Shopify's Native Cart Recovery vs Retake: An Honest Comparison
If you run a Shopify store, you have a decision to make: stick with Shopify's built-in abandoned checkout recovery, or use a dedicated tool like Retake.
This guide gives you an honest, data-driven comparison to help you decide.
Shopify's Native Abandoned Checkout Recovery
Shopify includes basic cart recovery on all paid plans (Shopify Basic and above).
What You Get
Features:
- Single automated email when checkout is abandoned
- Timing options: 1 hour, 6 hours, 10 hours, or 24 hours
- Basic customization of email template
- Works with Shopify Email or third-party email provider
Limitations:
- Only captures checkout abandonment (not cart or browse)
- Single email (no multi-step sequences)
- Basic analytics
- Limited personalization options
Retake Cart Recovery
Retake is purpose-built for cart recovery with an API-first approach.
What You Get
Features:
- Multi-step email sequences (up to 5 emails)
- Captures cart, checkout, and browse abandonment
- Works with headless/Hydrogen stores
- AI-optimized send times
- Advanced analytics and A/B testing
- TypeScript SDK for developers
- Webhooks for custom integrations
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Shopify Native | Retake |
|---|---|---|
| Abandoned Checkout | ✅ | ✅ |
| Abandoned Cart | ❌ | ✅ |
| Browse Abandonment | ❌ | ✅ |
| Email Sequences | 1 email | Up to 5 |
| Hydrogen Support | Limited | Full |
| Custom Storefront | ❌ | ✅ |
| AI Send Optimization | ❌ | ✅ |
| Developer API | ❌ | ✅ |
| Advanced Analytics | Basic | Full |
Pricing Comparison
Shopify Native:
- Free with any Shopify paid plan
- No additional cost
Retake:
- Starter: $19/month (500 carts/month)
- Growth: $49/month (Unlimited carts)
- Scale: $299/month (Enterprise features)
- Lifetime: One-time payment options available
When to Use Shopify's Native Recovery
Shopify's built-in tool is sufficient if:
✅ You're just starting out with limited budget ✅ Your monthly revenue is under $10K/month ✅ You don't need multi-step sequences ✅ Email-only recovery is acceptable ✅ You use standard Shopify themes (not Hydrogen)
When to Choose Retake
Invest in Retake if:
✅ You're leaving significant revenue on the table ✅ You need multi-step recovery sequences ✅ You're using Shopify Hydrogen or headless ✅ You want AI-optimized send times ✅ Analytics and A/B testing matter to you ✅ You're a developer wanting API access
ROI Calculation
Let's compare the real impact:
Scenario: 1,000 monthly abandoned checkouts, $85 AOV
| Metric | Shopify Native | Retake |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery Rate | 5-7% | 10-15% |
| Monthly Recoveries | 60 | 125 |
| Monthly Revenue | $5,100 | $10,625 |
| Monthly Cost | $0 | $49-149 |
| Net Monthly Gain | $5,100 | $10,476+ |
The premium tool pays for itself many times over.
Migration: Shopify Native to Retake
If you decide to switch:
- Install Retake SDK in your theme or Hydrogen app
- Configure your email sequences in the Retake dashboard
- Disable Shopify's native recovery (Settings → Checkout → Abandoned checkouts)
- Test end-to-end with a sample abandon
- Go live and monitor performance
The Verdict
Use Shopify's native recovery if you're early-stage, budget-constrained, and running a standard Shopify theme.
Upgrade to Retake when you're ready to maximize revenue recovery with multi-step sequences, AI optimization, and developer-friendly tools—especially if you're on Hydrogen or running a custom frontend.
The math usually works in favor of a specialized tool once your store reaches consistent traffic and revenue.
Ready to upgrade your cart recovery? Get started with Retake today.