Choosing the right affordable loyalty programs can help you save on loyalty management costs. However, it can be hard for many business owners to find loyalty program apps that don’t break the bank.

Do not worry—you have come right here. This blog uncovers the top 10 budget-friendly loyalty solutions that meet your expectations.

Importance of Loyalty Programs for Businesses

Marketing Professor Frederick Newell perfectly captured the essence of loyalty programs when he said:

“In a world of diminishing marginal returns from advertising, loyalty is the holy grail of marketing.”

Loyalty programs are crucial for success, especially for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).

• Building Loyalty: 

Research from Yotpo shows that more than 60% of reward programs make people more loyal to a brand. By giving people rewards, you can get them to choose your business over others.

• Increased Customer Retention: 

Customer acquisition costs 5–25 times more than retention. Loyalty programs encourage repeat purchases, which keeps important consumers returning for more.

• Boosted Sales: 

The press that Fred Reichheld writes about connects reward programs to more sales. It has been shown that keeping 5% more customers can lead to a 25% rise in profits. Because repeat customers pay more.

• Deeper Engagement: 

Loyalty programs go beyond commerce. They collect information about your customers and let you send and receive focused ads and messages. This helps build communities and keep your brand in mind.

That’s why loyalty programs are an essential investment, not a luxury, for SMEs.

How to Choose An Affordable Loyalty Program?

Here are some things to look for in the best low-cost reward programs that will help you build brand loyalty without spending a lot of money:

Features Vs. Cost

Don’t worry about the fancy parts of your business that you might not use. Some important things about it:

• Points System: This is a standard part of reward programs; customers can get points for buying, reviews, and social media activity.
• Reward Tiers: Set up stages to encourage people to keep participating. In higher tiers, customers can get more points, special deals, or new goods before anyone else.
• Basic Reporting: Track loyalty program metrics such as rewards redeemed, repeat purchase rate (RPR), customer satisfaction score (CSAT), active engagement rate, etc. This allows you to assess program performance and make adjustments.

Once you determine what features are most essential, choose affordable reward program applications. Several affordable options provide the basic features small and medium-sized businesses require without excessive monthly charges.

Pricing

Although loyalty programs are quite beneficial, finding budget-friendly loyalty solutions is crucial. Luckily, many loyalty program app providers provide flexible pricing:

Tiered Pricing: 

It may provide several plans with increasing degrees of features and services at fixed costs. Higher levels cost more to reflect their added value.

Smaller businesses may use basic plans with fundamental services but tiered rewards with limited options. Higher levels provide greater flexibility and capabilities but cost more.

Transaction Fee-Based: 

This approach charges a small fee for each transaction, like an online shop sale. High-volume sellers will love this, but fees can grow fast, especially if your average order value is low.

Subscription-Based: 

You pay a regular fee (monthly, yearly, etc.) with a subscription price. 

While cost is a factor, it is not the only one! In the next part, we’ll talk about some more important things you should think about when picking a loyalty program app. This will help you maximize your program and cut hidden expenditures.

User-Friendly & Affordable Loyalty Program Software

Easy use (user-friendly interface) tool should be the first thing you look for in an inexpensive loyalty program. It includes:

• Loyalty Widgets: You can make fun award programs with pre-made designs and editing tools.
• Tiered Rewards: Setting up levels and tracking rewards is simple with user-friendly platforms.
• Reward Redemption for discounts, free items, or special experiences. The software has a simple interface that makes it easy for you to use your rewards and for stores to manage them.
• Referral Program: Easy tools automatically track who customers tell about the program and give rewards. 

This can significantly reduce training costs associated with implementing a new loyalty program.

Customization Options

A one-size-fits-all strategy is seldom effective in business, and loyalty programs are no exception. Here are the customization features you should search for when selecting budget-friendly loyalty solutions:

• Customizable Rewards: This feature allows you to easily apply rewards only to certain items or set an expiration date for rewards.
• Customizable Brand: The program lets you change its look with brand colors, logos, and messages that match your brand.
• Customizable Program Mechanics will deliver customer-specific emails or incentives.
• Multilingual Support to expand your reach. 

