STOQ Alternative: Flexible Pre-Orders With Deeper Control
When STOQ's approach doesn't fit
Scale and feature breadth don't mean it's right for everyone. If you've hit checkout limitations or need multi-platform support, you might be exploring alternatives.
The All-in-One Trade-Off
STOQ bundles pre-orders, back-in-stock alerts, and demand analytics into one platform. Combining features means development focus spreads across multiple product areas.
- Feature breadth vs specialized depth
- Merchants who rely heavily on pre-orders may want deeper functionality
- More payment model options not available
- Shopify Flow integration less extensive
- Limited cart and checkout control options
Multi-Platform Limitations
STOQ is Shopify-only. If you sell on BigCommerce, WooCommerce, or plan to expand beyond Shopify, you'd need separate pre-order solutions for each platform.
- No BigCommerce support
- No WooCommerce support
- Different tools with different workflows across platforms
- Operational complexity managing multiple solutions
Limited Cart and Checkout Control
STOQ offers limited control over how pre-orders flow through checkout compared to PreProduct's cart isolation options.
- No mixed vs isolated cart options
- Limited front-end redirect capabilities
- Less control over pre-order checkout flow
- Basic fulfillment hold controls
See how PreProduct compares
A detailed, honest comparison of features and capabilities. Neither app is universally better.
Shopify App Rating
Based on 96 verified reviews on the Shopify App Store
Based on 2,625 reviews on the Shopify App Store
Cart Control
Choose whether customers buy pre-order and in-stock items together (mixed cart) or separately (isolated cart), and use front-end redirects to guide the checkout experience.
Basic cart handling without isolation options or front-end redirect controls.
Platform Support
One pre-order system, consistent workflows, unified reporting across platforms.
STOQ is designed exclusively for the Shopify ecosystem.
Payment Models
Charge-upfront, charge-later (vaulted card), deposits (custom %), capture-only, and multi-step payment plans (Shopify Plus).
Standard payment options without extended charge-later windows or multi-step payment plans.
Back-in-Stock Alerts
PreProduct focuses specifically on pre-orders. Use a separate app or Klaviyo's native functionality for back-in-stock.
Email and SMS notifications, variant-specific alerts, Klaviyo sync, and demand analytics built in.
SMS Notifications
Integrate with your preferred SMS platform through automations and webhooks.
Native SMS notifications at $0.025 per message.
Shopify Flow Integration
One of the deepest Shopify Flow integrations in the pre-order space. Build workflows that trigger charges, release holds, tag customers, and update external systems.
Shopify Flow integration available but with less depth of triggers and actions.
Fulfillment Holds
Control when holds release at the listing level or individual customer level. Works well with 3PLs or ERPs that don't natively understand pre-orders.
Standard fulfillment hold functionality.
Customer Portal
Customers can check status, view payment schedules, update or cancel orders, update payment methods, and pay early for a discount.
Basic customer-facing functionality.
Multi-Location Support
Handles inventory across locations.
Mature multi-location inventory management across warehouses and locations.
Free Tier
Free to start with commission on pre-order revenue.
Free plan includes 10 preorders and 30 emails per month.
Paid Pricing
Scale at $59.99/month with 0-0.5% commission, Scale Plus at $259.99/month with 0% commission.
Lite $10/month (100 preorders), Pro $29/month (400 preorders), Ultimate $69/month (unlimited).
Transaction Fees
Starter has 5% commission, Scale has 0-0.5%, Scale Plus has 0%.
No transaction fees on any plan.
Specialized pre-order depth, different trade-offs
PreProduct takes a different approach: specialized focus on pre-orders with deeper capabilities in that specific area.
Cart Isolation and Checkout Control
Control how pre-orders flow through checkout. Choose mixed or isolated carts and use front-end redirects to guide the experience.
- Mixed carts increase average order value
- Isolated carts keep pre-orders cleanly separated
- Front-end redirects guide checkout flow
- Operational flexibility for your business
Multi-Platform Support
One pre-order system across Shopify, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce. Consistent workflows, unified reporting.
- Works on Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce
- Learn one system, apply everywhere
- Consistent workflows across platforms
- Unified reporting
Five Flexible Charging Models
Match your charging model to each product launch's needs with more options than STOQ provides.
- Charge-upfront for simple cash flow
- Charge-later extends beyond 7-day authorization
- Deposits with custom percentages
- Capture-only for manual workflows
- Multi-step payment plans (Shopify Plus)
Powerful Automation Options
15 Shopify Flow actions and 16 triggers plus native automations for sophisticated workflows.
- Listing Manager auto-creates pre-orders
- Auto-charge when inventory added
- Auto-release fulfillment holds
- Tag customers based on pre-order behavior
- Trigger charges based on custom conditions
Advanced Fulfillment Hold Control
Prevent accidental early shipment with granular control over hold release at listing or customer level.
