If you’re running a Shopify store, managing out-of-stock products and capturing customer interest before restocks is crucial. Back-in-stock alerts and preorder functionalities not only recover potential lost sales but also enhance customer satisfaction. Below is a comprehensive review of six top-rated Back-in-Stock Alert Shopify apps that specialize in these features.

1. Preorder, Back In Stock Alert ‑ Stoq (⭐ 5.0 / 1,763 reviews)

Stoq is a robust solution designed to help Shopify merchants maximize sales from out-of-stock products. It offers back-in-stock alerts, preorder options, and customizable notifications to keep customers engaged even when products are unavailable.

Pros:
✔ Automated notifications for restocks and preorders
✔ Customizable buttons and alerts to match store branding
✔ Supports email and SMS notifications in multiple languages
✔ Allows preorders with partial payments, deposits, and discounts
✔ Excellent customer service and responsive support

Cons:
✘ Interface may require a brief learning curve for advanced features

2. Kbite Back In Stock Notify Me (⭐ 5.0 / 2,854 reviews)

Kbite is highly praised for its automated back-in-stock notifications, which improve customer retention and boost sales. The app features easy setup, variant-specific alerts, and price-drop subscriptions.

Pros:
✔ Automated notifications for restocks and price drops
✔ User-friendly interface with quick installation
✔ Variant-specific alerts
✔ Smooth Shopify integration
✔ Highly responsive customer support

Cons:
✘ Limited customization options for notification templates

3. Notify! Back in Stock | PreOrder (⭐ 4.9 / 2,448 reviews)

Notify! is a powerful app that allows customers to sign up for alerts when products are restocked or available for preorder. It offers multi-channel notifications and insightful reports to help merchants recover lost revenue.

Pros:
✔ Easy setup and intuitive interface
✔ Supports email, SMS, and push notifications
✔ Customizable templates for notifications
✔ Provides reports on lost sales and recovered revenue
✔ Responsive customer support

Cons:
✘ Pricing can be higher compared to other apps with similar features

4. PreOrder Globo | Back in Stock (⭐ 4.9 / 1,609 reviews)

PreOrder Globo is an all-in-one tool offering preorder management and back-in-stock notifications. It features customizable buttons and messaging to communicate product availability effectively.

Pros:
✔ Customizable preorder buttons and “coming soon” messaging
✔ Supports back-in-stock notifications
✔ Seamless Shopify integration
✔ Quick and helpful customer support

Cons:
✘ Occasional compatibility issues with custom themes after Shopify updates

5. Preorder | Notify Me Timesact (⭐ 5.0 / 1,909 reviews)

Timesact is well-suited for stores with complex inventory or international customer bases. It offers rich preorder and notification features with high-level customization.

Pros:
✔ Fully customizable preorder buttons and badges
✔ Supports back-in-stock notifications
✔ Great for complex inventory and global selling
✔ Exceptional support including custom coding help

Cons:
✘ Per-order charges can add up
✘ Service halts if preorder limits are reached without upgrade

6. Back in stock, Notify me Duck (⭐ 5.0 / 177 reviews)

Notify Me Duck is a lightweight app focused on simple and effective back-in-stock notifications. It supports email and WhatsApp, making it a great choice for multi-channel communication.

Pros:
✔ Quick installation and easy setup
✔ Customizable alerts
✔ Supports email and WhatsApp channels
✔ 24/7 responsive customer support

Cons:
✘ Lacks some advanced features seen in bigger apps

🚀 Why Shopify Merchants Should Use Back-in-Stock Alert Apps

1. Recover Lost Sales
   Out-of-stock products typically mean lost customers. With back-in-stock alerts, you give shoppers the chance to be notified when products return — directly translating into recovered revenue rather than missed opportunities.
   
2. Increase Customer Retention
   Instead of customers leaving your site frustrated, alert apps allow them to opt in and stay connected. This builds long-term engagement and keeps your store top-of-mind.
   
3. Gauge Product Demand
   When customers sign up for alerts, you’re effectively collecting data on product demand. You can use this intel to guide restocking priorities, predict sales trends, and make smarter inventory decisions.
   
4. Enhance Customer Experience
   Nobody likes hitting a dead end. Back-in-stock notifications show that you’re responsive and proactive — improving customer satisfaction and building trust.
   
5. Drive Urgency and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
   Some apps (like Stoq and Timesact) let you show how many people have signed up for a restock. This social proof can increase urgency, encouraging faster purchases once the item is available again.
   
6. Multi-Channel Reach
   With options like email, SMS, push notifications, and even WhatsApp (Notify Me Duck), you can reach customers where they’re most responsive. That increases the chances they’ll return to complete their purchase.
   
7. Improve SEO and Reduce Bounce Rates
   By giving customers a reason to engage with your store even if an item is sold out, you reduce bounce rates and keep more traffic on-site — indirectly helping your SEO metrics.
   
8. Plan Preorders with Confidence
   Many of these apps (like Timesact and Globo) support preorders, which means you can start collecting sales even before stock is replenished — improving cash flow and production planning.
   
9. Automate and Save Time
   Automated restock alerts save you from manually contacting customers about availability, freeing up your team to focus on marketing and fulfillment.
   

❓ FAQs

Q: Which app is best for managing both preorders and back-in-stock alerts?
A: Preorder, Back In Stock ‑ Stoq and PreOrder Globo are top choices as they both combine these features smoothly.

Q: Do these apps support SMS or WhatsApp notifications?
A: Yes — Stoq, Notify!, and Notify Me Duck support SMS/WhatsApp, while others focus more on email and push notifications.

Q: Can I customize the design of the alert buttons?
A: Absolutely. Stoq, Globo, and Timesact offer highly customizable buttons and messaging to match your store branding.

Q: Are back-in-stock alert apps expensive?
A: Most apps offer affordable plans, often starting free with premium upgrades. However, Timesact’s per-preorder fee structure can add up for high-volume stores.

Conclusion: Which Back-in-Stock App Should You Choose?

Back-in-stock and preorder apps are more than just notification tools — they’re revenue recovery engines. For Shopify merchants, the ability to automatically notify customers when products are available again can mean the difference between a lost sale and a loyal customer. After analyzing the top 6 apps, here’s what you should remember:

• If you want an all-in-one solution (preorders + restocks) → Preorder, Back In Stock ‑ Stoq offers powerful features with clean design and payment flexibility.
  
• If you prefer quick setup and user-friendliness → Kbite Back In Stock Notify Me is lightweight, fast, and gets the job done efficiently.
  
• For advanced notifications and reporting → Notify! Back in Stock | PreOrder offers multi-channel alerts and insights to understand customer demand better.
  
• Handling complex inventory or large catalogs? → Preorder | Notify Me Timesact gives you advanced preorder management with great customization.
  

Ultimately, the right choice depends on your business model — whether you prioritize ease of use, multi-channel reach, or deep inventory control.