Essent Loyalty Program Rewards Vs Referral Candy & Affiliate: Which Shopify App Is Best For Your Store In October 2026?

Discover the power of Shopify apps as we compare Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate side by side. Evaluate their features, explore their unique benefits, compare their pricing plans and user ratings, and find the perfect fit for your business needs. Let's dive into the comparison table and unlock the possibilities that await your Shopify store.

Compare Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate

Essent Loyalty Program RewardsEssent Loyalty Program RewardsView on Shopify
Referral Candy & AffiliateReferral Candy & AffiliateView on Shopify
General Information
Ratings
5.0(491 reviews)
4.9(1,481 reviews)
Developed byEssential AppsReferralCandy
Launch Date11/25/20249/28/2010
PricingFree, $10/month, $24/month, $79/month$39/month, $79/month, $249/month, $799/month
Objective-Increase your sales through recommendations.
CategoriesLoyalty and rewards, DiscountsAffiliate programs, Loyalty and rewards
Key Features & Highlights
PurposeGrow repeat purchases with a loyalty rewards program: points, store credit cashback, VIP tiers, POSStart a customer referral program for your brand and increase your sales using referral and affiliate marketing.
Features List
  1. Customizable loyalty points system to reward repeat purchases.
  2. Referral program incentivizes customers to share with friends.
  3. VIP tiers offer exclusive perks for high-value customers.
  1. Automate rewards with cash, coupons, or custom incentives for referrals and affiliates.
  2. Embed referral and affiliate programs seamlessly into your Shopify store theme.
  3. Launch targeted campaigns with accurate tracking for referrals and affiliate sales.
Highlights--
User Reviews and Ratings
Recommended %99.8%98.1%
Pros
  1. Quick and straightforward installation process with minimal steps.
  2. Highly adaptable to match brand aesthetics and user preferences.
  3. Intuitive navigation and clean design enhance usability.
  4. No-cost option with robust features for small businesses.
  5. Works smoothly with Shopify and other platforms.
  6. Includes points, rewards, referrals, and VIP tiers.
  7. Helpful and timely assistance from the customer service team.
  8. Instant updates on points and rewards for users.
  9. Accommodates diverse user bases with language options.
  10. Drives engagement, retention, and sales.
  1. Consistently praised for being quick, knowledgeable, and personalized, with many users highlighting specific team members.
  2. Frequently noted for its straightforward installation and seamless onboarding process.
  3. The app is described as intuitive and simple to navigate, even for new users.
  4. Users report increased sales and customer engagement after implementation.
  5. Allows users to tailor the referral program to their specific business needs.
  6. Support queries are resolved promptly, often within the same day or even hours.
  7. Includes guides, videos, and best practices to assist users in maximizing the app’s potential.
  8. Works well for stores operating in multiple languages.
  9. The app runs smoothly without significant technical issues.
  10. Support staff provide tailored recommendations and follow-ups to ensure success.
Cons
  1. Some users noted missing functionalities like POS compatibility.
  2. No automatic adjustment for returned orders.
  3. Certain promised updates (e.g., Mailchimp integration) are pending.
  4. Occasional glitches reported, though quickly addressed by support.
  1. Some users noted the absence of certain advanced functionalities, like rewards for social media actions.
  2. A few users mentioned quirks and restrictions with the app’s API integration.
  3. One user reported that the referral program overran their discounts section.
  4. No overlapping or conflicting themes were found between Pros and Cons in the provided data. All themes are distinct and supported by the reviews.
Pricing and Plans
Total Pricing Plans44
Free PlanAvailableNot available
Free TrialYes, for 14 day(s)Yes, for 7 day(s)
Technical Information
Rating
5.0
4.9
Total Reviews3421,532
Launch Date11/25/20249/28/2010
SD Points699107

Shopify Apps Detailed Comparison: Essent Loyalty Program Rewards vs Referral Candy & Affiliate

In this comprehensive comparison, we'll delve into the details of two Shopify apps: Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate. Whether you're seeking to optimize marketing efforts, streamline operations, or improve customer engagement, our in-depth analysis will help you make an informed decision.

Skip the detailed comparison and head straight to the final verdict section.

