Rivo: Loyalty Program vs. Line Loyalty: An In-Depth Comparison

Introduction

Choosing the right retention tools is a critical decision for any growing Shopify store. Merchants often find themselves caught between specialized apps that offer deep functionality in one area and broader platforms that aim to cover more ground. The choice between Rivo: Loyalty Program, Rewards and Line Loyalty Program & Rewards represents a common dilemma: balancing developer-friendly customization against cost-effective, no-code simplicity. Both apps aim to solve the same fundamental problem—increasing customer lifetime value—but they approach the solution through different pricing structures and technical priorities.

Short answer: Rivo is tailored for high-growth DTC brands requiring a robust developer toolkit and deep Shopify Plus integration, while Line Loyalty offers a high-value, budget-friendly entry point with comprehensive features for smaller to mid-sized stores. For brands looking to maximize efficiency, transitioning to an integrated platform can significantly reduce the operational friction caused by managing a fragmented app stack.

The following analysis provides a feature-by-feature comparison of Rivo: Loyalty Program, Rewards and Line Loyalty Program & Rewards. By examining their core functionalities, pricing models, and technical capabilities, merchants can determine which solution aligns best with their current scale and long-term retention strategy.

Rivo: Loyalty Program, Rewards vs. Line Loyalty Program & Rewards: At a Glance

In-Depth Comparison Analysis

Selecting a loyalty provider requires looking beyond the initial feature list. It involves understanding how the app will scale as order volume increases and how it integrates into the existing marketing stack. Rivo and Line Loyalty both provide the foundational elements of a points-based system, yet their execution styles cater to different merchant archetons.

Core Loyalty and Rewards Mechanics

At the heart of both applications is the ability to reward customers for specific actions. These mechanics are designed to shift customer behavior from one-time purchasers to repeat buyers.

Points-Based Earning and Redemption

Rivo provides a loyalty points program that allows merchants to define how customers earn and redeem rewards. This includes automated email campaigns to keep customers engaged with their points balance. The focus here is on driving retention metrics through a "ship fast" approach, with the developer emphasizing weekly updates to leverage the latest Shopify technology.

Line Loyalty offers a similar points-based system but highlights a broader range of "earn rules." With over 12 ways to earn, including rewards for purchases, birthdays, and signups, Line Loyalty ensures that customers have multiple touchpoints to interact with the brand. A standout feature for Line is the ability for customers to redeem rewards directly in the cart or on product pages (PDP points), which reduces friction during the checkout process.

VIP Tiers and Lifecycle Engagement

Both apps recognize that not all customers are equal. VIP tiers allow brands to gamify the shopping experience by offering exclusive benefits to their most loyal shoppers.

Line Loyalty includes VIP tiers in its mid-range "Grow" plan ($15/month), making it an accessible feature for stores that are just beginning to experiment with customer segmentation. Rivo also offers VIP tiers, but these are positioned in their "Scale" plan ($49/month). While both apps manage points expiry—a crucial tool for creating urgency—Line Loyalty’s manual adjustment feature gives merchants more granular control over individual customer balances, which can be helpful for customer service resolutions.

Customization and Brand Control

A loyalty program should feel like a seamless extension of the storefront rather than a third-party add-on. The degree of customization available is often a deciding factor for brands with strict visual guidelines.

Visual Identity and Design Flexibility

Rivo places a heavy emphasis on branding, especially at the "Scale" and "Plus" levels. The "Scale" plan includes advanced branding options such as custom CSS and font support, allowing design teams to match the loyalty widget perfectly with the brand's aesthetic. For enterprise-level brands, the Rivo Developer Toolkit unlocks full customization, which is essential for those running unique or non-standard Shopify themes.

Line Loyalty takes a more "no-code" approach. While it offers widget customizations and a dedicated loyalty page, it is designed to be set up quickly without technical assistance. This makes it an excellent choice for merchants who do not have a dedicated developer but still want a professional-looking loyalty portal. The real-time customer insights provided by Line Loyalty help merchants optimize these offers based on engagement data.

Integration with the Shopify Ecosystem

Both apps are built specifically for Shopify and take advantage of modern features like Shopify Flow and Shopify POS. This ensures that loyalty points can be earned and redeemed whether a customer is shopping online or in a physical retail location.

