· Arbab Khan · comparison · 10 min read
Top 10 Shopify Pre-Order Apps (2026): The Complete Comparison
We researched the top pre-order apps on Shopify by analyzing thousands of reviews, Reddit discussions, Shopify community threads, and help documentation. Here is the definitive guide to help you pick the right one.
Picking a pre-order app for your Shopify store can be overwhelming. There are dozens of options, and they all promise similar things. We did the hard work so you do not have to.
We analyzed over 12,000 reviews across 10 apps, dug through Reddit threads and Shopify Community discussions, evaluated help documentation quality, and checked automation capabilities. This guide gives you the real picture of each app, including what merchants actually love and hate about them.
How we ranked these apps
We scored each app on four criteria:
- Functionality (40%): Feature completeness, payment options, automation, integrations
- Ease of Use (25%): Setup simplicity, UI quality based on reviews
- Support & Documentation (20%): Response times, help resource quality
- Value for Money (15%): Pricing fairness, feature-to-cost ratio
Let us get into it.
Quick comparison table
| Rank | App | Rating | Best For | Free Plan | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PreProduct | 4.9 (100) | Enterprise automation | Commission-based | $29.99/mo |
| 2 | STOQ | 5.0 (2,942) | All-in-one solution | Yes (10/mo) | $10/mo |
| 3 | Timesact | 4.9 (1,734) | Large catalogs | Yes (10/mo) | $1/mo |
| 4 | Essent | 5.0 (1,148) | Budget + partial payments | Yes (10/mo) | $5/mo |
| 5 | Globo | 4.9 (1,104) | Email integrations | Yes (20/mo) | $9.90/mo |
| 6 | Preorder Wolf | 4.8 (484) | Budget basics | Dev stores only | $4.99/mo |
| 7 | PQ | 4.9 (713) | Urgency marketing | No | $7.99/mo |
| 8 | WOD | 4.5 (1,432) | Bulk management | Yes (1 product) | $19.95/mo |
| 9 | Kaktus | 4.7 (580) | Multi-platform | Dev stores only | $9.99/mo |
| 10 | Amai | 4.4 (1,063) | Geo-targeting | No | $12.95/mo |
#1: PreProduct next-gen pre-order
Rating: 4.9 stars (100 reviews) | Best for: Scaling brands needing enterprise-grade automation
PreProduct is not the most popular app on this list, but it consistently delivers the most sophisticated pre-order experience. UK-based founder Oli is mentioned by name in reviews repeatedly, praised for exceptional support and responsiveness.
Key features:
- Most comprehensive Shopify Flow integration (15 actions, 16 triggers)
- Full REST API for ERP integrations (NetSuite, SAP, Brightpearl)
- Every payment mode: upfront, later, deposit, capture-only, installments
- 9 built-in workflows including auto-charge on stock arrival
Pros:
- Deepest automation capabilities of any pre-order app
- Best documentation quality we found
- Exceptional founder-led support
Cons:
- Higher pricing than basic alternatives
- Smaller user base means less community knowledge
- Commission-based Starter plan may not suit high-volume stores
Best for: Growth-stage and enterprise merchants who need API access and sophisticated automation. If you are integrating with an ERP or need custom workflows, this is your app.
#2: STOQ - Preorder, Back In Stock
Rating: 5.0 stars (2,942 reviews) | Best for: All-in-one pre-order and back-in-stock alerts
STOQ combines pre-orders and back-in-stock notifications in one app, which most competitors split into separate products. With 97% five-star reviews, it is one of the most consistently praised apps on the Shopify App Store.
Key features:
- Pre-orders AND back-in-stock alerts in one app
- Deposits, partial payments, split payments, deferred payments
- Built for Shopify certified (Top 25 Built for Shopify apps)
- Shopify Flow triggers and actions
- Klaviyo, Mailchimp, Omnisend integrations
Pricing:
- Free: 10 pre-orders/month, 30 emails/month
- Lite: $10/month (100 pre-orders, 1,000 emails)
- Pro: $29/month (400 pre-orders, 2,000 emails)
- Unlimited: $69/month
Pros:
- All-in-one solution (no need for separate back-in-stock app)
- Generous free tier for testing
- Exceptional support response times consistently cited
Cons:
- Flow features require paid plan
- SMS costs $0.025 per message on top of subscription
What merchants say: “Reduced our customer service emails…increased sales the moment back in stock.” Another noted they recovered “well into five figures in sales” since implementing.
#3: Timesact Preorder Now Presale
Rating: 4.9 stars (1,734 reviews) | Best for: Large catalogs with automatic stock-based switching
Timesact excels at automation. When a product goes out of stock, it automatically switches to pre-order mode. When stock returns, it switches back. No manual intervention required. This makes it ideal for stores with hundreds or thousands of SKUs.
