We Found the 13 Best Ecommerce Subscription Service Platforms for 2024

Last updated: August 23, 2023

Staying ahead of the competition and keeping customers interested has become more complex than ever in the fast-paced world of ecommerce. Adopting innovative techniques is critical for Shopify online stores to attract new clients and retain their loyalty.

Upscribe understands that as a game-changing trend in the online retail industry, ecommerce subscription services provide a solution that caters to customer preferences and provides businesses with a consistent flow.

But to effectively manage a subscription business, you need the right tool.

In this article, we’ll examine a few of the best ecommerce subscription platforms (including features, pricing, pros, and cons) to help you decide which is best.

Let’s go!

What are ecommerce subscription services?

Ecommerce subscription services are an ecommerce business model that allows customers to order and receive products on a recurring basis. Customers sign up for a subscription plan and receive their product(s) regularly—usually (but not always) at a discounted rate from the original, one-time purchase price.

A wide range of ecommerce businesses, including cosmetics, snacks, coffee, fragrances, home goods, and more, has employed the subscription revenue model. This broad adoption can be attributed to the model’s ability to accommodate various customer preferences and needs while allowing businesses to remain profitable.

Types of ecommerce subscription services (with examples)

Access subscription model

With the access subscription model, the focus isn’t just on delivering products at a set frequency.

Subscribers also gain access to exclusive benefits, such as:

Content (e.g., Netflix, Spotify, Hulu, etc.)
Discounts (e.g., Beekeeper’s Naturals offers subscribers 15% discounts + free shipping)
Products (e.g., Four Sigmatic has members-only products)

This subscription model gives customers an extra incentive to subscribe beyond convenience.

Replenishment subscription model

The replenishment (or “auto-ship”) subscription model allows you to receive essential items and goods regularly, saving you the trouble of making a purchase every time you need them. This is ideal for food, medications, and supplements since customers don’t need to worry about running out of everyday essentials.

For example, AG1’s replenishment subscription model makes life easier for customers by ensuring consistent delivery of products. They provide a schedule to ensure subscribers receive their orders regularly (ideally, as they’re running out of products from the previous cycle).

Curation subscription model

The curation subscription model involves customers signing up for a selection of products the company curates. These items might be hand-picked based on preferences or tailored to a specific lifestyle or need.

This type of subscription is fantastic since it makes customers feel unique and valued. Imagine receiving a box every month with items that someone thought you might enjoy based on your preferences. It gives users the impression that the organization knows them well and cares about them.

The Maple Box Subscription is a great example of a successful application of the curation subscription model. They offer a highly customizable quarterly plan, where you can receive a curated collection of seasonal organic products and the latest issue of Maple magazine within that period.

Why are ecommerce subscription services important?

Reduce costs

According to a McKinsey & Company survey, acquiring new clients might be 5 to 25 times more expensive than retaining existing ones.

Companies that use subscriptions to create loyal customers save money on advertising to get new customers. This also allows them to spend less money on things like order management and inventory management, potentially saving companies a significant amount of money!

Better revenue forecasts and projections

Creating reliable budgets, strategies, and spending plans is almost only possible with predictable income. Offering subscriptions is an effective way to solve this problem.

Having monthly or annual subscription plans enables you to make better estimations of how much revenue your business will generate in a given period. This is especially true if you can rely on a subscription service platform like Upscribe that provides detailed analytics covering:

Subscriber numbers
Average order value
Recurring revenue
Churn

Allows for better personalization

According to the Accenture Global Consumer Pulse Survey, 56% of shoppers prefer to buy from a retailer that knows their name. Subscriptions enable businesses to personalize their offerings for each consumer due to the amount of data the subscription model generates.

There are tons of ways to personalize the subscription experience.

For example, with Upscribe’s Klaviyo integration, businesses can send customized email flows to upsell customers and scale their subscription program. This can encourage customers to buy more items or try new products, which is beneficial to the growth of your business.

Enhanced customer engagement

Subscriptions let businesses engage with their customers at a much deeper level. By offering personalized recommendations and tailored experiences, businesses can build stronger relationships with their subscribers.

