Even though it emphasizes the importance of businesses embracing mobile loyalty apps and programs to engage and retain their customers, choosing one of the dozens of options can be difficult due to various features, pricing models and compatibility issues.
This review compares some of the best mobile loyalty program apps based on their features, use cases, user ratings and prices.
Each mobile loyalty program management app is different, fitting various needs, customer habits, goals and preferences. This guide will help you find the right app for your customer loyalty program.
Top 5 mobile loyalty apps in 2024
Youshie
Youshie offers a simple yet effective solution for small business owners looking to enhance customer loyalty and engagement with their own branded app.
It offers intuitive shopping experiences, personalized offers, and push notifications that keep customers returning for more. With Youshie, you can easily convert interest into action and track customer behavior and engagement for personalized rewards and loyalty points.
Here is an example of one of the most popular mobile loyalty apps by Youshie:
Features
Here are its key features:
Dynamic rewards: Youshie's mobile loyalty program is dynamic and customizable, ensuring your loyalty members stay engaged and keep coming back. By offering limited-time deals, exclusive offers and real-time bonus rewards, even one-time buyers can be converted into loyal customers.
Engagement assistant: Youshie's Engagement Assistant, powered by AI, aims to boost conversions and customer engagement through automated interactions. You can increase customer satisfaction and brand loyalty by automatically engaging with customers at every stage of the purchase cycle.
Shop: This feature offers a streamlined shopping experience with advanced checkout, integrated with Shopify and Stripe for security. Customers can enjoy a one-click checkout with saved information.
Spotlight: This feature elevates your content marketing by allowing you to reach customers directly on their phones. You can showcase your best content, highlight curated collections and amplify your content strategy to drive customer interest and deepen their connection with your brand.
Push notifications: With push notifications being up to 6x more effective than email, Youshie enables you to deliver timely offers, personalized updates and reminders that effectively bring customers back to your mobile loyalty app for more.
Integrations: Youshie allows seamless integration with multiple tools, such as Shopify, Mailchimp, Stripe, Square and Moneris. This way, you can use one customer loyalty platform to centralize all your operations, marketing efforts and payment processing.
Use cases
Youshie offers a range of use cases for businesses looking to increase their customer engagement and mobile loyalty programs. Some key use cases include:
Points and rewards: Allow customers to earn points for purchases or other actions (like referrals or social media shares) that can be redeemed for discounts, free products or special offers.
Special offers and discounts: Provide exclusive discounts and offers to mobile loyalty app users, encouraging repeat purchases.
Personalized recommendations: Use customer data from mobile app usage and purchase history to provide personalized product recommendations, enhancing the shopping experience.
Event invitations: Send exclusive invitations to mobile loyalty app users for events, sales or other special occasions.
Data collection and analytics: Collect data on user behavior and preferences to better understand them, improve customer experience and boost customer purchases.
Dynamic rewards: Occasionally surprise users with unexpected rewards or gifts to delight them and strengthen their brand loyalty and increase customer retention.
Content marketing strategy: Use engaging content tiles, including featured updates, curated collections, blog content and personalized recommendations, to drive customer interest and ultimately increase engagement and customer loyalty within your mobile loyalty program app.
Core plan: $199 per month (ideal for businesses seeking a ready-made solution or just beginning their mobile strategy journey)
Unlimited plan: Get a quote (for businesses seeking to maximize their mobile app's potential through customization or unique features)
*With both plans, you can try it out for one month completely free.
User rating
Youshie's mobile loyalty app users rave about how it transformed their businesses. They're especially satisfied with the Spotlight feature that lets them keep their customers up-to-date on their latest products. Since using the loyalty app, they've noticed a boost in their loyal customer base and engagement levels.
Loopy Loyalty
Loopy Loyalty is a loyalty program app for small businesses. From its platform, you can create and manage digital stamp cards that integrate with Apple and Google Wallet. You can also customize your own mobile loyalty program, engaging customers and boosting loyalty.
With Loopy Loyalty your customers don’t get a branded app, they just save their digital stamp card in Apple and Google Wallet. Only you (the issuer of these stamps cards) need to download an app.
