Search the Shopify App Store for “WhatsApp” or “SMS” and you get pages of apps. Most of them look alike: order updates, abandoned cart, COD confirmation. The real differences sit underneath. How are you billed? Do they support DLT for Indian SMS? Do they use the official WhatsApp Business API? What happens to your customer data?

This guide is for Indian Shopify store owners picking the best SMS app for Shopify India or the best WhatsApp app for Shopify. We give you a plain checklist, compare six apps using only what their public App Store listings say, and are honest about when another app may suit you better than ours. We make Fast2SMS, a free Shopify SMS and WhatsApp app with pay-per-message billing, so read our part with that in mind.

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Free vs subscription Shopify SMS apps: the three billing models

Before features, understand how you will pay. Shopify messaging apps usually follow one of three models, and each suits different stores.

• Free app, pay per message. The app costs nothing. You connect your own messaging account and pay only for the messages you send. Quiet month, small bill. Busy sale month, bigger bill. Fast2SMS works this way.
• Subscription plan. You pay a monthly or annual fee to the app, usually through Shopify billing. Plans often come in tiers with different limits or features. Some apps also offer a free plan with limits.
• Free to install, buy credits or pay usage. Installing is free, but you buy message credits or pay usage charges as you send.

Some apps mix these. Always read each listing’s pricing section yourself, because plans change.

Here is a simple way to compare. Work out how many messages you send per order, multiply by your monthly orders, and add any fixed fee. With Fast2SMS, if you send four WhatsApp utility messages per order (order placed, shipment created, out for delivery, delivered), that is 4 × ₹0.25 = ₹1.00 per order, with no fixed fee on top. Put the same numbers against any subscription plan you are considering and see which one fits your volume. Our Shopify SMS and WhatsApp cost guide has more worked examples.

What to look for in a Shopify SMS or WhatsApp app

We have set up messaging for many Indian Shopify stores. These are the eight questions that matter most. Ask them of any app, including ours.

1. Official WhatsApp Business API

Some apps send WhatsApp through the official WhatsApp Business API with Meta-approved templates. Others also let you connect a regular WhatsApp number by scanning a QR code. Know which one you are choosing and what it means for your number. Our WhatsApp Business API India FAQ explains the difference.

2. DLT support for Indian SMS

Every business SMS in India must go through DLT: registered entity, approved header, approved templates, and a correct PE-TM chain binding. If an app sends SMS in India, ask how it handles DLT templates and whether anyone will help you register. Without this, SMS simply gets blocked. See our DLT registration A to Z FAQ.

3. Billing model

Is it a free app with pay-per-message, a subscription, or credits? Is the bill through Shopify or through the messaging provider? Are WhatsApp and SMS charged at different rates? Are failed messages refunded?

4. Events covered

Order placed is only the start. Check for payment received, fulfilled, partially fulfilled, cancelled, refund, shipment with tracking, out for delivery, delivered, abandoned checkout, welcome and COD. Also check if you can pick SMS, WhatsApp or both per event.

5. Invoice PDF on WhatsApp

Indian customers like getting the invoice on WhatsApp. Ask whether the app can create and attach the invoice PDF itself, or whether you need another invoice app.

6. OTP

OTP can mean different things: OTP login on the storefront, OTP to verify COD orders, or OTP at cart or checkout. Check exactly which one the app offers and any limits on which stores it works for.

7. Logs and retries

When a customer says “I never got the message”, look for delivery status per message, failure reasons, a retry button and an export.

8. Data security

The app will hold your customers’ phone numbers and order details. Ask how data is encrypted, what permissions the app requests, how GDPR deletion requests are handled and whether the provider has security certifications.

Six Shopify SMS and WhatsApp apps for India, compared

For the other five apps below, we used only what their public Shopify App Store listings state. We have not listed their prices or ratings, since those change often. Open each listing to check current plans and reviews before you decide.

Fast2SMS – SMS & WhatsApp Automation

Our app. Free, with pay-per-message billing from your own Fast2SMS wallet. Sends both SMS and WhatsApp across 12 Shopify events: Order placed, Payment received, Order fulfilled, Order partially fulfilled, Order cancelled, Refund created, Shipment created, Out for delivery, Delivered, Abandoned checkout recovery, Welcome message for new customers, and COD order placed. It also creates invoice PDFs for WhatsApp, offers storefront OTP login for classic-account stores, and logs every message with retry. Full walkthrough in our Fast2SMS Shopify app guide.