For example, using Upscribe’s subscription analytics, businesses can track and analyze customer behavior to gain insights into their preferences and buying patterns. This information can then be used to create targeted marketing campaigns, special offers, and personalized product recommendations that are more likely to resonate with customers.

In addition, subscriptions also create a sense of exclusivity for subscribers, making them feel like they’re part of an exclusive club or community. This can lead to increased brand loyalty and advocacy as subscribers feel more connected to the brand.

Simplified inventory and cash flow management

Ecommerce subscriptions make predicting financial needs simpler because of their regular, repeated nature.

Businesses can forecast their future earnings based on the number of people subscribed and how much they’re paying. They also have to think about how often customers leave and renew their subscriptions. This model leads to steady cash flow, making managing finances easier.

Being able to predict how much product you’ll need to cover demand is also a huge advantage.

Easier differentiation

Subscription services help businesses stand out in crowded markets. They address different customer needs through three main ways:

Curation
Replenishment
Access

Curation aims to pleasantly surprise customers, while replenishment ensures they always have what they need. Access models provide special benefits, offering more opportunities to sell related products and customize offerings.

All of these approaches represent value that traditional models struggle to replicate.

Criteria to consider when choosing ecommerce subscription service platforms

Before considering all the options available, you need to determine your business needs.

Different subscription service platforms offer different features and can perform different services. Making the appropriate choice will be more straightforward if you know your company’s needs.

When selecting an ecommerce subscription service platform, keep the following in mind:

Robust inventory management

For your subscription business to succeed, you need to be able to keep tabs on your stock in real time. That’s where inventory management comes into play.

An inventory management system satisfies your consumers by ensuring you always have enough stock of whatever they need. At the same time, it helps you avoid selling more than you have. Excellent inventory management is essential for seamless operations, whether your store is large or small.

Level of customization

If your brand is well-defined, you’ll probably want the ability to customize your online store (and subscription platform) to match. You might want to customize elements like widgets or sections to match your vision. Before you pick a platform, make sure it allows for these adjustments.

Integrations

When deciding on the best platform for your online store, keep two things in mind:

Integrations
Plugins

These tools can help your store do more—whether it’s connecting to social media or accepting payments. Because not all platforms provide the same tools, determine what your store requires and check to see if the platform offers those tools. It’s like selecting the best tools for the job to improve the efficiency of your store.

Payment and billing flexibility

A key aspect of subscription services is the recurring billing model. Choose a platform that offers flexible billing options, supports various payment methods, and can handle different billing cycles to accommodate the diverse preferences of your customers.

Data analytics and insights

Understanding customer behavior and preferences is critical for subscription-based businesses. Opt for a platform that offers robust analytics and insights, helping you make informed decisions and tailor your offerings to meet customer needs better.

Compliance and security

Make sure that the platform complies with relevant legal and industry standards, especially regarding data security and privacy. This is important for building trust with your customers and protecting sensitive information.

Cost-effectiveness

Finally, evaluate the cost implications of the platform. It should offer a good balance between features and price to make sure you get value for your investment without overstretching your budget.

13 Best ecommerce subscription service platforms

Consider the unique features, pricing, and reviews when choosing an ecommerce subscription platform to ensure it meets your business objectives.

These tools can assist you in creating tailored shopping experiences, successfully managing subscriptions, and increasing consumer loyalty.

Upscribe: For growing Shopify businesses
Subbly: For integrated checkout
SubscriptionFlow: For automated subscription management
Recurly: For subscription billing
Sellfy: For subscription ecommerce website creation
Cratejoy: For small subscription box businesses
Shift4Shop: For those looking for a Shopify alternatives
Pabbly: For simplified taxes
Volusion: For third-party subscription integrations
Podia: For coaches and creators who want to sell digital content and services
ProfitWell: For accurate subscription metrics on a budget
Woo Subscription: For WordPress-based ecommerce sites
Zoho Billing: For subscription management with integrated business solutions

1. Upscribe

Upscribe is a subscription service platform designed specifically for Shopify businesses.

