ESC Wishlist + Save for Later vs. Gift Reggie: Gift Registry: An In-Depth Comparison

Introduction

Choosing the right wishlist or registry app can have an outsized impact on conversion, average order value (AOV), and repeat purchase behavior. Shopify merchants face a crowded market of single-purpose apps and multi-feature platforms, and the wrong choice often means more app maintenance, inconsistent data, and missed revenue opportunities.

Short answer: ESC Wishlist + Save for Later is a basic, low-cost option for merchants who only need a minimal wishlist or “save for later” widget. Gift Reggie: Gift Registry is a mature, feature-rich solution built for registries and wishlists with better reviews and advanced registry tools. For merchants seeking a single integrated platform that removes tool sprawl and adds loyalty, referrals, and reviews alongside wishlist functionality, Growave presents better value for money.

This article provides a head-to-head, feature-by-feature comparison of ESC Wishlist + Save for Later and Gift Reggie: Gift Registry to help merchants decide which is the best fit by use case. The goal is to be objective, pragmatic, and outcome-focused—showing which app will help retain customers, increase lifetime value, and drive higher-margin, repeat sales. After the comparison, the article explains how an all-in-one retention platform can address the limitations of single-function apps.

ESC Wishlist + Save for Later vs. Gift Reggie: Gift Registry: At a Glance

Deep Dive Comparison

Product Positioning & Target Merchant

ESC Wishlist + Save for Later — Positioning

ESC Wishlist + Save for Later, developed by Eastside Co®, is positioned as a lightweight wishlist and “save for later” tool. The app emphasizes simplicity: add a save-for-later section in the cart so shoppers can keep items visible at checkout and create unlimited wishlists for product organization.

This app is oriented toward small merchants or stores that want a simple increase to conversion flow by keeping interested items within reach. The low monthly price point supports this entry-level positioning.

Gift Reggie — Positioning

Gift Reggie, by Modd Apps Inc., positions itself as a specialized registry and wishlist solution. Its messaging targets retailers handling event registries—bridal, baby, general gift lists—and emphasizes reduced returns, higher-margin registry sales, and brand-consistent experiences across storefront and POS.

Gift Reggie targets merchants that run registries frequently, need email notifications, want registries that look native to the theme, and require POS and stock-tracking support.

Feature Set Comparison

Below are the primary functional areas most merchants weigh when choosing between a basic wishlist app and a registry-first product.

Wishlist & Save-for-Later Functionality

• ESC Wishlist + Save for Later:
  • Provides unlimited wishlists.
  • Places “saved for later” under the cart to make conversion friction low—customers can move saved items to checkout with fewer clicks.
  • Social sharing is available.
  • Focuses on basic wishlist UX and visual customization.
• Gift Reggie:
  • Offers wishlist capabilities in addition to registries.
  • Supports different list types (gift registry, wedding, baby).
  • Allows social sharing and email sharing of lists.
  • Provides more advanced list management features (messaging, password-protected registries).

Verdict: For a pure wishlist with immediate cart visibility, ESC may be sufficient. For integrated registry and wishlist experiences with list management and shareability, Gift Reggie is stronger.

Registry & Event Features

• ESC Wishlist + Save for Later:
  • No specialized registry features; it’s not designed for event-based registries where guests purchase directly from a hosted list.
• Gift Reggie:
  • Designed for registries: wedding, baby, shower, and general gift lists.
  • Password protection, registry messaging, and guest-facing registry pages.
  • POS support and staff emails for registry events.
  • Stock tracking and warnings in higher tiers.

Verdict: Gift Reggie is the clear choice for merchants who need registry workflow and event-level controls.

Customization & Theming

• ESC Wishlist + Save for Later:
  • Offers a “broad range of options” for appearance customization.
  • Usually adequate for stores with simple theme needs.
• Gift Reggie:
  • Integrates with the store theme to create native-looking registry pages.
  • Higher plans include customizable content and more flexible styling.

Verdict: Gift Reggie generally provides more design flexibility for branded registry pages; ESC handles basic styling for simple storefronts.

