OPTIS Product Options, Variant vs SM Product Options Comparison
Shopify merchants looking to offer personalized or configurable products quickly run into Shopify’s native limit of 3 product options and 100 variants per product. That’s why product options apps—like OPTIS Product Options, Variant and SM Product Options—are essential. This product options Shopify app comparison dives into their capabilities, pricing, user experience, and more, helping you pick the best fit for your store.
Overview of Each App
OPTIS Product Options, Variant
OPTIS is a popular product app with over 4,000 reviews and ~4.9 star rating in the Shopify app store. It supports unlimited customizable options—text, swatches, file uploads—and even helps merchants bypass Shopify’s variant limits by creating “pseudo-variants.”
- Unlimited custom fields: text, dropdowns, radio, swatches
- Image and color swatches
- File uploads for personalization
- Conditional logic based on selections
- Dynamic pricing and add-ons
- Option set templates
- Automatic variant creation to support inventory/fulfillment
SM Product Options
SM Product Options is a modern and fast-growing app built specifically for Shopify 2.0. It focuses on user experience, advanced logic, and deeper Shopify integration.
- Drag‑and‑drop builder with live preview
- Color/image swatches, buttons, uploads
- Modular and multi‑step logic
- Formula‑based dynamic pricing
- Integration with Shopify Functions & discount codes
- Edit‑in‑cart experience and multi‑currency support
- Import/export option sets for easy replication
Feature Comparison
| Feature | OPTIS (BSS) | SM Product Options |
|---|---|---|
| Text, Dropdown, Checkbox Fields | ✅ | ✅ |
| Color/Image Swatches | ✅ | ✅ |
| File Upload | ✅ | ✅ |
| Conditional Logic | ✅ | ✅ (Advanced & Modular) |
| Dynamic/Formulated Pricing | ✅ (Add-ons) | ✅ (Formulas & Logic) |
| Option Templates | ✅ | ✅ |
| Automatic Variant Creation | ✅ | ✅ |
| Multi-step Forms | ✅ | ✅ |
| Edit-in-Cart Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| Shopify Functions & Discounts | ❌ | ✅ |
| Import/Export Option Sets | Limited | ✅ |
| Shopify 2.0 Theme Support | ✅ | ✅ |
Ease of Use
OPTIS: Offers a powerful, straightforward UI. Merchants appreciate templated option sets and built-in variant creation. Slightly technical setup for logic or dynamic price rules.
SM Product Options: Provides a sleek drag-and-drop builder with real-time preview. Ideal for both beginners and advanced users handling complex logic visually.
Use Case Scenarios
| Scenario | Best App |
|---|---|
| Add engraving or personalization text | Both |
| Add color/image swatches | Both |
| File upload for custom design | Both |
| Automatic variant generation for SKU/Inventory | OPTIS |
| Multi-step product configurator | SM Product Options |
| Dynamic pricing formulas or discounts | SM Product Options |
| Edit customization in cart | SM Product Options |
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | OPTIS (BSS) | SM Product Options |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✅ (Basic) | ✅ (Basic) |
| Base Price | $9.99/month | $10/month |
| Advanced Pricing / Logic | $49.99+/month | $20/month |
| Variant Creation Included | ✅ | ❌ |
Support & Integration
| Feature | OPTIS (BSS) | SM Product Options |
|---|---|---|
| Email Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| Live Chat | ✅ | ✅ |
| Help Center/Docs | ✅ | ✅ |
| Theme Integration Assistance | ✅ (Guided) | ✅ (Included) |
| Onboarding & Custom Setup | Limited | ✅ |
Compatibility & Performance
OPTIS: Works with most Shopify themes and auto‑generates variants for inventory syncing. Slight impact on page speed due to variant logic scripts.
SM Product Options: Lightweight and performance‑optimized. Full Shopify 2.0 and Functions support ensures seamless UX even on high‑traffic sites.
Real Store Example
Store Type: Custom gift box builder
With OPTIS: Add fields for personalized messages, color swatches, and file uploads. Variants auto‑generated to handle stock and fulfillment.
With SM Product Options: Customer customizes each item step by step, sees dynamic price updates, uses discount codes, and reviews customization in cart before checkout.
Merchant Feedback & Reviews
- OPTIS (BSS): ~4.9 stars. Highly rated for variant automation, flexibility, and inventory compatibility.
- SM Product Options: 4.9+ stars. Praised for modern UI, logic system, and performance on Shopify 2.0 stores.
Final Verdict
Choose OPTIS Product Options, Variant (by BSS) if you:
- Need automatic variant creation for inventory/fulfillment purposes
- Prefer option templates and centralized logic
- Will manage inventory at the variant level
Choose SM Product Options if you:
- Want a modern drag-and-drop builder with live preview and logic
- Need dynamic pricing, discount compatibility, or edit-in-cart UX
- Care about Shopify 2.0, Functions, and storefront performance
Conclusion
Both OPTIS Product Options by BSS and SM Product Options address Shopify’s variant limitations effectively—but they excel in different areas. OPTIS stands out with automated variant creation and template flexibility, ideal for structured inventory workflows. Meanwhile, SM Product Options offers a more visual, logic-driven, performance-optimized, and Shopify-native experience.
Ready to elevate your product customization? Evaluate your priorities and choose the app that best fits your workflow. For a scalable, modern, and UX-driven solution, give SM Product Options a try today.