How Much Does a Cafe Loyalty Program Cost?
Complete pricing breakdown for paper cards, apps, POS systems, and QR-based loyalty
Cafe loyalty programs range from $50/year for paper stamp cards (with zero analytics) to $299+/month for app-based platforms. QR-based loyalty like My Cafe Loyalty starts at $49/month and includes analytics, SMS engagement, and automated Google Reviews — no app downloads required. A free plan is available with no credit card needed.
In This Guide
If you own a cafe in Australia, you have probably considered starting a loyalty program. Loyalty programs are one of the most proven ways to increase repeat visits, build a base of regulars, and boost revenue. But the question every cafe owner asks first is: how much will it actually cost?
The answer depends entirely on which type of loyalty program you choose. There are four main approaches: traditional paper stamp cards, app-based platforms, POS-integrated loyalty, and QR code-based systems. Each comes with very different cost structures, capabilities, and trade-offs.
This guide breaks down the real costs of each approach — including the hidden expenses that vendors often do not mention upfront — so you can make an informed decision for your cafe. All prices are in Australian dollars.
1. Paper Stamp Cards
Typical Cost: $50 - $200 per year
Paper stamp cards are the oldest form of cafe loyalty. A customer gets a physical card, and each purchase earns a stamp. After a set number of stamps (usually 8-10), they receive a free coffee. The main appeal is simplicity and low upfront cost.
Cost Breakdown
What You Get
Bottom line: Paper cards are the cheapest option on paper, but you get what you pay for. With no customer data, no re-engagement capability, and high card loss rates, the money you save on the program is often lost through missed opportunities to drive repeat visits and prevent fraud.
2. App-Based Loyalty Platforms
Typical Cost: $49 - $299+ per month
App-based loyalty platforms (like Stamp Me, Belly, or LoyaltyLion) require customers to download a dedicated mobile app. They offer more features than paper cards — including analytics, push notifications, and customer data — but come with significantly higher costs and a major adoption barrier.
Cost Breakdown
What You Get
Bottom line: App-based platforms offer strong features, but the requirement for customers to download an app is a significant barrier. For a busy cafe with a 30-second interaction window, asking someone to find, download, install, and open an app is asking too much. Many cafe owners report that only a small fraction of their customers actually complete the download.
3. POS-Integrated Loyalty
Typical Cost: "Free" to $60+ per month
Some POS systems (like Square Loyalty or Lightspeed) offer built-in loyalty features. These are often marketed as "free" or low-cost add-ons, but there are important caveats. The loyalty feature is typically basic, and you are locked into that specific POS ecosystem for all your payment processing.
Cost Breakdown
What You Get
Bottom line: POS-integrated loyalty is convenient if you already use that POS system, but it locks you into their ecosystem. The loyalty features are typically basic compared to dedicated platforms, with no SMS engagement, no Google Reviews automation, and limited customisation. If you ever want to switch POS providers, you lose your entire loyalty program and all customer data.
4. QR Code-Based Loyalty
Typical Cost: $49 - $350 per month
QR-based loyalty is the newest approach and the one gaining the most traction with Australian cafes. Customers scan a QR code at the counter with their phone camera — no app download required. They enter their phone number once, and they are enrolled instantly. Each return visit is a 30-second scan. The platform captures customer data, enables SMS communication, and can automate Google Review requests.
Cost Breakdown (My Cafe Loyalty)
What You Get
Bottom line: QR-based loyalty hits the sweet spot between cost and capability. It is cheaper than most app-based platforms, far more capable than paper cards, and works independently of your POS system. The no-app-download model removes the biggest adoption barrier — customers can join in under 30 seconds by scanning with their phone camera.
See QR-based loyalty in action
Free plan available — set up in 5 minutes, no credit card, 30 customers included.
Try It FreeSide-by-Side Cost Comparison
Annual costs for a typical Australian cafe
| Cost Category | Paper Cards | App-Based | POS-Integrated | QR-Based (MCL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Setup Cost | $100 - $300 | $0 - $200 | $0 - $1,500+ | $0 (free plan) |
| Monthly Cost | $10 - $30 | $49 - $299 | $45 - $60 | $49 - $350 |
| Annual Cost (typical) | $200 - $500 | $1,200 - $3,600 | $540 - $720 | $588 - $4,200 |
| Customer Analytics | Basic | |||
| SMS Marketing | Some platforms | |||
| Google Reviews Automation | ||||
| App Download Required | Yes | Sometimes | No | |
| Fraud Prevention | ||||
| POS Lock-In | None | None | Yes | None |
6. ROI Calculation: Does It Pay for Itself?
The question is not just "how much does it cost?" but "does it generate more revenue than it costs?" Here is a conservative ROI calculation for a typical Australian cafe.
