Returnly no longer exists. Affirm announced in July 2023 that it would wind down Returnly, the returns platform it bought for $300 million in 2021, and the service shut down on October 1, 2023. Affirm named Loop Returns as the “preferred returns provider” for Returnly’s roughly 1,500 merchants and worked with Loop to move them over (Retail Dive).
If you used Returnly, or you’re searching for it now, the real question is what to use for Shopify returns instead. This guide covers where Returnly merchants went, what to look for in a Returnly alternative, and where CWILL Returns & Exchanges fits.
What Was Returnly?
Returnly was a returns management solution for Shopify merchants. It gave customers self-serve returns, helped teams process returns faster, and supported instant credits, green returns, international returns, and in-store returns.
Brands such as Outdoor Voices, UNTUCKit, Frank And Oak, ILIA, Soludos, and Supergoop used it.
Where Did Returnly Merchants Go?
Most moved to Loop Returns. According to Loop’s Returnly transition page, onboarding and support were free, setup took between two days and two weeks, and returns already open in Returnly had to be finished there, since they couldn’t be transferred.
Merchants weren’t required to stay with Loop, though. If Loop’s pricing or features don’t fit your store, the criteria below apply to any Shopify returns app.
5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Returnly Alternative
1. Branded Return Center
You need an on-brand returns center where customers can submit return requests on their own, around the clock.
It should show only products within your return window and hide non-returnable items, which prevents losses and avoids confusing customers.
Customers should be able to pick the item, choose a return solution, give a return reason, and upload photos as proof:
- If they choose an exchange, they select a variant of the same product or a different product.
- If they choose a refund, they decide between store credit and the original payment method.
If you sell to multiple countries, the returns portal should display in each customer’s language. Customers should also be able to follow the return from start to finish in the same portal.
2. Easier Returns Management
The best Returnly alternative lets you manage all returns, refunds, and exchanges in one place, and approve or decline each request based on your refund policy.
Look for settings for return windows, eligibility rules, multiple warehouse addresses, accepted return reasons, and flexible refund and exchange options. Reverse logistics tracking matters too, so you know where each returned item is and when it will arrive.
The app should connect with your carriers to generate return labels automatically. If a carrier isn’t integrated yet, you should at least be able to upload your own label and have the app recognize the carrier and tracking number.
Beyond reports on top returned items and return reasons, the best tools write return details back to your Shopify order records, which makes reconciliation easier for your finance team.
3. Email Notifications
Not every customer will come back to your store to check on a return, so automated emails do that work. Look for customizable notifications that trigger at each step, from request received to refund issued. Once a request is approved, the email should include the return label and clear return instructions.
4. Budget and ROI
Price the tool against your actual return volume, not the headline rate. Most Shopify returns apps charge a plan fee plus a fee for each return over your limit, so a busy month can cost more than the sticker price. For example, CWILL Returns & Exchanges’ Essential plan costs $29/month for 50 returns (about $0.58 each), plus $0.45 for each extra return.
Then weigh that cost against what the app saves: refunds turned into exchanges or store credit, fewer support tickets, and less manual label work.
5. 24/7 Customer Support
Returns problems cost sales when they sit unresolved, so check how fast the support team responds and whether live chat is available around the clock. If you’re switching from another app, ask whether the team helps with setup and with moving your return rules over.
CWILL Returns & Exchanges: An Honest Look
CWILL Returns & Exchanges handles returns and exchanges for Shopify merchants. It covers most of the criteria above: a self-serve returns portal, exchanges for different items, refunds to store credit or gift card, automated email notifications, and return labels through carriers including USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, and DPD. It also tracks return shipments automatically.
Pricing, per its Shopify App Store listing as of October 2026: a free plan with six returns a month; Essential at $29/month for 50 returns; Professional at $99/month for 200 returns; and Enterprise at $299/month for 500 returns. Paid plans include a 14-day free trial and charge $0.45 for each extra return. The app is rated 4.9 from 489 reviews.
It fits Shopify stores that want exchanges and self-serve returns without a large monthly fee. It isn’t the right fit if you sell outside Shopify, and the free plan’s six returns a month will be too few for most growing stores. It’s built to work with CWILL Order Tracking, so customers can follow deliveries and returns in one branded experience.
Try CWILL Returns & Exchanges free
Returnly Alternative FAQs
No. Affirm shut Returnly down on October 1, 2023, about two years after buying it for $300 million. Affirm named Loop Returns as the preferred returns provider for Returnly merchants, and returns already open in Returnly had to be completed there because they couldn’t be transferred. Shopify brands now choose from returns apps such as Loop and CWILL Returns & Exchanges.
Loop Returns is Returnly’s official successor. Affirm partnered with Loop and moved Returnly’s roughly 1,500 merchants to the Loop platform by October 2023. Merchants weren’t required to stay with Loop, though. Other Shopify returns apps, such as CWILL Returns & Exchanges, offer self-serve return portals, exchanges, and automated return labels, with a free plan for smaller stores.
Yes. CWILL Returns & Exchanges has a free plan that covers six returns a month, which suits stores with low return volume. Paid plans start at $29/month for 50 returns, with a 14-day free trial. Check the per-return cost on any plan you consider, because overage fees, such as $0.45 per extra return on CWILL’s paid plans, add up in busy months.
Content Director | 9+ years decoding B2C & B2B eCommerce, obsessed with SaaS and retail storytelling
Words are my weapon—crafting killer copy, decoding trends, and turning data into gold. When not strategizing: Coffee addict, pun enthusiast, and book lover. Ready to level up your eCommerce game? Let’s chat. ☕️
