Top 10+ Best Loyalty App for Small Business

technologhy
May 3, 2024
10M
Alice Pham

Retaining customers and fostering brand loyalty are essential for the sustained growth of small businesses. One effective way to achieve this is through the implementation of loyalty programs, which incentivize customers to engage with a brand repeatedly. However, for small businesses, finding the right loyalty app can be a daunting task. That's why we've curated a list of six of the best loyalty apps for small businesses. Let's explore each app in detail to find the perfect fit for your business's loyalty needs.

What is Loyalty Program and Why You Need it?

A loyalty program is a marketing strategy with the purpose of encouraging customers to make repeat purchases or remain loyal to a particular brand or company. It typically involves offering rewards, incentives, or benefits to customers who frequently engage with the brand or make purchases. These programs are aimed at fostering long-term relationships with customers, increasing customer retention, and ultimately driving revenue growth.

There are several key reasons why businesses implement loyalty program app:

  1. Customer Retention: Acquiring new customers can be significantly more expensive than retaining existing ones. Loyalty programs help businesses retain their customer base by incentivizing repeat purchases and fostering a sense of belonging or attachment to the brand.
  2. Increased Customer Engagement: By offering rewards and incentives, businesses encourage customers to interact with their brand more frequently, whether through purchases, referrals, or social media engagement.
  3. Data Collection and Analysis: Loyalty programs allow you to gather valuable data about customers' preferences, behaviors, and purchasing patterns. You can then use this data to personalize marketing campaigns and improve the overall customer experience.
  4. Competitive Advantage: Customers prefer a brand that offers rewards and benefits for their loyalty to the one that does not. So, offering a compelling loyalty program can differentiate a business from its competitors. 
  5. Increased Sales and Revenue: By incentivizing repeat purchases and encouraging customers to spend more, loyalty programs can directly help you increase sales and revenue for businesses. Customers who participate in loyalty programs often spend more per transaction and are more likely to recommend the brand to others.

By providing incentives for loyalty, businesses can create a win-win scenario where customers feel appreciated and rewarded, while the business enjoys increased customer retention and revenue.

10+ Best Loyalty Apps for Small Business

Best Free Loyalty Apps

#1. Reton

Reton is a user-friendly Shopify loyalty app free that helps merchants increase customer retention through personalized rewards and engagement. It allows you to set up a point-based rewards program where customers earn points for activities like signing up, making purchases, referring friends, or sharing on social media. This loyalty app is clean and simple, so even first-time users can implement a loyalty program without technical hassle. 

With its clean interface, customizable reward rules, and responsive widget design, Reton makes it easy for store owners to start offering value-driven incentives. Whether you’re a small store or growing brand, Reton helps turn shoppers into repeat customers while building stronger brand loyalty and encouraging word-of-mouth marketing.

Price: Completely free

Key Features:

  • Points-Based Rewards: Customers earn points for purchases, signups, referrals, and more.
  • Customizable Rewards: Define how points are earned and redeemed, with flexible reward types like discounts or free products.
  • Referral Program: Built-in tools to track and reward customer referrals easily.
  • Customer Dashboard: Buyers can log in and track their points, rewards, and status.
  • Mobile-Friendly Widget: Seamless experience on both desktop and mobile.

Pros:

  • Intuitive and beginner-friendly setup
  • Attractive, responsive design
  • Works well with many Shopify themes
  • Generous features on the free plan

Cons:

  • Limited advanced customization on free plan
  • Lacks multilingual support
  • Reporting tools could be more robust

#2. Loloyal

Loloyal is one of the best loyalty apps for Shopify that boosts customer retention with points, VIP tiers, and rewards. Designed for growing businesses, it enables you to reward various actions such as purchases, referrals, and sign-ups. The app supports multiple languages and currencies, making it perfect for international stores. Its customizable widget and email notifications provide a seamless customer experience. 

