vs 
Back in Stock vs Essent: 2026 comparison
Back in Stock and Essent both combine restock alerts with preorders (including partial payment), but Back in Stock has a thirteen-year head start: it created the category in 2011, while Essent launched in November 2024. Back in Stock delivers alerts via email, SMS, and web push — Essent's listing covers email only — and its flat plans carry no automatic overage fees, where Essent bills per preorder and per notification above plan caps.
Full feature comparison
| Back in StockRecommended | EssentCompetitor | |
|---|---|---|
| In market since | 2011 | 2024 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Flat + opt-in top-ups | Usage-based overages |
| Entry paid price | $19/mo | $5/mo |
| Top-tier price | $99/mo (unlimited) | $25/mo |
| Automatic overage fees | None — opt-in top-ups | (above plan caps) |
| Free trial | 14 days | 14 days |
| Preorders | Yes | Yes |
| Notification channels | Email, SMS, Push | |
| Wishlist module | Coming soon | No |
| Low-stock badges | Coming soon | — |
| Multi-language | Yes | Yes |
| Built for Shopify | Yes | Yes |
| Try Back in Stock for Free |
Essent figures verified against their Shopify App Store listing on July 29, 2026. Review counts and pricing change frequently — check the App Store for current details. "—" means unverified, not absent.
Essent figures verified against their Shopify App Store listing on July 29, 2026. Review counts and pricing change frequently — check the App Store for current details. "—" means unverified, not absent.
Where Back in Stock wins
Original since 2011
Back in Stock launched in 2011; Essent arrived in November 2024, thirteen years later. 112,000+ merchants have used Back in Stock across that span, including some of the biggest DTC brands — Skims, Red Bull, Alo, and Kylie Cosmetics.
Email, SMS, and web push
Essent's Shopify listing covers email delivery only. Back in Stock sends instant and scheduled restock alerts via email, SMS, and web push, brand-matched and available in multiple languages.
No automatic overage fees
Essent automatically bills $0.25 per preorder ($0.10 on Essentials) and $1.00 per 100 notifications above plan caps. Back in Stock's plans are flat — if you need more notifications, you opt in to a top-up pack; nothing is billed automatically.
Where Essent might fit
Essent (launched November 2024) offers preorders with full and partial payment, translations, and a generous free tier of 300 back-in-stock notifications per month. If email-only delivery is enough and a large free notification allowance matters most, Essent is worth a look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Back in Stock better than Essent?
Back in Stock is the better choice for most merchants: thirteen more years in market (2011 vs November 2024), email/SMS/web push delivery where Essent is email-only, and flat pricing where Essent bills automatic per-preorder and per-notification overages. Essent offers a generous free tier of 300 notifications per month if email-only alerts are enough.
Does Essent send SMS or push notifications?
Essent's Shopify App Store listing covers email delivery only — no SMS or web push. Back in Stock delivers restock alerts via email, SMS, and web push.
Which is cheaper — Back in Stock or Essent?
Essent's paid plans start at $5/month versus Back in Stock's $19/month, and Essent's free tier includes more notifications. But Essent adds automatic overage charges above plan caps, while Back in Stock's flat tiers with opt-in top-ups keep costs predictable as you grow. Both offer free plans and 14-day trials.