Amai PreOrder Manager + Notify vs Gather: Refer a Friendfor Shopify (2026)
Amai PreOrder Manager + Notify and Gather: Refer a Friend are both Shopify apps designed to enhance a merchant's promotional strategy, yet they target distinct aspects of the business. Amai focuses on pre-orders, helping merchants generate hype and sales before a product's official launch by providing tools to automate pre-order availability, customize the pre-order experience, offer flexible payment options, and gather customer interest through stock alerts. Gather, conversely, focuses on leveraging existing customers to acquire new ones through a referral program. It automates and personalizes the referral process, allowing merchants to incentivize referrals through tiered reward systems and integrate the referral experience directly into their website and email marketing campaigns.
At a Glance
Amai PreOrder Manager + Notify
547 reviews
Gather: Refer a Friend
14 reviews
Detailed Overview
Amai PreOrder Manager + Notify
Effortlessly add pre-orders to any product. Boost sales and unlock your full sales potential.
Key Features
- Automate pre-order dates or enable them based on stock levels.
- Customize the look and function of pre-orders to match your store.
- Build launch hype by replacing 'Buy Now' buttons with 'Coming Soon.'
- Set pre-order limits and display them to create urgency.
- 24/7 live chat and developer support available when needed.
Gather: Refer a Friend
Gather activates your customer to customer referral channel, with automation and personalisation.
Key Features
- Sales growth, newsletter growth or lead-gen with referrals.
- Invitations, including: email with contact search, social media and messaging.
- Deploy reward tiers / milestones. Provide One-sided or two-sided rewards.
- Enrol members in a post-purchase CTA sidebar and directly from Klaviyo.
- Design emails with a drag-and-drop editor. Design the embedded dashboard.
Feature Comparison
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 5/5 |
Rating Amai PreOrder Manager + Notify4.3/5 Gather: Refer a Friend5/5 | ||
| Reviews | 547 | 14 |
Reviews Amai PreOrder Manager + Notify547 Gather: Refer a Friend14 | ||
| Primary Function | Pre-order management and notifications | Referral program management |
Primary Function Amai PreOrder Manager + NotifyPre-order management and notifications Gather: Refer a FriendReferral program management | ||
| Target Merchant | Merchants launching new products or managing stock levels | Merchants seeking to grow their customer base through referrals |
Target Merchant Amai PreOrder Manager + NotifyMerchants launching new products or managing stock levels Gather: Refer a FriendMerchants seeking to grow their customer base through referrals | ||
| Key Features | Pre-order automation, customization, and payment options | Referral reward tiers, email design, and integration with Klaviyo |
Key Features Amai PreOrder Manager + NotifyPre-order automation, customization, and payment options Gather: Refer a FriendReferral reward tiers, email design, and integration with Klaviyo | ||
| Support | 24/7 live chat and developer support | Not specified in description |
Support Amai PreOrder Manager + Notify24/7 live chat and developer support Gather: Refer a FriendNot specified in description | ||
| Value Proposition | Generate hype and increase sales through pre-orders | Acquire new customers through existing customer referrals |
Value Proposition Amai PreOrder Manager + NotifyGenerate hype and increase sales through pre-orders Gather: Refer a FriendAcquire new customers through existing customer referrals | ||
| Ease of Use | Implied ease of use with simplification claims | Embed with click of a button and Drag-and-drop editor |
Ease of Use Amai PreOrder Manager + NotifyImplied ease of use with simplification claims Gather: Refer a FriendEmbed with click of a button and Drag-and-drop editor | ||
Our Verdict
Amai PreOrder Manager + Notify is the better choice for merchants who frequently launch new products, manage low stock, or want to gauge demand before investing heavily in inventory. Its robust pre-order features and customer support offer comprehensive tools to maximize sales potential during product launches. On the other hand, Gather: Refer a Friend is ideally suited for merchants looking to expand their customer base organically and cost-effectively. While Gather boasts a perfect rating, the significantly lower number of reviews (14 versus 547 for Amai) suggests a smaller user base, which could indicate a newer app or a niche application. Merchants should weigh the importance of pre-order management versus customer referral programs when making their decision.
Common Questions
Which app is easier to set up?
Gather claims an embed with a click of a button. Amai claims it simplifies adding pre-orders. Without further testing, it is unclear which is easier.
Which app is better for a new store?
It depends on the store's needs. If launching a new product, Amai may be better to gauge market interest. If needing new customers, Gather is better to leverage existing ones.
Which app offers better customer support?
Amai specifies 24/7 live chat and developer support. Gather's description does not mention customer support details.
Which app is more focused on increasing sales?
Both apps aim to increase sales, but in different ways. Amai focuses on pre-launch sales, while Gather targets ongoing sales through customer referrals.
Which app is better for generating leads?
Gather explicitly mentions lead-gen capabilities (email/SMS) through referrals. Amai focuses more on direct sales through pre-orders.
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