Comparison
Plastic loyalty cards vs Shakewell Wallet
An honest comparison
Plastic loyalty cards still work. They're tactile, they don't need an internet connection, and your customers know what to do with them. But they can't be updated, can't push a notification, and you can't see what's happening with them. Here's an honest look at where each fits.
Where we win
Wallet passes update in real time, send push notifications, and give you analytics you can act on. No per-card production cost — issue and reissue for free.
Where Plastic loyalty cards wins
Plastic still works without a smartphone, doesn't depend on email signups to distribute, and your customers don't need to learn anything new.
Best fit for each
Wallet passes for any business with an email list and customers who carry smartphones. Plastic for in-person-only programs where you can't capture a digital signup at the counter.
Pricing
| Plastic loyalty cards | Shakewell Wallet | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost model | Per-card production + design + shipping | Flat monthly tier, unlimited reissues |
| Cost at 200 customers/yr | ~$0.50 per card × 200 = $100 + design + shipping | $49/mo Starter ($588/yr) — includes everything |
| Cost at 2,000 customers/yr | ~$0.30 per card × 2,000 = $600 + design + shipping + reissues | $149/mo Growth ($1,788/yr) — unlimited updates and pushes |
| Cost to update card design | Full reprint + redistribution | Free — push the change once, every pass updates |
| Cost to reissue a lost card | New card + shipping | Free — customer re-adds from a link |
| Setup fees | Design + printing setup | None |
Features
| Plastic loyalty cards | Shakewell Wallet | |
|---|---|---|
| Works without a smartphone | ||
| Works without internet at point of sale | Barcode scans offline | |
| No per-card production cost | ||
| Update card content after issue | ||
| Push notifications to cardholders | ||
| Location-based reminders | ||
| Real-time analytics on usage | ||
| Apple Wallet + Google Wallet | ||
| Segment and target cardholders | ||
| Lost-card replacement is free |
Where Plastic loyalty cards is the better choice
Honest framing matters more than the rest of this page. Here's where they win.
- No smartphone required — works for any customer demographic
- No email or phone number needed to issue at the counter
- Customers already know what a loyalty card is — zero learning curve
- Tactile presence in the wallet acts as a passive brand reminder
- Doesn't depend on a digital signup flow you may not have built yet
Where Shakewell Wallet is the better choice
- Issue and reissue at zero marginal cost — no print run, no shipping
- Update card design, balance, or offer after issue — every pass refreshes
- Push notifications direct to the lock screen — no opt-in required beyond the pass
- Location-based reminders trigger when the customer is near your store
- See exactly who's using their card, how often, and when they stop
- Lost cards are free to replace — customer re-adds from a link
Pick Plastic loyalty cards if…
- • You have no email list and no way to capture a digital signup at the counter
- • Your customer base genuinely doesn't carry smartphones
- • You're running a one-off promo where the card itself is the keepsake
Pick Shakewell Wallet if…
- • You already capture email or phone at signup, in-store or online
- • You want to update offers, balances, or messaging after the card is issued
- • You want to send a push notification when a customer is near your store
- • You want to see real numbers on engagement, not guess
- • You'd rather pay a flat monthly fee than reorder plastic every quarter
Migrating from Plastic loyalty cards?
You don't have to choose one or the other on day one. Most businesses roll out wallet passes alongside plastic for 2–3 months: existing customers keep their plastic card, new signups get a wallet pass, and you offer existing customers a one-tap link to add the digital version. Once 60–70% of active customers are on wallet, you can stop reprinting plastic.
Try it yourself
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