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Head-to-head · Rewards and Incentives Software

Smile.io vs Kangaroo Rewards

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Smile.io #3 in Rewards and Incentives Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Smile.io
Kangaroo Rewards #8 in Rewards and Incentives Software 8.2/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 2 features Try Kangaroo Rewards

Smile.io leads on 2 checks, Kangaroo Rewards on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSmile.io · 8.7/10
  • Lowest starting priceSmile.io · $15/mo
  • Free planonly Smile.io

Smile.io scores higher on our rubric for rewards and incentives software: 8.7 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

Smile.io offers free plan; Kangaroo Rewards doesn't. Smile.io is cheaper to start at $15/mo against $79/mo.

Smile.io is the better fit for small Shopify stores starting loyalty on a budget. Kangaroo Rewards is the better fit for small businesses wanting affordable branded rewards.

  • Smile.io fits best

    Small Shopify stores starting loyalty on a budget

  • Kangaroo Rewards fits best

    Small businesses wanting affordable branded rewards

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Smile.io 8.7/10 Visit ↗ Kangaroo Rewards 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.2
Ranking #3 in Rewards and Incentives Software #8 in Rewards and Incentives Software
Best for Small Shopify stores starting loyalty on a budget Small businesses wanting affordable branded rewards
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $15/mo (best) $79/mo
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Integrations 5 integrations 13 integrations
Features Smile.io 1/2 · Kangaroo Rewards 1/2
Reward catalog Not checked yet Not checked yet
API access ✓ ✓
Specs
Program types Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported audiences Not checked yet Not checked yet
Native integrations Not checked yet Not checked yet
Redemption options Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free plan includes points, referrals and discounts or free-shipping rewards
  • Supports VIP tiers and rewards from free products to subscriptions
  • Shopify POS, headless storefront and REST API support
  • Points, tiers, referrals and gamified reward programs
  • Email, SMS and push campaigns with segmentation
  • POS, e-commerce, CRM and ERP connectivity plus branded apps
Cons
  • Essential allows only 1 integration and 500 monthly orders
  • VIP programs and unlimited integrations start at Growth, $199 per month
  • Plus is $999 per month billed annually; Enterprise pricing is contact sales
  • No free plan is available
  • Advanced automation and segmentation start on the $199 Plus plan
  • White-label apps and advanced analytics require higher tiers
Our verdict

Smile.io gives ecommerce stores tools to run points-based loyalty and referral programs, offer rewards, and create customer-facing loyalty pages. It is particularly suited to Shopify and BigCommerce businesses: the product also supports…

Read the review →

Kangaroo Rewards is a loyalty and customer-engagement platform for retailers, restaurants, e-commerce businesses and other customer-facing organizations. It supports points and rewards, membership levels, tiered benefits, referrals,…

Read the review →
  1. Smile.ioRewards and Incentives Software 8.7Free plan
  2. Kangaroo RewardsRewards and Incentives Software 8.2Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Smile.io — where it wins

    • Free plan includes points, referrals and discounts or free-shipping rewards
    • Supports VIP tiers and rewards from free products to subscriptions
    • Shopify POS, headless storefront and REST API support

    Where it doesn't

    • Essential allows only 1 integration and 500 monthly orders
    • VIP programs and unlimited integrations start at Growth, $199 per month
    • Plus is $999 per month billed annually; Enterprise pricing is contact sales

  • Kangaroo Rewards — where it wins

    • Points, tiers, referrals and gamified reward programs
    • Email, SMS and push campaigns with segmentation
    • POS, e-commerce, CRM and ERP connectivity plus branded apps

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan is available
    • Advanced automation and segmentation start on the $199 Plus plan
    • White-label apps and advanced analytics require higher tiers

More comparisons

All rewards and incentives software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update