Best Loyalty Apps for UK Cafes in 2026 [Comparison]

Running a cafe in the UK means competing with everything from major chains with sophisticated rewards programmes to the independent down the road offering paper stamp cards. Digital loyalty apps promise the best of both worlds: the personal touch of an indie with the slick technology customers now expect.

But which app actually makes sense for your cafe? The market is crowded with options, each claiming to boost retention and drive repeat visits. Some are brilliant. Others will cost you more than they're worth.

This guide compares the leading loyalty apps available to UK cafes in 2026, with honest assessments of pricing, features and real-world usability. We've included Lokaly in this comparison because we believe our platform stands up well against the competition, but we'll let you be the judge.

What to Look for in a Cafe Loyalty App

Before diving into specific platforms, it helps to understand what actually matters for a cafe environment.

Speed at the till is non-negotiable. Your morning rush doesn't have time for customers fumbling with apps or staff navigating complex systems. The best loyalty apps add seconds to a transaction, not minutes.

Customer adoption determines whether your programme succeeds or fails. If only 10% of customers bother to sign up, you're not building loyalty. You're running a discount scheme for a small group of regulars who would have come back anyway.

Data and insights help you understand your business better. How often do customers visit? When do they come? Who's at risk of churning? The right app turns loyalty into intelligence.

Cost versus value matters more for cafes than almost any other business type. Your margins are tight. A £50/month subscription needs to drive measurable results to justify itself.

Discovery features are often overlooked but can be powerful. Some apps help new customers find your cafe, turning loyalty from a pure retention tool into a customer acquisition channel.

The Contenders

We've evaluated five platforms that work well for UK cafes: Stamp Me, SQUID Loyalty, Loyalzoo, Magic Stamp and Lokaly. Each has different strengths depending on your priorities.

Stamp Me

Price: From $29/month (approximately £23/month)

Best for: Cafes wanting a proven, global platform with strong marketing features

Stamp Me is one of the most established names in digital loyalty, operating across 80+ countries. For UK cafes, it offers a polished experience with a track record of success.

The platform works through a customer-facing app where users collect digital stamps. Cafes can issue stamps using NFC-enabled hardware (StampPod or StampTag) or QR codes. The system integrates with email platforms like Mailchimp, making it straightforward to run email marketing alongside your loyalty programme.

Strengths: Mature platform with reliable technology. Strong customer communication features including push notifications and SMS. Proven across thousands of cafes worldwide. Good analytics dashboard.

Weaknesses: Pricing in US dollars can make budgeting awkward for UK businesses. The global focus means less attention to UK-specific needs. No free tier for businesses just starting out.

Cafe verdict: A solid, safe choice if you're willing to invest from day one. Works best for established cafes with predictable customer volumes who want robust marketing automation.

SQUID Loyalty

Price: €20/month (approximately £17/month)

Best for: Cafes in areas with existing SQUID user bases, particularly Ireland and parts of the UK

SQUID originated in Ireland and has built a strong presence across Ireland and the UK, with over 2,000 businesses and 500,000+ app users. The platform uses NFC tap-to-collect technology, making stamp collection quick and satisfying for customers.

What sets SQUID apart is its discovery feature. Customers using the app can find cafes on a map, meaning you potentially gain new customers simply by being on the platform. The Wave feature also lets customers earn points through everyday spending and redeem them at your cafe, creating another acquisition channel.

Strengths: Strong discovery and marketplace features help attract new customers. NFC tap-to-collect is fast and intuitive. Good customer support with proactive success team. Competitive pricing.

Weaknesses: App has received some negative reviews for reliability issues. Strongest in Ireland, so UK coverage varies by area. Customer base concentration matters; if few people in your area use SQUID, discovery benefits are limited.

Cafe verdict: Excellent if you're in an area where SQUID has strong penetration. The discovery features can genuinely bring in new faces. Worth checking how many SQUID users are near your location before committing.

Loyalzoo

Price: From $57/month (approximately £45/month) or usage-based at $0.15/member/month (capped at $99/month)

Best for: Cafes already using compatible EPOS systems like Clover or Lightspeed

Loyalzoo takes a different approach by integrating directly with electronic point-of-sale systems. Rather than requiring a separate app or device, loyalty happens through your existing till. Customers can join using just their phone number or email, without downloading anything.

This no-app-required approach removes friction for customers who don't want another app on their phone. The platform also offers subscription features, allowing cafes to run membership programmes like coffee clubs alongside traditional stamp cards.

Strengths: No customer app download required reduces friction. Deep EPOS integration means stamps happen automatically with purchases. Subscription and membership features add flexibility. Strong UK presence.

Weaknesses: Highest price point of the options reviewed. Works best with specific EPOS systems; can feel clunky without native integration. Less effective for cafes wanting to reach customers outside the till environment.