Brands like True Botanicals, , Athletic Greens, and RYZE Superfoods trust Upscribe to deliver a fantastic subscription experience through intuitive self-service customer portals, powerful analytics, and subscription-focused growth tools.

Relevant Features

Subscriber Experience: Upscribe offers an intuitive customer portal that enhances the feel and functionality of your online store. It allows subscribers to manage their subscriptions easily with options for pausing, adding products, and more via web, mobile, SMS, and email.
Growth Tools: Shopify businesses can reduce churn rates with timed payment retry and smart cancellation. These tools allow merchants to recover declined payments and provide gifts and discounts to customers considering cancelling their subscriptions. Additionally, Upscribe gives merchants intuitive and advanced dashboards that let them track their overall performance.
Single-Click Reorder Functionality for non-subscribers:: Your customers can now make one-time purchases at your store without subscribing, providing flexibility and convenience. Upscribe also makes their reordering seamless, with reordering functionality available via SMS or email.

Pricing

At Upscribe, we offer one plan designed for any subscription business.

Our subscription service platform costs $100 monthly plus 1% for each transaction with Upscribe’s regular plan—no additional costs for transactions with free priority assistance.

This fixed rate is accessible to all ecommerce businesses and allows you to scale without worrying about price hikes and overages.

2. Subbly

Subbly is a platform designed especially for subscriptions.

Over 9,000 businesses use Subbly to take advantage of the benefits of subscription billing. You can easily launch your subscription business with a no-code website builder and a range of logistics and operations tools. You can also integrate Subbly’s checkout if you already have an online store.

Relevant Features

Website Customization
Integrated Checkout
Multiple Payment Providers

Pricing

Subbly offers four paid plans.

Lite costs $19/month, Basic costs $39/month, Subbly costs $79/month, and Advanced costs $159/month. Transaction fees vary based on your chosen plan but expect to pay 1% to 1.25% per transaction.

There’s also an enterprise plan for large companies.

Pros

Built-in subscription features (no add-ons required)
CSV exports available
No plugins for most features

Cons

No multi-language support in the Lite plan
Automations only available in premium plans
Not many third-party payment gateways available

Reviews

Rating: 4.9 · ‎169 reviews

3. SubscriptionFlow

SubscriptionFlow is a valuable tool for subscription-based businesses.

It helps merchants maximize the value of their subscription plans with managed subscriptions, on-time payments, and a smooth subscription process. SubscriptionFlow also provides various tools to help businesses track their customers and subscriptions for simplified admin.

Relevant Features

Simple Subscription Upgrades/Downgrades
Multiple Pause/Resume Methods
Integrations
Ecommerce Optimization Tools

Pricing

SubscriptionFlow provides flexible pricing plans tailored to different needs.

Choose from the Startup plan at $149/month for three users, the Rise plan at $199/month for ten users, and the Scale plan at $299/month for 25 users. For larger organizations, there’s a custom Enterprise plan.

Pros

In-depth analysis and statistical reports
Easy payment collections
Extensive subscription management

Cons

No free trial periods
Inexperienced support staff

Reviews

Rating: 4.9 · ‎28 reviews

4. Recurly

Recurly is a well-known subscription platform trusted by many businesses around the world.

It’s a one-stop shop for managing subscriptions and collecting payments. With Recurly, you can quickly customize your subscription plans by setting pricing rules, setup fees, add-ons, and discounts. You also gain access to tons of useful tools for subscriber management and growth.

Relevant Features

Range of Pricing Models
Subscription Analytics
Trials, Discounts, and Coupons
Dunning Campaigns & Backup Payment Methods

Pricing

Recurly offers its Core plan for free for one year to businesses with less than $40,000 in annual subscription revenue. After that, the plan costs $249 per month.

They also offer Professional and Elite plans, but you’ll need to request a quote for pricing information.

Pros

Excellent support staff
Integration with a wide range of payment processors and gateways

Cons

High pricing plus transaction fees

Reviews

Rating: 4.6 · ‎58 reviews

5. Sellfy

Sellfy caters to businesses of all sizes, offering a seamless solution to kick-start sales without any hassle.

