---
title: Shopify Cart Permalinks vs Cart Rocket: When the Free Option Is Enough
description: Shopify cart permalinks are free and fill the cart from a URL. What they can and can't do (no subscriptions, codes only, no analytics) and when Cart Rocket is worth $9 or $15 a month.
url: https://cartrocket.dev/compare/shopify-cart-permalinks-vs-cart-rocket.html
---

Compare · By Robin · Checked October 9, 2026

# Shopify Cart Permalinks vs Cart Rocket

Every Shopify store can already build a link that fills the cart. Here is what that free option covers, where it stops, and when an app earns its keep.

**Short version:** Shopify's cart permalinks are free and already in every store. A URL like `/cart/70881412:1,70881382:1?discount=SAVE10` fills the cart, applies a code and opens checkout. They're a good fit for a single, simple offer you build once. Cart Rocket is worth paying for when you need things permalinks can't do: discounts without codes, bundle pricing, subscriptions, a size picker, reorder links, scheduling, limits, per-creator tracking and analytics.

Facts about permalinks come from Shopify's developer docs and Help Center, checked October 9, 2026. We make Cart Rocket.

## How a cart permalink works

A cart permalink lists variant IDs and quantities after `/cart/`. By default it opens checkout. Add `storefront=true` to land on the cart page, `payment=shop_pay` for Shop Pay, `discount=` for one or more existing codes, and `checkout[email]` or shipping address fields to pre-fill checkout. Shopify's docs list two hard limits: selling plans (subscriptions) don't work, and the link can't get past a storefront password.

```
# Two products, a discount code, straight to Shop Pay
https://your-store.myshopify.com/cart/70881412:1,70881382:2?discount=SAVE10&payment=shop_pay
```

## Side by side

| Capability | Shopify cart permalinks | Cart Rocket |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free, built into Shopify | Basic $9/month (1 link) or Pro $15/month (unlimited) |
| How you build a link | By hand: `/cart/variant_id:qty,…` plus query parameters. The admin's "Create checkout link" makes one variant at quantity 1 and needs the Buy Button channel | In an editor: pick products, variants and quantities, or start from a template |
| Link address | Variant IDs in the URL | A readable address on your domain, such as `/apps/cart/summer-kit` |
| Change the offer after sharing | Build and share a new URL | Edit the cart link; the same URL picks up the change |
| Discounts | Existing discount codes via `discount=` (codes containing a comma can't be passed) | Line-item, cart-wide and shipping discounts without a code, plus auto-applied codes |
| Bundle at one price | No | Yes |
| Subscriptions (selling plans) | No: "Selling plans don't work with cart permalinks" | Yes |
| Cart page, checkout or Shop Pay | Yes (`storefront=true`, `payment=shop_pay`) | Yes |
| Pre-fill email and shipping address | Yes (`checkout[email]`, `checkout[shipping_address]…`) | Yes, from email and SMS merge tags or the same details for everyone |
| Shopper picks size or colour first | No | Yes, options page before checkout |
| Reorder a customer's last order | No | Yes |
| Order notes and attributes | Yes (`note`, `attributes[…]`) | Yes: order note and tags on the order |
| Referral or creator tracking | `ref` appears as a referral code in the Conversion summary | `?ref=code` per creator, orders tagged, Creators tab with opens, orders and revenue |
| Start and end dates | No | Yes (UTC) |
| Customer rules and purchase limits | No | Yes: segments or specific customers, overall and per-customer limits |
| What shoppers see when an offer is over | The link keeps working until you stop sharing it | The product or home page with a short notice |
| Analytics per link | No dashboard; use UTMs in Shopify analytics | Orders, revenue and AOV per link and campaign, plus a checkout funnel |
| QR code | Make one yourself | Built in, high-resolution PNG |

## Use a cart permalink if

- The offer is one product or a fixed set, with an existing discount code or none
- You won't need to change the offer once the link is out
- UTMs in Shopify analytics are enough reporting

## Use Cart Rocket if

- The discount should apply without a code, or you want line-item, cart-wide and shipping discounts on one link
- You sell bundles at one price, or subscription products
- Shoppers should choose a size or colour before checkout
- The link needs a start and end date, a purchase limit or a customer segment
- You want orders, revenue and AOV per link, per campaign and per creator
- The link will live on printed QR codes or packaging and you want to change the offer later without reprinting

Related: [all Shopify cart link apps compared](https://cartrocket.dev/compare/shopify-cart-link-apps.html) and [Cart Rocket vs Checkout Links](https://cartrocket.dev/compare/cart-rocket-vs-checkout-links.html).

## FAQ

### Does Shopify have cart links built in?

Yes. Cart permalinks are built into every Shopify store. A URL with variant IDs and quantities after /cart/ fills the cart and opens checkout, and query parameters can add discount codes, Shop Pay, notes and pre-filled checkout details.

### Can a Shopify cart permalink include a subscription product?

No. Shopify's developer docs say selling plans don't work with cart permalinks. Cart Rocket links can add subscription products through the product's purchase option.

### Can a cart permalink apply a discount without a code?

No. Permalinks pass existing discount codes with the discount parameter. Cart Rocket applies line-item, cart-wide and shipping discounts when the link opens, with no code.

### Is Cart Rocket worth it over free permalinks?

It is when you need discounts without codes, bundle pricing, subscriptions, a size picker, reorder links, scheduling, limits or per-link analytics. For one simple offer with an existing code, a permalink is enough.