Does Shopify Have a Built-In Preorder Feature?

Here is the honest answer: sort of, but not on its own.

Shopify does not give you a simple “turn on preorder” switch. There is no toggle in your product settings that adds a preorder button by itself. But Shopify does have a built-in preorder system baked into your admin. The catch is that it only wakes up after you install a preorder app from the App Store.

So the real answer is not a flat “no.” It is more like “the parts are there, but you need an app to turn the key.”

This guide breaks down exactly what is built in, what is not, the payment traps most people never hear about, and the fastest no-code way to start taking preorders today.

Preorder vs backorder vs reservation (know the difference first)

These three sound alike but are not the same. Getting them straight saves you a lot of pain.

• Preorder: The customer buys a product before it ships. They pay in full or leave a deposit. It is a real, committed sale.
• Backorder: You keep selling an item that is out of stock right now, but you plan to restock and ship soon. Payment is usually taken in full.
• Reservation: The customer holds a spot without paying. They finish buying later. This is the weakest option for cash flow.

Most stores want a true preorder. That is where Shopify gets a little tricky.

Why offer preorders in the first place?

Before the how, here is the why. Preorders are not just a stopgap for empty shelves. They are a growth tool. Here is what they do for you:

• Early cash flow. You collect money now and use it to fund the very stock you are waiting on. That cash can cover your next production run instead of a loan.
• Demand testing. Preorders tell you what people actually want before you commit to a big order. You stop guessing and start ordering based on real sales.
• Less overstock. When you buy to match confirmed preorders, you carry less dead stock and tie up less money in a warehouse.
• Customer loyalty. Giving shoppers first dibs on a new or limited item makes them feel like insiders. That builds excitement and brings them back.

In short, preorders turn a “Sold Out” dead end into a sale, and they help you plan smarter. If lost sales are a pain point for you, it is worth pairing this with your wider plan to reduce cart abandonment.

What Shopify actually gives you (3 real methods)

There are three real ways to do this. Let’s go through each one plainly.

Method 1: The “Continue selling when out of stock” toggle (backorder)

This is the only preorder-like option that works with no app at all.

You find it in a product’s Inventory section. Turn on inventory tracking, then tick the box. Now the “Add to cart” button stays live even when stock hits zero.

But it is really a backorder, not a preorder. Here is what it does not do:

• It does not show a “Preorder” badge. The button still says “Add to cart.”
• It does not tell the shopper the item ships later.
• It does not collect a deposit or partial payment.
• It does not send a back-in-stock email.
• It does not cap how many preorders you take.
• It does not work on Shopify POS.

So buyers think they are getting something ready to ship, then get confused when it does not arrive. You can see the exact setting in the Shopify Help Center.

Bottom line: fine for one quick test, weak for real selling.

Method 2: Shopify’s native preorder purchase option (needs an app)

This is the built-in system most people do not know about. Shopify has a real “preorder purchase option” inside your admin. It handles proper preorders, deposits, and split payments.

The important part: it does not run on its own. You must install a preorder app from the App Store to switch it on and manage it. Shopify even says so directly in its own preorder help docs.

Now, the traps almost nobody warns you about. Shopify’s native preorder checkout has real limits:

• It works only if you use Shopify Payments or PayPal Express.
• Customers cannot pay using Shop Pay, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
• Local methods like Klarna, iDEAL, and Sofort are not supported either.
• Preorders work only on the Online Store and Custom Storefront. Not on POS by default.
• “Buy X Get Y” discounts do not work on preorders.
• A shopper cannot mix a preorder item and a normal item in one checkout under the same option.

These are real gotchas. If half your buyers check out with Apple Pay, that matters a lot. It helps to understand how express checkout buttons behave so you can plan around this. A good preorder app also helps you keep the flow clean.

Method 3: Custom code or preorder APIs (developers and Shopify Plus)

You can also build your own preorder flow. Shopify gives developers preorder APIs to create custom setups. Some merchants also make a separate preorder product template with manual payment capture.