Overview of the apps

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards vs Referral Candy & Affiliate: Overview

Let's dive into the overview of these two apps: Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate, and uncover how these Shopify apps can elevate your online business and empower you with powerful tools and features.

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards Overview

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards is a Shopify app developed by Unknown Developer to help merchants with With an average rating of 5.0 stars from 491 reviews , Essent Loyalty Program Rewards is one of the top-rated Loyalty and rewards Shopify apps.

Launch Date: Nov 25, 2024

Purpose: Grow repeat purchases with a loyalty rewards program: points, store credit cashback, VIP tiers, POS

Pricing summary: Free plan available. Free trial available.

Referral Candy & Affiliate Overview

Referral Candy & Affiliate is a Shopify app developed by Unknown Developer to help merchants with Increase your sales through recommendations. With an average rating of 4.9 stars from 1,481 reviews, Referral Candy & Affiliate is one of the top-rated Affiliate programs Shopify apps.

Launch Date: Sep 28, 2010

Purpose: Start a customer referral program for your brand and increase your sales using referral and affiliate marketing.

Pricing summary: From $39/month. Free trial available.

Salient Features

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards vs Referral Candy & Affiliate: Features Comparison

While both apps are designed to optimize your Shopify store, their intended uses may vary. Let's take a more in-depth look at each of these apps' features.

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards Features

Here are the salient features of Essent Loyalty Program Rewards:

No features information available.

Referral Candy & Affiliate Features

Here are the salient features of Referral Candy & Affiliate:

  • ✅Start a referral or affiliate program and achieve your first sales within half an hour.
  • ✅Turn on popups, emails, and pages after purchase to sign customers up for the program.
  • ✅ Automate customer rewards by offering cash and coupons for both one-off and subscription sales.
  • ✅Personalize your referral program by adding your logo, images, and brand colors.
  • ✅Seamlessly connect with Klaviyo, ReCharge, Skio, Awtomic, Bold, Loop, Appstle, Stay, Seal.

Pricing Details

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards vs Referral Candy & Affiliate: Pricing Plans

There are tons of Shopify apps for small businesses and enterprises alike. From Essent Loyalty Program Rewards to Referral Candy & Affiliate, each offers a range of pricing packages to accommodate different business needs.

Let's see how the prices of Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate measure up.

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards Pricing Details

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards has 4 pricing plans: 1 free and 3 paid. The paid plans cost $10/ month, $24/ month, $79/ month and come with a 14-day free trial period.

Free

$0/month

  • Up to 250 loyalty influenced orders​

  • Basic loyalty program

  • Single VIP tier

  • Referral program

  • Product, Cart, Popup, Account placements

Starter

$10/month

  • Free loyalty point program

  • Dedicated loyalty landing page​

  • Exclusive unlisted product rewards

  • Shopify flow custom points

  • POS support for in-store loyalty

Essential

$24/month

  • Points on every product card

  • Loyalty status in Orders & Profile pages

  • Branded icons & email domain

  • Store Credit reward

  • Point & VIP tier expiry

Growth

$79/month

  • Redeem at Checkout (Shopify Plus)

  • Analytics

  • Unlimited VIP Tiers

  • Custom Collection / Product points

  • Exclude Shipping / Taxes

Referral Candy & Affiliate Pricing Details

Referral Candy & Affiliate offers 4 paid plans, which cost $39/ month, $79/ month, $249/ month, $799/ month. The paid plans also come with a 7-day free trial period.

Basic

$39/month

  • All features on every plan

  • For brands getting started

Grow

$79/month

  • All features on every plan

  • For brands scaling referral revenue

Scale

$249/month

  • All features on every plan

  • For high-volume where margins matter

Enterprise

$799/month

  • All features on every plan

  • Dedicated onboarding & account manager

Ratings and Reviews

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards vs Referral Candy & Affiliate: User Ratings

User feedback and reviews play a crucial role in assessing the quality and effectiveness of any Shopify app. Let's take a closer look at what users are saying about Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate.

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards Ratings

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards has garnered an overall rating of 5.0 stars from a total of 491 reviews on the Shopify app store.

