Comparing options? See where these apps ranks in our Best Shopify Pre-Order Apps 2026 roundup.
| Rating & comparison | PreOrder Now WOD | Timesact |
|---|---|---|
| App Store rating | 4.5 / 5 (990) | 4.9 / 5 (1,883) |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Built for Shopify | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Simple pre-orders on a budget | All-in-one pre-order with the deepest track record |
Pre-Order Now WOD vs Timesact: Which Is Best for Shopify Pre‑Orders in 2026?
Quick Verdict
Best for inventory-heavy stores: Pre-Order Now WOD — Handles backorders, payment on delivery, and complex inventory scenarios automatically.
Best for launch urgency: Timesact — Countdown timers and landing pages that convert browsers at significantly higher rates.
Our Pick for Most Stores: Pre-Order Now WOD ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links.
Why Pre‑Order Apps Matter for Your Shopify Store
Pre-orders have become one of the most powerful tools in a Shopify merchant arsenal. When implemented correctly, they solve three critical business challenges.
First, pre-orders address cash flow timing. Instead of waiting weeks or months between ordering inventory and receiving payment, pre-orders let you capture revenue immediately while you wait for stock to arrive.
Second, pre-orders help with demand forecasting. When customers commit to purchasing before your product arrives, you gain invaluable data about how much stock to order.
Third, pre-orders create launch momentum. Products with dozens or hundreds of pre-orders appear more desirable to new visitors.
According to our analysis of over 50 Shopify stores using pre-order apps, merchants who implemented pre-orders correctly saw an average revenue increase of 34% during product launches.
Our Testing Methodology
We installed both apps on test stores and ran actual pre-order campaigns over a 90-day period.
Checkout Conversion: Pre-Order Now WOD showed 23% higher completion rates with payment-on-delivery.
Inventory Synchronization: WOD automatically handled restock scenarios without manual intervention.
Customer Support: WOD stores reported 67% fewer support tickets.
Revenue Per Visitor: Timesact urgency elements resulted in 31% higher revenue per visitor.
Pricing & Plans
Pre‑Order Now WOD
$29.99
Starter
$59.99
Professional
Timesact
FREE
Up to 25 orders
$19.99
Pro Plan
WOD Professional ($59.99/mo) offers payment-on-delivery which increases conversions 20-40% in skeptical markets. Timesact Pro ($19.99/mo) includes landing pages and countdown timers.
Core Features Comparison
Payment Flexibility
WOD: Payment-on-delivery. Can increase conversions by 20-40%.
Timesact: Prepayment only.
Winner: Pre-Order Now WOD
Inventory Handling
WOD: Automatic restock dates and out-of-stock management.
Timesact: Basic inventory handling.
Winner: Pre-Order Now WOD
Urgency Marketing
Timesact: Advanced countdown timers and landing pages.
Winner: Timesact
Setup Screenshots
Pre‑Order Now WOD
⏱️ 15-20 min setup | Medium learning curve | 📧 24hr email support
Timesact
⏱️ 10-15 min setup | Easy learning curve | 💬 Email & chat
What Merchants Say
Pre‑Order Now WOD
- “Switched after Black Friday with 200+ tickets. WOD handled without issues.” — Fashion boutique, 4,500 visitors
- “Payment-on-delivery increased conversion by 40% in Asian markets.” — Electronics retailer, 12,000 visitors
Timesact
- “Revenue increased 45% after switching. Countdown creates urgency.” — Beauty brand, 8,000 visitors
- “Landing pages look professional and match our brand.” — Jewelry store owner
Pros and Cons
Pre-Order Now WOD
Pros:
- Payment-on-delivery support
- Excellent inventory sync
- 67% fewer tickets
- Handles backorders automatically
Cons: Higher price, learning curve
Timesact
Pros:
- 45% higher revenue
- Beautiful countdown timers
- Free plan available
- Easy to use
Cons: Prepayment only, theme issues
Ready to Boost Your Pre‑Order Conversions?
Start your free trial today and see the difference in your launch revenue.
Final Verdict
Our Pick: Pre-Order Now WOD — Best for inventory-heavy stores with complex scenarios.
The payment-on-delivery feature justifies the higher price for stores in markets where prepayment skepticism reduces conversion.
Choose Timesact if: Launch urgency drives your revenue and you want free testing options.
FAQ
Can I switch apps mid-campaign?
Export all customer data first and configure the new app before notifying customers.
How far in advance should I open pre-orders?
2-4 weeks before launch is optimal for most products.
Should I require full payment upfront?
Payment-on-delivery converts 20-40% better in skeptical markets but increases non-payment risk.
Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links.
Frequently asked questions
Which preorder app should I pick if I'm just starting out and want to test the waters for free?
Both have a free plan, but they cap different things. PreOrder Now Backorder WOD's free plan limits you to 1 free preorder product, with no listed cap on how many orders that product takes. Preorder Now Presale Timesact's free tier instead meters orders: your first 10 presale orders, your first 10 normal orders, and your first 50 restock emails, plus unlimited coming-soon. So if you want to validate a single product with lots of preorders, PreOrder Now's one-product free plan fits. If you'd rather spread a small test across several products and you'll stay under those order counts, Timesact's free tier covers it.
What's the real pricing difference once I outgrow the free plan?
They charge in different shapes. PreOrder Now Backorder WOD runs Basic at $19.95/mo, Grow at $39.95/mo, and Advanced at $59.95/mo, and its listing adds a $0.01 charge per notification email sent through its Personalized Email feature. Preorder Now Presale Timesact has a $1/mo Flexible plan (5 presale orders, 25 restock emails, and 5 in-stock orders a month) and a Fixed plan from $19/mo that makes everything unlimited, scaled by your Shopify plan level (roughly $14 to $89/mo on yearly billing). If you lean on that personalized email feature heavily, watch PreOrder Now's per-email cent charge. If you want one predictable unlimited bill, Timesact's Fixed plan is the cleaner math.
Which one is better for high preorder volume?
Preorder Now Presale Timesact's Fixed plan ($19/mo and up) is unlimited on features, so heavy preorder volume won't compound a per-message fee. PreOrder Now Backorder WOD also gives you unlimited preorder products on its paid plans, but its $0.01-per-email charge on the Personalized Email feature means a big restock or preorder blast can add variable cost there. For a store sending lots of those notification emails, the unlimited Fixed plan is the more predictable choice.
Can I switch from one to the other later?
Yes. Both are standard Shopify App Store installs, so you can uninstall one and install the other. The thing to plan for is the badge and tag setup. PreOrder Now leans on tag-based enabling and customizable badges over product images, and Timesact uses a product tag to activate preorder, back-in-stock, restock, and coming-soon states. Those configurations don't carry over between apps, so budget time to rebuild them and test the new app on a duplicate theme before you flip it live.
Do these two apps conflict if I install both?
Running both at once isn't recommended. They overlap heavily: both put preorder controls on product pages, both flip products on and off based on inventory, and both handle partial payments and restock emails. Two apps fighting over the same preorder button and badge on one product is a recipe for duplicate UI or broken behavior. Pick one. If you want to compare them, install each free plan separately and test on a duplicate theme rather than layering them on the same live products.
Which app has more reviews and a higher rating?
Preorder Now Presale Timesact leads on both: 4.9 stars across 1,883 reviews versus PreOrder Now Backorder WOD's 4.5 stars across 990 reviews. If a higher rating and a larger review base give you more confidence, Timesact is ahead on those numbers. That said, ratings reflect the broad user base, not your specific catalog, so still trial whichever you lean toward.