Best Shopify CRM Apps: A Practical Guide for DTC Brands

Neetika M
April 23, 2025
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For Shopify merchants, growth isn’t just about traffic, it’s about doubling growth from the customers you already have. Remember, new customer acquisition is way more expensive than nurturing the existing ones. That’s where Shopify CRM apps come in.

Tailored for fast-moving DTC brands, these apps offer native Shopify integrations, powerful automation, and revenue-driven features. They bring email, SMS, loyalty, and support into one view, making it easier to boost retention, increase LTV, and personalize the customer journey.

This guide explores the key features of a great Shopify CRM app and how to pick the right one for your store’s unique needs.

What are Shopify CRM Apps?

Shopify CRM apps help you manage your acquired customers at ease. They enable you to communicate with them, engage with them, and essentially maintain your customer relationship. 

A Shopify CRM app is designed to seamlessly integrate with your storefront. It seamlessly syncs essential customer and order data, such as:

  • Purchase history
  • Products bought
  • Cart behavior
  • Tags, loyalty status, and customer notes

You don’t need to manually import/export, everything syncs in real time.

Personalized Communication at Scale

Shopify CRM apps let you deliver targeted messages via:

  • Email - tailored product recommendations, loyalty updates
  • SMS - timely offers and shipping alerts
  • Chat - real-time customer service or WhatsApp marketing

All triggered by customer actions like purchases, page views, or time since last order.

Post-Purchase and Retention Flows

With Shopify CRM apps, you can automate:

  • Review requests
  • Cross-sell emails
  • Winback flows
  • Loyalty reward reminders

Instead of relying only on first-time conversions, you build a system that nurtures long-term relationships and maximizes customer lifetime value.

What do Shopify CRM Apps Do?

The best Shopify CRM apps do more than store data, they power smarter marketing through deep integrations and automation. Here’s what to look for to maximize their impact.

Email Marketing Integration

Use your CRM to automate:

  • Welcome series
  • Abandoned cart recovery
  • Post-purchase product education
  • Loyalty reward reminders

SMS/WhatsApp Integration

Pair your CRM with tools like Zoko to:

  • Send order confirmations and delivery updates
  • Share limited-time offers via WhatsApp
  • Re-engage dormant customers with flash sales

Loyalty Program Integration

Sync loyalty data to:

  • Trigger reward emails
  • Create VIP-only flows
  • Segment customers by tier

Live Chat + Helpdesk Integration

Tools like Gorgias or Reamaze let your support agents:

  • See CRM data while chatting
  • Personalize responses based on order history
  • Tag customers for follow-up sequences

Retargeting & Paid Ads Integration

Push segmented audiences from your CRM into:

  • Facebook Custom Audiences
  • Google Ads customer match
  • TikTok Ads retargeting

More targeted ads = better ROI.

Key Features in Shopify CRM Apps

When selecting an app for Shopify CRM, make sure they have the following features: 

Deep Shopify Integration

A true Shopify CRM app doesn’t just connect, it integrates deeply. Look for tools that offer:

  • Instant access to customer and order history
  • Real-time updates triggered by every purchase or cart action
  • Event-based triggers like abandoned carts or new subscriptions

Smart Segmentation and Tags

Your CRM should let you create dynamic customer segments such as:

  • VIP customers (e.g., spent over $200)
  • Inactive shoppers (no orders in 60+ days)
  • First-time buyers or newsletter subscribers

Automate emails, SMS, or WhatsApp flows based on these behaviors, no manual work needed.

Multi-Channel Automation

Top Shopify CRM apps allow you to:

  • Send SMS offers to high-intent users
  • Trigger welcome emails to new subscribers
  • Launch reactivation flows for dormant customers

Customer Data Consolidation

Your Shopify CRM apps should give you a single customer view across all touchpoints - orders, emails, chats, and support tickets. This is crucial for personalizing your communication and aligning your marketing and support teams.

Ease of Use & Integration

Look for CRM apps that offer:

  • Native Shopify integration (no workarounds)
  • Clean UI/UX for non-technical users
  • Easy syncing with your existing tools (email, SMS, loyalty apps)

Reliable Support & Resources

A great Shopify CRM app provides:

  • Responsive customer support
  • Solid documentation and onboarding help

Top Shopify CRM Apps – Features & Use Cases

1. Zoko: WhatsApp CRM 

Zoko: WhatsApp CRM

Zoko turns WhatsApp into a full-featured CRM platform tailored for Shopify stores. With Zoko, you can manage customer conversations, automate messages, tag and segment users, send bulk broadcasts, and even collect payments, all from one unified dashboard.

Key Features:

  • Two-way WhatsApp chat with customers
  • Automated flows for cart recovery, order updates, and promotions
  • Customer tagging and segmentation
  • Bulk broadcasts and campaign analytics
  • Payment collection via WhatsApp

Shopify Integration: Zoko connects directly with your Shopify store to pull in customer, order, and cart data. This allows for personalized automations like abandoned cart reminders or order status updates - all sent via WhatsApp in real time.

