options spanning customer-facing loyalty pages,…

Read the review →
  1. LoyaltyLionCustomer Loyalty Software 8.5Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. Smile.ioCustomer Loyalty Software 8.3Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • LoyaltyLion — where it wins

    • Supports varied earning rules, referrals, challenges, and VIP qualification.
    • Connects with Shopify, Klaviyo, POS, subscription, and wallet tools.
    • Headless API supports custom storefronts, mobile apps, and POS integrations.

    Where it doesn't

    • Classic starts at $199/month and includes 500 orders per month.
    • Advanced and Plus use custom pricing.
    • The broad rules and automation may be more than a simple loyalty program needs.

  • Smile.io — where it wins

    • Free plan includes points, referrals, and discounts or free-shipping rewards
    • Supports Shopify POS plus Shopify and BigCommerce integrations
    • Paid tiers add VIP programs, embedded loyalty, and API access

    Where it doesn't

    • Free and entry plans cap monthly orders at 200 and 500
    • Essential includes only 1 integration; Standard includes 2
    • API access appears only on Plus and Enterprise plans

More comparisons

All customer loyalty software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update