7 Best Free Digital Loyalty Card Apps (2026)
Tested 7 'free' digital loyalty card apps for small businesses. Most aren't actually free. See real pricing, features, and which ones cost $0 forever.
Key Takeaway: Most apps that call themselves 'free' only offer a trial. As of 2026, FaveCard is the only loyalty card platform with a permanent free plan that includes unlimited customers and Apple/Google Wallet cards.
FaveCard Team
Published February 18, 2026 · Updated February 18, 2026
A free digital loyalty card is a virtual stamp or punch card that lives on your customer’s phone — in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet — and costs you nothing to set up or run.
Key Takeaway: Most apps that call themselves “free” only offer a trial. As of February 2026, FaveCard is the only loyalty card platform we found with a permanent free plan that includes unlimited customers and Apple/Google Wallet cards.
We looked at every “free” loyalty card app we could find. Typed it into Google, downloaded apps, signed up for trials, read the fine print.
Here’s what we found: most of them aren’t free. They give you 14-30 days, and then it’s $25 to $49 a month. That’s $300-$588 a year for a stamp card.
And here’s the thing — according to Deloitte, 70% of consumers already spend more with brands that have a loyalty program. The question isn’t whether you need one. It’s whether you need to pay $49/month for one.
If you run a cafe, salon, restaurant, or barber shop and want a loyalty card that actually costs nothing, this guide is for you. We’ll show you which apps are free, which ones just say they are, and what the trade-offs look like.
What “Free” Actually Means (Read This First)
Before the list, let’s clear something up. When loyalty card companies say “free,” they usually mean one of three things:
- Free trial — You get 14-30 days, then you pay. This is the most common.
- Free with limits — Free for up to 50 customers, then you pay. Not useful for a real business.
- Actually free — $0 forever, no credit card required, no customer limits. This is rare.
We’ll be transparent about which category each app falls into.
The 7 Best Options Compared
1. FaveCard — Actually Free, No Catch
Pricing: $0/month forever (Pro plan available for custom branding)
FaveCard is a digital loyalty card platform built for local businesses. You create a stamp card, customers add it to their Apple or Google Wallet with one tap, and you scan stamps using the FaveCard app on your phone.
What’s included for free:
- Digital stamp card (set any number of stamps and rewards)
- Apple Wallet + Google Wallet passes
- QR code scanning at counter
- Unlimited customers
- Unlimited employees
- Basic analytics
What you don’t get for free:
- Custom logo on the card (shows “Powered by FaveCard”)
- Full customer email access
- Custom stamp icons
Why it stands out: No trial period, no customer cap, no credit card required. You sign up, create a card in about 5 minutes, and start using it. The free plan is permanent.
The free plan isn’t a stripped-down demo — it’s a fully functional loyalty card system. FaveCard makes money from businesses that upgrade to Pro for custom branding, which is how the free plan stays free permanently.
Best for: Any local business that wants a digital loyalty card without monthly fees — cafes, restaurants, salons, barbers, fitness studios.
2. Loyverse POS — Free, But It’s a POS System
Pricing: Free POS app (premium features cost extra)
Loyverse is a free point-of-sale system that includes basic loyalty features. Customers earn points on purchases and can be identified via barcode cards or phone numbers.
What’s included for free:
- Points-based loyalty (earn per purchase)
- Basic customer profiles
- Full POS system (sales, inventory, receipts)
What you don’t get:
- Digital stamp cards
- Apple/Google Wallet integration
- Push notifications
- Dedicated loyalty card experience
Why it’s on this list: It’s genuinely free and works well if you also need a POS. But the loyalty features are basic — there’s no digital card customers can save to their phone, no wallet notifications, and no stamp card format.
Best for: Businesses that need a free POS and want basic loyalty built in. Not ideal if loyalty is your main focus.
3. Stamp Me — Not Free ($49/mo, Trial Only)
Pricing: 30-day free trial, then $49/month (frequently runs 50% promotions)
Stamp Me is one of the more established digital loyalty platforms. They offer stamp cards, points programs, and a customer-facing app.