Pricing: Starts at $39.99/month

Use Case Example: Send personalized cart recovery messages or shipping updates via WhatsApp, increasing conversion rates and customer satisfaction.

2. Froonze Loyalty Wishlist & CRM

Froonze enhances the native Shopify customer account with powerful loyalty, wishlist, and CRM features. It improves customer experience by making their account dashboard more functional and interactive.

Key Features:

  • Wishlist management
  • Loyalty program with reward points
  • Customer profile widgets
  • Reorder button and order history display
  • Customizable account design

Shopify Integration:
Froonze integrates directly with Shopify’s customer accounts and order data, enabling real-time wishlist and loyalty syncing without third-party tools.

Pricing: Free to install. Loyalty and Wishlist features are available as separate plans. Click "See all pricing options" for full details.

Use Case:
Trigger loyalty reminders or wishlist-based emails when a customer adds a product to their wishlist but doesn’t convert.

3. Ako Loyalty Retargeting CRM

Ako Loyalty Retargeting CRM

Ako helps Shopify brands combine loyalty programs with precision ad retargeting across Facebook and Instagram. It bridges marketing automation with loyalty engagement.

Key Features:

  • Loyalty point tracking
  • Referral rewards
  • Custom audience sync to Meta Ads
  • VIP tier creation
  • Post-purchase thank-you flows

Shopify Integration:
Ako syncs customer and loyalty data from your Shopify store to Meta Ads Manager, making it easy to create powerful, loyalty-based retargeting campaigns.

Pricing:
Free plan available; paid plans begins at $29/month.

Use Case:
Run retargeting ads for high-point customers who haven’t purchased in 30+ days, improving retention and ROAS.

4. Reamaze: AI Chat & Helpdesk

Reamaze: AI Chat & Helpdesk

Reamaze is a multi-channel helpdesk solution with built-in CRM functionality, perfect for Shopify merchants who want to combine support and customer management.

Key Features:

  • Live chat, email, and social support inbox
  • AI chatbots and auto-replies
  • Workflow automation
  • FAQs and knowledge base
  • Internal notes and customer tagging

Shopify Integration:
Reamaze pulls customer data, order history, and tracking info directly into support conversations, allowing agents to resolve tickets faster and personalize responses.

Pricing:
Starts at $29/month per team member.

Use Case: Use AI bots to upsell based on past purchases or loyalty tier while supporting customers in real-time.

5. AiT: Loyalty Program & Email CRM

AiT: Loyalty Program & Email CRM

AiT is a hybrid tool that fuses loyalty tracking with email outreach. It lets you create point-based rewards, run referral campaigns, and personalize emails based on point milestones.
Key Features:

  • Point-based loyalty and rewards
  • Referral and VIP programs
  • Email & SMS marketing automation
  • Review collection
  • Web push notifications

Shopify Integration:
AiT deeply integrates with your Shopify customer and order data, enabling automated emails based on point milestones, purchases, or inactivity.

Pricing: Free plan available; premium starts at $29/month.

Use Case: Send an automated email when a customer is 50 points away from a reward to encourage a repeat purchase.

6. Klaviyo: Email Marketing & SMS 

Klaviyo is widely regarded as the go-to platform for email and SMS marketing on Shopify. It uses real-time customer behavior (views, adds to cart, purchases) to trigger hyper-personalized flows. You can A/B test messages, segment deeply, and measure ROI at every touchpoint.

Key Features:

  • Behavior-based email & SMS flows
  • A/B testing and analytics
  • Predictive analytics (LTV, churn risk)
  • Product recommendations
  • Real-time Shopify event triggers

Shopify Integration:
Klaviyo integrates natively with Shopify to sync orders, products, and customer behavior in real-time, perfect for abandoned cart flows, product follow-ups, and VIP segmentation.

Pricing: Free up to 250 contacts; paid plans start at $15/month.

Use Case: Send personalized product recommendations via email and SMS based on browsing history and past orders.

7. ActiveCampaign Email Marketing

ActiveCampaign gives you robust marketing automation layered with sales pipeline features. With its Shopify connector, you can segment contacts by product preferences, purchase frequency, and behavior.

Key Features:

  • Email automation and drip campaigns
  • Sales CRM with pipeline tracking
  • Site and email behavior tracking
  • SMS and web chat options
  • Predictive sending and content

Shopify Integration:
The Shopify app allows real-time syncing of customer and order data, enabling segmentation by product preferences, purchase frequency, or LTV.

Pricing: Starts at $19/month 

Use Case: Run a reactivation email series targeting one-time buyers with personalized bundles and discount incentives.

