SEOAnt – 404 Link Redirect vs SM Quick Redirects & 404s
Broken links are silent killers for Shopify stores. They not only disrupt user experience but also impact SEO rankings and conversion rates. If you’re in search of the best Shopify 404 redirect app, you’ve likely come across SEOAnt – 404 Link Redirect and SM Quick Redirects & 404s. But which app is right for your store?
In this detailed comparison, we’ll break down these two powerful tools across key dimensions like automation, SEO performance, 404 detection, redirect capabilities, ease of use, and pricing.
Overview of the Apps
SEOAnt – 404 Link Redirect
SEOAnt is a long-established redirect solution designed to help merchants manage broken links, implement 301 redirects, and improve SEO health. The app provides a dashboard of detected 404 errors and allows you to redirect them individually or in bulk.
SM Quick Redirects & 404s
SM Quick Redirects & 404s is a modern redirect manager that emphasizes automation, user experience, and regex-based workflows. Built for scalability, it supports advanced bulk tools, real-time alerts, and smart redirect patterns.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | SEOAnt – 404 Link Redirect | SM Quick Redirects & 404s |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic 404 Detection | ✅ | ✅ (Real-time) |
| 301 Redirect Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| 302 Redirect Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| Bulk Redirect Management | ✅ | ✅ (CSV + In-app) |
| Regex/Pattern Matching | ❌ | ✅ |
| Redirect Analytics | Limited | ✅ (With Stats) |
| Email Alerts for 404s | ❌ | ✅ |
| Shopify 2.0 Compatibility | ✅ | ✅ |
| Live Redirects on Broken Pages | ✅ | ✅ |
404 Monitoring & Automation
SEOAnt provides basic broken link detection through a crawler and manual listing. While effective, it doesn’t catch 404s in real time and lacks automation beyond bulk action buttons.
SM Quick Redirects, on the other hand, features a real-time 404 monitor, capturing every live error visit instantly. You can then redirect on the fly or enable alerts for auto-detection. Regex-based rules also allow proactive redirect creation before 404s even occur.
SEO-Focused Features
Both apps offer 301 redirect capabilities, which are essential for preserving SEO value during URL restructuring or product deletions. However, SM Quick Redirects goes a step further by offering:
- Live page redirects (immediate fallback)
- Regex pattern redirects for scalable SEO fixes
- Redirect hit stats to optimize redirect paths
These features help reduce bounce rates, fix crawl errors faster, and ensure a seamless experience for both users and search engines.
Bulk Tools and Workflow
SEOAnt supports redirect creation one-by-one or via bulk checkbox actions. It’s ideal for small to medium-sized stores with modest URL changes.
SM Quick Redirects excels at scale. You can import/export thousands of redirects via CSV, create pattern-based rules (like “redirect all /old-collection/* to /archive”), and sort/filter by 404 hits, redirect type, or creation method.
User Experience & Usability
SEOAnt has a traditional interface that works well for manual workflows. However, it can feel outdated and limited for merchants looking to automate and scale.
SM Quick Redirects boasts a modern, responsive UI with clear redirect lists, live monitoring, smart filters, and instant rule editing. Its live 404 redirect assistant makes it beginner-friendly and powerful for advanced users alike.
App Support & Documentation
Both apps offer support via email. SM Quick Redirects adds live chat support and priority setup help for merchants migrating large redirect sets or changing domains. Additionally, its built-in documentation and tooltips make it easier to self-serve for regex and CSV formats.
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | SEOAnt – 404 Link Redirect | SM Quick Redirects & 404s |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✅ (Limited) | ✅ (Includes automation) |
| Paid Plans | From $7.99/month | From $3.99/month |
| Bulk Features | Only on paid tiers | Included on free & pro plans |
Use Case Comparison
Example: A store restructuring 500+ URLs during a rebrand
- SEOAnt: Manual creation or bulk checkbox updates. No pattern rules. Delayed crawl detection.
- SM Quick Redirects: Use CSV import, regex patterns, and live 404 auto-monitoring for full automation.
SM Quick Redirects clearly offers a more scalable and proactive approach.
Final Verdict
Both SEOAnt and SM Quick Redirects are strong contenders in the Shopify 404 redirect app space. However, their approaches differ greatly:
Choose SEOAnt – 404 Link Redirect if you:
- Want a simple manual redirect manager
- Are working with a small store or limited 404s
- Don’t need advanced automation or patterns
Choose SM Quick Redirects & 404s if you:
- Need real-time 404 detection and live redirect tools
- Want to use pattern/regex-based redirect logic
- Handle frequent bulk imports/exports of redirects
- Value modern UX and built-in SEO automation
For Shopify merchants serious about SEO, automation, and scale, SM Quick Redirects & 404s is the better long-term investment.