Shopify free gift apps that boost order value

Ecommerce is a brutal game. Thousands of Shopify stores are fighting for attention, and customers are more distracted than ever. Standing out requires more than just great products. You need the right incentives to nudge people toward bigger purchases.

This is where free gifts come in – a simple yet powerful way to increase average order value (AOV) and customer retention.

Offers like Buy two, get one free or Spend $100, get a bonus gift to create urgency and perceived value. The result? More sales, happier customers, and stronger brand loyalty.

But let’s be real – setting up and managing free gift promotions isn’t always smooth sailing. Running multiple campaigns, ensuring inventory doesn't run out, and tracking effectiveness? Now that’s where things get messy.

This guide cuts through the noise. I’ll show you how to launch free gift campaigns using Shopify’s built-in features and specialized apps, set up rules that maximize revenue, and avoid common pitfalls.

How free gifts drive Shopify store revenue

If you want customers to spend more, give them a reason to.

Free gifts work because they create a psychological trigger. People will add extra items to their cart just to hit the qualification threshold. That means a direct boost to your average order value.

But the impact goes beyond a single sale.

Customer retention skyrockets when shoppers feel rewarded. In fact, 90% of customers who receive a free gift say they’re more likely to buy again. That’s repeat revenue without the customer acquisition cost.

You might be surprised to know that, from a marketing perspective, free gifts beat traditional discounts. Instead of slashing prices and devaluing your products, you can offload slow-moving inventory in a way that feels like a perk.

Then there’s the brand perception factor. A well-chosen free gift increases perceived value, making customers feel appreciated. And when people feel good about their purchase, they talk. In fact, 65% of gift recipients are likely to share their positive shopping experience. The formula is pretty simple: more exposure, more word-of-mouth referrals, more new customers.

The bottom line is that free gifts aren’t just a nice gesture – they’re a conversion and retention engine. Done right, they drive higher revenue, stronger loyalty, and organic brand growth, all without cutting into your profit margins.

Add free gifts using Shopify's built-in discount features

Although Shopify doesn’t offer a dedicated free gift system, you can still run simple gift promotions using its built-in discount engine. The "Buy X Get Y" discount type lets you automatically apply a free product when customers meet the purchase conditions.

There are two reasons why you should consider using Shopify’s discount system:

• No extra cost. It’s completely free, with no need for third-party apps.
• Native integration. Works seamlessly with Shopify’s checkout and reporting tools.

That said, there are a few limitations to bear in mind:

• Limited flexibility. There isn’t a way to set up multi-tier gift structures (e.g. different gifts for different spending levels).
• Basic functionality. No product variant-specific quantity pricing or bulk discounting.

If all that sounds good to you, follow these steps to set up a free gift campaign with Shopify's discount features:

1. From your Shopify admin, navigate to Marketing → Discounts and click Create Discount.
2. Select the “Buy X Get Y” discount type to create a conditional free gift offer.
3. Define the “X” (qualifying purchase) by setting the required number of items or order value that triggers the free gift.
4. Choose the “Y” (free gift item) by selecting the product that will be added as a free gift.
5. Set discount conditions to limit usage per customer, set start and end dates, and adjust eligibility settings as needed.
6. Activate the discount and advertise it on product pages, banners, or checkout reminders.

This method is a quick, no-cost way to implement free gifts, but for advanced gifting campaigns – like multi-tier rewards or auto-applied gifts – you’ll need an app.

Best Shopify apps for running free gift offers

Since Shopify’s built-in discount system has limitations, many merchants rely on third-party apps for seamless free gift automation, advanced rules, and better tracking.

Let’s look at two top-rated apps for running free gift promotions:

1. BOGOS

BOGOS is a powerful app designed for automated free gift management, offering advanced rule-based promotions that go beyond Shopify’s built-in discount system. The app has earned a Built for Shopify badge and works with Shopify POS.

Key features:

• Gift slider. Allows customers to choose their preferred free gift. This is a great way to increase engagement and improve perceived value.
• Cart drawer integration. Ensures customers instantly see their rewards in the shopping cart. This reduces cart abandonment and improves conversion rates.
• Real-time analytics. Provides deep insights into campaign success, helping merchants optimize promotions for higher ROI.

Pricing starts at $29.99 per month with a 7-day free trial.

But is BOGOS right for you? Let’s look at the pros and cons of the app:

Pros:

• Advanced customization options. You can set up promotions based on the user’s URL, location, customer tags, and more.
• Multiple gift options. Customers can either receive gifts automatically added to their cart or select from a gift slider for more control.
• Real-time analytics. Lets you track revenue impact and monitor AOV improvements to optimize campaigns.
• Excellent support. Fast live chat assistance to help you resolve any issues that may come up.

