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Top 12 leading customer loyalty platforms in 2026

Explore the top 12 customer loyalty platforms in 2026. Compare features, pricing, and find the best fit to increase customer retention.
Best loyalty software

Finding the right tool to run a loyalty program has never been more important for brands that want to keep customers coming back. With so many customer loyalty software options available, it's not always obvious which platform fits your needs best, from simple digital stamp cards for small shops to full-scale loyalty management systems built for enterprises.

The platforms in this list represent the most trusted names. They cover everything from referral programs and automated rewards to experiential rewards that tap into deeper connections with a customer base. Some solutions are built for fast setup in e-commerce, while others focus on large-scale programs that integrate with customer relationship management systems and help brands analyze customer behavior across channels.

Take a look at the top 12 leading loyalty platforms and what makes them stand out: their strengths, use cases, and the types of businesses they serve. 

Key takeaways

  • Acquiring a new customer can cost 5× more than retaining an existing one, and more than 50% of customers will switch to a competitor after just one bad experience. A well-designed loyalty program can boost retention, spend, and brand advocacy.
  • The loyalty software market is highly fragmented, with options ranging from simple plug-ins for e-commerce stores to comprehensive enterprise loyalty suites. SMBs often use lightweight add-ons, while large enterprises tend toward robust, customizable platforms.
  • Leading loyalty platforms go beyond basic points and discounts. Essential features include omnichannel support across web, mobile, and in-store channels, AI-driven personalization, flexible reward rules (points, tiers, referrals), gamification mechanics, real-time analytics, and integration capabilities. These ensure the program can engage customers across touchpoints and scale with your business.
  • You no longer have to choose strictly between building a custom loyalty system from scratch or buying off-the-shelf software. Many businesses adopt a hybrid approach, for example, using a highly flexible, API-first platform as a foundation (like Open Loyalty) and building bespoke features on top.
  • Align your choice with your current and future needs. Consider your business size, industry, digital infrastructure, and the level of customization or agility required. Evaluate the total cost of ownership (TCO), including licensing, implementation, maintenance, and growth costs, not just the initial price. Always take advantage of demos or free trials to ensure the solution fits your customer loyalty strategy.

Why are these 12 customer loyalty platforms the best? Full comparison

Below is a comparison table of some of the top loyalty software platforms in the market. 

We've included a mix of solutions catering to different needs, from SMB-focused tools to enterprise-grade platforms, to illustrate how they stack up on pricing and availability of free trials, as well as the typical target business segment for each.

Platform Key features of this loyalty software Pros Cons
Open Loyalty Headless, API-first, highly flexible. Supports custom rules, omnichannel, SaaS/on-prem options. Customizable, scalable, developer-friendly, fast integration. Requires dev resources to unlock full potential.
Smile.io Plug-and-play for e-commerce, points, referrals, VIP tiers, and Shopify focus. Easy setup, free plan, good for SMBs. Limited customization on the free plan, bugs with redemptions.
Cheetah Digital All-in-one marketing platform with loyalty add-ons. Solid reporting, personalization add-ons, simple email campaigns. Limited loyalty depth, clunky interface, integration complexity.
Talon.One Promotion + loyalty engine, flexible rule builder, API-first. Highly customizable, responsive support, real-time execution. Steep learning curve, costly at scale, limited training resources.
Antavo No-code loyalty editor supports in-store kiosks/cards, which are strong in retail. Wide reward types, flexible, support paid/experiential loyalty. Less intuitive editor, limited language support, slower UI at times.
Comarch Loyalty Management Enterprise-focused, integrations with airline/airport systems. 24/7 support, cloud-based, gift card + loyalty card features. Complex interface, no on-premise option, high cost.
Annex Cloud Omnichannel loyalty + referral + UGC, enterprise integrations. Robust advocacy tools, Salesforce/SAP connectors, global reach. Outdated tech in parts, higher pricing, steep onboarding.
Oracle CrowdTwist Enterprise loyalty under Oracle CX, scalable, coalition support. Omnichannel, advanced analytics, coalition capabilities. Expensive, limited updates, basic analytics vs. peers.
Kognitiv (Aimia) Web-based, segment-focused loyalty engine supports retail/CPG/travel. POS/ESP integration, customer-centric approach, flexible campaigns. Limited data visualization, no live support, and lacks advanced consulting.
TrueLoyal (formerly Zinrelo) Rewards for purchases and actions, tiers, customization, analytics, usage-based pricing. Responsive support, flexible tiers, and ROI optimization. Interface less friendly, some campaign limitations, refund handling issues.
Yotpo Loyalty Part of the Yotpo suite, points, tiers, referrals, strong Shopify integration. Easy to implement, referral built-in, SMS + review integration. Advanced features behind paid tiers, limited free trial.
Fivestars Local business focus, in-store sign-up via phone/tablet, SMS/email promos. Simple to run, strong automation, shared customer network. Limited for e-commerce, dependent on the Fivestars ecosystem.

As shown above, pricing models vary significantly. SMB-oriented platforms like Smile.io and Yotpo offer free tiers or low starting prices, making them popular with smaller businesses. On the other hand, enterprise solutions such as Salesforce Loyalty, Oracle, or Annex Cloud typically work on custom quotes and require sizeable budgets. Many enterprise platforms don't advertise free trials, instead providing demos or pilot programs on request. Mid-market solutions like Fivestars sometimes offer a trial period of around 30 days.

Amid this variety, Open Loyalty stands out as the leader for companies that want a flexible and future-proof approach. Its headless architecture and API-first design allow businesses to build highly customized loyalty mechanics while still relying on a proven, scalable foundation. The build-and-buy model makes it a strong choice for enterprises that don't want to compromise between off-the-shelf software and fully bespoke development.

When choosing a loyalty platform, look beyond cost and match the solution with your technical environment, customer base, and growth plans. Trends shaping the industry, such as headless systems, AI-driven personalization, gamification, and the rise of paid loyalty models, show how expectations are evolving. For a deeper look at what's driving loyalty strategies in 2026 and beyond, check out our Loyalty Program Trends report.

Next, we provide a brief overview of each platform, highlighting its standout features and what type of business it suits best.

Which are the leading customer loyalty platforms in 2026? Comparison of the best loyalty programs

In this comparison, we took a closer look at nine available loyalty solutions that dominate the market. You can read about their overall performance as expressed by our reliable loyalty experts, as well as the pros and cons voiced by their users, which we sourced from trusted platform review sites. 

Here's a quick list of the 12 leading customer loyalty platforms in 2026: Open Loyalty, Yotpo, LoyaltyLion, Smile.io, Salesforce, Annex Cloud, and others.

1. Open Loyalty

Open Loyalty is a headless loyalty platform known for its flexibility and developer-friendly design. It provides a rich set of building blocks (via APIs and SDKs) to create customized loyalty mechanisms, rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. Open Loyalty's modular approach means brands can tailor programs to their specific needs and integrate loyalty functionality into any app or system easily.

Open Loyalty is used by over 100 companies in 45+ countries to power their loyalty and gamification programs.

