5 Best Magic Stamp Alternatives (2026 Comparison)

Last updated: February 2026

Magic Stamp is a digital loyalty card app that lets businesses replace paper punch cards with a smartphone-based system. It uses a physical “stamper” device that connects to customers’ phones via the Magic Stamp app. While it’s a legitimate solution used by businesses in 24+ countries, it’s not the only option - and depending on your needs, it might not be the best one.

Quick Answer: The best Magic Stamp alternative depends on your priorities. FaveCard (free, Pro from $19/mo) is best if you want Apple/Google Wallet integration without requiring customers to download an app. Stamp Me ($45/mo) offers the most features but requires an app. Square Loyalty (free with Square POS) is best if you’re already in the Square ecosystem.

Key Takeaway: Magic Stamp works well for many businesses, but alternatives offer different trade-offs. Some are cheaper, some don’t require customers to download an app, and some integrate better with existing payment systems. This guide compares the top 5 alternatives so you can choose what fits your business.

The Real Problem: Will Your Customers Actually Download Another App?

Before comparing features and pricing, let’s talk about the elephant in the room.

Magic Stamp - like many loyalty apps - requires customers to download an app. Sounds simple. But here’s what the data says:

According to mobile app research, 21-25% of users abandon an app after just one use. Over 50% of downloaded apps get deleted within 30 days. And if your onboarding takes more than 2 minutes? Most people give up entirely.

What this means for loyalty programs:

You can have the best loyalty program in the world. But if customers won’t download the app, it doesn’t matter.

Think about your own phone. How many apps do you have that you downloaded once and never opened again? Now imagine asking a customer - who just wants their coffee - to:

1. Find the app in the App Store
2. Wait for it to download
3. Create an account
4. Link it to your business
5. Finally get their first stamp

Most will say “I’ll do it later.” They won’t.

This is why wallet-based alternatives exist. Apple Wallet and Google Wallet are already on every smartphone. According to Capital One Shopping research, mobile wallets account for 41% of in-store purchases in the US - these apps are already part of daily life. No download. No account creation. Customer scans a QR code, taps “Add to Wallet,” done. Ten seconds. (Want to understand the full difference? See our paper vs digital loyalty cards comparison.)

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Why Businesses Look for Magic Stamp Alternatives

Beyond the app download friction, here are the common reasons:

1. Pricing

Magic Stamp starts at $39/month (Basic), going up to $99/month (Advanced). For a small coffee shop or barbershop watching every dollar, that’s significant - especially when alternatives like FaveCard start at $0 (free forever).

The math: $39/month × 12 = $468/year. FaveCard’s Free plan costs $0/year. Even Pro at $19/month is only $228/year. That’s $240-$468 saved depending on your plan.

2. The Physical Stamper

Magic Stamp’s stamper device is clever - it creates a tactile experience. But it’s also:

• Another device to charge
• Something that can break or get lost
• A specific workflow your staff needs to learn

Some businesses prefer purely software-based solutions with no hardware to manage.

3. Technical Reliability

Some users report the stamper not always connecting, or the app having issues. No software is perfect, but it’s worth knowing alternatives exist if you’ve had problems.

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Quick Comparison: Magic Stamp vs Top Alternatives

Feature	Magic Stamp	FaveCard	Stamp Me	Square Loyalty	Loyverse
Starting Price	$39/mo	$0 (Free) – $19/mo (Pro)	$45/mo	Free (with Square)	Free
Customer App Required	Yes	No (Wallet)	Yes	No	No
Apple/Google Wallet	No	Yes	Partial	No	No
Physical Device	Stamper	No	No	No	No
Automated Reminders	Yes	Yes	Yes	Limited	No
Analytics Dashboard	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Basic
Multi-location	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Best For	Traditional stamp feel	No-app simplicity	Feature depth	Square users	Budget/free

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The 5 Best Magic Stamp Alternatives

1. FaveCard - Best for No-App Simplicity

Price: $0 (Free) – $19/month (Pro) | Free forever plan available

FaveCard solves the app download problem entirely: loyalty cards live in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet - the wallet apps already on every smartphone. No download, no account creation, no friction. And with the permanent Free plan, you can start without spending a penny.