Checkout & POS Integration

• ESC Wishlist + Save for Later:
  • Primary behavior focuses on cart and checkout visibility for saved items; no mention of POS integration.
• Gift Reggie:
  • Mentions Shopify POS compatibility on higher plans and API accessibility in expert tiers.
  • This matters for omnichannel stores that need in-store registry management.

Verdict: Gift Reggie supports POS and omnichannel workflows; ESC is web-first.

Notifications & Communications

• ESC Wishlist + Save for Later:
  • Basic social sharing and list visibility features; no specialized email notification controls described.
• Gift Reggie:
  • Customizable email notifications for both customers and staff.
  • Registry messaging and guest-focused communications.

Verdict: Gift Reggie has clear advantages for registry-related communications and customer touchpoints.

Inventory & Stock Management

• ESC Wishlist + Save for Later:
  • No explicit stock tracking or warnings.
• Gift Reggie:
  • Stock tracking and warnings included in the Professional plan and above, helpful to avoid oversells on registries.

Verdict: Gift Reggie supports inventory-sensitive registry features; ESC lacks this capability.

Pricing and Value

Pricing must be measured against both the merchant’s needs and the value delivered (conversion lift, reduced returns, higher AOV, LTV increases).

ESC Wishlist + Save for Later

• Pricing:
  • Monthly plan: $5 / month.
• Value:
  • Very low cost; suitable for merchants with a strict budget who only need a basic wishlist.
  • Limited functionality may mean missed revenue opportunities from registries and guest purchases.

Considerations:

• For shops needing only a minimal “save for later” button, the $5 price point is accessible.
• The app’s tiny review base (2 reviews, rating 1.0) raises concerns about product stability, support quality, and merchant satisfaction.

Gift Reggie

• Pricing tiers:
  • Basic: $9 / month (7-day free trial; 5 free registries; unlimited wishlists).
  • Essentials: $15 / month (25 free registries; password-protected registries; email sharing).
  • Professional: $30 / month (50 free registries; customizable content; stock tracking).
  • Expert: $40 / month (100 free registries; POS support; API access).
• Value:
  • Tiered pricing allows merchants to scale registry capacity and features.
  • Designed to capture higher-margin, event-driven revenue and reduce returns.
  • Strong review base (172 reviews; rating 4.8) suggests consistent merchant satisfaction.

Considerations:

• Shop owners who run frequent registries will likely see positive ROI from registry features, POS integrations, and stock tracking.
• The free trials (7–30 days depending on plan) reduce acquisition friction.

Comparative Value

• ESC is budget-friendly and simple; it may be appropriate for a store that wants a cheap wishlist widget and minimal maintenance.
• Gift Reggie offers better overall value for stores that need registry features, better support, and integrations that scale with business complexity.
• For merchants who need wishlist plus loyalty, referrals, reviews, and VIP tiers, consolidating several functions with a single platform may offer better long-term value than stitching multiple single-purpose apps together.

Reviews, Reputation & Evidence of Reliability

• ESC Wishlist + Save for Later:
  • 2 reviews, average rating 1.0.
  • Small review sample and low rating indicate potential problems: merchants may have experienced bugs, inadequate support, or unmet claims.
• Gift Reggie:
  • 172 reviews, average rating 4.8.
  • Larger review count and high rating suggest the app is stable, well-supported, and aligned with merchant needs for registries.

Interpretation:

• Higher review volumes and stronger ratings usually correlate with product maturity and responsive support.
• A low review count and rating on ESC are red flags that merchants should test carefully before committing.

Integrations & Ecosystem Compatibility

Integration depth determines how seamlessly a wishlist or registry app fits into operational workflows (email, customer service, analytics, POS).

• ESC Wishlist + Save for Later:
  • Primary focus is embedding wishlist/save-for-later into the storefront/cart.
  • No listed integrations with email platforms, customer service tools, or advanced storefront builders.
• Gift Reggie:
  • Works with Shopify POS, customer accounts, Shopify Flow, Langify.
  • Offers API accessibility on Expert plan, enabling custom integrations.
  • Better suited for stores that need automation or omnichannel registry management.

Practical implications:

• Stores using Klaviyo, Omnisend, Recharge, or Gorgias should check API and integration details before assuming compatibility.
• Gift Reggie’s mention of Shopify Flow and POS is strong evidence of enterprise friendliness.

