Introduction

Selecting the right retention tools for a Shopify storefront involves more than just comparing feature lists. It requires an understanding of how a specific loyalty or referral framework aligns with a brand’s growth stage and technical requirements. Merchants often face a choice between established, integration-focused platforms and newer, niche solutions that focus on specific mechanics like gamification. This decision impacts not only the customer experience but also the long-term operational efficiency of the marketing stack.

Short answer: Rivo: Loyalty Program, Rewards is a robust, developer-friendly option for brands prioritizing deep integrations and a modern tech stack, while Flyy ‑ Gamified Rewards targets merchants looking for high engagement through scratch cards and variable reward mechanics. While both offer free entry points, Rivo provides more extensive third-party compatibility, whereas Flyy focuses on creating a game-like environment for referrals. For those concerned about managing multiple disparate tools, an integrated platform can often streamline workflows and lower the total cost of ownership.

The purpose of this analysis is to provide a neutral, data-driven comparison of Rivo and Flyy. By examining their core functionalities, pricing structures, and technical ecosystems, store owners can determine which solution fits their current operational needs and future scaling goals.

Rivo: Loyalty Program, Rewards vs. Flyy ‑ Gamified Rewards: At a Glance

FeatureRivo: Loyalty Program, RewardsFlyy ‑ Gamified Rewards
Core Use CaseModern loyalty, rewards, and referrals with heavy integration support.Gamified referral and loyalty programs using game mechanics.
Best ForFast-growing DTC brands and Shopify Plus merchants needing customization.Brands looking to increase engagement through variable rewards and scratch cards.
Review Count10
Rating4.80
Notable StrengthsDeveloper toolkit, 24/7 live chat, deep integrations (Klaviyo, Gorgias).Variable rewards, scratch card mechanics, in-store currency focus.
Potential LimitationsHigher price point for advanced analytics and custom integrations.Limited review history and unspecified integration ecosystem.
Setup ComplexityLow to Medium (depending on customization levels)Low

Deep Dive Comparison

To choose the most effective retention tool, merchants must look beyond the surface level and evaluate how each app handles the day-to-day realities of customer engagement and store management.

Core Features and Workflows

Rivo: Loyalty Program, Rewards focuses on a streamlined approach to traditional loyalty. The platform allows merchants to set up points programs where customers earn rewards for specific actions, such as making a purchase or engaging with the brand. A key component of the Rivo workflow is its focus on retention metrics, supported by automated email campaigns that keep customers informed about their points balance and available rewards. The app is built on modern technology, designed to handle the demands of 2025 storefronts, with weekly product updates that ensure the feature set remains current.

Flyy ‑ Gamified Rewards takes a different path by prioritizing psychological triggers associated with gaming. Instead of standard points-to-discount workflows, Flyy introduces mechanics like scratch cards and variable rewards. This approach aims to turn loyal users into advocates by making the referral process more interactive. Customers earn in-store currency for sign-ups, orders, and special occasions like birthdays. This currency can then be redeemed for customizable coupons. The focus here is on the "fun" aspect of the loyalty program, which can be particularly effective for brands with a younger or more casual audience.

Customization and Control

Customization is a major differentiator between these two solutions. Rivo offers a tiered approach to customization. On the Scale plan, merchants gain access to custom CSS and fonts, allowing the loyalty program to blend seamlessly with the brand’s visual identity. For larger operations, the Plus plan includes a Developer Toolkit. This allows for full customization, making it a viable choice for brands with specific design requirements or those operating on Shopify Plus.

Flyy provides tools to match the referral program to a brand’s personality. This includes customizable referral links and social sharing options. While it offers "fully customizable" in-store currency and coupons, the data provided does not specify the level of code-level control available compared to Rivo’s developer toolkit. Flyy focuses more on the flexibility of the reward types—such as free products, free shipping, or percentage-based discounts—ensuring that the rewards offered align with the store's promotional strategy.

Pricing Structure and Value for Money

Both apps utilize a tiered pricing model that scales with order volume, though their thresholds and feature allocations differ significantly.