Key features:
- Automatic out-of-stock detection and pre-order switching
- Phone support available (US/CA/AU/UK) plus video call onboarding
- Built for Shopify certified
- 17,000+ stores trust it
Pricing:
- Free: 10 pre-orders/month, 50 restock emails
- Paid plans up to $16.15/month
Pros:
- Hands-off automation for large catalogs
- Phone and video support (rare among Shopify apps)
- Very affordable paid plans
Cons:
- No documented Shopify Flow integration or public API
- Some users note UI could be improved
What merchants say: Users consistently praise the “intuitive interface for large catalogs” and automation that “just works” without manual intervention.
#4: Essent Preorder Back in Stock
Rating: 5.0 stars (1,148 reviews) | Best for: Budget-conscious merchants needing partial payments
Essent offers partial payments and deposits on their FREE plan. Most competitors lock this behind paid tiers. If you need deposit functionality but want to keep costs low, this is your best option.
Key features:
- Partial payments/deposits available on free plan
- 24/7 human support with named team members
- Built for Shopify certified
- Pay in full, partial payment, split payment, and deposit options
Pricing:
- Free: 10 pre-orders/month
- Paid plans from $5/month (flat pricing based on volume)
Pros:
- Partial payments on free plan (competitors charge for this)
- 24/7 human support praised in 1,000+ reviews
- Flat pricing model (pay for volume, not features)
Cons:
- Documentation lacks video tutorials
- Some reports of international market support issues
What merchants say: Quick support responses and good backend organization with custom tags are frequently mentioned. The free plan with deposits is a standout feature.
#5: PreOrder Globo | Back in Stock
Rating: 4.9 stars (1,104 reviews) | Best for: Email marketing integrations
With 44,000+ installs, Globo is the most widely adopted pre-order app on Shopify. It has been around since 2017 and integrates with more email marketing platforms than any competitor.
Key features:
- Most installed pre-order app (44,000+ stores)
- Integrations: Klaviyo, Mailchimp, Omnisend, HubSpot, ActiveCampaign, and more
- Mix-cart warning alerts customers when combining pre-order and in-stock items
- 7+ years on the market
Pricing:
- Free: 20 pre-orders/month
- Pro: $9.90/month
Pros:
- Extensive email marketing integrations
- Mix-cart warning feature prevents customer confusion
- Large user base means plenty of community knowledge
Cons:
- Reports of site slowdowns and code residue left after uninstall
- Recent updates (late 2025) caused functionality breaks for some merchants
- Back-in-stock emails reportedly only work with Gmail addresses
What merchants say: Support team member Sarah is praised by name for responsiveness. However, multiple merchants report performance issues and leftover code after uninstalling.
#6: Preorder Wolf | Pre order now
Rating: 4.8 stars (484 reviews) | Best for: Budget-friendly basics with excellent support
Preorder Wolf starts at just $4.99/month and includes free email AND SMS notifications. Most competitors charge extra for SMS. If you want reliable basics without complexity, this is a solid choice.
Key features:
- Built for Shopify certified
- Free email and SMS notifications included
- Customizable buttons (text, color, style)
- Quick support with 5-minute fix times reported
Pricing:
- Free: Development stores only
- Paid: From $4.99/month
Pros:
- Most affordable paid option
- SMS included (competitors charge extra)
- Consistently praised support
Cons:
- May not use Shopify’s native pre-order selling plans (just changes button text)
- Free version limited to development stores only
- Average documentation quality
What merchants say: “User-friendly interface” and “quick and effective customer support” are common themes. Good for basic pre-order needs.
#7: PreOrder Now & Pre order | PQ
Rating: 4.9 stars (713 reviews) | Best for: Urgency marketing and mixed cart management
PQ focuses on conversion optimization with countdown timers and urgency features. If you want to create FOMO around your pre-orders, this app has the tools for it.
Key features:
- Mixed cart alerts for pre-order + in-stock combinations
- Urgency countdown timers
- 150+ help articles with video tutorials
- Automated emails and scheduling
Pricing:
- No free plan
- Starts at $7.99/month
Pros:
- Mixed cart alerts prevent customer confusion
- Good documentation with video tutorials
- Urgency timers for conversion optimization
Cons:
- No free plan
- Early adopter trust issues (reportedly broke “free forever” promises)
- Date format displays DD-MM-YYYY causing confusion for US customers
- Back-in-stock email functionality reported as not fully functional
What merchants say: Easy setup and seamless Shopify integration are praised. However, some early adopters report the developers promised “free forever” but began charging about a year later.
#8: PreOrder Now Backorder WOD
Rating: 4.5 stars (1,432 reviews) | Best for: Bulk catalog management
WOD stands out for bulk management capabilities. You can apply settings across variants, products, and tags simultaneously. If you have a large catalog and need efficient operations, this is worth considering.
