There are plenty of digital punch card and loyalty tools out there, and their websites all sound alike. The differences that matter usually aren't on the homepage. They show up at your counter, in your bank account, and when you want to leave.
Here's a checklist of what to compare, and why each point matters.
1. What does the customer have to do to join?
This is the biggest factor in whether your program works. If customers need to download an app and create an account, many won't bother. Look for sign-up that takes seconds, like scanning a QR code and entering a name and email.
2. How fast is check-in for your staff?
If adding a visit takes more than a few seconds, staff will skip it when you're busy. Check whether staff can scan a code with any phone or tablet, and whether they can look up a customer who forgot their phone.
3. Do you need special hardware?
Some tools require a tablet, a card reader, or a specific POS. Others run in any web browser. Fewer requirements mean less cost and less to break.
4. Can it do more than a punch card?
Today you might want "buy 9, get the 10th free." Next season you might want to sell a class pack, run a membership, or offer a free promo to new customers. A tool that handles punch cards, memberships, and prepaid passes saves you from switching later.
5. Who holds the money, and is there a percentage fee?
If the tool sells passes or memberships, ask where the money goes. Some platforms collect payments and pay you out later, or take a percentage of every sale. Others send payments straight to your own account and charge a flat monthly fee. Over a year, a percentage fee can cost far more than the subscription.
6. Who owns your customer list?
Your regulars are the most valuable part of any loyalty program. Make sure you can see their names and emails and export them, and that you're allowed to email them about offers, as long as you follow email marketing laws.
7. What happens if you cancel?
Ask what happens to your customers' cards and your data if you stop paying. Can customers still use what they've already bought? Do you keep your records? Are you locked into a contract?
8. Does the reward work the way you want?
Check that you can set the number of visits, name the reward, and decide what happens when a card is full. Also check whether earned rewards expire; customers notice.
A quick scorecard
| What to check | Look for |
|---|---|
| Customer sign-up | No app, no password, seconds to join |
| Staff check-in | Scan or name search, one tap |
| Hardware | Any phone, tablet, or computer |
| Program types | Punch cards, memberships, prepaid passes |
| Payments | Straight to your own account, no percentage fee |
| Customer list | Names and emails you can export |
| Cancelling | No contract, and existing customer passes keep working |
| Price | A flat, published monthly price |
How LoyalTrak answers the checklist
- Customers join by scanning a QR code and entering their name and email. No app, no password.
- Staff scan the customer's code or search by name from any phone, tablet, or computer.
- Punch cards, memberships, prepaid passes, and free promos in one account.
- Paid passes go through your own Stripe account. LoyalTrak takes no cut of your sales, just standard Stripe fees.
- Monthly plans include a customer email list export.
- No contracts, and you can cancel anytime. If you cancel, customers can still use the passes they already have.
- Earned punch card rewards never expire.
- Published pricing starting at $19/month.
Whatever you choose, ask every tool the same eight questions. The answers tell you more than any feature list.
See how LoyalTrak stacks up
No app for customers, no percentage fees, and pricing from $19/month.