Gift cards look simple on the surface: generate a code, apply it at checkout, and deduct the balance. But once I started selling gift cards on WooCommerce across different product categories, I quickly learned the logic beneath the surface is anything but simple. Some plugins create only coupon-like codes. Others generate reloadable balances, expiration rules, manual adjustments, and store credit accounts.
Because of that complexity, I wanted to test WooCommerce Gift Card Plugins that promised ease of use—even for store owners who are new to WooCommerce or lack coding knowledge. I created staging stores, installed each plugin separately, and ran test purchases using different checkout flow conditions. I intentionally attempted edge cases—wrong amounts, cart rules, multi-quantity gift card purchases, and delayed email delivery—to see how each plugin behaved.
Below, I share what actually happened—not marketing claims. Some plugins worked smoothly and impressed me. Others caused awkward checkout behaviour or confusing communication for gift card recipients. My goal is to help beginners choose wisely without wasting time or money.
Why Gift Cards Matter for Small Stores
Gift cards are more than convenience; they solve real business problems. When I first introduced gift cards, I saw three immediate benefits:
- increased average order value
- lower return rates
- predictable revenueReducedd customer service overhead
Many small stores underestimate the psychological power gift cards hold. They enable word-of-mouth gifting and multiply brand exposure. People who receive gift cards often spend more than the card value. That is why choosing a stable WooCommerce Gift Card plugin matters: broken delivery or code failures make customers lose trust.
Still, not all plugins support reloadable balances, emailing options, printable card formats, or compatibility with external payment gateways. Through real-world testing, I learned that gift card plugins behave differently when pushed beyond basic functionality.
What I Tested During Evaluation
To make this guide practical, I tested each plugin under the same baseline conditions. I assessed the following:
- gift card creation workflow
- email delivery time
- refund and cancellation handling
- balance tracking accuracy
- ability to customise designs
- multi-quantity purchase logic
- balance redemption user experience
- cashier interface clarity
Which Criteria Mattered Most
- reliability and stability
- user experience for sender and recipient
- ease of configuration
- compatibility with existing checkout settings
Even the highest-rated WooCommerce Gift Card Plugins behaved unexpectedly once I layered real-world scenarios like partial redemptions or sending multiple cards in one order.
The Best WooCommerce Gift Card Plugins I Actually Tested
1. WooCommerce Gift Cards
I started with the official WooCommerce gift card solution, expecting the most stable integration—and overall, that expectation proved correct. I liked that the plugin created actual gift card products that behave independently from coupons. Email delivery triggered reliably in all test orders.
I particularly appreciated balance tracking. When recipients spent less than the card value, the leftover credit remained available automatically. This alone separates it from basic coupon-based WooCommerce Gift Card Plugins that lack persistent credit tracking.
Key Features
- email delivery and scheduling
- persistent balance management
- product-based gift card creation
- customizable templates
Pros
- stable and intuitive
- strong recipient experience
- accurate balance tracking
Cons
- limited card customization options
- not the cheapest option
2. YITH WooCommerce Gift Cards
YITH consistently delivers polished interfaces, and this plugin continued that trend. I found the visual template builder much more flexible than expected. I could upload my own backgrounds, remove fields, and customise message layouts without code.
Performance impressed me too; email delivery tested fast across several inbox providers. However, when I layered bulk purchases and hybrid coupon plus gift card orders, some conditions required troubleshooting. Still, for most beginners, this plugin offers deeper customisation compared to other WooCommerce Gift Card Plugins.
Key Features
- custom gift card layouts
- Admin control of balances
- expiration and scheduling options
- media upload support
Pros
- visually flexible designs
- great usability and UX
Cons
- Advanced rule combinations need documentation review
- slightly higher resource load
3. PW WooCommerce Gift Cards
This plugin surprised me with its speed and tight integration. Purchase flow remained minimal, and emails were delivered reliably without complicated SMTP settings. I liked that customers could schedule delivery for a future date, which expands gifting use cases like birthdays and holidays.
The Lite version works for simple needs, while Pro unlocks important automation controls. Among the WooCommerce Gift Card Plugins tested, this one felt ideal for cash-conscious beginners who still want balance tracking.
Key Features
- flexible delivery scheduling
- real-time balance checking
- admin balance editing
Pros
- simple onboarding
- fast implementation
- cost-effective
Cons
- reporting insights limited
- requires extensions for advanced workflows
4. Smart Coupons for WooCommerce
I had used Smart Coupons for bulk coupon generation in previous client stores, so testing its gift card module made sense. During installation, the plugin transformed store credit dramatically. Instead of behaving simply like gift cards, credits integrated smoothly into the checkout experience.
Customers could combine credits with regular coupons, apply partial balances, and store credits persist automatically to user accounts. While not exclusively one of the standard WooCommerce Gift Card Plugins, the functionality delivered better automation than several gift-card-first tools.