Like no other solution, it's quick to implement and offers full freedom of development and integration at the API level. Companies can choose to deploy Open Loyalty as a cloud SaaS or on-premise, and even extend it thanks to its API-oriented core.

Open Loyalty is used by customers in 45 countries. Source: https://www.openloyalty.io 

Key features of this loyalty management software

  • Headless architecture: Open Loyalty is API-first (REST/GraphQL) with 250+ endpoints, which means it can connect to virtually any tech stack. You can embed loyalty into web apps, mobile apps, or in-store systems and shape the program around your own customer journey instead of bending to rigid templates.
  • Flexible program logic: The platform gives full control over mechanics: loyalty points, tiers, referrals, digital wallets, reward management, coupons, and code scanning. Complex loyalty structures, coalition programs, or custom extensions can all be managed without rebuilding from scratch.
  • Gamification built-in: Beyond standard mechanics, Open Loyalty includes achievements, badges, leaderboards, and challenges. Brands use these tools to keep customers engaged, reward more than purchases, and turn loyalty into an ongoing experience instead of a background process.
  • Real-time and enterprise-scale: Every transaction is processed instantly, with loyalty balances updated in real time. The system scales globally, handling millions of members, unlimited transactions, and complex rule sets without performance loss.
  • Omnichannel readiness: Customers can earn and redeem across e-commerce, mobile, POS, and even wallets like Apple Wallet. Loyalty becomes consistent everywhere they interact with your brand.
  • White-label and mobile tools: While API-first, Open Loyalty can ship with a mobile loyalty application, making it faster to launch and still flexible to customize.
  • Analytics and insights: Loyalty data flows into dashboards and reports that highlight metrics like retention, redemption rates, and uplift in average order value. The built-in campaign engine lets you act on these insights with precise triggers and conditions.
  • Build-and-buy approach: Open Loyalty is designed to solve the "build vs. buy" dilemma. You get a proven loyalty engine, but with the freedom to customize at the API level, faster than building from scratch, and more flexible than SaaS lock-in.
  • Enterprise-grade security: Certified with ISO 9001 and ISO 27001, GDPR-compliant, and built with advanced access control and audit logs, making it suitable for global enterprises in finance, retail, and beyond.
  • Proven in the market: Open Loyalty powers programs for clients like U.S. Soccer Federation, ALDO, Ugami, and Limango, across 24 markets worldwide. Backed by €2.3M in R&D for AI and automation, and recognized by Google, Gartner, and Deloitte for technology excellence, it's built for enterprises that want to move fast without limits.

⭐ Ideal for: Medium to large enterprises that need a highly customizable loyalty solution. It's suitable if you have capable development resources or an existing digital platform and want to embed loyalty features into it (for example, integrating loyalty into a mobile app, e-commerce site, or POS system with custom user experiences). 

Open Loyalty is also a strong fit for companies considering a bespoke loyalty system. It provides a robust foundation so you don't have to reinvent the wheel, while still allowing unlimited customization.

Open Loyalty's dashboard. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdHc0LGLOh8 

Pros

Open Loyalty clients appreciate the platform and its capabilities, saying:

  • "It gives the full capacity of loyalty features and flexibility on both on-premise and cloud."
  • "It's pretty easy to learn how to use and navigate around the software."
  • "There are a few key configurations needed, but nothing a mid-senior developer cannot manage."
  • "The dev team finds for every problem a good and pragmatic solution and customizes their product based on our needs with good quality and releases on a regular basis."
  • "The API documentation is kept up to date and is easy to consume. The team at Open Loyalty is great, they consistently provide good service and are willing to help if required."
  • "We liked that it's customizable, scalable, and we get full access to the source code."
  • "This is an ideal solution for companies that seek to complement their current e-business / CRM / ERP with a loyalty program without breaking the bank or their current functionality."
  • "Every possible scenario has been thought out: campaigns with a set range of dates, rewards that depend on the client's loyalty level, segmentation of clients based on their number of points, rewards exchanged, number of transactions, etc."
  • "It's really easy to integrate with existing front-end solutions and has an admin panel that helps to define and dynamically change levels, client segments, points-reward conversion rates, and also look at each client's transaction history, solve attribution problems, etc., effectively treating the loyalty program as an external module of their main software."

Cons

  • "A few features are missing, but Open Loyalty is working on adding those soon. They have been really helpful in meeting our requests."

👉 Read more opinions on Open Loyalty on G2 or Capterra.

Capterra's rating for Open Loyalty. Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/171121/Open-Loyalty/

2. Smile.io

Smile.io is one of the loyalty program solutions for small and medium-sized e-commerce businesses. It operates as a plug-and-play app for platforms like Shopify, Wix, and others. Smile (formerly Sweet Tooth) powers rewards programs for thousands of online stores, focusing on simplicity and quick launch.

Smile.io primarily offers points programs, VIP tier programs, and referral programs. It's built to help turn one-time shoppers into repeat customers by rewarding them for various actions. Because it's designed for SMBs, it emphasizes an easy setup and a clean, customer-friendly interface over extremely deep customization (though it's quite configurable within the boundaries of common use cases).

Key features of this loyalty management software

  • Shopify integration: Smile.io is available as a Shopify app and installs with a few clicks, adding a loyalty widget to the storefront. It can also connect with other e-commerce platforms through plugins or APIs, though the main focus is on Shopify.
  • Points and VIP tiers: The platform supports a standard points-based program (e.g., $1 = 5 points, redeemable for discounts) and simple tier structures (e.g., Silver, Gold, etc.). Default setups are provided, which cover common scenarios for entry-level loyalty programs.
  • Referral and social rewards: Users can set up basic referral campaigns (e.g., a coupon for both referrer and friend) and add small incentives for actions like following social channels or providing a birthday. These are preconfigured options in the admin interface.
  • Branding and UX: The dashboard allows adjustments to the widget, rewards page, and emails, so visuals can align with store branding. The customer-facing interface is delivered as a pop-up or panel where points, rewards, and available actions are displayed.
  • Documentation and support: Knowledge base articles and a community forum are available to cover setup and troubleshooting. Direct support is limited to higher-paid plans.
  • Pricing: A free plan with limited functionality exists for small stores, but it includes Smile.io branding. Paid plans unlock features such as VIP tiers, custom reward rules, and integrations with third-party tools. Pricing starts around $49/month and scales into higher tiers depending on usage and features.

⭐ Ideal for: Mid-sized and enterprise businesses that require customizable program structures. The platform can support more advanced loyalty models, such as point systems, multi-brand arrangements, and partner-based programs. It's used in sectors like retail, finance, and travel, where integrations and data control are part of the requirements. 

Pros

  • "[...] they really got your back through the support content."
  • "Seamless integration with Shopify and Klaviyo."
  • "Has an easy drag-and-drop editor to create emails."
  • "Provides in-depth loyalty stats about the email subscribers and customers."