Rivo: Loyalty Program, Rewards Pricing:

  • The 100% Free Forever plan supports up to 200 monthly orders and includes basic loyalty points, branding, and automated emails.
  • The Scale plan, at $49 per month, removes order limits (though higher usage may lead to the Plus tier) and adds VIP tiers, analytics, and advanced branding.
  • The Plus plan, at $499 per month, is the enterprise-grade offering, featuring checkout extensions, custom integrations, and the Developer Toolkit.

Flyy ‑ Gamified Rewards Pricing:

  • The Free plan supports up to 250 orders, which is slightly higher than Rivo’s free tier, and includes scratch cards and variable rewards.
  • The Starter plan costs $49 per month and increases the limit to 1,000 orders.
  • The Growth plan is $149 per month for up to 5,000 orders.
  • The Scale plan is $299 per month for up to 12,500 orders.

When comparing plan fit against retention goals, merchants should consider not just the monthly fee, but the order volume thresholds. Flyy offers higher order limits at the $49 and $299 price points, which might represent better value for high-volume, low-margin stores. However, Rivo’s Plus plan focuses on technical depth and support that might be more critical for high-growth brands despite the higher price.

Integrations and Technical Fit

A loyalty program does not exist in a vacuum. It must communicate with email platforms, helpdesks, and SMS tools. Rivo excels in this area, listing specific integrations with Klaviyo, Gorgias, Postscript, Attentive, and Shopify Flow. It also supports Shopify POS and Checkout Extensions, making it a versatile choice for omnichannel retailers.

Flyy’s data does not specify a wide list of third-party integrations. While it mentions chat support and expert assistance, the lack of documented integrations with major email or SMS platforms could be a hurdle for merchants who rely on automated, multi-channel marketing workflows. For a merchant, reviewing the Shopify App Store listing merchants install from is often the best way to verify if an app has added new compatibility features since their last update.

Customer Support and Reliability

Rivo emphasizes its "world-class" customer success team and 24/7 live chat support. With a rating of 4.8 from its initial feedback, the developer appears committed to a high level of service. The mention of weekly product updates suggests a proactive approach to maintenance and feature expansion.

Flyy currently has no reviews or ratings according to the provided data. While this does not necessarily indicate a poor product, it does mean that merchants lack public proof of the app's reliability and the quality of its support. Flyy does highlight that experts are available to assist via chat, but the lack of historical user data may represent a higher perceived risk for established brands.

Performance and Operational Overhead

Using specialized apps like Rivo or Flyy requires careful management of the "app stack." Every additional app installed can potentially impact site speed and create data silos. Rivo’s focus on using Shopify’s latest technology and checkout extensions suggests a move toward minimizing performance drag. Flyy’s gamification mechanics, like scratch cards, must be implemented efficiently to ensure they do not interfere with the mobile shopping experience.

Merchants should also consider the administrative overhead. Managing a standalone referral program in Flyy and a separate loyalty program elsewhere could lead to inconsistent customer data. Rivo attempts to solve this by housing loyalty, rewards, and referrals under one roof, though it still focuses primarily on these three areas.

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

While specialized apps offer targeted features, many Shopify merchants eventually encounter "app fatigue." This occurs when a store relies on a dozen different apps for loyalty, reviews, wishlists, and social proof. This fragmented approach often leads to high monthly costs, inconsistent user interfaces, and technical conflicts that can slow down a storefront.

If consolidating tools is a priority, start by choosing a plan built for long-term value. Growave addresses these challenges by offering an integrated suite of retention tools. Instead of managing separate subscriptions for a loyalty program and a review tool, merchants can use a single platform that covers loyalty, rewards, referrals, reviews, UGC, and wishlists. This "More Growth, Less Stack" philosophy ensures that customer data flows seamlessly between modules. For instance, points earned through loyalty points and rewards designed to lift repeat purchases can be automatically tracked alongside customer reviews.

