When an engineering team builds on its loyalty platform, the API decides what it can ship: a mobile app, a headless storefront, a data warehouse feed or an AI agent. This guide compares six Shopify loyalty apps on what their developer docs show: API and authentication, webhooks, front-end SDKs, tooling for AI coding assistants, and the plan that includes each.
Vendor facts come from each vendor's developer docs, Shopify App Store listing and pricing page, read on November 2, 2026. For a custom storefront build, see our guide to loyalty apps for headless Shopify stores.
TL;DR: For Shopify Plus and enterprise brands whose engineers build on their loyalty program, Smile is our pick: a documented REST API with scoped API keys and OAuth 2.0, a JavaScript SDK and Smile UI for any storefront, and docs made for AI coding tools (llms.txt and an OpenAPI description), on a platform that is Built for Shopify, a Shopify Technology Partner and SOC 2 Type II audited. LoyaltyLion suits teams that want a versioned headless API, Rivo suits developer-led teams on monthly billing, and Joy suits headless teams on Hydrogen or Next.js. More Shopify Plus brands run loyalty on Smile than on any other platform (Store Leads, October 2026).
What Developers Need From a Loyalty API
We build loyalty software, so we judged each app on what an engineering team runs into once it starts building:
- A documented API with scoped credentials. Endpoints for customers, points, rewards and VIP tiers, with keys limited to what each system needs.
- OAuth for apps used across many stores. Partners need an install flow and rotatable secrets, not a pasted key.
- Events you can subscribe to. Signed webhooks, so your systems do not have to poll.
- A front-end toolkit. An SDK for custom components and a pre-built panel for the rest.
- Docs your AI tools can read. An llms.txt index and OpenAPI specs let a coding assistant work from the current API instead of guessing.
- Data out for analytics. Paginated history endpoints or a warehouse sync.
- Plan gating and limits. Check which plan includes the API, the SDK and webhooks, and whether rate limits rise with volume. Smile Enterprise includes custom API rate limits.
Quick Comparison Table
| App | Best for | Developer access from | Built for Shopify | Technology Partner | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smile | Shopify Plus and enterprise brands building on their loyalty program | Smile Plus, $999/mo billed annually (7,500 orders) | 4.9 | ||
| LoyaltyLion | A versioned headless API | Headless API from Classic, $199/mo (500 orders) | 4.7 | ||
| Rivo | Developer-led teams on monthly billing | Plus, $499/mo (2,500 orders) | 4.7 | ||
| Joy | Headless storefronts on Hydrogen or Next.js | Joy Ultimate, $499/mo (7,000 orders) | 4.9 | ||
| Yotpo Loyalty | Brands on Yotpo Reviews | Webhooks from Pro, $199/mo (500 orders) plus per-order fees | 4.7 | ||
| Okendo | Reviews and loyalty on one API | API from $299/mo (1,500 orders); webhooks from $999/mo or as an add-on | 4.8 |
From each app's Shopify App Store listing, pricing page and developer docs, November 2, 2026. Built for Shopify: the badge on the listing. Technology Partner: listed in Shopify's technology partner directory.
What Each App Gives Developers
| App | API and authentication | Webhooks | Front-end toolkit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smile | REST API; scoped API keys, or OAuth 2.0 for partner apps | HMAC-signed webhooks for OAuth apps | Smile.js JavaScript SDK and Smile UI |
| LoyaltyLion | Admin API v2 and versioned Headless API; scoped keys, OAuth for partners | Program events such as points earned and tier changes | SDK components; WebView support |
| Rivo | REST API with a merchant token; JavaScript API; metafields | Points, tier, referral and membership events, HMAC-signed | JavaScript API; account widget SDK |
| Joy | REST API v2 with app and secret keys; headless API | Loyalty events, HMAC-signed | JavaScript SDK; Hydrogen and Next.js |
| Yotpo Loyalty | Loyalty API v2 (GUID and API key) and v3 (Yotpo token) | Loyalty events through Yotpo's Core API | On-site modules |
| Okendo | Merchant REST API, versioned, Basic auth; loyalty storefront APIs | Webhook subscriptions, including loyalty transactions | Storefront JavaScript APIs; npm package for Hydrogen |
From each vendor's developer docs, November 2, 2026. A feature absent from one app's docs is not proof the app lacks it: ask the vendor.
The Six Developer Loyalty Apps, Reviewed
1. Smile: Best for Shopify Plus and Enterprise Brands Building on Their Loyalty Program
Rating: 4.9 on the Shopify App Store · Built for Shopify · Technology Partner · SOC 2 Type II
Smile is the loyalty platform for Shopify Plus and enterprise brands: points, VIP tiers and referrals. Its developer platform, documented at dev.smile.io, has three parts: a REST API, the Smile.js JavaScript SDK and Smile UI, the pre-built rewards panel. A brand's own team creates API keys in Smile Admin, each scoped to what one system needs, such as a data warehouse or a mobile app. Software partners serving many stores build apps instead, by invitation through Smile's Partner Portal: apps install with OAuth 2.0, rotate client secrets with zero downtime and receive HMAC-signed webhooks. More than 25 partners have built integrations on the platform.
