ESC Wishlist vs. Squadkin Multi Wishlist: In-Depth Comparison

Introduction

Navigating the extensive Shopify App Store to find the right tools for an e-commerce store can be a complex endeavor. Merchants often face the challenge of selecting apps that not only deliver specific functionalities but also integrate seamlessly and provide genuine value without creating unnecessary operational burdens. The goal is to enhance the customer journey and drive growth, not to accumulate a collection of disparate tools.

Short answer: While both ESC Wishlist + Save for Later and Squadkin ‑ Multi Wishlist App aim to improve customer engagement through wishlist functionality, Squadkin offers more robust features like multi-category wishlists, guest user support, and basic analytics at a slightly lower price, making it a stronger contender for merchants seeking versatile wishlist capabilities. However, both are single-function apps, and businesses focused on holistic customer retention might eventually explore integrated platforms to reduce operational overhead.

This article provides an objective, feature-by-feature comparison of ESC Wishlist + Save for Later by Eastside Co® and Squadkin ‑ Multi Wishlist App by Squadkin Technologies Pvt Ltd. The analysis aims to equip merchants with a clear understanding of each app's capabilities, pricing, and ideal use cases, facilitating an informed decision for their specific business needs.

ESC Wishlist + Save for Later vs. Squadkin ‑ Multi Wishlist App: At a Glance

Selecting the right wishlist app involves understanding its core functionality, target audience, and overall value proposition. The following table provides a quick overview to help merchants grasp the fundamental differences and similarities between ESC Wishlist + Save for Later and Squadkin ‑ Multi Wishlist App.

This snapshot reveals that while both apps address the need for customers to save products, their approaches and feature sets diverge. ESC Wishlist + Save for Later positions itself as a simple cart-adjacent "save for later" tool, encouraging immediate purchase on return. Squadkin, on the other hand, offers a more structured approach with multi-category lists and guest functionality, suggesting a broader application for customer organization and basic data collection. The significant difference in review ratings, even with a low volume for both, provides an initial signal regarding merchant satisfaction.

Deep Dive Comparison

A closer examination of ESC Wishlist + Save for Later and Squadkin ‑ Multi Wishlist App reveals the nuances that define their utility for different Shopify merchants. Understanding these details is crucial for aligning an app's capabilities with specific business objectives, customer retention strategies, and budget constraints.

Core Features and Workflows

Both apps aim to provide customers with the ability to save products, but their feature sets and the underlying workflows they support vary considerably.

ESC Wishlist + Save for Later focuses on a straightforward "save for later" mechanism. Its primary advertised feature is the ability for customers to save products they are interested in but not yet ready to purchase. A key aspect of its design is placing this "saved for later" section directly under the cart. This strategic placement means that when customers return to their checkout process, they are immediately reminded of their previously saved items, potentially reducing friction and encouraging a swift purchase. The app also supports unlimited wishlists, allowing customers to categorize products, and includes social sharing functionality to extend brand reach. The emphasis here is on quick re-engagement and reducing abandoned carts by keeping items visible at a critical point in the customer journey.

Squadkin ‑ Multi Wishlist App offers a more expansive set of features designed for greater customer organization and merchant insights. Its core functionality enables customers to create a wishlist or mark items as favorites. A significant differentiator is its support for guest wishlists, meaning unregistered users can still save items, which is valuable for capturing interest from first-time visitors before they commit to an account. The app also allows for the creation of unlimited multiple categories for wishlists, giving customers granular control over how they organize their desired products. Similar to ESC Wishlist, Squadkin includes social sharing options via a sharable link for email or social media. Beyond customer-facing features, Squadkin introduces a rudimentary analytics component by showing the top 10 wishlisted products, offering merchants a glimpse into popular items that could inform marketing campaigns. This suggests a slightly more strategic approach to wishlists, moving beyond just a convenience feature to a tool that can provide some actionable data.

In summary:

• ESC Wishlist + Save for Later: Prioritizes immediate re-engagement via cart-adjacent "save for later" functionality and basic social sharing. Simple, direct.
• Squadkin ‑ Multi Wishlist App: Offers a more comprehensive suite with guest wishlists, multi-category organization, social sharing, and basic analytics to inform product strategy. More flexible and data-driven.

For merchants seeking a minimal, direct approach to reminding customers about saved items close to the point of purchase, ESC Wishlist might suffice. However, for those valuing greater customer flexibility, guest engagement, and a foundational level of product popularity insights, Squadkin presents a more feature-rich offering.