What the trial includes:
- Digital stamp cards
- Points programs
- Customer app
- Basic analytics
The catch: After 30 days, you’re looking at $49/month. They’ve been running a “50% off” promotion for over a year now, which brings it to about $25/month — but a permanent “sale” tells you the real price is probably closer to $25.
Also, Stamp Me requires customers to download a separate app. That’s friction — many people just won’t install another app for a stamp card.
Best for: Businesses with budget who want an established platform and don’t mind the app download requirement.
4. Square Loyalty — Not Free ($45/mo, Requires Square POS)
Pricing: $45/month per location. No free plan, no trial.
Square Loyalty is part of the Square ecosystem. It’s a points-based program tied directly into Square’s payment processing.
What you get:
- Points-based loyalty (earn per dollar spent)
- Deep integration with Square POS
- Customer directory
- Loyalty analytics
The catches: First, you need Square POS — this isn’t standalone. Second, it’s $45/month per location. Two coffee shops? That’s $90/month for loyalty alone.
Best for: Businesses already locked into the Square ecosystem who want loyalty built into checkout. Expensive as a standalone solution.
5. CandyBar — Not Free ($45/mo, Trial Only)
Pricing: Free trial, then $45/month
CandyBar is a digital punch card system focused on simplicity. Instead of wallet cards, customers check in using their phone number.
What the trial includes:
- Digital punch cards
- SMS notifications
- Phone number check-in
- Basic reporting
The catch: After the trial, it’s $45/month. And customers check in by entering their phone number at the counter — which adds friction compared to just scanning a wallet card.
Best for: Businesses that prefer SMS-based loyalty and don’t mind the monthly cost.
6. Loopy Loyalty — Not Free ($25/mo, Trial Only)
Pricing: 15-day trial, then $25/month for 1 card
Loopy Loyalty offers Apple and Google Wallet loyalty cards, similar to FaveCard. Cards live in customers’ wallets and you scan stamps.
What the trial includes:
- Digital stamp cards
- Apple/Google Wallet passes
- Push notifications
- Basic analytics
The catch: After 15 days, it’s $25/month — and that’s the Starter plan, which limits you to basic features. Want more? The Growth plan is $69/month and Ultimate is $95/month.
Best for: Businesses that want wallet-based loyalty cards and are willing to pay $25+/month for the service.
7. Flex Rewards — “Free” With a 50-Customer Cap
Pricing: Free up to 50 customers, then $36/month
Flex Rewards offers a digital punch card with a free tier. Sounds good until you hit the cap.
What’s free:
- Digital punch cards
- Up to 50 customers
- Basic features
The catch: 50 customers is nothing. A busy cafe might hit that in a week. Once you pass 50, you’re paying $36/month. It’s more of an extended trial than a real free plan.
Best for: Very small businesses testing the waters who expect fewer than 50 loyalty customers total.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| App | Actually Free? | Monthly Cost | Wallet Card? | Customer Limit | App Download? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FaveCard | Yes | $0 forever | Apple + Google | Unlimited | No |
| Loyverse | Yes (basic) | $0 | No | Unlimited | POS app |
| Stamp Me | No (trial) | $49/mo | No | Varies | Yes |
| Square Loyalty | No | $45/mo/location | No | Unlimited | Square POS |
| CandyBar | No (trial) | $45/mo | No | Varies | No (SMS) |
| Loopy Loyalty | No (trial) | $25/mo | Apple + Google | Varies | No |
| Flex Rewards | Sort of | $36/mo after 50 | No | 50 free | No |
Here’s what stands out: FaveCard is the only platform that’s both genuinely free and includes Apple/Google Wallet integration. The only other truly free option (Loyverse) doesn’t offer digital wallet cards.
According to Bond Brand Loyalty, members of loyalty programs generate 12-18% more revenue per year than non-members. You don’t need to spend $300-$588/year on software to capture that.
Free vs Paid: When Should You Upgrade?
Start free. Seriously.