Not every incentive system customization software is expensive. Choose the best low-cost reward program by considering what you need and how you want to grow.

Integration Capabilities

Many low-cost reward programs have advanced features that let you connect your account online and in-store, like

• POS Integration: To track in-store sales and give points, make sure the software works with your POS system.
• E-commerce Integration to keep track of your online sales and award points easily.
• Marketing Automation Integration to deliver customer-specific promos and rewards.

Seamless integrations are essential for creating a unified customer experience that fosters loyalty.

Customer Support 

Even the simplest loyalty program might confuse you or the staff. Check to see if the software has an information base, a phone number, email, and live chat. Choose software with help available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, if you want your prize program to work as well as it can.

Knowledgeable support staff can help you set up a loyalty program faster and more effectively.

Read more: Top 6 Shopify Loyalty Program Features.

Top 10 Affordable Loyalty Programs For Businesses

This list shows the top 10 loyalty programs app that won’t break your bank. 

1. BON Loyalty

One of the best free trials and demos of affordable loyalty software for Shopify stores is BON Loyalty.

Rating (2024): 5.0/5.0 ⭐ (1,497+).

Main Features:

• 18+ Point-Earning Actions: This gives users more methods to earn points, which may boost loyalty program membership.
• Unlimited Rewards enable program customization to meet company goals.
• Powerful Referral Program: An efficient referral program may encourage customer acquisition at little expense.

Customization Options: 

• Brand integration is possible by customizing the loyalty widget, page, emails, and content.
• Multilingual Support: Showcase loyalty widget and automated emails in over 250 languages

POS integration: Shopify POS, Checkout.

Integration with Review apps:

• Fera Product Reviews.
• LAI Product Reviews.
• Judge.me Product Reviews.

Other integrations: PageFly Landing Page Builder, Klaviyo: Email Marketing & SMS.

Customer Support: 24/7.

Pricing:

Free Trial: Free installation with a limit of 250 orders/month. No additional charges on orders.

2. Loyverse Loyalty 

Loyverse Loyalty is the best affordable loyalty program for restaurants.

Rating (2024): 4.8/5.0 ⭐ (452+) on Capterra.com

Main Features

• Customer Base: Analyze visit frequency and purchase quantities to find loyal customers.
• Purchase History: Customize customer interactions and suggestions using buy history.
• Customer Addresses: Print the customer addresses on receipts to simplify delivery orders.
• Loyalty Cards: Introduce digital or physical loyalty cards for the identification of customers and manual point monitoring.

Customization Options:

• Loyalty Card Design (Limited): Loyverse offers digital and physical loyalty cards but may limit customization. Your logo and basic branding may be included, but creative freedom is limited.
• Customer Notes: Customize customer preference notes for a more personal touch.

Integration Capabilities with eCommerce:

• Shopify.
• WooCommerce.
• BigCommerce.
• Wix.
• Lazada.
• Amazon.
• Squarespace.
• Kosmos eSync.
• AbanteCart Ecommerce.
• Octopus.
• Sqquid Multichannel.

Customer Support: 24/7 priority support via online chat.

Pricing: Free trial with managing loyalty program. No extra charges on orders

3. Smile.io Loyalty

Smile.io Loyalty requires no code to create a loyalty program; it only takes a few minutes!

Rating (2024): 4.9/5.0 ⭐ (6,077+).

Main Features

• Guest Rewards: Encourage guest shoppers to join by giving them points.
• Engagement Nudges: Remind customers of their points and referral links using automated “nudges” to increase program participation.

Customization Options:

• Brand Matching: Personalize the rewards launcher, panel, and emails to match your brand.
• Multilingual Support: Auto-translate your reward program into one of six languages to grow your consumer base.

POS integration: Shopify POS, Checkout.

Works with platforms: Shopify, BigCommerce, Wix.

Integration with Review apps: Okendo: Product Reviews & UGC

Integration with Email Marketing apps: Klaviyo: Email Marketing & SMS, Mailchimp.

Customer Support: A specialized staff answers inquiries and provides technical support.

Pricing: Basic package from $49/month for 500 orders.