With the Loopy Loyalty stamper app, you can issue stamps and redeem rewards, but if you want to communicate and upsell your customers, you may your own branded app.
Features
Digital stamp cards: It helps you create digital stamp cards even without any design or coding skills.
Mobile wallet enabled: This mobile loyalty app allows your loyal customers to use the native capabilities of Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, so they won't have to download any extra apps.
Push messages: These messages appear directly on your customers' mobile phones, including lock-screen notifications for iPhone users.
Contactless stamping: With this feature, you don't need a POS. You can issue stamps and rewards with the stamper app, but you can also do that remotely through the web.
Location-based messages: This feature is compatible with iPhone/Apple Wallet. You can use it to send customers location-based notifications whenever they're near one of your locations.
Unlimited cards: You can have unlimited customers, send unlimited push messages, issue unlimited stamps, rewards and transactions.
Transaction history management: This mobile loyalty app allows you to track customer transactions and use that valuable data to improve customer service and messaging.
Here are its key use cases explained through examples:
Single-rewards program: One of the most common examples of this type of rewards program is earning a free drink or meal after purchasing a certain number of them, typically six or ten.
Multi-rewards program: This program usually has a minimum purchase requirement to receive a stamp. Once you collect a certain number of stamps (let's say five), you get a discount on a specific product. But if you collect more stamps (10 or 20), you receive a larger discount or perhaps even get the product for free.
Targeted messages: An example of this would be a coffee shop that uses its mobile loyalty app to send a targeted message to customers who haven't visited in a while. They can offer them a special discount on their favorite coffee to encourage them to come back.
Location-based messages: This one is best for businesses that have a physical location, such as restaurants, hair salons and coffee shops. When a customer with your loyalty app walks by your shop, they receive a notification on their phone offering them a discount.
With each plan, you get a 15-day free trial (no credit card required).
User rating
This mobile loyalty app users like it because of its customization features and because it looks professional.
Capterra: 4.6 (54)
SaaSworthy: 4.4 (82)
Airship
Airship is a loyalty platform for small businesses that offers a comprehensive suite of tools to capture customer value both inside and outside the app. What sets it apart is that customers can choose when, where and how to receive notifications.
As for loyalty apps, Airship doesn’t offer branded apps per se, in fact, you have to have an app already and then incorporate their app experience platform to have a fully functional loyalty app. They offer marketers and brand owners a 1st Flight App, which they can download and connect to their Airship account to schedule notifications and in-app messaging on their brand’s app.
If you already have your brand’s app, you boost retention and loyalty by incorporating Airship’s experience app, but if you are starting from scratch, this may not be the best option for you.
Features
Push notifications: This feature stands out for its ability to deliver highly relevant messages that create value for both, enterprise companies and their loyal customers.
In-app messaging: Using this feature, you can connect with your customers in real time, delivering messages personalized and relevant to their actions and behaviors.
Message center: Unlike push notifications that require opt-ins, with Message Center your messages have a home base in your mobile loyalty app, reaching 100% of your most loyal customers.
Preference center: With this feature, your customers have complete control over how they engage with your brand through the mobile loyalty app.
Live activities and live updates: This feature ensures that customers never miss critical updates, such as scores, delivery orders or travel changes, even when not using your app.
Use cases
Gamification: Incorporate gamification elements like challenges, badges or levels to make the mobile customer loyalty program more engaging and fun for users.
Mobile ordering and payment: Enable users to order products or services directly through the app, making it convenient to earn and redeem rewards.
Feedback and surveys: Collect customer feedback through the mobile loyalty app to improve products, services and the overall customer experience.
Geo-targeted offers: Use location-based services to send users offers or promotions when they are near a physical store or event.
Birthday rewards: Offer special discounts or freebies to customers on their birthdays to make them feel valued and appreciated.
Pros
Free trial
Automation
Re-engagement options
Pricing
Airship offers two plans, but the prices are not publicly shared on their website.
