ESC Wishlist + Save for Later vs Fish Wishlist & Quote Request

Introduction

Navigating the vast ecosystem of Shopify apps to find the right tools for customer retention can be a complex undertaking for any merchant. The challenge lies not just in identifying apps that offer desired features, but also in understanding how they fit into an existing tech stack, their scalability, and their true value proposition. For functionalities like wishlists, which play a crucial role in capturing customer interest and facilitating future purchases, selecting the appropriate app is vital for enhancing conversion rates and cultivating repeat business.

Short answer: ESC Wishlist + Save for Later is a straightforward option for basic wishlist needs, primarily focused on the cart experience and social sharing. It suits merchants seeking a simple, low-cost way to allow customers to save products for later consideration. Fish Wishlist & Quote Request offers a more expansive feature set, including B2B capabilities, Shopify POS integration, and advanced sharing, making it suitable for more complex operational requirements. Both serve distinct niches, but merchants often face challenges when relying on multiple single-function apps, leading to fragmented data and increased operational load, which integrated solutions aim to address by centralizing retention efforts.

This article provides an in-depth, objective comparison of ESC Wishlist + Save for Later and Fish Wishlist & Quote Request. It aims to dissect their features, pricing, integrations, and ideal use cases, empowering merchants to make an informed decision aligned with their specific business goals and operational maturity. By presenting a balanced analysis, this resource seeks to offer clarity in a crowded app market.

ESC Wishlist + Save for Later vs. Fish Wishlist & Quote Request: At a Glance

Deep Dive Comparison

To truly understand which wishlist app aligns best with a particular Shopify store, a detailed examination of their core functionalities, customization options, business-specific capabilities, pricing, integrations, and support is necessary. This section provides a thorough breakdown, allowing merchants to weigh each aspect against their strategic priorities.

Core Features and Wishlist Functionality

At the heart of any wishlist app is its ability to allow customers to save products of interest for future consideration. However, the depth and breadth of this functionality can vary significantly.

ESC Wishlist + Save for Later focuses on a minimalist approach to the wishlist. Its primary function is to enable customers to "save items for later," often positioned prominently under the cart. This design choice aims to keep saved items visible during the checkout process, making it easy for customers to add them to their current purchase with a single click. The app supports "unlimited wishlists," which suggests customers can categorize products into different lists, offering a basic level of organization. The inclusion of "free social sharing" helps extend a brand's reach by allowing customers to share their desired products with friends and family, potentially driving new traffic and sales through word-of-mouth. This app appears to target merchants looking for a simple, unobtrusive way to facilitate future purchases without overwhelming their customers with complex features. Its integration point, keeping the "saved for later" section under the cart, is designed for convenience and immediacy at a critical juncture in the buyer's journey.

Fish Wishlist & Quote Request, by contrast, offers a much more comprehensive suite of wishlist functionalities. Positioned as a "Lightning Fast Wishlist," it emphasizes quick setup while providing an extensive array of options. Key features include "Express Wishlist" with dedicated widgets for checkout and account pages, ensuring wishlists are accessible across crucial customer touchpoints. The app boasts "Social Proof widgets" to boost sales, leveraging social validation to encourage conversions. This goes beyond simple sharing, actively using the popularity of items on wishlists to influence other shoppers. Furthermore, it supports "Multi language & multi currency" options, making it a strong contender for international e-commerce businesses operating in diverse markets. The ability to "Create wishlist links" offers flexibility for marketing campaigns or direct sharing, providing a versatile tool for engaging customers with their saved items. This app’s approach is about creating a richer, more integrated shopping experience that extends beyond mere saving.

Customization and User Experience

The ability to customize the appearance and behavior of a wishlist app is crucial for maintaining brand consistency and providing a seamless user experience. A poorly integrated app can detract from the overall look and feel of a Shopify store, while a highly customizable one can enhance it.

