Summary

• Section 1: Explain how Shopify buy 2 get 1 works and the main promo types (same SKU, gift, mix-and-match, multiplied, tiered).
• Section 2: Show how to build buy 2 get 1 using Shopify’s native Buy X get Y, plus the key limitations to expect.
• Section 3: Compare the best apps for buy 2 get 1 (BOGOS, qikify, bogo+) and when each is the right fit.

Shopify buy 2 get 1 free promotions succeed when the rules are instantly clear and claiming the reward feels effortless. While Shopify’s native tools handle the basic discount logic, they often lack the visual polish and auto-add features that today’s shoppers expect. 

In this guide, we will break down the most effective promo structures, walk through the native setup process, and explore the apps that deliver a smoother gifting experience. Let’s dive in.

1. How does the Buy 2 Get 1 Free promotion work on Shopify?

A Shopify buy 2 get 1 free promotion is simple on the surface: the customer adds items to the cart, and the third item becomes free of charge once they hit the rule. The “free” item can be the same product they’re buying, or a different free gift you set upfront.

What matters is the qualification logic. Shopify (or a promo app) checks two things:

• What counts as a qualifying item (specific products, a collection, a vendor, or a curated list)
• What becomes free (the same SKU, the cheapest eligible item, or a preset gift)

Below are the most common scenarios merchants run with Shopify buy 2 get 1 free. Each one is a little different, so pick the structure that matches how people shop on your store.

#1 Buy 2 of the same product, get 1 free (classic “buy 3 pay 2”)

This is the go-to for “buy-in-bulk” products where customers already expect multi-buys.

Example: buy 2 pairs of socks, get 1 pair free.

What this usually looks like in real stores:

• Basics and essentials: socks, underwear, tees, shapewear
• Consumables: supplements, coffee pods, snacks, sheet masks
• Everyday repeats: candles, soap bars, deodorant refills

Variant detail (important on Shopify):

• Same variant requirement: 3× black socks size M qualify
• Mix-and-match variants: black + white + grey still qualify as long as it’s the same product

This offer works because it feels like a no-brainer deal. Shoppers don’t need to think it through. They just add one more to seal the deal.

#2 Buy 2 different products, get 1 free gift (gift with purchase)

Here, the customer buys any 2 qualifying items, and you give them a freebie that can be totally different. Example: buy any 2 skincare items, get a free travel-size cleanser.

Common ways merchants set the “buy 2” condition:

• Any 2 items from one collection (e.g., “Winter Essentials”)
• Any 2 items from one vendor (useful for multi-brand stores)
• Any 2 items from a hand-picked list (tight control over margins)

Two common gift approaches:

• Fixed gift: everyone gets the same free item (simple, predictable)
• Gift pool: customer chooses 1 gift from a small set (feels more personal)

This format is great when you want to raise the perceived value without discounting your hero products.

#3 Buy 2 products from different collections (mix-and-match logic)

This requires the customer to add 1 item from Collection A and 1 item from Collection B. Once both are in the cart, they unlock 1 free gift.

Example: buy 1 pair of pants from the Pants collection plus 1 top from the Tops collection, get free socks.

Merchants use this to push complete-set shopping and cross-category add-ons without sounding salesy. It feels like a curated offer because the rule is clear and the reward is immediate. This works well for combos people already buy together, like bottoms plus tops, cleanser plus moisturizer, or shampoo plus conditioner.

#4 Multiplied (the deal repeats as the cart grows)

This is the “scales with quantity” version. The rule repeats in a steady pattern. Example:

• Buy 2 get 1 free (3 items total)
• Buy 4 get 2 free (6 items total)
• Buy 6 get 3 free (9 items total)

In plain terms, every set of 3 items includes 1 free item. Customers can keep adding and the promo keeps stacking up in a predictable way. This works best when customers often buy in larger quantities, like snacks, supplements, or family packs.

#5 Tiered (bigger spend unlocks a bigger reward)

Tiered doesn’t repeat the same ratio. Instead, the reward steps up when the customer reaches the next purchase threshold. Example:

• Buy 2 get 1 free
• Buy 3 get 2 free

This is useful when you want to push cart size beyond the typical “just add one more” behavior. It creates a clear reason to go from 2 items to 3 items in one shot.

