Rubik Variant Images & Swatch vs Smart Stories | Video Storyfor Shopify (2026)
Rubik Variant Images & Swatch and Smart Stories | Video Story, while both falling under the 'Images and Media' category on the Shopify app store, serve fundamentally different purposes. Rubik Variant Images & Swatch focuses on enhancing the product page experience by allowing merchants to display variant-specific images and color swatches, thereby improving visual clarity and reducing customer confusion about product options. This app directly addresses issues related to showcasing product variations effectively, leading to increased conversions and reduced returns. Smart Stories | Video Story, on the other hand, is geared towards leveraging the popularity of story-based content, similar to Instagram and Snapchat. It enables merchants to create and publish short video stories featuring products, user-generated content, or promotional messages, which can then be embedded throughout the store. Its primary aim is to engage customers with dynamic video content, increase product visibility, and drive sales through shoppable video experiences. The app targets merchants who are active on social media or looking for new ways to showcase their products using video marketing techniques.
At a Glance
Rubik Variant Images & Swatch
163 reviews
Smart Stories | Video Story
9 reviews
Detailed Overview
Rubik Variant Images & Swatch
Set multiple variant images, display only correct images. Show color swatches with image variants
Key Features
- Assign multiple photos per variant. Auto assign variant images easily with AI
- Show multiple varient images for clean variant image gallery & color swatches
- Show variant picker with variant image swatches, color swatches, image variants
- Works seamless with all themes & page builder apps with no impact on page speed
- Clear product image swatch, variant photos help reduce return rates effectively.
Smart Stories | Video Story
Your all-in-one stories app. Video stories, shoppable video stories, web stories, product stories.
Key Features
- Add videos stories of UGC, branded content, product demos and reviews in minutes
- Video player with 20+ video stories templates to publish your content anywhere
- Make your videos shoppable, enable video shopping from stories to increase sales
- Auto-create products or collections stories with your existing video and images
- Track stories impressions, story open, video views, shoppable story conversions
Feature Comparison
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Rating Rubik Variant Images & Swatch5/5 Smart Stories | Video Story5/5 | ||
| Reviews | 163 | 9 |
Reviews Rubik Variant Images & Swatch163 Smart Stories | Video Story9 | ||
| Core Functionality | Variant-specific image display & swatches | Video story creation & publishing |
Core Functionality Rubik Variant Images & SwatchVariant-specific image display & swatches Smart Stories | Video StoryVideo story creation & publishing | ||
| Target Merchant | Merchants with products offering multiple variants (e.g., color, size) | Merchants focusing on video marketing and engaging with customers through short-form video content |
Target Merchant Rubik Variant Images & SwatchMerchants with products offering multiple variants (e.g., color, size) Smart Stories | Video StoryMerchants focusing on video marketing and engaging with customers through short-form video content | ||
| Primary Benefit | Improved product page clarity, reduced returns, increased conversion | Increased engagement, brand awareness, sales through shoppable videos |
Primary Benefit Rubik Variant Images & SwatchImproved product page clarity, reduced returns, increased conversion Smart Stories | Video StoryIncreased engagement, brand awareness, sales through shoppable videos | ||
| Image Type | Static images & color swatches | Videos & static images |
Image Type Rubik Variant Images & SwatchStatic images & color swatches Smart Stories | Video StoryVideos & static images | ||
| AI features | Auto assign variant images easily with AI | Auto-create products or collections stories |
AI features Rubik Variant Images & SwatchAuto assign variant images easily with AI Smart Stories | Video StoryAuto-create products or collections stories | ||
| Integration | Works seamlessly with all themes & page builder apps | Adds video stories anywhere on shop with drag & drop section. |
Integration Rubik Variant Images & SwatchWorks seamlessly with all themes & page builder apps Smart Stories | Video StoryAdds video stories anywhere on shop with drag & drop section. | ||
Our Verdict
Choosing between Rubik Variant Images & Swatch and Smart Stories | Video Story depends heavily on a merchant's specific needs and marketing strategy. If the primary concern is to clearly present product variations and reduce confusion around options, Rubik Variant Images & Swatch is the superior choice. Its focus on visual clarity and variant-specific images directly addresses the challenges associated with selling products with multiple variations.
However, for merchants seeking to leverage the power of video marketing and engage customers with dynamic, short-form content, Smart Stories | Video Story offers a more compelling solution. Its video story creation and publishing capabilities provide a versatile platform for showcasing products, sharing user-generated content, and driving sales through shoppable video experiences. Merchants already comfortable with video marketing or looking to expand their reach through video should favor this app.
Common Questions
Which app is easier to set up?
Based on the descriptions, Rubik Variant Images & Swatch focuses on seamless integration and auto-assignment of images, suggesting a relatively straightforward setup. Smart Stories requires uploading videos and using a drag-and-drop interface, which could be slightly more involved but offers creative control.
Which app is better for reducing product returns?
Rubik Variant Images & Swatch explicitly states that its clear product image swatch helps reduce return rates effectively by helping customers see exactly what they are buying. Smart Stories doesn't directly address return rates.
Which app is more suitable for showcasing user-generated content?
Smart Stories | Video Story is more suitable for showcasing user-generated content as it allows for easy uploading and sharing of video content, including reviews and testimonials.
Which app is more effective for increasing brand awareness?
Smart Stories | Video Story is likely more effective for increasing brand awareness, as video content is generally more engaging and shareable than static images. It allows for creative storytelling and showcasing the brand's personality.
Do either of these apps offer A/B testing?
Neither app description mentions A/B testing features.
Get More From Your Shopify Store
Run audits for SEO, CRO, PageSpeed, and AI visibility. Get a clear report and actionable fixes.
Try Fix My Store