ESC Wishlist + Save for Later states it offers "A broad range of options for customizing how the app looks on your store." This suggests that merchants have control over visual elements such as colors, fonts, and the placement of wishlist buttons or sections, allowing them to align the app's interface with their brand's aesthetic. For a simple app, this level of visual flexibility is important to ensure it blends seamlessly rather than standing out as a third-party add-on. The focus here is likely on visual branding and basic UI integration, ensuring that the 'save for later' button feels native to the store's theme.

Fish Wishlist & Quote Request describes "Extensive options to create an omnichannel custom wishlist shopping experience." This phrase implies a deeper level of customization that goes beyond mere aesthetics. It suggests control over how wishlists behave and appear across various channels—web, mobile, and potentially even in-store via POS. This could include customizing the behavior of widgets, the content of sharing messages, or the flow for requesting quotes. The goal is to provide a unified, branded experience wherever a customer interacts with the store and its wishlist functionality. For businesses aiming for a highly polished and consistent brand presence across all customer touchpoints, Fish Wishlist offers more granular control over the user journey.

Business-Specific Capabilities (B2B, POS)

For businesses with specialized operational needs, such as B2B sales or physical retail presence, app compatibility and feature sets become critical differentiators.

ESC Wishlist + Save for Later does not specify any features tailored for B2B operations or integration with Shopify POS. Its core offering seems to be purely focused on the consumer-facing wishlist experience for standard e-commerce. Merchants running B2B models or requiring omnichannel capabilities would likely find this app lacking the necessary tools to support their unique workflows.

Fish Wishlist & Quote Request shines in its dedicated support for specialized business models. It explicitly targets B2B stores with features like "Request a Quote function," "B2B pricing," "Create Draft Orders from Wishlist," "Auto Invoicing," and a "Quantity Picker on Wishlist." These functionalities are indispensable for B2B transactions, allowing buyers to easily request customized quotes for bulk orders, manage specialized pricing, and streamline the ordering process by converting wishlists directly into draft orders. This significantly reduces the manual overhead typically associated with B2B sales.

Beyond B2B, Fish Wishlist & Quote Request also offers robust "POS" integration. It allows merchants to "Manage wishlists, purchase history & abandoned Carts" directly through Shopify POS. This is a powerful feature for omnichannel retailers, enabling sales associates in physical stores to access a customer's online wishlist, help them complete purchases, or even recover abandoned carts, thereby bridging the gap between online and offline shopping experiences. This level of integration supports a holistic view of the customer, regardless of their preferred shopping channel.

Pricing Structure and Value

Evaluating the pricing structure involves not just the monthly cost, but also what features are included at each tier, and how that scales with business growth. Merchants aim for better value for money, not just the lowest price.

ESC Wishlist + Save for Later offers a single, straightforward pricing plan: "$5 / month." This simplicity is a clear advantage for budget-conscious merchants or those just starting out. The value proposition here is providing basic wishlist functionality at the absolute lowest barrier to entry. For businesses with minimal needs and a focus on cost efficiency, this single plan offers predictability and ease of management. There are no tiers to navigate, ensuring all features (as described) are available at this flat rate.

Fish Wishlist & Quote Request utilizes a tiered pricing model designed to scale with a merchant's business needs.

• Starter Wishlist (Free): This plan offers "2 Minute Setup," supports "Up to 100 customers," and includes "Shopify Flow Triggers" and "Klaviyo Integration." This free tier is excellent for new or very small stores looking to test advanced wishlist features without an initial investment. The inclusion of Shopify Flow and Klaviyo even at the free level provides significant automation and marketing capabilities.
• Lightning ($40 / month): This mid-tier plan offers "Unlimited wishlists," "Free Migration from Other Apps," "Checkout Upsell & Account Page Extension," and features like "Previously Purchased &="; Abandoned Cart." This plan targets growing businesses that need more robust wishlist capabilities, higher customer limits, and specific retention features. The free migration is a notable benefit for stores transitioning from other wishlist solutions.
• Trade ($90 / month): This top-tier plan is "Designed for B2B" and includes all the specialized B2B features: "Request a Quote function," "Create Draft Orders from Wishlist," "Auto Invoicing," and a "Quantity Picker on Wishlist." This plan offers specific, high-value functionalities for B2B merchants who require advanced quote and order management.

