Last updated: November 9, 2026. Based on Shopify’s Help Center, checked on November 9, 2026. Disclosure: Webiots builds Shopify apps. No apps in this guide paid to be included.
Quick answer: To set up buy one get one (BOGO) on Shopify, go to Discounts > Create discount > Buy X get Y. Choose what the customer buys (a quantity or amount from specific products or collections), what they get (free, a percentage off or an amount off), and whether it applies automatically or with a code. Shopify doesn’t add the free item to the cart for the customer, and it doesn’t show the offer on the product page, so tell shoppers clearly. Use an app if you want the free gift added automatically, offers shown on the product page, or several offers running together.
Key takeaways:
- BOGO is built into Shopify discounts.
- Customers must add the free item themselves.
- Show the offer on the product page and in the cart.
In this guide
- BOGO offers you can run
- How to set up BOGO, step by step
- What Shopify’s BOGO can’t do
- How to show the offer to shoppers
- Is BOGO profitable?
- When to use a BOGO app
- The bottom line
- FAQ
What BOGO Offers Can You Run on Shopify?
Shopify’s Buy X get Y discount covers most common BOGO offers.
| Offer | Customer buys | Customer gets |
|---|---|---|
| Buy one, get one free | 1 item from a collection | 1 item from the same collection, free |
| Buy one, get one 50% off | 1 item | 1 item at 50% off |
| Buy 2, get 1 free | 2 items | 1 item free |
| Free gift with product | A specific product | A specific gift product, free |
| Spend and get | A minimum amount, such as $75 | A gift or a discounted product |
How Do You Set Up BOGO on Shopify?
- In Shopify admin, go to Discounts and click Create discount.
- Choose Buy X get Y.
- Pick the method: Discount code (customers enter it at checkout) or Automatic discount (applies by itself when the cart qualifies).
- Under Customer buys, choose Minimum quantity of items or Minimum purchase amount, then select the products or collections.
- Under Customer gets, set the quantity and select the products or collections they can get.
- Under At a discounted value, choose Percentage, Amount off each or Free.
- Set the maximum uses per order, so "buy 1 get 1" doesn’t become "buy 10 get 10" unless you want it to.
- Choose which other discounts it can combine with, set eligibility (all customers, segments or markets) and the start and end dates.
- Save, then place a test order to check the price and the order email.
For "buy one, get one free" from the same collection, select the same collection in both Customer buys and Customer gets. Shopify usually applies the discount to the lower-priced qualifying item, so test it with two different prices.
What Can’t Shopify’s BOGO Discount Do?
| Limit | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| The free item isn’t added to the cart | Customers must add it themselves. Many don’t, and then contact support asking where their gift is |
| No offer on the product page | Shoppers only see the saving in the cart or at checkout, unless your theme or an app shows it |
| One offer structure per discount | Tiered gifts ("spend $50 get A, spend $100 get B") need several discounts and careful combination settings |
| Already-discounted items | Products discounted by a discount that can’t combine don’t count toward the minimum amount |
| POS | Automatic discounts apply at POS only on POS Pro locations; POS Lite stores can use BOGO only online |
| Post-purchase offers | Admin discounts don’t apply to post-purchase offers at checkout |
How Do You Show a BOGO Offer to Shoppers?
A BOGO only works if shoppers know about it before they reach checkout.
- Announcement bar: "Buy one, get one 50% off all candles this week."
- Product page: a short line or badge under the price on qualifying products.
- Collection page: a banner at the top of the collection the offer applies to.
- Cart drawer: a reminder such as "Add one more candle to get it 50% off."
- Email and SMS: send the offer to your list with a direct link to the collection.
For a free gift, add a clear instruction: "Add the free tote to your cart. It’ll show as $0 at checkout."
Is a Buy One Get One Offer Profitable?
It depends on your margin. "Buy one get one 50% off" is usually safer than "free".
| Offer (two $40 items, $12 cost each, $8 shipping) | Revenue | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| One item, no offer | $40 | $20 |
| Buy one get one 50% off | $60 | $28 |
| Buy one get one free | $40 | $8 |
In this example, BOGO 50% off earns more profit than a single sale, while BOGO free cuts profit to $8. Free works best for clearing stock, launching a new product or giving away low-cost samples.
When Should You Use a BOGO App?
When Shopify’s built-in discount creates work for you or confusion for shoppers. A BOGO or bundle app usually adds:
- Free gifts added to the cart automatically, and removed if the cart no longer qualifies
- Offer blocks on the product page and in the cart drawer
- Progress messages such as "Spend $20 more to unlock your gift"
- Several gift tiers and offers running at once
- BOGO alongside bundles and quantity breaks in one app
Check that the app runs its discounts on Shopify Functions, works with your theme, and shows the offer clearly on mobile. For other bundle types, see how to create product bundles on Shopify.
The Bottom Line
Shopify’s Buy X get Y discount is enough for a simple BOGO: set the products, the reward and a limit per order, and test it. The two things it won’t do are add the free item for the customer and show the offer on the product page, so promote it clearly across your store. If those gaps cost you sales or support time, use an app that adds gifts automatically and shows offers where shoppers decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you do buy one get one free on Shopify?
Yes. Create a Buy X get Y discount in Discounts, select the products the customer buys and gets, and set the discounted value to Free.
Why isn’t the free item added to the cart?
Shopify’s Buy X get Y discount never adds the free item automatically. The customer must add it to the cart, and the discount then applies. Apps can add it automatically.
Can BOGO apply to the same product?
Yes. Select the same product or collection in Customer buys and Customer gets, so a customer who adds two gets one free or discounted.
Can I limit BOGO to one per order?
Yes. Set the maximum number of uses per order when you create the discount.
Does BOGO work on Shopify POS?
Automatic Buy X get Y discounts work on POS Pro locations. POS Lite stores can use them only at online checkout.
Can BOGO combine with other discounts?
Yes, if you allow it. When creating the discount, choose which other discount classes it can combine with.
Related Reading
- How to Create Product Bundles on Shopify (2026 Guide)
- Black Friday Promotion Ideas for Shopify Stores
- Shopify Quantity Breaks: How to Offer "Buy 2, Save 10%"
Update Log
November 9, 2026: First published, based on Shopify’s Help Center articles on Buy X get Y and automatic discounts.
