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 | Recharge Subscriptions App | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | ||
| Description | ||
| Screenshots | images | images |
| Languages | ||
| Platforms | ||
| Developer | ||
| Listed | ||
| Last updated | — | — |
The subscription platform built for the world’s fastest-growing brands.
| Metric | Essential Subscriptions App | Recharge Subscriptions App |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 ★ | 4.8 ★ |
| Total reviews | 3 | ★ 2.2k |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing | Free | Free plan available |
| Built for Shopify | — | — |
| Pricing tiers | — | 3 tiers |
| Listed features | 5 | 5 |
| Featured placements | — | 3 |
| Languages | 1 supported | 1 supported |
| Listed since | Apr 2026 | Oct 2014 |
Essential Subscriptions App edges out Recharge Subscriptions App on rating (5.0★ vs 4.8★), 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, Recharge Subscriptions App 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. Recharge Subscriptions App has the larger user base (2,183 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 — Recharge Subscriptions App's 2,183-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 • Recharge Subscriptions App audit
| Keyword | Essential Subscriptions App | Recharge Subscriptions App |
|---|---|---|
| subscribe and save | #15 | #8 |
| subscription app | #20 | #6 |
| subscriptions app | #20 | #8 |
| subscribe | #23 | #10 |
| subscription form | #44 | #27 |
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Both Essential Subscriptions App and Recharge Subscriptions App offer paid plans only. Essential Subscriptions App starts at Free; Recharge Subscriptions App 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 Recharge Subscriptions App (4.8★ from 2,183 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; Recharge Subscriptions App 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. Recharge Subscriptions App has more onboarding documentation maturity (2,183 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). Recharge Subscriptions App aligns more with early-stage and growth-mode stores (2,183 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.
Migration support varies by app and category. Essential Subscriptions App and Recharge Subscriptions App 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.
