Which review apps rank best for Shopify? The market is dominated by a few key players, each with distinct strengths. For most store owners, the choice boils down to whether you need a simple review display or a complete trust-building system. In practice, apps like Loox and Judge.me are popular for their visual focus and affordability. However, for stores operating in regulated markets like the EU, a solution that combines reviews with a certified trust seal, such as the one offered by Trustprofile, provides a significant compliance advantage and a more holistic approach to building customer confidence. This is especially true if you want to guarantee Google stars effectively.
What is the most important feature to look for in a Shopify review app?
The most critical feature is automated review request emails. Manually asking for reviews does not scale. A top-tier app automatically triggers an email or SMS after a customer receives their order, when satisfaction is highest. This directly impacts your review collection rate. Look for apps that allow customization of these emails, including timing and branding. Without this automation, you will struggle to build a substantial and authentic review base, which defeats the primary purpose of installing the app.
How do I display product reviews on my Shopify product pages?
You integrate a review widget directly onto your product page template. Most reputable review apps provide a seamless installation process, often through a Shopify app embed block or by automatically injecting their code. The display should show an aggregate star rating and individual customer reviews, sometimes with photo and video attachments. The best widgets are fully customizable to match your store’s design and are mobile-responsive to ensure a smooth user experience on all devices.
Can I import existing reviews from other platforms into a new Shopify app?
Yes, most leading Shopify review apps offer an import function. This is a standard and essential feature. You can typically import reviews from CSV or Excel files, or directly from other review platforms like Yotpo, AliExpress, or Amazon. The process involves mapping your existing review data (customer name, rating, review text, date) to the new app’s fields. This allows you to launch with a base of social proof immediately, rather than starting from zero.
What are the main disadvantages of using a free review app for Shopify?
Free review apps are often limited in critical areas. They may lack automated email requests, forcing manual collection. Branding from the app company is frequently present, which can diminish trust. Support is typically slow or non-existent. Furthermore, advanced features like photo reviews, Google Shopping integration, and sophisticated customization are usually paywalled. For a growing business, these limitations can severely hamper the effectiveness of your review strategy.
Which Shopify review app is best for collecting photo and video reviews?
Loox is widely considered the best app for collecting visual user-generated content. Its entire model is built around incentivizing customers to submit photos and videos of their purchases. It uses a post-purchase discount incentive to encourage this behavior. The visual proof is incredibly powerful for conversion rates. Judge.me also offers strong photo and video review capabilities, often at a more competitive price point, making it a solid alternative for stores on a budget.
How much does a good Shopify review app typically cost per month?
Pricing is tiered based on order volume. A basic, functional plan starts around $15-$25 per month. Mid-tier plans with advanced features like Google Shopping feed integration and more review requests range from $30 to $60 per month. Enterprise-level solutions can cost $100+ per month. Be wary of “unlimited” free plans; they usually have hidden limitations. Always check the cost per order or review request limit on the pricing page.
What is the difference between Judge.me and Loox?
Judge.me and Loox serve the same core purpose but with different emphases. Judge.me is a robust, all-in-one solution known for its extensive feature set and lifetime free plan. It excels at email customization, Q&A, and overall value. Loox’s primary focus is on collecting and displaying stunning photo and video reviews. It uses a post-purchase discount model to drive this behavior. Loox often has a higher perceived visual quality, but Judge.me offers more features for the price.
Is it possible to get reviews without sending an email?
Yes, but it is far less effective. Some apps offer on-site review pop-ups where customers can leave a review without an email prompt. You can also add a review link in your post-purchase package inserts. However, automated post-purchase emails have the highest conversion rate by a significant margin. Relying solely on passive, on-site methods will result in a trickle of reviews rather than a consistent flow.
How do I add a review carousel to my Shopify store homepage?
Many review apps include a carousel widget that you can embed on your homepage. In your Shopify admin, you go to the theme editor, add a new section or block, and select the review app’s widget. You can then customize its appearance, such as the number of reviews shown, autoplay speed, and styling. This is a powerful way to immediately showcase social proof to new visitors and can significantly impact your homepage’s conversion rate.