Free trial with a limited 200 monthly orders. Extra $100 orders cost $20.

4. Yotpo Loyalty & Referrals

Rating (2024): 4.7/5.0 ⭐ (2,507+).

Main Features:

• 20+ Out-of-the-Box Campaigns: Use pre-built campaigns that motivate customers and program participants.
• Tiered Program Flexibility:  Set up a tiered program for different customer groups based on points, spending, and how often they buy.
• Detailed Loyalty & Referral Program Analytics: Understand consumer behavior.

Customization Options:

• Email & Communication Customization like welcome emails and reward notifications to match your brand tongue.
• Campaign Selection & Personalization: Personalize campaigns by choosing which activities earn points or incentives.

POS integration: Shopify POS, Checkout.

Works with platforms: Shopify, Adobe Commerce (Magento).

Integration: Yotpo’s ecosystem, Klaviyo: Email Marketing & SMS, SMSbump.

Customer Support 24/7: No.

Pricing:

Free trial with less than 100 monthly orders. $0.20/order after 500 monthly orders.

5. Zinrelo Loyalty Rewards Platform

Zinrelo Loyalty markets itself as an all-in-one tool for reward programs made for medium and big businesses.

Rating (2024): 4.8/5.0 ⭐ (‎49+) Capterra.com.

Main Features

• Omni-Channel Support: Consistently serve customers across channels.
• Tiered Programs: Divide consumers into levels to foster exclusivity and reward loyalty.
• Built-in Messaging Engine: Use tailored messages to connect with and engage customers on the platform.
• Flexible Reward Options: Run deals and give customers a choice of rewards to entice them to buy from you again without reducing your profits too much.

Customization Options:

• Full Customization: Make sure the reward program fits your business correctly.
• Multi-Language & Multi-Currency.

POS integration: Shopify POS, Clover POS, Checkout.

Works with platforms: Shopify, Adobe Commerce (Magento).

Integration with marketing tools:

• Klaviyo: Email Marketing & SMS.
• HubSpot Software.
• NetSuite Omnichannel Connector.
• Listrak’s Cross-Channel Marketing Automation Platform.
• PowerReviews.

Customer Support 24/7: No.

Pricing: Zinrelo’s monthly costs vary according to company size and goals.

Free trial to set up a Shopify store with 500 loyalty members.

6. LoyaltyLion Rewards & Referral

LoyaltyLion itself is a loyalty program solution created only for Shopify shops.

Rating (2024): 4.5/5.0 ⭐ (‎580+).

Main Features

• Social Media & Review Incentives to increase company visibility and social proof.
• Customer Segmentation & Insights to understand customer behavior.
• Email Marketing & Notifications: Targeted emails and loyalty reminders boost program engagement.
• Built-in Messaging Engine to connect with and engage customers right on the platform.
• Social Media & Review Incentives to increase company visibility and social proof.

Customization Options:

• Rewards Creation: Choose from pre-defined rewards kinds (discounts, free delivery) and specify custom award values.
• Free Loyalty Page Design (for Basic Plans and Above).

Integration with POS System: Shopify POS.

Integration with:

• ReCharge – Recharge Payments.
• Klaviyo – Klaviyo Marketing Automation.
• Okendo – Okendo Reviews & Ratings.
• Omnisend – Omnisend Email Marketing & SMS.
• Gorgias Helpdesk.
• Attentive – Attentive Mobile Marketing.

Customer Support 24/7: No.

Pricing:

Free trial starting to below 400 orders. No extra charges on orders

7. TapMango Customer Loyalty

TapMango Customer Loyalty is ideal for businesses with multiple locations.

Rating (2024): 4.8/5.0 ⭐ (160+) on Capterra.com.

Main Features

• Membership Programs: Create and administer premium membership programs.
• Performance Tracking & Insights: View detailed dashboards to measure program performance, consumer activity (visits, sign-ups, spending patterns), and success across many locations.
• Promotional Tools: Promo codes, digital punch cards (with visual progress monitoring for branded applications), and text-message flash promotions boost sales and engagement.
• Multi-Location Management: Run location-specific campaigns, limit rewards, share points, and produce location reconciliation reports for easier administration.
• Mobile Payments & Customer Tracking: Use TapMango or your mobile app to accept payments.

