5 best Shopify subscription apps in 2025 (and how to choose the right one)

Subscription-based selling has become one of the most powerful ways to build recurring revenue, increase customer loyalty, and stabilize cash flow. Whether you’re running a monthly box, offering refillable products, or setting up subscriptions for your digital services, choosing the right subscription app for your Shopify store can make or break your growth.

With so many apps to choose from, we’ve narrowed down the top five subscription apps used by merchants on Shopify based on popularity, performance, and flexibility. We’ll also walk through an approachable framework to help you choose the best fit for your store.

A key factor when choosing a subscription app

Before we dive into the top apps, there’s one core concept that often gets overlooked but can save you a ton of headaches: how well the app fits into your existing tech stack and storefront flow. Ask yourself:

• Does the subscription app integrate smoothly with my theme?
• Will it work with other tools I use, like bundling apps, loyalty programs, or upsell widgets?
• Is the subscription logic customizable to my specific needs?

Many merchants get caught up in features but forget about compatibility. Look for apps that play well with your existing tools and don’t force you to redesign your entire experience.

The top 5 Shopify subscription apps

1. Recharge Subscriptions

Best for: Scalable subscription brands with complex needs

Recharge is one of the most established players in the Shopify ecosystem. It offers a robust set of tools for managing subscriptions, including workflows, dunning management, and integrations with loyalty platforms.

Pros:

• Mature API and workflow automations
• Extensive integrations
• Self-serve customer portal

Cons:

• Higher learning curve
• Some features locked behind premium plans

2. Skio

Best for: Fast-growing brands focused on retention and CX

Skio positions itself as the next-gen subscription app—built to improve churn and give customers a smoother experience. Its passwordless login and customizable customer portal are major draws for DTC brands.

Pros:

• Passwordless login = fewer support tickets
• Built-in analytics focused on churn
• Customizable theme blocks

Cons:

• Pricing is tailored for growth-stage brands
• Limited support for certain bundling setups

3. Loop Subscriptions

Best for: Brands that want deep analytics and upsell tools

Loop is a rising star among Shopify subscription apps. It’s built to help merchants not only manage subscriptions but optimize them with smart upsells, retention flows, and integrated analytics.

Pros:

• Excellent analytics dashboard
• Upsell and winback features built-in
• One-click migration from other apps

Cons:

• Can feel feature-heavy for smaller shops
• Limited customization on lower-tier plans

4. Seal Subscriptions

Best for: Budget-conscious merchants and simple use cases

Seal is a great starter app for merchants who want to test subscriptions without a big upfront investment. It’s lightweight, theme-friendly, and works right out of the box.

Pros:

• Free plan available
• Simple setup for physical or digital products
• Native-looking widgets

Cons:

• Limited flexibility for advanced workflows
• UI isn’t as modern as others

5. Appstle Subscriptions

Best for: Versatile merchants who want lots of control

Appstle offers a solid middle ground—plenty of customization, good support, and features that rival more expensive options. It’s especially good for stores with mixed business models (one-time + recurring).

Pros:

• High level of customization
• Inventory and order sync options
• Active product development and support

Cons:

• Admin UI can be overwhelming at first
• Styling may require some theme tweaks

Best subscription apps for Shopify Plus

For Shopify Plus merchants, the best subscription apps are Recharge, Skio, and Loop because they offer the level of flexibility, performance, and support required at scale. These apps are built to handle complex subscription logic, integrate deeply with custom tech stacks, and support advanced use cases like headless storefronts, Shopify Functions, and multi-location fulfillment.

Recharge is the most established and feature-rich, ideal for merchants needing enterprise-level workflows and integrations. Skio focuses on retention and customer experience, making it perfect for high-growth DTC brands. Loop strikes a balance with powerful built-in analytics, upsells, and customization options. All three offer the technical depth and priority support that Plus merchants expect.

Best subscription apps for smaller or mid-sized stores

For smaller or mid-sized Shopify merchants, Appstle and Seal Subscriptions stand out because they offer a great balance of affordability, ease of use, and essential features without overwhelming complexity.

Appstle is highly customizable and works well for stores with mixed product types or basic bundling needs, while still offering solid support and integration options. Seal Subscriptions is ideal for merchants just starting out with subscriptions. It’s lightweight, quick to set up, and offers a generous free plan. Both are approachable options that let merchants test and grow their subscription offerings without committing to enterprise-level tools.

Learn how subscription apps work with Simple Bundles

Try Simple Bundles for free! Build up to 3 bundles and connect them to your subscription app of choice.

• Creating bundles with a subscription plan in Simple Bundles 2.0
• Creating bundles with a subscription plan in Simple Bundles 1.0