Best Shopify Pre-Order Apps to Prevent Lost Sales (2025)

In the competitive world of eCommerce, managing your inventory effectively can be the difference between a sold-out success and a missed opportunity. A Shopify pre-order app is a vital tool that allows you to sell products before they are in stock, turning potential lost sales into guaranteed revenue. These apps help you gauge demand for new products, manage customer expectations for out-of-stock items, and improve your cash flow by securing payments upfront. This guide provides an in-depth analysis of the top pre-order apps available on the Shopify App Store, based on real user ratings, features, and pricing to help you make an informed decision for your business in 2025.

What you’ll find in this guide:

• A summary table of the Top 9 Shopify Pre-order apps for a quick comparison.
• Detailed reviews of each app, highlighting key features, user ratings, and pricing structures.
• A practical guide on how to choose the right pre-order app for your store's specific needs.
  

Top 9 Shopify Pre-orders Apps Picked by Letsmetrix

Before diving into the detailed reviews, here is a summary of the top pre-order apps, comparing their key attributes to help you find the best fit quickly.

1. Preorder, Back In Stock ‑ Stoq

​Stoq has established itself as a powerful and reliable choice for merchants looking to manage out-of-stock inventory. Its blend of features makes it ideal for handling waitlists, pre-orders, and backorders with deposits. The app's strength lies in its customization and automation capabilities.

You can create:

• Customizable preorder buttons and restock alerts that align with your brand's design.
• Automated email and SMS notifications for when products are restocked.
• Waitlists to gauge customer interest and capture future sales.
• B2B preorder campaigns and manage inventory across multiple locations.

Rating: 5.0/5-star (2345 reviews).

Pricing: A free plan is available for 10 preorders per month. Paid plans start at $10/month, with additional tiers at $29/month and $69/month.

2. Notify! Back in Stock|PreOrder

​Notify! is a versatile app that excels at enhancing inventory management through its integrated "Notify Me," "PreOrder," and "Wishlist" functionalities. It is designed to automate customer communication and support a wide range of preorder scenarios, making it great for both D2C and B2B stores.

Key features include:

• Automated restock alerts sent via email, SMS, or push notifications.
• Support for preorders with discounts and partial payments.
• A low stock counter to create urgency and drive conversions.
• A built-in wishlist feature to boost customer engagement.

Rating: 4.9/5-star (2684 reviews).

Customer Support: Offers dedicated support via chat, phone, or email.

Pricing: A free plan is available for 5 Preorders. Paid plans are offered at $9.90/month, $29.90/month and $59.90/ month.

3. Preorder | Notify Me Timesact

​Timesact is designed for businesses that want to drive pre-sales by offering incentives. The app focuses on engaging customers with flexible payment options and automated communication, helping to generate anticipation for upcoming products and secure sales effectively.

The app offers:

• Options for partial payments and deposits.
• The ability to offer discounts on pre-ordered items.
• Automated emails to keep customers informed about their pre-order status.
• "Notify Me" functionality for restock alerts.

Rating: 5.0/5-star (1691 reviews).

Pricing: A free plan is available for first 10 presale orders. Paid plans start at $1/month, with a higher tier at $19/month (or $168/year).

4. Essent Preorder Back in Stock

​Essent Preorder Back in Stock provides a comprehensive solution for managing various types of advance sales. It enables businesses to continue selling even when products are out of stock, offering a robust set of features for creating engaging presale campaigns and improving revenue flow.

Core features include:

• Customizable "Preorder Now" buttons.
• Flexible partial payment options, including deposits and deferred payments.
• Strike-through pricing to highlight presale discounts.
• Preorder limits to manage inventory and campaign scope.

Rating: 4.9/5-star (688 reviews).

Pricing: This app has free plan for 10 preorders/mo FREE. Paid plans start at $9/month, $25/month and $59/month.

5. PreOrder Globo | Back in Stock

​PreOrder Globo focuses on simplifying the preorder and customer notification process. It provides a straightforward way to replace the standard "Add to Cart" button with a preorder option for out-of-stock items, helping to recover sales and keep customers engaged.

With this app, you can:

• Easily add preorder buttons to specific products or variants.
• Offer partial payments with optional discounts.
• Customize delivery notes for pre-ordered items.
• Send automated back-in-stock email alerts to interested customers.

Rating: 4.9/5-star (1527 reviews).

Pricing: Starts with a free plan for first 20 presale orders. Paid tiers are available at $9.90/month and $19.90/month, with yearly discount options.

6. EZ PreOrder: Presale Manager

​EZ PreOrder is built for seamless integration and clear communication. It allows sellers to easily manage presales for upcoming or out-of-stock products while ensuring the customer experience is transparent by adding custom notes to the preorder button.

It enables you to:

• Add custom notes to inform customers about shipping timelines.
• Integrate a preorder button that automatically matches your store's theme.
• Display pre-order badges on collection pages to highlight products.
• Simplify the setup process for launching presale campaigns quickly.

Rating: 4.4/5-star (102 reviews).