With Loloyal, you can create engaging, branded loyalty programs that drive repeat sales and strengthen customer relationships. Its automation tools help merchants manage rewards effortlessly while delivering a personalized and gamified shopping journey for every customer.

Price:
Free plan available with core features. Premium plans start at $29/month.

Key Features:

  • VIP Tiers: Offer extra incentives for top-tier customers to boost retention.
  • Referral Program: Encourage word-of-mouth marketing by rewarding both referrer and referee.
  • Fully Customizable Widget: Match the look and feel of your store brand.
  • Multi-language Support: Ideal for stores with global customers.
  • Email Notifications: Notify users when they earn points or reach new tiers.

Pros:

  • VIP tier system adds gamification and excitement
  • Excellent support team
  • Responsive and clean UI
  • Works well with multilingual stores

Cons:

  • Slightly steeper learning curve for beginners
  • Some widget elements can’t be customized on free plan
  • Referral tracking occasionally delays updates

#3. Joy: Loyalty & Rewards Program

Joy is a loyalty program app Shopify that helps merchants boost repeat purchases and customer lifetime value through customizable, data-driven rewards programs. Whether it’s points, referrals, or VIP tiers, Joy gives brands the tools to build lasting customer relationships across both online and in-store channels.

With a no-code setup, automated reward flows, and deep Shopify POS integration, Joy makes it easy to deliver loyalty experiences tailored to real customer behavior. It’s also a free loyalty app for small business providing a flexible, high-performance solution built to grow with your business.

  • Pricing: Free plan available (up to 150 orders/month); paid plans start at $24.99/month

  • Key Features:
    • Personalized rewards for key actions like purchases, sign-ups, reviews, and birthdays — tailored to customer behavior
    • VIP tiers and member privileges with automated perks, exclusive discounts, and loyalty-driven incentives
    • Referral programs with shareable links and stackable rewards to drive word-of-mouth growth
    • Shopify POS integration unifies online and in-store loyalty programs with real-time data syncing. Learn more about Shopify POS loyalty programs.
  • Pros:
    • Seamless setup and Shopify-native experience
    • Full POS and omnichannel loyalty support
    • Integrations with Klaviyo, Gorgias, Shopify Flow, and more
  • Cons:
    • Advanced features like POS integration and custom rules require higher-tier plans
    • Currently limited to the Shopify ecosystem

#4. OneLoyalty

OneLoyalty is a simple yet effective loyalty app tailored for Shopify merchants who want a straightforward solution to reward their customers and grow organically. It allows you to create a rewards system that encourages actions like making purchases, leaving product reviews, referring others, or engaging on social media. The interface is clean, setup is beginner-friendly, and the dashboard offers useful data to understand customer behavior. 

OneLoyalty supports basic customization of the rewards widget, allowing merchants to align it with their branding. It’s especially well-suited for small to mid-sized stores that want to build customer loyalty without needing extensive technical skills or a large budget. The app helps drive repeat sales through consistent customer incentives.

Price:
Free plan with core features. Paid plans start at $9/month.

Key Features:

  • Points for Actions: Reward purchases, reviews, social shares, etc.
  • Referral System: Encourage existing customers to bring in new ones.
  • Widget Customization: Adjust color, text, and position to fit branding.
  • Analytics Dashboard: Track program performance and participation.
  • Mobile-Optimized: Ensures flawless use on all devices.

Pros:

  • Easy to set up and launch
  • Clear, user-friendly interface
  • Affordable entry-level pricing
  • Good for small businesses

Cons:

  • Lacks advanced tiering or segmentation
  • Basic reporting tools
  • Fewer integrations with third-party apps

#5. BON Loyalty Program & Rewards

BON Loyalty is a stylish and feature-rich Shopify loyalty app that transforms your customer experience with rewards, referrals, and VIP tiers. Customers earn points for actions like purchases, reviews, and social shares. The app supports real-time analytics, multilingual setups, and an elegant widget that blends seamlessly with any store design. 