Whatomation-Order Notification

The Whatomation listing describes WhatsApp order notifications for every status from placed to delivered, one-tap COD order confirmation that auto-tags orders, and abandoned cart recovery on WhatsApp with automatic reminders and discount codes. It mentions 14 languages plus custom branded templates with variables, and says you can send from your own WhatsApp number or the developer’s official number, with a quick QR setup. The listing shows a free plan alongside paid plans.

Whatssy WhatsApp Automation

The Whatssy listing highlights three ways to connect: the Official Meta API, a QR scan, or the developer’s verified sender numbers. It lists COD OTP verification using automated WhatsApp OTP codes, abandoned order recovery reminders, and automated order, fulfillment and tracking updates. The listing shows subscription plans, monthly or annual.

CK: Abandoned Cart on WhatsApp (Carthike)

The Carthike listing describes automation, marketing and abandoned cart recovery via the WhatsApp API, plus order confirmation, shipping and COD verification messages. It also lists a customisable WhatsApp chat and share button for your store, live chat, the option to connect your existing WhatsApp Business app number, and review collection from Loox, Google, Judge.me and Trust reviews. The listing shows a free plan, paid plans and usage-based charges for automated messages.

Hillteck: Verify COD Orders

The Hillteck listing is built around COD and RTO. It describes automated voice call and WhatsApp message verification for COD orders, and converting COD orders to prepaid with customised incentives. Its COD feature tags include OTP, phone confirmation and SMS confirmation, and it lists address validation. It also mentions abandoned cart reminders on WhatsApp, order confirmation and shipment tracking messages, and customisable WhatsApp broadcast messages. The listing says it is free to install, with additional charges that may apply.

SMS Alert

The SMS Alert listing describes order status notifications, OTP for cart to verify orders, abandoned cart reminders and recovery, and low stock notifications to the admin. It says the app is fully DLT compliant for Indian rules and works with Shopify Flow. The listing says it is free to install, with SMS credits bought separately.

When another app may suit you better

We would rather you pick the right tool than install ours and be unhappy. Here is where another app may fit you better, based on what the listings above describe.

• You want OTP to verify COD orders or carts. Our app sends an instant COD message but has no OTP step for COD. Whatssy lists WhatsApp OTP for COD, SMS Alert lists OTP for cart, and Hillteck lists OTP among its COD features. Our Shopify COD verification guide compares these methods.
• You want automated voice calls for COD. We do not make calls. Hillteck lists automated voice call verification.
• You want orders tagged automatically when customers confirm. Our app only reads orders and never edits them. Whatomation lists COD confirmation that auto-tags orders.
• You want to nudge COD buyers to prepaid with incentives. Hillteck lists this.
• You want a WhatsApp chat button on your storefront or review collection. We do not add a storefront chat button; customer replies are read in the Live Chat inside the fast2sms.com portal. Carthike lists a chat button, live chat and review requests.
• You want to send from your existing WhatsApp number via QR or the Business app. Whatomation and Whatssy list QR setup, and Carthike lists connecting your existing WhatsApp Business app number. Fast2SMS uses Meta-approved templates on the WhatsApp Business API.
• You want to run broadcasts from inside Shopify. Our app does not send marketing campaigns. You can do bulk SMS and bulk WhatsApp messages from the fast2sms.com portal instead. Hillteck lists WhatsApp broadcasts, and Carthike lists marketing messages.
• You need many message languages out of the box, low stock alerts or Shopify Flow. Whatomation lists 14 languages. SMS Alert lists low stock admin alerts and Shopify Flow.
• Most of your customers are outside India. Fast2SMS is built India-first for +91 numbers.
• You prefer one fixed monthly bill. A subscription app gives a predictable fee. Pay-per-message suits stores whose volume goes up and down.

Many stores run a COD-focused app alongside Fast2SMS for order updates. That works fine, as long as two apps are not sending the same message.

Why many Indian stores pick Fast2SMS as their free Shopify SMS app

If SMS and WhatsApp order notifications are your main need, here is what you get.

Free app, pay only per message

No subscription, no monthly fee, no setup fee and no per-message commission. You pay Fast2SMS directly from your own wallet, never through Shopify billing. WhatsApp utility messages are ₹0.25 per delivered message, and failed WhatsApp messages are refunded within 48 hours. SMS is your DLT SMS rate.

SMS and WhatsApp in one app, with DLT handled

Each of the 12 events can go by SMS, WhatsApp or Both. The app fetches your approved DLT SMS templates and Meta-approved WhatsApp templates in one click, with a searchable picker. No template IDs to copy. Fast2SMS is a registered TMD (SID GROUPS PRIVATE LIMITED, TMD ID 1702178720558766591) with direct connectivity to Airtel, Jio, BSNL, Tata, Vi and Smartping, and DLT help is free.