Customization Options:

• Customizable Loyalty Experience: You may customize the program’s appearance and feel to fit your brand.
• Flexible loyalty program options: Establish a points system with many methods of earning points (check-in, spending, special deals, VIP tiers).

Integration with POS system:

• Shopify POS.
• Square POS.
• Lightspeed Retail (X-Series) POS.
• Lightspeed Retail (R-Series) POS.
• Clover POS.
• MindBody POS.
• Toast | Restaurant POS.
• Open API POS.

Integration Capabilities with eCommerce: Shopify, BigCommerce.

Customer Support 24/7: No.

Pricing: For specific pricing, contact the TapMango sales team.

Free Trial: No. $20 per 100 monthly orders.

8. Fivestars Rewards

Fivestars is ideal for businesses with limited technical expertise.

Rating upload 2024: 4.6/5.0 ⭐ (1,280+) on Capterra.com

Main Features

• Customer Database & Tracking. Keep track of points and automatically give out rewards based on a database of customers.
• Customer Segmentation by demographics, spending habits, or custom tags.
• Data & Performance Tracking with a detailed dashboard, including new customer signups, repeat visits, and incentive redemption.

Customization Options: Customize a reward program with customer-friendly rewards (giveaways, discounts, experiences).

Integration with POS System: Shopify POS, Shopify Flow.

Customer Support 24/7: No.

Pricing: FiveStars provides $109–$199 monthly plans with text message overages.

Free Trial: No. After 150 monthly orders, $0.19/order.

9. Kangaroo Rewards

Kangaroo Rewards is a tool that has everything you need to manage a clever reward program.

Rating in 2024: 5.0/5.0 ⭐ (7+ reviews).

Main Features

• Point System with Multipliers to reward purchases, categories, and events.
• Promotional Engagement: Improve campaign sales and tailored incentives.
• Omnichannel Referrals. Allow recommendations across channels (store, internet, mobile app) for smooth customer acquisition.
• Referral Program Dashboard: Use a dashboard and real-time data to enhance your referral campaign.
• Real-time Analytics & Optimization: The Kangaroo Rewards dashboard lets you track and improve campaigns.

Customization Options:

• Reward Design: Create a points system with multipliers, pick among product rewards, punchcards, etc.
• Referral Program Management: Customize referral rewards, channels, and brand ambassador benefits.

Integration with POS System:

• Shopify POS.
• Heartland POS
• Lightspeed Retail (X-Series) POS.
• Lightspeed Retail (R-Series) POS.

Integration with apps:

• MailChimp.
• Klaviyo: Email Marketing & SMS (Upload Gold plans).
• Constant Contact: Email & SMS.
• Judge. me Product Reviews.

Customer Support 24/7: No.

Pricing:

Free Trial: No. After 1000 orders, 20 cents per order applies.

10. Annex Cloud Loyalty Platform

Annex Cloud bills itself as a feature-rich loyalty program with no additional fees.

Rating in 2024: 4.2/5.0 ⭐ (80+) on Capterra.com

Main Features

• All-Inclusive Feature Set: Annex Cloud offers all loyalty features, so you always get the newest possibilities.
• Zero-Party & First-Party Data Collection: Annex Cloud lets you get explicit (zero-party) and implicit (first-party) consumer data with permission.
• Export to BI Tools: You may export your data to BI tools for analysis and integration with your data ecosystem.

Customization Options: Limited customization.

Integration Capabilities with eCommerce:

• Adobe Commerce (Magento).
• BigCommerce.
• commercetools.
• Maropost.
• NetSuite SCA.
• Salesforce Commerce Cloud.
• SAP Commerce Cloud.
• Spryker Commerce.
• Workarea.

Customer Support 24/7: No.

Pricing: Beginning at $15,000 annually.

Free Trial: No.