- Automatic fulfillment holds on pre-orders
- Release at listing level or per customer
- Works with 3PLs and ERPs
- Pre-orders stay out of fulfillment queue
Full Customer Portal
Self-service portal reduces support tickets by letting customers manage their own pre-orders.
- Check pre-order status and shipping dates
- View payment schedules
- Update or cancel orders
- Update payment methods
- Pay early for a discount
Why brands love PreProduct
Real reviews from verified Shopify merchants.
"Game changer for us. PreProduct has transformed the way our small team is able to manage pre-orders. It's been a massive operational unlock. The app itself is intuitive, fast to implement, and fits seamlessly into our existing workflows."
"Run, don't walk and install PreProduct! We've been a very long time looking for the perfect pre-order app and can happily report we've found it! The deferred payment options and flexibility are absolute game changers."
"Glad I went for this pre-order app. Very flexible and well thought out functionality. Also the customer service is some of the best I've experienced - friendly and highly responsive."
"PreProduct is easily the best pre-order solution we’ve used. Beyond the app’s performance, the support team is outstanding.They are incredibly responsive and always come back to us with actual solutions rather than generic answers. They made our entire experience seamless and were genuinely helpful at every turn.We are really impressed!"
"This app has enabled us to integrate Shopify preorders with our legacy ERP. The ability to defer charging customers for preordered items until we are ready to ship is an amazing feature. We also love the feature that allows customers to manage their order's preorders themselves. Another great feature of this app is the ability to prevent preorder items from being mixed into carts with non- ..."
"Brilliant app that changes the game for out of stock items, really love the usability of this and it works like a charm. Oli is extremely responsive and helpful for support, 100% would recommend!"
Common questions
Does PreProduct include back-in-stock alerts like STOQ?
No. PreProduct focuses specifically on pre-orders. If you need back-in-stock notifications, you'd use a separate app or Klaviyo's native functionality. This specialization means pre-order features go deeper, but you potentially manage two tools instead of one.
Does PreProduct have the same checkout limitations as STOQ?
Both PreProduct and STOQ use Shopify's selling plan structure, which means the same accelerated checkout limitations apply. The difference is PreProduct offers more control over how pre-orders flow through checkout—mixed vs isolated carts, front-end redirects, and customer portal features that give you operational flexibility.
Is PreProduct more expensive than STOQ?
At lower volumes, yes. STOQ's $10-69/month with 0% transaction fees beats PreProduct's pricing for moderate pre-order volume. At higher volumes with larger average order values, the gap narrows significantly. And if the additional payment flexibility and customer portal help reduce support costs and close more sales, the ROI math changes.
What about multi-location inventory support?
STOQ has more mature multi-location features. PreProduct handles inventory, but STOQ's enterprise multi-location management is more developed. If this is critical to your operations, factor it into your decision.
Can I migrate my existing pre-order data from STOQ?
Existing Shopify orders stay in your admin regardless of which app you use. Active pre-order listings need recreation in PreProduct. Customer waitlist data in STOQ doesn't transfer automatically; you'd need to export and manage that separately.
What if I need both pre-orders AND back-in-stock alerts?
You'd use PreProduct for pre-orders and a separate app (or Klaviyo's native features) for back-in-stock. This adds complexity but lets you use best-in-class tools for each function. Alternatively, stay with STOQ if the combined approach is working for you.
Ready to explore specialized pre-order depth?
Start with our free Starter plan or test the full experience with a 14-day trial.
Scale Plus
For medium to large sized brands
$259.99
USD / month
+0% commission
Take me to the Shopify App Store - 7 day free trial
Our top plan with all the features
0% commission
15+ Shopify Flow triggers
Developer support
Scale
For small to medium sized brands
$59.99
USD / month
+0% commission on up to 5k of monthly paid pre-order revenue, then 0.5% afterwards.
Take me to the Shopify App Store - 7 day free trial
All of Growth features
Listing Manager automation access
API access
15x Shopify Flow actions
10+ Klaviyo events
Priority support
Starter
Only pay a percentage of pre-order revenue
$0.00
USD / month
+5% of paid pre-order revenue
Take me to the Shopify App Store
Take pre-orders from your e-commerce/Shopify storefront
Unlimited pre-order listings
Charge customers upfront, later or via deposit
Multi-step payment plans and ad-hoc installments
Customise pre-order front-end & email campaign
Customer portals