Loopy Loyalty vs Perkstar: Honest Comparison for UK Small Businesses
Feb 5, 2026
You've done your research. You know loyalty apps don't work (5–15% adoption). You know paper cards create endless "I lost my card" conversations. You've landed on wallet-based loyalty — digital cards that integrate with Apple Wallet and Google Wallet.
Now you're comparing platforms. Loopy Loyalty and Perkstar both appear in your search results. Both offer wallet-based loyalty. Both promise push notifications, analytics, and digital stamp cards. The features look similar. The marketing sounds similar.
So how do you actually choose?
Here's what you need to know: Loopy Loyalty and Perkstar are both competent wallet-based platforms, but they're optimized for different markets and business priorities. One is a mature US-based platform with a single card type but strong technical capabilities. The other is a UK-focused platform offering 8 different card types, designed specifically for small businesses wanting versatility and transparent pricing.
Neither is objectively "better." They serve different needs.
This guide compares Loopy Loyalty and Perkstar honestly — feature by feature, pricing structure by pricing structure — so you can make an informed decision based on your business reality, not marketing claims.
What Loopy Loyalty Is
Let's start with clear definitions.
Loopy Loyalty: The Established US Platform
Loopy Loyalty is a wallet-based loyalty platform founded in the early days of Apple Wallet (around 2012–2013). It's a US-based company that pioneered wallet loyalty and has built a robust feature set over the past decade.
Core offering:
Apple Wallet and Google Wallet integration
Stamp/punch cards (single card type)
Push notifications
Analytics and reporting
Card design tools
Automation features
Market position: Loopy Loyalty is one of the original wallet loyalty platforms. It has a strong reputation, especially in North America, and serves thousands of businesses globally.
Pricing approach: Tiered pricing based on features and customer volume. Plans typically range from $25/month to $100+/month depending on needs.
Strengths:
Mature platform with years of development
Comprehensive feature set
Strong technical capabilities
Established reputation
Considerations:
US-centric (pricing in USD, support hours US-based)
Single card type (stamp/punch cards only)
Learning curve can be steep
Pricing complexity (multiple tiers, volume-based)
Some features require higher-tier plans
What Perkstar Is
Now the alternative perspective.
Perkstar: The UK-Focused Multi-Card Platform
Perkstar is a wallet-based loyalty platform built specifically for UK small and medium businesses. It launched more recently but was designed with the benefit of learning from early wallet loyalty platforms.
Core offering:
Apple Wallet and Google Wallet integration
8 different card types: Stamp cards, Points cards, Membership cards, Multipass, Discount cards, Coupon cards, Cashback cards, and Gift cards
Push notifications (unlimited)
Analytics dashboard
Visual card builder
Automation (birthday rewards, re-engagement)
Market position: Perkstar targets UK small businesses specifically — cafés, salons, barbershops, shops, clinics. It's built around versatility (8 card types vs competitors' single card type), simplicity, and transparent pricing.
Pricing approach: Flat monthly pricing (£15–£60/month) with unlimited customers, scans, and notifications. No volume-based charges.
Strengths:
UK-specific (pricing in GBP, UK business hours support, UK payment integrations)
8 card types (maximum flexibility for different business models)
Simple setup (30–60 minutes)
Transparent pricing
Designed for non-technical users
Considerations:
Younger platform (less mature than Loopy)
Focused feature set (essentials over everything)
UK-centric (though works globally)
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Let's compare what actually matters for UK small businesses.
Card Types and Reward Flexibility
Loopy Loyalty:
1 card type: Stamp/punch card only
Structure: "Buy X items, get one free"
Works well for simple visit-based rewards
Limited flexibility if your business model changes
All customers use the same reward structure
Cannot run multiple reward types simultaneously
Perkstar:
8 card types:
Stamp cards — Visit-based rewards (e.g., "9 coffees, 10th free")
Points cards — Spend-based rewards (e.g., "£1 = 1 point, 100 points = £5 off")
Membership cards — VIP access, member-only perks
Multipass — Season passes, class packages, monthly subscriptions
Discount cards — Ongoing percentage discounts for regulars
Coupon cards — Limited-time offers and promotions
Cashback cards — Percentage-back on purchases
Gift cards — Digital gift cards that live in wallets
Why this matters:
Different business models need different card types. A gym needs multipass cards for class packages. A café needs stamp cards. A retail shop might want points + discount cards.