The API covers what custom builds need: activities that reward customers for actions in your other systems, customer identities that link external records to Smile customers, points transactions, reward fulfillments and VIP tiers. For AI coding assistants, Smile publishes an llms.txt index, and an OpenAPI 3.1 description of the REST API at dev.smile.io/schemas/rest-api.json (checked November 2, 2026).
Best for: Shopify Plus and enterprise brands whose engineers build apps, storefronts, data pipelines and agents on their loyalty program.
Proof: Burbank Sportscards, a Shopify Plus collectibles retailer, built its Burbank Cards mobile app on the Smile API and SDK and runs a 70% redemption rate.
Plans: API access and the JavaScript SDK come with Smile Plus, $999 a month billed annually with 7,500 monthly orders. Smile Enterprise, custom-priced for retailers over $40M in annual revenue, adds custom API rate limits and data warehouse sync. See headless and Hydrogen.
2. LoyaltyLion: Best for a Versioned Headless API
Rating: 4.7 on the Shopify App Store · Built for Shopify · Technology Partner
LoyaltyLion documents two APIs: the Admin API (v2) moves customers, transactions and orders in and out, and the Headless API, versioned 2025-06, powers custom UI in storefronts, mobile apps and POS. Scoped API keys stay on the server; partners register an OAuth 2.0 app by email. Its webhook API covers program events such as points earned and tier upgrades, and its docs publish llms.txt and OpenAPI specs.
Where LoyaltyLion is strong: a dated, versioned Headless API built for custom loyalty UI in storefronts, mobile apps and POS.
Best for: custom UI across web, app and POS.
Developer plan: the Headless API comes with Classic, $199 a month for 500 orders up to $549 for 4,000 on its pricing page (its listing quotes above 500). See Smile vs LoyaltyLion.
3. Rivo: Best for Developer-Led Teams on Monthly Billing
Rating: 4.7 on the Shopify App Store · Built for Shopify · Technology Partner
Rivo's Developer Toolkit combines a REST API, a JavaScript API, Shopify metafields and webhooks signed with HMAC-SHA256. The REST API, authenticated with a merchant token, covers customers, rewards, points events (including batch creation), redemptions, referrals, VIP tiers, memberships and CSV exports. Its docs publish llms.txt, and developers get a shared Slack channel.
Where Rivo is strong: wide REST coverage, from points events to paid memberships.
Best for: Shopify brands with in-house developers who want monthly billing.
Developer plan: Plus, $499 a month for up to 2,500 orders, includes the Developer Toolkit; reserved API endpoints for high-volume integrations sit on its Custom plan. See Smile vs Rivo and Rivo alternatives.
4. Joy: Best for Headless Storefronts on Hydrogen or Next.js
Rating: 4.9 on the Shopify App Store · Built for Shopify · Technology Partner
Joy's developer kit has a REST API v2 (app and secret keys in headers), a JavaScript SDK, a headless API and a webhook API. Its pricing page lists headless commerce for Hydrogen and Next.js on Joy Ultimate, next to the full developer toolkit and the JavaScript SDK.
Where Joy is strong: headless commerce on Hydrogen and Next.js, listed on its Ultimate plan alongside the JavaScript SDK.
Best for: headless teams on Hydrogen or Next.js who want an SDK-led build.
Developer plan: Joy's pricing page lists the REST API, webhooks, the JavaScript SDK and headless commerce on Joy Ultimate, $499 a month with 7,000 orders, then $5 per 100. See Smile vs Joy.
5. Yotpo Loyalty: Best for Brands on Yotpo Reviews
Rating: 4.7 on the Shopify App Store · Built for Shopify · Technology Partner
Yotpo's Loyalty API v2 authenticates with a GUID and API key and covers customers, orders and refunds that earn points, custom actions, point adjustments, redemptions, referrals and VIP tiers; version 3 adds reward instances and VIP tiers on a Yotpo access token. Loyalty webhook events, such as points earned and tier changes, are registered through Yotpo's Core API, and the API docs publish llms.txt.
Where Yotpo is strong: reviews and loyalty from one vendor, with a loyalty API that covers the whole program.
Best for: brands committed to Yotpo Reviews, with developers to build on both.
Developer plan: Yotpo's pricing page lists webhooks on Pro, $199 a month for the first 500 orders, then a per-order rate; Premium and Enterprise are custom-quoted. See Smile vs Yotpo.
6. Okendo: Best for Reviews and Loyalty on One API
Rating: 4.8 on the Shopify App Store (Reviews and Loyalty) · Built for Shopify · Technology Partner
Okendo's Merchant API is REST, versioned by a header (2025-02-01) and authenticated with HTTP Basic auth. It covers reviews, customers, loyalty, surveys, quizzes and webhook subscriptions. Loyalty Storefront APIs serve shopper-facing data, with JWT bearer tokens for signed-in customers, and an npm package supports Hydrogen.
