Koin Cashback & Store Credit vs Synchrony On‑Site Messagingfor Shopify (2026)
Koin Cashback & Store Credit and Synchrony On-Site Messaging are both Shopify apps in the Payments category, but they address fundamentally different needs. Koin focuses on boosting customer retention and repeat purchases through cashback and store credit rewards. It positions itself as both a goodwill solution and a marketing tool, targeting merchants who want to build customer loyalty and increase profit margins. Synchrony, on the other hand, concentrates on increasing sales by providing flexible payment options like private label credit cards, Pay in 4, and Pay Monthly loans. It is geared towards merchants looking to maximize purchasing power and drive conversion rates by offering financing solutions directly on their site. The primary difference lies in their core functionality. Koin is about rewarding existing customers, while Synchrony is about enabling customers to purchase items they might not otherwise be able to afford. Koin emphasizes ease of use with features like pre-built Shopify Flow templates and a user-friendly dashboard. Synchrony focuses on seamless integration and quick onboarding, guiding merchants through the process of offering financing options. The disparity in review counts also reflects their market penetration, with Koin having significantly more reviews, suggesting wider adoption and potentially more proven reliability.
At a Glance
Koin Cashback & Store Credit
57 reviews
Synchrony On‑Site Messaging
1 reviews
Detailed Overview
Koin Cashback & Store Credit
Use native Store Credit to set cashback and rewards for any customer action that drives retention.
Key Features
- Set cashback rates by product/order, for D2C customers or B2B company locations
- Automate with pre-built Shopify Flow templates or create your own
- Bulk or single edit (credit/debit) store credit from customer accounts
- Promote rewards with widgets and send automated emails for store credit issuance
- Track and manage store credit effortlessly with intuitive dashboard
Synchrony On‑Site Messaging
Seamlessly integrate financing options to help increase sales and maximize purchasing power.
Key Features
- Our options include private label credit cards, pay monthly and pay-in-4 loans
- Easy integration with onboarding that guides to start selling quickly
- Customers can see if they prequalify without impacting their credit score
- Troubleshooting guides and approved marketing assets to help attract customers
- Help drive conversion by allowing customers to pay over time
Feature Comparison
| Rating | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Rating Koin Cashback & Store Credit5/5 Synchrony On‑Site Messaging4/5 | ||
| Reviews | 57 | 1 |
Reviews Koin Cashback & Store Credit57 Synchrony On‑Site Messaging1 | ||
| Core Functionality | Customer Retention & Loyalty | Flexible Payment Options & Increased Purchasing Power |
Core Functionality Koin Cashback & Store CreditCustomer Retention & Loyalty Synchrony On‑Site MessagingFlexible Payment Options & Increased Purchasing Power | ||
| Target Merchant | Merchants focused on repeat business and loyalty programs, potentially B2B or D2C | Merchants looking to increase sales through financing options |
Target Merchant Koin Cashback & Store CreditMerchants focused on repeat business and loyalty programs, potentially B2B or D2C Synchrony On‑Site MessagingMerchants looking to increase sales through financing options | ||
| Ease of Use | Automated workflows, intuitive dashboard, bulk edits | Easy integration, onboarding guidance, troubleshooting guides |
Ease of Use Koin Cashback & Store CreditAutomated workflows, intuitive dashboard, bulk edits Synchrony On‑Site MessagingEasy integration, onboarding guidance, troubleshooting guides | ||
| Value Proposition | Increased customer lifetime value, higher profit margins | Increased sales conversion, higher average order value |
Value Proposition Koin Cashback & Store CreditIncreased customer lifetime value, higher profit margins Synchrony On‑Site MessagingIncreased sales conversion, higher average order value | ||
| Primary Payment Type | Shopify-native Store Credit | Loans, Credit Cards, Pay in 4 |
Primary Payment Type Koin Cashback & Store CreditShopify-native Store Credit Synchrony On‑Site MessagingLoans, Credit Cards, Pay in 4 | ||
| Focus | Post-Purchase Engagement | Pre-Purchase Affordability |
Focus Koin Cashback & Store CreditPost-Purchase Engagement Synchrony On‑Site MessagingPre-Purchase Affordability | ||
Our Verdict
For merchants prioritizing customer loyalty, repeat purchases, and a robust rewards program using store credit, Koin Cashback & Store Credit is the clear winner. Its higher rating and significantly larger number of reviews suggest a more proven track record and greater user satisfaction. The emphasis on Shopify Flow integration and customer account management further strengthens its appeal for merchants seeking to personalize the customer experience.
However, if the primary goal is to increase sales by offering financing options to customers, Synchrony On-Site Messaging is the more appropriate choice. It enables customers to make purchases they might not otherwise be able to afford. This is especially relevant for businesses selling high-value items or targeting customers with budget constraints. While the lower rating and limited reviews are a consideration, the core functionality directly addresses a specific need not met by Koin.
Common Questions
Which app is easier to set up?
Based on the descriptions, Synchrony emphasizes easy integration and provides onboarding guides, suggesting a potentially quicker setup process compared to customizing cashback rates and Shopify Flow templates with Koin. However, this is speculative without hands-on testing.
Which app is better for a small business?
It depends on the small business's priorities. If customer retention is crucial, Koin's rewards system might be more beneficial. If increasing sales volume is the main objective, Synchrony's financing options could be more effective.
Which app requires more technical expertise?
Koin's Shopify Flow integration suggests a moderate level of technical understanding may be helpful, although pre-built templates mitigate this. Synchrony's focus on easy integration implies a lower technical barrier to entry, though approval for their financing solutions is a prerequisite.
Does Koin or Synchrony impact my store's loading speed?
The descriptions do not provide specific information about the impact on store loading speed. However, any third-party app can potentially affect performance, so it's advisable to test both apps in a staging environment before implementing them on a live store.
Which app is more likely to lead to repeat purchases?
Koin Cashback & Store Credit is explicitly designed to drive repeat purchases through its rewards program. While Synchrony can enable initial purchases, it doesn't inherently incentivize customers to return for future purchases.
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