How it works:

1. Customer scans a QR code (or taps a link you share)
2. Card adds to their phone’s wallet app - one tap, 10 seconds
3. You scan their card to add stamps
4. Customers get push notifications for rewards and reminders

What actual business owners say:

“We replaced our traditional stamp card with FaveCard. Our customers gladly add the new card to their phone and always have it with them. Creating the card took us just a few minutes, and the team learned it immediately - we just had to show them how it works. Now I can see who comes back, when they last visited, how many stamps we’ve given out and how many rewards customers have claimed. This is huge value for me as a cafe owner.”

— Paulina Kubisztal, Owner of Kawozwierz cafe, Kraków

Why consider FaveCard over Magic Stamp:

Advantage	Details
No app download	Uses wallet apps customers already have
Free plan	$0 forever; Pro $19/mo vs $39/mo (saves $240-$468/year)
No hardware	No stamper device to manage or charge
5-minute setup	Create your card and start using it today
Automated reminders	”Time for a visit” notifications built-in
Faster enrollment	Customers add card in 10 seconds, not 2+ minutes

Honest drawbacks:

• No physical stamper (if you like that tactile “stamp” experience)
• Newer company than Magic Stamp
• Fewer integrations currently (API coming soon)

Best for: Businesses that want the simplest possible experience - for customers AND staff. Coffee shops, barbershops, salons, and any business where speed matters and customers won’t download another app.

Create your free loyalty card — free forever, no credit card needed.

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2. Stamp Me - Best for Feature Depth

Price: From $45/month | Free Trial: Yes

Stamp Me is one of the oldest and most established loyalty apps. It’s feature-rich and trusted by thousands of businesses globally.

How it works:

1. Customer downloads the Stamp Me app
2. Business has a tablet or phone to stamp cards
3. Rich analytics and marketing features included

Why consider Stamp Me over Magic Stamp:

Advantage	Details
More features	Advanced analytics, segmentation, campaigns
Multiple reward types	Points, stamps, tiered rewards
Email campaigns	Built-in email marketing automation

Potential drawbacks:

• Requires customer app download (like Magic Stamp)
• Higher pricing tier for advanced features
• Can be complex for simple use cases

Best for: Businesses that want maximum features and don’t mind customers downloading an app. Multi-location businesses that need detailed analytics.

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3. Square Loyalty - Best for Square Users

Price: Free with Square, or $45/mo standalone | Free Trial: N/A

If you already use Square for payments, Square Loyalty is the obvious choice. It integrates directly with your existing setup.

How it works:

1. Integrates with Square POS
2. Customers earn points automatically when paying
3. No separate app or card needed - tied to phone number

Why consider Square Loyalty over Magic Stamp:

Advantage	Details
POS integration	Automatic point earning at checkout
No customer app	Works with phone number
Free tier available	If you use Square payments
One ecosystem	Payments + loyalty in one place

Potential drawbacks:

• Requires Square POS (or standalone is pricey)
• Less customization than dedicated loyalty apps
• Phone number-based (less visual than cards)

Best for: Businesses already using Square for payments. Simplest setup if you’re in the Square ecosystem.

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4. Loyverse - Best Free Option

Price: Free (loyalty included in free POS) | Paid features available

Loyverse is a free POS system that includes basic loyalty features. If budget is your primary concern, it’s worth considering.

How it works:

1. Free POS app on tablet/phone
2. Customers earn points on purchases
3. Basic loyalty tracking included

Why consider Loyverse over Magic Stamp:

Advantage	Details
Free	No monthly cost for basic features
Full POS included	Not just loyalty - complete system
No customer app	Tied to phone/email

Potential drawbacks:

• Basic loyalty features only
• No wallet integration
• Limited customization
• No automated reminders

Best for: Very small businesses or those just starting who want to try loyalty without investment. Upgrade to paid options as you grow.