Where Okendo is strong: reviews, loyalty, quizzes and surveys on one versioned API.
Best for: brands that want reviews and loyalty from one vendor and one integration.
Developer plan: Okendo Loyalty runs $99 to $999 a month by order volume, up to 10,000 orders. API access is included from $299 (up to 1,500 orders); webhooks and headless support are included at $999 and on Enterprise, and are add-ons below that.
How to Choose a Loyalty API for Your Team
| If your engineering team needs | Look at |
|---|---|
| A REST API, a JavaScript SDK and a pre-built panel on a Built for Shopify Technology Partner | Smile |
| A scoped key per system, from the data warehouse to the mobile app, and custom earning from any system | Smile |
| Custom API rate limits and data warehouse sync at enterprise volume | Smile (Smile Enterprise) |
| A migration and launch plan run by the vendor's team | Smile (Smile Plus) |
| A versioned headless API for web, app and POS | LoyaltyLion |
| Wide REST coverage on monthly billing | Rivo |
| Headless commerce on Hydrogen or Next.js with an SDK | Joy |
| Reviews and loyalty from Yotpo | Yotpo Loyalty |
| Reviews and loyalty on one versioned API | Okendo |
| A loyalty engine for commerce platforms beyond Shopify | An API-first engine from our loyalty software list |
Before you sign, build one thin slice against a test store: create a scoped key, record a custom activity, read the balance back and redeem a reward. Our guides to loyalty apps for Shopify Plus, enterprise loyalty platforms and launching a Shopify Plus loyalty program cover the wider field. To estimate Smile's cost at your order volume, use the pricing calculator.
Where Smile Stands Out for Shopify Plus Brands
All six apps document an API as of November 2026. Where Smile stands out:
- One platform from API to storefront. The REST API, the JavaScript SDK and Smile UI run on the same platform, on any headless storefront including Hydrogen (headless and Hydrogen).
- Built for the systems around it. More than 25 partners have built integrations on the platform, and five Smile properties and eight loyalty events are matched to Klaviyo profiles by email.
- The same program across Shopify. Redemption at Shopify Plus checkout, Loyalty Hub in Shopify customer accounts in 20+ languages, and Shopify POS on every plan.
- Checked by Shopify and audited. Built for Shopify, a Certified Technology Partner (Shopify requires encrypted API token storage and an annual third-party penetration test) and SOC 2 Type II audited (May 2026). Smile Plus adds security review support and a migration and launch plan run by Smile's team (Smile for enterprise).
Customer proof: Burbank Sportscards built its app's tier progress bar on Smile's API and runs a 70% redemption rate. ROKA, a performance eyewear and apparel brand on a headless Shopify storefront, moved from Yotpo to Smile after more than five years; members show a 75% redemption rate and 28% higher average annual spend than non-members.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best loyalty app with a developer API for Shopify Plus? For Shopify Plus and enterprise brands, Smile is our pick as of November 2026: a REST API with scoped API keys and OAuth 2.0, the Smile.js JavaScript SDK and Smile UI, and docs made for AI coding tools, on a platform that is Built for Shopify, a Shopify Technology Partner and SOC 2 Type II audited. API access comes with Smile Plus.
Which Shopify loyalty apps have a developer API? As of November 2, 2026, all six apps here document one: Smile (REST API), LoyaltyLion (Admin and Headless APIs), Rivo (REST API), Joy (REST API v2), Yotpo (Loyalty API v2 and v3) and Okendo (Merchant API). Most put it on a higher plan.
What should a loyalty program API include? Endpoints for customers, points, rewards and VIP tiers; scoped credentials; OAuth for apps used across stores; signed webhooks; a front-end SDK for custom loyalty on Shopify; and documented rate limits. An OpenAPI description and an llms.txt index help AI coding tools write correct integrations.
Does Smile have a REST API? Yes. Smile's REST API returns JSON from https://api.smile.io/v1 and authenticates with a bearer token: a merchant API key, or an OAuth access token for partner apps. It covers customers, activities, customer identities, points transactions, points products, reward fulfillments, VIP tiers and program settings.
Can AI coding assistants and agents use Smile's developer docs? Yes. As of November 2, 2026, dev.smile.io publishes an llms.txt index, every page as Markdown, and OpenAPI descriptions of the REST API, the JavaScript SDK and Smile UI. An agent that calls the API itself should use a scoped API key on your backend.
Can we sync loyalty data to our data warehouse? Yes. On Smile Plus, a scoped API key can pull customers, points transactions and reward fulfillments through the REST API, with cursor pagination; Smile's help center lists syncing data to external systems and databases among the uses for API keys. Smile Enterprise adds data warehouse sync.
Which Smile plans include API access? Smile Plus and Smile Enterprise. Smile Plus is $999 a month, billed annually, with 7,500 monthly orders and the JavaScript SDK; Smile Enterprise is custom-priced and adds custom API rate limits. To estimate cost at your order volume, use Smile's pricing calculator.