5.0| 491 reviews

Of the total reviews, 100% are positive, 0% are neutral, and 0% are negative.

✨ AI Summary of Essent Loyalty Program Rewards ReviewsThe app is a comprehensive Shopify loyalty and rewards program solution designed to enhance customer engagement and retention. It offers a highly customizable interface, allowing seamless integration with store themes and branding, along with features like points systems, VIP tiers, referral programs, and reward redemptions. The setup process is consistently noted for its simplicity, requiring minimal technical expertise, and the app includes robust customization options for design, rewards, and email templates. A key strength is its free pricing model, which provides extensive functionality typically found in paid alternatives, making it accessible for small businesses. The app also supports multilingual capabilities and integrates with third-party tools like Omnisend, though some users note a lack of deeper integrations with platforms like Mailchimp. While the UI is praised for being clean and intuitive, some advanced features—such as detailed customer filtering, point adjustments for returns, and POS compatibility—are either limited or in development. Customer support is frequently highlighted as responsive and helpful, contributing to a positive user experience. Overall, the app is a versatile and cost-effective loyalty solution, though it may require additional enhancements for more complex business needs.

Referral Candy & Affiliate Ratings

Referral Candy & Affiliate has garnered an overall rating of 4.9 stars from a total of 1,481 reviews on the Shopify app store.

4.9| 1,481 reviews

Of the total reviews, 98% are positive, 2% are neutral, and 2% are negative.

✨ AI Summary of Referral Candy & Affiliate ReviewsThe app is a Shopify-integrated referral program tool designed to help businesses incentivize customers to share products and drive sales. Its key features include easy setup, customization options, and seamless integration with Shopify stores, requiring no coding. The app supports multilingual stores and offers tools to track referrals, manage campaigns, and automate rewards. A standout strength is its exceptional customer support, frequently noted for being responsive, knowledgeable, and proactive in assisting with setup, troubleshooting, and optimization. The app’s intuitive interface and user-friendly design make it accessible for both technical and non-technical users. However, some limitations include minor API quirks and a lack of certain advanced features, such as rewards for social media actions. Despite these, the app’s reliability, combined with its robust support, makes it a strong choice for businesses seeking to implement or scale a referral program.

Pros and Cons

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards vs Referral Candy & Affiliate: Pros and Cons

Let's explore the pros and cons of Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate to better understand their strengths and limitations.

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards Pros and Cons

Pros

Quick and straightforward installation process with minimal steps.

Highly adaptable to match brand aesthetics and user preferences.

Intuitive navigation and clean design enhance usability.

No-cost option with robust features for small businesses.

Works smoothly with Shopify and other platforms.

Includes points, rewards, referrals, and VIP tiers.

Helpful and timely assistance from the customer service team.

Instant updates on points and rewards for users.

Accommodates diverse user bases with language options.

Drives engagement, retention, and sales.

Cons

Some users noted missing functionalities like POS compatibility.

No automatic adjustment for returned orders.

Certain promised updates (e.g., Mailchimp integration) are pending.

Occasional glitches reported, though quickly addressed by support.

Referral Candy & Affiliate Pros and Cons

Pros

Consistently praised for being quick, knowledgeable, and personalized, with many users highlighting specific team members.

Frequently noted for its straightforward installation and seamless onboarding process.

The app is described as intuitive and simple to navigate, even for new users.

Users report increased sales and customer engagement after implementation.

Allows users to tailor the referral program to their specific business needs.

Support queries are resolved promptly, often within the same day or even hours.

Includes guides, videos, and best practices to assist users in maximizing the app’s potential.

Works well for stores operating in multiple languages.

The app runs smoothly without significant technical issues.

Support staff provide tailored recommendations and follow-ups to ensure success.

Cons

Some users noted the absence of certain advanced functionalities, like rewards for social media actions.

A few users mentioned quirks and restrictions with the app’s API integration.

One user reported that the referral program overran their discounts section.

No overlapping or conflicting themes were found between Pros and Cons in the provided data. All themes are distinct and supported by the reviews.

Integrations

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards vs Referral Candy & Affiliate: Featured Integrations

Seamless integration with other tools and platforms is crucial for maximizing the functionality and efficiency of your Shopify store. Let's explore the integration capabilities of Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate, and see how effortlessly these apps can enhance your store operations.

