Paper punch cards are cheap, quick to start and need no tech at all, so they still suit a brand-new shop or a one-off event. A digital stamp card from Regulars lives in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, can't be lost in a drawer, stops double stamps and lets you message your regulars. If you just want something on the counter tomorrow, paper works. If you want to know who comes back and bring quiet customers back, a wallet card is the better fit.
How do paper punch cards and Regulars compare?
Paper wins on cost and simplicity. A wallet card wins on everything that happens after the customer walks out the door.
| Regulars | Paper punch cards | |
|---|---|---|
| How customers join | Scan a QR code or tap a link, type a first name, tap Add to Wallet | Staff hand over a card |
| Where the card lives | Apple Wallet or Google Wallet | A wallet, a pocket, or the laundry |
| Hardware needed | Any phone or tablet camera | A hole punch or a stamp |
| Messaging | Lock screen messages, 6 automatic messages | No |
| Know who your regulars are | Yes, in the dashboard | No |
| Stops double stamps | Yes, cooldown and daily cap | No |
| Pricing model | Monthly plan from $49 USD | Cost of printing |
| Contract | No contract, 30-day free trial | None |
Sources: Regulars plan details on our pricing section. Paper costs depend on your printer.
When are paper punch cards a good fit?
Paper is a good fit when cost and speed matter most. It is honest, low-tech and it works.
- 💵 You're on a tight budget. A box of printed cards costs very little.
- ⏱️ You need it today. Print, punch, done.
- 👵 Some regulars don't carry a smartphone. Paper works for everyone.
- 🎪 It's a one-off. A pop-up or a festival weekend may not need anything more.
When is a digital stamp card a better fit?
A wallet card is better when you want regulars to come back more often, not just collect punches.
- 📱 It can't get lost. The card stays in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, right next to their boarding passes.
- 🔄 It updates itself. After each stamp, the card on their phone changes. Rewards show up on the card.
- 🔔 You can say hi. Send a lock screen message like "Slow Monday? Free cookie with any coffee."
- 🤖 Messages run on their own. Welcome, almost there, reward ready, we miss you, birthday and slow day boost are on by default.
- 👀 You see who's coming back. The dashboard shows who is new, who is active and who hasn't been in for 14 or 30 days.
- 🛡️ No more borrowed stamps. A cooldown and daily cap stop double scans. See how to stop punch card cheating.
For a deeper look, read paper punch cards vs digital stamp cards or what a digital punch card is.
How do I switch from paper punch cards to Regulars?
Most shops switch in under a week. Keep paper going while people move over.
- Copy your current reward. If paper says buy 9, get the 10th free, set the same target.
- Put up the poster. Regulars makes a counter poster with your QR code.
- Trade punches for stamps. When a regular shows a paper card, give a stamp for each punch.
- Retire the paper. After a few weeks, stop handing out new paper cards.
Paper had a good run, like a vinyl record. Your wallet card just never gets scratched.
Questions people ask
Are paper punch cards still worth it?
They can be. Paper is cheap, simple and everyone understands it. It falls short if you want to know who your regulars are or send them a message.
What happens if a customer loses a Regulars card?
The card lives in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet on their phone, so it doesn't get left in a coat pocket. It is hard to lose, and it updates itself after each stamp.
Can people cheat a digital stamp card?
It is much harder. Regulars lets you set a cooldown between stamps and a daily cap per customer, so a card can't be stamped twice by mistake.
Do I need new hardware to go digital?
No. Staff scan the customer's card with any phone or tablet camera. There is no app to install and no special scanner.
Can I keep paper cards while I switch?
Yes. Many shops honour paper cards for a few weeks while regulars add the wallet card. You can give a stamp for each punch they already have.