You don’t need to spend $25-$49/month to run a loyalty program, especially when you’re just getting started. A free plan like FaveCard’s covers everything most small businesses need:
- A professional-looking digital card
- Wallet integration (so customers always have it on their phone)
- Unlimited customers and staff
- Basic analytics to see who’s coming back
According to Bain & Company, increasing customer retention by just 2% can have the same effect on profits as cutting costs by 10%. A free loyalty card gets you most of the way there.
Consider upgrading when:
- You want your own logo on the card (no “Powered by” branding)
- You need full customer email data for marketing
- You want custom stamp icons to match your brand
- Analytics become important for business decisions
For more retention strategies beyond loyalty cards, check out our guide on how to get repeat customers.
How to Set Up a Free Digital Loyalty Card in 5 Minutes
Here’s how to get started with FaveCard’s free plan:
- Create an account at favecard.co — no credit card needed
- Design your card — pick colors, choose a stamp icon, set your reward (e.g., “Buy 8 coffees, get 1 free”)
- Print a QR code — put it on your counter or in your window
- Customers scan and save — one tap adds the card to their Apple or Google Wallet
- Scan and stamp — use the FaveCard app on your phone to award stamps at each visit
That’s it. Your customers now have a loyalty card that’s always on their phone, sends them reminders about upcoming rewards, and never gets lost in a pocket.
For a deeper look at how digital cards work and why they outperform paper, check out our complete guide to digital loyalty cards.
Need inspiration for your reward structure? See our 15 punch card ideas that actually work.
FAQ
Are there any truly free loyalty card apps?
Yes. FaveCard offers a permanent free plan with unlimited customers and employees, including Apple and Google Wallet integration. Most other platforms only offer free trials (14-30 days) before charging $25-$49 per month.
What’s the catch with free loyalty card apps?
With FaveCard’s free plan, the main limitation is branding — your card shows “Powered by FaveCard” instead of your own logo. You get the full stamp card experience, wallet integration, and unlimited usage. No hidden fees.
Do customers need to download an app?
Not with wallet-based solutions like FaveCard or Loopy Loyalty. Customers save the loyalty card directly to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet — apps already on their phone. No new downloads, no account creation, no passwords.
How do free digital loyalty cards compare to paper stamp cards?
Digital cards don’t get lost, send automatic reminders about upcoming rewards, and give you data on who’s returning. Paper cards get lost, damaged, or forgotten — and you keep paying for printing. See our paper vs digital comparison for the full breakdown.
Can a free loyalty app handle a busy restaurant or cafe?
Absolutely. FaveCard’s free plan has no customer limit, so whether you serve 50 or 5,000 loyalty customers, you won’t hit a wall. Check out our coffee shop loyalty program guide for industry-specific tips.
The Bottom Line
Most “free loyalty card apps” aren’t free. They’re trials. After 14-30 days, you’re paying $25 to $49 per month — that’s $300 to $588 per year for what’s essentially a digital stamp card.
If you’re a small business looking for a digital loyalty card that actually costs nothing, your options in 2026 are limited. FaveCard is the only platform we found that offers a permanent free plan with unlimited customers, Apple/Google Wallet cards, and no credit card required.
Start free. See if your customers use it. Upgrade later if you need custom branding. No risk, no cost, no commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any truly free loyalty card apps?
Yes. FaveCard offers a permanent free plan with unlimited customers and employees, including Apple and Google Wallet integration. Most other platforms only offer free trials (14-30 days) before charging $25-$49 per month.
What's the catch with free loyalty card apps?
With FaveCard's free plan, the main limitation is branding — your card shows 'Powered by FaveCard' instead of your own logo. You get the full stamp card experience, wallet integration, and unlimited usage. No hidden fees.
Do customers need to download an app?
Not with wallet-based solutions like FaveCard. Customers save the loyalty card directly to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet — apps already on their phone. No new downloads, no account creation, no passwords.
How do free digital loyalty cards compare to paper stamp cards?
Digital cards don't get lost, send automatic reminders about upcoming rewards, and give you data on who's returning. Paper cards get lost, damaged, or forgotten — and you keep paying for printing.
Can a free loyalty app handle a busy restaurant or cafe?
Absolutely. FaveCard's free plan has no customer limit, so whether you serve 50 or 5,000 loyalty customers, you won't hit a wall.