The platform includes features for marketing and marketing to customers via social media or your online store. It also allows your consumers to manage their subscriptions independently, making things easier for everyone.

Relevant Features

Mobile Optimization
Upselling Tools
Localization
Online Store Customization

Pricing

The Starter plan costs $29/month and supports up to $10k in monthly sales.

Business (up to $50k in annual revenue) and Premium (up to $200k in annual revenue) plans cost more at $79/month and $159/month, respectively.

Pros

Creates stores quickly and easily
Clear and fast payment procedures

Cons

Inefficient customer service
The user interface is not user-friendly

Reviews

Rating: 4.5 · ‎30 reviews

6. Cratejoy

Cratejoy makes it incredibly simple to launch your own subscription box business.

They have a range of templates and tools that make setup quick and painless. When you launch your subscription box, it’ll automatically be listed on the Cratejoy marketplace with marketing and promotional support.

Relevant Features

Access to the Cratejoy Marketplace
Marketing and Promotional Support
Subscription Site Designer
Analytics

Pricing

Cratejoy only offers a single pricing plan for all businesses.

It costs $24.99 monthly and 1.25% + $0.10 per transaction.

Pros

Intuitive design and ready-to-use templates
Advanced analytics and tools
Easy to create and manage subscriptions

Cons

Customer service could be faster
Payment processors and third-party apps are limited
UI is a bit outdated

Reviews

Rating: 4.3 · ‎41 reviews

7. Shift4Shop

Shift4Shop is designed to be user-friendly, particularly for those who are new to ecommerce.

The tool provides an easy-to-use dashboard, customizable themes, and tools for managing subscriptions and plans. You can create product catalogs, process payments, and even manage shipping. It also has powerful analytics tools to help you understand customer behavior and optimize your store for success.

Relevant Features

Ecommerce Website Builder
Order Management Software
Optimized for Mobile Commerce
Multiple Payment Processors

Pricing

For new customers, Shift4Shop offers its eCommerce platform solution for $29/month with PayPal. The unlimited, enterprise-grade plan is $0 with a minimum of $500 monthly processed transactions.

Pros

Built-in and ready-to-use subscription features
Robust platform
Affordable pricing plans

Cons

Monthly transaction fees
Inconsistent customer support

Reviews

Rating: 4.1 · ‎129 reviews

8. Pabbly

Pabbly Subscription Billing is a subscription platform that helps businesses manage recurring billing.

It simplifies things by handling billing, taxes, and subscription management. With Pabbly Subscriptions, you can easily track what people buy, manage goods, and view reports about your payment process.

Relevant Features

Tax Automation
Built-In Affiliate Module
Dunning Management
Zero Transaction Fees
Customizable Checkout Pages
One-Time & Recurring Payments

Pricing

Pabbly offers three plans—Plus Standard for $25/month, Plus Pro for $50/month, and Plus Ultimate for $100/month.

Pros

Works without the need for a website
Offers tiered pricing for subscriptions
Advanced dashboard

Cons

Customer service needs improvement
UI is not intuitive and a bit confusing

Reviews

Rating: 4.5 · 67 reviews

9. Volusion

Volusion is an ecommerce platform with a range of features for subscription businesses.

Setting up an online store with products, categories, and warehouses is easy. For subscription products, you can define pricing rules and charge customers on a recurring basis. There are also analytics features to help you track subscriptions.

Relevant Features

Free Themes
Site Builder
Integrated Checkout & Payments
Partner Marketplace

Pricing

Each of Volusion’s four plans has different features.

Pricing ranges from $35/month for Personal, $79/month for Professional, and $299/month for Business. Prime varies in cost depending on gross merchandise volume.

Pros

User-friendly
Powerful ecommerce tools
No coding required for website building

Cons

Minimal site modification options
Limited integrations with third-party apps
Costly premium themes

Reviews

Rating: 3.2 · 63 reviews

10. Podia

Podia is a platform designed to make it easier to sell digital products and services like online courses, coaching sessions, webinars, and community access.