Implementation, UX, and Developer Effort

ESC Wishlist + Save for Later

• Implementation aims to be simple.
• Because the feature set is minimal, installation and configuration should be quick for standard themes.
• However, themes that rely on heavy client-side JavaScript or custom cart flows may require tweaks.

Gift Reggie

• Implementation complexity scales with plan and features used (customizable content, POS integration, API access).
• Registry workflows may require additional theme customization to match brand look and feel; the app advertises native look alignment.

Considerations for both:

• Merchants must test cross-device behavior—mobile wishlist interactions are critical to conversion.
• For stores using headless or heavily customized themes, consider apps that offer developer documentation or API access (Gift Reggie’s Expert plan includes API).

Support and Documentation

Support responsiveness and quality are a crucial part of app selection.

• ESC Wishlist + Save for Later:
  • Limited review base makes it hard to assess support.
  • Merchants should expect basic email support at best; no evidence of dedicated success resources.
• Gift Reggie:
  • Explicitly notes a dedicated support team.
  • Higher-rated reviews indicate timely and helpful support in many cases.
  • Email notifications and admin-facing messaging features reduce the need for support intervention for common registry actions.

Recommendation:

• If timely support and account setup assistance matter (especially for events and registries), Gift Reggie is safer from a risk standpoint.

Security, Privacy & Data Portability

Both apps operate within Shopify’s app model and should follow Shopify’s app security guidelines, but merchants must still confirm:

• Data ownership and export options for wishlists and registries.
• How registries are stored and whether customer data can be exported or integrated into CRM/email tools.
• For Gift Reggie, API and export options are available on higher tiers, which aids data portability.

ESC lacks published details on data exports and privacy controls—ask the developer directly before deploying.

Operational Considerations for Merchants

When comparing the two apps, consider the operational impact:

• Workflow changes:
  • Registries often require staff workflows for in-store assistance, order tracking, and inventory management. Gift Reggie supports staff emails and POS functions.
  • Simple wishlists mainly affect online cart UX and require fewer operational changes.
• Returns and fulfillment:
  • Registries aim to reduce returns by making expectations explicit and enabling item-level stock tracking; Gift Reggie’s higher plans provide tools to support this.
  • Basic wishlist apps don’t typically reduce returns directly.
• Marketing:
  • Registry pages can be promoted via email and social; Gift Reggie’s email features support this.
  • Wishlists can be used for cart abandonment campaigns; make sure the chosen app integrates with marketing automation platforms.

Use Cases and Recommendations

The best app depends on the store’s business model and goals.

• ESC Wishlist + Save for Later — Best for:
  • Stores that only need a low-cost wishlist widget.
  • Small shops without registries or omnichannel demands.
  • Merchants testing wishlist UX on a tight budget before investing in a larger platform.
• Gift Reggie — Best for:
  • Stores that host gift registries (weddings, baby showers, other events).
  • Brands that need customer-facing registry pages, password protection, email notifications, stock tracking, and POS support.
  • Merchants that want a mature solution supported by many merchants and positive reviews.
• Neither app — Consider an integrated retention platform if:
  • The store wants wishlists plus loyalty, referrals, reviews, and VIP tiers without adding multiple single-purpose apps.
  • The brand is aiming to grow retention and LTV with consolidated tools and a single data model.

Pros and Cons Summary

ESC Wishlist + Save for Later

• Pros:
  • Very low monthly cost ($5).
  • Simple installation and focused functionality.
  • Unlimited wishlists.
• Cons:
  • Extremely small review base and low rating (2 reviews, rating 1.0).
  • Limited capability—no registry features, no POS or API support.
  • Limited evidence of reliable support or ongoing development.

Gift Reggie: Gift Registry

• Pros:
  • Purpose-built registry features and mature wishlist functionality.
  • Good merchant feedback (172 reviews, 4.8 rating).
  • Tiered plans with stock tracking, POS support, and API access.
  • Strong support options and customization.
• Cons:
  • Costs increase with required features and number of registries.
  • Depending on the plan, advanced features may require migration or additional setup.

