Loop Returns vs Return Prime (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Return Prime grades higher than Loop Returns: 2.0 against 1.4 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
Return Prime grades higher on value for money and the free plan. They get the same grade on features, ease of use and platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Loop Returns
Returns and exchanges software for Shopify brands
Return Prime
Returns and exchanges app for Shopify stores
Which one is for you
Pick Loop Returns if
- Fits if you run a Shopify shop with enough returns to pay for it
- Works for a shop that wants exchanges offered before refunds
Look elsewhere if
- Pricey if you have few returns, as the Returns plan starts at $340 a month
- Not for you if you are not on Shopify, as other platforms need a custom build
- Watch out: Checkout+ is free only for merchants who qualify
- Skip it if you want to sign up alone, as plans are booked through a demo
Pick Return Prime if
- Fits if you run a Shopify store and want a returns portal that starts free
- Works for a small shop with under 60 returns a month
Look elsewhere if
- Tight if you stay free: 5 return requests a month
- Not for you if you are off Shopify: other platforms are not supported yet
- Pricey if volume climbs: the slider reaches $100 a month and extra requests cost $0.49 each
- Watch out: AI exchange discounts and store credit incentives need Thrive AI at $29.99 and up
- Watch out: the FAQ mentions a free trial but gives no length
How we grade them
| 1.4GPALoop ReturnsWeak | 2.0GPAReturn PrimeFair | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | D$340 a month for up to 1,000 returns a year, against a category middle of $20 and a dearest tenth from $189. Returns software is a different job from a label tool, but this is the top of the range. | CGrow is $19.99 a month for 60 requests, which is the middle for shipping tools. The slider goes to $49.99 for 180 and $99.99 for 450, with $0.49 for each extra request. |
| Free plan and trial | FNo free plan or trial for most shops. Checkout+ is $0 only for merchants who qualify. | CA free plan with 5 returns a month and the self-serve portal. You will hit the cap quickly. |
| Features | CExchanges, fraud prevention, return labels, workflows and insights. It is built for Shopify, and other platforms need a custom build. | CA returns portal, exchanges, refund modes, labels and AI exchange incentives. The AI features start on Thrive at $29.99, and the free plan covers little. |
| Ease of use | CNo store rating on record. Workflows and policies have to be set up, and plans are booked through a demo. | CNo store rating on record. You set up policies and the portal inside Shopify. |
| Platforms and integrations | CWeb only on the listing, with one integration, Shopify. | CShopify only; the FAQ says other platforms are not yet supported. Web admin, no desktop or phone app. |
| Best for | returns and exchanges for Shopify stores | returns and exchanges app for Shopify |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: Loop Returns and Return Prime. How we grade
Price against what you get
Loop Returns starts at $340 a month and scores 2.0 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. Return Prime starts at $19.99 a month and scores 2.0.
They score the same, and Return Prime starts $320.01 a month lower. Of the other shipping software on the chart, 34 score higher than Loop Returns for less, and 21 score higher than Return Prime for less.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Where they differ
- Loop Returns also covers reports.
- Return Prime also covers shipping labels.
At a glance
| Loop Returns | Return Prime | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid | Free plan |
| Starts at | $340 per month, up to 1,000 returns a year | $19.99 per month for up to 60 requests |
| Free plan | None | 5 returns per month. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| Web | ||
| Made by | Loop | Return Prime |
| Price read from | loopreturns.com | returnprime.com |
| Checked | Nov 12, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Loop Returns
- Checkout+ is free only for merchants who qualify.
- Returns plan starts at $340 a month and covers up to 1,000 returns a year.
- Built for Shopify; other platforms need a custom implementation.
- Plans are booked through a demo.
Return Prime
- Runs on Shopify only; the FAQ says other platforms are not yet supported.
- The monthly price is set by a request-volume slider and the page shows $100 per month at the top step.
- The Free plan covers only 5 requests a month; extra requests are charged per request on paid plans.
- The FAQ says a free trial is offered but gives no length.
Key features
Loop Returns
- Exchanges
- Variant and instant exchanges, plus Shop Now and Bonus Credit.
- Fraud prevention
- Tools to reduce abusive returns.
- Return labels
- US and Canada domestic return labels and printerless returns.
- Workflows
- Rules for returns, store credit or refund options and a custom return URL.
- Insights
- Reporting on returns and exchanges.
Return Prime
- Self-serve returns portal
- Shoppers request returns and exchanges with configurable reasons, photo or video capture and return rules.
- Exchanges
- Same-variant exchanges on lower plans; other-product exchanges and Shop Now on paid tiers.
- Refund modes
- Gift card, discount code, store credit and bank transfer.
- Return labels
- Print or QR labels, with logistics integrations on paid plans.
- Wonder features
- Revenue Booster upsells, automations, Smart Exchange and Promotions that steer refunds toward credit.
- AI incentives
- Thrive AI adds AI exchange discounts and store credit incentives.
Plans
Loop Returns
Checkout+$0
Free software and return shipping for merchants who qualify; eligibility depends on order and return volume.
Returns$340
per month and up, for up to 1,000 returns annually
Includes Shop Now, Instant Exchange, Bonus Credit and fraud prevention. Sold through a demo.
Return Prime
Free$0
5 return requests per month with a self-serve return and exchange portal.
Grow$19.99
per month for up to 60 requests
A slider sets volume: $49.99 for 180 requests and $99.99 for 450 requests a month. Extra requests are $0.49 each.
Thrive AI$29.99
per month for up to 60 requests
Adds AI exchange discounts and store credit incentives. Slider steps: $79.99 for 180 requests and $159.99 for 450. Extra requests are $0.79 each.
ScaleCustom
For 450+ requests a month, with custom integrations, a dedicated account manager and performance reviews. Quote only.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Loop Returns or Return Prime?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Return Prime is cheaper to start with: $19.99 a month, against $340 a month for Loop Returns. Loop Returns starts at $340 per month, up to 1,000 returns a year, and Return Prime starts at $19.99 per month for up to 60 requests.
Which has a free plan, Loop Returns or Return Prime?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only Return Prime has a free plan. Loop Returns does not.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.