Returnly shut down in October 2023. Loop absorbed the merchant base and now dominates the Shopify returns ecosystem with advanced auto-refund rules, exchange incentives like Bonus Credit and Instant Exchange, and integrations with Happy Returns drop-off bars and major 3PLs. Shopify's native return request system is free but lacks automation, exchange flows, and fraud controls. Yotpo and Gorgias mention returns as add-ons within loyalty and helpdesk products but do not publish standalone returns pricing or feature parity with Loop.
How we approached this
We reviewed published pricing pages, integration lists, and feature grids for Loop, Returnly (historical and redirect page), Shopify, Yotpo, and Gorgias. Returnly's 2023 shutdown redirects to Loop's welcome page. Shopify publishes checkout and basic return capabilities by plan. Yotpo and Gorgias pricing pages do not list standalone return management modules or pricing. We cite vendor-published pricing exactly and note where features or pricing are not disclosed.
Loop Returns
Loop Returns
- +Instant Exchange and Bonus Credit incentivize exchanges over refunds
- +Fraud prevention, automated workflows, and return policy rules on Essential and Advanced
- +Happy Returns Return Bars integration for box-free, printerless drop-off
- +Shop Now, Shop Later, and POS returns on Advanced and Plus
- +Unlimited return destinations and carrier rate shopping on Essential+
- −Essential starts at $155/mo; Advanced at $340/mo—high for small-volume stores
- −Core plan only includes return labels, not software or automation
- −Pricing not published for Plus; requires 20,000+ annual orders
- −No public SLA or refund policy for service interruptions
Loop's pricing page lists three paid plans: Essential ($155/mo), Advanced ($340/mo), and Plus (from $2,300/mo for 20,000+ annual orders). Core is free but only includes US/Canada return labels and Package Protection, not the returns software. Essential adds unlimited destinations, automated return policies, carrier rate shopping, and workflows. Advanced adds Instant Exchange (swap item before return arrives), Bonus Credit (store credit bonus to discourage refunds), fraud prevention, and Shop Now (upsell at return portal). Plus adds unlimited staff, custom checkout, 200 POS Pro locations, and B2B catalogs. Per the Returnly welcome page, Loop entered a strategic partnership with Affirm when Returnly shut down October 1, 2023; Loop now serves the former Returnly merchant base.
Returnly
Returnly
- +Historical feature parity with Loop on exchange flows and logistics integrations
- −Service terminated October 1, 2023; no longer accepting merchants
- −Returns initiated in Returnly portal before shutdown had to be completed in Returnly—no migration path
- −Merchants who missed the deadline process returns manually until migrating to Loop or another platform
Returnly, owned by Affirm, shut down October 1, 2023. The pricing page now redirects to Loop's Returnly welcome page. Per that page, Loop partnered with Affirm to transition Returnly merchants. Returns initiated in Returnly before the cutoff had to be completed in Returnly; Loop does not transfer in-flight returns. Merchants who missed the deadline process returns manually until onboarding Loop or another platform. Loop's welcome page cites 5,000+ Shopify brands, 2 million returns per month, and $2.4+ billion in sales retained—presumably including former Returnly volume.
Shopify Native Returns
Shopify Native Returns
- +Free return request flow in Shopify admin on all plans
- +Customers can submit return requests; merchants approve/decline manually
- +Basic refund processing and restocking in Shopify Orders interface
- +No third-party app fee or per-return charge
- −No automated approval rules, exchange flows, or bonus credit incentives
- −No carrier rate shopping or return label generation without third-party app
- −No fraud detection, return bars, or logistics partner integrations
- −Manual approval workflow does not scale beyond small volumes
Shopify's pricing page lists Basic ($29/mo), Grow ($79/mo), Advanced ($299/mo), and Plus (from $2,300/mo). All plans include checkout, inventory management, and order processing. Shopify's native return request system allows customers to submit return requests in the customer account portal; merchants approve or decline in the Shopify admin. The system does not automate approval based on rules, generate return labels, or offer exchange flows. No mention of fraud detection, bonus credit, or logistics partner integrations on the pricing page. Merchants seeking automation must use a third-party app like Loop or AfterShip Returns.
Yotpo
Yotpo
- +Reviews & UGC and Loyalty & Referrals modules integrate with return flows (per integrations list)
- +Potential to display product reviews at return portal or offer loyalty points for exchanges
- −Pricing page does not list standalone return management module or pricing
- −No published feature list for return automation, exchange incentives, or logistics integrations
- −Platform positions as loyalty and reviews first, not dedicated returns software
Yotpo's pricing page lists Reviews & UGC and Loyalty & Referrals products with no published pricing (requires demo). The integrations page mentions Loop Returns as a preferred integration, suggesting Yotpo does not build its own return management software but instead integrates with Loop. No standalone return automation, exchange flow, or logistics partner features are listed. Yotpo positions as a loyalty and reviews platform; returns are ancillary.
Gorgias
Gorgias
- +Helpdesk integrations with Loop Returns, Yotpo, Recharge, and 100+ apps per pricing page
- +AI Agent can handle returns and refunds as part of automated support interactions ($0.90-$1.00 per resolved conversation)
- +Email, Live Chat, SMS, and Voice support channels for return inquiries
- −Pricing based on helpdesk tickets, not return volume; no dedicated return portal
- −AI Agent return handling requires Pro plan or higher ($300/mo baseline)
- −No published feature parity with Loop on exchange incentives, fraud detection, or carrier rate shopping
- −Integrations page lists Loop Returns as a preferred partner—Gorgias does not replace Loop
Gorgias pricing starts at $10/mo (Starter, 50 tickets) and scales to $750/mo (Advanced, 5,000 tickets) for helpdesk. AI Agent automation costs $0.90-$1.00 per resolved conversation and can handle returns and refunds as part of support automation. The integrations page lists Loop Returns, Yotpo, and Recharge as preferred partners. Gorgias does not publish a standalone return management module or portal; instead, agents and AI handle return requests via email, chat, or SMS. No mention of exchange incentives, fraud detection, or logistics partner integrations on the pricing page.
Verdict
- High-volume Shopify brands with complex exchange flows and fraud concerns: Loop Advanced ($340/mo) or Plus (from $2,300/mo) for Instant Exchange, Bonus Credit, fraud prevention, and Happy Returns drop-off bars.
- Mid-volume stores prioritizing automated return policies and carrier rate shopping: Loop Essential ($155/mo) for unlimited destinations, workflows, and rate shopping without fraud tools or advanced exchanges.
- Low-volume or budget-constrained stores: Shopify native returns (free) for manual approval workflows; pair with a helpdesk like Gorgias Basic ($50/mo) to handle return inquiries via email and chat.
- Brands using Gorgias or Yotpo already: Check if Loop integration covers return automation needs; both platforms list Loop as a preferred partner rather than building competing return software.
- Former Returnly merchants: Loop is the designated successor per the Returnly shutdown page; onboarding can be completed in 2-14 days depending on customization needs.
What we'd skip
- Returnly: Shut down October 1, 2023; no active service or merchant portal.
- Shopify native for high return volumes: Manual approval workflow does not scale; no exchange incentives, fraud detection, or logistics partner integrations.
- Yotpo or Gorgias as standalone return platforms: Neither publishes dedicated return management pricing or feature parity with Loop; both list Loop as a preferred integration partner.
