A Square Loyalty alternative that needs no Square.
Square Loyalty is a per-location add-on inside Square POS; Piqlo is POS-independent, works next to any register, and is free to start.
Where Piqlo is ahead
Independence. Your loyalty program should not be a feature of your payment processor. A Piqlo card is a printed QR code or NFC tag that points at an editable link, so it works with any register, survives a POS switch, and never asks you to change how you take payments. The customer list, visit history, and notes live in a customer list you can export as CSV whenever you like.
The card in the customer's pocket. Piqlo customers carry an Apple Wallet or Google Wallet pass that updates over the air the moment a stamp, points, or a reward lands. And the same account runs Google review cards and print materials (43 frames, counter card and table tent PDFs), which are not what a POS loyalty add-on is built for.
Where Square Loyalty is ahead, honestly
The checkout integration. Points that accrue automatically with every Square sale mean zero extra steps for staff, and no scan to forget on a busy shift. Piqlo's counter flow is deliberately simple (staff scan the customer's pass from a counter scanner), but it is a step, and Square's automatic earning genuinely removes it. Square also sells a broader marketing suite around its ecosystem; Piqlo does not send marketing messages yet. Check their current pricing page for per-location costs; we quote none here because theirs change and we would rather be accurate than dramatic.
FAQ
Do I need Square POS to use Piqlo?
No. Piqlo is independent of your point of sale. Your loyalty card is a printed QR code or NFC tag on the counter; customers enroll with one scan, and staff stamp or add points from a counter scanner. It works next to any register, or no register at all.
When is Square Loyalty the better choice?
If you already run Square POS and want points earned automatically inside the checkout flow, Square Loyalty is the native option and that integration is real convenience. Piqlo cannot hook into your Square checkout. The trade is lock-in and a per-location monthly fee versus a POS-independent program that is free to start.
Does Piqlo put the loyalty card in Apple Wallet?
Yes. On every plan, including Free (up to 50 customers), the customer's card is an Apple Wallet or Google Wallet pass that updates over the air whenever a stamp, points, or a reward lands, with nothing to install. Pro ($15/mo) adds custom pass design and the customer list with Notes.
Can Piqlo message my customers like a marketing tool?
Not yet. Piqlo wallet passes update when real activity happens (stamps, points, rewards earned), but owner-composed marketing campaigns have not shipped; they are on our roadmap. If a built-in marketing suite is your deciding feature today, weigh that honestly.