Digital loyalty card vs loyalty app for cafés

A loyalty app asks every customer to download something before they get a single stamp. A digital loyalty card that opens in the phone’s browser skips that step. A wallet pass sits between the two. Here is how they compare, including where TapStik doesn’t compete yet.

The three options

Loyalty app: the customer installs an app from an app store, then signs up.
Wallet pass: a card added to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet.
Browser card: a web page that opens from an NFC tag or QR code, with nothing to install. TapStik is this.

Side by side

	Loyalty app	Wallet pass	Browser card
Customer installs something	Yes, from an app store	No app, but adds a pass to the wallet	No
Steps to the first stamp	Download, sign up, open the app	Scan, then add to the wallet	Tap or scan, join, done
Reminders	Push notifications	Can appear on the lock screen	Opens when the customer taps
Look	Whatever the app can show	Limited by the wallet format	Fully custom to your café
Best for	Large chains with many outlets	Customers who live in their wallet	Independent cafés that want fast joining

Where a browser card is strong

Joining takes seconds, which matters when someone is standing at the counter. There’s no app to find, no storage to free up and no account to remember.

Where it isn’t

TapStik doesn’t have an Apple Wallet or Google Wallet card yet. That’s on our roadmap. A wallet pass can sit on the lock screen, and a browser card can’t. If that matters to you, say so when you try it.

How to choose

Many outlets and a marketing team: an app may be worth the cost.
A single café or a few: a browser card is quicker to launch and easier for customers.
Mostly tourists and one-time visitors: choose whatever has the fewest steps.