For independent cafés, regular customers are everything. A well-designed loyalty programme encourages repeat visits, builds community, and increases customer lifetime value. But physical stamp cards are easy to lose and hard to track. Loyalty apps make it easier for both you and your customers.
Here are 10 of the best loyalty app options for small coffee shops. All of them are cost-effective, easy to use, and designed with independent businesses in mind.
1. Stamp Me
Best for: Simple digital stamp cards
Why it works: Replaces paper cards with a digital stamp system. Customers scan a code to collect stamps and redeem rewards. Offers birthday rewards and basic promotion tools.
Cost: From £20/month
stampme.com
2. Loyalzoo
Best for: Easy setup and in-store rewards
Why it works: Runs a points or stamp system without needing an app download. Customers use their phone number, and staff can access it through a tablet or POS.
Cost: From £27/month
loyalzoo.com
3. Yollty
Best for: Custom branding and referrals
Why it works: Fully branded app that tracks stamps or points, sends offers, and encourages referrals. Great for building customer engagement.
Cost: From £25/month
yollty.com
4. Fivestars
Best for: Automated marketing follow-ups
Why it works: Combines loyalty with SMS and email marketing. Ideal for sending offers to customers who haven’t visited in a while.
Cost: Custom pricing
fivestars.com
5. Square Loyalty
Best for: Shops using Square POS
Why it works: Fully integrated into Square, which makes it seamless for checkout and staff. Customers automatically earn points or rewards.
Cost: From £35/month
squareup.com
6. TapMango
Best for: Feature-rich loyalty programmes
Why it works: Includes branded apps, referral programmes, reviews, gift cards, and text message marketing. A bit more involved, but powerful.
Cost: From £99/month
tapmango.com
7. Belly
Best for: Engaging loyalty campaigns
Why it works: Lets customers earn rewards with a physical loyalty card or mobile app. Includes email marketing and custom promotions.
Cost: From £40/month
bellycard.com
8. CandyBar
Best for: Simple setup with no app required
Why it works: Runs entirely on a web browser. Customers sign up with a phone number, and staff track stamps through a tablet.
Cost: From £35/month
candybar.co
9. Marsello
Best for: Combining loyalty with email and SMS
Why it works: Combines loyalty with marketing automation and integrates with POS systems like Vend and Shopify. Ideal for shops with an online store.
Cost: From £30/month
marsello.com
10. GlobePay Loyalty
Best for: Cafés with a strong tourist or student base
Why it works: Often used in locations with lots of international visitors. Ties in with QR codes, contactless payments, and offers a lightweight loyalty scheme.
Cost: Custom pricing
globepay.co
What to consider before choosing
- Customer habits: Will they download an app or prefer a quick sign-up at checkout?
- Ease of use: Does your team have time to manage this daily, or do you need a low-maintenance option?
- Integration: Does it work with your existing till or online store?
- Flexibility: Can you offer custom rewards, promotions, or referrals?
Start simple and build from there
You do not need all the bells and whistles to get started. Even a basic loyalty app can help you turn one-off customers into regulars and show your appreciation in a way that is easy to manage.
If you are not sure which tool is the right fit for your café, we can help. At Cotswold Digital, we work with small, local businesses to set up practical systems that build loyalty without extra stress.