Cons

  • "There are very limited options for customizations in the free plan."
  • "It does have an in-built integration with Attentive for SMS Marketing. The email builder is basic, and we will need to have the emails built on our ESPs."
  • "Sometimes a bug would occur where points got redeemed automatically. There's also a bug where, when points are redeemed, the discount code does not appear on Shopify. Location of the way to earn points and rewards can be more visible on the website."
  • "If you want to customize some things, such as referral program messages, you need a version of the tool that's priced higher."

Sources:

Smile.io's dashboard. Source: https://smile.io/

3. Cheetah Digital

Cheetah Digital is an all-in-one customer engagement platform that includes loyalty as part of its broader marketing suite. Unlike pure-play loyalty providers, it positions loyalty as one element in a larger set of tools for customer data, personalization, and cross-channel campaigns. 

Besides, Cheetah Digital is often adopted by companies that value integrated email, personalization, and loyalty management in one system. While it doesn't match the depth of specialized loyalty software, it can be a good fit for businesses looking to unify their marketing stack.

Key features of this loyalty management software

  • Engagement suite: Loyalty is one of several modules within the platform, alongside email marketing, customer data management, and personalization tools. The setup is intended for companies that want multiple engagement functions in a single system.
  • Targeting and personalization: The software includes options to segment audiences and apply rules for delivering offers and promotions tied to customer profiles or behavior.
  • Reporting and analytics: Standard reporting dashboards are available for monitoring campaign results, reviewing participation, and tracking activity related to loyalty features.
  • Email campaign management: Built-in email tools allow teams to design and launch campaigns without relying on an external provider, combining marketing and loyalty activities within the same environment.

⭐ Ideal for: Enterprises that use a single platform for multiple engagement functions. Loyalty is one of several modules, positioned alongside marketing automation and personalization. The system may be suitable for companies that don't require highly customized loyalty mechanics and prefer a bundled approach rather than a specialized solution.

Pros

  • "I would consider it a fairly good product as it does what it's promised."
  • "Reporting was great for reviews."
  • "There were also some nice personalization add-ons available for reporting."
  • "There is a very simple and easy method to execute email marketing campaigns."

Cons

  • "Sometimes guests have issues logging into their account, even after we reset their password and provide them with a new one."
  • "Out of the box product has many properties and features which sometimes confuse the integration process. Additional customization takes a bit of time and effort."
  • "There are ratings for each guest, and we can't change the ratings or figure out how the ratings are generated."
  • "We likely don't use it to its full advantage, but it seems very outdated and kind of clunky."

Sources:

Cheetah Digital's dashboard. Source: https://meetmarigold.com/solutions/messaging/cheetah-digital

4. Talon.One

Talon.One is a promotion and loyalty engine that allows businesses to create and manage promotions, coupon campaigns, referral programs, and loyalty point systems. Talon.One started as a developer-friendly promotion API, making it very powerful for custom rule design and integration. It has since grown to serve as a versatile loyalty solution for companies that want fine-grained control over their promotional logic.

Also, Talon.One is used by companies to build promotion rulesets (for example, conditional discounts, bundle offers, loyalty point multipliers for certain events, etc.) using a rule builder. It then exposes these promotions via API to be evaluated in real time in your app or website. 

Key features of this loyalty management software

  • Promotion engine: The platform is designed to manage multiple incentive types, including discount codes, cart rules, product bundles, referral rewards, and loyalty points, within a single environment. Consolidation reduces the need to operate separate tools for coupons, promotions, and loyalty.
  • Rule builder: A visual interface is available for setting conditions and effects that control how promotions work. Basic configurations can be created without coding, while developers can extend the logic with custom attributes when more advanced setups are required.
  • Real-time processing: The engine evaluates rules as customer actions occur, such as adding products to a cart or completing a transaction. The setup supports high-volume e-commerce and app environments where transactions are frequent.
  • API-first integration: Talon.One connects through APIs, with businesses sending customer events to the platform and receiving back promotion or loyalty outcomes. It requires development resources but allows tight integration and control over the customer-facing experience.
  • Range of use cases: Beyond standard loyalty programs, the system can be configured for partner incentives, B2B loyalty, coupon campaigns, and gamified promotions.

⭐ Ideal for: Mid-size companies or enterprises that have technical resources available for integration. The platform is used in sectors such as e-commerce, fintech, and on-demand services where frequent promotions are required. Pricing is usage-based and generally positioned at the enterprise level, which may limit accessibility for smaller companies.

Pros

  • "Talon.one is a backend integration that allows you to integrate [...]."
  • "Their support is responsive and kind."
  • "The onboarding is painful, but after a few weeks and taking baby steps, you get to build amazing growth engines."
  • "We are prototyping quite a lot of new features with them [...]."

Cons

  • "My number one most frustrating thing is the lack of training and tool descriptions. As a new user, it was very difficult to understand what I was doing in the rule builder/campaign builder due to the lack of descriptions in the field. Even just a sentence or two that explains what something should do would be great."
  • "Cost can be expensive, depending on your scale. It depends on your ability to internally mobilize actions internally to make this a profitable addition."
  • "I wish Talon made it possible to set fully custom referral codes."
  • "I wasn't in the team when the integration was done, so getting to know the logics behind all attribute names and how they work is hard. Also, getting to know the format of each attribute and how they operate is not easy for a non engineer profile."

Sources:

Talon.One dashboard. Source: https://www.talon.one/

5. Antavo

Antavo is a loyalty technology provider known for its no-code, highly customizable loyalty platform. Also, Antavo's platform can power complex loyalty programs and is unique in offering some physical-world integrations like loyalty kiosks and card solutions for omnichannel experiences.

Key features of this loyalty management software

  • No-code loyalty editor: Program rules can be set up and adjusted through a web-based dashboard. Options include defining earning logic, managing tiers, configuring reward catalogs, and building campaign workflows. The interface is supposed to reduce the reliance on developers and speed up deployment.
  • Reward types: The platform supports multiple formats such as points, vouchers, gift cards, badges, event invitations, and partner-based rewards. Paid membership programs are also available, where customers subscribe for benefits similar to premium club models.
  • In-store and device connections: Antavo provides modules that extend loyalty functions into physical locations. Examples include integration with card payment terminals or in-store kiosks that allow customers to sign up or redeem rewards on the spot.
  • Gamification and challenges: Built-in functionality supports challenge-based campaigns. Companies can configure rules such as spend thresholds or visit counts to trigger bonuses. A companion app or website can be used to show progress, badges, or leaderboards.
  • Integrations and compliance: APIs and webhooks connect the system to POS platforms, e-commerce environments, mobile applications, and marketing clouds. The infrastructure is positioned for enterprise needs, with attention to data security, privacy standards, and scalability for large customer databases.

⭐ Ideal for: Mid-size and enterprise retailers, fashion brands, and other businesses that require more advanced loyalty setups. The platform supports features such as tiers, gamification, and paid membership programs. It includes options for in-store integrations like kiosks or card readers, which may be relevant for physical retail environments. 

