Growave is still a solid all in one app for reviews, loyalty, and referrals. But in 2026, many Shopify brands want something more focused.

They want faster storefront performance. More flexible earning rules. Better analytics. And a loyalty experience that looks like their brand, not a generic widget.

This guide covers the best Growave alternatives for loyalty and referrals in 2026. I will keep it practical. You will see who each app is best for, what it does well, and where it falls short.

Why brands replace Growave in 2026

Most switches happen for simple reasons.

1) You want a best in class loyalty tool

If your loyalty program is a key growth lever, an all in one suite can feel limiting. Dedicated loyalty platforms often give you deeper earning rules, better tier logic, and stronger reporting.

2) You want cleaner storefront UX

Modern loyalty apps now prioritize fast loading, accessibility, and on site placement options. That matters for conversion.

3) You want better reporting

A points program is not “set and forget.” You need LTV impact, repeat purchase lift, and reward ROI. Many brands switch when reporting is too shallow.

4) You want easier migrations

In 2026, migrations are table stakes. The best platforms can import points, VIP tiers, and referral data fast.

Quick comparison table (2026)

Sway is one of the strongest Growave alternatives if you want a modern loyalty platform that feels premium on site. It covers the fundamentals well, then goes deeper where it matters: earning rules, redemption flexibility, and reporting.

However, building customer loyalty isn't solely about having a robust loyalty program. It's also essential to create meaningful connections with your customers. This involves understanding their needs, preferences, and behaviors to provide them with personalized experiences that foster loyalty.

Loyalty program fundamentals

Sway supports the core loyalty mechanics most brands need:

• Loyalty points program on all tiers.

• Referral program with a dedicated dashboard section.

• VIP tiers (like Bronze, Silver, Gold) to create clear milestones.

• Points expiry configuration to drive repeat engagement.

Advanced earning rules

This is where Sway stands out for many brands.

You can reward more than purchases, including:

• Order based rewards (including minimum order value rules).

• Engagement rewards like account creation.

• Social actions like:

• Like or Share on Facebook

• Follow or Share on X (Twitter)

• Follow on TikTok or Instagram

• Special occasions like birthday and anniversary rewards.

Flexible redemption options

Sway supports several redemption types, so you can match incentives to your margins:

• Percentage discounts

• Fixed amount discounts

• Free shipping

• Free products

• Gift cards

On site content and customization

Sway is built for a seamless branded experience. It includes:

• Fully customizable branded widget

• Embedded account page widget

• Launcher button that can appear site wide

• Thank you page widget to capture post purchase excitement

• Product points block on product pages

• Nudges (coming soon) for on site reminders

Reporting and strategy tools

Sway’s reporting is designed to help you manage a program like a growth channel:

• Analytics dashboard included on all plans

• Built in growth reporting for LTV, repeat purchase rate, and reward ROI

• Cohort based segmentation with templates, plus custom report requests

• Smart defaults and suggestions to speed up setup and optimization

Technical performance and support

• Built for speed, accessibility, and SEO friendly storefront impact

• Rapid migration from LoyaltyLion, Growave, or Smile

• Many merchants launch in 5 to 30 minutes

Best for: brands that want a modern loyalty program that looks great on site and is easy to optimize with real reporting.

LoyaltyLion remains a top tier pick in 2026 for brands that want strong loyalty mechanics and lots of integration options.

It is a true loyalty specialist, not a general app bundle. That usually means better loyalty depth than Growave.

What it’s great at

• Advanced earning and redemption rules

• VIP tiers and targeted incentives

• Strong ecosystem with email and subscription tools

What to watch

• Costs can climb as your program scales

• You will want someone to own the program strategy, not just install it

Best for: established DTC brands that already know loyalty drives repeat revenue.

Smile is still the easiest “start here” option for points, referrals, and VIP tiers.

If Growave felt heavy, Smile often feels lighter. Setup is simple. The UI is friendly. Many brands run a basic program with minimal effort.

What it’s great at

• Fast launch for points and referrals

• Lots of themes and common integrations

• Clean member experience for most Shopify stores

What to watch

• If you want deeper cohort reporting or advanced program design, you may outgrow it

• Customization can be limited compared to more design-first tools

Best for: small to mid-size stores launching their first loyalty program.

