Essential Preorder & Presale vs Preorder, Back In Stock ‑ STOQfor Shopify (2026)
Essential Preorder & Presale and Preorder, Back In Stock ‑ STOQ are both Shopify apps designed to help merchants manage pre-orders, backorders, and restock notifications. Both offer core functionality such as pre-order options with partial payments, customizable widgets, and automated restock alerts. However, STOQ boasts significantly more reviews, suggesting a larger user base and potentially more widespread adoption. While both apps offer 24/7 support, STOQ explicitly mentions support via SMS, potentially providing faster communication for some merchants. Essential Preorder & Presale places emphasis on control of preorder inventory and order fulfillment rules, potentially appealing to merchants who require fine-grained control over their fulfillment processes.
At a Glance
Essential Preorder & Presale
466 reviews
Preorder, Back In Stock ‑ STOQ
2,132 reviews
Detailed Overview
Essential Preorder & Presale
Run pre-orders, presale with partial payments. Capture out-of-stock demand with back in stock alerts
Key Features
- Run preorders, backorders on out of stock, coming soon, made to order products
- Fully customise Preorder Now button: product, collections, search, Quick Buy
- Partial payments: deposits, deferred payment, due date & split payment schedules
- Show a Notify me button and out of stock alert form to capture restock demand
- Send automatic back in stock email notifications when items are restocked
Preorder, Back In Stock ‑ STOQ
Sell preorder & backorders with partial payments. Send Back in stock alerts on restock to waitlists!
Key Features
- Add Preorder or Notify me widget to your out of stock products in minutes
- Customize preorder button, restock alerts to match your brand, with 24*7 help
- Send back in stock email/SMS alerts to waitlist when you restock automatically
- Set up preorder, presales, back orders, deposit or partial payment orders
- B2B preorders, sync mailing list w/ Klaviyo, connect markets, locations & more
Feature Comparison
| Rating | 4.9/5 | 5/5 |
Rating Essential Preorder & Presale4.9/5 Preorder, Back In Stock ‑ STOQ5/5 | ||
| Reviews | 466 | 2132 |
Reviews Essential Preorder & Presale466 Preorder, Back In Stock ‑ STOQ2132 | ||
| Partial Payments | Yes | Yes |
Partial Payments Essential Preorder & PresaleYes Preorder, Back In Stock ‑ STOQYes | ||
| Back in Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes (email/SMS) |
Back in Stock Alerts Essential Preorder & PresaleYes Preorder, Back In Stock ‑ STOQYes (email/SMS) | ||
| Klaviyo Integration | Not Specified | Yes |
Klaviyo Integration Essential Preorder & PresaleNot Specified Preorder, Back In Stock ‑ STOQYes | ||
| Multi-Location Support | Not Specified | Yes |
Multi-Location Support Essential Preorder & PresaleNot Specified Preorder, Back In Stock ‑ STOQYes | ||
| Order Fulfillment Rules | Explicitly Stated | Not Specified |
Order Fulfillment Rules Essential Preorder & PresaleExplicitly Stated Preorder, Back In Stock ‑ STOQNot Specified | ||
| DTC & B2B Support | Yes | Yes (B2B Explicitly Stated) |
DTC & B2B Support Essential Preorder & PresaleYes Preorder, Back In Stock ‑ STOQYes (B2B Explicitly Stated) | ||
| Quick Buy Compatibility | Yes | Not Specified |
Quick Buy Compatibility Essential Preorder & PresaleYes Preorder, Back In Stock ‑ STOQNot Specified | ||
Our Verdict
Preorder, Back In Stock - STOQ seems more suitable for merchants prioritizing extensive features like Klaviyo integration, SMS notifications, and multi-location support, given its larger user base and explicit mention of these integrations. It appears geared towards merchants managing larger, more complex inventories and customer bases. Essential Preorder & Presale, on the other hand, could be preferable for merchants who need greater control over inventory and order fulfillment processes. While it has fewer reviews, its explicit mention of order fulfillment rules and support for Quick Buy pages may be key differentiators. Merchants on a tight budget should investigate the pricing structure for each app to determine the best value for their specific needs.
Common Questions
Which app offers SMS back in stock alerts?
Preorder, Back In Stock ‑ STOQ explicitly states support for SMS alerts, in addition to email. Essential Preorder & Presale only mentions email notifications.
Which app integrates with Klaviyo?
Preorder, Back In Stock ‑ STOQ specifically mentions Klaviyo integration for mailing list synchronization.
Which app is better for merchants with multiple locations?
Preorder, Back In Stock ‑ STOQ explicitly states support for multiple locations, making it a better choice for businesses with distributed inventory.
Which app provides more control over order fulfillment?
Essential Preorder & Presale specifically highlights its control over preorder inventory and order fulfillment rules. STOQ does not explicitly mention this level of control.
Are both apps suitable for B2B preorders?
Yes, both apps explicitly state support for B2B preorders. Preorder, Back In Stock ‑ STOQ clearly states 'B2B preorders' in its key features
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