Best Shopify App for Add Ons - Top Options

in ecommerceshopifyproduct-management · 8 min read

Comparison of the best shopify app for add ons, covering Bold Product Options, Infinite Options, Product Options & Customizer (HulkApps), and Globo

Overview

If you are hunting for the best shopify app for add ons you want an app that supports product customizations, price adjustments, conditional logic, file uploads, and reliable theme compatibility without slowing your store. This guide compares four widely used Shopify apps for product add-ons and options: Bold Product Options (Bold Commerce), Infinite Options (ShopPad), Product Options & Customizer (HulkApps), and Globo Product Options. Each entry covers positioning, core features, tradeoffs, pricing (as of June 2024), and who benefits most.

Key decision criteria used in this comparison:

  • Customization types supported (dropdowns, radio, checkboxes, swatches, file upload, text)
  • Conditional logic and price adders (ability to add per-option cost)
  • Variant mapping and inventory handling (linking options to SKUs or variants)
  • Theme compatibility, page load performance, and mobile UX
  • Ease of setup and support responsiveness
  • Pricing and value for expected SKU/option volume

Quick summary:

  • Bold Product Options: Best for enterprise and stores needing advanced conditional logic and SKU mapping.
  • Infinite Options: Best for simple to mid-level customization at low cost and minimal setup.
  • Product Options & Customizer (HulkApps): Best for stores wanting a free entry point and strong developer support for customizations.
  • Globo Product Options: Best for stores that need a balance of conditional logic, styling controls, and mid-tier pricing.

All pricing is shown as monthly amounts and noted where free tiers or trials exist. Prices and feature sets can change; verify in the Shopify App Store before installing.

Bold Product Options

Overview and Positioning

Bold Product Options (Bold Commerce) is one of the longest-standing, feature-rich product options apps on Shopify, built for stores that require advanced product customization, conditional logic, and enterprise-grade integrations. It is commonly used by merchants selling customizable goods—apparel with personalization, gifts with add-on items, or configurable products where different option combinations map to unique SKUs.

Key Features and Strengths

  • Advanced conditional logic for showing/hiding option groups based on selections.
  • Price adders and modifiers per option that update cart totals in real time.
  • Variant/option mapping and the ability to add hidden SKUs or create unique SKUs based on selections.
  • File uploads for custom artwork, engravings, or other assets.
  • Strong developer API and integrations for custom theme work and headless setups.
  • Good support and documentation aimed at higher-volume merchants.

Tradeoffs

  • Higher complexity: setup often requires more configuration and sometimes developer help for advanced implementations.
  • Potentially heavier on page load depending on theme and configuration; requires attention to performance best practices.
  • Price is higher than simple options apps, which can be overkill for stores needing only basic options.

Pricing and Value

  • Pricing (as of June 2024): Starting plan typically around $19.99 to $29.99 per month; enterprise/scale plans available with custom pricing.
  • 14-day trial is commonly offered.
  • Value: High for merchants who need conditional logic, SKU mapping, and reliable support; less cost-effective for stores that only need a few simple options.

Best For

  • Mid-to-large Shopify stores with complex product configurators.
  • Merchants who need SKU-level option mapping and conditional logic.
  • Stores expecting to scale and needing stability and integrations.

Infinite Options (Shoppad)

Overview and Positioning

Infinite Options by ShopPad is a popular, budget-friendly app aimed at stores that need flexible product options without advanced enterprise features. It is widely used by merchants who want to add unlimited custom fields (text, dropdowns, radio, checkbox, date, file uploads) without changing product variants or inventory.

Key Features and Strengths

  • Simple UI for creating unlimited custom fields per product or globally.
  • File uploads for customizations like logos or artwork.
  • No impact on Shopify variant limits because options are added as cart properties.
  • Lightweight and easy to configure without developer help.
  • Low-cost pricing and solid customer reviews for basic option needs.