Cafe verdict: Makes sense if you're already on Clover or Lightspeed and want loyalty baked into your existing workflow. The higher price and EPOS dependency make it harder to recommend for cafes on simpler systems.

Magic Stamp

Price: £29/month per location

Best for: Cafes wanting UK-focused support with a quirky, memorable stamp experience

Magic Stamp is a UK-based platform that takes a distinctive approach to stamping. Instead of NFC tags or QR codes, staff physically touch a special "Magic Stamp" device to the customer's phone screen. It's a bit theatrical but creates a memorable interaction.

The platform includes campaign tools for targeted promotions, pre-payment options for coffee subscriptions, and remote Magic Codes for rewarding delivery and takeaway orders.

Strengths: UK-focused company with local support. The physical stamping creates a memorable moment. Good tools for delivery and takeaway loyalty. Operates in 24 countries but maintains UK focus.

Weaknesses: Initial setup takes more time and effort than some competitors. The physical stamping method doesn't suit every cafe's style. Some users report the app can be temperamental on certain phones. Feature set can feel overwhelming for simple needs.

Cafe verdict: A good option if you want UK-based support and like the idea of the physical stamp interaction. Better suited to cafes willing to invest time in setup and training.

Lokaly

Price: Free (Starter), £10/month (Growth), £25/month (Power)

Best for: UK cafes wanting affordable digital loyalty with customer discovery features

Lokaly is built specifically for small UK businesses like cafes, salons and retailers. The platform uses NFC tap-to-collect technology: customers download the Lokaly app and tap their phone on your NFC card to collect stamps.

Beyond the core loyalty features, Lokaly functions as a local discovery platform. The "Nearby" feature helps customers find participating businesses, while the Offers marketplace lets you publish deals to attract new visitors. This dual focus on retention and acquisition sets it apart from pure loyalty tools.

Strengths: Free tier makes it risk-free to start. UK-focused with British business needs in mind. Discovery and offers features help attract new customers, not just retain existing ones. Simple NFC tap-to-collect is fast at the till. Competitive pricing at paid tiers.

Weaknesses: Newer platform with a smaller user base than established competitors. Discovery benefits grow as more customers and businesses join. Customer limits on lower tiers (50 on Starter, 250 on Growth).

Cafe verdict: The free Starter plan makes Lokaly the obvious choice for cafes wanting to test digital loyalty without financial commitment. The discovery features offer genuine acquisition potential as the platform grows. Best suited to independent cafes who want an affordable, UK-focused solution.

Feature Comparison at a Glance

When comparing these platforms directly, a few patterns emerge.

For pure affordability, Lokaly's free tier is unmatched. No other platform lets you run a digital loyalty programme at zero cost, making it ideal for cafes testing the waters.

For EPOS integration, Loyalzoo leads if you're on a compatible system. The seamless till integration removes the need for separate devices or customer app downloads.

For discovery and acquisition, SQUID and Lokaly both offer features that can bring new customers through your door, not just reward existing ones. SQUID's larger user base gives it an edge in areas where it's already established.

For marketing automation, Stamp Me offers the most mature communication tools, including email integration and sophisticated segmentation.

For UK-specific support, Magic Stamp and Lokaly stand out as UK-based platforms built with British businesses in mind.

Pricing Comparison

Monthly costs vary significantly across these platforms:

For a small cafe watching every pound, the difference between free and £45/month is significant. Over a year, that's the difference between £0 and £540.

Making the Right Choice

The best loyalty app depends on your specific situation.

Choose Lokaly if: You want to start for free, you value UK-focused features and support, and you like the idea of discovery features that can bring in new customers. The Growth plan at £10/month offers excellent value once you outgrow the Starter limits.

Choose SQUID if: You're in an area with strong SQUID adoption (check their map), you want proven NFC technology, and the discovery marketplace appeals to you.

Choose Stamp Me if: You want a mature, global platform with proven reliability and you're comfortable with the higher price point. Good for cafes already doing email marketing who want integration.

Choose Loyalzoo if: You use Clover or Lightspeed and want loyalty built into your EPOS. The seamless integration can be worth the premium.

Choose Magic Stamp if: You like the idea of the physical stamping experience and want UK-based support. Better for cafes willing to invest time in initial setup.

Getting Started

Whichever platform you choose, success depends on execution as much as technology.

Train your staff thoroughly. The best app fails if your team can't explain it to customers or use it confidently during busy periods.

Promote consistently. Table talkers, counter signs, verbal reminders from staff. Customers won't join a programme they don't know exists.

Set appropriate rewards. Too easy and you're giving away margin unnecessarily. Too hard and customers lose motivation. For cafes, the classic "buy 9 get 1 free" strikes a reasonable balance.

Review your data. Monthly check-ins on customer activity, redemption rates and visit frequency help you understand whether your programme is working.