5 Shopify preorder apps compared in 2026

The right Shopify preorder app turns an unavailable product into a clear, trustworthy purchase path. We compared five popular options for preorder controls, restock alerts, payment flexibility, discounts, and value - so you can match the app to the way your store sells.

At a glance: five Shopify preorder apps

Prices and ratings below are listed on the Shopify App Store. Plans, ratings, usage limits, and introductory offers can change.

Feature details come from the linked Shopify App Store listings. The comparison's Best for labels and final recommendation are DetectStack editorial assessments.

App	Rating	Starting price	Best for
Essent Preorder Back in StockRecommended	★ 5.0 1,209 reviews	Free; paid plans from $5/month	Best overall - preorders, restocks, multi markets and deposits in one app
Notify Me! Back in Stock Alert	★ 4.9 3,578 reviews	Free; paid plans from $9.90/month	Best for back-in-stock alerts, low-stock tools, and wishlists
Preorder, Back In Stock - STOQ	★ 5.0 3,523 reviews	Free; paid plans from $10/month	Best for Klaviyo and other integrations for restock
Preorder Now Presale Timesact	★ 5.0 1,957 reviews	Free; paid plans from $5/month	Best for launch campaigns and countdowns
PreOrder Globo \| Back in Stock	★ 4.9 1,840 reviews	Free; paid plans from $9.90/month	Best for scheduled preorders, delivery notes, and CSV management

Our winner: Essent Preorder Back in Stock

Essent Preorder Back in Stock is the best choice for most Shopify stores because it covers the core job well without forcing a complex workflow: preorders, backorders, deposits, partial payments, product-specific rules, restock alerts, and configurable buttons and forms.

It also handles two details that matter as a store grows: Shopify Markets support and mixed-cart validation. The free plan includes 10 preorders and 300 back-in-stock notifications per month, while paid plans begin at $5/month. That makes it a strong option for smaller stores testing preorders and for established stores that need more control.

Best balance: preorder and restock features in one focused tool.
Payment flexibility: full payment or deposits.
Customer clarity: configurable buttons, forms, emails, and market-specific campaigns.
Good entry point: a usable free plan, a $5/month paid starting point, and 30% off the first month.

How the other preorder apps compare

Preorder, Back In Stock - STOQ

Starting price: Free; paid plans from $10/month

Discounts and payments: Discounts, deposits, and partial payments.

Where it stands out: Feature-rich preorder and notify-me workflows with email/SMS alerts integrations.

Choose it when: Best for broad integrations.

View app

Preorder Now Presale Timesact

Starting price: Free; paid plans from $5/month

Discounts and payments: Automatic discounts, deposits, partial and split payments.

Where it stands out: Flexible presale campaigns, countdowns, and badges.

Choose it when: Best for campaign flexibility.

View app

PreOrder Globo | Back in Stock

Starting price: Free; paid plans from $9.90/month

Discounts and payments: Automatic discounts and partial payments.

Where it stands out: Straightforward preorder, restock, Shopify Markets, and CSV tools.

Choose it when: Best for a straightforward setup.

View app

Notify Me! Back in Stock Alert

Starting price: Free; paid plans from $9.90/month

Discounts and payments: Discounts, partial payments, and payment schedules.

Where it stands out: Back-in-stock alerts, preorder, wishlist, low-stock widgets, and email/SMS/push notifications.

Choose it when: Best for notify-me and wishlist.

View app

What to look for in a Shopify preorder app

Do not pick an app only because it can change a button to Pre-order. A reliable preorder setup needs a clear customer promise and controls that match your fulfilment process.

Stock rules: enable campaigns only for the products, variants, and locations you can fulfil.
Delivery messaging: show an honest shipping or availability date before checkout.
Payment model: choose full payment, deposit, or payment schedule deliberately.
Discount controls: apply a fixed or percentage discount only where it protects margin.
Back-in-stock capture: keep a notify-me form for shoppers who prefer to wait.
Market compatibility: test your primary countries, currencies, shipping, and checkout flow.
App ecosystem compatibility: confirm the app works with the tools you already rely on. A developer that actively maintains more than one Shopify app can be a positive signal, but always verify the integrations you need.