battles / Returns
Returnly vs Rich Returns
Returnly (usage-based/mo, vibe code 7/10) vs Rich Returns ($99/mo/mo, vibe code 7/10). Rich Returns is the easier one to rebuild yourself — here is what you lose either way.
Returns
usage-based/mo
- MVP
- 1-2 weeks
- Full replacement
- 3-6 months
Returns
$99/mo/mo
- MVP
- 1 week
- Full replacement
- 2-3 months due to carrier API integrations and edge-case return rules
easier to rebuild
get the build prompt →price gap / year
$1,188/mo
running both / year
$1,188/mo
our call
Start with Rich Returns — highest vibe code, weakest moat.
Returnly
Returnly was permanently shut down in late 2023 after being acquired by Affirm, with customers routed to Loop Returns. The core software features—a return portal, automated labels, and Shopify credit generation—can be easily built using modern APIs like EasyPost and Shopify GraphQL.
you can rebuild
- Customer-facing order lookup and return request portal
- Automated shipping label generation via EasyPost or ShipEngine
- Return reason collection and basic analytics reporting
- Shopify gift card/store credit creation on return approval
- Automated customer email notifications for label updates
what you lose
- Access to Affirm's financial underwriting for instant credit risk.
- Turnkey integrations with major enterprise 3PL warehouse management systems.
- Legacy support and dedicated account management teams.
- Pre-negotiated return shipping rates across major carriers.
real moats
- Financial balance sheet capable of floating shopper credit before inventory is received.
- Carrier volume discounts negotiated across tens of millions of packages.
- Pre-integrated brick-and-mortar drop-off networks (e.g., Happy Returns / Return Bars).
open source escape hatches
- Returns/RMA in Medusa MIT
- ERPNext returns GPL-3.0
- Odoo Returns LGPL-3.0
Rich Returns
Rich Returns wraps Shopify Order APIs and shipping label APIs (like EasyPost or Shippo) in a simple customer UI. Building a custom return portal takes a week of development with modern AI tools.
you can rebuild
- Order lookup via Order ID and customer email
- Customer-facing item selection and return reason intake
- Automated PDF return shipping label generation via EasyPost or Shippo
- Configurable return policy rules (return window limits, excluded tags)
- Shopify draft order creation for product exchanges
what you lose
- Out-of-the-box pre-built connections to 50+ international shipping carriers
- Pre-negotiated carrier rates for merchants lacking direct accounts
- Visual drag-and-drop portal styling editor inside Shopify Admin
- Built-in multi-language translations for portal text
- Out-of-the-box analytics dashboard tracking defect reasons and return rates
real moats
- Pre-built network of carrier API integrations and logistics partner links
- Turnkey Shopify app embed requiring zero developer setup
- Pre-negotiated return shipping rates for small merchants
open source escape hatches
- MedusaJS MIT
- Saleor Core BSD-3-Clause
- Solidus BSD-3-Clause
Questions people ask
Which is easier to rebuild with AI, Returnly or Rich Returns?
Rich Returns. It scores 7/10 on vibe code with a moat of 1/10, so an AI-assisted MVP takes about 1 week and a full replacement about 2-3 months due to carrier API integrations and edge-case return rules.
Which one costs less, Returnly or Rich Returns?
Returnly at usage-based/mo for a typical mid-market store. The gap between the two is about $1,188/mo a year.
What do I lose if I replace Returnly?
Access to Affirm's financial underwriting for instant credit risk. Turnkey integrations with major enterprise 3PL warehouse management systems. Legacy support and dedicated account management teams.
What do I lose if I replace Rich Returns?
Out-of-the-box pre-built connections to 50+ international shipping carriers Pre-negotiated carrier rates for merchants lacking direct accounts Visual drag-and-drop portal styling editor inside Shopify Admin
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