Essential Upsell & Cross Sell vs Robust Checkoutfor Shopify (2026)
Essential Upsell & Cross Sell and Robust Checkout, while both categorized under 'Checkout' apps on Shopify, cater to distinctly different needs. Essential Upsell & Cross Sell focuses on boosting Average Order Value (AOV) through various upsell and cross-sell techniques. It targets merchants looking to increase sales by strategically presenting related products, bundles, and post-purchase offers. The app boasts a large user base and a high rating, suggesting established functionality and user satisfaction. Robust Checkout, on the other hand, centers around customizing the thank you and order status pages after checkout. It allows merchants using Shopify's checkout extensibility to enhance these pages with promotional banners, social media links, and other elements to improve customer engagement and branding. The app's small number of reviews suggests it might be newer or target a more niche audience already leveraging checkout extensibility. Its focus is on post-purchase customer experience rather than pre-purchase sales optimization.
At a Glance
Essential Upsell & Cross Sell
1,004 reviews
Robust Checkout
3 reviews
Detailed Overview
Essential Upsell & Cross Sell
One click upsell and cross sell. Show frequently bought together product upsell & related products.
Key Features
- Show frequently bought products (FBT), related products, product recommendations
- Post purchase upsell & cross sell: Product addons, bought together bundles
- Automatic discount promotions: Add discounts to upsell & "also bought" products
- Product page upsell: Add one click upsell & cross-sell products & BOGO bundles
- Cart upsell: Add upsell cart app, cross-sell & product add-ons to cart drawer
Robust Checkout
Personalize your thank you and order status pages from checkout using Robust Checkout.
Key Features
- Enhance you social media engagement using social icons on the checkout pages.
- Engage customers using multiple Image banners with text on the checkout pages.
- Display multiple instruction banners on the checkout pages.
Feature Comparison
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Rating Essential Upsell & Cross Sell5/5 Robust Checkout5/5 | ||
| Reviews | 1004 | 3 |
Reviews Essential Upsell & Cross Sell1004 Robust Checkout3 | ||
| Primary Goal | Increase AOV through upsells/cross-sells | Enhance thank you & order status pages |
Primary Goal Essential Upsell & Cross SellIncrease AOV through upsells/cross-sells Robust CheckoutEnhance thank you & order status pages | ||
| Target Merchant | Merchants wanting to increase sales volume | Merchants using checkout extensibility & focusing on post-purchase branding |
Target Merchant Essential Upsell & Cross SellMerchants wanting to increase sales volume Robust CheckoutMerchants using checkout extensibility & focusing on post-purchase branding | ||
| Key Features | FBT suggestions, bundles, post-purchase upsells | Promotional banners, social icons, image banners |
Key Features Essential Upsell & Cross SellFBT suggestions, bundles, post-purchase upsells Robust CheckoutPromotional banners, social icons, image banners | ||
| Ease of Use | Potentially moderate due to breadth of features | Potentially high, focused on page customization |
Ease of Use Essential Upsell & Cross SellPotentially moderate due to breadth of features Robust CheckoutPotentially high, focused on page customization | ||
| Value Proposition | More sales through strategic product recommendations | Improved customer engagement & brand experience post-purchase |
Value Proposition Essential Upsell & Cross SellMore sales through strategic product recommendations Robust CheckoutImproved customer engagement & brand experience post-purchase | ||
| Discount Capabilities | Offers automatic discount promotions on upsell/cross-sell products | No direct discount functionality mentioned |
Discount Capabilities Essential Upsell & Cross SellOffers automatic discount promotions on upsell/cross-sell products Robust CheckoutNo direct discount functionality mentioned | ||
Our Verdict
For merchants primarily concerned with boosting sales and increasing their Average Order Value (AOV), Essential Upsell & Cross Sell is the clear choice. Its extensive features for product recommendations, bundles, and post-purchase offers provide a comprehensive toolkit for driving revenue. The high number of positive reviews lends credibility to its effectiveness.
However, if a merchant is specifically looking to improve the post-purchase customer experience and brand engagement by customizing the thank you and order status pages, and they are already using Shopify's checkout extensibility, Robust Checkout is the better option. While its review count is low, the app's targeted features address a specific need not covered by Essential Upsell & Cross Sell.
Common Questions
Which app is better for beginners?
Robust Checkout might be easier to set up initially as it focuses on page customization. Essential Upsell & Cross Sell, with its wider range of features, could have a steeper learning curve.
Can I use both apps together?
Potentially. Essential Upsell & Cross Sell focuses on pre-checkout and immediate post-purchase, while Robust Checkout enhances later post-purchase pages. There could be some overlap, so testing is advisable.
Does Essential Upsell & Cross Sell work with all Shopify themes?
It's best to check the app documentation or contact support to confirm compatibility with your specific theme. Theme conflicts are always possible with apps injecting content.
What is 'checkout extensibility' required for Robust Checkout?
Checkout extensibility is a Shopify feature that allows developers to customize the checkout experience using code. Without it, Robust Checkout will not function.
How effective are 'Frequently Bought Together' recommendations?
Based on the positive reviews for Essential Upsell & Cross Sell, and general e-commerce best practices, 'Frequently Bought Together' recommendations can be very effective at increasing AOV by suggesting relevant and complementary products customers are likely to purchase.
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