Customer loyalty programs for small business, and what the apps cost
A loyalty program pays the customers you already have to come back. The software is the small cost; the rewards are the big one. Here is how to set one up, and what the apps charge.
By the Desk editorLast checked 3 October 20262 min read
The short answer
A paper stamp card still works and costs almost nothing. Digital loyalty apps cost about $25 to $49 a month to start (Square Loyalty $49 a month per location; Stamp Me from $49; Countloyal $30; Loopy Loyalty from US$25). Budget for the rewards too: they usually cost more than the app.
Paper card or app?
| Paper stamp card | Digital loyalty app | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Printing only | About $25 to $49 a month to start |
| Customer data | None | Names, visits, and (with consent) a way to message them |
| Fraud | Easy to fake a stamp | Hard |
| Best for | Testing the idea | A program you will run for years |
What the apps cost
| App | Price | How it is priced | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square Loyalty | $49 / $99 / $149 a month per location (AUD) | By loyalty visits: 0-500, 501-1,500, 1,501+ | Needs Square POS |
| Stamp Me | From $49 a month (Lite), $79 (Pro), $199 (Elite) (AUD) | Flat plans | Works with any till |
| Loopy Loyalty | $25 / $69 / $95 a month (USD) | By locations and card designs | Apple and Google Wallet cards |
| Countloyal | $30 a month per business (AUD) | Up to 500 active members; GST included | Wallet card, counter QR |
| Loyverse | Free loyalty with Loyverse POS | Paid add-ons in USD | Only if Loyverse is your till |
From each app's pricing page or, for Stamp Me and Loyverse, a published comparison; checked 3 October 2026. Prices change; check before you sign.
Square Loyalty is the only one here whose price rises as the program gets busier: it counts "loyalty visits", meaning each enrolment, point earned or reward redeemed, and moves from $49 to $99 a month per location above 500 visits a month.
Setting the reward
Pick a reward customers want and you can afford: a free coffee after nine, 10 per cent off the next visit, or a free add-on. Count what it costs you at cost price, not menu price, and expect most cards never to be finished.
Messaging members
An app that collects mobile numbers or emails lets you send offers, but only to members who agreed to marketing. The Spam Act rules apply to every message. The rules.
Common questions
What is a customer loyalty program?
A system that rewards repeat customers, from a paper stamp card to an app that tracks points and sends offers.
How much does a loyalty card app cost?
About $25 to $49 a month for a single small business to start, in the apps we checked in October 2026; some rise with locations or activity.
Do I need consent to message loyalty members?
Yes, for marketing. Ask at sign-up with a clear opt-in, and include an unsubscribe in every message.