Small Business Gift Cards Guide &amp; Best Digital Gift Card Systems

Get Started With Revel POS Systems

revel gift card system for small business

Pros

Enterprise-capable iPad POS
In-house & third-party gift card options available
Digital & physical cards

Cons

Long-term contract
Additional cost to accept gift cards

Revel Systems Features

The following are some features of Revel Systems and its gift cards for small businesses:

Personalized onboarding
Restaurant & retail management
Suitable for any size business, including multilocation
Sell digital gift cards on online ordering website
Reloadable gift cards
Issue promotional gift cards
Gift card tracking & reporting
Gift card integrations include Givex, Incentivio, eCard Systems, Paytronix, LoyaltyPlant, Valuetec, & Synergy Loyalty Solutions

Revel Systems Pricing

Revel Systems pricing starts at $99/month per terminal, with a two-terminal minimum. Gift cards are a paid add-on, but you’ll have to contact Revel to find out how much it will cost to add gift cards to your package.

Hardware Cost

Revel runs on iPad POS hardware, which you can purchase on your own or from Revel directly. You can call Revel for a personalized hardware quote.

Payment Processing

Revel has its own payment processor, Revel Advantage, which charges 2.49% + $0.15 for in-person transactions. Alternatively, you can integrate your Revel POS with an outside processor or payment gateway such as First Data, Elavon, Heartland, TSYS, Worldpay, or Chase.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

To qualify for the lowest monthly rate, you will need to commit to a three-year processing contract with Revel Advantage. It may be possible to get a shorter contract, but not with the $99/month base price.

Where Revel Systems Really Shines For Small Business Gift Cards

Revel is a robust and highly customizable iPad POS for restaurants and retail. Revel has its own proprietary gift card system, which is available as an add-on for an additional monthly fee. Once you’ve signed up, you can order gift cards through your sales rep or use Revel’s partner eCard Systems to design and order your physical cards. You can also sell digital gift cards on your website, which customers can redeem online or in person. Revel additionally integrates with several other gift card programs.

Gift card reporting is available through your Revel POS system to track sales and view how many cards are in circulation. You can also import information into Revel if you previously used a gift card program with another POS provider.

2. Clover: Best For QSR POS

Clover POS

Get Started With Clover POS

clover gift cards for small business

Pros

POS works for QSR, full-service restaurants, retail, or service-based businesses
No recurring monthly cost to accept gift cards
Digital & physical gift cards
Sell gift cards online & in-person

Cons

Some Clover vendors are predatory
Gift cards not compatible with Clover Go

Clover Features

Here are some popular features of Clover POS and its gift card system for small business:

Sleek, purpose-built POS hardware
Easy to customize your POS with free or purchased apps
Sell QR code gift cards from POS or website
Easy digital gift card redemption from smartphones
Customers can send digital gift cards with text, email, or app
Online ordering website included on all Clover plans for restaurants
Integrates with third-party gift cards for POS systems, including Loopz, Givex, GiftFly, LoyLap, & Factor4

Clover Pricing

Clover pricing starts at $0/month for payments only, but in order to access the Clover App Market that includes gift cards, you’ll need at least the $9.95/month Clover Essentials plan. For a more complete feature set, most businesses will choose at least the Register plan or Counter Service plan, which are both $39.95/month. (Clover plans purchased from a vendor other than Clover.com may have different pricing.)

Hardware Cost

Clover hardware options include Clover Station ($1,349 to $1,649), Clover Mini ($749), and Clover Flex ($499). You can mix and match these devices and also purchase additional POS accessories. Note that all of these devices have built-in barcode scanning, though only Clover Station comes with a cash register.

Payment Processing

When you purchase from Clover.com, Clover’s in-person payment processing rates range from 2.3% to 2.6% + $0.10 depending on your monthly software plan. Clover gift cards are processed at a special flat rate of 2.5%.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Though Clover plans are month-to-month with flat-fee processing when purchased from Clover.com, various other banks, merchant services providers, and other entities sell Clover POS systems. Whenever you buy Clover hardware, it comes with a software plan and merchant services agreement. Depending on the vendor, some Clover plans may come with a long-term service agreement and expensive, opaque processing fees. For this reason, it’s best to purchase your system from Clover.com or a recommended Clover vendor.

