DPO Dynamic Product Options vs SM Product Options Comparison
Shopify’s native product variant system—limited to 3 options and 100 variants—can quickly become restrictive for merchants looking to offer advanced product customization. That’s where product options apps step in. In this product options Shopify app comparison, we evaluate two powerful contenders: DPO Dynamic Product Options and SM Product Options.
Both apps aim to solve similar problems, but their approach, flexibility, and usability differ significantly. Read on for a detailed comparison to help you choose the best tool for your Shopify store’s customization needs.
Overview of Each App
DPO Dynamic Product Options
DPO by ITORIS INC is known for being one of the most feature-rich and developer-centric product options apps. It supports nearly any kind of customization logic, advanced tiered pricing, and extensive layout options.
- Supports text, checkboxes, dropdowns, color/image swatches
- Advanced conditional logic and dependencies
- Tiered pricing, mathematical formulas, and quantity rules
- Inventory tracking for options
- Layout customization (grid, tabbed, vertical, horizontal)
- Form builder with developer-level flexibility
SM Product Options
SM Product Options is a modern Shopify 2.0-ready app designed for high performance and ease of use. It offers drag-and-drop configuration, Shopify-native integration, and a visual-first experience, making it ideal for merchants who want advanced logic with simplicity.
- Drag-and-drop builder with live preview
- Supports all major input types: dropdowns, checkboxes, swatches, file uploads
- Advanced conditional logic (modular)
- Dynamic pricing with formula builder
- Integration with Shopify Functions, Discounts, and Shop Pay
- Multi-step product configurators and edit-in-cart functionality
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | DPO Dynamic Product Options | SM Product Options |
|---|---|---|
| Field Types (Text, Dropdown, Checkbox, etc.) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Conditional Logic | ✅ (Highly Advanced) | ✅ (Modular & Intuitive) |
| Formula-Based Pricing | ✅ | ✅ |
| Layout Customization | ✅ (Tabs, Grids, Custom) | ❌ (Default layout) |
| Drag-and-Drop Builder | ✅ | ✅ |
| Multi-Step Product Forms | ✅ (Manual Setup) | ✅ (Visual Steps) |
| Shopify 2.0 Compatibility | Limited | ✅ |
| Shopify Functions / Discounts Integration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Inventory Tracking on Options | ✅ | ❌ |
| Edit-in-Cart | ❌ | ✅ |
Ease of Use
DPO: Designed for power users and developers. While incredibly powerful, it has a steeper learning curve, especially for merchants without technical experience. Great for building advanced logic with precision.
SM Product Options: Built with usability in mind. The visual drag-and-drop builder, live preview, and modular field groups make it easy for beginners to configure even complex setups in minutes.
Use Case Comparison
| Use Case | Best App |
|---|---|
| Custom gift builder with conditional steps | SM Product Options |
| Tiered pricing and volume discounts | DPO |
| Dynamic form with inventory-linked options | DPO |
| Drag-and-drop product configurator | SM Product Options |
| Design-heavy options UI (multi-layouts) | DPO |
| Mobile-first customization flows | SM Product Options |
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | DPO | SM Product Options |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ❌ | ✅ |
| Starting Price | $9.99/month | $10/month |
| Advanced Tier | $49/month+ | $20/month+ |
| Custom Layouts/Premium Features | ✅ | ❌ |
Support & Developer Access
- DPO: Email-based support with in-depth documentation. Good for developers or technically advanced users.
- SM Product Options: Email and live chat support, onboarding help, and theme integration assistance included in plans.
Compatibility and Integration
DPO: Works well across most themes but lacks deep Shopify-native integrations like Discounts, Shop Pay, or Shopify Functions. Best suited for stores using custom themes or requiring high configuration flexibility.
SM Product Options: Fully optimized for Shopify 2.0, integrates with Shopify Functions, multi-currency, and supports headless/storefront apps. Ideal for modern Shopify tech stacks.
Example Store Scenario
Scenario: Custom furniture store selling configurable tables.
With DPO: Use tabbed layout to let users select dimensions, material, leg type, and finishes. Each selection dynamically updates pricing, tied to option-level inventory.
With SM Product Options: Use step-by-step builder to walk customers through personalization. Formula-based pricing adjusts dynamically, customer edits order in cart, and applies Shopify discount code.
Reviews & Feedback
- DPO: Well-reviewed for flexibility and developer features. Some users mention a steeper learning curve and complex UI for beginners.
- SM Product Options: Highly praised for ease of use, responsive support, and fast implementation of feature requests. Newer but quickly gaining traction.
Final Verdict
Choose DPO Dynamic Product Options if you:
- Need advanced control over pricing, layout, and logic
- Are comfortable with developer-level configuration
- Require inventory tracking per option
Choose SM Product Options if you:
- Prefer a user-friendly, visual builder with live preview
- Want native Shopify integration (Functions, Discounts, Shop Pay)
- Are focused on performance, UX, and scalability
Conclusion
Both DPO and SM Product Options offer robust solutions for product customization. DPO is perfect for power users seeking granular control and layout flexibility, while SM Product Options stands out for its intuitive UX, Shopify-native integration, and drag-and-drop simplicity.
Want the best balance of power and ease of use? Try SM Product Options and turn your product pages into high-converting, fully customizable experiences.