BON’s free plan supports stores with up to 250 monthly orders, making it a strong starting point for small and medium businesses. BON stands out for its deep customization and responsive support. It’s ideal for merchants looking to increase customer retention and lifetime value through a beautifully designed loyalty program.

Price:
Free plan available for stores with up to 250 orders/month. Paid plans start from $25/month.

Key Features:

  • Flexible Point Rules: Customize how customers earn and redeem points.
  • Referral Bonuses: Track and reward customer referrals automatically.
  • VIP Tiers: Reward high-value customers with exclusive perks.
  • Custom Design Options: Match widget style to your store design.
  • Real-Time Analytics: Monitor usage and success in your dashboard.

Pros:

  • Rich customization even on free plan
  • Beautiful, modern interface
  • Excellent customer support
  • Scales well with store growth

Cons:

  • Free plan limited to 250 orders/month
  • Some advanced design features behind paywall
  • Can feel feature-heavy for smaller stores

Premium Loyalty Apps

#1. Rise.ai

Rise.ai offers a comprehensive solution and one of the best loyalty app for small businesses looking to implement both loyalty and gift card programs. With features such as automated points-based loyalty systems, customizable rewards, and integration with leading eCommerce platforms, Rise.ai helps businesses increase customer retention and revenue. Its gift card functionality allows businesses to offer store credits, gift cards, and promotions to incentivize purchases and enhance the customer experience.

  • Pricing: Starts at $16.99/month
  • Key Features:
    • Gift card and store credit functionality
    • Automated loyalty points system
    • Customizable rewards and promotions
    • Integration with major eCommerce platforms
  • Pros:
    • Affordable pricing plans
    • Advanced automation features
    • Seamless integration with eCommerce platforms
  • Cons:
    • Limited customization options for certain features
    • Some users may find the interface overwhelming

#2. Smile.io

Smile.io is a versatile customer loyalty app designed to help small businesses build and manage customized rewards programs. With a user-friendly interface, Smile.io allows you to create points-based loyalty programs, tiered rewards structures, and referral programs. Its flexible features enable you to incentivize customer engagement, drive repeat purchases, and foster brand loyalty.

  • Pricing: Starts at $49/month
  • Key Features:
    • Points-based rewards system
    • Customizable earning and redemption rules
    • Well integration with major eCommerce platforms such as Shopify, BigCommerce, and Magento
    • Tiered loyalty programs
  • Pros:
    • Easy-to-use interface
    • Flexible reward options
    • Integration with various eCommerce platforms
  • Cons:
    • Pricing may be prohibitive for very small businesses
    • Limited customization options for certain features

#3. ReferralCandy

ReferralCandy is a digital loyalty app that focuses on harnessing the power of word-of-mouth marketing to help small businesses acquire new customers and boost sales. By incentivizing clients to refer friends and family, ReferralCandy automates the referral process, tracks referrals, and rewards advocates with incentives like discounts or store credits. With easy setup and integration with various eCommerce platforms, ReferralCandy empowers businesses to tap into their existing customer base to drive growth through referrals.

  • Pricing: Starts at $59/month
  • Key Features:
    • Automated referral tracking and rewards
    • Customizable referral campaigns
    • Integration with popular eCommerce platforms
    • Performance analytics and reporting
  • Pros:
    • Easy setup and integration
    • Encourages customer advocacy and loyalty
    • Transparent pricing
  • Cons:
    • Limited features compared to comprehensive loyalty platforms
    • May require additional marketing efforts to maximize effectiveness

#4. LoyaltyLion

LoyaltyLion is a robust loyalty app builder designed to help small businesses create and manage personalized rewards programs. With features such as points-based loyalty programs, customizable rewards and incentives, and advanced segmentation and targeting, LoyaltyLion enables businesses to increase customer engagement, retention, and lifetime value. Its seamless integration with major eCommerce platforms and dedicated support team make it a scalable solution for businesses of all sizes.