Where Clover Really Shines For Small Business Gift Cards

Clover POS uses app-based software and its own custom-built Android POS hardware. Though you can use Clover with just about any industry, Clover is especially popular with and suited for quick-service restaurants (QSR) such as coffee shops, and offers a software plan specifically for counter-service businesses. Using the free Clover Gift Cards app, you can choose from traditional magnetic stripe gift cards or eGift cards that your customers can keep right on their smartphones. There is no monthly fee, but you’ll be charged $0.05 per every $2 of gift card value.

Both digital and physical cards purchased through Clover Gift Cards can be purchased and redeemed in-store. The digital option is especially convenient, as they can be purchased and redeemed directly from customers’ phones. Your customers can also purchase and redeem digital gift cards from your Clover website, as well as send digital gift cards to friends and family.

3. Square: Best Free

Square

Get a free card swiper from Square at no cost when you create a free account. Claim your card reader.

square pos gift card

Pros

Free POS with free gift cards
Free online store
Digital & physical gift cards
Can be used online & in-store

Cons

No dedicated merchant account
Can’t sell physical gift cards online

Square Features

Square POS includes the following feaures:

Mobile & countertop POS
POS be used in any industry
Sell & redeem digital gift cards online & at POS
Sell & redeem physical gift cards at POS
Cards can be tracked in Square’s gift card sales reports
Issue refunds to physical or eGift cards
Sell eGift cards with discounted promotional pricing
Customers can check card balance online
Integrates with Gift Up!, Pintuna, GoParrot, and other gift card software

Square Pricing

Square POS is a free app and it’s free to sell and accept gift cards with Square as well; you only have to pay payment processing fees and the cost of any plastic gift cards you purchase.

Hardware Cost

Square can be used with just about any mobile device or one of Square’s proprietary hardware solutions such as Square Terminal ($299) or Square Register ($799). Square accounts come with a free credit card swiper and you can also purchase various equipment from Square’s website, including a Bluetooth card reader for chip and swipe ($49) or Square Stand for iPad ($149).

Payment Processing

Square Payments charges 2.6% + $0.10 for in-person transactions and 2.9% + $0.30 for online transactions. Accordingly, you will pay 2.9% + $0.30 for each gift card that’s purchased online, or 2.6% +$0.10 if you sell a card with your POS. Square does not integrate with any outside payment processors.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Square is pay-as-you-go, meaning there is no commitment and you can stop using the POS at any time without incurring any penalty. One thing to know is that Square does not come with your own merchant account; as a payment service provider (PSP), Square has an aggregate merchant account model, which can sometimes lead to account instability, withheld funds, and (rarely) sudden account terminations.

Where Square Really Shines For Small Business Gift Cards

Square has become known throughout the restaurant and retail industries for its free, easy-to-use POS and mobile processing system. The same could be said of the company’s free program of gift cards for businesses. Square stands out for its affordable and transparent gift card pricing and easy ordering. You can set up digital or physical gift cards with just a few clicks within the Square app.

Square offers starter packs as well as fully customized physical gift cards featuring your own art. Square’s physical gift cards (which you’ll need to order from eCard Systems) come with a magnetic stripe as well as a QR code and a standard bar code, and are reloadable. Square also offers digital gift cards, which you can sell online or in person. One of the only limitations is you can’t sell physical gift cards from your Square website.

Get Started With Square

4. Lightspeed: Best For Retailers

Lightspeed Retail POS

Get Started With Lightspeed Retail POS

lightspeed retail gift card tracking screen

Pros

Retail-specific POS
No additional cost to accept gift cards
Digital & physical gift cards
Sell & redeem gift cards online or in-person

Cons

Best price requires one-year commitment and use of Lightspeed Payments

Lightspeed Retail Features

Lightspeed Retail offers gift cards for small businesses as well as other features:

Retail-centric feature set
Advanced retail inventory management
Built-in physical & digital gift card acceptance
Sell digital & physical gift cards online
Issue printable barcode gift cards
Rechargeable gift cards
Issue promotional gift cards
Gift card tracking, history, & details
Gift card integrations with TapMango, Incentivio, LoyalAction, vOucher, MDware, & Kangaroo Rewards

Lightspeed Retail Pricing

Lightspeed Retail pricing starts at $69/month if you purchase an annual subscription with Lightspeed Payments. If you have a month-to-month contract, you’ll have a starting price of $79/month, or $119/month without Lightspeed Payments. Annual plans with eCommerce and Lightspeed Payments start at $119/month.

