ReturnHQ vs AfterShip Returns & Exchanges

ReturnHQ edges out AfterShip Returns & Exchanges 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: ReturnHQ at Free to install, AfterShip Returns & Exchanges 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 (seats, usage volume, integrations) varies.

AfterShip Returns & Exchanges has the larger user base (1,541 reviews vs 7), which usually maps to broader integration coverage, faster bug-fix cadence, and a deeper bench of community workflow patterns. ReturnHQ's smaller cohort can be an advantage for niche workflows where the bigger app has accumulated bloat.

Recommended by size: small/early-stage merchants who need fast install and low risk should default to ReturnHQ; mid-market and enterprise merchants with specific feature requirements should evaluate both — AfterShip Returns & Exchanges's 1,541-review base may include the workflow context that matches your specific use case better than ReturnHQ'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.

Is ReturnHQ or AfterShip Returns & Exchanges cheaper?

Both ReturnHQ and AfterShip Returns & Exchanges offer paid plans only. ReturnHQ starts at Free to install; AfterShip Returns & Exchanges starts at Free plan available. Compare the per-tier features in the Pricing section above before committing.

Which has better reviews, ReturnHQ or AfterShip Returns & Exchanges?

ReturnHQ has the higher average rating (5.0★ from 7 reviews) compared to AfterShip Returns & Exchanges (4.7★ from 1,541 reviews). Both are tracked daily by AppRanks, so the figures here update each refresh cycle.

Should I choose ReturnHQ or AfterShip Returns & Exchanges?

ReturnHQ holds the higher average rating (5.0★ vs 4.7★). That is the one dimension AppRanks can separate them on here — read both apps' detail pages for the feature breakdown and recent listing changes.

Which is faster to set up, ReturnHQ or AfterShip Returns & Exchanges?

Both apps are one-click installs from the Shopify App Store. AfterShip Returns & Exchanges has the deeper published review base (1,541 vs 7), which often — though not always — accompanies better-tested setup docs. AppRanks doesn't measure setup time directly: read the recent reviews on each app's detail page for user-reported install experience.

Which works better for small vs large Shopify App Store merchants?

ReturnHQ typically suits early-stage and growth-mode teams based on its published review base (7 reviews). AfterShip Returns & Exchanges typically suits early-stage and growth-mode teams based on its published review base (1,541 reviews). A larger review base generally means the app has been exercised at scale — relevant if you are processing high volume or handling enterprise compliance requirements.

Can I migrate data between ReturnHQ and AfterShip Returns & Exchanges?

Migration support varies by app and category. ReturnHQ and AfterShip Returns & Exchanges 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 ReturnHQ" in each app's help center. AppRanks does not track migration tooling directly — this is a category-specific capability worth verifying before commitment.