A quick way to explain tiered vs multiplied:

• Multiplied: same ratio repeats again and again
• Tiered: reward changes at specific thresholds

2. Set up buy 2 get 1 promotions with Shopify native discounts

Shopify’s native Buy X get Y discount is the fastest way to run a Shopify buy 2 get 1 free deal without installing an app. It’s clean, it’s reliable, and it lives inside the Shopify admin. However, there are also limitations:

• Gift not auto-added to cart: The shopper must add the gift item themselves, or the discount won’t apply. To automatically add a free gift to the cart when customers meet certain criteria, you can use a third-party app.
• Limited visual presentation: No built-in gift picker, no progress bar, no “you’re 1 item away” messaging on product pages or cart.

Here’s how to set one up (Buy X Get Y):

• Go to Shopify admin → Discounts → Create discount.

• Choose Buy X get Y.

• Then select Automatic discount or Discount code if you want to share a code.

• In Customer buys, select Minimum quantity of items, then set Quantity = X (use 2 for buy 2 get 1). Choose Specific products or Specific collections, then click Browse to select qualifiers.
• In Customer gets, set Quantity = Y (use 1 for get 1 free). Choose Specific products, click Browse, then select the gift item (it can be the same product or a different free gift).

• In At a discounted value, choose how the reward applies. In Eligibility, choose who can use it. 

3. Best 3 Shopify apps for buy 2 get 1 promotion

Because Shopify’s native BXGY has two significant gaps (the gift won’t auto-add, and the on-site presentation is barebones), we usually recommend a buy 2 get 1 free Shopify app, so you can auto-add the gift, display clear cart messaging, and manage more complex rules without messy workarounds. 

Below is an overview table for quickly comparing the top options.

#1 BOGOS: Free Gift, Bundle & Upsell

👉 Try BOGOS For Free

BOGOS supports all common buy 2 get 1 free scenarios, including same-product gifts, different gifts, cross-collection rules, multiplied, and tiered structures. It also supports extra sub-conditions, so the deal only triggers when the cart matches tighter rules, which helps protect margin.

BOGOS is also stronger on measurement and promotion. It includes real-time analytics broken down by each offer, so it’s easy to track which B2G1 campaign is driving revenue and which one is underperforming. 

On the merchandising side, the Booster tab helps promote offers with elements like Today’s offer, a progress bar, and visual cues such as a gift icon and gift thumbnail.

Other BOGOS feature coverage:

• Free gift with purchase: BOGO, bulk BOGO, cart-value gifts, buy bundle get gift, free gift selection
• Bundles: classic bundles, mix-and-match, bundle builders
• Upsell: add-ons and upsell flows (based on store setup)

Discounts: volume discounts, discount the cheapest or most expensive item

#2 Qikify

Qikify supports most B2G1 variations and offers flexible conditions plus upsell placements. The main friction shows up when the gift is the same as the products being purchased. 

Instead of a more streamlined “same SKU” logic, merchants often need to set up separate offers manually for each product. If the store has many products that should all run B2G1, this becomes time-consuming.

Qikify has sub-conditions similar to BOGOS, but it typically doesn’t include targeting based on customer spending history. That matters if the goal is to reserve stronger gifts for high-value shoppers.

Other Qikify feature coverage:

• BOGO/BXGY rules with flexible triggers
• Free gifts (including customer choice depending on setup)
• Upsell/cross-sell modules across store pages

#3 BOGO+

BOGO+ covers the core B2G1 patterns and includes promotional bars that help push shoppers to qualify. Sub-conditions exist, but like Qikify, there’s usually no customer spending history targeting.

Two disadvantages to expect:

• Analytics tends to be higher-level. Reporting can filter by campaign type, but may not drill down into each specific campaign as cleanly.
• No equivalent “booster” toolkit like Today’s offer or richer merchandising elements found in the other two apps above.

So, which app fits which merchant?

• BOGOS fits stores running multiple B2G1 campaigns at once and needing multiplied/tiered logic, stronger promotion, and offer-level tracking.
• Qikify fits stores with simpler catalogs that can tolerate more manual campaign setup, but still want robust BXGY options.
• BOGO+ fits stores that want the basics at a lower cost and don’t need deep analytics or extra promo widgets.

4. Conclusion

You now have a clear roadmap for launching a Shopify buy 2 get 1 campaign, whether you use native discounts or a dedicated app. We always recommend starting simple with one product or collection, then expanding once you see solid results. The stores that win with B2G1 are the ones that make the offer obvious and the redemption effortless.

5. FAQs