What's going on with the Product Reviews app it's no longer available?

Shopify Apps

Topic summary

Shopify discontinued its free Product Reviews app on September 5, 2023, directing users to third-party alternatives. Merchants who had the app installed can access and export their reviews until January 2024.

Key concerns raised:

  • Migration challenges: Users with thousands of existing reviews face technical difficulties transferring data and custom coding to new platforms
  • Cost implications: Third-party review apps typically charge $10-20/month, adding to Shopify’s base subscription fees
  • Theme compatibility: Older themes may not work seamlessly with new review apps, requiring expensive updates

Community reaction:

  • Strong negative sentiment from merchants who valued the simple, free solution
  • At least one user decided to close their Shopify store and return to WooCommerce due to increasing costs
  • Multiple users expressed willingness to pay a small fee to keep the original app rather than migrate

Shopify’s rationale:
Third-party apps offer more robust features like review verification and provide more complete solutions.

Suggested alternatives:
Judge.me, Stamped.io, Yotpo, Loox, Okendo, and Kooee Reviews (free option with migration guide).

The discussion remains unresolved, with Shopify staff acknowledging feedback but making no commitments to reverse the decision.

Summarized with AI on October 27. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
50

No, third party apps do NOT offer more robust features… They offer less, MUCH LESS! For instance, how do businesses protect their private business and customer data from 3rd party apps IF WE DO NOT CONSENT to give up our propietery business data including customer and sales. How do businesses retain their rights to a trial if 3rd party apps ‘Terms of Use’ or “Privacy Policies” require that we enter into agreements for arbitration? Please explain how this is BETTER from the standpoint of the business! How is giving up their business secrets and rights BETTER for them?!

What options are there for store owners who want to OWN their reviews, CONTROL their reviews and EXPORT THEIR REVIEWS while also retaining their CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS INFORMATION WITHOUT ANOTHER 3RD PARTY GETTING ACCESS TO IT???

PLEASE SHOPIFY… fix this abominable situation and restore the basic “Product Reviews” app that covered the necessary bases for most stores without requiring more money, more headaches with less privacy and legal protections for store owners.

2 Likes