Hardware Cost

Lightspeed uses iPad and desktop PC hardware, which you can source yourself or purchase from Lightspeed. Contact Lightspeed for a pricing quote if you need to purchase a hardware kit.

Payment Processing

Processing with Lightspeed Payments is 2.6% + $0.10 for all in-person payments, or 2.6% + $0.30 for card-not-present and online transactions. Alternatively, you can integrate a different payment processor of your choice for a higher monthly fee.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

As mentioned, month-to-month plans are available, but you’ll have to commit for one year to get the lowest price.

Where Lightspeed Retail Really Shines For Small Business Gift Cards

Lightspeed offers a cloud-based retail POS called Lightspeed Retail that gives you plenty of retail gift card options and includes gift cards at no additional monthly cost. You can create and purchase physical or digital gift cards directly through your Lightspeed dashboard, and you can sell a digital or physical card from your online store (if you have Lightspeed eCommerce enabled) or from your POS. Physical gift cards will need to be purchased through a third-party supplier, however. You can choose any third-party supplier, although Lightspeed recommends Plastic Printers. One thing to note is that gift card barcodes must be printed using EAN-13 or UPC-A standards for them to be compatible with your POS.

Lightspeed gift cards can be redeemed in person or online. In addition to issuing gift cards, you can also view and transfer gift card balances from your Lightspeed POS. Yet another option is to use one of Lightspeed’s many third-party integrations to sell physical or digital gift cards. One integration of note is the free MDWare integration, which lets you print paper barcode gift cards for free.

5. TouchBistro: Best For Affordable Restaurant POS

TouchBistro

Get Started With TouchBistro

touchbistro pos on ipad

Pros

Affordable restaurant POS
Physical & digital gift cards
Can sell eGift cards at POS
Gift cards integrate with in-house loyalty program

Cons

Additional monthly charge for gift cards
Plans require a contract

TouchBistro Features

Here are some things to know about TouchBistro and its gift card system for small business:

Suitable for any type of bar or restaurant (cafe, fine dining, fast-casual, food truck, brewery, etc.)
Restaurant management features such as KDS, menu management, table management, & tableside ordering
Multilocation restaurant gift cards
Personalize physical gift cards with your restaurant’s logo
Customers can pay for online orders using digital gift cards
Customers can buy and send eGift cards to friends & family
Let customers earn gift cards as loyalty rewards

TouchBistro Pricing

TouchBistro plans start at $69/month, and adding gift card functionality is another $25/month. If you want an online ordering website where customers can buy and redeem gift cards, you will pay an additional $50/month, for a total monthly spend of $144/month.

Hardware Cost

TouchBistro uses iPad POS hardware. To get pricing, you will have to reach out to TouchBistro for a custom quote.

Payment Processing

TouchBistro integrates with several payment processors, including its own TouchBistro Payments, powered by Chase. TB Payments uses a cost-plus processing model.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

TouchBistro does require a contract that you cannot exit early without penalty, and does not offer month-to-month pricing. Your contract length will be specified in your TouchBistro pricing quote.

Where TouchBistro Really Shines For Small Business Gift Cards

TouchBistro is an affordable, easy-to-use restaurant POS for iPad that lets you sell branded, customized gift cards from your restaurant, and digital gift cards online or from your POS. TouchBistro gift cards can be tracked using your POS and redeemed at any of your store locations; digital gift cards can be redeemed online or in-person from your customer’s smartphone. TouchBistro gift cards also integrate with your loyalty program if you have this TouchBistro add-on enabled as well. For example, customers can earn gift cards as rewards through the TouchBistro loyalty program.

One thing to note about TouchBistro is that it is compatible with various payment processors, but not all of those processors have gift card-compatible terminals. Notably, TouchBistro is compatible with Square POS, whose readers are indeed gift card-compatible (via swipe or manual card number entry).

