Square Loyalty is great if you're locked into Square POS. But many owners find points get boring fast—barcodes, POS integration, and apps instead of a simple NFC tap with no apps and no POS changes.
QRSpin changes that:
Tim, Founder of QRSpin
Published: February 5, 2026 • Last updated: February 5, 2026
Square Loyalty: Tied to Square POS, simple points, basic wallet (mostly Apple), $45–$105/mo per location based on monthly loyalty visits.
QRSpin: Works with any POS (including Square), gamified stamps + games, fully custom wallet passes (Apple + Google), NFC/GPS/auto-reviews. Pricing is based on your QRSpin plan only (roughly $30–$70/month) with no extra loyalty add-on or per-visit fees. Better for creating excitement and habits without ecosystem lock-in.
Choose Square if you're all-in on Square and want basic tracking. Choose QRSpin if you want loyalty that's actually fun and drives more visits/reviews.
QRSpin is built for busy cafés, bars, and F&B spots that want loyalty to feel exciting—not like a chore. There is no POS integration, no barcodes, and no apps to install—staff simply tap the customer's phone with an NFC staff card in under a second. It works alongside your existing setup (including Square POS), so there's nothing to rip out or replace. For customers, the flow is simple: scan a QR, register and confirm email, spin the wheel to win, then land in a personal member area with an automatic digital loyalty card (Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and web wallet).
These are common themes we hear from cafés and bars who tried Square Loyalty first, then looked for something more engaging and flexible.
Owner · Food & Beverages
Used the software for: 1–2 years
Cons of Square Loyalty
"The cost feels a little high, sometimes I'm unclear on how many users are actively using it. Because it's based on amount of users, I feel that I'm paying for more than is necessary when someone signs up once and isn't a return or frequent customer."
Personal trainer · Health, Wellness and Fitness
Used the software for: Less than 6 months
Cons of Square Loyalty
"The main downside is the cost, since it can get expensive as the program grows. Also, the customization is somewhat limited compared to other platforms."
Business owner · Retail
Used the software for: 1–2 years
Cons of Square Loyalty
"You have to be able to tailor your loyalty program within the framework that Square has set up. It won't allow you to do truly custom rewards."
Owner · Food & Beverages
Used the software for: 1–2 years
Cons of Square Loyalty
"I did not like that I could not collect information that I chose from my customers. I did not have that flexibility."
| Feature | Square Loyalty | QRSpin |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $45–$105/month per location Tiered by monthly loyalty visits (0–10,000+ per location) ★★☆☆☆ | $30–$70/month total (typical QRSpin plan) Loyalty, games, and wallet are included—no extra loyalty add-on or per-visit fees ★★★★★ |
| Setup Time | POS configuration required ★★☆☆☆ | 30 seconds – just add Google listing phone ★★★★★ |
| Payment Required | Yes – paid add-on after 30-day free trial Auto-scales each month based on actual loyalty visits ★★☆☆☆ | No extra loyalty add-on fee You just pay for QRSpin itself—loyalty is built in ★★★★★ |
| Extra Hardware Needed | Often requires scanners or extra POS hardware ★☆☆☆☆ | No additional hardware to buy – 3 NFC staff tap cards included ★★★★★ |
| Customer Signup | Phone number at checkout ★★★☆☆ | QR scan + email-first, instant game incentive ★★★★★ |
| Reward Type | Points only + basic VIP tiers ★★★☆☆ | Digital stamps + Scratch/Spin per stamp ★★★★★ |
| Customer Experience | Generic points balance, POS/receipt-centric ★★★☆☆ | Unique, app-less member page with stamps, rewards, promos, Instagram follow and Google review requests ★★★★★ |
| Gamification | None ★☆☆☆☆ | Scratch & Win, Spin Wheel, seasonal mini-games ★★★★★ |
| Staff Workflow | POS entry, barcodes, and checkout steps ★★★☆☆ | One NFC tap with staff card, <1 second, no POS or apps needed ★★★★★ |
| Customer Engagement | SMS reminders only ★★☆☆☆ | Wallet/GPS alerts, social incentives, auto-reviews ★★★★★ |
| Reward Control | Limited customization ★★☆☆☆ | Full control: prizes, daily/weekly/monthly limits ★★★★★ |
| Marketing Tools | Basic SMS + add-on automations ★★★☆☆ | Coupon campaigns, games, referrals, reviews ★★★★★ |
| POS Impact | Requires Square POS ★★☆☆☆ | POS-agnostic — works with any system, including Square, with no changes ★★★★★ |
| Email/Birthday Capture | Separate automations, low opt-in ★★☆☆☆ | Built-in email & birthday capture with high opt-in ★★★★★ |
For cafés and bars, QRSpin often wins with gamification, custom wallets, NFC ease, GPS alerts, and auto reviews—leading to higher repeat visits and engagement.
Square is POS-tied points with variable pricing ($45–$105/mo per location based on loyalty visits). QRSpin adds fun, branded wallets, instant stamps, smart reminders, and automatic growth tools with simple flat pricing (around $30–$70/month, no per-visit fees).
Yes—QRSpin is independent. Keep Square for checkout; add QRSpin for the loyalty excitement.
Square Loyalty costs $45–$105/month per location depending on how many loyalty visits you have. QRSpin is included in your plan and roughly works out at $30–$70/month total—no extra loyalty add-on and no per-visit fees, so costs stay predictable as you grow.
No. QRSpin includes 3 free NFC staff tap cards—staff just tap the customer's phone in under a second. There's no POS integration, no barcodes, and no checkout changes needed.
Check official sites: Square Loyalty or QRSpin.
