Essential Upsell & Cross Sell vs Skio Subscriptions (YC S20)for Shopify (2026)
Essential Upsell & Cross Sell and Skio Subscriptions (YC S20) both aim to increase revenue for Shopify merchants, but they achieve this through different approaches and target distinct needs. Essential Upsell focuses on immediate, point-of-sale revenue boosts through upselling, cross-selling, and product bundling directly on product pages and in the cart. It emphasizes features like 'frequently bought together' recommendations and automatic discounts to incentivize purchases in real-time. Skio, on the other hand, targets long-term revenue growth through subscription management and customer retention. Skio's strength lies in its robust subscription platform, designed to reduce churn and increase lifetime value (LTV). It offers features such as a no-code customer portal, build-a-box options, and automated journeys specifically tailored to subscription models. While both apps share the 'Upsell and cross-sell' category on Shopify, Essential Upsell is focused on immediate transaction optimization, while Skio is dedicated to building and managing subscription-based businesses.
At a Glance
Essential Upsell & Cross Sell
1,004 reviews
Skio Subscriptions (YC S20)
219 reviews
Detailed Overview
Essential Upsell & Cross Sell
One click upsell and cross sell. Show frequently bought together product upsell & related products.
Key Features
- Show frequently bought products (FBT), related products, product recommendations
- Post purchase upsell & cross sell: Product addons, bought together bundles
- Automatic discount promotions: Add discounts to upsell & "also bought" products
- Product page upsell: Add one click upsell & cross-sell products & BOGO bundles
- Cart upsell: Add upsell cart app, cross-sell & product add-ons to cart drawer
Skio Subscriptions (YC S20)
The subscription platform top brands graduate to.
Key Features
- No-code customer portal - Beautiful UX that cuts support tickets in half
- Build-a-Box - Let subscribers customize bundles (static/dynamic/sectioned)
- Multi-step cancel flows - Turn cancellations into pauses, swaps, and saves
- Automated journeys - Welcome flows, win-backs, and upsells on autopilot
- Seamless migration - We move your subscribers without losing data or sleep
Feature Comparison
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Rating Essential Upsell & Cross Sell5/5 Skio Subscriptions (YC S20)5/5 | ||
| Reviews | 1004 | 219 |
Reviews Essential Upsell & Cross Sell1004 Skio Subscriptions (YC S20)219 | ||
| Primary Function | Upsell & Cross-sell (One-time purchases) | Subscription Management |
Primary Function Essential Upsell & Cross SellUpsell & Cross-sell (One-time purchases) Skio Subscriptions (YC S20)Subscription Management | ||
| Key Feature (Upselling) | Frequently Bought Together (FBT) recommendations | Automated Upsells (within subscription flows) |
Key Feature (Upselling) Essential Upsell & Cross SellFrequently Bought Together (FBT) recommendations Skio Subscriptions (YC S20)Automated Upsells (within subscription flows) | ||
| Target Merchant | Merchants wanting immediate AOV increase | Merchants offering subscriptions |
Target Merchant Essential Upsell & Cross SellMerchants wanting immediate AOV increase Skio Subscriptions (YC S20)Merchants offering subscriptions | ||
| Pricing Model (implied) | Likely commission or flat fee based on sales | Likely subscription-based pricing |
Pricing Model (implied) Essential Upsell & Cross SellLikely commission or flat fee based on sales Skio Subscriptions (YC S20)Likely subscription-based pricing | ||
| Customer Focus | Optimizing the current purchase experience | Building long-term customer relationships (through subscriptions) |
Customer Focus Essential Upsell & Cross SellOptimizing the current purchase experience Skio Subscriptions (YC S20)Building long-term customer relationships (through subscriptions) | ||
| Ease of Use (implied) | Likely easier to set up basic upsell/cross-sell rules | Requires more setup for subscription management but offers greater long-term automation |
Ease of Use (implied) Essential Upsell & Cross SellLikely easier to set up basic upsell/cross-sell rules Skio Subscriptions (YC S20)Requires more setup for subscription management but offers greater long-term automation | ||
| Value Proposition | Increase AOV with strategic product recommendations and discounts | Reduce churn and increase LTV with a robust subscription platform |
Value Proposition Essential Upsell & Cross SellIncrease AOV with strategic product recommendations and discounts Skio Subscriptions (YC S20)Reduce churn and increase LTV with a robust subscription platform | ||
Our Verdict
Essential Upsell & Cross Sell is ideal for merchants seeking immediate revenue boosts by optimizing their product pages and cart experience. It's best suited for stores selling individual products where encouraging add-ons or suggesting related items can significantly increase the average order value. This is the choice for merchants focused on immediate transaction optimization.
Skio Subscriptions, on the other hand, is the clear choice for businesses that offer subscription-based products or services. Its robust subscription management features, including customer portals and automated flows, are designed to reduce churn and increase lifetime value. While it offers upselling features, they are integrated within the context of the subscription model, not as a primary driver of one-time sales.
Common Questions
Which app is better for increasing average order value (AOV)?
Essential Upsell & Cross Sell is directly focused on increasing AOV through product recommendations and bundling at the point of sale.
Which app is better for reducing customer churn?
Skio Subscriptions is specifically designed to reduce churn for subscription-based businesses with features like multi-step cancel flows.
Can both apps be used together?
Potentially, but there might be overlap. Essential Upsell could optimize one-time purchases, while Skio manages the subscription aspect. Merchants should carefully consider the potential for redundancy.
Which app is easier to set up initially?
Essential Upsell & Cross Sell is likely easier to set up initially, as it focuses on immediate product recommendations and doesn't require complex subscription configuration.
Which app offers better long-term revenue potential?
Skio Subscriptions potentially offers better long-term revenue potential for subscription-based businesses by focusing on customer retention and increasing lifetime value. Essential Upsell provides immediate revenue impacts but doesn't guarantee long-term customer loyalty.
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