When considering value for money, ESC Wishlist provides a very low total cost of ownership for basic needs. Fish Wishlist, while potentially more expensive at its higher tiers, offers significantly more sophisticated features, particularly for B2B and omnichannel operations, which can translate into greater revenue generation and operational efficiency, thereby providing a higher return on investment for the right business model. The existence of a free plan also means merchants can try out its core features before committing to a paid subscription, allowing for a thorough evaluation of plan fit against retention goals.

Integrations and Ecosystem Fit

The effectiveness of any Shopify app is often amplified by its ability to integrate seamlessly with other tools in a merchant's ecosystem. This reduces data silos and enables more sophisticated workflows.

ESC Wishlist + Save for Later does not explicitly list any specific integrations beyond its general compatibility with Shopify. The provided data indicates "Works With: Wishlist" as its category, but no external app or Shopify native feature integrations are specified. This suggests it functions primarily as a standalone wishlist tool. While this simplicity can be an advantage for merchants seeking minimal dependencies, it might limit its utility for stores that rely heavily on marketing automation, CRM, or advanced analytics platforms.

Fish Wishlist & Quote Request boasts a comprehensive list of integrations and "Works With" compatibility, indicating a more robust ecosystem fit. Its listed integrations include "Checkout Shopify POS Customer accounts Shopify Flow Flow Checkout Extensibility Klaviyo Draft Orders POS."

• Shopify Flow: This integration is powerful, allowing merchants to automate actions based on wishlist activity (e.g., send a reminder email if an item on a wishlist goes on sale).
• Klaviyo: This is a significant integration for email and SMS marketing. It enables merchants to leverage wishlist data for highly targeted campaigns, such as sending notifications about price drops, low stock, or personalized product recommendations based on saved items.
• Checkout Extensibility: This indicates compatibility with Shopify's latest checkout customization capabilities, ensuring the wishlist experience remains consistent and functional even with advanced checkout setups.
• Draft Orders and Shopify POS: As previously discussed, these integrations are crucial for B2B and omnichannel operations, facilitating seamless transitions from wishlist to purchase across different sales channels.

The extensive integration list for Fish Wishlist positions it as a more flexible and powerful tool for merchants who already utilize or plan to use these platforms for advanced marketing, automation, and sales management. It allows for a more connected and data-driven approach to customer engagement, reducing the need for manual data transfers or complex workarounds between disparate systems.

Customer Support and Reliability

The quality of customer support and the perceived reliability of an app are often reflected in its reviews and ratings. These signals provide insight into the developer's responsiveness and the app's stability.

ESC Wishlist + Save for Later has a very limited number of reviews (2 reviews) with a low average rating (1). This low review count makes it challenging to draw definitive conclusions about its reliability or the quality of its support. A small sample size, especially with a low rating, can be a red flag for potential users, suggesting either a very niche audience with specific issues or a lack of proactive engagement from the developer in addressing feedback. For merchants, this means a higher degree of uncertainty regarding ongoing support, bug fixes, or new feature development.

Fish Wishlist & Quote Request presents a stronger case for reliability and support, with 7 reviews and a perfect 5 rating. While still a relatively small sample size, a perfect rating across multiple reviews suggests a positive user experience and effective customer support. The mention of "White Glove Installation available by our team" also indicates a commitment to assisting merchants with setup and configuration, which can be particularly valuable for apps with more complex features like B2B integration. This proactive support offering can significantly reduce the burden on merchants during implementation and ongoing management, contributing to a better overall experience and higher merchant satisfaction. The higher volume and perfect rating serve as stronger trust signals for merchants seeking a dependable solution.

Performance and Operational Considerations

Beyond features and pricing, merchants must consider how an app impacts their store's performance, its compatibility with their theme and other apps, and the overall operational overhead it introduces.

