Smile is a loyalty platform built for scaling Shopify Plus merchants who need enterprise-grade security, analytics, and customization. We focus on total cost of ownership and measurable lift in customer lifetime value.
BON Loyalty is a newer app (on the Shopify App Store since 2021) that excels at serving international brands with extensive language support and published, low monthly prices.
Bottom line: If your brand is past $5M in revenue and you need a secure, scalable platform with a team that runs your launch, choose Smile. If you sell in many languages and want VIP and B2B tiers at a published monthly price, BON Loyalty is worth a look.
About Smile.io
Smile is the loyalty platform for Shopify Plus and enterprise brands: points, VIP tiers and referrals, built to help merchants build genuine connections with their customers. Brands like Fiesta Tableware, Naturium and Blue Banana use Smile to power their retention programs.
Our platform is engineered for the scale and security demands of Shopify Plus. Smile holds both of Shopify's certifications for apps: Built for Shopify, for app quality, and Shopify Certified Technology Partner, for enterprise readiness. Together they mean Shopify has reviewed our app for quality, and our security and support meet the Technology Partner program's requirements, including an annual independent penetration test and 24/7 support worldwide. Smile also holds a SOC 2 Type II audit (May 2026).
About BON Loyalty
BON Loyalty launched on the Shopify App Store in August 2021 and has quickly gained traction, with a 5.0-star rating on its listing (October 26, 2026). They hold the Built for Shopify certification, which confirms their app follows Shopify's best practices for performance and user experience in the Shopify admin.
BON's standout feature is its language support: its pricing page lists 250+ displayed languages from its Basic plan. Their product covers the core components of a loyalty program: points, an anti-cheat referral program, and VIP tiers with B2B tiers on its Growth plan. For brands selling across many markets, BON offers an accessible and highly rated option.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
The at-a-glance version, before we go deep on each area:
| Smile | BON Loyalty | |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify App Store rating | 4.9 | 5.0 |
| Built for Shopify badge on its listing | ||
| In Shopify's technology partner directory | ||
| Shopper languages | 20+ | 250+ displayed languages, from Basic |
| VIP tiers | From Growth, entry by points earned or amount spent | On its Growth plan, with B2B tiers |
| Plans | Growth $199 a month with 2,500 orders; Smile Plus $999 a month, billed annually, with 7,500 | Free up to 150 orders; Starter $15; Basic $29; Growth $129 with unlimited orders; Plus by quote |
| Checkout redemption | Shopify Plus stores, from Growth | Shopify Plus stores, on every plan |
| Analytics | 25 pre-built reports on Growth, 30+ on Smile Plus, and loyalty benchmarks against stores of similar size and industry | Performance analytics, from Basic |
| Developer access | REST API with OAuth and webhooks and a JavaScript SDK, from Smile Plus | API access, a software development kit and Hydrogen support on its Plus plan |
Ratings, badges and plans from each Shopify App Store listing; BON's plan features from its pricing page; the directory is Shopify's technology partner directory. All read October 26, 2026.
Shopify Certification & Integration
This is the most important difference between Smile and BON. It's not just about badges; it's about what those badges represent for your business.
Smile holds two Shopify certifications: Built for Shopify (BFS) and Shopify Technology Partner (TP). BON Loyalty holds the BFS badge and is not in Shopify's technology partner directory (October 26, 2026).
The BFS badge is table stakes. It means the app is fast, works well with the Shopify admin, and uses modern Shopify technologies. Both Smile and BON have this.
The Technology Partner certification is what separates platforms built for enterprise scale. To earn it, a company must pass an annual independent penetration test, obtain a Letter of Validation from Shopify's security vendor and offer 24/7 support worldwide. It's Shopify's verification that an app is ready for high-volume, complex businesses. For a brand managing significant revenue and customer data, this is a critical distinction.
Points, Rewards & Earning Rules
Both platforms cover the essentials well. You can create earning rules for purchases, account creation, social follows, and birthdays. You can set up rewards like percentage-off coupons, dollar-off discounts, and free shipping.
Smile offers greater depth for scaling brands. We include checkout extensions that allow customers on Shopify Plus stores to redeem points directly in Shopify Checkout, where redemption converts best. Our points expiry features let you reset an inactive balance and remind members by email before it happens, to drive urgency.
BON's offering is solid and easy to configure. Their interface is clean and gets the job done without overwhelming you with options, and its listing offers checkout redemption for Shopify Plus stores on every plan.
VIP Tiers
VIP programs are a core part of driving higher AOV and purchase frequency. Both Smile and BON offer tiered programs.
Smile's VIP tiers, available on our Growth plan and up, are designed for customization. You can define entry criteria based on points earned or money spent, create unique rewards for each tier, and customize the on-site experience to make members feel recognized. Each member's tier syncs to Klaviyo and to a Shopify customer metafield, so you can trigger campaigns and perks on tier changes. Our guide to creating a VIP tier program that drives revenue covers thresholds and perks.
BON also provides VIP tiers, plus B2B tiers, on its Growth plan at $129/month (October 26, 2026). It's a capable way to run a tiered program; compare the integration triggers you need before you choose.
Referrals
Referral programs are a powerful acquisition channel. Both platforms offer the core functionality: give a discount to a friend, get a reward when they purchase.
BON's strength here is their focus on anti-cheat tools. Their referral program is designed to prevent self-referrals and other common forms of fraud, which is a legitimate concern for any merchant running a referral program.
Smile's referral program focuses on a reliable, high-converting experience for both the advocate and the referred friend. Our system integrates directly with your customer accounts and can be customized to match your brand's look and feel. For a wider view, see the best referral program apps for Shopify.
