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4 Smile.io alternatives for small businesses, and when to stay with Smile.io

Smile.io is a loyalty app for Shopify stores, with points, referrals and VIP tiers. If your store runs on Shopify and the program works, 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 loyalty in a Shopify store, the real alternatives are LoyaltyLion and Yotpo. For a shop or salon 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 Smile.io

  • Your store runs on Shopify and your customers earn and redeem points at checkout. VISU has no Shopify integration and no points.
  • Referral rewards and VIP tiers drive your repeat sales. VISU does not offer them.
  • You sell in store with Shopify POS and want loyalty online and offline. That is what Smile.io is built for.

The alternatives

  1. 1

    VISU Local + VISU Ads

    Our product

    Best 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.

    See how VISU Ads works See VISU Local

  2. 2

    LoyaltyLion

    A loyalty platform for Shopify brands with points, referrals, tiers and a wallet pass, plus many integrations. A good fit for a growing online store.

    LoyaltyLion alternatives
  3. 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. 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

FeatureVISUSmile.io
Points or stamp cards for your customersNoYes
Referral rewards for your customersNoYes
VIP tiers or member levelsNoYes
POS or ecommerce integrationsNoYes
Free plan, no credit cardYesCheck their site
Local business page with map and hoursYesOn every planCheck their site
Dynamic QR codes with editable destinationYes2 on FreeCheck their site
QR ad campaigns shown to VISU app usersYesFrom StarterNo

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 Smile.io?

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 Smile.io?

Yes. Keep your loyalty program in Smile.io 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.

Does VISU work with Shopify?

No. VISU has no Shopify app or integration. If your loyalty program lives in Shopify, stay with Smile.io or compare LoyaltyLion and Yotpo.

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

Create your free VISU LinkTalk to VISU

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.