ESC Wishlist + Save for Later, being a simpler, more lightweight app, is likely to have a minimal impact on store performance. Its core functionality of saving items to a list is generally not resource-intensive. Compatibility is assumed with standard Shopify themes, though specific details are not provided. The operational overhead would be low, primarily involving initial setup and minimal ongoing management due to its limited feature set. This could be an advantage for merchants prioritizing speed and simplicity, aiming to avoid any potential slowdowns from heavier applications.

Fish Wishlist & Quote Request claims to be a "Lightning Fast Wishlist," which suggests the developer has prioritized performance despite its broader feature set. Its compatibility with "Checkout Extensibility" and various Shopify components (POS, Customer Accounts) indicates it is built to integrate deeply and function smoothly within the Shopify ecosystem, even with advanced customizations. The "Free Migration from Other Apps" (available on the Lightning plan) directly addresses a common operational concern: the effort involved in switching wishlist solutions. While a more feature-rich app inherently requires more configuration and potentially more maintenance (e.g., managing B2B pricing rules, quote requests), the "White Glove Installation" service aims to reduce this initial burden. The potential for higher operational overhead comes from leveraging its advanced features, which require ongoing management of B2B workflows or omnichannel strategies. However, its strong integration capabilities with Shopify Flow and Klaviyo can also significantly reduce manual operational tasks by automating processes based on wishlist activity, offsetting some of the complexity.

The Alternative: Solving App Fatigue with an All-in-One Platform

Merchants seeking to streamline their operations and consolidate their tech stack often consider platforms that offer a unified approach to customer retention. This strategy, sometimes dubbed 'More Growth, Less Stack,' aims to reduce the common pitfalls of managing numerous single-function applications. These pitfalls include fragmented customer data, inconsistent user experiences across different tools, and the cumulative overhead of maintaining multiple app subscriptions and integrations. An integrated solution, such as Growave, consolidates core retention functionalities like loyalty programs, reviews, and wishlists into a single platform.

Such consolidation not only simplifies management but also allows for a more cohesive customer journey. For instance, combining wishlist functionality with loyalty programs that keep customers coming back can create powerful incentives. Customers saving items can be rewarded with loyalty points for their engagement, or even receive special offers to convert their saved items, all managed from one dashboard. Furthermore, an integrated platform supports a holistic view of customer behavior, allowing for more precise segmentation and personalized marketing efforts. This synergy enhances the effectiveness of each individual feature by connecting them into a unified retention strategy.

Beyond wishlists, an all-in-one platform extends to other critical aspects of customer engagement. Implementing robust strategies for collecting and showcasing authentic customer reviews can significantly boost conversion rates, while integrated loyalty programs can drive repeat purchases through reward mechanics that support customer lifetime value. These combined efforts lead to a more compelling and trustworthy brand presence.

By moving away from a collection of disparate tools, businesses can gain a clearer understanding of their total retention spend, leading to a clearer view of total retention-stack costs. This integrated approach also offers enhanced scalability and reduces the complexity associated with ensuring multiple apps work seamlessly together, particularly for growing stores managing increasing order volumes and customer interactions. Brands looking for real examples from brands improving retention often find success stories rooted in this consolidated strategy, demonstrating how a single platform can power diverse growth initiatives.

Moreover, an integrated platform provides a consistent brand experience across all touchpoints, from the wishlist interface to review request emails and loyalty program widgets. This consistency builds trust and reinforces brand identity, contributing to higher customer satisfaction and repeat purchase rates. Merchants can also benefit from streamlined onboarding and support, working with a single vendor for multiple critical functions. Examining checking merchant feedback and app-store performance signals on an integrated solution can provide insight into its overall value proposition compared to standalone alternatives, often revealing a stronger foundation of reliability.

The efficiency gained by centralizing these functions means teams can focus more on strategy and less on administrative overhead. This also leads to better data flow, avoiding silos that often arise when data is scattered across several applications. For those looking to optimize their operational spend and customer experience, assessing a pricing structure that scales as order volume grows within an integrated solution is a key step, ensuring that the investment grows proportionally with the business’s success rather than spiraling out of control with stacked app fees.