Benefits Of Using Affordable Loyalty Programs For Startups

Affordable loyalty programs offer all the essential features to build powerful customer relationships without breaking the budget. Here is how these loyalty program options (Cost-Conscious) are affordable customer retention strategies for you:

Cost-Effectiveness

There is a strong link between customer trust and average spending. According to a BIA advisory study, loyal customers spend an amazing 67% more than customers who buy from you for the first time. It costs less to get new customers if you can keep the ones you already have. 

This is an affordable strategy for increasing customer lifetime value (CLTV).

Better Customer Insights

A lot of low-cost rewards program apps have built-in analytics that keep track of how customers act and what they like. You can make things better for your customers with this helpful knowledge.

Improved Customer Retention

Reward programs that are affordable for small businesses have point systems and simple reporting. Customers appreciate incentives, which strengthens connections. This double victory increases income and frees up resources to attract wonderful customers.

Increased Customer Engagement

A study by Motista found that people who have a close relationship with a business are three times more likely to recommend it to others. To encourage involvement, loyalty programs provide benefits like:

• Reward repeat customers.
• Leaving reviews and product ratings.
• Following your social media channels.

This boosts consumer loyalty and sets your business up for success in e-commerce.

Higher Sales And Revenue

You can make people more loyal to your brand by making them happy and involved. This leads to more sales since loyal customers are likelier to buy from you again and tell others about your brand.

This will be shown by the success story of a business that chose the right low-cost reward program.

Case Studies Of Successful Affordable Loyalty Programs

Consumer engagement and sales need loyalty programs in today’s competitive retail market. Ozel Beslenme, a successful online health goods warehouse in Turkey, is led by visionary entrepreneur İsmail Cem Erzincanlı.

Their Challenge:

Even though Ismail’s business had a strong production base, it initially had trouble keeping customers. It was hard to make return orders with over 2,000 things, some of which were fragile, like vitamins and pills. This was made worse because their current reward program wasn’t well known.

Their Solution: Install BON Loyalty – Shopify’s recommended Affordable Loyalty Program.

After looking at a few different choices, İsmail chose BON Loyalty because it had all the features he needed for his business at a price he could afford. 

One great thing about BON Loyalty is that it has great customer service, even for the free version.

Özel Beslenme uses a loyalty widget powered by BON Loyalty.

Impressive Results: In Q4 2023, BON Loyalty’s loyalty program redeemed over 500 rewards, generating $13,000 in revenue. This equals a 6% revenue share, a big number in the retail business.

The story of Ismail Cem Erzincanlı with BON Loyalty shows how successful reward programs can help keep customers and bring in more sales. What this case study shows is how digital choices for reward programs have changed the way people shop. Given the right tools, a company can do well even in the most crowded areas.

Read more: Case Study: 7 Best Coffee Rewards Program. 

Conclusion

Big businesses are no longer the only ones using customer loyalty programs. The article discusses low-cost options for loyalty programs that will help companies build strong ties with their customers.

BON Loyalty has an option for Shopify. Whether you want easy-to-use platforms, game-like experiences, or smooth links with Shopify. When you start a low-cost program, you can learn useful things about your customers and keep them longer.

Keep checking our blog for further advice on setting up a successful loyalty program.

FAQs

1. What is the best affordable loyalty program software for small businesses?

Small businesses can’t all use the same “best” affordable loyalty programs. The best option for you will depend on your goals and how you model your business.

If you operate primarily online, especially through Shopify, then a program like BON Loyalty could be a great fit. It offers a free trial with a limit of 200 orders and no fees for orders.

In-store companies, especially those with POS systems, must easily integrate their loyalty program. Loyverse Loyalty integrates with major POS systems to streamline business.

Read more: 5 Best Customer Loyalty Programs For Small Businesses.

2. How much does loyalty program software typically cost?

The price of loyalty program software can vary a lot. Basic plans can cost as little as $25 per month, while enterprise-level solutions with many customization choices can cost over $15,000.

Read more: How Much Does a Shopify Loyalty Program Cost? 

3. Can affordable loyalty programs increase customer retention for small businesses?

Yes. Low-cost loyalty programs are an inexpensive means to get people to buy from you again and build stronger relationships with them.

Read more: Why Small Businesses Should Create Customer Loyalty Programs?