  • Pricing: Starts at $199/month
  • Key Features:
    • Points-based loyalty programs
    • Customizable rewards and incentives
    • Advanced segmentation and targeting
    • Integration with major eCommerce platforms
  • Pros:
    • Powerful customization and targeting options
    • Dedicated support team
    • Scalable for businesses of all sizes
  • Cons:
    • Higher starting price compared to other solutions
    • Complexity may require additional time for setup and management

#5. Marsello

Marsello is an omnichannel marketing platform tailored to small businesses, offering loyalty app features, email marketing, and customer segmentation. With capabilities for implementing points-based loyalty programs, automating email marketing, and segmenting customers depending on behavior and preferences, Marsello helps businesses drive customer engagement, retention, and revenue. Its user-friendly interface and affordable pricing plans make it an accessible solution for small businesses looking to implement effective marketing strategies.

  • Pricing: Starts at $125/month
  • Key Features:
    • Points-based loyalty programs
    • Email marketing automation
    • Customer segmentation and targeting
    • Integration with leading eCommerce platforms
  • Pros:
    • Affordable pricing plans
    • User-friendly interface
    • Comprehensive marketing features
  • Cons:
    • Limited customization options for certain features
    • May require additional integrations for specific needs

#6. Capillary Loyalty+

Capillary Loyalty+ is a comprehensive loyalty management platform for small businesses to build and manage loyalty programs across multiple channels. With features such as points-based rewards systems, omnichannel loyalty management, and advanced analytics and reporting, Capillary Loyalty+ empowers businesses to drive customer engagement, increase retention, and maximize revenue. Its customizable nature and integration capabilities with CRM and POS systems make it a scalable solution for small businesses looking to implement sophisticated loyalty strategies.

  • Pricing: Contact sales
  • Key Features:
    • Points-based rewards system
    • Omnichannel loyalty management
    • Advanced analytics and reporting
    • Integration with CRM and POS systems
  • Pros:
    • Scalable solution for enterprise-level businesses
    • Robust analytics and reporting capabilities
    • Customizable to meet specific business needs
  • Cons:
    • Pricing may be prohibitive for small businesses
    • Complex implementation and setup process

What to Consider When Looking for a Loyalty Program App?

When selecting a loyalty app program for your business, it's essential to consider some key considerations as follows.

  1. Diverse Points and Rewards Systems: Look for a loyalty app that offers flexibility in points and rewards systems. It should allow you to customize rewards based on customer behavior, preferences, and purchasing patterns. Options such as points, discounts, freebies, or exclusive access can enhance customer engagement and satisfaction.
  2. Customization and Personalization: Choose an app that enables customization and personalization of the loyalty program to fit your brand identity and target audience. This includes branding elements, messaging, and reward offerings tailored to different customer segments.
  3. Automations and Scalability: An effective loyalty program app should streamline operations through automation while remaining scalable as your business grows. Automated features such as reward issuance, communication, and tracking can save time and resources while ensuring a seamless customer experience.
  4. Fraud Prevention: Security is paramount when implementing a loyalty program. Look for features within the app that offer fraud prevention measures, such as authentication protocols, transaction monitoring, and fraud detection algorithms.
  5. Comprehensive Analytics and Reporting: Opt for an app that provides robust analytics and reporting capabilities. It should offer insights into customer behavior, program performance, and ROI metrics. 
  6. Integration Capabilities and Compatibility: Ensure that the loyalty program app integrates seamlessly with your existing systems, such as POS systems, CRM software, or eCommerce platforms. Compatibility with third-party applications and APIs allows for data synchronization and enhances the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the program.

To Sum Up

In conclusion, loyalty apps play a crucial role in helping small businesses retain customers, drive repeat purchases, and ultimately, increase revenue. Whether you're looking to implement a points-based rewards system, harness the power of customer referrals, or showcase authentic customer reviews, there's a loyalty app tailored to meet your business's specific needs. If you are in tight budget, you can go for the free loyalty apps, especially Reton which is a loyalty app download free and offer all features without any fee.