Invoice PDFs on WhatsApp

The app generates the invoice PDF itself and attaches it through a document-header WhatsApp template. Invoices are stored encrypted with 90-day retention. See Shopify WhatsApp invoice PDF.

Smart COD and abandoned checkout

The COD order placed event sends an instant COD message, and Smart COD stops COD customers from also getting the generic Order placed message. Abandoned checkout recovery sends a one-tap link back to the intact cart after a delay you choose, from 5 minutes to 24 hours, and cancels itself if the customer completes the order first.

OTP login, with one limit

The OTP Login tab adds a “Login with OTP” button for passwordless login by SMS or WhatsApp. It works only on stores using legacy (classic) customer accounts. Shopify removed legacy accounts for new stores, so OTP login suits existing classic-account stores, while all notification features work on every store. More in OTP login for Shopify.

Logs you can act on

Every message is logged with event, channel, masked phone, time and delivery status. Hover a failed message for the reason, retry it with one click or retry all failed from the last 7 days, and export to CSV.

Security

Secrets and customer phone numbers are encrypted at rest with AES-256-GCM. The app reads orders and customers only and never edits orders. GDPR deletion requests remove data, including queued messages and invoices. Fast2SMS holds ISO 27001, SOC 2 and CERT-In VAPT; see our certificates.

How to choose in five steps

1. List the messages you need. Order updates only? COD checks? Cart recovery? Broadcasts? Login OTP?
2. Decide SMS, WhatsApp or both. If you want SMS in India, DLT support is a must.
3. Estimate your monthly bill under each billing model using your real order volume.
4. Check the checklist above: official API, DLT, events, invoice, OTP, logs, security.
5. Test before you commit. Fast2SMS gives ₹50 test credit on free signup, and the app has a test send button for every event.

For quick answers on the Fast2SMS app itself, our free SMS and WhatsApp app for Shopify FAQ covers setup, events and billing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best SMS app for Shopify in India?

The best SMS app for Shopify in India is one that supports DLT templates, covers the order events you need and fits your billing preference. Fast2SMS is a free app with pay-per-message billing; SMS Alert lists DLT compliance with credits bought separately.

What is the best WhatsApp app for Shopify?

The best WhatsApp app for Shopify depends on whether you need only order updates or also COD OTP, chat buttons, broadcasts or reviews. Fast2SMS suits order updates and invoices on a free app; others like Whatomation, Whatssy and Carthike list different extras.

Is there a free SMS app for Shopify?

Yes, the Fast2SMS Shopify app is free to install and use, with no subscription, monthly fee, setup fee or commission. You pay only for messages you send, from your own Fast2SMS wallet, and never through Shopify billing.

Is there a free WhatsApp app for Shopify?

Yes, Fast2SMS is a free WhatsApp app for Shopify where the app costs nothing and you pay ₹0.25 per delivered WhatsApp utility message from your wallet. Some other apps offer free plans with limits alongside paid plans, so check each listing.

What is the difference between a free app and a subscription app?

A free pay-per-message app charges nothing for the app and bills only the messages you send, while a subscription app charges a fixed monthly or annual fee, sometimes with limits or extra usage charges. Compare both against your real order volume.

Is Fast2SMS billed through Shopify?

No, Fast2SMS is never billed through Shopify, because the app itself is free and every message is charged by Fast2SMS directly from your own prepaid Fast2SMS wallet. There is nothing on your Shopify invoice from Fast2SMS.

Why does DLT matter when choosing a Shopify SMS app?

DLT matters because every business SMS in India must use a registered entity, approved header, approved templates and correct PE-TM chain binding, or operators block it. A Shopify SMS app for India must send through DLT-approved templates to deliver reliably.

Does Fast2SMS help with DLT registration for Shopify SMS?

Yes, Fast2SMS offers free DLT support, and the Shopify app fetches your approved DLT SMS templates automatically so you never copy template IDs by hand. You need a 6-letter header for transactional or service SMS and approved templates.

Which Shopify apps offer OTP for COD orders?

Based on their App Store listings, Whatssy lists WhatsApp OTP for COD orders, SMS Alert lists OTP for cart, and Hillteck lists OTP among its COD features. The Fast2SMS app sends an instant COD message but has no OTP step for COD.

Which Shopify app can make COD verification calls?

Among the apps compared here, the Hillteck: Verify COD Orders listing describes automated voice call and WhatsApp message verification for COD orders. The Fast2SMS Shopify app does not make calls; it sends SMS and WhatsApp messages only.

Does the Fast2SMS app send invoice PDFs on WhatsApp?