Analytics & Insights
This is another area where the platforms diverge significantly.
BON's pricing page lists performance analytics from its Basic plan, to track how the program is performing.
Smile is built for data-driven retention teams. We offer 25 pre-built reports on Growth and 30+ on Smile Plus, covering everything from member engagement to program ROI. But our key differentiator is loyalty benchmarks, available on our Growth plan. This feature puts four program rates (redemption rate, order earning rate, reward usage rate and membership rate) next to stores of similar size in your industry. It tells you not just what your numbers are, but whether they are good. For a VP of Marketing or Director of Retention, this insight is invaluable for setting goals and proving impact.
Customization & Developer Tools
BON offers good visual customization options, allowing you to match colors, fonts, and text to your brand, with custom CSS on its Growth plan.
Smile offers the same level of visual customization, plus a robust set of developer tools for brands with custom needs. Smile Plus adds a REST API with OAuth and webhooks and a JavaScript SDK, and Smile Enterprise adds data warehouse sync. If you have a headless build, a custom mobile app, or a BI team that needs raw data, Smile's platform is built to support it.
Support & Onboarding
BON's pricing page lists 24/7 chat and email support on every plan, with priority support on its Plus plan. It's well regarded in their app reviews.
Smile's support is structured for the needs of larger brands. As a Technology Partner, we meet Shopify's requirement for 24/7 support worldwide. Smile Plus adds a migration and launch plan run by Smile's team, quarterly program monitoring and priority support. We understand that for a brand at your scale, downtime or a delayed answer isn't an option.
Pricing
BON's pricing is published and low per month. As of October 26, 2026, its listing shows a free plan up to 150 monthly orders, Starter at $15/month, Basic at $29/month and Growth at $129/month with unlimited monthly orders; its Plus plan is priced by quote.
Smile's pricing is published on smile.io/pricing. Growth, which includes VIP tiers, Loyalty Hub and loyalty benchmarks, is $199/month with 2,500 monthly orders, and Smile Plus is $999/month, billed annually, with 7,500. The price difference reflects the platform's focus: our Growth and Smile Plus plans include the features scaling brands need, with enterprise-grade support and security. The investment in Smile is an investment in a platform that grows with you from $5M to $500M and beyond.
Who Should Choose Smile
You should choose Smile if you are a decision maker at a Shopify brand scaling past $5M in annual revenue. Specifically, Smile is the right choice if you:
- Need enterprise-grade security. Our Shopify Technology Partner status and SOC 2 Type II audit are non-negotiable for brands that take data security seriously.
- Rely on data to make decisions. Our loyalty benchmarks and 25+ reports give you the insight to actually manage and optimize your retention strategy, not just set it and forget it.
- Require a platform that integrates with your entire tech stack. Our developer tools and Smile Plus support help loyalty work with your ESP, SMS platform, and BI tools.
- View loyalty as a core revenue driver, not just a feature. Brands like Naturium use Smile to connect loyalty to their email program and lift customer lifetime value. For more options, see the best loyalty apps for Shopify Plus.
Who Should Choose BON Loyalty
BON Loyalty is a great choice for a specific type of merchant. You should consider BON if you:
- Sell in many languages. Their 250+ displayed languages, from the Basic plan, are a genuine advantage for brands selling globally.
- Want VIP and B2B tiers at a published monthly price. Their Growth plan includes both, with unlimited monthly orders, at $129/month (October 26, 2026).
- Need the core features without complexity. If you want a straightforward points and referrals program, BON's clean interface is a real strength.
Switching to Smile from BON Loyalty
Migrating from any loyalty platform, including BON, is a straightforward process, and on Smile Plus it is managed by our team.
The process is simple:
- You export your existing member data from BON.
- Your members' point balances are imported into Smile with a CSV file; on Smile Plus, Smile's team carries members, point balances and VIP tiers over intact.
- Smile's team helps you configure your new Smile program and get it launched on your site.
Your customers keep their points, and your old program stays live until Smile is ready. For the full plan, see how to launch a Shopify Plus loyalty program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smile better than BON Loyalty? It depends on your business needs. Smile is a better choice for established Shopify Plus brands that require enterprise security, advanced analytics, and scalable support. BON Loyalty is a strong choice for brands that sell in many languages and want VIP and B2B tiers at a published monthly price.
How does pricing for Smile and BON Loyalty compare? As of October 26, 2026, BON's listing shows a free plan, Starter at $15/month, Basic at $29/month and Growth at $129/month, with Plus by quote. Smile Growth is $199/month with 2,500 monthly orders and Smile Plus is $999/month, billed annually, with 7,500. Smile's pricing reflects a broader feature set, including loyalty benchmarks, deeper integrations, and a migration and launch plan run by Smile's team on Smile Plus.
Does BON Loyalty have a Shopify Technology Partner certification? No. As of October 26, 2026, BON Loyalty's listing shows the Built for Shopify badge, but BON is not in Shopify's technology partner directory. That certification is Shopify's verification of a platform's readiness for enterprise merchants, with requirements that include an annual independent penetration test and 24/7 support. Smile holds both certifications.
How easy is it to migrate from BON Loyalty to Smile? Very easy. You import customer point balances with a CSV file, and on Smile Plus, Smile's team runs the migration and launch plan for you, carrying members, point balances and VIP tiers over intact.
What analytics features does Smile have that BON doesn't? Smile's key analytics differentiator is loyalty benchmarks: four program rates (redemption rate, order earning rate, reward usage rate and membership rate) compared with stores of similar size and industry, from the Growth plan. We also offer 25 pre-built reports on Growth and 30+ on Smile Plus. BON's pricing page lists performance analytics from its Basic plan (October 26, 2026).