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards Integrations

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards offers a wide range of integration options, allowing you to connect with popular third-party tools and services seamlessly. The developer has provided an extensive list of integration tools:

  • •Checkout
  • •Customer accounts
  • •Shopify POS
  • •Shopify Flow
  • •Shopify Admin
  • •Flow
  • •Judge.me Reviews
  • •Klaviyo: Email Marketing & SMS
  • •Omnisend Email Marketing & SMS
  • •Point of Sale
  • •Store credit

Referral Candy & Affiliate Integrations

Referral Candy & Affiliate offers a wide range of integration options, allowing you to connect with popular third-party tools and services seamlessly. The developer has provided an extensive list of integration tools:

  • •Checkout
  • •Customer accounts
  • •Shopify POS
  • •Shopify Admin
  • •Appstle
  • •Klaviyo
  • •Loop
  • •Omnisend
  • •ReCharge
  • •Skio

Support

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards vs Referral Candy & Affiliate: Support

The support team plays a vital role in resolving queries, offering guidance, and addressing concerns related to Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate. Their expertise and responsiveness are key considerations for ensuring a seamless app experience.

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards User Support

For any inquiries or assistance regarding Essent Loyalty Program Rewards, their dedicated support team is here to assist you. You can reach out to them via email at [email protected].

Referral Candy & Affiliate User Support

For any inquiries or assistance regarding Referral Candy & Affiliate, their dedicated support team is here to assist you. You can reach out to them via email at [email protected]. To address common concerns, Referral Candy & Affiliate offers an extensive FAQ section on its website, providing helpful information and troubleshooting tips.

Final Verdict

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards vs Referral Candy & Affiliate: Final Verdict

When choosing the ideal Shopify app for your business, both Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate offer unique strengths and considerations.

The choice between Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate depends on your specific needs and priorities. Consider your business requirements, goals, and the features that align most closely with your objectives. Take into account factors such as pricing, user reviews, support quality, and integrations while making a decision.

We recommend thoroughly exploring the features and functionalities of each app. Remember, what works best for one business may not be ideal for another.

Here's a breakdown of key factors to help you choose a winner.

Average Rating (High priority factor)

While considering user reviews, take note of the average ratings for Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate. These ratings reflect users' overall satisfaction and can provide valuable insights into the reliability and effectiveness of each app. In this case, Essent Loyalty Program Rewards holds an average rating of 5.0 stars, whereas Referral Candy & Affiliate has 4.9 star ratings.

🥇 Winner: Essent Loyalty Program Rewards

🥈 Runner Up: Referral Candy & Affiliate

For a comprehensive analysis, head to the Ratings and Reviews section.

Total Reviews (High priority factor)

Consider the total number of reviews Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate have received. A higher number of reviews generally indicates a larger user base and more feedback, which can provide additional insights into the app's performance and user experience. Here, Essent Loyalty Program Rewards has received a total of 491 reviews and Referral Candy & Affiliate has 1,481 reviews.

🥇 Winner: Referral Candy & Affiliate

🥈 Runner Up: Essent Loyalty Program Rewards

For a comprehensive analysis, head to the Ratings and Reviews section.

Launch Date (Low priority factor)

While not a direct measure of quality, consider the launch date of each app - Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate to gain some context. A more established app brings years of experience and refinement to the table, but it's important to balance this factor with the app's average rating and total reviews. Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate were launched on Nov 25, 2024 and Sep 28, 2010 respectively.

🥇 Winner: Referral Candy & Affiliate

🥈 Runner Up: Essent Loyalty Program Rewards

For a comprehensive analysis, head to the Overview of the Apps section.

Budget (High priority factor)

Take the time to analyze your specific needs, budget for the same, and long-term goals to decide which plan fits your requirements. Here, Essent Loyalty Program Rewards offers 4 pricing plans (1 free plan, 3 paid plans) with an average plan price of $28.25. Referral Candy & Affiliate, on the other hand, has a total of 4 pricing plans (0 free plans, 4 paid plans) with an average plan price of $291.50.