8. Gorgias

Gorgias is a Shopify-focused customer support platform that brings CRM-style capabilities into your helpdesk. It centralizes customer interactions and lets your support team respond faster and more personally, all from one dashboard.

Key Features:

  • Centralized customer tickets across email, chat, and social
  • Real-time access to Shopify order data
  • Automated responses and macros
  • Custom tags and internal notes for segmentation
  • Actionable insights and support metrics

Shopify Integration:
Gorgias integrates natively with Shopify, allowing agents to view customer profiles, edit orders, process refunds, and apply tags. without leaving the support panel.

Pricing: Starts at $10/month for basic plans. Tiered pricing based on ticket volume and features.

Use Case:
Respond to support requests with full customer context, then tag and trigger follow-up flows via your primary Shopify CRM app for upsells or re-engagement.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid with Shopify CRMs

Too Many Tools, Not Enough Strategy

Don’t fall into “app overload.” Adding too many disconnected tools creates more problems than it solves. Opt for a Shopify CRM app built to unify your data and scale effortlessly.

Siloed Customer Data

If your CRM doesn’t talk to your email, SMS, or loyalty platform, you’ll end up with fragmented experiences and missed opportunities.

Misaligned Automation

Make sure your workflows match customer intent. For example, don’t send a welcome discount to someone who’s already placed an order.

How to Choose the Best CRM Apps for Your Shopify Store

Not every Shopify CRM app is created equal, and not every store needs the same features right out of the gate. Choosing the right CRM app depends heavily on where your brand is in its growth journey, what your current pain points are, and how much bandwidth you have to manage new tools.

Here’s how to make the best decision for your store:

Align with Your Store Size & Growth Stage

Your ideal Shopify CRM app should match the complexity of your operations.

  • Solo founder? Start lean. A lightweight Shopify CRM like Klaviyo or ActiveCampaign gives you powerful email and SMS automation without overwhelming features. These are perfect for getting your first flows up and running.
  • Scaling DTC brand? Once you're handling higher order volumes and juggling multiple channels, you’ll want a Shopify CRM with robust segmentation, analytics, and multi-channel automation. Look for platforms that can manage both retention and acquisition efforts.
  • Agency or large enterprise? If you manage multiple Shopify stores or brands, consider an enterprise-grade Shopify CRM app with deep integrations, customizable workflows, and team-level permissions. These CRMs offer centralized data management and scalability across teams.
Prioritize What You Need Now (And Later)

The beauty of a good Shopify CRM app is its flexibility, you don’t need every feature on day one. Focus on the essentials first, then layer on advanced capabilities as your business grows.

Start with:

  • Automated email flows (welcome, abandoned cart, product education)
  • Cart recovery campaigns
  • Post-purchase sequences to build loyalty from the first order

Then scale into:

  • Loyalty program triggers for repeat purchases
  • Support CRM integrations that align customer service with marketing
  • WhatsApp marketing for real-time, personalized communication
Checklist Before You Commit to a Shopify CRM App

Before you hit “install,” make sure your chosen Shopify CRM app checks all the right boxes:

Does it have strong Shopify App Store reviews and active support?

  • Is it compatible with your existing tech stack (email, SMS, loyalty, support)?
  • Can you easily import/export customer data if you switch platforms later?
  • Does it offer clear onboarding, tutorials, and documentation to help you get started?

Choosing the right Shopify CRM app isn’t just about features, it’s about finding the best fit for your store’s strategy, resources, and growth goals. The right decision today can unlock months (or even years) of compounding retention-driven revenue.

Conclusion

A Shopify CRM app is more than just a customer database, it’s the foundation for building meaningful, revenue-generating relationships at scale. By unifying your marketing, sales, and support data, a CRM for Shopify empowers you to automate personalized experiences, boost retention, and drive long-term growth without relying solely on paid ads. Whether you're just starting out or scaling fast, the right Shopify CRM app helps you turn one-time buyers into loyal brand advocates, making it one of the smartest and most strategic investments your store can make.

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Another popular Shopify checkout app is Checkout Promotions. The app comes with the ability to leverage a collection of highly robust visibility rules that help show customers one-click post purchase upsell promotions after an order payment has been made. Some of its key features include:

Features

AI recommended and manual recommendations for upselling.

Complete branding control.

Checkout Upsell for increasing AOV.

AI recommended and manual recommendations for upselling.

Pricing

Development

Free

Monthly Plan

$99/ month

Plus Plan

$99/ month

Plus Plan

$99/ month

FAQs on Shopify CRM Apps

Is there a CRM in Shopify?
Is Shopify a CRM or CMS?
Does Shopify have a customer base?
Does Shopify have a CMS?
Is HubSpot CRM free?
What are CRM advantages and disadvantages?
Neetika M

Neetika M

Neetika is the founder of Skai Lama. Passionate about building SaaS, Product Development, and Marketing, she talks about eCommerce Growth, Product Bundling, Gifting, Retention, and Shopify.
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