The benefits of integration extend to the customer experience. When a shopper interacts with a store, they shouldn't see different design styles for the loyalty widget and the review section. By collecting and showcasing authentic customer reviews within the same ecosystem that manages VIP tiers and incentives for high-intent customers, a brand maintains a unified professional appearance. This cohesion builds trust and encourages longer-term engagement.

Operational efficiency is another significant factor. Setting up automated workflows becomes much simpler when one app handles multiple customer touchpoints. For example, review automation that builds trust at purchase time can be directly tied to loyalty rewards, giving customers an immediate reason to return. This eliminates the need for complex "glue" apps or custom coding to make different tools talk to each other.

For stores that are scaling rapidly, a consolidated approach provides a clearer view of total retention-stack costs. Rather than seeing multiple small charges that add up to a significant sum, merchants have one predictable bill. This makes it easier to calculate the true return on investment for retention efforts. Those looking for a more personalized explanation of how these pieces fit together can benefit from a tailored walkthrough based on store goals and constraints.

Ultimately, moving away from a siloed app strategy allows marketing teams to focus on strategy rather than troubleshooting app conflicts. A single dashboard provides a bird's-eye view of customer behavior, from the items they add to their wishlist to the referrals they send to friends. Merchants who want to see how this looks in practice can request a guided evaluation of an integrated retention stack to see the platform in action.

Conclusion

For merchants choosing between Rivo: Loyalty Program, Rewards and Flyy ‑ Gamified Rewards, the decision comes down to the specific goals of the retention strategy and the technical needs of the storefront. Rivo is the stronger candidate for brands that need a reliable, highly compatible loyalty system with a focus on deep integrations and developer access. Its support for Shopify Plus and established tools like Klaviyo makes it a safe bet for scaling DTC brands. On the other hand, Flyy offers a unique value proposition for those who believe gamification—via scratch cards and variable rewards—is the key to engaging their specific audience, especially if they are operating on a budget that prioritizes higher order limits at lower price tiers.

However, as a store grows, the complexity of managing multiple specialized apps often becomes a bottleneck. The choice is not just about which loyalty app is better, but whether a specialized app is the right architectural choice for the business long-term. Transitioning to an integrated platform can reduce technical debt and provide a more harmonious experience for both the merchant and the customer. Before making a final commitment, verifying compatibility details in the official app listing is a vital step in ensuring the chosen tool fits the current tech stack.

By consolidating loyalty, reviews, and referrals into a single workflow, brands can execute more sophisticated retention strategies with less effort. This approach leads to better data accuracy and a more professional customer-facing interface. To reduce app fatigue and run retention from one place, start by reviewing the Shopify App Store listing merchants install from.

FAQ

Is Rivo or Flyy better for a brand-new Shopify store?

Both apps offer free tiers that are excellent for new stores. Flyy provides a slightly higher order limit (250) on its free plan compared to Rivo (200). However, Rivo’s free plan includes automated email campaigns, which are essential for early-stage retention. The choice depends on whether the merchant prefers a traditional points system or a gamified referral system.

Can I customize the look of these loyalty programs?

Yes, both apps offer customization, but the depth varies. Rivo offers custom CSS and fonts on its $49/month plan and a full Developer Toolkit on its $499/month plan. Flyy allows for customization of referral links and branding elements to match the store's personality, though it is more focused on the visual aspect of its game mechanics like scratch cards.

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

Specialized apps like Rivo and Flyy often provide deep functionality in one specific area, such as gamified referrals or developer-centric loyalty. An all-in-one platform provides a broader range of tools—including reviews, wishlists, and loyalty—in a single interface. While specialized apps might offer a niche feature that an all-in-one tool lacks, the integrated platform usually offers better data synchronization, lower total costs, and a more consistent user experience across the entire site.

Does Flyy ‑ Gamified Rewards support integrations with Klaviyo or Gorgias?

According to the provided data, Flyy does not explicitly list integrations with Klaviyo or Gorgias. Rivo, however, specifically mentions these as part of its core integration suite. Merchants who rely heavily on these tools for their marketing and support should checking merchant feedback and app-store performance signals to see if new integrations have been added to Flyy or to see how other users have managed their tech stacks with these apps.

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