10 Best Pre-Order Apps for Shopify Stores in 2026

TL/DR summary

Pre-orders help Shopify merchants stabilize revenue, reduce inventory waste, and plan logistics with confidence. The leading pre-order Shopify Apps in 2026 enable this by combining automation, payment flexibility, and transparent communication.

Key takeaways

• Preorders convert uncertainty into measurable demand.

• Partial payments improve cash flow without increasing cancellations.

• Clear delivery timelines reduce post-purchase friction.

• Unified preorder and waitlist tools simplify operations.

When chosen carefully, a preorder app does more than sell early. It helps merchants plan smarter, ship better, and grow sustainably.

Introduction

In 2026, pre-orders are no longer just a workaround for stock delays. They are a strategic lever for demand forecasting, cash-flow planning, and inventory risk management. As customer expectations for transparency, delivery timelines, and flexible payment options rise, pre-order Shopify apps have become essential for merchants seeking to capture demand early without overcommitting inventory.

The right app helps brands sell with confidence before products arrive, while keeping customers informed and engaged throughout the fulfillment window.

Key highlights

• Pre-orders help merchants secure revenue before inventory lands.

• Demand signals from pre-orders reduce overstock and stockout risk.

• Clear communication lowers cancellations and support tickets.

• Partial payments and deposits improve conversion on high-value items.

• Pre-orders support sustainability by aligning production with real demand.

Top Pre-order Shopify apps in 2026

Pre-order tools now sit at the intersection of merchandising, inventory planning, and customer experience. The following pre-order Shopify Apps stand out in 2026 for their reliability, clarity, and operational usefulness.

1. Preorder | Notify Me Timesact

Timesact is a structured pre-order and restock management app built for merchants who need control over timing, payment logic, and order tagging. It allows brands to automatically activate pre-orders when inventory reaches zero or during scheduled launch windows, while also supporting back-in-stock notifications.

Key features

• Pre-orders activate automatically based on inventory levels or defined launch dates.

• Selling plans allow full payment or partial deposits with clear customer messaging.

• Order tags and shipping date labels help downstream fulfillment teams plan dispatch.

• Back-in-stock alerts capture demand without forcing immediate purchases.

Timesact offers a free tier for limited presale activity, with paid plans starting around $1 per month and scaling up to fixed plans from $19 per month, depending on the Shopify tier. Its strength in 2026 is operational precision, making it ideal for planned launches and predictable fulfillment.

2. Notify! Back in Stock | PreOrder

Notify! is a demand-capture app focused on converting out-of-stock traffic into future revenue. It combines preorder functionality with restock alerts, wishlists, and low-stock messaging. The app is designed for merchants who experience frequent stockouts.

Key features

• Customers can subscribe to email, SMS, WhatsApp, or push alerts for restocks.

• Pre-orders can be enabled with start and end dates and quantity limits.

• Variant-level tracking ensures accurate alerts for size or color-specific products.

• Built-in widgets replace sold-out buttons without disrupting the theme.

Notify! offers a free plan with usage limits, with paid plans starting at approximately $9.90 per month and scaling based on alerts and preorder volume. In 2026, its appeal lies in integrating waitlists and pre-orders into a single, customer-friendly flow.

3. Essential Preorder Notify Me

Essential Preorder Notify Me is designed for merchants who want automation with minimal setup. The app enables preorders, deposits, and restock notifications, and automatically switches products to preorder mode when inventory thresholds are reached.

Key features

• Products automatically move into preorder mode when stock is depleted.

• Full payment and partial payment options are supported.

• Email and SMS notifications keep customers informed at every stage.

• Preorder badges and buttons are customizable for brand consistency.

The app includes a free plan with capped usage, while paid plans start at around $9 per month and scale to unlimited usage at higher tiers. Its strength in 2026 is reliability for everyday preorder scenarios.

4. PreOrder Now & Pre Order | PQ

PreOrder Now by PQ focuses on structured presales and launch-based selling. It is built for merchants running scheduled drops, limited releases, or controlled presale windows. The app emphasizes flexibility in timing, messaging, and customer expectations.

Key features

• Merchants can schedule preorder start and end dates in advance.

• Countdown timers and badges create urgency during launches.

• Partial payment and deposit options reduce buyer hesitation.

• Orders are clearly tagged for backend processing and fulfillment.

Pricing starts at approximately $7.99 per month, with higher tiers unlocking unlimited preorders and advanced controls. In 2026, PQ stands out as a launch-focused channel for brands that rely on timing and scarcity.

5. PreOrder Globo | Back in Stock

PreOrder Globo is a balanced solution for merchants who want both presales and restock alerts without complexity. The app supports deposits, discounts, and mixed-cart warnings, ensuring customers understand when items ship later than others.