AXP Essentials (for small brands or if you're just getting started with mobile)
AXP Enterprise (for mid-market and enterprise brands)
User rating
Most Airship users say it is easy to use, but some find the performance analytics tab complex to understand.
G2: 4.0 (78)
Passkit
PassKit provides businesses with a versatile platform to create digital loyalty cards, mobile membership cards, coupons and passes for mobile wallets like Apple and Google Wallet.
They focus on a contactless shopping experience, making it ideal for multiple industries, including retail, travel, hospitality and entertainment.
With PassKit’s PassReader app you can check in/out users, check the status of the customer’s cards, redeem coupons, check transaction history, etc. However, if you want your own branded loyalty app to truly connect and communicate with customers, you may find PassKit limiting.
Features
Here are its key features:
Multi-industry coverage: Spans various industries such as retail, hospitality, travel and entertainment.
Pass designer: This feature's drag-and-drop interface allows you to design loyalty cards that meet Google and Apple guidelines using a range of templates.
Automated rewards: PassKit's integration with marketing automation tools allows you to establish rules and triggers for automatic rewards, providing your customers with timely incentives to foster customer loyalty.
Location-based messages: By setting up virtual boundaries around your stores or events, you can send messages or notifications to customers' phones when they enter these areas.
Real-time analytics and reporting: Helps you stay on top of your customer loyalty program performance. If you notice that the loyalty program members engage less during holidays or summer vacations, you can quickly implement short-term promotions or loyalty point multipliers to re-engage customers.
Mobile wallet APIs and SDKs: Enables you to integrate your loyalty programs with Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, reaching billions of iPhone and Android users. This integration eliminates the need for additional app downloads, providing easy access for your customers.
Use cases
Limited-time offers: Create urgency and excitement by offering limited-time deals or promotions exclusively to mobile app users.
Community building: Foster a sense of community among mobile loyalty app users by enabling them to connect, share tips and discuss products.
Early access to products or sales: Provide loyalty app users with early access to new products or upcoming sales, giving them a sense of exclusivity.
Digital loyalty cards and rewards: Implement digital loyalty cards and rewards within your mobile loyalty app to incentivize repeat purchases and drive customer retention rates.
Loyalty program updates: Inform users about new features, loyalty rewards and promotions through blog posts, email newsletters and push notifications.
Pros
Freedom to scale up and down
High reliability
Free trial
Pricing
PassKit offers a flexible pricing model based on your pass volume. It allows you to pay only for what you use as your loyalty program grows, requiring no commitment. They provide a 45-day free trial.
From 0 to 250: $39.50 per month (flat fee)
From 251 to 2,500: $0.0450 (multi-use passes); $0.0945 (single-use passes)
From 2,501 to 5,000: $0.0340 (multi-use passes); $0.0714 (single-use passes)
User rating
Passkit doesn't have reviews on well-known sites like Capterra or G2, making it hard to know how happy customers are. To get a glimpse into user experience, I tried to find some comments on Twitter and YouTube, but without success.
WaveToGet
WaveToGet is a user-friendly app that lets you create customized loyalty programs with rewards, discounts and membership cards. You just need to download their app and create your loyalty program so that when customers make a purchase at your store and scan their loyalty cards, they can collect points and rewards. The app encourages customers to stay engaged by searching for promo codes on social media, leading to stronger customer relationships and more referrals.
However, customers don’t actually download your own app, but you can communicate with them through your app by sending them emails and SMS.
Features
Personalized promotions: Create promotions that best suit your business, allowing you to target specific customer segments with offers they'll love.
Customizable features: Tailor your loyalty program to match your brand, from changing color schemes to creating unique reward structures and promo codes that align with your business goals.
Monitor client balances: Keep a close eye on your clients' balances, enabling you to add more coins or an equivalent amount in virtual dollars.
QR-code system: Simplify the payment process for your customers by generating QR codes. This feature makes transactions quick, easy and secure.
Convert coins to gifts: Reward your customers by converting their accumulated coins into gifts, dollars or free treatments, depending on your business model.
