5 Best Punch Card Apps in 2026 | Comparison & Reviews

The concept is timeless: reward customers for repeat visits, and they'll keep coming back. Paper punch cards have done this for decades—but in 2026, digital punch card apps do it better.

Digital punch cards can't be lost, provide valuable customer data, enable direct communication between visits, and create a more professional experience. For small businesses serious about customer retention, the right punch card app is an essential tool.

But with dozens of options available, how do you choose? Pricing varies wildly, features differ significantly, and some platforms suit certain business types better than others.

This guide compares the five best punch card apps for small businesses in 2026, examining what each does well, where they fall short, and which might be right for your specific situation.

What to Look for in a Punch Card App

Before comparing specific platforms, let's establish what actually matters:

Ease of Use (For You and Your Customers)

The best punch card app is one people actually use. That means:

• Quick setup: You should be able to launch within hours, not weeks

• Simple stamp allocation: Adding stamps should take seconds at checkout

• Frictionless customer experience: Ideally, customers shouldn't need to download a separate app

If your staff find the system cumbersome or customers can't figure out how to join, participation suffers regardless of other features.

Wallet Integration

This is increasingly the deciding factor. Apps that integrate with Apple Wallet and Google Wallet let customers save their loyalty card alongside their payment cards—no separate app required. The card is always accessible, always visible, never forgotten.

Apps requiring their own download create friction. Many customers won't bother; those who do often forget the app exists between visits.

Communication Features

A punch card app should do more than track stamps. Push notifications let you:

• Remind customers they're close to a reward

• Promote slow periods with bonus stamps

• Re-engage customers who haven't visited recently

• Announce new products or services

This direct communication channel is one of the biggest advantages digital has over paper.

Transparent Pricing

Some platforms advertise low base prices but add fees for messages, transactions, or members. Others lock essential features behind expensive tiers. Look for transparent pricing that includes what you actually need.

Reliability and Support

Your loyalty program should just work. Check app store ratings, read reviews about technical issues, and consider what support is available when problems arise.

The 5 Best Punch Card Apps in 2026

1. Perkstar

Best for: Small businesses wanting wallet integration and transparent pricing

Price: From £15/month (approximately $19 USD)

Perkstar has built its platform specifically around what small businesses actually need: simplicity, wallet integration, and communication tools without complexity or hidden costs.

What stands out:

• Wallet-first approach: Loyalty cards save directly to Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. Customers don't download a separate app—their card sits alongside their payment cards, always accessible.

• Eight card types: Beyond simple stamps, Perkstar offers points, memberships, multipasses, coupons, discounts, cashback, and gift cards. Start with stamps; add complexity only if you need it.

• Unlimited push notifications: Message your members as often as makes sense—no per-message fees, no caps that force you to ration communication.

• Google Review rewards: Built-in feature that rewards customers for leaving reviews, helping you build online reputation alongside loyalty.

• Automated birthday rewards: Set up once; the system handles delivery automatically.

• Transparent pricing: No hidden fees, no charges per member or transaction. The price you see is the price you pay.

Considerations:

• Newer platform than some competitors, so fewer case studies and reviews available

• No physical stamp device (uses QR codes for stamp allocation)

Best for: Cafés, salons, restaurants, retail shops, and service businesses wanting a modern, professional loyalty program without complexity or surprise costs. The wallet integration is particularly valuable for businesses where speed matters at checkout.

Free trial: 14 days, no credit card required

2. Stamp Me

Best for: Businesses prioritising app store ratings and proven track record

Price: From approximately £35/month ($43 USD)

Stamp Me is one of the more established players in the digital loyalty space, with strong app store ratings and a track record across multiple countries.

What stands out:

• Strong ratings: 4.9 stars on app stores, indicating reliable user experience

• Proven track record: Operating for years with documented case studies

• Feature-rich: Includes gamification features, email campaigns, and engagement tools

• NFC stamp device: Optional hardware for tap-to-stamp functionality

Considerations:

• App download required: Customers must download the Stamp Me app, creating friction compared to wallet-only solutions

• Higher price point: Significantly more expensive than some alternatives

• Complexity: More features can mean more to learn and configure

Best for: Businesses willing to pay more for an established platform with proven reliability, particularly those whose customers are likely to download and regularly use a dedicated app.

