What are Shopify Subscription and Membership? Imagine turning your Shopify store into a steady income source while keeping customers coming back for more. Shopify subscription and membership models are simple yet powerful ways to grow your business. Subscriptions let customers pay regularly for products, like monthly snack boxes. Memberships offer special perks, like discounts or exclusive access, for a recurring fee. In fact, the global subscription economy could reach $1.5 trillion by 2025,1 showing how popular recurring revenue has become.
In this guide, we’ll explain why these models are a game-changer, how to set them up, and tips to make them work for your store. Whether you’re new to Shopify or a pro, this blog will help you boost sales and build loyal customers.
What is Subscription Management?
Subscription management is about handling everything in your subscription business. This includes billing customers, sending products on time, and letting customers pause or cancel their plans. Good subscription management keeps things organized and makes shopping easy for customers. Shopify apps automate payments, track orders, and show you what customers like, saving you time and keeping customers happy. Most subscribers (86%) put their plans on autopay,2 so having Shopify apps to automate payments, track orders, and manage accounts is crucial.
Why Shopify Subscription and Membership Models Matter
Running an online store can be tough if you only rely on one-time sales. Subscriptions and memberships give you a steady income and help build a loyal customer base. Over half of online shoppers love subscription services, and the subscription market could be worth $1.5 trillion by 2025.3 Shopify website developed with Shopify subscription and membership models, you focus on keeping customers happy instead of constantly finding new ones. Subscriptions mean regular product deliveries, such as pet food or skincare. Memberships offer perks, like special deals, similar to Amazon Prime. Both keep customers coming back and make your business stronger.
Benefits of Offering Subscriptions and Memberships
- Steady Income: Regular payments make it easier to plan your budget and grow your business.
- Happy Customers: Customers love the convenience of deliveries or exclusive perks, so they stick with your brand.
- More Sales Over Time: Subscribers spend more in the long run compared to one-time buyers.
- Lower Marketing Costs: Keeping subscribers is cheaper than finding new customers.
- Learn About Customers: You get data on what customers like, so you can offer better products.
- Build a Community: Memberships create a special group of fans who love your brand.
Shopify Subscription Apps
To start subscriptions, you can use Shopify’s own Shopify Subscriptions app or other popular apps. Here are some great options for 2025:
- Subify: Easy to set up with tools to create subscription plans. It has a customer portal and a free plan with a 2% fee per sale. Paid plans start at $49/month.
- Appstle Subscriptions: Offers tools to track and manage subscriptions with a free plan and paid plans starting at $10/month.
- Recharge Subscriptions: Great for growing businesses, with features like customer portals and bundles. Pricing depends on your needs.
- Smartrr Subscriptions: Let’s you customize plans and track data. Pricing varies based on features.
- PayWhirl: Simple and flexible, with plans starting at $9/month.
How to Set Up Subscriptions on Shopify
- Pick an App: Choose one like Subify or Recharge from the Shopify App Store. Check reviews to find the best fit.
- Install It: Add the app to your store. Most offer a free trial to test it out.
- Create Plans: Decide how often customers get products (weekly, monthly) and if you’ll offer discounts. For example, a monthly coffee subscription could have different sizes.
- Set Up a Customer Portal: Let customers manage their subscriptions (pause, skip, or cancel) through an easy portal.
- Connect to Shopify: Make sure the app works with your store’s inventory and payments.
- Test and Launch: Try a sample subscription, test the checkout, and create a product page to show off your plan. Launch when ready!
How to Create Membership Models on Shopify
Memberships give customers special benefits, like discounts or early access, for a regular fee. Here’s how to set one up:
- Choose a Membership App: Try apps like BOLD Memberships or Simplee Memberships from the Shopify App Store.
- Plan Your Tiers: Offer levels, like a basic tier with 10% off or a VIP tier with free shipping.
- Set Up Billing: Decide if memberships are monthly or yearly and connect to a payment system like Stripe.
- Limit Access: Show special products or pages only to members to make them feel exclusive.
- Create a Member Portal: Let members manage their plans and see perks online.
- Promote It: Share your membership on your website, emails, and social media to get sign-ups.
Shopify Subscription and Membership Pricing
- Shopify Subscriptions App: Free with Shopify Payments. Other payment systems have fees: 2% (Basic plan), 1% (Grow), or 0.6% (Advanced).