🥇 Winner: Essent Loyalty Program Rewards

🥈 Runner Up: Referral Candy & Affiliate

For a comprehensive analysis, head to the Pricing Details section.

Support Channel (Medium priority factor)

Both Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate provide customer support through various channels, such as email, live chat, FAQs section, or phone. A higher number of support channels indicates better accessibility and assistance, ensuring timely help whenever you need it. Here, the two apps offer the following support channels:

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards: Email, Phone - 2 support options

Referral Candy & Affiliate: Email, Phone, FAQs page - 3 support options

🥇 Winner: Referral Candy & Affiliate

🥈 Runner Up: Essent Loyalty Program Rewards

For a comprehensive analysis, head to the Support section.

Integrations (Medium priority factor)

Evaluate the integration capabilities of Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate. Consider the number and variety of integration options they offer with other tools and services - more integration options can provide flexibility and streamline your workflows. Both apps offer various integration options with popular Shopify tools and services.

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards: 11 integrations

Referral Candy & Affiliate: 10 integrations

🥇 Winner: Essent Loyalty Program Rewards

🥈 Runner Up: Referral Candy & Affiliate

For a comprehensive analysis, head to the Integrations section.

Trial Period (Low priority factor)

Free trial periods allow you to explore the app's features and functionalities before committing. Essent Loyalty Program Rewards comes with a 14-day free trial period. Referral Candy & Affiliate, on the other hand, comes with a 7-day free trial period.Take advantage of these trial periods to assess how well each app aligns with your specific business needs.

🥇 Winner: Essent Loyalty Program Rewards, Referral Candy & Affiliate

🥈 Runner Up: N/A

For a comprehensive analysis, head to the Features section.

By comparing and weighing these factors, you can make an informed decision and determine the winner between Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate that aligns best with your requirements and preferences for a successful Shopify app experience.

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Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs for Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate

1. What is the key difference between these Shopify apps: Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate?

When comparing various Shopify apps, their main objective sets them apart. Essent Loyalty Program Rewards is designed to help merchants with . On the other hand, Referral Candy & Affiliate focuses on Increase your sales through recommendations.. Assessing these differences will help you determine which app aligns best with your unique business needs.

2. Which app between Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate offers free pricing plan options for Shopify merchants?

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards has 1 free plan.

3. What are the pricing plans for Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate?

While the specific pricing plans may vary for each app, here's a general breakdown:

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards

offers a total of 4 pricing plans: 1 free plan and 3 paid plans.

Paid plan costs: $10/ month, $24/ month, $79/ month

Free plan cost: Free

Referral Candy & Affiliate

offers a total of 4 pricing plans: 0 free plans and 4 paid plans.

Paid plan costs: $39/ month, $79/ month, $249/ month, $799/ month

Free plan costs: None

4. Is there a free trial available for Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate?

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards comes with a 14-day free trial period. Referral Candy & Affiliate, on the other hand, comes with a 7-day free trial period.

5. What are the integration options available for Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate?

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards

  • Checkout
  • Customer accounts
  • Shopify POS
  • Shopify Flow
  • Shopify Admin
  • Flow
  • Judge.me Reviews
  • Klaviyo: Email Marketing & SMS
  • Omnisend Email Marketing & SMS
  • Point of Sale
  • Store credit

Referral Candy & Affiliate

  • Checkout
  • Customer accounts
  • Shopify POS
  • Shopify Admin
  • Appstle
  • Klaviyo
  • Loop
  • Omnisend
  • ReCharge
  • Skio
6. What are the support options available for Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate?

Essent Loyalty Program Rewards

Referral Candy & Affiliate

7. Are Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate compatible with my Shopify theme?

Generally, Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate are designed to be compatible with most Shopify themes. However, it is always advisable to review the app documentation or contact the app's support team to ensure seamless integration with your specific theme.

8. Which app between Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate is better?

Determining which app between Essent Loyalty Program Rewards and Referral Candy & Affiliate is better depends on your specific business requirements. It is recommended to thoroughly evaluate each app based on various factors such as customer reviews, support, integrations, and functionalities to make an informed decision that aligns best with your unique requirements.

Find the full evaluation here.