Why brands switch from Elevar
Native infrastructure vs a GTM wrapper.
Elevar is built on Google Tag Manager — a client-side tag management layer that adds JavaScript to every page, can be blocked by ad blockers, and requires $1,000+ expert installation. Upstack is native server-side: no GTM dependency, no theme code, no client-side weight. Install in 20 minutes, and it won't break when your theme or apps update.
Real identity resolution, not a cookie wrapper.
Elevar's Session Enrichment extends the Shopify cookie — it only works when someone returns on the same browser. Upstack ID uses behavioral analysis, cross-device stitching, and first-party signals to build a persistent identity graph. The result: 30–40% more Klaviyo flow entries, EMQ from ~4.5 to 7.5+. Cookie enrichment can't connect mobile click to desktop purchase.
Tracking + attribution in one platform. No second vendor.
Elevar does tracking. For attribution, you need Triple Whale ($549/mo) or similar — that's $999/mo total. Upstack includes both for $299. Yes, Elevar Essentials is $200/mo for tracking alone, but add attribution and the math flips. One vendor, one dashboard, one source of truth.
Upstack vs Elevar: Feature by feature
| Feature |   | Elevar |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture & Data Quality | ||
| Tracking architecture | Native server-side (no GTM dependency) | Built on Google Tag Manager |
| Identity resolution | Native — cross-device lifetime ID (Upstack ID) | Session Enrichment (Shopify cookie wrapper, same device only) |
| Server-side CAPI | Native implementation | Via GTM server-side container |
| First-party edge proxy | ||
| Site speed impact | Minimal — no GTM JavaScript overhead | GTM adds client-side JS weight to every page |
| Ad blocker resilience | High — native server-side | GTM-based tracking can be blocked |
| Behavioral analysis & intent scoring | Session-level and page-level context scoring | |
| Cross-device identity resolution | No — cookie-based (same device only) | |
| New vs returning customer identification | Identified + reported as nCPA in Meta | Data layer event (no attribution reporting) |
| Klaviyo abandonment flow recovery | 30–40% more flow entries | 2–3x claimed (cookie-based enrichment) |
| Subscription order handling | ||
| Health & wellness compliance | Included (no surcharge) | |
| Bot filtering | ||
| Attribution & Reporting | ||
| Multi-touch attribution (MTA) | ||
| nCPA / nROAS in Meta Ads Manager | ||
| Contribution margin tracking | ||
| Creative analytics | ||
| LTV cohort analysis | ||
| Platform comparison (Meta vs Google vs TikTok) | ||
| EMQ monitoring dashboard | ||
| Real-time reporting | ||
| Unified analytics dashboard | ||
| Platform Integrations | ||
| Shopify | ||
| Shopify Plus | ||
| WooCommerce / BigCommerce | Business tier ($950/mo) only | |
| Meta CAPI | ||
| Google Ads | ||
| TikTok / Snapchat / Pinterest | ||
| Klaviyo (identity enrichment depth) | Purpose-built integration | Standard server-side destination |
| Google Tag Manager data layer | Not required | Core product — GTM-centric |
| Total integrations | 17 (deep) | 40+ (broad) |
| Onboarding & Support | ||
| Setup complexity | 20 minutes — white-glove by US-based rep | Self-serve wizard + GTM configuration (expert install recommended) |
| White-glove onboarding | All plans ($299+) — included | Not included — $1,000+ expert install (optional) |
| Ongoing support cost | Included in plan | $500+/month add-on (optional) |
| GTM / data layer knowledge required | No — no GTM dependency | Yes — GTM data layer is the foundation |
| Risk of misconfiguration | Low — we configure it for you | High — complex GTM setup, theme code changes |
| Email popup integration | Automatic — no extra setup | Requires dl_subscribe event firing (custom code for third-party popups) |
| Headless / Hydrogen support | Requires separate attribution tracking script | |
| Free trial | 21 days, full features | 15 days, unlimited orders |
| Uninstall process | Clean removal | Complex — code embedded in theme requires manual cleanup |
| Company ownership | Founder-led, independent | Sold to Audiense (PE-backed) |
| Pricing & Commitment | ||
| Pricing model | Per order | Per order |
| Tracking only (1:1 comparison) | $299/mo | $200/mo (Essentials) — Elevar is cheaper for tracking alone |
| But Upstack includes | Tracking + identity + attribution + analytics | Tracking only — no attribution, no analytics |
| Total cost with attribution | $299/mo (all included) | $450 + $549 = $999/mo (Elevar + Triple Whale) |
| Total cost with onboarding | $299/mo (white-glove included) | $200/mo + $1,000 expert install + $500/mo support = $1,700 first month |
| Contract | Month-to-month. Cancel anytime. | Month-to-month (15-day trial) |
| Money-back guarantee | 60-day ROI guarantee | Most recent monthly charge refund |
More features, lower price
Upstack
$299/mo
Tracking + identity resolution + attribution — all included. No second tool needed.
Elevar
$200–950/mo
Tracking only. Essentials $200/mo (1K orders), Growth $450/mo (10K orders), Business $950/mo (50K orders). Most brands add Triple Whale ($249–849/mo) for attribution.
Elevar Growth + Triple Whale Advanced = $999/mo. Upstack replaces both for $299/mo.
What brands say about switching
“Great alternative to elevar. Priced better and I think even more accurate. Plus Michael helped set everything up which was huge.”
Purusha People
Shopify Brand
“I chose this over Omega pixel and elevar. I had a meeting with Michael and was impressed with the knowledge and willingness to help audit and ensure everything was setup correctly.”
Aquarium Co-Op
Shopify Brand
“Moved from a competitor to Upstack and have a very clear picture that Upstack is a faster setup, with a much more competent team, amazing customer service, and better performance, for a cheaper price — it's not even close. Just the incremental email revenue alone covered its cost and added a 41x ROI.”
Giant Hoodies
Shopify Brand
41x ROI
Switching from Elevar is easy
No developer needed. No downtime. No data loss.
- 1
Install the Upstack Shopify app — replaces Elevar’s tracking pixel and data layer (4 minutes)
- 2
Connect Meta, Google, TikTok, and Klaviyo (5 minutes)
- 3
Upstack configures your Conversion API, identity resolution, and attribution automatically
- 4
Your Meta pixel setup stays the same on the ad platform side — no campaign disruption
- 5
Uninstall Elevar — Upstack’s setup is self-contained (no leftover code)
- 6
See improved EMQ and Klaviyo flow volume within the first week
Upstack vs Elevar FAQ
Ready to outgrow Elevar?
Start your free 21-day trial. Setup takes under 20 minutes — and our 60-day ROI guarantee means you have nothing to lose.
Cancel anytime
Not ready for a trial? Book a 15-minute walkthrough or read our DTC tracking guide.