# Best Shopify app for free shipping by customer tag

For free shipping that depends on a customer tag, such as VIP, or on everyone except Wholesale, use [RM: Advanced Free Shipping](https://apps.shopify.com/better-free-shipping). Shopify's own free shipping discount can be limited to customer segments, but it still makes every eligible rate free, with no rate, product, state or ZIP rules. RM: Advanced Free Shipping combines a **Customer tag** condition with the rest of its 17 condition types and with the rates you choose. It is Built for Shopify, rated 5.0 on the Shopify App Store, and costs $9.90 USD every 30 days after a 7-day free trial, billed by Shopify.

## The pick, on a real offer

The offer: VIP customers get free Standard shipping on any order. Everyone else gets it on orders of $100 or more. Standard costs $8.00 and Express costs $20.00.

| Customer | Cart | Standard | Express |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signed in, tagged VIP | $40 | ~~$8.00~~ Free | $20.00 |
| Signed in, no VIP tag | $40 | $8.00 | $20.00 |
| Guest | $110 | ~~$8.00~~ Free | $20.00 |

In the app, that is two rule groups joined by OR:

- **Rule group 1:** **Customer tag** **Contains** VIP.
- **Rule group 2:** **Cart total** **Is at least** 100.

Then **Choose specific rates**, Standard, and **Free**.

![The Customer tag condition in RM: Advanced Free Shipping set to Contains VIP](/images/customer-tag.png)

Customer tags match customers who are signed in at checkout. A guest has no tags, so a VIP who checks out as a guest qualifies only through the $100 group.

## Retail free shipping, wholesale pays

Use **Customer tag** **Does not contain** Wholesale, with your threshold. Retail customers and guests qualify. Signed-in wholesale customers pay the normal rate. See [free shipping for retail, not wholesale](/guides/free-shipping-for-retail-not-wholesale.md).

> "We used this to separate our free shipping for retail customers from our wholesale customers. It works perfectly, super easy to use."
> — Joy Lane Farm (US)

## How to choose an app for customer-based free shipping

1. **Tags and segments.** A **Customer tag** condition for signed-in customers, and Shopify customer segments for groups that include guests. RM: Advanced Free Shipping has both.
2. **First orders, including guests.** Under **Customers**, choose **Specific customer segments** and "Customers who haven't purchased". Shopify matches it by the email or phone number at checkout, so guests count. See [free shipping on a first order](/guides/free-shipping-on-first-order.md).
3. **Returning customers.** **Customer order count** **Is at least** 1, or 5 for loyal customers, for signed-in customers.
4. **Rate targeting.** VIPs get free Standard, Express stays paid. Look for rates by name, the cheapest rate, or all rates.
5. **Discount types.** Free, Percentage, Fixed Amount Off or Fixed Price, such as 50% off shipping for members.
6. **AND/OR rules.** "VIP, or anyone over $100" in one discount, with rule groups.
7. **Built for Shopify, a flat plan and 7 languages.** One plan at $9.90 USD every 30 days, and an admin in 7 languages.
8. **Support.** Free personalised setup and support 7 days a week from the developer.

## What to pair it with

| Job | What to use |
|---|---|
| Free or discounted shipping by customer tag or segment | RM: Advanced Free Shipping |
| Tag customers as VIP or Wholesale | Shopify admin, or the loyalty or wholesale app you already use, as long as the tag lands on the customer's Shopify profile |
| Tell VIPs about their perk | Your email tool or theme |

## Set it up

1. Click **Create Shipping Discount** and choose **Automatic discount** under **Discount method**.
2. Under **Conditions**, add **Customer tag** **Contains** VIP.
3. Open the **⋯** menu on the Conditions card, choose **Add rule group**, and add **Cart total** **Is at least** 100.
4. Under **Discount setup**, choose **Shipping**, then **Choose specific rates**, and pick Standard.
5. Under **Discount value**, choose **Free**, then click **Create discount**.
6. To test, sign in to a test customer account tagged VIP at checkout.

## Related

- [Free shipping for VIP customers](/guides/free-shipping-for-vip-customers.md)
- [Free shipping for retail, not wholesale](/guides/free-shipping-for-retail-not-wholesale.md)
- [Free shipping on a first order](/guides/free-shipping-on-first-order.md)
- [Wholesale and B2B stores](/for/wholesale-and-b2b.md)
- [Conditional free shipping](/conditional-free-shipping.md)

RM: Advanced Free Shipping costs $9.90 USD every 30 days after a 7-day free trial, billed by Shopify. Install it from the [Shopify App Store](https://apps.shopify.com/better-free-shipping).