Pros

  • "We can create different kind of rewards to make them more attractive to the customers."
  • "We're currently rewarding customers for several actions they can take on the site [...]."
  • "It allows web and mobile access [...]."
  • "[...] we can customize it according to our needs [...]."

Cons

  • "It could be a little bit more intuitive in the text editor."
  • "[...] it doesn't cum up with the regional language, mostly the English language is used."
  • "The system can feel a bit slow when entering new contest information and uploading files to the software. The integration with MailChimp was a pain, but because of a bug of ours that we were able to fix thanks to the attention of tech support."
  • "If they could expand their available language, it would be great, so we could have the software in our stores in Latin America."

Sources:

Antavo's dashboard. Source: https://antavo.com/

6. Comarch Loyalty Management

Comarch Loyalty Management is an enterprise-grade solution designed for large organizations with complex customer engagement needs. It's part of Comarch's wider portfolio of IT systems, which cover industries such as telecom, finance, retail, and travel. The platform is often chosen by airlines, airports, and global retail brands that require loyalty to integrate tightly with existing systems like reservations, payment, or ERP.

What's more, Comarch's loyalty system is known for being robust and feature-rich, but also complex. It's typically deployed by companies with substantial budgets, dedicated IT resources, and the need to support large-scale loyalty programs with millions of members.

Key features of this loyalty management software

  • Industry integrations: The platform includes connectors for the airline and airport sector, allowing loyalty programs to work with reservation and partner systems commonly used in travel.
  • Feature scope: Supports a variety of program formats, including points, tiers, and coalition models. Additional capabilities cover gift card management, membership systems, and customer activity tracking.
  • Deployment options: Offered in SaaS and web-based versions, giving enterprises a choice in how the platform is implemented and maintained.
  • Scalability and support: Built for large-scale, multinational programs with multilingual and multicurrency support. 

⭐ Ideal for: Large enterprises such as airlines, airports, and multinational retailers that require loyalty systems with industry-specific integrations. The platform is suited to organizations with significant budgets and dedicated IT resources, as it's typically implemented for large-scale and expensive programs.

Pros

  • "The product is pretty good for managing currencies, and raffles and couponing etc."
  • "Solid engagement and communication from the team during the sourcing and implementation process."
  • "We get valuable insights into customer profiles across all touch points."

Cons

  • "Time to deploy a new functionality should be quicker."
  • "The number of features specific to other modules other than gamification and reward is limited, or it might get improved by the time of the upcoming releases."
  • "Limited loyalty programs for retail business."

Sources:

Comarch Loyalty Management's dashboard. Source: https://www.comarch.com/

7. Annex Cloud

Annex Cloud is an enterprise loyalty provider offering a multi-product suite for customer engagement, combining traditional loyalty programs with referral marketing and user-generated content (UGC) capabilities. It enables companies to create unified engagement programs that reward purchases, referrals, reviews, social posts, and other advocacy behaviors.

Besides, Annex Cloud comes with native connectors to major enterprise systems like Salesforce, SAP, Adobe, and Oracle, which makes it a choice if somebody wants loyalty to plug into an existing tech stack.

Key features of this loyalty management software

  • Omnichannel loyalty: The platform supports programs that span multiple channels, covering in-store transactions, e-commerce, reviews, and referrals. Activity is tracked in one system so that customers can earn and redeem across different touchpoints.
  • Referral and advocacy: Modules are available for Refer-a-Friend programs and for incentivizing user-generated content such as product reviews, Q&A, or social sharing. These features are designed to expand engagement beyond purchases.
  • Integrations: Annex Cloud connects with a range of CRM and e-commerce systems, including Shopify Plus, BigCommerce, Magento, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, and Microsoft Dynamics.
  • International use: Built for multinational businesses, the system supports multiple currencies, languages, and compliance requirements such as GDPR. Programs can be operated across different markets under one umbrella.
  • Analytics and segmentation: Dashboards provide performance metrics and allow businesses to group members into segments for targeted campaigns. 

⭐ Ideal for: Large businesses and retail organizations that require loyalty software as part of a broader engagement system. The platform integrates with enterprise tools such as Salesforce and SAP and may be used by companies that include referrals, reviews, or user-generated content in their programs. It's primarily for enterprises with established digital infrastructure, larger budgets, and internal teams to manage implementation.

Pros

  • "Can work individually or as a platform to get impactful user-generated content."
  • "Allows integrating customer communication."
  • "It does most things you expect a Rewards and Product Review platform to accomplish."
  • "Reporting is clear and accurate."

Cons

  • "There are a few features on the backend that we could not do on our own and self-manage."
  • "In the beginning of our relationship, there were integration-related challenges that needed to be worked through, specifically for Visual Commerce to function properly."
  • "It takes time to get used to the software. Also, pricing-wise, it is a bit higher than that of other competitors."
  • "Annex Cloud has some limited functionality when it comes to unique businesses."

Sources:

Annex Cloud's dashboard. Source: https://www.annexcloud.com/

8. Oracle CrowdTwist Loyalty and Engagement

Oracle CrowdTwist (part of Oracle's Loyalty Cloud within the Oracle Customer Experience suite) is another enterprise loyalty platform, supporting large-scale loyalty and engagement programs. Oracle acquired CrowdTwist and integrated it into its CX portfolio, enabling a broad set of loyalty functionalities alongside Oracle's marketing, commerce, and CRM solutions.

Oracle's loyalty platform enables brands to run omnichannel points and rewards programs that drive customer lifetime value. It allows handling multi-brand or coalition programs, complex earning rules, and high-volume member activity (e.g., retailers or consumer goods companies with millions of customers). 

Key features of this loyalty management software

  • Program formats: Supports a range of structures, including points, tiers, surprise-and-delight campaigns, and non-transactional engagement such as rewarding social activity or reviews. 
  • Ecosystem integration: As part of Oracle CX, the module connects with tools such as Responsys, Oracle Commerce, and Service Cloud. Loyalty data flows across these systems, enabling coordinated marketing and service campaigns.
  • Scalability and security: Built to handle large databases and transaction volumes, the system is positioned for enterprises with strict IT requirements and global operations.
  • Analytics and ROI measurement: Provides dashboards and reporting tools to monitor campaign performance, segment members into cohorts, and measure outcomes such as spend uplift and repeat purchase frequency.
  • Coalition and partner support: Designed to manage multi-brand or coalition programs. The system can track shared points currencies, manage partner liabilities, and allocate rewards across participating merchants.

⭐ Ideal for: Enterprise retailers, coalitions, and large-scale loyalty programs that involve complex requirements. The system is positioned for organizations already using Oracle's ecosystem and seeking to extend it with loyalty functions. It's mainly adopted by large retailers, hospitality groups, and multinational brands. Implementation typically requires Oracle services or external partners, and the cost and scope may not be suited to mid-market companies.

Pros

  • "It's integrated to all pages like PLP, PDP, cart, checkout."
  • "Able to collect more points in the ecom website."
  • "The platform assists midsize to large firms with customer engagement, data analytics, and social media integration."
  • Available email, help desk, or phone support.