This is powerful but risky. One wrong edit in your theme code can break your store. You will likely want a Shopify Plus plan and a developer. You can find one through the Shopify Partner directory.

For almost everyone, this is overkill.

Quick comparison

For most stores, a preorder app is the clear winner. It is fast, affordable, and looks professional right away.

How to set up preorders with no code

Using an app, the whole thing takes a few minutes:

1. Install a preorder app from the Shopify App Store.
2. Pick the products you want to sell early.
3. Set your button text, like “Preorder Now.”
4. Choose how you get paid: full amount, a deposit, or split payments.
5. Add an expected ship date so buyers know the wait.
6. Save. Your preorder button goes live.

No theme editing. No developer bill. No broken store.

What does it cost?

• Continue selling toggle: free, but very basic.
• Preorder apps: many have a free plan. Paid plans usually run from about $9.99 to $60 a month.
• Small store under 1,000 orders a month: most sellers pay $0 to around $20 a month.

If you want a full preorder system for zero dollars, that is easy to do in 2026. Some apps, including Oxify Preorder, are free.

Which Shopify plan do I need to take preorder payments?

Good news: any paid plan works, from Basic to Advanced to Plus.

• You can capture payment for preorders on every plan.
• Native preorder purchase options need Shopify Payments or PayPal Express turned on.
• You can set payments to manual capture, then charge the card when stock arrives. Just know card holds usually expire in 7 to 30 days, so long waits need an app to bill later.
• Shopify Plus adds preorder APIs for custom builds, but you do not need Plus to sell preorders.

An app handles deposits and delayed billing cleanly on any plan.

Fast answers to the questions people also ask

Can I cap how many preorders I take? Not with the native toggle. It cannot limit preorder quantity on its own. Many preorder apps let you set a cap so sales stop once you hit your limit.

Does it work with Shopify POS? Shopify’s native preorder purchase option is online only. Some apps, like Oxify Preorder, add Shopify POS support so your counter and online store stay in sync.

Does it work with Shopify Payments and multiple currencies? Yes. A solid preorder app runs on top of Shopify Payments and works with Shopify Markets, so shoppers in different countries see the right price. If you sell worldwide, this guide to a multi-currency setup is a helpful companion read.

Do I need to hire a developer? No. Apps install with no code. You only need a developer for fully custom flows using Shopify’s preorder APIs.

The easy fix: Oxify Preorder

If you want the full preorder experience without the headache, Oxify Preorder does it in one free app.

What you get:

• A real preorder button and badge for out-of-stock, low-stock, coming-soon, and made-to-order products
• Deposits, partial payments, and split payments at checkout
• Automatic back-in-stock emails, so shoppers who missed out get pulled back in
• Discounts and custom messaging for your preorder campaigns
• Works with Shopify POS and Shopify Markets for global stores
• Installs inside your current theme with no coding

It turns a dead “Sold Out” page into a live sale and keeps buyers in the loop the whole way.

Ready to start? Add Oxify Preorder & Back in Stock to your store and take your first preorder today.

Common preorder mistakes to avoid

Even with the right tool, these slip-ups cost sales. Skip them:

• Not labeling the button. Change “Add to Cart” to “Preorder Now” so buyers know what they are getting.
• No shipping date. Even a rough date builds trust. “Ships before December” beats “ships when ready.”
• Going quiet on delays. Production slips happen. Email customers early and offer a coupon or refund if it drags.
• No preorder badge. A clear badge on the product page stops confusion and refund requests.
• No urgency. A limited window drives action. A countdown timer or a low-stock note nudges buyers to commit now.
• Ignoring the payment limits. Remember, native preorders block Shop Pay and Apple Pay. Set expectations at checkout.

FAQ

Related reading: What is a cart drawer in Shopify? and best Shopify subscription apps for recurring purchase options.