What is the best Shopify gift cards alternative?

It depends on why you're leaving. If you need gift cards that work across more than one system (a POS plus an online store, or several venues on different platforms) Wrapped is the closest fit, because it holds one balance across every till you run. It's also the answer if you want things a native gift card doesn't do at all: experience vouchers, refund-to-credit, Apple and Google Wallet, a branded gifting storefront, corporate gifting. If you're moving on cost alone, sell through one ecosystem and only need a cash-value card, your POS or eCommerce platform's built-in gift cards are the cheaper answer. This page covers 4 options and what each is best for.

Can I migrate my existing Shopify gift cards gift cards to a new platform?

Usually yes, and you should insist on it: outstanding gift cards are liabilities you owe your customers, so they must keep working through a switch. Wrapped supports importing existing gift cards including codes, remaining balances and expiry dates; self-managed migration import is included on every plan, and premium onboarding ($300 one-time) adds managed migration. Check your current agreement for export rights and notice periods before you commit.

How much does switching from Shopify gift cards cost?

Wrapped starts at $49 per month (Basic), $99 (Pro) and $199 (Plus), in USD, with annual billing saving 20%. Each plan includes a monthly activation allowance (50, 200 and 500 respectively) with a per-activation rate beyond it. There is a 14-day free trial, and no long-term contract. The real cost of switching is usually staff retraining and the migration itself rather than the subscription.

Do I have to stop using Shopify gift cards to use Wrapped?

In most cases no. Wrapped sits above your existing sales channels rather than replacing them, so the underlying POS or eCommerce platform keeps working exactly as it does today. The difference is that the gift card balance becomes shared across every connected channel instead of being locked to one.

Alternatives / Shopify gift cards

Shopify gift card app alternatives

By Natasha Mazey Published 12 August 2026 Last reviewed 12 August 2026

Shopify's native gift cards work inside Shopify. If you need cards that also work at a non-Shopify POS, as experience vouchers, or across multiple venues, here are the alternatives worth comparing, and where native Shopify is still enough.

Two questions decide this. Does the card need to work in more than one system? And do you need anything a plain cash-value balance can't do, experience vouchers, refund-to-credit, wallet passes, corporate gifting? Answer no to both and native gift cards will serve you. Answer yes to either and you want a platform that works across every till you run. Each option below covers what it's best for and where it falls down.

Why businesses look for a Shopify gift cards alternative

You run a physical location on something other than Shopify POS, such as Lightspeed, Square or Heartland, and need one balance across both.
You want to sell experience vouchers or issue store credit, not just cash-value gift cards.
You need refund-to-credit at the point of sale to keep revenue in the business.
You operate several sites or brands and need consolidated liability reporting.

4 alternatives to Shopify gift cards

1. Wrapped

A POS-independent gift card platform: one shared balance across 30+ POS and eCommerce integrations, plus a hosted branded gifting storefront, experience vouchers, store credit and refund-to-credit, and Apple/Google Wallet.

Best for:: Businesses running more than one system, whether that is a POS plus an online store or several venues on different platforms, and anyone who wants gift cards, vouchers and store credit on one ledger with liability reporting finance can close on.
Watch out for:: It's a separate SaaS subscription from $49/month on top of your POS. If your whole operation sits inside one ecosystem and a plain cash-value card is all you need, the native option covers it. It just won't do vouchers, refund-to-credit, wallet passes or corporate gifting.

2. Shopify native gift cards

Included with Shopify: gift card products sold through checkout, redeemable at Shopify checkout and Shopify POS.

Best for:: Merchants operating entirely within Shopify, including Shopify POS.
Watch out for:: Does not extend to non-Shopify POS or third-party ordering channels.

Read the full comparison

3. Rise.ai and similar Shopify apps

Shopify App Store tools that add store credit, loyalty and gift card workflows on top of Shopify.

Best for:: Shopify-centric brands wanting deeper credit and loyalty mechanics without leaving the Shopify ecosystem.
Watch out for:: Still fundamentally Shopify-scoped, because the in-store side depends on Shopify POS.

4. GiftUp

A lightweight gift card platform that embeds into a Shopify storefront.

Best for:: Low-volume gift card sellers wanting minimal fixed cost.
Watch out for:: Lighter POS redemption depth than a full omnichannel platform.

Read the full comparison

When staying with Shopify gift cards is the right call

If Shopify is your entire business, with checkout online, Shopify POS in store and Shopify Email for marketing, and a plain cash-value card is all you sell, the native gift card is well integrated and costs nothing extra. What it won't do is experience vouchers, refund-to-credit, Apple and Google Wallet, scheduled delivery, a gifting storefront on your own domain, or corporate gifting. Want any of those and you need a layer above Shopify, whether or not you sell anywhere else.

Four questions to settle it

Where does the card need to be redeemable? More than one system, and you need a platform that works across all of them.
Cash only, or vouchers and store credit too? Experience vouchers and refund-to-credit aren't universal, and retrofitting them later is harder than choosing for them now.
Who needs the liability numbers? If finance closes monthly on gift card liability, reporting depth matters more than card design.
What's the real switching cost? Migrating outstanding balances, retraining staff, and any notice period on your current contract.

For a longer version of this framework, see the buyer's guides by industry or the comparison of gift cards, store credit and experience vouchers.

Competitor descriptions reflect publicly documented behaviour at the time of writing and are not official statements from those vendors. Verify current capability and pricing directly before making a decision.