Cons

  • "[...] they could use a significant upgrade in their analytics tools [...]."
  • No desktop version for Mac, Windows, Chromebook, or Linux.
  • No on-premise model for Windows or Linux.
  • Educational resources are limited to documentation only (no in-person, online meetings, or webinars).

Sources:

Oracle CrowdTwist Loyalty and Engagement's dashboard. Source: https://www.oracle.com/cx/marketing/customer-loyalty/

9. Kognitiv by Aimia

Kognitiv by Aimia is a loyalty platform designed to help businesses manage customer engagement through data-driven programs. It provides the technology and logic needed to identify loyal customers, segment audiences, and deliver campaigns that encourage ongoing participation.

The system is used in industries such as retail, consumer goods, travel, and financial services, where companies seek to create structured programs that connect purchases and engagement with rewards.

Key features of this loyalty management software

  • Program management: Kognitiv provides tools to run loyalty programs that cover data collection, campaign management, rewards, and promotions. The platform is positioned to support industries such as retail, consumer packaged goods, travel, and financial services.
  • Integration: The system connects with point-of-sale solutions, email service providers, and other ecosystem technologies to link customer interactions with loyalty activity.
  • Segmentation: Businesses can group customers based on spending, behavior, or engagement level, enabling targeted promotions and differentiated rewards.
  • Customer-centric approach: The platform is designed to help companies identify their most loyal customers and tailor rewards or campaigns that align with those groups.
  • Limitations: Live training and advanced consulting services are not included, and some functionality, such as data visualization, is less developed compared to other enterprise solutions.

⭐ Ideal for: Retail, consumer goods, travel, and financial services companies that require a standard loyalty platform with segmentation and campaign management features. The system can be used to identify loyal customers, run promotional campaigns, and manage partner-based programs. It's positioned more for organizations seeking an established structure rather than highly customized loyalty mechanics. 

Pros

  • "Easy to integrate with POS, ESPs, and other common ecosystem technologies."
  • Kognitiv loyalty platform powers data collection, campaigns, rewards, and promotion execution.
  • "It reaches customers at the right time via the right channel [...]."
  • "It has a customer-centric approach to build emotional loyalty with proven ROI."

Cons

  • "Data visualization capabilities in-platform are limited [...]."
  • No live support or training options.
  • No Corporate Memberships and Gift Card System.
  • No Premium Consulting and Integration Services.

Sources:

Kognitiv's dashboard, created by Aimia. Source: https://www.aimia.com/holdings/kognitiv/

10. TrueLoyal

TrueLoyal, previously known as Zinrelo, is a SaaS-based loyalty platform designed to combine transactional rewards with engagement and retention analytics. Originally launched as ShopSocially, the product later became Zinrelo before adopting its current name. The platform emphasizes the ability to drive repeat sales through analytics, segmentation, and targeted loyalty campaigns.

TrueLoyal caters mainly to mid-size and enterprise clients, especially in e-commerce and retail. It offers integrations for platforms such as Shopify and Magento, along with APIs for custom connections to other systems.

Key features of this loyalty management software

  • Reward options: Supports both purchase-based and non-purchase rewards such as social sharing, reviews, sign-ups, referrals, and birthdays.
  • Tiered programs: Allows the creation of tier structures (e.g., Gold, Platinum) with escalating benefits such as higher earn rates or exclusive rewards.
  • Customization: Loyalty widgets can be embedded into websites or apps, with branding, style, and messaging adapted to fit company guidelines.
  • Analytics and optimization: Provides dashboards to track repeat sales, order value uplift, and retention. Machine learning tools suggest reward structure adjustments, while segmentation features support targeting of groups such as high spenders or inactive members.
  • Pricing model: Uses a usage-based approach tied to the number of active members or transactions. Pricing scales with program growth. Specific tiers are not publicly disclosed.

Ideal for: Medium-sized retailers and online businesses that need loyalty software with reporting and analytics capabilities. Used in industries such as fashion, beauty, grocery, and e-commerce, as well as some B2B contexts. Less visible than larger providers but positioned with features suitable for mid-market and enterprise use cases.

Pros

  • "It's been great for our company and has helped us grow as a business."
  • "Significant amount of signups since we started."
  • "Overall it has been a positive experience. We'd recommend this product to others, and it works well with Shopify."

Cons

  • "Using together with BigCommerce, we have to generate our own coupon codes. The interface also does not seem as friendly to our older customers, as we get frequent emails about misunderstandings. That, however, is just user error."
  • "Some options are harder to find within the software, and the email preview could be a little more advanced."
  • "The campaigns feature could use some work. If I want to run a campaign and double the number of reward points for all customers, the campaign only checks our customer group for new accounts once per day. So, if you create an account in the middle of the day as a new customer, you wouldn't be included in the campaign. This has been something our team has had to work around within the platform."
  • "Processing Refunds and removing points can be cumbersome at times."

Sources:

TrueLoyal's dashboard. Source: https://www.trueloyal.com/

11. Yotpo Loyalty (formerly Swell Rewards)

Yotpo Loyalty and Referrals is part of the Yotpo suite of products for e-commerce brands. Yotpo is known for its customer reviews, ratings, and SMS marketing tools, and it acquired Swell Rewards to add a loyalty and referrals platform to its offering. As such, Yotpo Loyalty is popular among online stores and direct-to-consumer brands.

Moreover, Yotpo Loyalty enables merchants to set up points-based programs, VIP tiers, and referral incentives with relatively low effort. Since it ties into the Yotpo ecosystem, it can integrate loyalty data with other marketing efforts (for example, using loyalty segmentation to send targeted SMS campaigns). 

Key features of this loyalty management software

  • E-commerce integrations: Yotpo Loyalty connects with platforms such as Shopify, Shopify Plus, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce. Loyalty widgets, pop-ups, and account pages can be deployed without heavy coding, and customer/order data syncs automatically.
  • Rewards and tiers: Merchants can configure earning rules (e.g., points per dollar or category), set up available rewards (discounts, free products, shipping), and define tier levels with increasing benefits. These settings are managed through the admin dashboard.
  • Referral program: A built-in module tracks referrals via email or social links and applies rewards to both the referring customer and the new member once conditions are met.
  • Customer interface: A widget and rewards page can be branded to align with the site. Customers can view points, rewards, and referral status. A "rewards launcher" tab can be displayed to show progress toward rewards.
  • POS and mobile features: For physical retail, Yotpo integrates with point-of-sale systems such as Shopify POS. Members can be identified in-store and earn or redeem points. Digital loyalty cards can be stored in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet for scanning.
  • Analytics and marketing link: Dashboards track redemption rates, purchase frequency, and referral activity. Because Yotpo also covers reviews and SMS, loyalty data can be used for coordinated campaigns, such as sending an offer to inactive members or highlighting a VIP tier in communications.

⭐ Ideal for: Small to mid-market e-commerce businesses that want a loyalty tool connected to online shopping platforms. It's often used by brands on Shopify and similar systems, with adoption in sectors such as beauty, fashion, and consumer goods. The platform offers a free plan with limited functionality and paid tiers for features like VIP programs and customization. While suitable for digital-first brands, larger companies may find its scope limited compared to enterprise-focused solutions.

