Canteen ‑ Deposits and Fees vs Essential Free Shipping Upsellfor Shopify (2026)
Canteen ‑ Deposits and Fees and Essential Free Shipping Upsell are both Shopify apps that enhance the checkout experience, but they cater to fundamentally different merchant needs. Canteen focuses on automating and managing mandatory fees and deposits, making it ideal for businesses that must comply with specific legal or industry requirements for things like bottle deposits (Pfand, CRV). Essential Free Shipping Upsell, on the other hand, aims to increase sales and AOV by incentivizing customers to spend more to qualify for free shipping and offering upsell opportunities. Although both touch the checkout, their objectives and functionalities are disparate. Canteen simplifies complex fee structures, whereas Essential Free Shipping Upsell employs psychological pricing to boost revenue.
At a Glance
Canteen ‑ Deposits and Fees
47 reviews
Essential Free Shipping Upsell
438 reviews
Detailed Overview
Canteen ‑ Deposits and Fees
Canteen makes deposit and fee rules easy, from bottle, can, CRV, Pfand, Pant—collect missing fees.
Key Features
- Automate bottle, can, keg, and container deposits including Pfand and CRV fees
- Add service, handling, processing fees, surcharges, and security deposits easily
- Create flexible fee rules with one-time, per-cart, or per-item configurations
- Customize fee names, thumbnails, tax behavior, and checkout visibility options
- Works seamlessly across Shopify Online Store and Shopify POS with full support
Essential Free Shipping Upsell
Increase Profits, AOV & Sales With A Free Shipping Progress Bar Cart Goal and Cart Upsell.
Key Features
- Placed Anywhere: product page, cart page, cart drawer, or as an announcement bar
- Boosts Average Order Value: add product upsells, cross-sells & cart upsell.
- Revenue-Oriented: track additional revenue generated by free shipping bar.
- Highly Customisable: customise cart goal progress bar or use pre-made styles.
- Extras: translations, different currencies and Online Store 2.0 themes support.
Feature Comparison
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 5/5 |
Rating Canteen ‑ Deposits and Fees4.6/5 Essential Free Shipping Upsell5/5 | ||
| Reviews | 47 | 438 |
Reviews Canteen ‑ Deposits and Fees47 Essential Free Shipping Upsell438 | ||
| Primary Function | Automate deposit and fee management (e.g., bottle deposits, surcharges) | Increase AOV with free shipping incentives and cart upsells |
Primary Function Canteen ‑ Deposits and FeesAutomate deposit and fee management (e.g., bottle deposits, surcharges) Essential Free Shipping UpsellIncrease AOV with free shipping incentives and cart upsells | ||
| Target Merchant | Businesses with mandatory deposits/fees (e.g., beverage retailers) | Businesses looking to increase sales and AOV through incentivized spending |
Target Merchant Canteen ‑ Deposits and FeesBusinesses with mandatory deposits/fees (e.g., beverage retailers) Essential Free Shipping UpsellBusinesses looking to increase sales and AOV through incentivized spending | ||
| Customization | Customize fee names, thumbnails, tax behavior, and visibility | Customize cart goal progress bar with pre-made styles and translation options |
Customization Canteen ‑ Deposits and FeesCustomize fee names, thumbnails, tax behavior, and visibility Essential Free Shipping UpsellCustomize cart goal progress bar with pre-made styles and translation options | ||
| Pricing Strategy | Manages legally required/industry-specific fees | Uses free shipping to encourage higher spending |
Pricing Strategy Canteen ‑ Deposits and FeesManages legally required/industry-specific fees Essential Free Shipping UpsellUses free shipping to encourage higher spending | ||
| POS Support | Yes | Implied (no direct mention) |
POS Support Canteen ‑ Deposits and FeesYes Essential Free Shipping UpsellImplied (no direct mention) | ||
| Reporting | Not specified | Revenue-oriented tracking |
Reporting Canteen ‑ Deposits and FeesNot specified Essential Free Shipping UpsellRevenue-oriented tracking | ||
Our Verdict
For merchants who are legally obligated to collect deposits or fees (like those in the beverage industry or handling core charges), Canteen ‑ Deposits and Fees is the clear choice. Its detailed options and POS support are invaluable for managing complex pricing structures. However, for businesses seeking a straightforward and effective method to boost Average Order Value (AOV) and overall sales, Essential Free Shipping Upsell is a strong contender. Its high rating and significant number of reviews suggest a proven track record. The apps address distinct pain points, so the 'better' app depends heavily on the specific needs and regulatory environment of the Shopify store.
Common Questions
Which app is easier to set up?
While both apps likely have straightforward setup processes, Essential Free Shipping Upsell seems simpler to implement due to its focus on a single feature (free shipping progress bar and upsells). Canteen might require more configuration to accurately reflect various deposit and fee rules.
Does Canteen ‑ Deposits and Fees only apply to bottle deposits?
No, Canteen supports various mandatory deposit and fee rules, including bottle, can, keg, core, and container deposits (Pfand, CRV, Statiegeld, Consigne, Pant), refundable deposits, environmental and recycling fees, core charges, service, handling, convenience, and processing fees, surcharges, adult-signature fees, and security deposits.
Can Essential Free Shipping Upsell work with multiple currencies?
Yes, Essential Free Shipping Upsell lists 'different currencies' under its 'Extras' feature, indicating it supports stores selling in multiple currencies.
Which app offers better support?
Without additional information about support documentation or response times, it's difficult to determine which app offers superior support. However, the higher number of reviews for Essential Free Shipping Upsell suggests a larger user base and potentially more community-driven support resources.
Can these apps be used together?
Potentially, but it would depend on the merchant's strategy. Canteen handles mandatory charges, while Essential Free Shipping Upsell incentivizes additional spending. There might be edge cases where customers qualify for free shipping but also incur additional mandatory fees, so careful consideration of pricing and presentation at checkout is crucial.
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