With features spanning web design, content creation, marketing, and billing, Podia aims to give creators a one-stop shop for selling digital products.

It’s easy to create subscription plans around your content and expertise—either charge a subscription for access to your content and knowledge or set up plans for recurring services (like coaching).

Relevant Features

Create courses, webinars, communities, and coaching programs
Set up one-time or recurring plans
Grow your audience through email marketing

Pricing

Podia has a free plan with 8% transaction fees. The Mover plan ($33/month) and the Shaker plan ($75/month) have zero transaction fees.

Pros

No transaction fees for premium plans
Unlimited hosting
Free-forever plan

Cons

The page builder needs improvement
No open API

Reviews

Rating: 4.6 · 88 reviews

11. ProfitWell

ProfitWell allows you to track and analyze your subscription metrics—from churn rates, customer lifetime values (CLTVs), and monthly recurring revenues (MRRs). This helps optimize your subscription pricing strategy and ensures your business remains competitive and valuable.

Relevant Features

Advanced Algorithms for Customer Retention
Audit-Proof Revenue Recognition
Intelligent Pricing

Pricing

Fastspring Metrics is completely free.

However, premium features come at an additional cost. Advanced customer retention prices vary based on revenue recovered. Audit-proof revenue recognition starts at $1,000/month, and Intelligent Pricing starts at $15,000/month.

Pricing plans for Enterprise are custom.

Pros

Powerful insight and analytics
Provides an extensive overview of important SaaS metrics
Retention feature works really well

Cons

Some metrics are difficult to understand
Premium features are costly

Reviews

Rating: 4.7 · 21 reviews

12. Woo Subscription

Woo Subscription is a WordPress plugin that offers ecommerce businesses a versatile set of tools for managing and selling subscription-based products.

Woo Subscriptions integrates with WordPress sites and extends the WooCommerce platform to create products that are both physical and digital subscriptions.

Relevant Features

Manage Multiple Subscriptions
Integrations with Payment Gateways
Subscriber Account Management

Pricing

While the WooCommerce plugin itself is free, additional costs are incurred for unique features and capabilities. These costs vary based on the chosen themes and plugins for each store.

Other costs, like payment processing fees (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction) and optional features like email marketing, SEO, product recommendations, bookings, and subscriptions, vary based on usage.

Pros

Customization and integration
Ease of use
Cost-effectiveness

Cons

Setup and usability challenges
Integration and plugin issues
Limited out-of-the-box functionality

Reviews

Rating: 4.6 – 917 reviews

13. Zoho Billing

Zoho Billing (formerly Zoho Subscriptions) is an end-to-end billing tool that offers a range of features for subscription businesses.

With a focus on automation and customization, it allows for easy integration with other Zoho tools like CRM and accounting software.

Relevant Features

Customizable reports
Zoho Ecosystem Integrations
Comprehensive Automation
Flexible Billing

Pricing

Zoho Billing offers four monthly pricing plans for you to choose from—Standard (up to 100 customers), Professional (up to 500 customers), Premium (up to 1,000 customers), and Elite (up to 3,000 customers).

It’s important to note that subscriptions are not available on the Standard plan, so you’ll need to upgrade to at least Professional.

Pros

Effective billing management
Automated payment processing
Flexibility and customization

Cons

Difficulty in managing multiple subscriptions
Limited functionality and clunky interface
Integration limitations

Reviews

Rating: 4.5 – 88 reviews

Ready to unlock ecommerce subscription success?

Ecommerce subscription services have brought a new era of individualized shopping experiences, allowing businesses to interact deeply with their customers while establishing consistent revenue streams.

Businesses can succeed in increasingly competitive markets by embracing subscription models and leveraging the platform. The tools above can help companies monitor their program’s success, compare performance to competitors, and optimize pricing plans.

With Upscribe, you gain access to a wide selection of tools designed to enhance the benefits of subscription models. Build compelling offers, prevent churn, improve CX, and more.

Get started with a demo today!