Pros

  • "Yopto has been a great partners for us as we've continued to grow. Offering products and services that fit our business needs and have never been pushy with their offerings."
  • "A feature I particularly love is the "Review Atlas". It provides a clear, visual breakdown of review performance, including metrics like review quality and authenticity."
  • "Yotpo helps us manage loyalty programs, SMS marketing, and suitable referrals for excellent reviews."

Cons

  • "Sometimes we find loyalty points don't transfer over, but it's easily sorted, and it's an incredibly low percentage of customers."
  • "Yotpo support is something that can be improved, and their SLA for production issues and API documentation can be improved, and sandbox environment support can be improved in lower environments."
  • "Some minor UX/UX issues that arise when navigating their products, but overall they're continuing to iterate and are really receptive to customer feedback to make their products better."

Sources:

Yotpo Loyalty dashboard. Source: https://www.yotpo.com/

12. Fivestars

Fivestars is a loyalty and marketing platform tailored primarily to brick-and-mortar businesses. In 2021, Fivestars was acquired by SumUp (a payment technology company), highlighting its significance in the small business loyalty space.

The described Fivestars platform provides businesses with tools to sign up customers (often via phone number entry on a tablet), track their visits and spending, and send them promotions to drive repeat visits. It combines a digital loyalty program (replacing traditional paper punch cards) with messaging capabilities like SMS and email marketing.

Key features of this loyalty management software

  • Customer sign-up: Enrollment is handled through a phone number entered on a Fivestars tablet or app in-store. The phone number serves as the customer's identifier, removing the need for physical cards.
  • Visits and rewards: Programs are often visit-based, where customers earn stars per visit or per dollar spent and redeem them for rewards after a set threshold. Configurations can be adjusted for different business types, such as offering a free item after a certain number of visits.
  • Automated campaigns: Built-in tools can send promotions such as win-back offers, birthday rewards, or messages to high-spending customers. One-time announcements can also be sent via SMS or email to the member list.
  • All-in-one package: Fivestars supplies in-store hardware (tablet, card reader when needed) along with a consumer-facing mobile app. 
  • Shared network: Because customer data is shared within the Fivestars ecosystem, members can easily join programs at other participating stores. 
  • Analytics: The dashboard shows basic reporting such as member counts, visit frequency, campaign outcomes, and revenue attribution. 

⭐ Ideal for: Local retail, restaurants, salons, and small service businesses that need a basic loyalty and marketing system. The platform is primarily used offline, with sign-ups managed through in-store tablets and simple integrations with some point-of-sale systems. It's mainly suited for small operators without dedicated marketing resources.

Pros

  • "Fivestars is a very neat little rewards program that we use at our company."
  • "A customer can enroll without downloading an app or giving up an email address."
  • "I like that Fivestars only requires typing in my phone number at checkout... more missing out on points because I forgot my loyalty number or punch card!"

Cons

  • "The only thing that I can think of that could use improvement is that there's no real way to integrate it fully into our system to use them simultaneously, so sometimes things are missed."
  • "The only real problem I've encountered with Fivestars is that there's no history of previous point additions. For example, someone could come in and claim their points weren't added to Fivestar three days ago at checkout, and there isn't any real easy way to confirm that."
  • "I've run into instances where the system will be down, and then I didn't get my points that day."

Sources:

Fivestars dashboard. Source: https://www.fivestars.com/

What is customer loyalty software in general?

Customer loyalty software (sometimes called loyalty program software) is a tool that helps companies build, manage, and track loyalty programs in one place. Instead of juggling spreadsheets or manual processes, a loyalty platform automates the work: tracking purchases, calculating points, managing member profiles, distributing rewards or coupons, and giving you reports on how the program is performing.

The goal is simple: encourage customers to come back, spend more, and feel recognized for their loyalty. To achieve that, modern platforms support a wide mix of program types, such as points-based systems, VIP tiers, cashback rewards, referrals, or even paid memberships. Most also include features for personalization, so members can see generic discounts as well as offers or messages tailored to their behavior, preferences, and history with your brand.

Flexibility is another strength. A loyalty platform can be delivered as a standalone app, integrated into your existing tech stack, or even embedded in mobile experiences. It works across industries too, from retail and hospitality to fashion, beauty, and financial services. No matter the sector, the software is designed to help retain customers and grow their long-term engagement.

While the details vary from one provider to another, most platforms include a familiar set of features:

  • Customer tracking
  • Personalization
  • Reporting and analytics
  • Gamification
  • Omnichannel capabilities 
  • Integrations
  • Mobile access

So, loyalty software brings all sorts of benefits and assists companies in building and maintaining strong customer relationships by rewarding customer loyalty and providing personalized experiences.

Customer tracking in a loyalty system

Customer tracking is a loyalty software feature that allows you to monitor and manage purchases, reward points, and other loyalty activities in a centralized location. It can include tracking customer transactions, monitoring reward point accumulation, managing point redemptions, or selecting rewards that wrap up in measuring loyalty program health

Some loyalty software systems include advanced tracking features, such as observing loyalty members' activities across multiple channels, including in-store, online, and mobile apps. In addition, a customer tracking feature is a must for accurately following loyal members' activities and ensuring they receive the incentives to which they're entitled. A loyalty system can provide valuable insights into customer behavior, allowing you to understand them better.

Personalization in a loyalty system

Another feature of loyalty software is personalization, meaning the ability to communicate directly with customers and offer personalized rewards based on their individual preferences and behaviors. You can include tailored emails or notifications, targeted promotions and deals, and personalized recommendations based on previous purchases or identified interests. Also, data shows that 53% of loyalty program owners plan to offer personalized rewards or offers in the next three years.

Advanced personalization capabilities in the ticketing system allow you to segment customers based on their demographic characteristics or past activities, or use machine learning algorithms to predict which shoppers are most likely to respond to specific offers.

The personalization feature helps companies create more engaging customer experiences that can drive customer loyalty and satisfaction. It can also improve the impact of a loyalty program by targeting rewards and incentives to selected audiences.

Reporting and analytics in a loyalty system

The reports and analytics built into loyalty software provide data and insights on customer behavior, allowing you to make informed decisions about your loyalty program development strategy or planned marketing activities. The most common areas approached by analytics will be tracking customer engagement and participation, monitoring the effectiveness of specific rewards or promotions, and identifying loyalty trends or patterns.

Specific loyalty software systems include advanced capabilities, such as generating custom reports or using data visualization tools to understand loyalty program members better. 

You can utilize the data you collect to optimize your loyalty program and see what's working and what's not, and make adjustments based on those findings in the next step. You can also identify opportunities to improve the customer experience, such as by offering a new or improved rewards catalog or by addressing customer needs or concerns about the products/services you deliver.