Ultimately, the goal is to build long-term customer relationships effectively and efficiently. This involves not just individual features but how they work together to create a unified strategy. Exploring practical retention playbooks from growing storefronts can illustrate how an integrated platform fosters sustainable growth by harmonizing loyalty, reviews, and wishlist functionalities. From building social proof through reviews that reduce uncertainty for new buyers to crafting engaging loyalty programs, an integrated suite offers a cohesive approach. Merchants can achieve more effective customer relationship management and greater efficiency in their marketing efforts, while also planning retention spend without app sprawl surprises.

Conclusion

For merchants choosing between ESC Wishlist + Save for Later and Fish Wishlist & Quote Request, the decision comes down to their specific operational scale, budget, and feature requirements. ESC Wishlist + Save for Later is an appropriate choice for new or smaller stores that require a simple, low-cost solution to enable customers to save items for later, primarily within the cart experience. Its strength lies in its straightforward nature and ease of integration for basic needs. However, its limited feature set and minimal review data might give larger or more complex businesses pause due to potential limitations in scalability and dedicated support.

Conversely, Fish Wishlist & Quote Request caters to a broader and more sophisticated merchant base, particularly those with B2B operations or omnichannel strategies involving Shopify POS. Its robust features like quote requests, B2B pricing, multi-language support, and advanced integrations make it a powerful tool for growth-oriented businesses. The tiered pricing structure allows for scalability, but also means higher investment for advanced features. Its stronger review profile suggests greater reliability and feature satisfaction among its users, indicating a more dependable and feature-rich option for complex requirements.

While both apps fulfill their specific wishlist functions, the broader e-commerce landscape often necessitates a more integrated approach to customer retention. Relying on multiple single-function apps can lead to inefficiencies, data silos, and a disjointed customer experience. Integrated platforms like Growave offer a unified solution, bringing together loyalty, reviews, referrals, and wishlist functionalities into one cohesive platform. This approach not only streamlines operations but also allows for a more strategic and interconnected retention strategy, offering a greater return on investment in retention programs by consolidating efforts. Merchants can assess their compatibility requirements by verifying compatibility details in the official app listing. To reduce app fatigue and run retention from one place, start by reviewing the Shopify App Store listing merchants install from.

FAQ

What is the primary difference between ESC Wishlist + Save for Later and Fish Wishlist & Quote Request?

ESC Wishlist + Save for Later is designed for basic "save for later" functionality, often integrated with the cart, and focuses on simplicity for smaller stores. Fish Wishlist & Quote Request provides a more extensive feature set, including B2B quote requests, Shopify POS integration, and advanced sharing options, catering to more complex business models and omnichannel retailers.

Which app is better for B2B stores?

Fish Wishlist & Quote Request is explicitly designed with robust B2B features, including a quote request function, B2B pricing, draft order integration, auto invoicing, and a quantity picker on wishlists. ESC Wishlist + Save for Later does not specify any B2B-specific functionalities, making Fish Wishlist the more appropriate choice for business-to-business merchants.

How does an all-in-one platform compare to specialized apps?

Specialized apps typically excel in one specific function but can lead to "app fatigue," characterized by fragmented data, inconsistent customer experiences, and increased operational overhead from managing multiple vendors and integrations. An all-in-one platform consolidates several core functions (e.g., loyalty, reviews, wishlists, referrals) into a single suite, aiming to provide a cohesive customer experience, centralized data management, and often a lower total cost of ownership, while streamlining operations and improving strategic oversight of retention efforts.

Are there free plans available for these wishlist apps?

Fish Wishlist & Quote Request offers a "Starter Wishlist" free plan, which supports up to 100 customers and includes Shopify Flow triggers and Klaviyo integration. This allows merchants to test its core functionalities without an upfront cost. ESC Wishlist + Save for Later does not offer a free plan; its only listed plan is $5/month.