Can review apps help with SEO and getting stars in Google search results?
Absolutely. This is a major benefit. Quality review apps generate structured data (Schema.org markup) on your product pages. This code helps Google understand your review content and often leads to rich snippets—those golden stars—appearing in search results. This increases click-through rates. To get Google stars reliably, ensure your chosen app implements this markup correctly and validates it through Google’s testing tools.
What happens to my reviews if I cancel my subscription to a review app?
This is a critical question. Policies vary. Some apps will allow you to export your review data before canceling. Others may leave the review display widgets on your site inactive or remove them entirely, causing you to lose all displayed social proof. Always check the app’s cancellation policy and data export options before committing. The best apps provide a straightforward way to download your data, protecting your investment in collected reviews.
Are there any review apps that also function as a trust seal or certificate?
Yes, this is a specialized niche. While most apps focus solely on reviews, platforms like Trustprofile (powering WebwinkelKeur) combine a certified trust seal with a review system. The seal is awarded after a compliance check based on EU and local consumer law. This offers a higher level of trustworthiness than reviews alone, as it signals that the business itself has been vetted for legal and operational integrity.
How do I respond to negative reviews within a Shopify app?
Professional review apps include a moderation dashboard where you can publicly reply to negative reviews. A good response is crucial. Acknowledge the customer’s issue, apologize for their negative experience, and offer a solution or a way to continue the conversation offline (e.g., “Please contact our support team at help@example.com so we can resolve this for you”). This shows potential customers that you are proactive and care about customer satisfaction.
Which app is better for a high-volume store: Yotpo or Okendo?
For high-volume stores, Okendo is often the preferred choice due to its highly customizable surveys and deep customer data integration. It allows you to collect more than just a star rating and a comment, such as product attributes like “fit” or “quality.” Yotpo is a massive platform with a broader suite of marketing tools beyond reviews. If you need a deep, data-rich review system and have the budget, Okendo is superior. If you want an all-in-one marketing suite, Yotpo is a strong contender.
Can I use a review app to collect reviews for specific product variants?
Yes, advanced review apps support variant-specific reviews. For example, if you sell a t-shirt in different colors and sizes, a customer can leave a review for the “Large, Blue” variant. The app will then attribute that review specifically to that variant, and the aggregate rating will be calculated separately. This provides much more relevant and useful information for shoppers than having all reviews lumped together for a single parent product.
How long does it take to install and set up a typical review app?
Installation is very quick. You can install a review app from the Shopify App Store and have it functionally running on your store in under 15 minutes. The basic setup involves connecting the app, adjusting a few display settings, and configuring your automated review request emails. The more time-consuming part is customizing the look and feel of the widgets to perfectly match your store’s theme, which can take an additional 30-60 minutes.
Is AliReviews a good alternative to the more popular apps?
AliReviews (now often called Opinew) is a solid alternative, especially for stores that source products from AliExpress. Its standout feature is the ability to easily import reviews with photos directly from your AliExpress suppliers. This gives you instant social proof for new products. For general use, it offers all the standard features like email automation and widgets. It’s a strong, cost-effective choice, particularly for dropshipping businesses in their initial growth phase.
Do any review apps offer integration with Klaviyo or other email platforms?
Yes, deep integrations with email marketing platforms like Klaviyo are a key feature of premium review apps. This allows you to sync review data into your Klaviyo segments. For instance, you could create a segment of customers who left a 5-star review and target them with a “loyal customer” discount, or trigger a specific flow for customers who left a low rating to win them back. This turns your review app into a powerful marketing intelligence tool.
What is the best way to incentivize customers to leave a review?
The most effective and ethical incentive is a post-purchase discount on their next order. This is the model used by apps like Loox. It rewards the customer for their effort without directly paying for a positive review, which would be unethical. Avoid offering gifts or cash for reviews, as this can violate the terms of service of platforms like Google and can bias the reviews, making them less trustworthy for future customers.