Individualized approach: This feature allows you to track their preferences and behaviors, enabling you to offer a more personalized experience and build stronger relationships.
Use cases
VIP tiers: Offer different levels of rewards or benefits based on the customer's loyalty or spending level.
Referral programs: Gift customers for referring friends or family to the loyalty program or the brand.
Customized offers based on purchase history: Use purchase history and behavior data to tailor offers and recommendations to individual users, increasing the likelihood of conversion.
Gifting and sharing rewards: Allow users to gift or share their rewards with friends or family members.
QR code scanning for points: Allow users to earn points by scanning QR codes at participating stores or events.
There are many reports that it's easy to use. It is also easy to change from gift cards to loyalty cards, making implementing it into multiple marketing strategies easier. What users report as a con is that you can't use it offline.
Capterra: 5 (4 reviews)
SaaSworthy: 5 (4 reviews)
Comparison table
Best for
Type of app
Customization options
Android/Ios
Integrations
Pricing
Youshie
Building a community around your brand
Branded app
Yes
Yes
Yes
Paid plan, starting at $199 per month, 1 month free trial
Loopy Loyalty
Contactless stamping
Stamper app
Yes
Yes
Yes
Paid plan, starting at $25 per month, 15 days free trial
Airship
Retargeting
Loyalty platform that can be integrated with your app
Yes
Yes
Yes
No prices publicly shared
Passkit
Pass scanning
Digital loyalty card manager app
Yes
Yes
Yes
Flexible pricing model based on pass volume, starting at $39.50 per month, 45 days free trial
WavetoGet
Gift cards
Loyalty program manager app
Yes
Yes
No
Paid plan, starting at $99 per month
Best loyalty mobile app examples
Discover some of the standout mobile loyalty apps Youshie created.
Muskoka Arts & Crafts
Muskoka Arts & Crafts has a successful loyalty program that leverages Youshie's Spotlight feature to keep its customers up-to-date on art initiatives and the latest products.
By creating blog posts, curating product collections and more, they have significantly increased customer engagement and brand loyalty, achieving a substantial return on investment (ROI).
The Record Shoppe
The Record Shoppe has seen a transformative impact on their business with the integration of Dynamic Rewards in their new loyalty app. This feature allows them to offer targeted loyalty rewards and promotions that keep customers engaged and encourage repeat visits.
Since launching its loyalty program app with Youshie, The Record Shoppe has experienced a significant increase in customer loyalty and repeat business.
The Naked Vine
The Naked Vine is one of the successful mobile loyalty programs that has streamlined the checkout and post-order process with Youshie. Their customers can shop and pay quickly and easily on their mobile devices, which has led to a significant increase in conversion rates and purchase engagement.
They also maximize the opportunities push notifications provide, which enables them to inform their customers about the latest offers, remind them of upcoming events and enhance engagement with the app.
Conclusion
As you know now, mobile loyalty apps are powerful tools for businesses looking to boost customer retention and engagement through loyalty programs. With nearly 80% of U.S. consumers willing to pay for loyalty programs with their favorite brand, the value of these enhanced engagement programs is evident.
To find the right mobile loyalty app for your business, consider your customization needs, integration requirements and budget.
Youshie offers an unparalleled advantage over traditional loyalty cards with its user-friendly interface and extensive customization options, making it the ideal choice for businesses seeking a unique and effective loyalty program. Plus, with full team support, you'll have expert guidance every step of the way.
A loyalty mobile app is a digital platform that allows businesses to reward customers for their repeat business or engagement. It typically offers features such as digital loyalty cards, rewards tracking, personalized offers and exclusive content or discounts.
Are loyalty mobile apps safe?
Loyalty mobile apps can be safe if they are developed with security best practices in mind. This includes using encryption to protect user data, implementing secure authentication methods and regularly updating the app to patch any security vulnerabilities.
Do loyalty rewards programs work?
Yes, loyalty rewards programs can effectively drive customer retention and increase customer lifetime value. When designed and implemented well, these programs can incentivize repeat purchases, retain customers, encourage customer engagement, and foster brand loyalty.
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