You can run multiple card types simultaneously. Example: Stamp card for coffee purchases, separate points card for retail products, VIP membership card for top customers.
Your business can evolve. Start with stamps, add points later, introduce VIP membership cards — without switching platforms.
Single card type platforms lock you into one reward structure. If your business model changes or you want to test different approaches, you're stuck.
Best for:
Loopy: Businesses that only need "buy X, get one free" stamp cards and will never need other types
Perkstar: Businesses wanting versatility, running multiple reward structures, or planning to evolve their loyalty approach
Setup and Ease of Use
Loopy Loyalty:
Setup time: 2–4 hours (steeper learning curve)
Interface: Feature-rich but can feel complex
Card design: Flexible but requires understanding of design parameters
Staff training: 15–20 minutes (more buttons and options to learn)
Perkstar:
Setup time: 30–60 minutes
Interface: Simplified, focused on ess If your team is just two or three people juggling multiple roles, the learning curve difference matters even more — loyalty software built for small teams should require minutes of training, not hours.entials
Card design: Visual builder (similar to Canva)
Staff training: 5–10 minutes (minimal scanner app)
Best for:
Loopy: Businesses comfortable with technology, willing to invest setup time
Perkstar: Businesses wanting to go live quickly without technical expertise
Pricing Structure
Loopy Loyalty:
Pricing: Typically $25–$100+/month (£20–£80+/month at current exchange rates)
Structure: Tiered plans based on features and customer volume
Hidden costs: May charge for certain features or volume overages
Currency: USD (UK businesses pay currency conversion fees)
Single card type included at all tiers
Example Loopy pricing (approximate):
Starter: $25/month (limited features)
Professional: $49/month (most features)
Enterprise: $99+/month (full features + volume)
Perkstar:
Pricing: £15–£60/month
Structure: Flat fee, unlimited customers and scans
Hidden costs: None (all-inclusive)
Currency: GBP (no conversion fees for UK businesses)
All 8 card types included at every tier For a deeper breakdown of what UK businesses actually pay across platforms — including setup time, staff training, and hidden operational costs — see this analysis of real loyalty app costs in the UK.
Example Perkstar pricing:
Starter: £15/month (basic features, unlimited customers, 8 card types)
Growth: £30/month (most businesses choose this, 8 card types)
Pro: £60/month (advanced features + multiple locations, 8 card types)
Cost comparison at 300 customers:
Loopy Loyalty: $49–$99/month (~£39–£79/month) depending on tier, stamp cards only
Perkstar: £30/month (Growth plan, no volume charges, 8 card types)
Best for:
Loopy: Businesses wanting maximum technical features regardless of price
Perkstar: UK businesses wanting predictable, transparent pricing in GBP with versatile card options
Push Notifications
Loopy Loyalty:
Unlimited push notifications included
Geolocation-based notifications (advanced feature)
Scheduled campaigns
Segmentation capabilities
Requires learning notification system
Perkstar:
Unlimited push notifications included
Scheduled campaigns
Automated notifications (birthday, re-engagement)
Simple campaign creation
Geo-targeting available in higher tiers
Both platforms:
Notifications appear on lock screen via Apple Wallet/Google Wallet
High engagement rates (40–60% typical)
No per-message costs
Best for:
Loopy: Advanced users wanting complex segmentation and geolocation
Perkstar: Businesses wanting simple, effective campaigns without complexity
Automation Features
Loopy Loyalty:
Conditional automation rules (if/then logic)
Advanced triggers
Custom workflows
Requires configuration time
Perkstar:
Pre-built automations (birthday rewards, re-engagement, "almost there" nudges)
Simple setup (toggle on/off)
Limited customization but works out-of-box
Works across all 8 card types
Best for:
Loopy: Businesses with specific automation needs requiring custom rules
Perkstar: Businesses wanting automated retention without configuration overhead
Analytics and Reporting
Loopy Loyalty:
Comprehensive analytics dashboard
Export capabilities
Customer segmentation
Detailed metrics (redemption rates, engagement, ROI)
Can be overwhelming for simple needs
Perkstar:
Essential metrics (active members, redemption rates, lapsed customers)
Clean dashboard focused on actionable insights
CSV export for custom analysis
Simple enough to understand at a glance
Metrics available across all card types
Best for:
Loopy: Data-driven businesses wanting deep analytics
Perkstar: Businesses wanting clear, actionable insights without data overload
Customer Support
Loopy Loyalty:
Email support (24–48 hour response times typical)
Knowledge base and documentation
US-based support (time zone differences for UK businesses)
Community forums
Perkstar:
Email, WhatsApp, and chat support
UK business hours (responsive during UK day)
Personal account managers (higher tiers)
Faster response times for UK businesses (same time zone)
Best for:
Loopy: Businesses comfortable with email support and documentation
Perkstar: UK businesses wanting responsive support during local business hours
Card Design Flexibility
Loopy Loyalty:
High degree of customization
Advanced design controls
Requires understanding of Apple Wallet design specs
Can achieve very specific designs
Templates for stamp/punch cards
Perkstar:
Visual builder with templates for all 8 card types
Simpler design controls
Follows best practices by default
Faster to create professional-looking cards
Different design templates optimized for each card type
Both platforms:
Support custom branding (logos, colors)
Professional appearance
Comply with Apple and Google design standards
Best for:
Loopy: Businesses with specific branding requirements needing pixel-perfect control
Perkstar: Businesses wanting professional cards quickly without design expertise, plus versatility across 8 card types
UK-Specific Considerations
Loopy Loyalty:
Pricing in USD (currency conversion for UK businesses)
Support during US hours (evening/night UK time)
Documentation uses US terminology and examples
Designed for global market (not UK-specific)
Perkstar:
Pricing in GBP (no conversion fees)
Support during UK business hours
Documentation uses UK examples (cafés, salons, high street businesses)
Built for UK small businesses specifically
Best for:
Loopy: UK businesses comfortable working with US-based platforms
Perkstar: UK businesses wanting local platform with UK focus
Real-World Example: A Salon in Manchester
Let's see how the decision plays out in practice.
The business: Hair and beauty salon, 3 stylists, ~200 regular clients. Offers haircuts (£35), color treatments (£75), and retail products (£5–£40). If you're running a similar appointment-based business, a dedicated barbershop and salon loyalty program guide covers the specific challenges of building retention around repeat bookings rather than impulse purchases.
Owner evaluated both platforms:
Loopy Loyalty Trial (Week 1)
Setup experience:
Spent 3 hours setting up stamp card design (lots of options to understand)
Chose Professional plan ($49/month, ~£39/month)
Created "Buy 5 services, get 6th at 20% off" stamp card
Wanted separate program for retail products but couldn't (only 1 card type)
Features were powerful but took time to learn
Staff training took 20 minutes (scanner app + dashboard)
Week 1 results:
32 customers added cards
System worked well
Owner felt she was only using 30% of available features
Currency conversion fee added ~£1.50/month to costs
Retail products couldn't be tracked separately from services
Impression: "Very capable platform but I feel like I'm paying for features I don't need. Setup took longer than expected and I'm still figuring out how to use half of it. Also, I wanted to run points for retail products separate from stamps for services, but I can't do that with just one card type."