Tradeoffs

  • Options are stored as cart attributes, not variants, so they do not map to SKU-level inventory or variant combinations.
  • No native price adders that adjust product price in the cart (some workarounds exist via scripts or separate apps).
  • Limited conditional logic compared to enterprise apps; basic show/hide functionality may be available but not advanced nested logic.
  • Styling may require theme tweaks for pixel-perfect integration.

Pricing and Value

  • Pricing (as of June 2024): $9.99 per month; often includes unlimited options and fields.
  • 14-day free trial typically available.
  • Value: Excellent for stores that need many customizable inputs but do not need SKU mapping or dynamic price adjustments tied to options.

Best For

  • Small to mid-size stores that need simple customization (engraving text fields, size notes, gift messages).
  • Stores avoiding complex inventory mapping or dynamic pricing.
  • Merchants on a tight budget who want a quick setup.

Product Options & Customizer (Hulkapps)

Overview and Positioning

Product Options & Customizer by HulkApps is a flexible app that offers both entry-level free capability and paid upgrades for more advanced features. It is frequently chosen by merchants who want a balance between DIY customization and the ability to pay for added functionality like conditional logic and price adjustments.

Key Features and Strengths

  • Offers a free plan (limited features) to test and implement basic options.
  • Supports text fields, dropdowns, checkboxes, swatches, and file uploads.
  • Price adders and quantity-based add-ons in paid plans.
  • Conditional logic available in paid tiers.
  • Theme compatibility and decent documentation; HulkApps support is known for responsive help and custom development services (paid).

Tradeoffs

  • Free plan is limited in fields or features; most stores will need the paid plan for conditional logic and price adders.
  • Like other non-variant apps, mapping options to actual SKUs requires additional setup or custom development.
  • Some merchants report the UI for large option sets can be cluttered; requires careful grouping and labeling.

Pricing and Value

  • Pricing (as of June 2024): Free tier available; paid plans commonly $7.99 to $14.99 per month depending on features; custom development and installation services cost extra.
  • 7-14 day free trial or free tier available for basic testing.
  • Value: Strong for merchants who want a free entry point and optional paid upgrades; good balance of features and price.

Best For

  • Stores that want to test options with a free plan before committing.
  • Merchants who need price adders and conditional logic but at mid-tier cost.
  • Stores that may later buy custom work from the app vendor.

Globo Product Options

Overview and Positioning

Globo Product Options is a mid-market product options app that positions itself between simple field apps and enterprise configurators. Globo focuses on design flexibility and user experience, offering conditional logic, price rules, and built-in styling controls to match themes without heavy coding.

Key Features and Strengths

  • Conditional logic with show/hide rules based on other selections.
  • Price adders and price rules that update cart totals.
  • File uploads, swatches, color pickers, and rich input types.
  • Styling controls to match fonts, spacing, and mobile layout with fewer theme edits.
  • Good documentation and support; built-in templates for common use cases (gift wrapping, personalization).

Tradeoffs

  • Slightly more expensive than bare-bones apps but less than enterprise solutions.
  • Variant mapping capabilities are limited compared to Bold; advanced SKU mapping may require workaround.
  • Stores with highly unique themes may still need developer adjustments to make styling perfect.

Pricing and Value

  • Pricing (as of June 2024): Commonly $9.99 per month with a free trial; pro plans or add-ons for extra features may go up to $19.99 per month.
  • 7-14 day free trial usually available.
  • Value: Good middle-ground for stores that want conditional logic and styling control without enterprise pricing.

Best For

  • Merchants who prioritize on-theme styling and mobile UX.
  • Stores needing conditional logic and price adders at a reasonable cost.
  • Retailers using visually-driven products requiring swatches and color pickers.