Customization and Control

The ability to customize a wishlist app's appearance and behavior is crucial for maintaining brand consistency and delivering a seamless user experience. Both apps offer customization options, though the level of detail provided in their descriptions differs.

ESC Wishlist + Save for Later states that it offers "A broad range of options for customizing how the app looks on your store." This general description implies that merchants can adjust visual elements to match their store's theme, likely covering aspects such as button styles, colors, and possibly the placement of the "save for later" section. However, the specific mechanisms or depth of these options (e.g., visual editor, CSS access) are not explicitly detailed in the provided information. Merchants would need to explore the app's settings or documentation to understand the full extent of its customization capabilities.

Squadkin ‑ Multi Wishlist App is more specific about its customization offerings. It explicitly mentions "Fully Customization using CSS" and "Custom text changes alerts on wishlist add and remove." This indicates a higher degree of control, particularly for merchants with some technical proficiency in CSS. The ability to directly manipulate CSS allows for precise styling to match any brand aesthetic, while custom text changes ensure that all customer-facing messages align with the store's tone of voice. This level of detail suggests that Squadkin is designed to be highly adaptable visually and textually, appealing to merchants who prioritize granular control over their app's presentation.

For merchants whose primary concern is maintaining absolute brand consistency and who have (or can acquire) basic CSS knowledge, Squadkin appears to offer more explicit and powerful customization tools. Those looking for simpler, perhaps theme-based, visual adjustments without delving into code might find ESC Wishlist's "broad range of options" adequate, assuming those options are easily accessible through a user interface.

Pricing Structure and Value for Money

Evaluating the pricing structure and understanding the value derived from each app is critical for budget-conscious merchants. Both apps offer a single pricing plan, making direct comparison straightforward.

ESC Wishlist + Save for Later is priced at $5 per month for its "Monthly plan." The description for this plan is concise, simply reiterating "Monthly plan." Based on its feature set, which includes unlimited wishlists, "save for later" at cart, and social sharing, this price point caters to stores seeking basic wishlist functionality without additional frills. The value proposition here is simplicity and a single, predictable cost for core "save for later" convenience. Given its limited feature set compared to Squadkin, merchants must weigh if the $5/month aligns with the perceived return on investment for those specific functionalities. The very low review count and rating (2 reviews, 1 rating) raise questions about the broader merchant experience, which could impact perceived value.

Squadkin ‑ Multi Wishlist App is offered at $3.99 per month for its "Basic" plan. This plan explicitly includes a wider array of features: multiple categories support, guest wishlist functionality, custom CSS, text customization, social media sharing, unlimited wishlists, and analytics for the top 10 wishlisted products. When considering the features included, Squadkin appears to offer significantly more for a slightly lower monthly fee. The inclusion of guest wishlists and basic analytics provides added utility that ESC Wishlist does not specify. This comprehensive feature set at $3.99/month suggests a stronger value for money, particularly for merchants who desire more sophisticated wishlist management and even rudimentary data insights. The higher (though still low volume) review rating of 4.9 from 5 reviews further suggests a more positive initial reception from its users, reinforcing its value proposition.

For merchants, comparing plan fit against retention goals is crucial. At $5/month, ESC Wishlist provides a minimal feature set. Squadkin, at $3.99/month, offers greater functionality, including guest wishlists and analytics, making it a more attractive option for those seeking enhanced capabilities without a significant cost increase. Squadkin clearly presents a better value for money in terms of features per dollar, offering a more robust solution for less overhead.

Integrations and "Works With" Fit

The ability of an app to integrate with other tools in a merchant's tech stack is increasingly important for creating a cohesive customer experience and streamlining operations.

For ESC Wishlist + Save for Later, the provided data does not specify any particular integrations or "works with" partners. This suggests that it operates primarily as a standalone tool, focusing solely on its core wishlist and "save for later" functionality within the Shopify environment. While a standalone nature can simplify setup and reduce potential conflicts, it also means the app may not readily exchange data with email marketing platforms, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, or other engagement tools. Merchants should consider if this isolated functionality aligns with their broader marketing and customer retention strategies, especially if they plan to leverage wishlist data for targeted campaigns or customer segmentation.