Cons:

• Additional cost. Monthly pricing starts at $29.99 and goes up to $99.99.
• Platform dependency. Requires a third-party integration, meaning ongoing compatibility updates are needed.
• Performance impact. Extra scripts could slightly affect store loading speed. This can negatively affect the customer’s experience on your store.
• Regular maintenance. Merchants must monitor updates regularly to ensure smooth operation.

For merchants looking to automate and scale their free gift campaigns, BOGOS delivers the flexibility and insights needed to boost conversions and maximize AOV.

2. Gift Box

Gift Box is designed for Shopify merchants who want an effortless way to automate free gift promotions without modifying their store’s theme. With a focus on speed and ease of use, it provides a streamlined solution for boosting conversions through strategic gifting.

Key features:

• Automatic gift addition. Hands-off automation ensures customers receive their gifts seamlessly, reducing friction at checkout.
• Compatible with existing discount codes. The app works alongside Shopify’s discounts seamlessly, enabling stacked promotions to drive higher conversions.
• Customer gift selection. Allows shoppers to pick their free gift from a list, enhancing engagement and perceived value.

Pricing starts at $19.99/month, with a 3-day free trial available for testing.

Let’s also look at the pros and cons of going with Gift Box:

Pros:

• Performance optimization. Uses asynchronous loading via Cloudflare CDN, ensuring fast performance without impacting store speed.
• Sales impact. Well-placed gift incentives can drive up average order value by as much as 15%, making it a powerful revenue booster.
• Flexible setup. Comes with five pre-defined templates and customizable gift conditions based on spending thresholds, product collections, and more.
• Analytics dashboard. Tracks views and purchases influenced by free gifts, giving merchants a data-backed view of their campaign success.

Cons:

• Draft order limitations. Does not support custom checkout solutions or allow additional discount codes when using draft orders.
• Cart visibility. Free gifts only appear at checkout, meaning customers won’t see them in their cart before purchasing.
• Pricing structure. Plans range from $19.99 for the Starter Plan to $99.99 per month. This makes it a premium option, depending on your Shopify plan.
• Limited gift rules. Lacks advanced targeting features such as setting a maximum limit on free gifts per order.

Other Shopify free gift apps

If you're looking for alternative free gift solutions, here are some additional apps that can help automate and optimize your gifting campaigns:

Avada Upsell & Free Gift

Avada Upsell lets merchants create targeted free gift offers, volume discounts, and upsell promotions to increase revenue.

Key features:

• Auto-add gift rules. Automatically add free gifts to carts based on spending thresholds or product purchases.
• Tiered discounts. Encourage larger purchases with multi-level incentives.
• Urgency features. Countdown timers and progress bars boost conversions by driving impulse buying.
• Seamless integration. Works effortlessly with Shopify’s ecosystem, ensuring quick setup.

This app is ideal for beginners looking to combine free gift promotions with upsell tactics for maximum impact.

Monk Free Gift with Purchase

Monk allows for detailed rule-based gift campaigns, including BOGO (Buy One, Get One), cart value-based gifts, and spend-threshold rewards.

Key features:

• Drag-and-drop builder. Easily create promotions with an intuitive interface.
• Flexible campaign rules. Set up gifts based on customer tags, product categories, or order value.
• Progress bars and dynamic messaging. Keep customers engaged and motivated to reach gift thresholds.

This app works well for stores that want customized free gift logic (i.e. the ability to set up free gifts the way they want) with an easy-to-use interface.

Free Gift on Cart Manager Pro

The Free Gift on Cart Manager Pro app enables merchants to set up gift-based incentives directly from the cart page, making the process seamless.

Key features:

• Auto-add gifts or manual selection. Allow customers to choose their preferred gift.
• Discount stacking. Combine free gifts with other promotions without conflicts.
• Cart page integration. Ensure gift visibility before checkout for a smooth customer experience.

This app is best for businesses looking to boost cart conversions without overcomplicating the setup.

Sales Motivator – Free Gifts

Designed to drive higher conversions, the Sales Motivator app uses gift-based promotions to incentivize larger purchases.

Key features:

• Real-time progress bars. Encourage customers to unlock more rewards.
• Dynamic messaging. Show personalized messages based on customer actions.
• Flexible reward conditions. Set up gifts based on cart value, product categories, or customer behavior.

Perfect for stores that want to gamify free gift promotions to increase engagement.