Rivo’s "Plus" plan is explicitly built for Shopify Plus, offering checkout extensions that allow loyalty interactions to happen directly within the native Shopify checkout. This is a significant advantage for high-volume brands looking to maintain a high conversion rate. Line Loyalty also supports Shopify Plus stores and checkout extensions, though its "Enterprise" plan is priced significantly lower at $299/month compared to Rivo’s $499/month.

Technical Ecosystem and Integrations

A loyalty app does not exist in a vacuum; it must communicate with email marketing platforms, help desks, and SMS tools to be effective.

Connectivity with Marketing Tools

Rivo boasts a strong list of integrations, including Klaviyo, Gorgias, Postscript, Attentive, and Fuego. The ability to sync loyalty data with Klaviyo events is a key feature for Rivo’s "Plus" users, enabling highly personalized email flows based on a customer’s reward status.

Line Loyalty also integrates with Klaviyo and Shopify Flow, and it includes a specific integration for Judge.me, a popular review app. This connection is vital because it allows merchants to reward customers for leaving reviews—a powerful way to build social proof while simultaneously driving loyalty. While Line Loyalty has fewer total integrations listed than Rivo, its focus on key tools like Tapday and Judge.me covers the essentials for many Shopify stores.

Migration and Data Management

For merchants switching from another loyalty provider, data portability is a major concern. Line Loyalty explicitly mentions import/export capabilities for migration, which can lower the barrier to entry for brands moving away from older, more expensive solutions. Rivo’s focus is more on the "Developer Toolkit," suggesting that while migrations are supported, they may be handled through their customer success team or via API for more complex setups.

Pricing and Total Cost of Ownership

The pricing models of these two apps diverge significantly as a store scales, impacting the long-term cost of ownership for the merchant.

Free Tiers and Entry-Level Plans

Both apps offer a "Free Forever" plan, which is a great way for new stores to start building a loyal following. Rivo’s free plan supports up to 200 monthly orders, while Line Loyalty’s free plan is slightly more generous, supporting up to 250 monthly orders. Both free plans include the core loyalty points program and branding basics.

Mid-Market Growth

As a store grows, the pricing gap widens. Line Loyalty’s "Grow" plan at $15/month is one of the most competitive in the market, offering VIP tiers, referrals, and API support for a relatively low fee. In contrast, Rivo’s "Scale" plan is $49/month. While Rivo’s plan includes custom CSS and fonts, smaller merchants may find the $15 price point of Line Loyalty more attractive for similar core features.

Enterprise and High-Volume Requirements

At the top end, Rivo’s "Plus" plan costs $499/month. This plan is designed for brands that need priority concierge support and the full power of the Rivo Developer Toolkit. Line Loyalty’s "Enterprise" plan is $299/month and offers unlimited orders, which is a major selling point for high-volume stores that want to keep their app costs predictable.

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

While specialized loyalty apps like Rivo and Line Loyalty provide excellent service, they often contribute to a broader problem known as "app fatigue." As a Shopify store grows, the tendency is to add a new app for every new requirement: one for loyalty, another for product reviews, one for wishlists, and another for referrals. This leads to tool sprawl, where a merchant is managing multiple subscriptions, dealing with fragmented data silos, and struggling with inconsistent user experiences across different widgets.

When a store uses separate apps for loyalty and reviews, the data often doesn't talk to each other. For example, a customer might leave a five-star review but not receive loyalty points because the two apps aren't integrated correctly. This fragmentation can lead to missed opportunities for customer engagement and a higher total cost of ownership as monthly fees from multiple apps stack up.

Growave offers a different philosophy: "More Growth, Less Stack." By integrating loyalty, rewards, reviews, UGC, wishlists, and referrals into a single platform, it eliminates the need for multiple subscriptions and ensures that all retention data is unified. If consolidating tools is a priority, start by comparing plan fit against retention goals.

The benefits of an integrated approach include:

• A unified customer profile where loyalty points, review history, and wishlist items are all visible in one place.
• Consistent branding across all customer-facing elements, from the loyalty widget to the review request emails.
• Reduced site weight, as one integrated script is often more efficient than loading five separate app scripts.
• Lower operational overhead, with only one support team to contact and one dashboard to learn.

For brands focusing on loyalty points and rewards designed to lift repeat purchases, having those systems tied directly to collecting and showcasing authentic customer reviews creates a powerful feedback loop. When a customer receives points for a review, they are immediately incentivized to return and use those points on a new purchase, while the review itself helps convert the next shopper.