Conservative ROI Scenario
Assumptions
- - 100 regular customers enrolled in your loyalty program
- - Loyalty program encourages 1 extra visit per month per regular
- - Average spend per visit: $12.00 (coffee + small side dish)
- - Using the Business plan ($169/month) — includes Google Reviews + 400 SMS
Monthly Revenue Gain
$1,200
100 customers x 1 extra visit x $12.00
Monthly Program Cost
$169
Business plan subscription
Net Monthly Profit from Loyalty
+$1,031/month
$12,372 additional profit per year (conservative estimate)
Additional Revenue Sources Not Included Above
The key insight: even a modest increase in visit frequency — just one extra visit per month from 100 regulars — generates over $1,000/month in net profit after the subscription cost. And this calculation does not include the value of new customers driven by improved Google Reviews, the revenue recovered from SMS retention campaigns, or the fraud prevented by digital verification. For most cafes, a loyalty program pays for itself within the first month.
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Get Started Free7. My Cafe Loyalty: Full Pricing Breakdown
Built specifically for Australian cafes. All prices in AUD. Free plan available — no credit card required.
Starter
$49/mo
For cafes getting started
- Up to 150 customers
- QR code check-ins
- Basic analytics dashboard
- Ticket support
- No SMS credits included
- No Google Reviews
Professional
$89/mo
For growing cafes
- Up to 300 customers
- 150 SMS credits/month
- Advanced analytics
- Custom branding
- Priority support
- No Google Reviews
Business
$169/mo
For established cafes
- Up to 600 customers
- 400 SMS credits/month
- Google Reviews automation
- Smart review timing
- Phone support
Enterprise
$350/mo
For high-volume cafes
- Unlimited customers (1 location)
- 1,000 SMS credits/month
- Google Reviews automation
- White-label branding
- Dedicated account manager
- SLA guarantees
SMS Credit Pricing
SMS credits are used for welcome messages, reward notifications, retention campaigns, and Google Review requests. Professional plan and above include monthly SMS credits. Additional credits can be purchased as prepaid bundles. Unused credits roll over month-to-month and never expire.
Included Monthly Credits
- Starter: No SMS credits included
- Professional: 150 SMS/month
- Business: 400 SMS/month
- Enterprise: 1,000 SMS/month
Prepaid Bundles
- Per-message rate: from $0.10/SMS
- Available bundles: 50, 100, 250, 500
- Credits never expire
- Roll over month-to-month
Try My Cafe Loyalty Free
Free plan available. No credit card required. Full platform access for up to 30 customers.
Set up in 5 minutes: create your account, customise your branding, print a QR code poster, and start enrolling customers today.
Get Started Free8. Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest cafe loyalty program?
Paper stamp cards have the lowest upfront cost ($50-200/year for printing), but they offer zero analytics, no customer data, and high fraud rates. QR-based loyalty programs like My Cafe Loyalty start at $49/month and include analytics, SMS engagement, and fraud prevention — delivering far better value per dollar spent.
How much do SMS credits cost for cafe loyalty programs?
With My Cafe Loyalty, SMS credits cost from $0.10 per message. The Professional plan ($89/month) includes 150 SMS credits per month, while the Business plan ($169/month) includes 400. Additional prepaid bundles are available in packs of 50, 100, 250, or 500 messages, and unused credits roll over month-to-month.
Is there a free plan for cafe loyalty programs?
My Cafe Loyalty offers a free plan with no credit card required. You get full access to the platform on the free plan, including QR code check-ins, the analytics dashboard, and customer management features for up to 30 customers. Setup takes about 5 minutes.
What is the ROI of a cafe loyalty program?
If a loyalty program encourages just 100 regulars to visit one extra time per month at an average spend of $12 (coffee + side dish), that generates $1,200/month in additional revenue. Even on the Business plan at $169/month, that is a net profit of over $1,000/month. Add in automated Google Reviews driving new customer acquisition, and the ROI increases further. Most cafes see positive returns within the first month.
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