Shopify Launchpad and Maestro Theme Scheduler both help you launch campaigns on time, but they are built for different jobs and different merchants. This comparison covers who can use each one, what each can schedule and when to pick which.
Key takeaways
- Launchpad is free but only available on Shopify Plus.
- Maestro works on every Shopify plan, including Plus.
- Maestro can schedule individual sections and blocks. Launchpad schedules whole themes.
- Launchpad also bundles product visibility and discounts into events. Maestro focuses on the storefront theme.
Quick comparison
| Maestro Theme Scheduler | Shopify Launchpad | |
|---|---|---|
| Available on | All Shopify plans, including Plus | Shopify Plus only |
| Schedule a full theme publish | Yes, unlimited | Yes, as part of an event |
| Schedule individual sections and blocks | Yes | No, whole themes only |
| Scheduled banners, images and slideshows | Yes | Via a full theme switch |
| Recurring schedules | Yes | Event based |
| Theme publish history | Yes | Event reporting |
| Product visibility and discounts | No, storefront theme only | Yes |
| Price | From $9.99/month, free trial | Free for Plus merchants |
Details are based on the public Shopify App Store listings at the time of writing.
What is Shopify Launchpad?
Launchpad is Shopify's own app for Plus merchants. It lets you build an event, such as a flash sale or product release, and schedule theme changes, product visibility and discounts to start and end together. It is free and included with Shopify Plus.
What is Maestro Theme Scheduler?
Maestro is a Built for Shopify app that schedules theme publishing plus individual sections and blocks inside your live theme. It works on every Shopify plan and adds recurring schedules and a publish history.
The biggest difference: sections and blocks
Launchpad works at the level of whole themes. To change one banner for a sale, you duplicate your theme, edit the copy and schedule it to publish. Every edit made to the live theme in the meantime has to be copied over as well.
Maestro can schedule the banner itself. The section or block appears in your live theme when the sale starts and disappears when it ends. There is no theme copy to keep in sync.
If most of your campaigns are small (one banner, one slideshow, one notice), section-level scheduling saves the most time.
Who can use each app
Launchpad requires Shopify Plus. If you are on Basic, Shopify, Advanced or any other non-Plus plan, Maestro gives you scheduled launches without upgrading. Plus merchants often use Maestro alongside Launchpad for the content-level changes Launchpad can't do.
Strengths and limitations
Shopify Launchpad
Strengths
- Free for Plus merchants
- Bundles themes, product visibility and discounts in one event
- Built by Shopify
Limitations
- Only available on Shopify Plus
- Whole-theme changes only
- Small changes still need a duplicate theme
Maestro Theme Scheduler
Strengths
- Works on every Shopify plan
- Schedules single sections and blocks
- Recurring schedules and publish history
- Built for Shopify badge, 5.0 rating
Limitations
- Paid app, from $9.99/month
- Doesn't schedule discounts or product availability
- Advanced plan includes 1 section and block schedule
When to choose each
Choose Launchpad if
You are on Shopify Plus and want products, discounts and a theme switch bundled into one event.
Choose Maestro if
You are not on Plus, or you want to schedule single sections, banners and slideshows without duplicating your theme.
Verdict
Our verdict
For Plus stores running large all-in-one events, Launchpad is a solid free option.
For every other store, and for anyone who wants precise section and block scheduling, Maestro Theme Scheduler is the more flexible choice. Many Plus stores use both.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shopify Launchpad free?
Launchpad is free, but it is only available to stores on Shopify Plus.
Can Launchpad schedule a single section?
Based on its App Store listing, Launchpad schedules whole themes as part of an event. It does not list section or block scheduling.
Can I use Maestro and Launchpad together?
Yes. Plus merchants can use Launchpad for product and discount events and Maestro for section and block changes inside the live theme.