Similarly, Squadkin ‑ Multi Wishlist App also does not list any specific integrations or "works with" partners in the provided data. Like ESC Wishlist, it appears to function as a self-contained wishlist solution. While its internal analytics for top 10 wishlisted products provide some basic insights, the absence of explicit integrations means merchants cannot automatically push this data to external marketing automation platforms or leverage other apps to enhance the wishlist experience (e.g., sending automated email reminders for wishlisted items in stock or on sale, unless manually configured). This lack of specified integrations is a common characteristic of highly specialized, single-function apps, which prioritize delivering a narrow feature set efficiently rather than acting as central hubs for data exchange.

For both apps, the absence of specified integrations implies a potential limitation for merchants aiming to build a deeply interconnected tech stack. Businesses that rely on comprehensive customer data for personalized marketing or require seamless workflows between their wishlist functionality and other retention tools might find this a significant consideration. This scenario often highlights the appeal of more comprehensive platforms that offer built-in integrations across various modules to support a clearer view of total retention-stack costs.

Analytics and Reporting

Understanding customer behavior is paramount for optimizing an e-commerce strategy. Wishlist data, in particular, can offer valuable insights into product interest and demand.

ESC Wishlist + Save for Later does not specify any analytics or reporting features in its description. Its focus appears to be purely functional: enabling customers to save items and making those items easily accessible for future purchase. Merchants using this app would likely need to rely on other analytics tools or manual processes to extract any insights from wishlist activity. This means there is no built-in mechanism to identify popular wishlisted products, understand customer intent patterns, or measure the impact of the "save for later" feature on conversion rates directly within the app. For stores prioritizing simplicity over data-driven optimization, this might not be a deterrent, but for others, it represents a notable gap.

Squadkin ‑ Multi Wishlist App, on the other hand, explicitly mentions "Analytics of top 10 Wishlisted Product so you can run campaing on them." This inclusion is a significant differentiator. While it's a relatively basic form of analytics, the ability to see the top 10 most wishlisted products directly within the app provides immediate, actionable intelligence for merchants. This insight can be invaluable for:

• Inventory Planning: Identifying products with high customer interest but perhaps low immediate sales.
• Marketing Campaigns: Focusing promotional efforts, discounts, or email reminders on these popular items.
• Product Development: Understanding trends in customer preferences.

Although it’s not a full-suite analytics dashboard, Squadkin’s offering provides a foundational level of reporting that ESC Wishlist lacks entirely. For merchants looking to extract even basic strategic value from their wishlist data to inform marketing decisions, Squadkin offers a clear advantage. However, neither app provides deep customer segmentation based on wishlist activity or advanced reporting, which might be available in more comprehensive customer retention platforms.

Customer Support Expectations and Reliability Cues

When selecting a Shopify app, anticipating the level of customer support and assessing the app's reliability are crucial considerations. For many merchants, especially those without dedicated technical teams, responsive and effective support can make a significant difference in their operational experience.

ESC Wishlist + Save for Later has a very limited public record regarding customer satisfaction. With only 2 reviews and an average rating of 1, it's challenging to form a robust expectation for its reliability or support. The extremely low review count means the rating might not be statistically representative, as it could be skewed by a single negative experience or technical issue. However, such a low score and volume typically raise caution flags for merchants. Without more data, it is difficult to determine the responsiveness of the developer, Eastside Co®, or the stability of the app itself. Merchants considering this app would be wise to perform thorough testing during a trial period, if available, and potentially reach out to the developer with specific support inquiries to gauge their responsiveness before committing.

Squadkin ‑ Multi Wishlist App fares considerably better in its public perception, albeit still with a low volume of reviews. It boasts 5 reviews with an impressive average rating of 4.9. This suggests that the small cohort of merchants who have used and reviewed the app have generally had very positive experiences. A high rating, even with limited reviews, often indicates that the app is performing as expected and that the developer, Squadkin Technologies Pvt Ltd, is providing satisfactory support for its users. While 5 reviews do not offer the same confidence as hundreds or thousands, a near-perfect rating is a strong positive signal. Merchants can generally expect a higher level of satisfaction and potentially better support engagement based on these cues compared to ESC Wishlist. However, low review volume for both apps means that real-world adoption patterns are still emerging, and merchants should factor this into their decision-making.

In terms of perceived reliability and support, Squadkin appears to be a safer bet based on the available, albeit limited, data. The stark contrast in ratings strongly suggests that merchants considering ESC Wishlist + Save for Later should approach with caution and verify its current stability and support directly. For both, checking merchant feedback and app-store performance signals provides an initial trust indicator, but comprehensive due diligence is always recommended.

