Apps & tools - 10 min read
By Laurynas - Updated
Best 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.
| Logo | 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 combines preorders, backorders, deposits, and restock alerts in one app, with controls for products and Shopify Markets.
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.
App screenshots
How the other preorder apps compare
Preorder, Back In Stock - STOQ
STOQ brings preorder offers and back-in-stock signups together with email and SMS alerts, making it a strong fit for stores that rely on integrations.
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.
App screenshots
Preorder Now Presale Timesact
Timesact gives stores flexible presale campaigns with countdowns, badges, discounts, and options for deposits or split payments.
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.
App screenshots
PreOrder Globo | Back in Stock
Globo covers scheduled preorders and restock notifications with delivery messaging, partial payments, and tools for managing products in bulk.
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.
App screenshots
Notify Me! Back in Stock Alert
Notify Me! pairs preorders with back-in-stock alerts, wishlists, and low-stock widgets to capture demand from shoppers who are not ready to buy yet.
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.
App screenshots
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.
Written by
Laurynas
- 7+ years with Shopify
- 15+ years in ecommerce
Laurynas has over 15 years of experience in ecommerce, including more than 7 years working with Shopify. He brings that background to his writing about Shopify tools and the everyday decisions involved in running an online store.