# Free shipping as a discount code or an automatic discount in Shopify

Make free shipping automatic when every eligible customer should get it, such as "free shipping over $100". Make it a discount code when only some people should, such as newsletter signups or an influencer audience. You choose under **Discount method** when you create the discount, and it can't be changed later. Shopify's own [free shipping discount](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/discounts/discount-types/free-shipping) also comes in both forms, but either way it makes every eligible rate free. In [RM: Advanced Free Shipping](https://apps.shopify.com/better-free-shipping), both methods can target the rates you choose, take a percentage or amount off, and use cart, product, location and customer conditions. The app is $9.90 USD every 30 days, with a 7-day free trial, billed by Shopify.

## What the customer gets

In this example the store has two rates: Standard $8.90 and Express $24.90.

- **Automatic, "Free shipping over $100".** A $120 cart gets free shipping with nothing to type. The customer pays $120. An $85 cart pays $85 + $8.90 = $93.90.
- **Code `FREESHIP`, no threshold.** A $60 cart with the code entered gets free shipping and pays $60. The same cart without the code pays $60 + $8.90 = $68.90.

With an automatic discount, the **Title** shows under the crossed-out rate. With a code, the code shows instead.

## Set it up

1. In the app, click **Create Shipping Discount**.
2. Under **Discount method**, choose **Automatic discount** or **Discount code**. New discounts start on **Discount code**, so switch if you want automatic.
3. For automatic, enter a **Title** customers will read, such as "Free shipping over $100". For a code, enter the code, such as `FREESHIP`.
4. Add your **Conditions**, such as **Cart total** **Is at least** 100. Leave them empty for every order.
5. In **Discount setup**, set **Delivery type** to **Shipping**, **Which rates** to **All shipping rates** and **Discount value** to **Free**.
6. For a code, set limits under **Maximum discount uses** if you need them: **Limit number of times this discount can be used in total** and **Limit to one use per customer**.
7. Click **Create discount**.

![The Create shipping discount page in RM: Advanced Free Shipping with Discount method set to Automatic discount, the title Free shipping over $100, a Cart total Is at least $100 AUD condition, and Discount setup on Shipping, All shipping rates, Free](/images/create-discount.png)

## Which to choose

**Automatic discount**

- Applies by itself when the conditions are met.
- Best for thresholds and offers every eligible customer should get.
- Shopify allows up to [25 active automatic discounts](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/discounts/discount-methods/automatic-discounts) at a time across all apps, including scheduled and test-mode ones.

**Discount code**

- Applies only when the customer enters the code at checkout.
- Best for exclusive offers: welcome emails, influencers, customer service gestures.
- The only method with usage limits.

## Variations

- **A code that still needs a threshold:** choose **Discount code** and add **Cart total** **Is at least** 50. A $40 cart with the code pays $40 + $8.90 = $48.90.
- **A code for free Standard only:** set **Which rates** to **Choose specific rates** and select Standard.
- **A shareable link:** send `https://your-store.com/discount/FREESHIP`. The code applies when the customer opens it. Add `?redirect=/collections/sale` to land them on a page.
- **Both at once:** run an automatic "free over $100" and a `FREESHIP` code for your list. Only one shipping discount applies per rate, and Shopify gives the customer the one that saves the most.

## Good to know

- **To switch methods,** create a new discount with the other method and delete the old one. The method is fixed once created.
- **To stay under Shopify's 25 automatic discounts,** set end dates on old promotions, delete unused ones, or use codes. See Shopify's guide to [automatic discounts](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/discounts/discount-methods/automatic-discounts).
- **To limit uses,** use a discount code. Shopify doesn't support usage limits on automatic discounts.
- **To test either one,** switch on **Test mode** and use `ABC123` as the shipping first name. A code still needs the code entered. See [test a shipping discount](/guides/test-a-shipping-discount.md).

## Related

- [Test a shipping discount](/guides/test-a-shipping-discount.md)
- [Schedule free shipping](/guides/schedule-free-shipping.md)
- [Keep free shipping with discount codes](/guides/keep-free-shipping-with-discount-codes.md)
- [Conditional free shipping on Shopify](/conditional-free-shipping.md)

[Install RM: Advanced Free Shipping from the Shopify App Store](https://apps.shopify.com/better-free-shipping).