How to Choose

Decision checklist (4-5 points):

  1. Define functional must-haves: Do you need SKU-level mapping and inventory control, or are cart attributes sufficient? If you need SKUs and inventory interplay, prioritize enterprise apps like Bold.
  2. Required input types: Confirm you need file uploads, swatches, or date pickers. Match app feature lists to those inputs.
  3. Conditional logic complexity: For nested, multi-level rules choose Bold or Globo; for basic show/hide, Infinite Options or HulkApps paid tiers suffice.
  4. Pricing tolerance and scale: Low-budget stores should start with Infinite Options or HulkApps free tier; mid-size stores benefit from Globo; enterprise stores expect to budget for Bold.
  5. Performance and theme fit: Test apps on product pages to measure load time and styling. Choose apps with minimal JS footprint or those that offer asynchronous loading options.

Short decision flow:

  • Need SKU/variant mapping and complex conditional pricing? Choose Bold Product Options.
  • Need low-cost unlimited fields and file uploads, no inventory mapping? Choose Infinite Options.
  • Want a free starter plan and optional pro features with responsive support? Choose HulkApps.
  • Need conditional logic, styling controls, and balanced pricing? Choose Globo.

Quick Comparison

Feature | Bold Product Options | Infinite Options (ShopPad) | Product Options & Customizer (HulkApps) | Globo Product Options — | —: | —: | —: | —: Pricing (monthly, June 2024) | $19.99 - $29.99+ | $9.99 | Free tier; $7.99 - $14.99 | $9.99 - $19.99 Conditional logic | Advanced | Basic/limited | Paid tiers | Moderate to advanced Price adders / modifiers | Yes | No (workarounds) | Yes (paid) | Yes File uploads | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes Variant/SKU mapping | Yes | No | Limited (requires work) | Limited Ease of setup | Medium to complex | Very easy | Easy to medium | Medium Best for | Enterprise / complex products | Simple custom inputs | Free to mid-tier merchants | Mid-size stores wanting styling

Pricing breakdown (example monthly scenarios):

  • Small store (basic fields, no dynamic pricing): Infinite Options $9.99 or HulkApps free.
  • Growing store (need price adders and conditional logic): Globo $9.99-$19.99 or HulkApps $7.99-$14.99.
  • Enterprise store (SKU mapping, complex rules): Bold Product Options $19.99-$29.99+ (custom pricing for scale).

FAQ

What is the Difference Between Add-Ons as Cart Properties and True Variant Options?

Add-ons stored as cart properties (how Infinite Options handles fields) are attached to the cart as metadata and do not create separate SKUs or affect inventory. True variant options are tied to Shopify product variants and SKUs; changes to those affect inventory and reporting. If you need inventory tracking per combination, choose an app that supports SKU/variant mapping.

Can These Apps Add Extra Price to the Product Based on Selected Options?

Yes, many apps offer price adders or modifiers (Bold, Globo, HulkApps paid tiers). Infinite Options generally does not natively adjust prices and stores use workarounds like separate line-item products or scripts.

Will a Product Options App Slow Down My Storefront?

Any app that injects scripts or UI elements can affect page load if not optimized. Enterprise apps often provide asynchronous loading or performance guidance. Test apps on a staging theme, check Lighthouse scores, and consult app support for optimization tips.

Do I Need a Developer to Set Up Conditional Logic or Styling?

Basic setups can often be done without a developer. Complex conditional logic, SKU mapping, or bespoke styling to match a custom theme typically benefits from developer help or paid setup services offered by app vendors.

Are There Apps That Let Customers Upload Files for Personalization?

Yes. Bold Product Options, Infinite Options, HulkApps, and Globo all support file uploads. Verify upload size limits, file type restrictions, and where uploaded files are stored or sent (email, admin, or external storage).

How Easy is It to Migrate Off an Options App Later?

Migration complexity depends on how options were stored. Cart-property based apps are easier to disable (you lose historical option metadata unless exported). SKU-mapping implementations require careful migration to preserve inventory linkages and reporting.

Export option data from the app and your Shopify orders before uninstalling.

Further Reading

Jamie

About the author

Jamie — Founder, Profit Calc (website)

Jamie helps Shopify merchants build profitable stores through data-driven strategies and proven tools for tracking revenue, costs, and margins.

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