- Subify: Free plan with a 2% fee per sale; paid plans start at $49/month with a 1% fee.
- Appstle: Free plan available; paid plans start at $10/month.
- Recharge: Custom pricing, best for bigger stores.
- BOLD Memberships: Starts at $19.99/month with a free trial.
- Shopify Plans: Start at $5/month for Starter, but most use Basic ($29/month) or higher. Annual plans save 25%
Tips to Maximize Your Subscription or Membership Sales
- Make It Flexible: Let customers pause or skip deliveries to keep them happy.
- Offer Deals: Give discounts for yearly subscriptions or rewards for loyal members.
- Personalize: Use customer data to suggest products they’ll love
- Track Data: Check app reports to see what’s working and improve your plans.
- Keep It Simple: Make signing up and managing subscriptions easy.
- Bundle Products: Offer subscription boxes with multiple items to increase sales.
- Keep Customers Happy: Add special perks or a community to stop customers from leaving.
SEO & Marketing Tactics to Promote Your Plans
To get more people to join your Shopify subscription and membership plans, try these ideas:
- Use Keywords: Add words like “Shopify subscription and membership” or “subscribe and save” to your website and blogs to show up on Google.
- Write Blogs: Share posts like “Why Our Subscription Saves You Money” to explain benefits.
- Send Emails: Email customers about your plans, deals, or reminders if they left without signing up
- Use Social Media: Share fun posts on Instagram or TikTok with customer stories and hashtags like #ShopifySubscriptions.
- Run Ads: Use Google Ads with keywords like “best Shopify subscription plans” to find new customers.
- Get Reviews: Ask subscribers to leave reviews to build trust and help your Google ranking.
- Create Landing Pages: Make a special page for your subscription or membership with clear sign-up buttons.
Why Choose Glossy IT for Your Shopify Subscription Success
Struggling to set up or optimize your Shopify subscription and membership models? Glossy IT is here to make it simple. Our expert Shopify developers at Glossy IT Shopify Development Services create tailored subscription and membership solutions that fit your brand. We handle everything, from building custom subscription apps to integrating seamless payment gateways and automating inventory. Our team ensures your store is fast, user-friendly, and designed to grow with your business. With Glossy IT, you get stunning storefronts, smooth operations, and expert guidance to boost your recurring revenue. Contact us for a free consultation and start transforming your Shopify store today.
Conclusion
Shopify subscription and membership models are easy ways to make your store successful. They bring steady money, keep customers loyal, and save marketing time. Apps like Subify, Appstle, or Recharge make subscriptions simple, while BOLD Memberships help with exclusive perks. Set up your plans, keep them flexible, and use smart marketing to grow subscribers. Try a free app trial and watch your Shopify store thrive.
FAQ- Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I run both a subscription and a membership on the same store?
Answer: Yes, you can combine both models to offer tiered experiences or additional value to your loyal subscribers.
2. Do I need Shopify Plus to use subscriptions?
Answer: No, most subscription apps work on the Basic, Shopify, and Advanced plans.
3. Is there a free way to offer memberships?
Answer: You can use limited-access pages and tagging with free or low-cost apps, though premium tools offer better automation and control.
4. Does Shopify offer a subscription service?
Answer: Yes, Shopify supports subscription services through third-party apps like Recharge, Appstle, and Seal Subscriptions. Shopify has also introduced native subscription APIs that integrate seamlessly with its checkout for a smoother experience.
5. What’s the difference between a subscription and a membership on Shopify?
Answer: A subscription delivers products or services at recurring intervals (e.g., monthly box), while a membership grants access to exclusive content, discounts, or VIP perks for a recurring fee.
6. What are the best subscription apps for Shopify?
Answer: Top-rated options include:
- Recharge Subscriptions
- Appstle Subscriptions
- Seal Subscriptions
- Bold Subscriptions
- Shopify Subscriptions (free app from Shopify)
7. Does Shopify offer a subscription service?
Answer: Shopify does not offer a lifetime free subscription tier. Instead, new users can start with a 3-day free trial, no credit card required. After the trial, Shopify often promotes a special offer, typically charging $1/month for the first three months,4 then billing at standard plan rates (starting at ~$29/month for Basic plan). This special pricing is available to new customers only.