SC Store Locator vs Closeby: Store Locator Capabilities Compared

Introduction

For Shopify merchants with physical stores, stockists, or dealer networks, helping customers find brick-and-mortar locations is essential. An effective store locator app not only improves the shopping journey but can also drive in-store foot traffic and strengthen brand credibility. Two contenders in this space are SC Store Locator & Google Maps and Closeby ‑ Store Locator. In this comparison, we break down exactly what each app offers—features, pricing, integrations, and technical fit—so you can make the best choice for your business.

Short answer: If you need advanced features like bulk import, CSV export, customizable Google Map styles, multilingual support, or a proven install base, SC Store Locator & Google Maps is the most versatile option. Closeby ‑ Store Locator is a simpler, design-focused solution best for merchants who only need English support and prefer Mapbox or Google Sheet integration.

Closeby vs. SC Store Locator & Google Maps: At a Glance

Core Feature Capabilities

SC Store Locator & Google Maps

SC Store Locator & Google Maps stands out for its comprehensive set of capabilities designed to address the needs of multi-location merchants and growing retail brands. Here’s what sets it apart:

• Bulk Import: Quickly add or update hundreds (or thousands) of store locations at once, saving valuable admin time. Ideal for retailers expanding their footprint or those who regularly update their dealer lists.
• CSV Import/Export: Manage your locations data outside Shopify and sync with your store via CSV files. This is essential for merchants who track store or dealer information in spreadsheets.
• Customizable Map Styles: Tailor the look and feel of your embedded maps to match your brand, ensuring a consistent and professional appearance on your storefront.
• Geolocation Services: Help shoppers automatically find their nearest store, making the path to purchase easier and more intuitive.
• Google Maps Integration: Benefit from the familiarity and reliability of Google Maps, providing customers with accurate navigation and map data worldwide.
• Heat Map: Analyze where your customers are searching for stores, informing location strategy and marketing efforts with actionable insights.
• Live Chat Support: Access 24/7 live chat assistance for setup, troubleshooting, or optimization, minimizing downtime and ensuring smooth operation.
• Store Location Search: Enable users to search by address, postal code, or city, making it easy to find the most convenient location.

Beyond these exclusive features, SC Store Locator & Google Maps includes onboarding help, customizable map templates, support for hiding stores, white-labeling options, and customer inquiry features. With support for 20 languages, it’s uniquely suited for international or multi-lingual brands.

Closeby ‑ Store Locator

Closeby ‑ Store Locator offers a straightforward solution with a focus on design and ease of use. Its distinguishing features include:

• Google Sheet Sync: Update and manage your store locations directly from a linked Google Sheet. This is convenient for merchants who already use Google Workspace to track retail information.
• Mapbox Integration: Leverage Mapbox for map display, which may appeal to those seeking an alternative to Google Maps or with unique design requirements.
• Responsive Design: Ensures the locator looks good on any device, an important baseline for modern web and mobile experiences.

Closeby provides all features and customizations on every plan, keeping things simple for merchants with straightforward needs. However, it supports only English, which may limit its appeal for global brands or those with diverse customer bases.

Pricing and Value

Both SC Store Locator & Google Maps and Closeby ‑ Store Locator offer free plans, but the value you get at each tier differs significantly.

SC Store Locator & Google Maps provides a free plan for merchants needing just one store location, which includes essentials like onboarding help, branded map, and 24/7 support. The Starter plan ($9.99/month) unlocks up to 50 locations, bulk imports, advanced filters, and white-labeling. The Growth plan ($19.99/month) increases the cap to 500 locations, while the Pro plan ($39.99/month) supports up to 2,000—each tier adding the full suite of features including heat mapping and location inquiries. This stepped structure means you only pay for what you need, making it cost-effective for both small and rapidly scaling merchants.

Closeby ‑ Store Locator also starts free, allowing up to five locations with all features enabled. The next tier ($9.99/month) increases the limit to 100 locations, and the top tier ($19.99/month) supports up to 10,000. While the per-location limits are generous, Closeby does not offer advanced features like heat mapping, CSV import/export, or geolocation, which may be critical as your store network grows.

For merchants needing advanced import/export, analytics, or multilingual support, SC Store Locator & Google Maps delivers more value per dollar. For those who simply need a basic, design-focused locator for a handful of sites, Closeby’s free plan is appealing.

Setup and Technical Fit

Technical fit is crucial for smooth onboarding and ongoing management. SC Store Locator & Google Maps supports integration with Shopify Admin, Google Maps, Google Autocomplete, and the Shopify Theme Customizer. Bulk import features and CSV export make it easy to migrate or update store lists, perfect for merchants with dynamic or large-scale location networks. The app supports 20 languages, making it a top choice for global brands or those expecting to expand internationally.

Closeby ‑ Store Locator integrates with any website, Google Analytics, Google Sheets, and Mapbox. Its Google Sheet Sync feature is handy for merchants who already maintain their locations in Google Sheets, and the Mapbox integration is a plus for those who prefer it over Google Maps. However, Closeby only supports English, which can be limiting for non-English-speaking customers or multi-lingual teams.

Neither app currently holds the Built for Shopify badge, so parity here means merchants can focus on features and integrations that best match their workflows.

Trust Signals

SC Store Locator & Google Maps has been on the Shopify App Store since 2012 and has accumulated 233 reviews. This long presence and broad install base provide significant social proof and indicate reliability over time. Merchants can be confident that the app has been tested and improved across many store types and use cases.

Closeby ‑ Store Locator entered the market in 2018 and currently has 18 reviews. While its rating is high, the smaller review volume and shorter history mean less documented experience across different merchant scenarios. For those prioritizing proven track records and community validation, SC Store Locator & Google Maps offers more to go on.

When SC Store Locator & Google Maps Is the Right Choice

• You need to manage a large or frequently changing list of store/dealer locations via bulk import or CSV files.
• Multilingual support is required (20 languages supported).
• You want Google Maps integration and customizable map styles to match your brand.
• You value geolocation, heat map analytics, and advanced filtering.
• High review volume and a long track record are important for your peace of mind.

When Closeby ‑ Store Locator Might Fit Better

• You only need English and want Google Sheet Sync for easy location management.
• You prefer Mapbox over Google Maps for map display.
• Your requirements are simple: up to 5 locations for free, or a high location count without advanced analytics or import/export needs.

Final Verdict

For most Shopify merchants, SC Store Locator & Google Maps emerges as the more versatile and scalable solution. Its advanced capabilities—bulk and CSV import/export, customizable Google Maps, geolocation, heat maps, and multilingual support—address the real-world needs of growing and international brands. The high review count and long time on the market reinforce its reliability and adaptability.

Closeby ‑ Store Locator is a well-designed, straightforward option for merchants whose needs are limited to English, who prefer Mapbox, or who want Google Sheet integration above all else. For those use cases, it’s a solid pick. However, if your store demands advanced features, global reach, or proven trust from other merchants, SC Store Locator & Google Maps is the app to choose.

Install SC Store Locator & Google Maps from the Shopify App Store