Choosing a loyalty platform is a long-term bet. You're not just buying an app; you're investing in infrastructure that needs to be secure, stable, and ready to scale with you. This comparison of Smile vs Rivo is for brands trying to make that decision. We'll look at the core differences in platform philosophy, Shopify integration, and enterprise readiness. Every Rivo fact comes from its Shopify App Store listing, its pricing page or its blog, read on October 26, 2026.
Smile is a loyalty platform built for scale and security, demonstrated by our two Shopify certifications (Built for Shopify and Technology Partner). Shopify Plus brands like Fiesta Tableware and Naturium run their programs on Smile. Rivo is a fast-growing, developer-focused platform with a modern toolkit and month-to-month billing, a fit for teams who prioritize API access and agility.
The decision comes down to what you value most: Smile's Shopify-verified enterprise readiness and marketing-led setup, or Rivo's developer-first approach.
About Smile.io
Smile is 100% focused on one thing: loyalty for Shopify Plus and enterprise brands, with points, VIP tiers and referrals your marketing team can run. Brands like Fiesta Tableware, Naturium and ROKA power their retention programs with Smile.
Our platform is built on two core principles: reliability and deep integration. Smile is Built for Shopify and a Shopify Certified Technology Partner. The Technology Partner program requires an annual independent penetration test and 24/7 support worldwide, and Smile also holds a SOC 2 Type II audit (May 2026). Together, the two certifications are Shopify's own check on app quality and enterprise readiness.
About Rivo
Rivo is a newer loyalty platform, on the Shopify App Store since January 2021. Its site features brands like Dr. Squatch, Ridge and HexClad, and it now sells loyalty, referrals, customer accounts, paid memberships and cashback. Their product is built for Shopify and has a strong focus on a modern developer toolkit and open API access.
Rivo's own blog said in July 2026 that it carried the Built for Shopify badge, but as of October 26, 2026 its App Store listing does not show it, and Rivo is not in Shopify's technology partner directory. Its listing shows a 4.7-star rating. Rivo bills month to month, a real point of difference from other vendors in the space, and its pricing page says it is SOC 2 Type II compliant.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Let's get into the details of Smile vs Rivo. A loyalty program has many moving parts. How each platform handles them reveals a lot about their priorities.
The at-a-glance version, before we go deep on each area:
| Smile | Rivo | |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify App Store rating | 4.9 | 4.7 |
| Built for Shopify badge on its listing | ||
| In Shopify's technology partner directory | ||
| SOC 2 | Type II, audited May 2026 | Type II compliant, per its pricing page |
| Plans | Growth $199 a month with 2,500 orders; Smile Plus $999 a month, billed annually, with 7,500 | Free up to 200 orders; Essential $15; Scale from $49, capped at $499; Plus $499 up to 2,500 orders; above that, a quote |
| Shopify POS | Every plan, one balance online and in store | From its Essential plan |
| Checkout redemption | Shopify Plus stores, from Growth | Checkout extensions on its Plus plan |
| Analytics | 25 pre-built reports on Growth, 30+ on Smile Plus, and loyalty benchmarks against stores of similar size and industry | Analytics from Scale; advanced analytics on Plus |
| Developer tools | REST API with OAuth and webhooks and a JavaScript SDK, from Smile Plus | Rivo Developer Toolkit (Rivo JS, REST API, metafields, webhooks) on its Plus plan |
Ratings, badges and plans from each Shopify App Store listing; Rivo's SOC 2 and toolkit 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 Rivo. It's not about marketing badges; it's about third-party verification of your critical infrastructure.
Smile holds two Shopify certifications: Built for Shopify and Shopify Technology Partner. The Technology Partner certification is critical for upmarket brands. To earn it, Shopify requires vendors to complete an annual independent penetration test and to provide 24/7 support worldwide, with fast first responses on critical issues. It's an enterprise-grade stamp of approval.