Yotpo is a serious platform. In 2026, it is still best suited for brands that want loyalty tightly connected to reviews, SMS, and other retention channels inside one suite.

What it’s great at

• Enterprise workflows and permissions

• Strong data layer across retention tools

• Useful for teams that already use Yotpo for other products

What to watch

• Higher cost of ownership

• More setup time than simpler apps

Best for: larger brands that want a unified retention stack and can support the implementation.

Stamped is known for reviews and UGC. Its loyalty offering can be a good fit if you already run Stamped and want to keep your stack simple.

What it’s great at

• Good experience when bundled with Stamped reviews

• Straightforward points and referral flows

What to watch

• Loyalty depth depends on your plan and your needs

• If loyalty is a major lever, compare against dedicated loyalty platforms first

Best for: brands that prioritize reviews plus loyalty in one vendor.

BON has become a popular lower-cost loyalty option in the Shopify ecosystem.

It is simple. It usually covers the essentials. That is often enough for brands that want a points program without a big monthly commitment.

What it’s great at

• Budget-friendly entry point

• Basic points, referrals, and tiers

What to watch

• Reporting and segmentation are lighter than premium tools

• Custom strategy tooling is limited

Best for: early-stage brands that want a basic program now and may upgrade later.

Rivo has gained attention for a clean Shopify native feel and quick setup.

In 2026, it is a strong choice if you care about fast launch and a modern widget experience.

What it’s great at

• Smooth UX and quick implementation

• Simple workflows that most stores can manage

What to watch

• Some advanced features and deep analytics may require workarounds, depending on your stack

Best for: brands that want a clean loyalty layer without complexity.

How to choose the right Growave alternative

Pick based on your actual goal. Not the feature checklist.

Choose Sway Loyalty if you want

• Strong on-site UX and customization

• Advanced earning rules beyond purchases

• Built-in reporting for LTV and reward ROI

• Fast migration from Growave

Choose LoyaltyLion if you want

• A mature loyalty engine with deep rule building

• Strong integrations and targeting

Choose Smile.io if you want

• The fastest path to a decent points and referrals program

Choose Yotpo if you want

• Enterprise-level workflows with a unified retention suite

A simple migration plan (so you do not lose customers)

If you are switching from Growave, keep it boring and safe.

1. Export your current points balances and VIP status.

2. Map your earning rules and rewards to the new platform.

3. Migrate in a staging theme first.

4. QA the full flow: earn, redeem, referral, email events, checkout behavior.

5. Launch with a short customer email that explains what stays the same.

If migration speed matters, prioritize platforms that offer dedicated migration tools and support.

Which loyalty app is the closest alternative to Growave?

If you want a dedicated loyalty platform with strong customization and reporting, Sway Loyalty is a strong alternative. If you want broad adoption and fast setup, Smile.io is a common pick.

What is the best loyalty app for Shopify in 2026?

There is no single best for everyone. For many brands, Sway Loyalty and LoyaltyLion lead if you care about program depth. Smile.io leads for simplicity.

Can I migrate points and VIP tiers from Growave?

Yes. Most serious platforms support migration. Sway specifically offers rapid migration support from Growave, LoyaltyLion, or Smile, including tools and help to move data.

Do loyalty apps slow down a Shopify store?

Some can. It depends on how widgets load and how scripts are handled. Sway positions itself as engineered for speed and built to be SEO friendly and accessible.

What rewards convert best in 2026?

It depends on your margins and repeat cycle, but most brands see strong performance with:

• fixed amount discounts

• free shipping at higher tiers

• free product redemptions for hero SKUs

• Sway supports all of these, plus gift cards.

Are referral programs still worth it?

Yes, if you manage them. The best referral programs have clear incentives, simple sharing, and fraud controls. They work best when paired with post-purchase prompts and strong email or SMS follow-ups.

Final takeaway

If your loyalty program is a real growth channel, do not treat it like a checkbox.

Growave is fine for an all-in-one bundle. But in 2026, the best results usually come from a loyalty-first platform that is fast, customizable, and measurable.

If you want a modern loyalty stack with advanced earning rules, flexible rewards, deep reporting, and quick migration support, Sway Loyalty is worth a serious look.