[2026] A thorough comparison of the pricing and features of Shopify subscription apps in Japan

Who and what benefits does introducing a subscription have? On the other hand, are there any disadvantages...?

• Regular income: Subscription services provide a stable and predictable source of revenue, contributing to the financial stability of e-commerce sites.

• Improving customer retention: Subscription services can increase loyalty and repeat purchase rates, improve customer retention, and reduce churn.

• Inventory plan: A subscription model allows for more accurate inventory planning and management, reducing the risk of stockouts and excess inventory.

• Customer support: Providing dedicated customer support for inquiries, changes, and cancellations related to subscriptions may require additional resources and effort.

• Revenue Dependence: E-commerce sites that rely on subscriptions may face the problem that a decline in customer acquisition or retention rates will impact their overall revenue.

• Rising customer acquisition costs: Acquiring new customers for subscription services may require more marketing and promotion.

• Convenience: With a subscription, you don't need to place multiple orders, and you can receive your products according to your schedule.

• Time saving: With a subscription service, customers don't have to search for and purchase products repeatedly, saving them time.

• Cost reduction: Subscription services often offer discounts or lower prices compared to single purchases, allowing for long-term cost savings.

• Commitment: Typically, this requires a commitment to regular payments, which may make it unsuitable for customers whose needs and preferences fluctuate.

• Accumulation of unused items: If you don't fully utilize the products you've purchased through a subscription service, you may end up with unused items.

• Possible overspending: Because the quantity and delivery frequency of subscriptions are fixed, you may end up buying more products than you need.

To offer subscriptions on your Shopify store, you can leverage various apps and features designed specifically for subscription services. From the Shopify App Store, you can choose a subscription app that aligns with your business needs and requirements. Install and configure the app and integrate it seamlessly into your Shopify store. You can consider the frequency, duration, and pricing options that best suit your product or service and set up a subscription plan.

This time, we will pick up 5 Shopify subscription apps and select "Shopify Subscription", "GO SUB | We will compare the features and benefits of five apps: Subscriptions, Subscriptions, Mikawaya Subscriptions, and Easy Subscriptions, and see how they differ from each other.

• Shopify subscription

• GO SUB | Subscription

• regular purchase

• Mikawaya Subscription

• Easy subscription

feature

• Official Shopify app

• Intuitive operation

• Minimal options, non-customizable

Plan fees

• There is no additional fee for subscriptions.

Shopify Subscriptions is a subscription app officially provided by Shopify. Its biggest advantage is that it's completely free to use.
Because it offers virtually no customization options or expandability for subscription plans, it's recommended for merchants who want to start a subscription business with just the bare minimum features.

feature

• Lowest cost

• Features for Japan are provided

• Japanese and English support is available.

• Built for Shopify Certified App as defined by Shopify

Plan fees

• Starter $0 per month, 2% commission

• GoSub 1 $39 per month, 0% commission (up to 500 subscriptions)

• GoSub 2 $59 per month, 0% commission (up to 501 to 1000 subscriptions)

• Other plans areClick here

GO SUB offers the lowest fees in the industry and provides features and support for small and medium-sized businesses in Japan and businesses that want to introduce a subscription for the first time. You can easily set up and provide subscription plans, and there are functions related to Japan-specific e-commerce practices such as designated delivery dates and times, and you can link with apps such as delivery operations for Japan.

feature

• Feature-rich

• Support is available in Japanese

• Provides functions for the Japan market

Plan fees

• Standard $49 per month + 1% commission

• Enterprise $299 per month + 1% commission

Subscriptions offer a wide range of customizable subscription options, allowing businesses to tailor them to the specific needs and preferences of their customers. There are many functions for Japan, such as subscription boxes and member rankings, and the support and app are in Japanese. We also have a wide range of services that can be linked to Japan.

feature

• Feature-rich

• Support is available in Japanese

• There are many marketing services that can be linked.

Plan fees

• Light $12 per month + 3% commission

• Standard $49 per month + 1% commission

• Pro $499 per month + 1% commission

The company that runs Mikawaya has a track record of running its own store on Shopify and actually growing it. The app is also well-featured and offers support to cover common pitfalls with subscriptions. They also offer personalized support plans that cover everything from strategy planning to implementation assistance, although there are upfront and additional costs.

feature

• You can start with a low monthly cost

• Simple operation method

• Premium plan supports video calls

Plan fees

• Starter: $0 per month + 5% commission

• Lite: $15 per month + 3% commission

• Pro $49 per month + 1% commission

• $99 Premium + 1% commission

Easy Subscription is a subscription app that, as its name suggests, is easy to start using with its simple operation.
The premium plan also includes thorough support via video call, so you can consult with us and get started even if you have any concerns about how to use the system.

This is a table that only compares the prices of plans.

The functions available for each app and each rate plan are different, so please refer to them while comparing them with your budget.

What can each app do? Let's find out.

Except for Shopify subscriptions, basic features are present in all apps.

Again, except for Shopify subscriptions, basic features are present in all apps.

*For Shopify subscriptions, you will use Shopify's basic email templates.

Each other app has its own notification settings, and you can change the content. This email address is essential for your store's branding, but the sending domain defaults to the email address determined by the app. Only Go Sub allows customization on all plans.

The convenient BOX feature is also implemented except for Shopify subscriptions.

Subscription Mikawaya is equipped with sample functions and membership rank functions, allowing for a high degree of customization.

GO SUB allows you to create custom tags and automate various tasks by integrating with Shopify Flow.

Choosing a subscription app that suits your business model and target customers is crucial for Japanese companies aiming to leverage recurring revenue models and improve customer loyalty. Subscription apps such as GO SUB, Teiki Kotsu, Mikawaya Subscriptions, and Kantan Subscription each have unique features tailored to the Japanese market. These apps help merchants optimize their subscriptions and drive sustainable growth.

We also recommend that you check the websites and documentation of each app to stay up to date.

GO SUB offers a premium plan in addition to its starter plan. The premium plan is available for $39 per month, and there are no fees! If you have up to 500 subscriptions, you can use it for just $39 per month.

The Starter plan also costs $0 per month with a 2% commission, making it the lowest plan in the industry with only commissions! Both the Starter and Premium plans offer full functionality, so you can choose the plan that best suits your business model and revenue.

With GO SUB, you can easily and quickly add and set up subscription options for your Shopify store, so give it a try!

Updated: July 24, 2026