Rivo's listing does not show the Built for Shopify badge, and Rivo is not in Shopify's technology partner directory (October 26, 2026). That means Shopify has not verified Rivo through the Technology Partner program's security and support requirements. Rivo's blog said in July 2026 that it carried the badge, so its status has changed within the year. For brands evaluating platform stability, that track record matters.
For a scaling brand, this is the key question: do you need a loyalty partner with independently verified security and performance? If so, Smile holds both certifications and Rivo holds neither today.
Points, Rewards & Earning Rules
Both platforms cover the fundamentals well. You can create points programs, set up earning rules (like points per dollar spent or for creating an account), and define rewards (dollar off, percentage off, free shipping).
Smile offers deep flexibility in earning rules, including product-specific point multipliers and bonus point campaigns that can be scheduled to drive urgency. We also support Shopify's native checkout extensions, allowing customers on Shopify Plus stores to redeem points directly in the checkout without leaving the payment flow. This reduces friction at the moment of purchase.
Rivo also provides a solid set of core features for points and rewards. Their setup is straightforward, and merchants can get a basic program running quickly. Rivo's listing places bonus campaigns, points expiry and VIP tiers on its Scale plan, and checkout extensions on its Plus plan.
VIP Tiers
VIP programs are a powerful way to recognize your best customers. Both Smile and Rivo offer tiered systems.
Smile's VIP tiers, available on our Growth plan and up, are designed to integrate tightly with your marketing stack. Entry is by points earned or amount spent, each member's tier syncs to a Shopify customer metafield for Shopify Flow, segments and automatic discounts, and Klaviyo receives a VIP Tier Achieved event for your tier campaigns. Our guide to creating a VIP tier program that drives revenue covers thresholds and perks.
Rivo's VIP tiers are also effective. They allow for different entry criteria and tier-specific perks. Their implementation is clean and user-friendly, and they are available from Rivo's Scale plan.
Referrals
Referral programs are a core feature for both platforms. The basic mechanics are similar: give a discount to the friend, and give a reward to the advocate when the friend makes a purchase.
Smile's referral system includes features designed to prevent fraud, and we provide reporting on referral traffic, conversions, and top advocates, so you can see exactly where your new customers are coming from. Our referral program works on both desktop and mobile.
Rivo has strong referral case studies on its site. Their referral product is well-regarded and drives real revenue for their customers, and they offer good customization options for the referral sharing experience. For a wider view, see the best referral program apps for Shopify.
Analytics & Insights
Data is what turns a loyalty program from a cost center into a profit engine.
Smile provides 25 pre-built reports on Growth and 30+ on Smile Plus. 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 your size in your industry. It answers the question, "Is my program performing well?"
Rivo's listing includes analytics on its Scale plan and advanced analytics on its Plus plan. Their reporting is clean and useful for day-to-day management. Making decisions based on your data alone, without context from similar stores, can be limiting.
Customization & Developer Tools
Both platforms offer tools for developers, but their philosophies differ.
Rivo's core strength is its developer-first approach. Its pricing page describes a developer toolkit of Rivo JS, a REST API, metafields and webhooks, and its listing places the Rivo Developer Toolkit on its Plus plan. For brands with in-house developers who want to build highly custom loyalty experiences, Rivo provides an excellent toolkit.
Smile also has a robust developer platform: on Smile Plus, a REST API with OAuth and webhooks and a JavaScript SDK, including for headless storefronts and Shopify Hydrogen. More than 25 partners have built integrations on it. However, our platform is designed to provide deep customization without requiring a developer. Our on-page components, checkout extensions, and theme editor integrations are built to be managed by marketing teams. While Rivo leads with API flexibility, Smile focuses on no-code power.
Support & Onboarding
When you're dealing with customer data and rewards, you need support you can trust.
As a Shopify Technology Partner, Smile meets Shopify's requirement for 24/7 support worldwide. For Smile Plus merchants, Smile's team runs the migration and launch plan, monitors the program quarterly and provides priority support.
Rivo's support is highly rated in many of their App Store reviews, and their listing names 24/7 human support from the Essential plan. Their pricing page reserves white-glove onboarding for its Enterprise plan and technical account management for its Custom plan (October 26, 2026). Rivo's support is not verified by Shopify through the Technology Partner program.
