4 LoyaltyLion alternatives for small businesses, and when to stay with LoyaltyLion
LoyaltyLion runs loyalty programs for Shopify brands, with points, referrals, tiers and many integrations. If your online store depends on it, you may not need to switch. Here are other loyalty options, plus VISU, a different approach for local businesses that is not a loyalty program.
Short answer
For an online store on Shopify, compare LoyaltyLion with Smile.io and Yotpo. For a physical shop with a POS, look at Kangaroo Rewards. Choose VISU if you run a local business and want a free business page and QR campaigns that reach people in the VISU app, without a loyalty program.
When to stay with LoyaltyLion
- Your Shopify store rewards purchases, reviews and referrals with points. VISU has no points and no Shopify integration.
- Tiers keep your best customers spending more. VISU does not offer tiers.
- Your loyalty data flows into your email and marketing tools through integrations. VISU does not connect to them.
The alternatives
- 1
VISU Local + VISU Ads
Our productBest for: Local businesses that want to be found and give people a reason to scan, without running a loyalty program.
Strong points
- Free business page with address, map, opening hours and phone, plus a QR code.
- QR ad campaigns from the Starter plan, with budgets from $1. People who scan earn VISU Credits paid by your campaign.
- Reaches people who use the VISU app, not only customers you already have.
Limits
- No points, stamp cards, tiers or referral rewards for your own customers.
- No POS or Shopify integration.
- VISU Credits are used inside the VISU app. They are not cash.
- 2
Smile.io
A loyalty app built for Shopify stores, with points, referrals and VIP tiers, online and in Shopify POS. A good fit if your store runs on Shopify.
Smile.io alternatives - 3
Yotpo
Loyalty and referrals for ecommerce brands, next to Yotpo reviews. A good fit if you already use Yotpo or want reviews and loyalty from one vendor.
Yotpo alternatives - 4
Kangaroo Rewards
A loyalty platform for local businesses with points, punch cards, tiers, referrals, email and SMS, and POS integrations. A good fit when you want a full program that connects to your POS.
Kangaroo Rewards alternatives
Feature comparison
| Feature | VISU | LoyaltyLion |
|---|---|---|
| Points or stamp cards for your customers | No | Yes |
| Referral rewards for your customers | No | Yes |
| VIP tiers or member levels | No | Yes |
| POS or ecommerce integrations | No | Yes |
| Free plan, no credit card | Yes | Yes |
| Local business page with map and hours | YesOn every plan | Check their site |
| Dynamic QR codes with editable destination | Yes2 on Free | Check their site |
| QR ad campaigns shown to VISU app users | YesFrom Starter | No |
Competitor features as listed on their public sites when this page was written. They change often, so check before you decide.
Questions
Is VISU a loyalty program like LoyaltyLion?
No. VISU has no points, stamp cards, tiers or POS integration. It offers a free business page with a map and QR code, and VISU Ads QR campaigns, from the Starter plan, where people who scan earn VISU Credits paid by the campaign.
Can I use VISU alongside LoyaltyLion?
Yes. Keep your loyalty program in LoyaltyLion and use VISU for a local business page and QR campaigns that reach people who use the VISU app.
Do people who scan my campaign get cash?
No. People earn VISU Credits to use in the VISU app. VISU Credits are not cash, and withdrawals are not available yet.
Does VISU have a free plan?
Yes. The Free plan needs no credit card and includes one VISU Link, a local page, 2 dynamic QR codes and 7 days of analytics. VISU Ads campaigns start on the Starter plan at $5 per month.
Is VISU an option for my online store?
Not as a loyalty program. VISU has no checkout or ecommerce integration. For a Shopify store, LoyaltyLion, Smile.io and Yotpo are the real options.
Try VISU next to what you use today
Create a free VISU Link, share it by link or QR code and compare it with your current setup.
VISU plans: Free plan, no credit card. Paid plans: Starter $5/month, Pro $9/month, Premium $24/month. See all plans
All trademarks and brand names on this page belong to their owners. Feature information is based on public sources and may change. For corrections, contact us.