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5. Poinz - Best for European Markets

Price: Contact for pricing | Free Trial: Yes

Poinz is popular in European markets, particularly strong in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

How it works:

1. Customer downloads Poinz app
2. Discover nearby participating businesses
3. Earn and track rewards across multiple businesses

Why consider Poinz over Magic Stamp:

Advantage	Details
Network effect	Customers discover your business through the app
European presence	Strong in DACH region
Multi-business platform	Customers use one app for many stores

Potential drawbacks:

• Requires app download
• Less known outside Europe
• Pricing not transparent

Best for: European businesses who want exposure to Poinz’s existing user base.

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Detailed Feature Comparison

Customer Experience

Feature	Magic Stamp	FaveCard	Stamp Me	Square Loyalty	Loyverse
App download required	Yes	No	Yes	No	No
Apple Wallet support	No	Yes	Partial	No	No
Google Wallet support	No	Yes	Partial	No	No
Time to enroll	2-3 min	10 sec	2-3 min	30 sec	30 sec
Visual card design	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Business Features

Feature	Magic Stamp	FaveCard	Stamp Me	Square Loyalty	Loyverse
Analytics dashboard	Yes	Yes	Advanced	Yes	Basic
Automated reminders	Yes	Yes	Yes	Limited	No
Multiple card types	Limited	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Staff accounts	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
API access	No	Coming	Yes	Yes	Limited

Pricing Comparison

Plan Level	Magic Stamp	FaveCard	Stamp Me	Square Loyalty
Free tier	No	Yes ($0 forever)	No	Free*
Entry/Basic	$39/mo	$19/mo (Pro)	$45/mo	Free*
Mid-tier	$59/mo	—	$75/mo	$45/mo
Advanced	$99/mo	Custom	$125/mo	$45/mo
Annual discount	Yes	Yes	Yes	N/A

*Square Loyalty free tier requires Square POS

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How to Choose the Right Alternative

Choose FaveCard if:

• You want the lowest friction for customers (no app download)
• Budget matters (free forever plan, or Pro at $19/mo vs $39/mo)
• You value simplicity over maximum features
• Your customers are tired of downloading apps

Choose Stamp Me if:

• You need advanced features and analytics
• You’re okay with customers downloading an app
• You want maximum customization
• You have multiple locations needing detailed reporting

Choose Square Loyalty if:

• You already use Square for payments
• You want automatic point earning at checkout
• You prefer a single ecosystem for everything
• You don’t need visual stamp cards

Choose Loyverse if:

• Budget is extremely tight (free option)
• You need a full POS system too
• Basic loyalty is enough for now
• You’re just testing if loyalty works for your business

Stay with Magic Stamp if:

• You like the physical stamper experience
• It’s working well for your business
• Your customers don’t mind the app
• You don’t need wallet integration

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Making the Switch: What to Expect

If you decide to switch from Magic Stamp to an alternative:

What You Can’t Transfer

• Existing customer stamp counts
• Historical data from Magic Stamp
• The physical stamper (Magic Stamp specific)

Transition Tips

1. Announce the change to customers Give 2-4 weeks notice. Explain the benefits of the new system.

2. Offer a switching bonus “Sign up for our new loyalty card and start with 2 free stamps” - compensates for lost progress.

3. Run both systems briefly Keep Magic Stamp active for 2-4 weeks while customers transition.

4. Train your staff Make sure everyone knows the new enrollment process.

5. Update your materials New QR codes, signage, social media posts about the new program.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Magic Stamp?

Magic Stamp is a digital loyalty card app that replaces paper punch cards. Businesses get a physical “stamper” device that connects to the app - when customers make a purchase, they get their digital card stamped via their phone. Founded in the UK, it’s available in 24+ countries and serves coffee shops, salons, barbershops, and other local businesses. Pricing starts at $39/month.

Why do people look for Magic Stamp alternatives?

Common reasons include pricing concerns (Magic Stamp starts at $39/month while alternatives like FaveCard have a permanent Free plan), wanting features Magic Stamp doesn’t offer (like Apple/Google Wallet integration), technical issues with the stamper device, or preferring a solution that doesn’t require customers to download another app.