Pricing
Pricing structures show who a platform is built for.
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. Smile Plus is $999/month, billed annually, with 7,500 monthly orders, and adds the migration and launch plan, quarterly program monitoring, priority support and API access. Smile Enterprise is priced for retailers with over $40M in annual revenue.
Rivo's pricing has a free plan up to 200 monthly orders, then Essential at $15/month, Scale from $49/month (400 orders, then $20 per 100 more, capped at $499/month) and Plus at $499/month for up to 2,500 orders, with a custom quote above that (listing, October 26, 2026). Their key strength is month-to-month billing, which offers great flexibility.
Who Should Choose Smile
You should choose Smile if your priority is proven scale and enterprise-grade security.
If you're a Shopify Plus brand with a large member base and a busy peak season, our two Shopify certifications matter. They mean Shopify has reviewed our app for quality and verified our security and support for enterprise use. Brands like Fiesta Tableware and ROKA chose Smile for loyalty that runs inside Shopify. If you want loyalty benchmarks against stores like yours and a program your marketing team can run, Smile is the right choice. For more options, see the best loyalty apps for Shopify Plus.
Who Should Choose Rivo
You should choose Rivo if your priority is developer flexibility and month-to-month billing.
If you have a strong in-house development team and want to build a deeply custom loyalty experience using an open API, Rivo's toolkit is excellent. Their modern tech stack is appealing to developer-led teams. If you aren't ready to commit to annual billing and prefer the agility of a monthly subscription, Rivo's model is a clear advantage. Brands that want loyalty, paid memberships and cashback from one vendor will also find Rivo worth a look.
Switching to Smile from Rivo
Migrating a loyalty program can feel daunting, but our team handles the heavy lifting.
The process is straightforward:
- You export your customer and points data from Rivo.
- The data is mapped and imported into Smile, so no customer loses their points or status. On Smile Plus, Smile's team carries members, point balances and VIP tiers over intact.
- Smile's team helps you configure your new program and launch it on your Shopify theme.
Blue Banana moved its program to Smile in one week across its online store and 20+ retail locations. For the full plan, see how to launch a Shopify Plus loyalty program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smile better than Rivo? It depends on your priorities. Smile is better for brands that need Shopify-verified, enterprise-grade security and scale: as of October 26, 2026, it is Built for Shopify and in Shopify's technology partner directory, and Rivo is neither. Rivo is a strong choice for brands that want maximum developer flexibility with an open API and month-to-month billing.
How does Smile's pricing compare to Rivo's? As of October 26, 2026, Smile Growth is $199/month with 2,500 monthly orders and Smile Plus is $999/month, billed annually, with 7,500. Rivo's listing shows a free plan, Essential at $15/month, Scale from $49/month capped at $499, and Plus at $499/month for up to 2,500 orders, with a quote above that. The best fit depends on your feature needs and order volume.
Does Smile integrate with Shopify Flow? Yes. Smile's Shopify Flow actions, Send Smile activity and Adjust points balance, let a workflow award or adjust points from almost any Shopify event, such as bonus points on a fifth order. Each member's VIP tier also syncs to a Shopify customer metafield that Flow conditions can use. Flow works with every paid Smile plan.
What is the difference between Built for Shopify and Shopify Technology Partner? Built for Shopify (BFS) is Shopify's certification for app quality: performance, design and integration with Shopify. Smile's listing shows this badge; Rivo's blog said in July 2026 that it held it, but its listing does not show it as of October 26, 2026. Shopify Technology Partner is Shopify's certification for enterprise readiness, with requirements that include an annual independent penetration test and 24/7 support. Smile, Yotpo, LoyaltyLion, Okendo and Talon.One are in Shopify's technology partner directory; Rivo is not (October 26, 2026).
Is it difficult to switch from Rivo to Smile? No. On Smile Plus, Smile's team builds your migration and launch plan and carries your members, points balances, and VIP statuses over intact, with your old program live until Smile is ready.
