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If you’re leaving Smile.io, start with the reason: some alternatives focus on retail loyalty, while others are built for restaurants or wallet passes. One Reddit thread reported customers couldn’t see points on Starter, but commenters said balances can show on free plans when the launcher is configured. A clearer product gap came from a merchant seeking different point values for text, photo and video reviews; a commenter said Smile doesn’t support that on its own. The listed order caps and $199/month VIP tier are worth weighing, too.
01Why people leave Smile.io
Review-specific points rules
A Reddit merchant wanted different points for text, photo and video reviews. A commenter said Smile doesn’t offer those rules on its own.
Points visibility confusion
One Reddit thread reported customers couldn’t see balances on Starter. Commenters said balances can appear on free plans when the launcher is enabled.
Order caps and VIP cost
The comparison flags order caps and a $199/month VIP tier as potential limits. It doesn’t publish the cap numbers.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Multi-location retail
Kangaroo RewardsKangaroo RewardsKangaroo is worth considering if you need a loyalty program for one store or multiple locations, rather than a Shopify-first points setup. It is positioned around loyalty, campaigns and a branded rewards app. The listed starting price is $79/month; check its integration caps and monthly cost against your current setup before switching.
Trade-off: Its starting price is $79/month, and integration caps need checking.
5.9/10from
$79/mo - Wallet-pass loyalty
WalletlyWalletly
Walletly fits businesses that want loyalty passes in customer wallets and campaigns spanning online and in-store redemptions. The comparison also lists agency sub-accounts and white-label scanning. Starting at $15, it may be a lower-cost option to investigate, but compare the plan details carefully before committing annually.
Trade-off: Compare plan details before an annual commitment.
6.2/10from
$15/mo - Personalized offers
ClutchClutchClutch is a candidate if you want to consolidate loyalty and campaigns or need personalized offers. Its listed strengths include location-based pricing needs, which may suit businesses operating across locations. Pricing is opaque, however, and the comparison notes there is little relevant user feedback, so get a quote and verify fit before replacing Smile.io.
Trade-off: Pricing is opaque, with little relevant user feedback to weigh.
5.8/10from
Custom - Square POS users
Square LoyaltySquare LoyaltySquare Loyalty is the most relevant pick here if your business already uses Square POS and wants loyalty alongside marketing. The listed price starts at $60 per location per month. That makes the bill easier to estimate than custom-quote products, but the comparison flags unclear reward mechanics and only a listed visit tier.
Trade-off: $60 per location monthly; reward mechanics are unclear.
5.0/10from
$60/mo - Restaurant loyalty
ThanxThanxThanx is aimed at multi-location restaurant brands that want loyalty, ordering and automated guest campaigns in one suite. That makes it a more relevant direction than Smile.io for restaurant operators, but not an obvious general Shopify replacement. Pricing is custom, so ask for costs and plan limits before comparing it with your current bill.
Trade-off: Custom pricing makes costs and limits hard to compare.
6.5/10from
Custom - Food and beverage
ComoComoComo is positioned for food and beverage loyalty, retailers wanting a branded app, and businesses combining ordering with marketing. Consider it if those needs matter more than Smile.io’s Shopify loyalty basics. The comparison describes its feature coverage as strong, but custom-quote pricing and limited public evidence make due diligence important.
Trade-off: Custom quotes and limited public evidence.
6.0/10from
Custom - Local repeat visits
FivestarsFivestarsFivestars is geared toward local businesses focused on repeat visits and automated customer follow-ups. It may suit a shop whose main goal is bringing customers back, rather than building a broader online rewards program. The comparison recommends verifying contract terms, since pricing is unclear and users have raised contract concerns.
Trade-off: Pricing and contract terms need verification.
5.8/10from
Custom
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Smile.io Smile.io (current) | 6.8 | $15/mo | Yes | Shopify stores starting loyalty programs |
| Kangaroo Rewards Kangaroo Rewards | 5.9 | $79/mo | No | Single-store businesses starting loyalty |
| Walletly Walletly | 6.2 | $15/mo | No | Businesses using wallet-based loyalty passes |
| Clutch Clutch | 5.8 | Custom | No | Teams consolidating loyalty and campaigns |
| Square Loyalty Square Loyalty | 5.0 | $60/mo | No | Businesses already using Square POS |
| Thanx Thanx | 6.5 | Custom | No | Multi-location restaurant brands |
| Como Como | 6.0 | Custom | No | Food and beverage loyalty programs |
| Fivestars Fivestars | 5.8 | Custom | No | Local businesses focused on repeat visits |
Questions people ask
Can customers see their Smile.io points on a free plan?
One Reddit thread said a merchant couldn’t find a customer-facing balance on Starter. Other commenters said balances can appear on free plans if the points launcher is configured. The discussion points to a possible setup issue, not a confirmed plan restriction.
Does Smile.io support different points for text, photo and video reviews?
A merchant on Reddit said Smile.io doesn’t offer separate point rules for those review types on its own. A commenter recommended other tools, but the discussion doesn’t establish that every alternative supports the same setup. Confirm the exact review rules with a vendor before switching.
Which Smile.io alternative has a published starting price?
The comparison lists Walletly from $15, Kangaroo Rewards from $79, and Square Loyalty from $60 per location monthly. Other options here have no published starting price or use custom pricing. Compare the plan limits and billing basis, not just the entry price.