3. Square Loyalty

Best for: Businesses already using Square for payments

Price: From approximately £40/month ($45 USD)

If your business runs on Square's payment ecosystem, their loyalty add-on offers seamless integration with your existing setup.

What stands out:

• Ecosystem integration: Works naturally with Square POS, automatically tracking purchases and allocating points

• Automatic enrolment options: Customers can earn rewards without actively joining

• Unified dashboard: Manage payments and loyalty from one place

• Built-in customer directory: Combines loyalty data with payment history

Considerations:

• Square-only: Only works if you use Square for payments—not suitable otherwise

• Basic features: Less sophisticated than dedicated loyalty platforms

• Points-based only: No traditional stamp card option

• Limited communication: Push notification capabilities are more restricted

Best for: Businesses already fully committed to the Square ecosystem who want loyalty added without introducing another platform. Not suitable for businesses using other payment systems.

4. Loopy Loyalty

Best for: Businesses wanting wallet-based cards with simple setup

Price: From approximately £15/month ($19 USD)

Loopy Loyalty focuses specifically on digital stamp cards delivered through Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, similar to Perkstar's approach.

What stands out:

• Wallet integration: Cards save to Apple Wallet and Google Wallet—no app download required

• Simple interface: Focused specifically on stamp cards without overwhelming features

• Competitive pricing: Entry-level pricing accessible for small businesses

• Location-based notifications: Can trigger messages when customers are near your business

Considerations:

• Stamps only: If you later want points, memberships, or other card types, you'll need to switch platforms

• Smaller platform: Less widely used than some competitors, meaning fewer resources and community support

• Basic analytics: Reporting capabilities are more limited than feature-rich alternatives

Best for: Businesses wanting wallet-based stamp cards at an affordable price, particularly those confident they won't need additional card types or complex features.

5. Flex Rewards

Best for: Businesses wanting customisation and detailed branding control

Price: Varies by plan (typically starting around £25/month)

Flex Rewards offers substantial customisation options for businesses wanting their loyalty program to precisely match their brand identity.

What stands out:

• High customisation: Detailed control over card design, colours, and branding

• Good ratings: Generally positive user feedback on app stores

• Multiple reward structures: Supports various loyalty models

• Decent communication tools: Push notifications and messaging capabilities

Considerations:

• App download required: Customers need the Flex Rewards app

• Setup time: More customisation options can mean longer setup

• Pricing complexity: Different plans with different feature sets require careful comparison

Best for: Businesses with specific branding requirements who want detailed control over their loyalty program's appearance and are willing to invest setup time in customisation.

Quick Comparison Table

How to Choose the Right Punch Card App

Consider Your Customers

How tech-savvy are your customers? Will they download a dedicated loyalty app, or do you need frictionless wallet integration?

For most small businesses, the answer is clear: the fewer steps required, the more customers will participate. Wallet integration typically delivers higher adoption rates than app-download models.

Consider Your Budget

Prices range from £15 to £45+ per month. At the lower end, you're looking at Perkstar and Loopy Loyalty. At the higher end, Stamp Me and Square Loyalty.

Remember to account for hidden costs. Some platforms charge per message, per member, or per transaction. A £15/month platform with no hidden fees may cost less annually than a £10/month platform with per-message charges.

Consider Your Needs

Simple stamp cards only? Loopy Loyalty or Perkstar both work well.

Want flexibility for different card types? Perkstar's eight card types give you room to evolve.

Already using Square? Square Loyalty's integration may outweigh its limitations.

Prioritise proven track record? Stamp Me's established presence and ratings may provide confidence.

Consider the Future

Your needs may evolve. A café might start with stamps for coffee, then want points for their expanding food menu, then memberships for their most loyal customers.

Platforms offering multiple card types (like Perkstar) give you room to grow without switching systems. Stamp-only platforms may require migration later.

Getting Started

Choosing a punch card app doesn't need to be agonising. Most platforms offer free trials—use them. Test the setup process, the customer experience, and the day-to-day operation with real customers before committing.

For most small businesses, we'd recommend starting with Perkstar:

• Wallet integration removes friction

• Transparent pricing eliminates surprises

• Multiple card types allow evolution

• Unlimited push notifications enable genuine communication

• Quick setup gets you launched fast

The 14-day free trial lets you build your program and test it with real customers—no credit card required, no obligation to continue.

Start your free trial at Perkstar →