What’s the best Magic Stamp alternative?

It depends on your priorities. FaveCard (free forever plan, Pro from $19/month) is best for businesses wanting Apple/Google Wallet integration without requiring customers to download an app. Stamp Me offers the most features but requires an app download. Square Loyalty works best if you already use Square for payments. Each has different pricing and trade-offs.

Does Magic Stamp require customers to download an app?

Yes, Magic Stamp requires customers to download the Magic Stamp app to collect and redeem stamps. This is a key difference from alternatives like FaveCard, which uses Apple Wallet and Google Wallet - apps that are already on customers’ phones, requiring no additional download.

How much does Magic Stamp cost compared to alternatives?

Magic Stamp starts at $39/month (Basic), $59/month (Growth), and $99/month (Advanced). Comparatively, FaveCard has a permanent Free plan ($0 forever) and Pro at $19/month, Stamp Me starts at $45/month, and Square Loyalty is free if you use Square POS. Over a year, Magic Stamp Basic costs $468 while FaveCard Free costs $0 and Pro costs $228.

Can I transfer my Magic Stamp data to a new loyalty app?

No, customer stamp counts and historical data cannot be transferred between loyalty platforms. When switching, most businesses offer customers a “switching bonus” (like starting with extra stamps on the new system) to compensate for any lost progress and encourage re-enrollment.

Is Magic Stamp still a good choice?

Yes, Magic Stamp is a legitimate, working product used by businesses in 24+ countries. The physical stamper creates a unique customer experience some businesses love. Whether it’s the right choice depends on your budget, whether you need wallet integration, and whether your customers will download another app. It’s worth comparing options before committing.

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Our Honest Take

We built FaveCard, so obviously we think it’s great. But let us be direct about when you should - and shouldn’t - choose us.

Choose FaveCard if:

• Your customers won’t download another app (most won’t)
• You want something that works in 5 minutes, not 5 hours
• Price matters - start free ($0), or Pro at $19/month vs $39/month
• You value simplicity over having every possible feature

Don’t choose FaveCard if:

• You love the physical stamper experience - Magic Stamp does this well
• You need advanced segmentation and complex multi-tier programs - Stamp Me is better
• You’re already deep in the Square ecosystem - Square Loyalty makes more sense

We’re not trying to be everything for everyone. We built FaveCard for small local businesses - coffee shops, barbershops, salons, bakeries - who want a digital loyalty card that actually works without the complexity.

Paulina from Kawozwierz said it best: her customers “gladly add the new card to their phone and always have it with them.” That’s the whole point. A loyalty program only works if customers use it.

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The Bottom Line

Magic Stamp is a legitimate product used by businesses in 24+ countries. If the physical stamper appeals to you and your customers don’t mind downloading an app, it works.

But the data is clear: most users abandon apps quickly, and getting customers to download yet another app is harder every year.

If you want the path of least resistance:

• For customers: No app to download (wallet-based)
• For your wallet: Free ($0) or Pro at $19/month instead of $39/month
• For your staff: 5-minute setup, no hardware

That’s FaveCard. It’s not the most feature-rich option. It’s the one your customers will actually use.

If maximum features matter most: Stamp Me.

If you’re in the Square ecosystem: Square Loyalty.

If budget is extremely tight: Loyverse (free).

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Ready to try a Magic Stamp alternative?

FaveCard offers everything you need to run a successful loyalty program - without asking customers to download another app.

• Free forever plan - $0/month, no credit card needed
• Pro at $19/month - Save $240/year vs Magic Stamp
• Apple & Google Wallet - Cards your customers already have
• 5-minute setup - Create your first card today
• Used by cafes, barbershops, and salons - From Kraków to London

Create your free loyalty card — free forever, no credit card needed.

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Disclaimer: Pricing and features were accurate at time of writing (February 2026). We recommend checking each provider’s website for current information. FaveCard is our product - we’ve tried to present this comparison fairly, but we’re obviously biased. That said, we genuinely believe the wallet approach is better for most small businesses, which is why we built it.