Performance, Compatibility, and Operational Overhead

The impact an app has on store performance, its compatibility with the Shopify ecosystem, and the overall operational overhead it introduces are critical factors for long-term store health and efficiency.

Regarding ESC Wishlist + Save for Later, the description does not offer specific details on performance impact. As a single-function app, it is generally expected to be lightweight, meaning it should not significantly burden a store's loading speed or overall performance. Compatibility with different Shopify themes or versions is not specified, but typically, apps that are well-maintained adhere to Shopify's Liquid coding standards, ensuring broad compatibility. The operational overhead primarily involves the initial setup of the "save for later" button and managing any visual customizations. Given its basic functionality, ongoing maintenance should be minimal, making it a low-touch solution for merchants who prefer to avoid complex app management. However, its stated purpose of keeping a "saved for later" section under the cart implies a specific integration point that could, in rare cases, conflict with highly customized checkout flows or other cart-modifying apps, necessitating careful testing.

For Squadkin ‑ Multi Wishlist App, similar to ESC Wishlist, specific performance metrics are not provided. Its single-function nature also suggests a relatively light footprint on store performance. The app's explicit mention of "Fully Customization using CSS" indicates that it is designed to integrate visually with a store's existing theme, relying on standard web technologies. This often implies good compatibility, but also means that extensive CSS customizations might require some technical input from the merchant. Operational overhead would include the initial setup, any custom CSS application, and potentially reviewing the basic analytics for top wishlisted products. The app's features, such as guest wishlists and multiple categories, might introduce slightly more complexity in managing customer expectations or explaining functionality, but the core maintenance is likely low. Both apps benefit from being specialized tools, generally reducing the risk of wide-ranging conflicts that multi-feature apps might encounter, provided they are kept updated by their developers.

For both apps, the “Works With” category is empty, meaning no explicit integrations are listed with other Shopify features or popular third-party apps (like specific page builders or marketing automation tools). This generally points to a simpler technical footprint, potentially reducing the likelihood of wide-ranging conflicts that multi-feature apps might encounter, provided they are kept updated by their developers. However, it also means merchants should not expect seamless data flow or advanced feature synergies with other elements of their tech stack. Merchants should consider the implications of selecting plans that reduce stacked tooling costs, particularly if a wishlist is just one component of a broader retention strategy.

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

While specialized apps like ESC Wishlist + Save for Later and Squadkin ‑ Multi Wishlist App can fulfill a specific need, many Shopify merchants eventually encounter "app fatigue." This phenomenon arises from the challenges of managing numerous single-function apps, leading to tool sprawl, fragmented customer data, inconsistent user experiences, and increased operational complexity. Each app requires its own setup, maintenance, and often, its own subscription fee, culminating in higher total cost of ownership and administrative burden.

Tool sprawl creates data silos, making it difficult to gain a unified view of customer behavior across different touchpoints. A wishlist app, for example, might collect valuable data on product interest, but if that data isn't seamlessly integrated with a loyalty program, review system, or email marketing platform, its full potential remains untapped. This fragmentation often results in disjointed customer experiences, where a customer might be part of a loyalty program, receive review requests, and save items to a wishlist, but these interactions aren't intelligently connected or personalized.

This is where the "More Growth, Less Stack" philosophy of an all-in-one platform like Growave becomes a compelling alternative. Growave offers a unified suite of powerful retention and engagement tools, including loyalty points and rewards designed to lift repeat purchases, collecting and showcasing authentic customer reviews, referrals, and wishlists, all managed from a single dashboard. By consolidating these critical functions, Growave helps merchants overcome app fatigue by reducing integration overhead, ensuring data consistency, and streamlining operational workflows.

An integrated platform provides a holistic view of the customer journey. For instance, a customer who adds an item to a wishlist could automatically receive a personalized email triggered by the loyalty program, perhaps offering bonus points for purchasing a wishlisted item, or a notification when a wishlisted product receives new positive reviews that reduce uncertainty for new buyers. This level of interconnectedness allows merchants to build more sophisticated and impactful retention programs, moving beyond isolated interactions to create a truly cohesive customer experience that encourages repeat purchases and builds long-term loyalty. The platform also offers VIP tiers and incentives for high-intent customers, further enhancing retention programs that reduce reliance on discounts.

