Look, I get it. When you’re starting out with Shopify, every monthly subscription feels like a punch to the gut. I’ve been there myself - staring at app prices wondering if I really need to spend $29/month just to show customer reviews.
That’s why I’ve spent the last few years testing genuinely free Shopify apps (not those “free trial” scams). Here are six apps that cost absolutely nothing but can seriously boost your store’s performance.
Key Free Apps Worth Installing Today
- Product Reviews - Shopify’s own review system (completely free)
- Free Shipping Bar - Increase order values automatically
- Facebook Channel - Easy pixel setup and retargeting ads
- UpCart Cart Upsell - Boost average order value at checkout
- Cartloop SMS - Recover abandoned carts with real human help
- Instagram Hub - Display your Instagram feed on your store
Let me break down exactly why each of these apps made my list and how they can help your store.
1. Product Reviews App (by Shopify)
This one’s a no-brainer since it’s made by Shopify itself. Super basic but gets the job done perfectly.
What it does:
- Displays customer reviews on product pages
- Let’s customers submit reviews easily
- Gives you backend control to publish, hide, or filter reviews
- Import/export reviews via spreadsheets
Is it as fancy as Vitals or Loox Reviews? Definitely not. But here’s the thing - the majority of customers check reviews before buying. If you don’t have reviews displayed, you’re basically leaving money on the table.
I’ve used fancier paid review apps, but honestly? For most stores starting out, this free option handles everything you need without any monthly fees.
2. Free Shipping Bar (by Hextom)
This might be my personal favorite free app. I’ve been using it for over four years across multiple stores.
How it works:
You set a free shipping threshold (like $50), and the app displays a bar at the top of your site showing customers how much more they need to spend. The cool part? It updates automatically as items get added to the cart.
For example, if someone adds a $20 item and you offer free shipping at $50, the bar will say “Only $30 away from free shipping!”
| Free Plan Features | Paid Plan ($9.99/month) |
|---|---|
| Unlimited orders | Additional customization |
| Full customization | Advanced targeting |
| Brand colors | A/B testing |
| Auto-updating | Analytics |
The free plan honestly covers everything most stores need. I’ve never felt pressured to upgrade, and it’s been driving upsells for years without costing me a penny.
Real talk: This simple bar has probably generated thousands in additional revenue across my stores. It’s that effective at encouraging customers to add just one more item.
3. Facebook Channel (Official Facebook App)
Even if you’re not running Facebook ads yet, install this app. It makes connecting your store to Facebook and Instagram stupidly easy.
Key features I actually use:
- One-click pixel installation (normally a nightmare to set up manually)
- Instagram Shopping setup - makes your posts shoppable
- Facebook Shop creation - sync all your products automatically
- Retargeting ads - this is where the magic happens
Here’s what I love about the retargeting feature: When someone visits your store and looks at a product but doesn’t buy, you can automatically show them ads for that exact product on Facebook and Instagram.
The retargeting setup through this app is incredibly simple compared to doing it manually in Facebook Ads Manager (trust me, I’ve done both ways).
One warning: Don’t run your main Facebook ad campaigns through this app. Use Facebook Ads Manager for that. But for retargeting? This app is perfect.
4. UpCart Cart Upsell
I recently discovered this gem, and I’m honestly shocked it’s completely free. Most in-cart upsell apps charge $15-30/month for similar functionality.
What it does:
When someone adds an item to their cart, it shows a clean, professional upsell offer for a related product (with a discount you set). One click adds it to their cart with the discount applied.
Here’s what makes this different from other “free” upsell apps - there are literally no limits. You can create as many upsells as you want, customize the messaging, set discount percentages, everything.
Quick disclaimer: Since this app is so generous with its free features, I wouldn’t be surprised if they eventually add paid plans. But right now? It’s completely free with no catches.
Why upsells matter: Increasing your average order value is often easier than getting more traffic. If you can get customers to spend $10 more per order, that directly impacts your bottom line.
5. Cart Loop SMS Marketing
This one’s different - it operates on a commission model rather than monthly fees.
How it works:
- Install the app and add a phone number field at checkout
- When someone abandons their cart, Cart Loop’s real human team will text them to try to recover the sale
- You only pay a 10% commission on sales they actually recover
- If they don’t recover any sales, you pay nothing
| Free Plan | Paid Plan ($49/month) |
|---|---|
| 10% commission on recovered sales | 7% commission rate |
| Unlimited cart recovery attempts | Priority support |
| Real human SMS team | Advanced analytics |
I love this model because there’s zero risk. You literally only pay when they make you money. For new stores, especially, this is brilliant - you get a professional SMS recovery team working for you with no upfront costs.
Pro tip: You’ll be surprised how many customers willingly give their phone number at checkout when you simply ask for it.
6. Instagram Hub (Instafeed Hub)
Most Instagram feed apps charge monthly fees, but this one is completely free (for now).
What it does:
- Displays your Instagram posts directly on your store
- Makes posts shoppable with product links
- Multiple display styles to match your brand
- Bridges the gap between your website and social media
The idea is that customers see your Instagram content, click through to follow you, and potentially discover products they want to buy through the shoppable features.
Fair warning: This app doesn’t have many reviews yet, so it might be newer. But the functionality works great, and the price (free) makes it worth trying.
Practical Setup Tips
Start with these three first:
- Product Reviews - Essential for any store
- Free Shipping Bar - Immediate impact on order values
- Facebook Channel - Important for future marketing
Then add the others based on your needs:
- UpCart if you want to increase order values
- Cart Loop if you have abandoned cart issues
- Instagram Hub if you’re active on Instagram
Installation order matters: Set up your review system first, then focus on conversion optimization tools like the shipping bar and upsells.
What I Didn’t Include (And Why)
I specifically avoided:
- Print-on-demand apps - Most are free anyway, so not worth mentioning
- “Freemium” apps - Those with severely limited free plans that push you toward paid versions
- Dropshipping apps - Again, most are free by default
These six apps offer genuine value without hidden limitations or aggressive upgrade pushes.
Final Thoughts
Here’s the reality - you don’t need to spend hundreds per month on apps when you’re starting out. These six free options will handle most of what a new Shopify store needs.
Install them, test them, and see which ones actually move the needle for your business. The best part? If an app doesn’t work for your store, uninstalling costs nothing.
Start with the Product Reviews and Free Shipping Bar apps - they’ll make an immediate difference. Then gradually add the others as your store grows.
FAQ
Are these apps really completely free forever?
The ones I’ve marked as “completely free” (Product Reviews, Free Shipping Bar free plan, Facebook Channel) have been free for years. UpCart and Instagram Hub are newer, so they might add paid plans eventually. Cartloop uses a commission model, so it’s free unless it recovers sales for you.
Which app should I install first if I can only choose one?
Start with the Product Reviews app. Customer reviews are essential for building trust and converting visitors into buyers. Everything else can wait, but reviews are non-negotiable.
Do I need technical skills to set these up?
Nope. All of these apps are designed for non-technical users. Most take 5-10 minutes to set up with simple point-and-click interfaces.
Will these apps slow down my store?
I haven’t noticed any significant speed issues with any of these apps. Shopify generally does a good job vetting apps for performance, and since these are popular apps, they’re usually well-optimized.
Can I use multiple upsell apps together?
I wouldn’t recommend it. Stick with one upsell strategy at a time to avoid confusing customers or creating conflicts between apps.