Side-by-side comparison · 24 data points
Add subscribe and save plans to your products. Offer recurring payments, prepaid or pay-as-you-go.
| Essential Subscriptions App | Shopify Flow | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | ||
| Description | ||
| Screenshots | images | images |
| Languages | ||
| Platforms | ||
| Developer | ||
| Listed | ||
| Last updated | — | — |
Shopify Flow is your automation and integration platform for ecommerce.
| Metric | Essential Subscriptions App | Shopify Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 ★ | 4.7 ★ |
| Total reviews | 3 | ★ 12k |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing | Free | Free plan available |
| Built for Shopify | — | — |
| Listed features | ★ 5 | 3 |
| Featured placements | — | 3 |
| Review velocity (30d) | — | 919 new |
| Languages | 1 supported | 1 supported |
| Listed since | Apr 2026 | Sep 2017 |
Essential Subscriptions App edges out Shopify Flow on rating (5.0★ vs 4.7★), but the gap is small enough that pricing fit and feature differentiation should drive the decision more than the headline number. Pricing entry tiers: Essential Subscriptions App at Free, Shopify Flow at Free plan available. Check each app's tier structure for the capacity limits you actually need before deciding — the headline number is the same shape, but the gating shape per tier (apps, orders, integrations) varies. Shopify Flow has the larger user base (11,574 reviews vs 3), which usually maps to broader integration coverage, faster bug-fix cadence, and a deeper bench of community workflow patterns. Essential Subscriptions App's smaller cohort can be an advantage for niche workflows where the bigger app has accumulated bloat. Recommended by store size: small/early-stage merchants who need fast install and low risk should default to Essential Subscriptions App; mid-market and enterprise merchants with specific feature requirements should evaluate both — Shopify Flow's 11,574-review base may include the workflow context that matches your specific use case better than Essential Subscriptions App's broader-but-shallower coverage. This verdict is generated from the live marketplace data on this page — rating, review count, pricing tier, and category position all refresh from the canonical Shopify App Store listing every 24 hours. AppRanks does not accept payment to influence comparison outcomes; the methodology is documented on the About page and applies identically to every pair on the site.
Read each app's audit: Essential Subscriptions App audit • Shopify Flow audit
| Keyword | Essential Subscriptions App | Shopify Flow |
|---|---|---|
| workflow | Not ranked | #1 |
| automation | Not ranked | #1 |
| workflow automation | Not ranked | #4 |
| subscriptions app | #20 | Not ranked |
| subscription app | #20 | Not ranked |
Not featured in any section recently.
| Signal | Essential Subscriptions App | Shopify Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating | 5.0 ★ (3) | 4.7 ★ (12k) |
| Rating distribution | 5— 4— 3— 2— 1— | 585% 49% 33% 21% 12% |
| Reviews · last 7 days | — | +192 |
| Reviews · last 30 days | — | +919 |
| Reviews · last 90 days | — | +2.3k |
No reviews yet.
Both Essential Subscriptions App and Shopify Flow offer paid plans only. Essential Subscriptions App starts at Free; Shopify Flow starts at Free plan available. Compare the per-tier features in the Pricing section above before committing.
Essential Subscriptions App has the higher average rating (5.0★ from 3 reviews) compared to Shopify Flow (4.7★ from 11,574 reviews). Both are tracked daily by AppRanks, so the figures here update each refresh cycle.
It depends on what you're optimizing for. Essential Subscriptions App fits better if you prioritize rating consistency; Shopify Flow is the call if you need the larger user base. Read both apps' detail pages on AppRanks for the full feature breakdown, install counts, and recent listing changes.
Both apps are one-click installs from the Shopify App Store marketplace. Shopify Flow has more onboarding documentation maturity (11,574 reviews vs 3), which usually translates to better-tested setup wizards and quicker time-to-value. AppRanks doesn't measure setup time directly — read the recent reviews on each app's detail page for merchant-reported install experience.
Essential Subscriptions App typically suits early-stage and growth-mode stores based on its review-base composition (3 reviews). Shopify Flow aligns more with established stores with steady traffic (11,574 reviews). Larger review bases generally mean the app has been load-tested at scale — relevant if you're processing high order volume or handling enterprise compliance requirements.
Amazing app for real, everyone needs this!
super easy. you're going to save me hours. thank you so much
Migration support varies by app and category. Essential Subscriptions App and Shopify Flow both publish their export options on their marketplace listing pages (or in their support docs); some apps offer one-click import from competitors, others require CSV. The fastest check: search "import from Essential Subscriptions App" in each app's help center. AppRanks does not track migration tooling directly — this is a category-specific capability worth verifying before commitment.