Key features

• Pre-orders can be enabled for upcoming or sold-out products.

• Partial payments and preorder discounts are supported.

• Mixed-cart warnings reduce checkout confusion.

• Email and SMS restock notifications recover lost demand.

Globo offers a free tier, with paid plans starting around $9.90 per month and scaling to unlimited presales at higher tiers. Its appeal in 2026 is versatility without operational overhead.

6. WOD: PreOrder Now

WOD PreOrder Now is built for merchants who want straightforward preorder conversion without changing their store architecture. It replaces sold-out buttons with pre-order call-to-action buttons while maintaining compatibility across themes and product variants.

Key features

• Sold-out buttons are automatically replaced with preorder buttons.

• Variant-level controls allow selective preordering.

• Preorder discounts can be applied to incentivize early buyers.

• Reports track preorder revenue and volume.

WOD offers a limited free plan, with paid plans starting at $19.95 per month. Its value in 2026 lies in its simplicity for stores seeking quick preorder enablement.

7. EZ PreOrder: Presale Manager

EZ PreOrder focuses on presales and backorders for merchants testing demand before committing inventory. It supports multiple preorder scenarios while keeping configuration accessible for non-technical teams.

Key features

• Supports presales, backorders, and upcoming product launches.

• Custom preorder messaging improves transparency.

• Deposit-based payments reduce upfront resistance.

• Preorder rules can be applied at the product or variant level.

EZ PreOrder offers a free plan with paid upgrades for higher usage. In 2026, it appeals to merchants experimenting with demand-driven merchandising.

8. Pre-order Me App by Easyshop

Pre-order Me by Easyshop is built for merchants who want clear communication and bulk control. It enables preorders across multiple products while ensuring cart-level messaging keeps expectations aligned.

Key features

• Variant-specific preorder settings improve accuracy.

• Cart messaging explains shipping timelines clearly.

• Bulk management tools support extensive catalogs.

• Integrates with omnichannel communication tools.

Pricing starts at approximately $9.99 per month. In 2026, its strengths lie in checkout clarity and bulk operational control.

9. Preorderly App

Preorderly is designed for stores that need scheduling, limits, and clean automation. It supports preorders across catalogs while ensuring inventory and fulfillment remain controlled.

Key features

• Merchants can set preorder quantity limits per product.

• Scheduled fulfillment dates reduce customer uncertainty.

• Deposits and full-payment options are supported.

• Theme-compatible widgets ensure smooth storefront integration.

Paid plans start around $12.49 per month, depending on the Shopify tier. Its appeal in 2026 is predictable presale management for scaling catalogs.

10. Preorder, Back In Stock – STOQ

STOQ combines presales, waitlists, and restock alerts into one system. It is designed for brands that frequently launch new products or manage fast-selling SKUs across locations.

Key features

• Preorders, backorders, and waitlists are managed in one interface.

• Partial payments and preorder discounts are supported.

• Deep integration with Klaviyo enables automated customer flows.

• Order tags and inventory rules support fulfillment planning.

STOQ offers a free plan with paid tiers starting around $9.99 per month. In 2026, it stands out for its integration of marketing automation and preorder operations.

ClickPost turn returns into exchanges and repeat purchases, not losses

Automated returns & Exchanges with a self-serve portal, tracking, policies & analytics.

ClickPost Returns & Exchanges streamlines return and exchange management with automation, refunds, and a self-serve portal. Customers get real-time tracking, automated updates, and quick refunds. Merchants manage all return and exchange requests in one dashboard with customizable policies, eligibility rules, and reasons. Detailed return analytics and reporting give insights to cut costs and boost repurchases. Setup is fast, with everything ready in under 30 minutes.

• Automated self-serve portal for easy returns, exchanges & refunds.

• Dashboard to manage, track, and resolve return & exchange requests.

• Process refunds to via gift cards or original payment methods.

• Customizable return and exchange policies, rules, and eligibility.

• Analytics & reporting with insights on return and Exchange trends.

ClickPost Returns Plus offers a free plan for up to 100 monthly returns. Paid plans start at $49/month. You can also integrate our returns management product with your ecommerce website. The total reviews on the ClickPost tool at Shopify are a testament to the ease it offers to merchants. The app support provided also makes it one of the best in the app categories for returns, exchanges, and refunds.

Closing thoughts: Choosing the right pre-order Shopify app

The right preorder tool depends on how a business manages inventory risk, customer expectations, and fulfillment timelines. Some brands need launch control, others need restock recovery, and many need both. In 2026, pre-order Shopify Apps are no longer tactical add-ons; they are strategic infrastructure.