LPO Live Product Options vs SM Product Options Comparison
Shopify’s native product page is powerful—but its limit of 3 options and 100 variants creates a bottleneck for stores needing rich customization. That’s where specialized apps like LPO Live Product Options and SM Product Options step in.
In this product options Shopify app comparison, we'll explore both apps in detail—features, pricing, usability, performance, and real-world use—to help you determine the best choice for your store.
Overview of Each App
LPO Live Product Options
Developed by Cloudlift, LPO Live Product Options empowers store owners with:
• Live preview on the product image (text, uploads, swatches)
• Unlimited custom fields: text, dropdowns, swatches, file uploads, date pickers
• Add-on pricing, dynamic formulas, and tiered discounts
• Conditional logic to show/hide options
• Multi-currency support and theme compatibility
• Multiple pricing tiers based on order volume :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
SM Product Options
SM Product Options is a Shopify Functions-powered app that offers:
• Unlimited custom fields—dropdowns, swatches, uploads, buttons
• Advanced conditional logic with multi-step flows
• Formula-based pricing and discount compatibility
• Color/Image swatches & font selectors
• Edit-in-cart functionality & multi-currency support
• Seamless integration with upsell/discount apps via Shopify Functions :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | LPO Live Product Options | SM Product Options |
|---|---|---|
| Text, Dropdowns, Checkboxes | ✅ | ✅ |
| Color/Image Swatches | ✅ | ✅ |
| File Uploads | ✅ | ✅ |
| Conditional Logic | ✅ | ✅ (Advanced) |
| Live Preview on Image | ✅ | ❌ |
| Formula‑based Pricing | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tiered/Quantity Discounts | ✅ | ✅ (via Functions) |
| Edit‑in‑Cart Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| Shopify Functions & Discounts | ❌ | ✅ |
| Import/Export Option Sets | ✅ | ✅ |
| Shopify 2.0 & Theme Support | ✅ | ✅ |
Ease of Use
LPO Live Product Options offers a WYSIWYG in-app editor to set up live previews and conditional logic without editing theme code :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}. However, some merchants mention a slight setup curve for image layering.
SM Product Options delivers an intuitive, drag-and-drop builder and real‑time logic preview—all within Shopify admin. Its UI is clean and friendly, even for non-technical users :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
Use-Case Scenarios
| Scenario | Best App |
|---|---|
| Custom text/image uploads | Both |
| Live visual preview on product image | LPO Live Product Options |
| Advanced conditional forms | SM Product Options |
| Formula‑based pricing & SKU logic | Both |
| Multi-step configurators | SM Product Options |
| Edit options in cart | SM Product Options |
| Shopify Functions & discount combos | SM Product Options |
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | LPO Live Product Options | SM Product Options |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ❌ | ✅ (Developer) |
| Entry Price | $9/month (100 orders) | $10/month |
| Mid-Tier Plan | $19–29/month (200–300 orders) | $20/month (Pro) |
| Unlimited Tier | $49/month | $20+/month |
Customer Support & Reviews
LPO Live Product Options averages ⭐4.8 across ~263 reviews. Merchants report it delivers powerful customization effortlessly and highlight "intuitive interface" and exceptional support :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
SM Product Options holds ⭐5.0 (though with fewer reviews), with praise for its logic features, UI, fast support, and Shopify-native integration :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
Performance & Compatibility
LPO Live Product Options installs via Shopify App Block and avoids theme liquid changes. It supports Shopify 2.0 themes and is optimized for multi-currency :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
SM Product Options is built with Shopify Functions, ensuring fast load times and compatibility with Next-gen checkout flows, multi-currency, and other native Shopify features :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
Real‑World Example
Product Type: Personalized printed canvas
- With LPO: Offer text input, file upload, color swatch; live preview shows design directly on canvas in real time.
- With SM: Provide color/image swatches, text field, formula pricing, conditional logic, and allow editing options in cart. Integrate discount codes easily.
Final Verdict
Choose LPO Live Product Options if you:
- Need on‑product live preview for uploads/text
- Value multi-layer image editing on product page
- Are okay manually handling conditional logic in the LPO editor
Choose SM Product Options if you:
- Want modern, conditional logic builder and multi-step forms
- Need formula pricing, edit-in-cart, and discounts via Shopify Functions
- Prioritize fast support and full Shopify-native architecture
Conclusion
Both apps significantly enhance Shopify’s default capabilities. LPO Live Product Options stands out for its live-image preview, making customization tangible and engaging. Meanwhile, SM Product Options excels at logic complexity, native integrations, and multi-layered workflows for advanced stores.
Choose based on your primary goal—immersive visual experience versus logic-driven configurators. Either way, you’ll deliver a superior customization experience that boosts conversion and AOV.