Research archive
Software research — archived
This research was published when Boost.cards was a content site. We’ve since pivoted to product-led: the builder, templates, QR cards and calculators are now the primary surfaces. This software research remains as reference material, with evaluation frameworks and vendor archetypes.
New primary surfaces
Skip the software shortlist entirely if you can use Boost.cards:
Archive
Three research guides
Each guide is a transparent framework, not a pre-computed ranking.
Best loyalty software
How to compare loyalty-program platforms on mechanic support, data ownership and integration.
Read guide →
Digital loyalty apps
Mobile-first loyalty platforms: when an app is worth the install, and when it is not.
Read guide →
Gift card platforms
Issuance, distribution, breakage and reconciliation for digital and physical gift cards.
Read guide →
How we evaluate software
We do not run paid reviews and we do not maintain a leaderboard. Each guide is built on a transparent evaluation framework — the same criteria we would use if we were buying the software for our own business. Vendors are grouped by archetype (independent operators, integrated POS add-ons, agency-built, and so on) so you can compare apples to apples.
Where we cite vendor examples by name, we link to the vendor’s public documentation or pricing page. We do not invent review scores, customer counts or satisfaction figures.
Before you evaluate vendors
Run your numbers first. The loyalty ROI calculator gives you the budget envelope. The gift card profit calculator tells you what you can spend on platform fees. Shortlist vendors only after you know your numbers.