Key features:
- Bulk management across variants/products/tags
- Stylish badges over product images
- Partial payments with automatic discounts
- 16,700+ stores
Pricing:
- Free: 1 product only
- Paid: From $19.95/month
Pros:
- Best bulk management capabilities
- Stylish badge system
- Strong market adoption
Cons:
- Configuration bugs reported (changing one setting unexpectedly changes others)
- Poor support response times for international merchants (multi-day delays)
- Forced 50/50 partial payment splits reportedly stopped customers from buying
What merchants say: Mixed feedback. Some call it “fantastic product” with “fantastic service,” while others report configuration bugs and slow support, particularly for merchants outside the US.
#9: Kaktus PreOrder App + Partial Payment
Rating: 4.7 stars (580 reviews) | Best for: Multi-platform merchants
Kaktus works across 16+ platforms beyond Shopify (Webflow, Wix, WooCommerce). If you run stores on multiple platforms and want consistent pre-order functionality, this is your option.
Key features:
- Works on 16+ platforms (Shopify, Webflow, Wix, WooCommerce, more)
- Robust split payment architecture
- Automated balance collection
Pricing:
- Free: Development stores only
- Paid: From $9.99/month
Pros:
- Multi-platform support
- Strong partial payment system
- 94% five-star rating when it works
Cons:
- Controversial pricing: Charges based on TOTAL store orders, not just pre-orders processed through the app
- One user reported 65 pre-orders cost “hundreds of dollars” in usage fees
- Add-to-cart button issues reported
What merchants say: When it works, users call the team “phenomenal” and say everything “just works.” However, the pricing model has caused significant frustration. Verify exactly how billing works before committing.
#10: Amai PreOrder Manager + Notify
Rating: 4.4 stars (1,063 reviews) | Best for: Geo-targeting by country
Amai has a unique feature: pre-orders by country. If you need different pre-order rules for different markets, this is one of the few apps that supports it. However, the reviews are polarizing.
Key features:
- Pre-orders by country (geo-targeting)
- 10+ years on market (launched 2015)
- 24/7 live chat support
- Shopify Flow integration
Pricing:
- No free plan (14-day trial only)
- Starts at $12.95/month
Pros:
- Geo-targeting for country-specific pre-order rules
- Decade of experience
- Shopify Flow integration
Cons:
- 11% one-star reviews (highest on this list)
- Billing discrepancies reported (users charged differently than listed price)
- Mobile compatibility issues causing lost sales
- App reportedly continues charging after uninstall if not fully deleted
What merchants say: Covers pre-launch needs well, but billing issues are a recurring complaint. Monitor your invoices carefully.
A note on AI and automation
We checked all 10 apps for AI features and compatibility with tools like Claude Code, SightKick, and other AI agents. None of the apps have built-in AI features or dedicated AI integrations.
However, if automation matters to you, here is how they stack up:
| App | Shopify Flow | API Access |
|---|---|---|
| PreProduct | 15 actions, 16 triggers | Full REST API |
| STOQ | Triggers + actions | Preorders API, JavaScript API |
| Amai | Confirmed integration | Limited documentation |
| Others | No Flow integration | No public API |
PreProduct is the clear leader for automation with the deepest Shopify Flow integration and a full REST API. If you need to connect your pre-orders to an ERP, OMS, or custom workflows, it is the only viable choice.
What merchants actually want
Based on our analysis of Reddit threads, Shopify Community discussions, and thousands of reviews, here is what merchants care about most:
Must-have features:
- Partial payments/deposits (20-50% upfront reduces commitment barriers)
- Automatic out-of-stock detection
- Back-in-stock notifications (email, SMS, push)
- Easy setup without coding
- Customizable buttons and badges
Common pain points merchants report:
- Hidden or confusing pricing (apps charging for all orders, not just pre-orders)
- Broken promises (free tiers disappearing)
- International support issues
- Site performance degradation
- Theme compatibility problems
Our recommendations
Best overall: PreProduct. Deepest automation, best documentation, exceptional support. Worth the higher price if you need serious pre-order capabilities.
Best free option: Essent. Partial payments on the free plan is a standout. 24/7 support and Built for Shopify certified.
Best for large catalogs: Timesact. Automatic stock-based switching means no manual work. Phone and video support is a bonus.
Best for ease of use: STOQ. 97% five-star reviews praising easy setup. Generous free tier. All-in-one simplicity.
Best for enterprise: PreProduct. Full REST API, ERP integrations, and the most Shopify Flow actions of any pre-order app.
Final thoughts
The “best” pre-order app depends on your specific needs. A small store launching their first pre-order campaign has different requirements than an enterprise brand processing thousands of pre-orders monthly.
If you are just starting out, try the free tiers of STOQ, Timesact, or Essent. They all have generous limits for testing.
If you need serious automation, skip directly to PreProduct. The API access and Shopify Flow integration are unmatched.
And whatever you choose, pay attention to the pricing model. Several apps on this list have frustrated merchants with unexpected charges or billing that does not match what is advertised.
Ratings and review counts are from the Shopify App Store as of June 2026. We will update this guide as apps release new features or pricing changes.
