| Sam Shipping Protection | ShipAid | |
|---|---|---|
| App Store rating | 4.9★ (107) | 4.8★ (25) |
| Who keeps the protection fee | Self-funded: you keep the fees | Self-funded: you keep the fees |
| Share of fees you keep | 100% | 91% |
| App cost | Starter Free · Standard $9/month · Plus $29/month | 9% of Shipping Guarantee Revenue earned using the app |
| Built for Shopify |
Sam and ShipAid follow the same model: both are self-funded, so the protection fee your customers pay comes to your store and you decide how to resolve claims. The difference is how each app charges you. ShipAid takes 9% of the protection revenue it helps you earn. Sam charges a flat $9 a month for unlimited orders, after a free tier.
All listing data below was checked on the Shopify App Store on October 5, 2026. Sam is our app, so we stick to published facts about ShipAid.
How do Sam and ShipAid compare?
| Sam | ShipAid | |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Self-funded | Self-funded |
| What you pay | Free to 50 protected orders/mo, then $9/mo; Plus $29/mo | 9% of protection revenue earned through the app |
| Share of fees you keep | 100% | 91% |
| Claims | Claims page; full or partial refund, store credit, reorder | Branded claim experience and issue management |
| Extra tools | Pick-up blocker, Shopify Sidekick answers | Free returns, exchanges, branded tracking |
| App languages | 13 | English |
| Built for Shopify | Yes | Yes |
| Rating | 4.9★ (107) | 4.8★ (25) |
Which one costs less?
ShipAid’s cost grows with your protection revenue. Sam’s stays flat. Here is the monthly app cost at an average protection fee of $3 (an example; use your own fee):
| Protected orders/month | Protection revenue | Sam | ShipAid (9%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | $150 | $0 | $13.50 |
| 200 | $600 | $9 | $54 |
| 500 | $1,500 | $9 | $135 |
| 2,000 | $6,000 | $9 | $540 |
The break-even point is $100 a month in protection revenue: 9% of $100 is $9. Below 50 protected orders Sam is free, so ShipAid only costs less when you are above 50 orders and still collecting under $100 a month, for example with a $1 fee on 51 to 99 orders.
Run your own numbers in the shipping protection calculator, which shows Sam and ShipAid side by side.
What does ShipAid do that Sam doesn’t?
ShipAid bundles more of the post-purchase experience. Its listing includes free returns and automated exchanges, branded tracking, and options to engage customers after the sale. If you want one app for protection and returns, that bundle is worth weighing against the revenue share. ShipAid lists integrations with Rebuy and Recharge.
What does Sam do that ShipAid doesn’t?
Sam focuses on running your protection program:
- Placements: cart, cart drawer and thank-you page on every plan, plus checkout on Shopify Plus.
- Pricing: flat fee, percentage with an optional minimum and maximum, or price bands by cart value.
- Claims: refund in full or in part, Shopify store credit, or a reorder, from one dashboard.
- Housekeeping: auto-fulfill the protection item and block protection on pick-up orders.
- Languages: the app is available in 13 languages.
See Sam Shipping Protection for the full feature list.
Which should you choose?
Choose ShipAid if you want returns, exchanges and tracking from the same app, and your protection revenue is small enough that 9% stays low.
Choose Sam if you want to keep 100% of protection fees at any volume, need a thank-you page or Shopify Plus checkout offer, or run a multi-language store.
For the wider field, see the best shipping protection apps and Route alternatives. New to the model? Read our shipping protection guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does ShipAid cost?
ShipAid is free to install and charges 9% of the shipping guarantee revenue earned through the app, according to its App Store pricing. You keep the other 91%.
When is ShipAid cheaper than Sam?
Only when you are above Sam's free 50 protected orders a month and your protection revenue is under $100 a month, because 9% of $100 equals Sam's $9 plan. With a $3 average fee that never happens above 50 orders; with a $1 fee it applies between 51 and 99 protected orders.
Does ShipAid include returns?
Yes. ShipAid's listing includes free returns and automated exchanges, branded tracking and a claims experience. Sam focuses on shipping protection and claims; use a separate returns app if you need one.
Can I switch from ShipAid to Sam?
Yes. Install Sam, set your fee and placements, then turn off the ShipAid widget. Claims on orders protected under ShipAid stay in ShipAid until they are resolved.
Sources
Part of our guide: Shipping protection →