Gamification

Incorporating game-like elements such as challenges, badges, or leaderboards can make a loyalty program feel more interactive. Instead of simply collecting points, members are encouraged to complete tasks, unlock levels, or compete with others, which keeps them returning more often. For example, customers might earn points for completing their profile, receive a badge for reaching a certain spend threshold, or climb a leaderboard for repeat visits.

Gamification shifts loyalty from a static program into an activity customers want to engage with, and it often leads to higher participation and stronger retention. Companies use it to encourage behaviors beyond purchases, like writing reviews, referring friends, or sharing on social channels, which builds deeper involvement.

If you want to see how gamified loyalty mechanics are being implemented, explore our detailed guide on the best gamification software. You can also dive into real-world gamification case studies to learn how brands across industries have put these mechanics into practice. Research shows that gamification increases engagement by turning routine actions into rewarding milestones, helping businesses keep customers active and connected with their programs.

Open Loyalty as a gamification loyalty platform. Source: https://www.openloyalty.io/product/customer-gamification-software 

Omnichannel capabilities

A modern loyalty program needs to operate seamlessly across all customer touchpoints, like in-store, online, or on mobile, so connecting the program to point-of-sale systems, e-commerce sites, mobile apps, email, SMS, and even social media interactions. A platform with true omnichannel support makes sure rewards and balances are consistent no matter where the customer engages.

Real-time syncing is notable. If a customer earns points in-store, those points should immediately appear in their online account and be ready for redemption in the app or at the next checkout. Without this kind of synchronization, customers experience delays or inconsistencies that reduce trust in the program.

Omnichannel loyalty also opens opportunities for more targeted engagement. For example, a customer who buys online might receive an in-app offer encouraging them to visit a physical store, or someone who frequently shops in-store could get a push notification with a personalized online discount. 

For a deeper dive into strategies and examples, see our guide on omnichannel retail loyalty programs. It explores how leading companies link in-store and digital channels to deliver loyalty programs that feel connected and consistent.

Integrations and API

The ability to scale a loyalty system through integrations is one of the most practical things to look at when choosing a platform. On the surface, it might feel like a "nice to have," but in reality, integrations determine how smoothly loyalty fits into the rest of your business. A platform that connects with your existing setup, like an e-commerce platform, CRM, or CDP, marketing automation, support desk, POS, accounting, or even inventory tools, will save your teams countless hours and make the program feel like a natural extension of your customer experience.

When loyalty data can move freely between systems, everyday tasks become simpler. For example, a customer's points balance can show up in your mobile app, a reward redemption can automatically trigger a thank-you email, or your service team can instantly see a member's tier when handling a support ticket. All of these small connections add up to a smoother experience for customers and less manual work for your staff.

The best setups also come with open APIs or pre-built connectors. That gives your developers the freedom to experiment and add custom logic, while marketers can use out-of-the-box integrations to launch campaigns quickly. In practice, this means you can start simple and gradually add more touchpoints as your program grows, without having to replace the platform every time your needs change. For a detailed breakdown, see our guide on how to integrate an API-first loyalty engine with your tech stack.

Handled properly, integrations turn your loyalty platform into a central hub for customer interactions and data. Instead of juggling spreadsheets or scattered reports, you get one clear view of how people are engaging with your program, how rewards are being used, and where the biggest opportunities are. A practical example of this in action is our article on connecting an API-first loyalty engine with marketing automation.

Over time, this not only helps you run the program more smoothly but also makes it easier to show the business impact of loyalty. You can even extend the functionality further by adding custom engagement layers, as explained in our guide on how to extend your product with API-first loyalty and gamification features.

Mobile app for a loyalty system

Mobile access has become one of the most practical features of loyalty platforms, simply because so many customers now interact with programs on their phones. A lot of them prefer to engage this way, and younger shoppers are far more likely to open an app than log in from a desktop. For brands, this makes mobile a natural place to connect, reward, and keep the program top of mind.

A good loyalty system should either come with its own white-label app or give you the option to integrate directly with your existing app. That flexibility allows customers to check their points balance, browse available rewards, or redeem offers with just a few taps. In practice, this might mean a member receives a push notification about a bonus campaign, scans a QR code at checkout to collect points, and then uses a digital loyalty card stored in their mobile wallet to redeem a reward. All of these micro-interactions keep the program visible and easy to use.

Customization also matters here. The ability to adjust the look and feel of the app, colors, branding, and navigation helps make the loyalty program feel like a seamless part of your business, not an afterthought. And when the app can connect with your other marketing systems, you get even more opportunities: tailored product recommendations based on past purchases, location-based offers, or time-sensitive promotions sent directly to a phone. For a detailed breakdown of the features customers expect today, see our guide on proven mobile loyalty app features.

Handled well, a mobile loyalty app becomes more than just a digital punch card. It turns into an always-on touchpoint where members can interact with your brand, track their progress, and feel rewarded instantly. For companies building or upgrading apps, there are also ways to streamline development. Learn how with our article on reducing mobile loyalty app development costs with Flutter.

Loyalty software industry landscape and trends in 2026

The global loyalty management market is booming. More and more companies are investing in loyalty programs, and they're becoming one of the essential tools for generating revenue. There's no denying that the as it's expected to grow from $5.57 billion in 2022 to $24.44 billion by 2029, showing a CAGR of 23.5%.

The loyalty solution market is highly fragmented, and different solutions are available for SMB or Enterprise customers. Companies have many options when choosing loyalty software, and the best solution will depend on their specific needs and goals. They can choose from such solutions as:

  • Plugins for eCommerce platforms
  • Bespoke loyalty program apps from digital agencies
  • All-in-one marketing platforms with loyalty features
  • Pure loyalty program software
  • End-to-end loyalty solution providers 
  • Coalition loyalty programs 
  • Promotion software with loyalty features
  • SaaS ecosystems with loyalty program modules
  • And so on.

The landscape continues to evolve, and whenever a new player emerges, the rest of us watch their actions closely. 

Do you see how diverse trends are right now?

Loyalty program trends chart from the "Loyalty Program Trends" report by Open Loyalty. Source: https://www.openloyalty.io/insider/loyalty-program-trends 

This brings us to the real showstopper, headless architecture, which is the way to go for loyalty system development. Our observations show that enterprise clients with the most mature technical teams are moving from monolithic to headless solutions to make the technology more cost-effective and quicker to expand and personalize in the future. It's really becoming the new standard!

There's also still a build vs. buy dilemma, with companies having unique requirements facing a choice between:

  • Bespoke loyalty program solutions that are made-to-order but still costly to build and maintain.
  • Off-the-shelf loyalty solutions that are ready-to-use but have limited capabilities and narrow customization options.

No one said that building a loyalty system would be easy. You definitely have to do some digging beforehand.