Perkstar Trial (Week 2)
Setup experience:
Spent 45 minutes setting up two different cards:
Stamp card for services: "Buy 5 treatments, 6th at 20% off"
Points card for retail: "£1 = 1 point, 50 points = £5 off products"
Chose Growth plan (£30/month)
Setup was straightforward using visual builder
Staff training took 5 minutes
Week 1 results:
47 customers added service stamp cards
23 customers also added retail points cards (dual enrollment)
System worked reliably
Owner felt confident using all features
No currency conversion fees
Month 3 expansion:
Added VIP membership card for top 15 clients (10% off all services)
Customers had multiple cards in their wallets for different reward types
Total across all card types: 198 enrolled customers
Impression: "This does exactly what I need without overwhelming me. I'm using 90% of the features and I understand them all. The 8 card types let me reward services differently from products, and I even created a VIP tier for my best clients. Support answered my question in 3 hours (during UK daytime). This flexibility would have been impossible with a single card type platform."
The Decision
Owner chose Perkstar because:
Versatility: "I can run stamps for services, points for products, and VIP cards for top clients. One card type would have forced me to choose or compromise."
Simplicity: "I need a loyalty program that works, not a part-time job learning software."
Pricing clarity: "£30/month is £30/month. No surprises, no currency conversion."
UK support: "When I had a question at 2pm, they responded by 5pm same day. With Loopy, I'd be waiting until evening US time."
Ease of use: "My staff use it without asking me questions. That's worth everything."
Owner's reflection:
"Loopy is a more powerful platform in some ways. If I ran a simple business that only needed basic stamp cards and had complex technical requirements, I might use it. But I'm a salon offering multiple service types and retail products. I need different reward structures for different things. Perkstar's 8 card types let me do that. Plus the UK support and transparent pricing sealed it."
Modern Take: What Actually Matters in 2026
Here's what UK small businesses should prioritize when choosing loyalty platforms:
Priority 1: Reward Structure Versatility
Your business might evolve. You might add new products or services. You might want to test different reward approaches. Platforms with multiple card types adapt with you.
Winner: Perkstar (8 card types vs 1)
Priority 2: Speed to Value
You don't have time for week-long implementations. Choose platforms that get you live in hours, not days.
Winner: Perkstar (30–60 min setup vs 2–4 hours for Loopy)
Priority 3: Pricing Transparency
Hidden fees, volume charges, and currency conversion eat into tight margins.
Winner: Perkstar (flat GBP pricing vs tiered USD pricing)
Priority 4: Support Responsiveness
When something breaks during Saturday lunch rush, you can't wait 24 hours for US-based support to wake up.
Winner: Perkstar (UK hours, same-day response)
Priority 5: Usability Over Features
Having 100 features you don't use is worse than having 20 features you use daily. Most platforms bundle dozens of features you'll never touch to justify premium pricing — knowing which loyalty card features you actually need versus which ones you're overpaying for saves both money and complexity.
Winner: Depends on needs
Complex technical needs → Loopy
Simple effective needs → Perkstar
Priority 6: Local Market Fit
Platforms designed for your market understand your challenges, terminology, and business reality.
Winner: Perkstar (built for UK SMBs)
Who Should Choose Loopy Loyalty
Loopy Loyalty makes sense if:
✓ You only need stamp/punch cards and nothing else
Your business model is simple "buy X, get one free" and you'll never need points, membership cards, or other reward types.
✓ You're comfortable with US-based platforms
You don't mind USD pricing, currency conversion, and US support hours.
✓ You have technical capacity
You or someone on your team enjoys learning software and configuring systems.
✓ You want maximum technical flexibility
You need advanced customization options and are willing to invest time learning them.
✓ You're a larger or multi-location business with complex needs
You have requirements that justify higher pricing and complexity.
Loopy Loyalty is a powerful, mature platform for businesses that only need stamp cards and have the technical capacity to leverage advanced features. If you find Loopy's technical depth appealing but want even more developer-level control, you might also be considering infrastructure platforms — the comparison between PassKit and Perkstar clarifies where the line sits between developer tools and ready-to-use loyalty software.
