Best Shopify backorder apps 2026: Reliable solutions for back in stock alerts

When a product goes out of stock, you lose more than sales. You lose the trust customers had when they clicked "buy." For Shopify merchants, the stressful part isn't products going out of stock - it's watching potential buyers leave while you wait for your inventory.

Shopify backorder apps help you handle these situations safely. With backorder apps, you can sell with expected delivery dates for your out of stock products. This guide walks through the best Shopify backorder apps for 2026, focusing on which ones work reliably when you need them most.

Quick Note: Backorders sell temporarily out of stock items. Preorders sell unreleased products. STOQ handles both. However, this guide focuses on backorders.

What backorder apps do for your Shopify store

Backorder apps let customers get notified when items return or place orders for future delivery. Without an app, you're either losing those sales or manually tracking who wants what. However, this can soon get messy, especially if multiple products go out of stock at once.

A  reliable backorder app runs in the background. Customers sign up, get notified automatically when you restock, and you can see demand without digging through emails or spreadsheets. It's one less thing to worry about when inventory issues are already stressful. 

Features to look for in a Shopify backorder app

Not all Shopify backorder apps perform the same. The right solution will help you capture demand, protect your brand, and scale smoothly. Here are the features to prioritize:

1. Easy to set up and use

The app should work without requiring a developer or hours of configuration. Look for clear defaults, an intuitive dashboard, and setup that is quick. The last thing you need is a backorder app that creates new problems or requires constant attention from your team.

2. Reliable during critical moments

The app needs to work predictably when it matters most: during restocks, or high-traffic periods. Check reviews for mentions of stability, speed, and whether notifications actually send when they're supposed to. An app that fails during a restock can damage customer trust more than not having one at all.

3. Quality support when you need it

Even the best apps occasionally need troubleshooting. Look for apps with consistent human support. Reviews that mention support by name or describe fast response times are good trust signals that you won't be left stranded.

4. Clean inventory integration

The Shopify backorder app should sync automatically with Shopify inventory and variants, trigger alerts without manual work, and prevent overselling. If it requires constant monitoring or manual updates, it's creating work instead of reducing it.

5. Analytics on demand

You should be able to see at a glance which products have waitlists, how many customers are waiting, and what's converting. This helps you make restocking decisions based on real customer interest and reduces manual work.

6. Preorders and partial payments (if needed)

If you want to fund inventory through preorders or capture revenue before restocking, make sure the app handles this clearly and predictably. This feature matters more for some businesses than others. 

7. Customization options

After you're confident the app works reliably, customization matters for brand consistency. Look for control over fonts, colors, email templates, and messaging. However, only evaluate this after confirming the app does its core job well.

8. Multiple notification channels

Email is essential. SMS and push notifications can sometimes help improve conversions. Also, integration with tools like Klaviyo helps if you're already using marketing automation.

9. Multi-language support

For stores serving multiple markets, localized notifications feel more personal and improve trust. But if you're primarily focused on one market, you don’t have to worry about it.

The right app earns your trust by working predictably and requiring minimal attention. With that being said, let’s take a look at the best Shopify backorder apps in 2026.

Top Shopify backorder apps in 2026

1. STOQ

STOQ is a Shopify backorder app built for merchants who need a solution that's easy to set up, and has responsive human support. It helps merchants handle back-in-stock situations reliably with other advanced features as your store grows. 

STOQ tracks demand automatically, sends notifications when you restock, and shows you which products have the most customers waiting, so you know what to prioritize.

Key features:

• Back-in-stock alerts across channels: Email, SMS, and push notifications that integrate natively with Klaviyo for seamless brand consistency
• Preorders with partial payments: Capture revenue before products restock and use that cash flow to fund inventory purchases
• Custom styling: Match STOQ's interface perfectly to your brand with logos, colors, and messaging
• 24/7 human support: Fast, knowledgeable help from real people who understand both the product and ecommerce workflows

Pricing: Free tier available for core features. Paid plans start at just $10/month. No transaction fees or surprises.

