YMQ Product Options & Variants vs SM Product Options Comparison
For Shopify merchants offering customizable products—from personalized gifts to build-your-own bundles—the built-in limit of 3 options and 100 variants is often a roadblock. That's where third-party product options apps like YMQ Product Options & Variants and SM Product Options come in.
This product options Shopify app comparison dives into their features, pricing, usability, support, and more—helping you choose the right tool to unlock unlimited customization while maximizing conversions.
Overview of Each App
YMQ Product Options & Variants
YMQ Product Options & Variants is an all-in-one solution for merchants who need unlimited product personalization with auto variant generation. You can add custom inputs, swatches, file uploads, logic, and integrate with inventory management.
- Text, dropdown, checkbox, radio, date inputs
- Color/image swatches and file uploads
- Conditional logic (show/hide based on selections)
- Automatic variant and SKU generation
- Dynamic price add-ons
- Option set templates for fast deployment
SM Product Options
SM Product Options is a modern, drag-and-drop form builder focused on UX, performance, and deep Shopify 2.0 integrations. Ideal for shops needing complex logic with slick visual presentation.
- Drag-and-drop builder with live preview
- Color/image swatches, buttons, customizable uploads
- Multi-step form flows
- Advanced conditional logic
- Formula-based pricing and real-time updates
- Integration with Shopify Functions, discounts, Shop Pay, multi-currency
- Edit-in-cart capability
Feature Comparison
| Feature | YMQ Product Options & Variants | SM Product Options |
|---|---|---|
| Custom Fields (text, select, radio) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Color/Image Swatches | ✅ | ✅ |
| File Upload | ✅ | ✅ |
| Conditional Logic | ✅ | ✅ (Advanced) |
| Auto Variant & SKU Creation | ✅ | ❌ |
| Dynamic Price Add-ons | ✅ | ✅ (Formulas) |
| Drag-and-Drop Form Designer | ✅ | ✅ |
| Multi-Step Forms | ❌ | ✅ |
| Edit-in-cart Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| Shopify Functions & Discount Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| Shopify 2.0 Theme Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| Option Set Import/Export | Limited | ✅ |
Ease of Use
YMQ: Offers a straightforward setup with templates and auto variant generation, though the UI is less modern. Some merchants may require support for advanced logic.
SM Product Options: Features a polished, intuitive builder with live preview. Ideal for both beginners and advanced users, especially when handling complex workflows.
Use Case Examples
| Scenario | Best App |
|---|---|
| Name engraving and personalization | Both |
| Image upload for custom prints | Both |
| Auto variant for SKU-level inventory | YMQ |
| Multi-step bundle creation | SM Product Options |
| Pricing formulas and discounts | SM Product Options |
| Edit customization before checkout | SM Product Options |
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | YMQ Product Options & Variants | SM Product Options |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✅ | ✅ (Basic) |
| Base Price | $7.90/month | $10/month |
| Advanced Features | $18.90/month | $20/month |
| Variant Generation Included | ✅ | ✅ |
Support & Integration
| Feature | YMQ | SM Product Options |
|---|---|---|
| Email Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| Live Chat | ✅ | ✅ |
| Help Docs | ✅ | ✅ |
| Theme Integration Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| Onboarding Assistance | Limited | ✅ |
Compatibility & Performance
YMQ: Supports most themes with easy variant sync, though its older interface may add slight storefront weight.
SM Product Options: Built for Shopify 2.0 and high-speed storefronts. Offers seamless performance even on complex products.
Real-World Example
Scenario: Custom T‑shirt store with inventory tracking by size/color and personalized prints.
With YMQ: Adds size/color selectors, personalized text, image upload. Variants created for each combination to track stock.
With SM Product Options: Provides color swatches, image upload, engraving text, dynamic pricing, discount logic, and edit-in-cart options—without generating extra variants.
Merchant Feedback & Reviews
- YMQ Product Options & Variants: ⭐️4.8 from hundreds of reviews. Appreciated for auto-variant sync and flexibility, though backend can feel dated.
- SM Product Options: ⭐️4.9+ with growing popularity. Praised for UX, support, Shopify Functions support, and performance.
Final Verdict
Choose YMQ if you:
- Need auto-variant and SKU generation for inventory tracking
- Prefer option templates and structured product workflows
- Manage stock at variant level
Choose SM Product Options if you:
- Want a modern, visual builder with logic flows
- Need pricing formulas, discount support, and edit-in-cart
- Care about Shopify 2.0, performance, and storefront UX
Conclusion
YMQ Product Options & Variants and SM Product Options both excel at bypassing Shopify's default variant limits, but they cater to different merchant needs. YMQ is ideal for sellers prioritizing inventory managed at the variant level, while SM Product Options offers a modern, flexible, and feature-rich approach for conversion-driven stores.
Want the best of both worlds? Match your needs to the app that fits—and if it’s time for advanced, scalable customization, SM Product Options is a powerful choice.