Who Should Choose Perkstar
Perkstar makes sense if:
✓ You want versatility in reward structures
Perkstar's 8 card types (stamps, points, membership, multipass, discount, coupon, cashback, gift cards) mean you can adapt as your business grows or run multiple programs simultaneously.
✓ You're a UK small business
You want local pricing (GBP), UK support hours, and a platform built for your market. If you want broader context on how platforms like Perkstar fit into the wider market, a complete guide to loyalty program software for small businesses covers what to look for beyond just card types and pricing.
✓ You value simplicity over complexity
You need loyalty that works without becoming a software expert.
✓ You want transparent pricing
Flat monthly fees with no volume charges or hidden costs matter to your budget.
✓ You want fast implementation
You need to go live in under an hour, not spend days on setup.
✓ You might evolve your loyalty approach
Different card types let you test stamps vs points, add VIP tiers, run seasonal promotions, or adapt to changing business models.
✓ You offer multiple products/services with different economics
Running separate reward structures (stamps for services, points for products, discounts for VIPs) requires multiple card types.
Perkstar is ideal for UK small businesses that prioritize versatility, simplicity, transparent pricing, and local support.
Making the Decision: A Simple Framework
Ask yourself these questions:
Question 1: Where is my business located and who do I need support from?
If UK-based wanting local support: Perkstar
If comfortable with US-based platform: Either works
Question 2: How much time can I invest in setup and learning?
If I want to be live today: Perkstar (30–60 min)
If I can invest 3–4 hours: Loopy If speed matters most and you just need a solid stamp card up and running, the current best punch card apps for 2026 are ranked partly on how fast you can go from signup to live customers.
Question 3: What's my budget reality?
If I want predictable GBP pricing: Perkstar (£15–£60/month flat)
If I'm comfortable with USD pricing + conversion: Loopy ($25–$100+/month)
Question 4: Do I need flexibility in reward types or just stamp cards?
If I only need "buy X, get one free" stamp cards forever: Either works
If I might want points, memberships, multipass, discounts, or cashback: Perkstar (8 card types vs 1)
If I run different reward structures for different products/services: Perkstar (can run multiple card types simultaneously)
If my business might evolve and I want flexibility: Perkstar
Question 5: How technical is my team?
If we're comfortable learning complex software: Loopy
If we want something anyone can use immediately: Perkstar
If you answered in favor of Perkstar on 3+ questions, choose Perkstar.
If you answered in favor of Loopy on 3+ questions, choose Loopy Loyalty.
Final Thoughts: Both Work — Choose Based on Fit
This isn't good vs bad. Loopy Loyalty and Perkstar are both effective wallet-based platforms.
Loopy Loyalty excels at: Mature platform with established reputation and comprehensive technical capabilities for businesses needing only stamp cards.
Perkstar excels at: 8 card types for maximum versatility, UK-market fit, transparent pricing, and fast implementation for small businesses.
For most UK small businesses (cafés, salons, barbershops, shops), Perkstar's versatility (8 card types vs 1), simplicity, and local focus make it the better choice. But if you're running a simple operation that only needs basic stamp cards and you value Loopy's mature feature set, it's a viable option. If you're still weighing whether to go digital at all, the case for digital loyalty cards over paper stamp cards is now overwhelming — the real question is which digital platform fits your operation. And if you're also weighing whether your POS system's built-in loyalty might be simpler than either option, the Square Loyalty vs Perkstar comparison covers that specific trade-off between ecosystem convenience and wallet-based flexibility.
The worst choice is choosing neither. Wallet-based loyalty works regardless of platform. Pick the one that fits your business reality and commit to it.
Start your free 14-day trial with Perkstar — no credit card required. Test wallet-based loyalty built specifically for UK small businesses. Explore all 8 card types. Compare to Loopy if you want. Make an informed decision based on actual experience.
You don't need the most powerful platform. You need the one that gives you the flexibility to grow.