The loyalty solutions landscape is also diverse in types of offerings. Companies have many options when choosing a solution, and the "best" fit depends on their goals and scale:

  • All-in-one marketing suites: Some CRM or marketing cloud providers offer loyalty modules as part of a larger suite (for example, Salesforce Loyalty Management, or Adobe's loyalty capabilities via integrations). These can be attractive to enterprises looking to unify data on one platform, though they may come with higher complexity and cost.
  • Pure-play loyalty platforms: These are specialized loyalty software providers focused solely on loyalty and rewards programs (examples include Open Loyalty, Antavo, Annex Cloud, etc.). They often offer deeper loyalty-specific features and flexibility, and can range from SMB-oriented tools to enterprise-grade solutions.
  • E-commerce plugins and apps: For small businesses or online stores, there are lightweight loyalty plugins (e.g., Shopify apps like Smile.io or LoyaltyLion) that can be installed easily to add points and rewards functionality. These tend to be budget-friendly and simple, but may lack advanced features or customization.
  • Coalition or partner loyalty platforms: Some solutions enable coalition loyalty programs (where multiple brands share one program) or robust partner management. These are useful if you plan to team up with other brands for joint rewards or need a complex partner ecosystem (for instance, airlines or coalition programs use such platforms).
  • Build-your-own frameworks: Larger tech-savvy companies sometimes consider building a loyalty system in-house or using open-source frameworks. Also, it offers ultimate customization, but comes with high development and maintenance effort. As we noted, hybrid approaches (build and buy) are emerging, for example, using a headless loyalty platform's APIs as a foundation and extending them with custom code.

Another distinguishing feature of the current loyalty landscape is that marketers and product teams prefer to build on top of their stack and add specialized components rather than replace existing solutions, for example, marketing automation or CRM. 

Besides, enterprise clients want full ownership of their data. They often require full control over customer data, which can be achieved with on-premise or private-cloud deployments, where the database is separated from other entities.

Businesses use technology solutions to manage and track loyalty programs, including CRM systems, mobile apps, point-of-sale (POS) systems, marketing automation platforms, mobile marketing platforms, mobile payment systems, customer feedback and review platforms, or social media management tools. Also, the major features that companies consider when choosing loyalty software are customer tracking, personalization, reporting, analytics, and custom integrations.

The loyalty software landscape constantly evolves as companies look for new ways to engage and retain their customers. Look at the loyalty trend matrix included in our Loyalty Program Trends report.

FAQ on the leading customer loyalty software 

What are the top customer loyalty software providers?

Some of the top customer loyalty software options include Open Loyalty, Salesforce Loyalty Management, Antavo, Zinrelo, Smile.io, and Yotpo. These providers offer a mix of features such as points-based customer loyalty programs, tiered rewards, and referral programs to help increase customer retention

Many of them also provide tools to analyze customer behavior and align rewards with customer preferences, which makes it easier to foster relationships and drive repeat business over time.

Which loyalty platforms do enterprises use most often?

Enterprises often choose loyalty management systems with a proven track record of handling large-scale programs. Popular platforms in this space include Open Loyalty, Salesforce, Oracle CrowdTwist, and Comarch, which integrate tightly with customer relationship management tools and other enterprise systems. 

These solutions typically include support for automated rewards, complex loyalty status rules, and advanced reporting to understand consumer behavior across multiple social media channels, apps, and offline touchpoints.

What is the best customer loyalty platform for enterprises?

The "best" choice depends on business needs, budget, and technical setup. Salesforce and Oracle are widely adopted because they integrate with existing data platforms, while Open Loyalty stands out for enterprises that want flexibility. Its API-first approach makes it easy for businesses to create tailored programs with personalized interactions, experiential rewards, and even Apple Wallet integration for mobile use. 

The ability to customize earning rules, support unlimited transactions, and incentivize customers with both classic and modern reward types makes Open Loyalty a strong option for companies looking to increase customer loyalty at scale.

Which loyalty platform is open-source?

While some loyalty tools have experimented with open-source models in the past, most leading platforms today are commercial. Open Loyalty is often compared to open-source because of its headless architecture and API-first design, which give businesses freedom similar to what they'd expect from an open-source project but with the support, stability, and roadmap of a dedicated product company.

This approach allows businesses to create programs with flexible earning rules, digital stamp cards, referral programs, or even Apple Wallet integration, while scaling to handle unlimited transactions. The platform combines the adaptability enterprises want with enterprise-level reliability, making it a strong choice for companies looking to increase customer loyalty without the risks of managing open-source software.

Headless architecture and API-first design of Open Loyalty. Source: https://www.openloyalty.io/applications 

What are the most popular loyalty software options in 2026?

In 2026, some of the most popular platforms include Open Loyalty, Antavo, Zinrelo, Yotpo, Smile.io, and Annex Cloud. These solutions are widely used across industries such as retail, travel, and finance. Businesses choose them for features like digital stamp cards, support for experiential rewards, referral programs, and flexible campaign engines to incentivize customers. They help brands deliver personalized interactions, encourage brand affinity, and adapt to shifting customer preferences. All of which makes it easier to increase customer loyalty and maintain a healthy customer base.

With these systems, customers earn points across different channels and can redeem them for rewards in ways that match their shopping habits. The platforms give flexibility so that a business can create tailored programs instead of relying only on predefined templates. Some vendors also provide detailed pricing information, while others require direct contact for quotes, which is worth considering during evaluation. Reporting tools highlight metrics such as redemption rates, repeat purchase frequency, and customer engagement levels, helping companies track the impact of their loyalty initiatives.

Refine your customer journey with a loyalty system

We hope this loyalty software comparison gave you a clear look at leading customer loyalty platforms and the features that stand out. The right choice depends on your goals, budget, and how complex your program needs to be. Take time to explore the options: ask for demos, send an RFP, and weigh the feature set, support, setup effort, and long-term costs.

Take as much time as you need to research and compare your options thoroughly. You should certainly try to send an RFP to the best loyalty providers. Don't be afraid to ask questions and request demos or tests to get a better feel for each solution. It may also be helpful to consider the level of support and resources provided by each provider, as well as their track record and reputation in the market.

Loyalty software is a significant investment for your business because it can help you retain and grow your customer base, increase customer satisfaction, drive long-term success, and create a positive and rewarding experience for your audience. Keep in mind that the best loyalty software for your business also depends on factors such as the size of your company, the type/number of experts on board, the complexity of your loyalty program, and your available budget.

When evaluating providers, review how they handle reward management and if they allow you to manage unlimited customers without hidden limits. Strong platforms also make it simple for customers to earn points, stay active, and keep existing customers connected with customer-engaged campaigns that tie into your overall strategy.

If you want an on-budget solution that fits your needs, goals, and growth plans, in this case, you might consider Open Loyalty. It's an effective headless loyalty platform with the world's most flexible loyalty APIs and highly adaptable architecture, available in SaaS and on-premises/private cloud models. Open Loyalty is sure to adapt to your business every step of the way.

In a market full of choices, the right loyalty platform helps you stand out. Here's to building a program your customers enjoy and to outcomes your business will notice.

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About the authors
Weronika is a Content Manager with over four years of experience in loyalty and gamification. She has a deep passion for telling stories to educate and engage her audience. In her free time, she goes mountain hiking, practices yoga, and reads books related to guerrilla marketing, branding, and sociology.
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