Pricing: A free plan is available for 10 pre-orders per month. Paid plans are offered at $10, $15, and $20 per month.

7. WOD: PreOrder Now

​PreOrder Now by WOD offers a suite of advanced tools designed to help merchants manage demand without overstocking. It provides unique features like mixed cart alerts and bulk management, making it a strong choice for stores with complex inventory needs.

Standout features include:

• Mixed cart alerts that notify customers if their order contains both in-stock and preorder items.
• Bulk management tools to apply settings across multiple products at once.
• Scheduled preorders that activate automatically on a specific date.
• Stylish product badges and inventory rules to control preorder quantities.

Rating: 4.5/5-star (1024 reviews).

Pricing: A free plan is available. Paid tiers are $19.95/month, $39.95/month, and $59.95/month.

8. Early Bird: Preorder & Restock

​Early Bird is focused on helping businesses forecast demand and secure sales through highly flexible preorder campaigns. It is well-suited for various launch types and provides tools to convert waitlists into sales while keeping customers informed throughout the process.

The app provides:

• A versatile preorder manager for different campaign styles.
• Split payments and auto-capture options, often combined with discounts.
• Back-in-stock alerts to convert waitlists into paying customers.
• Real-time performance tracking to forecast demand accurately.

Rating: 4.9/5-star (40 reviews).

Pricing: Includes a free plan for 10 preorders/month. Paid options are $19/month, $49/month, and $99/month, with yearly discount options.

9. Stok: Back In Stock Alert

​Stok is a dedicated notification app designed to recover lost sales by alerting customers when products are available again. It uses multiple communication channels to ensure your message reaches your audience, helping to boost demand and re-engage interested shoppers.

The app features:

• Automatic notifications via email, SMS, or WhatsApp.
• Customizable templates and widgets to match your brand.
• A waitlist for out-of-stock items to measure interest.
• Product analytics and tools to grow your customer email list.

Rating: 4.8/5-star (91 reviews).

Pricing: A free plan is available. Paid plans are offered at $10/month, $20/month and $49.99/month.

How to Pick the Right Pre-orders Shopify Apps for Your Store?

Choosing the best pre-order app depends entirely on your store’s unique requirements. Consider the following factors to make a well-informed decision:

• Core Functionality: Determine your primary need. Do you need simple pre-order buttons for upcoming products, or do you require a robust system that includes back-in-stock alerts, waitlists, and wishlists? Apps like Stoq offer an all-in-one solution, while Stok focuses purely on notifications.
• Payment Flexibility: If you sell high-value items or want to make purchasing easier for customers, look for apps that support partial payments, deposits, or split payments. Apps like Downpay and Essential Preorder specialize in this area.
• Customization and Branding: Your pre-order button and notifications should match your store's look and feel. Check if the app allows you to customize colors, text, and email templates. EZ PreOrder is noted for its seamless theme integration.
• Budget and Pricing Model: Evaluate the app’s pricing structure. Many offer a free plan, which is great for new or small stores. For paid plans, check if they are based on the number of pre-orders, revenue generated, or a flat monthly fee. Choose one that aligns with your sales volume and budget.
• Automation and Integration: An effective app should save you time. Look for automation features like scheduled pre-orders or automatic notifications. Also, consider integrations with tools you already use, such as Klaviyo for email marketing or Shopify Flow for custom workflows.
• Scalability: Select an app that can grow with your business. Review the features available in higher-tier plans to ensure they will meet your future needs as your store expands.

FAQs about Pre-orders Apps on Shopify

1. Why should I use a pre-order app on Shopify?

A pre-order app helps you capture revenue from products that are temporarily out of stock or have not been released yet. It allows you to gauge customer demand before investing in inventory, reduces the risk of overstocking, improves cash flow, and builds excitement for new launches.

2. Can I offer discounts on pre-orders with these apps?

Yes, many pre-order apps, such as Preorder | Notify Me Timesact and PreOrder Globo, allow you to offer discounts as an incentive for customers to place a pre-order. This can be an effective strategy to boost initial sales for a new product.

3. Do pre-order apps handle partial payments or deposits?

Absolutely. Several apps are specifically designed to handle flexible payment options. Apps like Downpay, Essential Preorder & Presale, and Early Bird enable you to accept a deposit or a partial payment upfront, with the remaining balance collected later. This is particularly useful for high-ticket items.

4. How do "back-in-stock" alerts work with pre-order apps?

Many pre-order apps combine both features. When a product is out of stock, customers can sign up for a waitlist. The app then automatically sends a notification via email, SMS, or push notification once the product is available again. This re-engages interested customers and helps recover sales that would have otherwise been lost.

Conclusion

Selecting the right Shopify pre-order app is a strategic move that can significantly impact your sales and inventory management. Whether you need a simple tool for back-in-stock alerts, a comprehensive system for managing partial payments, or a free solution to get started, there is an app tailored to your needs.

By reviewing the features, ratings, and pricing outlined in this guide, you can choose an app that not only prevents lost sales but also enhances customer engagement and provides valuable insights into product demand. The best choice will align with your business goals, budget, and the specific needs of your customers.