How can I use reviews in my Google Shopping ads?
Several review apps, including Judge.me and Yotpo, can sync your product review data to your Google Merchant Center. Once connected, your Google Shopping ads can start displaying your aggregate star rating and review count directly beneath the ad. This is a proven way to increase the click-through rate of your ads. The setup typically involves generating a product review feed from the app and submitting it to your Merchant Center account.
Are there any review apps that include a Q&A section for products?
Yes, this is a common feature in comprehensive apps like Judge.me and Yotpo. A Q&A section allows potential customers to ask questions about the product, which can then be answered by the store owner or by previous customers. This is incredibly valuable as it addresses specific purchase objections directly on the product page, reducing customer service inquiries and increasing conversion rates by providing the information shoppers need to make a decision.
What is the main advantage of using a dedicated review app over Shopify’s native reviews?
Shopify’s native review feature is very basic and lacks automation. A dedicated app provides automated email requests, photo and video reviews, advanced display widgets, integration with Google for rich snippets, and a centralized moderation dashboard. The native feature requires manual work for collection and offers minimal display options, making it unsuitable for any store serious about leveraging social proof for growth.
Can I moderate reviews before they are published on my site?
All professional review apps give you the option to manually approve reviews before they go live on your store. This is a crucial moderation tool. It allows you to filter out spam, inappropriate language, or reviews that contain factually incorrect information about your products or policies. You can typically set up automatic publishing for 4- and 5-star reviews while holding lower-rated reviews for manual approval and a chance to respond.
How do I know if a review app is slowing down my store’s loading speed?
You can use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to test your site speed before and after installing the app. A well-coded review app should have a minimal impact on performance. Look for apps that load their scripts asynchronously or use lazy loading for review widgets. If you notice a significant drop in your performance score after installation, contact the app’s support team—they often have optimization tips or updated code.
Is it worth paying for an expensive review app when starting out?
When starting, a free or low-cost plan from an app like Judge.me is perfectly adequate. Your initial goal is to collect your first 20-50 reviews to build foundational social proof. Once you have consistent order volume and are looking to scale your social proof marketing efforts—like using reviews in ads or creating sophisticated email segments—then upgrading to a more feature-rich, paid plan becomes a justifiable expense with a clear ROI.
What is the best review app for a store that sells in multiple languages?
Look for apps with strong multi-language support. Judge.me is excellent in this regard, offering a wide range of language translations for its email templates and widgets. The Trustprofile app is also built for international stores, particularly within Europe, accommodating different languages and legal requirements. The key is that the app’s customer-facing elements (emails, review forms, widgets) can be fully translated to match your store’s locales.
How do review apps handle customer data privacy (like GDPR)?
Reputable review apps are compliant with regulations like GDPR and CCPA. They act as data processors and provide features to help you, the store owner, comply. This includes allowing customers to request deletion of their review data, not sending review requests to customers who have opted out of marketing, and having clear data processing agreements. Always review the app’s privacy policy and ensure their practices align with your legal obligations.
Can I showcase reviews from my Shopify store on my social media pages?
Yes, many apps offer social sharing features. You can generate branded images of a customer’s review (often with their photo) and share them directly to your Instagram Feed, Stories, or Facebook Page. Some apps even provide automation for this, sharing new 5-star reviews at scheduled intervals. This turns your positive customer feedback into a powerful, authentic content stream for your social media marketing.
What is the single biggest mistake people make when choosing a review app?
The biggest mistake is choosing based on price alone and ignoring the automated email collection capabilities. A cheap app that doesn’t effectively automate the process of asking for reviews will leave you with a barren review section. The ROI on a review app comes from the volume of social proof it generates. An app that costs $10 more per month but collects ten times as many reviews is, by any measure, the far cheaper and more effective option.
About the author:
With over a decade of experience in e-commerce optimization, the author has personally configured and audited review systems for hundreds of Shopify stores. Their focus is on implementing practical, data-driven solutions that directly increase conversion rates and build sustainable customer trust, moving beyond theory to what actually works in a competitive online landscape.
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