Best Loyalty Programs for Cafes in Australia (2026 Comparison)

Finding the best loyalty programs for cafes in Australia matters more in 2026 than ever. The cafe industry is competitive — there are over 20,000 cafes across the country — and customer retention is what separates thriving cafes from those that struggle. A well-run loyalty program turns one-time visitors into regulars, and regulars into advocates who leave Google reviews and bring their friends.

But choosing the right platform is genuinely confusing. Some require app downloads (which most customers resist). Some are free but lock you into a specific POS system. Others charge hundreds per month for features you may never use. And paper punch cards — the default for decades — still work, but come with real trade-offs around fraud, data, and cost.

This guide compares seven loyalty options available to Australian cafes in 2026. We have included our own platform, My Cafe Loyalty, alongside well-known competitors. We have tried to be straightforward about what each option does well and where it falls short, so you can make an informed decision for your cafe.

1. My Cafe Loyalty

My Cafe Loyalty is a QR code-based loyalty platform built specifically for Australian cafes. Customers scan a QR code poster at the counter with their phone camera, enter their phone number and name, and they are enrolled instantly. No app download is required. The platform tracks visits, manages rewards (default: 10 visits = 1 free coffee), and provides an analytics dashboard.

What sets it apart from most competitors is that it combines loyalty, automated Google review requests, and SMS engagement in a single platform. On the Business plan ($169/month), the system can automatically send SMS review requests at configurable visit thresholds (for example, after the 3rd, 5th, and 10th visit) — all Google-compliant with no incentivised reviews or review gating.

It also includes a customer portal where customers can check their progress, manage privacy preferences, and export or delete their data — useful for Australian Privacy Act compliance.

2. Stamp Me

Stamp Me is one of the more established loyalty apps in the Australian market. It is an app-based platform where customers download the Stamp Me app, search for your cafe, and then collect digital stamps. The interface mimics a physical stamp card, which makes the concept immediately familiar to customers.

Stamp Me offers a polished experience with push notifications, in-app rewards, and decent analytics. It also supports multiple reward tiers and can be customised with your cafe branding inside the app.

3. Square Loyalty

If you already use Square as your POS system, Square Loyalty is worth serious consideration. It integrates directly with your existing Square terminal, which means customers earn points automatically when they pay — no separate scan or check-in step required. This creates the smoothest possible customer experience.

The integration with Square's broader ecosystem (payments, invoicing, team management) is the main draw. Customer data flows into a single dashboard, and you get automatic purchase history alongside loyalty data.

4. Loopy Loyalty

Loopy Loyalty takes an interesting approach: it creates digital stamp cards that live in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. Customers do not need to download a separate app — instead, they add a loyalty card to their phone's built-in wallet. Staff stamp the card via a web-based stamper tool.

This wallet-based approach is a good middle ground between a full app and a completely web-based system. The card sits alongside the customer's credit cards and boarding passes, which means good visibility without the friction of an app install.

5. BonusQR

BonusQR is a QR code-based digital stamp card system. Customers scan a QR code at the counter and receive a digital stamp card in their phone's browser or wallet. It is simple, lightweight, and focused on doing one thing: replacing physical stamp cards with a digital equivalent.

The platform is a good option for cafe owners who want the simplest possible digital loyalty setup without a full analytics platform or marketing tools. It is particularly popular with small, single-location cafes that want to move away from paper but do not need advanced features.

6. Flex Rewards

Flex Rewards is an Australian-made loyalty platform that targets hospitality businesses more broadly (cafes, restaurants, bars). It features a tablet-based check-in at the counter, where customers tap or scan to earn points. The system supports multiple reward types and tiered loyalty levels.

Being Australian-built means local support, AUD pricing, and features designed for the Australian hospitality market. It is a solid mid-range option for cafes that want more than a basic stamp card but do not need SMS or Google review automation.

7. Paper Punch Cards

The original loyalty program. Print cards with 10 circles, stamp one per visit, give a free coffee when the card is full. Paper cards have been the default for Australian cafes for decades, and they still work for the most basic use case: giving customers a reason to come back.

The appeal is simplicity and zero monthly costs. However, paper cards come with significant hidden costs (printing, fraud, lost cards) and zero customer data. For a deeper comparison, see our digital loyalty vs physical cards breakdown.

Side-by-Side Comparison

*Square Loyalty requires the Square POS app, but customers do not need a separate app. Pricing is approximate and may have changed since publication. Always verify current pricing on each provider's website.

Which Is Right for Your Cafe?

There is no single "best" loyalty program — it depends on your cafe's size, budget, existing POS system, and what you want to achieve beyond basic visit tracking. Here are our honest recommendations by scenario:

Key Takeaways

Frequently Asked Questions