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

Merchants increasingly face “app fatigue”—the operational and technical burden of maintaining multiple single-purpose apps that each solve one part of the retention puzzle. Multiple apps mean:

• Fragmented customer data spread across platforms.
• Higher monthly costs and unpredictable total stack spend.
• Slower, more error-prone user experiences due to duplicated scripts and inconsistent theming.
• Complicated integrations with email, CRM, and POS.

The alternative is a unified retention platform that centralizes wishlists, loyalty and rewards, referrals, reviews, and VIP tiers. This reduces tool sprawl and helps merchants focus on sustainable growth metrics like repeat purchases and customer lifetime value.

Growave’s philosophy—More Growth, Less Stack—positions the product as a single platform to handle the core retention needs that often force merchants to install separate apps. Growave bundles wishlist functionality with loyalty, referrals, reviews, and VIP tiers so merchants can execute cohesive retention strategies without stitching together multiple vendors.

How an integrated platform changes outcomes

• Unified customer profiles:
  • When wishlist activity, loyalty points, referral status, and review history live in one system, merchants can create better-triggered communications and targeted rewards.
  • For example, wishlisted items can trigger loyalty point incentives or tailored emails that encourage conversion with personalized offers.
• Reduced frontend complexity:
  • One platform’s scripts and widgets are easier to audit and maintain than five separate apps, reducing performance overhead.
• Cross-functional campaigns:
  • Integrated tools allow for campaigns that combine referrals with wishlist-sharing or reward customers for leaving UGC (user-generated content) after receiving a registry gift.

Growave features that address registry and wishlist needs

Growave includes wishlist functionality within a broader retention stack. Key elements include:

• Loyalty and rewards program capabilities that drive repeat purchases and improve lifetime value. Merchants can design earn rules around wishlist actions and referrals, building stronger purchase incentives. See how merchants build loyalty and rewards that drive repeat purchases.
• Reviews & UGC features to collect and display authentic social proof—critical for high-consideration purchases and registries. Growave enables merchants to collect and showcase authentic reviews.
• Wishlist functionality that integrates with loyalty programs and promotional flows—turning saved items into opportunities for reward-driven conversion.
• Referrals and VIP tiers that increase customer advocacy and lifetime value by rewarding repeat buyers and referrers.
• Enterprise readiness with headless support, API access, and checkout extensions on higher plans for brands scaling on Shopify Plus and multi-language stores. For merchants on ambitious growth paths, see solutions for high-growth Plus brands.

Integration examples and practical benefits

• Marketing automation:
  • Wishlist events can be exported to email platforms to create abandon-wishlist campaigns that include loyalty incentives. Growave integrates with leading providers such as Klaviyo and Omnisend to enable these flows.
• Support workflows:
  • Unified data allows customer service teams to see loyalty status, wishlist items, and purchase history in one place, reducing resolution time and improving CX.
• POS and omnichannel:
  • For merchants with physical presence, integrations with POS systems ensure registry and loyalty data follow the customer across channels.
• Customer stories:
  • Merchants evaluating integrations often look for proof points. See customer stories from brands scaling retention to understand how a consolidated approach pays off.

Pricing and ROI considerations for consolidation

Moving from several single-purpose apps to one integrated platform requires a baseline investment, but the long-term ROI comes from:

• Lower combined subscription costs compared to paying for 3–5 separate apps.
• Reduced development and maintenance time.
• Higher retention, increased repeat purchases, and improved LTV through coordinated programs.

Merchants can review pricing tiers and determine which plan aligns with order volume and feature needs. A full breakdown of plans and what each includes is available on the Growave pricing page; merchants can compare trade-offs and estimate ROI on the Growave pricing page.

If the merchant prefers to install via Shopify’s marketplace, Growave is also available on the Shopify App Store, where store owners can read reviews and start a trial.

Implementing Growave in place of multiple apps

Implementation typically follows these steps:

• Audit current apps and map features to a single platform.
• Determine must-have functionalities (wishlists, loyalty, review collection).
• Choose the Growave plan that matches monthly orders and desired features; see the pricing tier details.
• Configure loyalty rewards, referral flows, and wishlist behavior.
• Connect marketing automation, POS, and customer service integrations for a single customer data stream.

To explore how consolidated features can replace multiple tools and how Growave’s integrations reduce complexity, merchants can book a personalized demo. Book a personalized demo to see how an integrated retention stack improves retention.