Rating: Rated five stars by 2,600+ merchants and recognized as one of Shopify’s Top 25 Built for Shopify apps. Merchants consistently talk about its reliability and ease of use.

Read how Axeman relies on STOQ to handle stockouts on their most popular items. Customers get automatic back-in-stock notifications, and the team can focus on restocking decisions instead of manually managing waitlists or following up with interested buyers. 

2. Back in Stock by AMP

AMP specializes in restock notifications with quick setup and email/SMS alert capabilities. It's designed for merchants who need simple back-in-stock functionality without additional complexity.

Key features:

• Email and SMS restock alerts
• Customizable notification design
• Basic analytics dashboard
• Integration with popular email platforms

Pricing: Free plan available to test the app. Paid plans begin at $19/month with transparent pricing and no hidden costs.

Rating: Well-reviewed for simplicity and ease of use.

3. Notify Me

Notify Me specializes in back-in-stock notifications with a focus on customer engagement. The app provides automated alerts when products return to inventory.

Key features:

• Automated back-in-stock alerts
• Customer waitlist management
• Email customization options
• Basic reporting tools

Pricing: Tiered pricing based on monthly notification volume.

Rating: Merchants appreciate the quick setup and reliable notifications.

4. Essent

Essent is a Shopify backorder app with theme customization options for merchants. The app handles email notifications with stylish widgets. Apart from backorders, it also has other robust features like preorders, and partial payments.

Key features:

• Back-in-stock alerts
• Customizable notification buttons 
• Partial payments and Notify Me buttons
• Built for B2B and DTC brands

Pricing: It has a free tier with paid tiers starting from $9/month.

Rating: 4.9 stars on the Shopify app store with 900+ reviews. 

5. Swym Back in Stock Alerts

Swym handles back-in-stock notifications with quick setup. There are integration options for merchants who use multiple marketing platforms. Merchants can get alerts running in minutes with automatic theme integration. The app also includes AI-powered product recommendations for out of stock items.

Key features

• Back-in-stock alerts via email and SMS
• Quick 5-minute setup
• Integrations with Klaviyo, Mailchimp etc 
• Facebook/Instagram retargeting for waitlist audiences
• Basic analytics to track popular products
• Many reviews mention reliable human support too

Pricing: No free plan. Paid plans start at $19.99/month with a 30-day free trial available.

Rating: 4.7 stars from 444 reviews. Merchants highlight the fast setup and marketing integrations.

Choosing the right backorder app for your business

The best backorder app is one that fits your current needs and continues to perform as your store grows. Making the right choice early saves time, money, and operational headaches later.

1. Match the app to your sales volume

If you’re handling regular orders, you need more than a simple “notify me” button. Choose an app that supports multiple variants, different restock timelines, and bulk actions. The right app should handle growth without forcing you to migrate later when volume increases.

2. Consider total cost, not just monthly fees

Free plans work for testing, but check what happens as volume grows. Some apps add transaction fees or limit critical features on free tiers. Transparent pricing that scales predictably is usually easier to budget for than surprise costs later.

3. Align with your communication strategy

If you already use platforms like Klaviyo, your backorder app should integrate seamlessly to keep messaging consistent. Apps with both email and SMS let you reach customers the way they prefer to be contacted.

4. Prioritize preorder functionality

For new launches or long supplier lead times, preorder support is essential. Look for features like partial payments, clear delivery timelines, and safeguards against overselling when inventory arrives.

5. Review real merchant feedback

Go beyond star ratings. Check for reviews that mention scalability, reliability during high-traffic events, and responsive support 24/7. These insights often reveal whether the app delivers real ROI over time.

The best choice isn't the app with the longest feature list. It's the one that handles stockouts reliably without adding stress when sales are already at risk.

Why merchants choose STOQ for backorders 

When a product goes out of stock, the decision feels urgent. You need an app you can trust when sales are at risk and customers are waiting.

STOQ  is built for that moment. It works predictably, sets up quickly, and comes with responsive human support. Merchants install it once and keep using it for years because it grows with their business without breaking.

You can try STOQ's free plan today, or you can check out plans from $10/month for your growing store.