Square Loyalty alternative
Square Loyalty alternative: Loyal Aura vs Square Loyalty
If you already sell through Square POS, Square Loyalty is the easy default. If you use another POS, or you want wallet cards and Google reviews, here is how Loyal Aura compares.
By the Loyal Aura team · Competitor facts checked November 11, 2026. Check each vendor's site for current pricing.
The short answer
Square Loyalty is a points program built into Square POS. Customers earn by visit, spend or item at checkout, with automatic text notifications, VIP tiers and bonus-point promotions. Its loyalty passes work in Apple Wallet on iOS devices only, per its help center.
Loyal Aura does not need a particular POS. Staff scan the customer's wallet card with a phone, and on Loyalty Growth you can connect POS systems including Square, Clip, Poster and Loyverse. You get Apple Wallet and Google Wallet cards in 8 types, plus Google review collection. If every sale already runs through Square and points are enough, Square Loyalty is hard to beat on convenience.
Loyal Aura vs Square Loyalty at a glance
| Feature | Loyal Aura | Square Loyalty |
|---|---|---|
| POS required | No. Staff scan with a phone; POS integrations (Square, Clip, Poster, Loyverse and more) on Growth | Built for Square POS: loyalty connects to the Square checkout |
| Wallet passes | Apple Wallet and Google Wallet | Apple Wallet only (its help center says the passes are available on iOS devices only) |
| Program types | 8 card types: stamp, points, tier, membership, discount, cashback, coupon, gift | Points by visit, spend, item or category, with VIP tiers |
| How customers join | Scan a QR code or open a link, no app | At the Square POS, online and on invoices |
| Text messages | SMS campaigns on Loyalty Scale; WhatsApp on Growth and up | Automatic SMS notifications |
| Google reviews | Reviews module, from $12/mo | Not listed on Square's US loyalty page as of November 11, 2026 |
| Games | Spin-the-wheel and scratch games, $2 per game | Not listed on Square's US loyalty page as of November 11, 2026 |
| Pricing model | Published monthly plans with 1, 3 or 10 locations | Included in Square Plus: $49/mo per location in the US; not in the free plan |
| Free trial | 7 days, no credit card needed | 30 days |
Based on each vendor's public pages as of November 11, 2026. "Not listed" means we did not see it on the pages we checked, not that it can never exist.
Strengths of each option
Where Loyal Aura is stronger
- Works with any checkout, or no POS at all: staff scan the wallet card with a phone.
- Google Wallet as well as Apple Wallet, and 8 card types such as stamps, gift cards, coupons and memberships, not only points.
- Google review requests, games and WhatsApp in the same account.
- Locations included in the plan (up to 3 on Growth, up to 10 on Scale) instead of a per-location fee.
Where Square Loyalty is stronger
- Native to Square POS: loyalty connects to the Square checkout.
- Enrollment at the POS, online and on invoices, with customer data in the same system as your sales.
- Square's US pricing page lists loyalty as part of its Plus plan, which suits you if you already pay for that plan.
- A 30-day trial.
Pricing: Loyal Aura vs Square Loyalty
Loyal Aura
- Loyalty Starter, $15/mo: 1 card type (stamp or reward), 1 location.
- Loyalty Growth, $39/mo: all 8 card types, automations, WhatsApp, POS integrations, up to 3 locations.
- Loyalty Scale, $89/mo: SMS and email campaigns, REST API and webhooks, up to 10 locations.
- Reviews module from $12/mo.
Square Loyalty
- Square's US loyalty page says "one plan for your entire business" and did not show a price on November 11, 2026.
- Square Plus, the cheapest US plan with the loyalty program: $49/mo per location.
- Square Premium: $149/mo per location. Square Free ($0) does not include loyalty.
- 30-day free trial.
Prices in USD as listed on each vendor's pricing page on November 11, 2026, billed monthly unless marked otherwise. Vendors change prices and promotions, so check each vendor's site for current pricing.
When to choose which
Choose Loyal Aura if
- You use a POS other than Square, or no POS.
- You want cards in Google Wallet too, or stamp, gift and coupon cards.
- You want more Google reviews from the same tool.
Choose Square Loyalty if
- Every sale already runs through Square POS and you want points earned at checkout automatically.
- You already pay for Square's Plus plan.
- Points and tiers are all the program you need.
Frequently asked questions
Does Square Loyalty work without Square POS?
How much does Square Loyalty cost?
Does Square Loyalty support Google Wallet?
Can I use Loyal Aura with Square?
Which is better for a coffee shop?
Try Loyal Aura free
Start a free trial, pick a ready-made card for your type of business and go live the same day. Monthly billing, cancel any time.
- No credit card needed
- Cancel anytime
- Apple & Google Wallet
Your first customer joins by scanning your QR at the counter. The card lands in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, with no app to download.
Related pages
Sources
- squareup.com/us/en/software/loyalty
- squareup.com/us/en/pricing
- squareup.com/help/us/en/article/6469-enroll-to-square-loyalty-using-square-point-of-sale
- squareup.com/help/us/en/article/8569-switch-to-the-new-square-subscription-plans
Competitor details come from Square Loyalty's public pages listed above, read on November 11, 2026. Loyal Aura wrote this page, so read it with that in mind. If something here is out of date or wrong, email support@loyalaura.com and we will correct it.
Product names belong to their owners. Loyal Aura is not affiliated with the companies compared on these pages.