For merchants looking for capabilities designed for Shopify Plus scaling needs, an all-in-one platform offers a robust solution that can handle increased complexity and volume. By integrating multiple functionalities, Growave simplifies the tech stack, reducing subscription costs associated with multiple apps and minimizing the time spent on managing disparate systems. This strategic approach allows businesses to focus more on growth and less on the complexities of their app ecosystem, supporting an approach that fits high-growth operational complexity. If consolidating tools is a priority, start by comparing plan fit against retention goals. This integrated strategy is particularly beneficial for businesses scaling their operations, allowing them to leverage comprehensive features like loyalty programs that keep customers coming back and social proof that supports conversion and AOV, all within a single environment.

Conclusion

For merchants choosing between ESC Wishlist + Save for Later and Squadkin ‑ Multi Wishlist App, the decision comes down to the desired depth of wishlist functionality and budget. ESC Wishlist + Save for Later offers a very basic "save for later" feature, primarily designed to nudge customers toward purchasing items they've shown interest in, often by placing them prominently near the cart. Its simplicity and straightforward $5/month pricing may appeal to stores seeking a minimal, no-frills solution. However, its extremely limited review count and low rating present a significant caution for new users.

Squadkin ‑ Multi Wishlist App, at a slightly lower price point of $3.99/month, offers a more robust and versatile wishlist experience. Its inclusion of guest wishlists, multiple categories, customization via CSS, and basic analytics for top wishlisted products provides greater flexibility for customers and more actionable insights for merchants. The significantly higher rating from its small pool of reviews suggests a more reliable and satisfying user experience. For most Shopify merchants seeking a dedicated wishlist solution, Squadkin offers a stronger value proposition due to its expanded feature set and slightly better perceived reliability.

While both specialized apps serve their purpose, they represent a component-based approach that can contribute to app fatigue as a store scales. For businesses aiming for sustainable growth, improving repeat purchase rate, and fostering enduring customer relationships, an integrated platform offers a more strategic advantage. An all-in-one solution like Growave consolidates critical customer engagement tools—including wishlists, loyalty programs, reviews, and referrals—into a single platform. This unification not only streamlines operations and reduces overall costs but also creates a more consistent and impactful customer experience across all touchpoints. By adopting a comprehensive platform, merchants gain the ability to orchestrate sophisticated retention strategies, turning individual interactions into a cohesive journey that drives customer lifetime value. To reduce app fatigue and run retention from one place, start by reviewing the Shopify App Store listing merchants install from. This integrated approach allows for a clearer view of total retention-stack costs and ensures that all engagement efforts work in harmony to achieve business objectives, from retention programs that reduce reliance on discounts to collecting and showcasing authentic customer reviews.

FAQ

How do ESC Wishlist + Save for Later and Squadkin ‑ Multi Wishlist App differ in core functionality?

ESC Wishlist + Save for Later focuses on a simple "save for later" function, particularly integrated near the cart for quick re-engagement. It offers unlimited wishlists and social sharing. Squadkin ‑ Multi Wishlist App provides a more comprehensive solution with guest wishlists, the ability to create unlimited multiple categories for wishlists, social sharing, custom CSS, text customization, and basic analytics showing the top 10 wishlisted products. Squadkin offers more organizational and data-driven features.

Which app offers better value for money for a small Shopify store?

Based on the provided data, Squadkin ‑ Multi Wishlist App offers better value for money. For $3.99/month, it includes more advanced features like guest wishlists, multi-category support, customization through CSS, and basic product analytics, compared to ESC Wishlist + Save for Later's $5/month plan, which provides a more limited feature set. The higher rating for Squadkin also suggests a more satisfying user experience from its initial users.

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

An all-in-one platform like Growave integrates multiple customer engagement and retention tools (such as wishlists, loyalty programs, reviews, and referrals) into a single solution. This approach reduces app fatigue, tool sprawl, and data silos that often arise from managing several single-function apps. It allows for a more cohesive customer experience, streamlined data management, and often a lower total cost of ownership, especially for scaling businesses that need to orchestrate complex retention strategies. Specialized apps, while efficient for a single task, can limit cross-functional insights and create operational friction over time.

What should merchants consider when evaluating a wishlist app's long-term fit?

When evaluating a wishlist app for the long term, merchants should consider its feature set, pricing, scalability, integration capabilities with other marketing tools, and the reliability of its developer. Assess if the app supports guest users, offers multi-category wishlists, provides any form of analytics, and allows for extensive customization. Furthermore, consider how the app fits into the broader customer retention strategy. If the goal is a truly integrated customer journey, exploring a comprehensive platform that bundles loyalty, reviews, and wishlists might offer more strategic advantages for long-term growth and reduced overhead.