Yes, the Fast2SMS app generates the invoice PDF itself and attaches it to your order messages through a document-header WhatsApp template. Invoices are stored encrypted with 90-day retention, so you do not need a separate invoice app for this.

Which order events should a Shopify SMS app cover?

A good Shopify SMS app should cover order placed, payment received, fulfilled, cancelled, refund, shipment with tracking, out for delivery, delivered, abandoned checkout and COD. Fast2SMS covers 12 events including partially fulfilled and a welcome message for new customers.

Can I send both SMS and WhatsApp from one Shopify app?

Yes, with Fast2SMS you can choose SMS, WhatsApp or Both separately for each of the 12 events in the Automations tab. Many Indian stores use WhatsApp for rich updates and SMS as a backup for customers not on WhatsApp.

Does the Fast2SMS Shopify app send bulk marketing campaigns?

No, the Fast2SMS Shopify app sends automated order notifications only and does not run marketing broadcasts or bulk campaigns from inside your Shopify admin. You can send bulk SMS and bulk WhatsApp campaigns from the fast2sms.com portal instead, using the same wallet.

Does Fast2SMS add a WhatsApp chat button to my Shopify store?

No, the Fast2SMS Shopify app does not add a WhatsApp chat button to your storefront, because it focuses on automated order notifications by SMS and WhatsApp. Customer replies to your WhatsApp messages are read in the free Live Chat inside your fast2sms.com portal, where you can also build a free chatbot.

Does the Fast2SMS app offer OTP login on Shopify?

Yes, the OTP Login tab adds passwordless mobile OTP login by SMS or WhatsApp, but only on stores using legacy (classic) customer accounts. Shopify removed legacy accounts for new stores, so it suits existing classic-account stores; notifications work everywhere.

What should I check about data security in a Shopify messaging app?

Check how the app encrypts customer phone numbers, what Shopify permissions it asks for, how it handles GDPR deletion requests and whether the provider holds security certifications. Fast2SMS uses AES-256-GCM, read-only order access and holds ISO 27001 and SOC 2.

Why are delivery logs important in a Shopify SMS app?

Delivery logs matter because they show whether each message reached the customer and why any failed, which helps you answer “I never got it” complaints. Fast2SMS logs every message with status, failure reason on hover, one-click retry and CSV export.

How much does WhatsApp cost per order with Fast2SMS?

With Fast2SMS, each delivered WhatsApp utility message costs ₹0.25, so four order updates per order cost ₹1.00, with no app fee on top. Failed WhatsApp messages are refunded within 48 hours, and marketing messages are ₹0.95.

Is pay-per-message cheaper than a subscription for small stores?

Pay-per-message is often easier for small or seasonal stores because you pay nothing in quiet months, while a subscription can suit steady high-volume stores that want a fixed bill. Work out both using your own monthly orders and messages per order.

Can I use Fast2SMS together with another Shopify app?

Yes, you can use Fast2SMS alongside another app, for example a COD verification app for checkout checks and Fast2SMS for SMS and WhatsApp order updates. Just make sure both apps are not sending the same order message to the customer.

Does the Fast2SMS app use the official WhatsApp Business API?

Yes, Fast2SMS sends WhatsApp messages through the WhatsApp Business API using Meta-approved templates that the app fetches from your Fast2SMS account. You do not link a personal WhatsApp number by QR code to use the Shopify app.

Can the Fast2SMS app tag or edit Shopify orders?

No, the Fast2SMS app never edits or tags orders, because it asks Shopify only for permission to read orders and customers. If you want orders tagged automatically after COD confirmation, some other apps, such as Whatomation, list that feature.

Does the Fast2SMS app work for stores outside India?

The Fast2SMS Shopify app is built India-first for Shopify stores whose customers have +91 mobile numbers, with DLT-compliant SMS and WhatsApp order updates. If most of your buyers are outside India, an app designed for international messaging may suit you better.

How do I test a Shopify SMS app before paying?

You can test Fast2SMS by signing up free at fast2sms.com, which gives ₹50 test credit, then using the Test send button on any event to message your own admin number. The app shows a request ID for each test.

Where can I check the features of other Shopify SMS apps?

Check each app’s public Shopify App Store listing for its current features, plans and reviews, since listings change over time. We have linked the listings of Whatomation, Whatssy, Carthike, Hillteck and SMS Alert in this article.

Pick the app that fits your store

Start with the checklist, compare billing honestly, and choose the app that matches what you actually send. If you want SMS and WhatsApp order updates with DLT handled, invoice PDFs and logs, all in a free app where you pay only per message, Fast2SMS is a good place to start.

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