Required link placements (contextual)

Growave’s value proposition and product pages are useful for merchants researching alternatives:

• Pricing and consolidation details: consolidate retention features
• Loyalty details: merchants can design loyalty and rewards that drive repeat purchases
• Reviews and UGC: options to collect and showcase authentic reviews
• Shopify Plus and enterprise: solutions for high-growth Plus brands

These links offer a practical path to evaluate replacing multiple single-purpose apps (wishlists, registries, loyalty, reviews) with an integrated approach that centralizes customer actions and rewards.

When an all-in-one platform is not appropriate

• Ultra-low-budget shops that only need a free or $5/month wishlist widget and have no plans for loyalty, referrals, or reviews may find ESC’s price attractive in the short term.
• Merchants with very specific registry workflows that require custom API integrations before switching may still need a registry-first solution like Gift Reggie while planning a future consolidation.

For most growth-oriented merchants, consolidating capabilities into a single retention stack typically delivers better long-term value.

Implementation Checklist: How to Evaluate Both Apps Before Installing

Merchants should run a short validation before choosing an app.

• Technical QA:
  • Verify mobile behavior of wishlist widgets and registry pages.
  • Check for script performance and page load impact.
  • Test checkout flows and saved-for-later transitions.
• Business QA:
  • Confirm whether saved items can trigger marketing automations.
  • Verify email notification templates and customization capabilities.
  • Assess whether registries can be made private or password protected.
• Support QA:
  • Contact support with a pre-sales question and note response time and clarity.
  • For registry-dependent stores, request references or case studies.
• Data QA:
  • Confirm export options for wishlist and registry data.
  • Ask about API availability for customer data sync (especially for POS and CRM needs).

Conclusion

For merchants choosing between ESC Wishlist + Save for Later and Gift Reggie: Gift Registry, the decision comes down to scope and scale. ESC offers a very low-cost, simple wishlist/save-for-later widget best suited to stores that only want basic wishlist functionality. Gift Reggie offers a well-reviewed, feature-rich registry and wishlist solution tailored to event-driven retail, with strong customization, POS support, and inventory safeguards—making it a better fit for brands that rely on registries and need mature support.

That said, single-purpose apps create operational complexity and data fragmentation as stores grow. For merchants looking to remove tool sprawl and increase retention holistically, a consolidated retention platform is often a better value for money. Growave combines wishlist, loyalty, referrals, reviews, and VIP tiers into a single platform, reducing integration friction and enabling unified campaigns that drive repeat purchases. Compare how plans stack up on the Growave pricing page and read merchant experiences on the Shopify App Store listing.

Start a 14-day free trial to see how Growave replaces multiple single-purpose apps and consolidates loyalty, reviews, referrals, and wishlist into one retention stack.

FAQ

Which app is better for merchants who only need a wishlist widget?

ESC Wishlist + Save for Later is the most cost-effective option for merchants who only need a basic wishlist and save-for-later UX in the cart. It provides unlimited wishlists and social sharing at a low monthly price. However, the small review base and low rating warrant careful testing before installation.

Which app is best for stores that run registries for weddings and baby showers?

Gift Reggie is designed specifically for registries and provides features such as password-protected registries, email and staff notifications, POS support, stock tracking, and customizable registry pages. It is the clearer choice for event-driven selling and complex registry workflows.

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

An integrated platform centralizes wishlist, loyalty, referrals, and reviews into a single customer profile, reducing tool sprawl, simplifying data flows, and enabling cross-functional campaigns that directly impact repeat purchases and lifetime value. While single-purpose apps can be cheaper initially, the cumulative costs and maintenance burdens of multiple apps often outweigh a consolidated platform, especially as the brand scales.

Can Growave replace both a wishlist app and a registry app?

Growave includes wishlist functionality alongside loyalty, referrals, and reviews and is built for brands aiming to grow retention and repeat revenue. For dedicated registry workflows, a retailer should evaluate whether Growave’s wishlist plus loyalty capabilities meet registry needs or whether a specialized registry solution with POS and advanced stock tracking is still required. Merchants can compare features and pricing or book a personalized demo to assess fit.