Essent Preorder, from Essential Apps, brings pre-orders and back-in-stock email alerts into one app. Its useful free allowance and low entry price make it a practical starting point for smaller Shopify stores.
Key features
- Create scheduled campaigns with full or partial payment.
- Collect restock sign-ups and send availability emails.
- Customize buttons, badges and customer-facing messages.
- Use translations and Shopify Flow on paid tiers; Starter adds Markets and mixed-cart validation.
Pricing and trial
Free includes 25 pre-orders and 300 restock notifications per month. Lite is $4.95/month for 100 orders, Starter $8.95 for 300 and Essentials $24.95 for 500. Extra pre-orders cost $0.25, $0.20 and $0.10 respectively. Paid notification overages cost $1 per 100. Paid plans have a 14-day trial. Pricing.
Rating and reviews
Essent has 5.0/5 from 1,276 reviews. Lower-rated merchants mention email delivery, order labeling, checkout behavior and location settings. Several also praise setup help. Older limitations should not be treated as proof that today's version behaves identically. Shopify reviews.
Pitfalls
Official documentation says partial payments require Shopify Payments. Remaining balances must be collected through the order details or the app's paid bulk action; automatic balance reminders are not included. Shopify Bundles is incompatible. Check payment status before fulfillment. Documentation.
Conclusion
Essent is a good budget choice if you can manage outstanding balances yourself. Stores needing more automated collection and payment communication should compare that workflow before choosing on price alone.
Want wishlists alongside pre-orders? Compare Notify Me!.
Prices in USD. Pricing and ratings checked on September 25, 2026.