Growave also supports high-growth brands through VIP tiers and incentives for high-intent customers, ensuring that the most valuable shoppers receive the attention they deserve. By using review automation that builds trust at purchase time, merchants can scale their social proof alongside their loyalty efforts without extra manual work.

For teams that are unsure how to begin this consolidation, a tailored walkthrough based on store goals and constraints can clarify how an integrated stack fits into a specific business model. Seeing a guided evaluation of an integrated retention stack helps stakeholders understand the long-term value of reducing app sprawl.

Whether a store is just starting out or managing thousands of orders, choosing a plan built for long-term value is essential for maintaining healthy margins while driving growth.

Conclusion

For merchants choosing between Rivo: Loyalty Program, Rewards and Line Loyalty Program & Rewards, the decision comes down to the specific technical needs of the brand and the available budget for retention tools. Rivo is an excellent choice for Shopify Plus merchants who have the resources to utilize a developer toolkit and want the absolute latest in Shopify checkout technology. Its $499 price point reflects its positioning as a premium, developer-centric solution for fast-growing DTC brands.

On the other hand, Line Loyalty Program & Rewards offers exceptional value for money, particularly for stores that need VIP tiers and referral programs without a significant monthly investment. Its $15/month plan and $299/month enterprise tier make it a strong contender for brands that prioritize high order limits and "no-code" ease of use. The 5-star rating from 18 reviews suggests a high level of customer satisfaction among its current user base.

However, as many successful brands have discovered, managing separate apps for loyalty and other retention functions can eventually become a bottleneck. Moving toward an integrated platform allows for a more cohesive customer journey and a clearer understanding of how different retention activities—like reviews and loyalty—impact overall growth. By a pricing structure that scales as order volume grows, merchants can ensure they aren't overpaying for a fragmented stack.

To reduce app fatigue and run retention from one place, start by reviewing the Shopify App Store listing merchants install from.

FAQ

How do I decide between Rivo and Line Loyalty?

The choice usually depends on your budget and technical requirements. If you need deep customization through a developer toolkit and are on Shopify Plus, Rivo is built for that level of complexity. If you are looking for a more affordable, no-code solution that still offers VIP tiers and handles a high volume of orders, Line Loyalty is often the better fit.

Does either app support Shopify POS for offline sales?

Yes, both Rivo and Line Loyalty list Shopify POS as a compatible service. This means customers can earn and redeem loyalty points whether they are purchasing items in your physical store or through your online storefront, ensuring a unified omnichannel experience.

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

Specialized apps often provide very deep functionality in one specific area, such as the advanced developer tools found in Rivo. However, an all-in-one platform like Growave reduces "app sprawl" by combining loyalty, reviews, wishlists, and referrals. This leads to better data integration, a more consistent user experience, and often a lower total cost than paying for four or five separate subscriptions.

Can I migrate my existing loyalty data to these apps?

Line Loyalty explicitly features import/export tools to assist with migration from other platforms. Rivo also supports brand transitions, often through their customer success team or API. It is always recommended to check with the app's support team before starting a migration to ensure all customer points and tier statuses are transferred accurately.

What are the main benefits of using Checkout Extensions for loyalty?

Checkout extensions, supported by both apps on certain plans, allow loyalty interactions—like redeeming points—to happen directly on the Shopify checkout page. This prevents customers from having to leave the checkout flow to find a discount code, which can significantly improve conversion rates and provide a much smoother customer experience.

Is a free plan sufficient for a new Shopify store?

Both apps offer free plans that support 200 to 250 orders per month, which is usually plenty for a brand that is just starting. These plans allow you to test the core functionality of a points program and see how your customers respond before committing to a paid tier. As your order volume increases, you can evaluate checking merchant feedback and app-store performance signals to see if a more comprehensive platform might be necessary for your next stage of growth.

How do loyalty programs impact customer lifetime value (LTV)?

By rewarding repeat purchases and creating a sense of exclusivity through VIP tiers, loyalty programs incentivize customers to return to your store rather than shopping with a competitor. This increase in repeat purchase rate directly boosts LTV and reduces your long-term reliance on expensive customer acquisition through paid ads.

Why is integration with Klaviyo important for loyalty apps?

Integrating your loyalty data with an email marketing tool like Klaviyo allows you to send personalized messages. For example, you can automatically email a customer when they are close to reaching a new VIP tier or remind them when their points are about to expire. This targeted communication is much more effective than generic marketing emails. You can see more about seeing how the app is positioned for Shopify stores to understand how these integrations work in practice.