Key Features
- store credit automation
- gift-card-like credit emailing
- bulk generation and import
- partial redemption support
Pros
- advanced automation options
- strong user account integration
ConsThe
- interface is cluttered for beginners
- Setup requires planning
5. Gift Up! for WooCommerce
This SaaS-backed plugin integrates directly with WooCommerce and handles much of the heavy lifting on external servers. That means performance impact remains low, and feature development continues rapidly.
I appreciated its multi-channel distribution approach: gift cards could be sold on-site, through social media, or embedded buttons. That flexibility enabled unique marketing flows. However, transaction-based fees add cost over time, which beginners must evaluate.
Key Features
- external system processing
- social and embedded distribution
- flexible expiry and messaging rules
Pros
- great for omnichannel gifting
- low performance overhead
Cons
- long-term cost may rise
- requires external account management
6. WooCommerce PDF Product Vouchers (SkyVerge)
Not every store wants only email-based delivery. Some want printable certificates for in-store redemption. I tested this plugin expecting friction, but the voucher builder worked better than anticipated—especially the drag-and-drop editor.
The plugin generates PDF vouchers that customers can print or email manually. That is ideal for stores offering physical services—like spas, workshops, lessons, and retail locations. Compared to other WooCommerce Gift Card Plugins oriented around digital-only usage, this one brings versatility.
Key Features
- PDF voucher generation
- custom field controls
- barcode or QR support
Pros
- strong in-person redemption
- flexible layout options
Cons
- More setup time is required
- Not ideal for purely digital stores
7. WooCommerce Store Credit (TivWP)
This plugin focuses exclusively on store-credit-style gifting. It does not generate traditional gift card designs or printable vouchers. Instead, customers send credit amounts to recipients, who then apply them from their account dashboard.
During tests, I found the workflow surprisingly seamless for recipients. No strange coupon-like field names or code-based confusion. Store credits apply smoothly at checkout, and balances persist. For stores prioritising account-level store credit over formal gift cards, this remains a standout option among WooCommerce Gift Card Plugins.
Key Features
- persistent credit system
- account-level credit redemption
- expiration controls
Pros
- great UX for recipients
- reliable credit deductions
Cons
- No visual card templates
- limited gifting presentation
Lessons Learned from Stress Testing Gift Cards
Expiration logic matters more than design
Every plugin that handled expiration rules inconsistently created support headaches. Reliable scheduling and expiration documentation prevented disputes.
Partial redemption exposes weaknesses.
Some plugins incorrectly calculated balances after partial redemptions. I tested multi-order redemptions deliberately to check accuracy. Only three plugins handled partials perfectly.
Email reliability requires backup systems.s
Even WooCommerce Gift Card Plugins with built-in email triggers benefit from SMTP configuration. Several failures traced back to default WordPress email limitations, not plugin code.
Practical Guidance for Store Owners
Before choosing any plugin, map your expected use cases. Gift cards vary widely in workflow depending on products, store policies, and required automation.
Ask yourself:
- Should customers schedule delivery?
- Will balances persist or expire?
- Should gift cards work like store credits?
- Are PDF/print options needed?
- Will customers buy multiple gift cards per purchase?
- Do codes need tracking reports?
Then choose plugins that handle your most critical workflows gracefully—not plugins with extra features that remain unused.
Comparison Table
| Plugin Name | Ease of Use | Key Strength | Best For | Performance | Balance Handling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WooCommerce Gift Cards | Easy | Persistent balance + native feel | Most stores | Strong | Excellent |
| YITH Gift Cards | Medium | Design customization | Visual branding | Good | Strong |
| PW Gift Cards | Easy | Cost-effective + scheduled sends | Beginners | Strong | Strong |
| Smart Coupons | Medium–Hard | Complex store credit automation | Larger stores | Strong | Excellent |
| Gift Up! | Easy | External processing + omnichannel | Multi-channel sellers | Excellent | Medium |
| PDF Product Vouchers | Medium | Printable voucher formats | In-person redemption | Strong | Medium |
| WooCommerce Store Credit | Easy | Account-based credits | Returning customers | Excellent | Strong |
Final Thoughts
After installing, customising, and running test purchases using these seven plugins, I realised every gift card workflow feels slightly different in WooCommerce. The best WooCommerce Gift Card Plugins are those that automate seamlessly, prevent balance calculation errors, and minimise additional customer support volume.
If you want simple and reliable digital gift card sales, go with PW Gift Cards or WooCommerce Gift Cards. If branding and design flexibility matter, YITH becomes a strong candidate. For in-store redemption, PDF vouchers excel. And if you want store credits rather than card codes, Smart Coupons and Store Credit stand out.
Regardless of which plugin you choose, test thoroughly in a sandbox store, simulate multiple redemption attempts, check email deliverability, and verify refund/exchange behaviour. After real-world testing, you will see why choosing the right tools matters.
Interesting Reads:
The Top 8 WooCommerce Checkout Plugins I Tried (and What Surprised Me)
I Tested 8 WooCommerce Wholesale Plugins: Here Are the Best Ones
8 Best WooCommerce Multistore Plugins for Beginners I Tested
