Smile.io is one of the best free loyalty rewards program apps for 2025, offering a permanently free plan with points, referrals, and VIP programs. Trusted by over 100,000 businesses, it helps increase repeat purchases by 2× and boost customer lifetime value by 48%. The app features seamless Shopify integration, 25+ third-party integrations, and exceptional customer support. Merchants praise its user-friendly interface, customizable rewards system, and reliable performance across both online and in-store experiences.
Free alternatives to Smile.io include BON Loyalty Rewards Program (4.9/5 stars, 1,485 reviews) with similar points, VIP tier, and referral features, and OneLoyalty: Loyalty & Rewards (4.6/5 stars, 103 reviews) that drives repeat purchase rates. Both offer free plans and are Built for Shopify certified. Gameball: Loyalty Points Games (4.6/5 stars, 164 reviews) provides free plans with spin wheel and referral program features. These alternatives offer similar core functionality but may vary in advanced features and integration depth compared to Smile.io's comprehensive loyalty ecosystem.
To set up points rewards in Smile.io, navigate to your Smile admin dashboard and click on 'Points' in the left menu. Configure your earning rules by setting how many points customers earn per dollar spent, per product, or for specific actions like reviews or referrals. Create redemption options such as discounts, free products, or early access. Use the visual editor to customize how points are displayed on your store, and set up automated emails to notify customers when they earn points. The setup process is intuitive and requires no coding knowledge.
To integrate Smile.io with Klaviyo, first ensure both apps are installed on your Shopify store. In your Smile admin, go to 'Integrations' and connect Klaviyo. Smile provides pre-built Klaviyo flows that automatically trigger based on loyalty events like points earned, rewards redeemed, or VIP status changes. These flows can be customized to send personalized emails, SMS messages, or push notifications. The integration allows you to segment customers by loyalty tier and send targeted campaigns to drive repeat purchases and engagement.
To configure VIP tier discounts in Smile.io, navigate to 'VIP' in your admin dashboard and create different membership levels based on spending thresholds, points earned, or customer tags. For each tier, set up ongoing discounts that automatically apply at checkout, such as percentage discounts, fixed amount discounts, or free shipping benefits. You can also configure exclusive rewards like early access to products, birthday bonuses, or priority support. Use the preview tool to test how VIP badges and benefits appear to customers, and monitor performance through the analytics dashboard to optimize your tier structure.