GoodApps Free Gifts

GoodApps provides an easy way to create free gift promotions with minimum purchase requirements.

Key features:

• Multi-tiered promotions. Lets you offer different free gifts based on spending levels.
• Automatic gift addition. No manual intervention is required from the customer. Gifts are automatically added to their carts.
• Customizable design. You can match gift promotions with your store’s branding.

This app is ideal for merchants who want creative control over their free gift promotions.

Each of these apps offers unique strengths, so the right choice depends on your store’s specific needs.

Step-by-step: How to set up free gift rules with BOGOS

BOGOS makes it easy to create and automate free gift promotions in Shopify. Follow these steps to set up a Buy X, Get Y offer or a free gift campaign with custom rules.

Step 1: Install and configure BOGOS

Go to the Shopify App Store, search for BOGOS, and install the app. Next, open the app and navigate to the Promotion Rules dashboard.

Step 2: Choose the free gift type

Select the campaign type. You can choose either:

• Auto-add gifts. Automatically add a free product when conditions are met.
• Gift selection slider. Let customers choose from multiple gift options.

If you auto-add gifts to the cart, it might look something like this:

Step 3: Set promotion conditions

Define the requirements for receiving a free gift:

• Product-based rule. Customers must buy specific products.
• Cart value rule. Free gift unlocks after spending a minimum amount.
• Customer tag rule. Offer exclusive gifts to VIPs or first-time buyers.

Step 4: Configure gift availability

Set campaign start and end dates to control the timing for your free gift campaign. You can also limit gift availability by stock levels to prevent overselling.

Step 5: Optimize gift messaging and display

Enable cart drawer integration to show free gifts before checkout. This is a simple and effective way to deliver a good user experience. You can also add banner notifications and pop-ups to highlight the promotion.

Step 6: Launch and track performance

Go live and monitor the impact using BOGOS' real-time analytics dashboard. Once you’ve collected some data, you can adjust campaigns based on conversion data and customer behavior.

BOGOS’ automated free gift system helps Shopify merchants increase average order value while delivering a seamless shopping experience.

Shopify free gift campaign best practices

Running successful free gift campaigns requires careful planning and execution. Here’s how to maximize results while avoiding common pitfalls.

1. Planning your strategy

Before launching, ensure your free gift offer is profitable and aligned with customer behavior. Here are some of my best tips on planning:

• Always calculate the optimal gift value before setting up the free gift offer. Keep the gift value at 20-30% of the purchase threshold (e.g. a $20 gift for a $100 spend).
• Segment your audience so you can tailor offers for first-time buyers, VIPs, or high-value customers.
• Time your free gift campaigns strategically. For instance, you might want to align campaigns with seasonal promotions or product launches.
• Experiment with different gift types and values through A/B testing to identify the most effective incentives. You can also try out different headlines and placements for your free gift offers.

2. Inventory management

Nothing frustrates customers more than a free gift running out of stock. Here are some practical tips to help you prevent this:

• Set up backup gifts to automatically replace out-of-stock items.
• Use stock alerts to track inventory levels in real-time.
• Create fallback promotions (e.g. discount codes if a gift is unavailable).

3. Enhancing customer experience

Confusing promotions create friction at checkout as customers aren’t clear on what they’ll receive. Here’s how you can avoid this:

• Set up clear banners and product page messages using tools like Hextom: Quick Announcement Bar.
• Enable cart confirmation so customers see their free gift before they checkout.

4. Structuring your campaigns wisely

Offering irrelevant or low-value gifts reduces perceived value. You can optimize this by:

• Allowing customers to opt out if they don’t want the free gift.
• Analyzing gift removal rates to refine future promotions.

For more ways to boost Shopify sales, check out our guides on Shopify combo products, bulk discounts, and quantity pricing.

Start your free gift campaign today

Free gift campaigns are a proven way to boost sales, increase customer retention, and improve brand perception. If you're looking to drive higher average order values and create a better shopping experience, now is the time to start.

To recap, here’s what you need to do to launch your first campaign:

• Start with Shopify’s built-in discount features for simple Buy X, Get Y promotions.
• Upgrade to a specialized free gift app as your strategy evolves, unlocking automation, advanced rules, and analytics.
• Monitor performance metrics such as AOV, gift redemption rates, and customer retention to optimize results.
• While Shopify’s native tools offer a solid starting point, dedicated free gift apps provide the flexibility and automation needed to scale successfully.

Get started today with BOGOS or Gift Box and start driving more revenue with strategic free gifts!