6. Toast: Best For Advanced Restaurant POS

Toast POS

Get Started With Toast POS

Toast small business gift card program

Pros

Advanced restaurant POS
Physical & digital gift cards
Gift cards redeemable online & in-person
In-house and third-party gift card options

Cons

Additional monthly cost to accept gift cards
Contract required

Toast Features

Toast POS offers the following features for restaurant businesses that want to offer gift cards:

Purpose-built restaurant-grade POS hardware
Advanced restaurant features include delivery services, branded online ordering app, contactless dining, & more
Sell digital gift cards online & from POS
Sell customized physical gift cards at your POS tailored to your restaurant’s brand
Guests can redeem gift cards online or in-person
Customers can check gift card balance online and reload gift cards online
Customers can schedule gift card sends (via text or email) for specific date & time
Gift card integrations include Paytronix, Punchh, Smart Transaction Systems, SwipeIt, & The Customer Connection (TCC)

Toast Pricing

Toast pricing starts at $0/month for the Pay-As-You-Go package. This package has a higher payment processing fee than the Standard package, and the processing fee is even higher if you choose to add gift cards and online ordering to your package. If you pay upfront (recommended), your base price will be $69/month, +$50/month for gift cards, +$75/month for online ordering (if you want to sell and accept gift cards online), for a total monthly spend of $194/month.

Hardware Cost

You can get a Toast starter kit for $0 with the Pay-As-You-Go plan, but again, you’ll pay a higher payment processing fee. If you purchase your hardware outright, you can get a Countertop Kit (includes Toast Flex POS terminal, Toast Tap payment device, and router) for $799. You can also buy accessories like cash drawers and handheld ordering devices from Toast’s website.

Payment Processing

Toast’s standard in-person payment processing fee is 2.49% + $0.15. On the Pay-As-You Go plan, you’ll pay 2.99% + $0.15, or 3.39% + $0.15 if you add gift cards and online ordering. For online transactions (including online gift card redemption), the fee is 3.5% + $0.15 on either plan.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Toast requires a minimum 2-year contract that includes a processing contract (you cannot use an outside processor with Toast so you are limited to using Toast Payments) and has an early termination fee. Make sure you closely read your contract to make sure you understand all the terms and fees.

Where Toast Really Shines For Small Business Gift Cards

Toast is an Android POS system specifically designed for restaurants with especially strong digital ordering options. Toast is an excellent choice if you want an advanced restaurant POS with a digital and/or traditional gift card program as well as third-party options. You can also use one of Toast’s third-party integrations to build your gift card program.

With a paid add-on, Toast includes the ability to sell gift cards online or at your POS. Your customers can also redeem their cards online or at your POS, and even reload cards themselves on your website. Toast makes it easy for customers to purchase digital gift cards as gifts, letting them schedule for the card to be texted or emailed on a specific date and time. Sold gift cards can be easily tracked from your Analytics & Reports portal.

7. Stripe: Best For Professionally Developed eCommerce Websites

Stripe Payments

Get Started With Stripe Payments

Stripe with GiftPro integration

Pros

Online payment processor with developer-friendly API
Various integrations to sell gift cards online
Sell digital gift cards & gift vouchers on your website

Cons

Not for in-person (POS) gift card sales
Not for high-risk businesses

Stripe Features

Some of Stripe’s most popular features include:

Excellent developer tools
Highly customizable
International selling & multicurrency capabilities
Easily integrates with a variety of supported languages/frameworks (Ruby, Python, PHP, Java, Node, Go, etc.)
Gift card integrations include GiftPro (pictured above), Gift Up!, Splose, Loyal Patron, GiftFly, & more
eCommerce platform integrations include WooCommerce, Squarespace, BigCommerce, Shopify, & more

Stripe Pricing

There are no costs to implement Stripe into your eCommerce website aside from payment processing fees. Whatever gift card program you use with Stripe may charge its own fees, however.

Hardware Cost

N/A

Payment Processing

Stripe’s online payment processing has a flat rate of 2.9% + $0.30. The gift card software you use with Stripe may or may not charge an additional transaction fee on gift card purchases.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Stripe is pay-as-you go with no contract. However, one thing to be aware of with Stripe is that it is a PSP/third-party processor like Square or PayPal. (Shopify Payments, another PSP, is actually powered by Stripe.) In addition to having potential issues with account stability, PSPs are not suitable for high-risk businesses.

Where Stripe Really Shines For Small Business Gift Cards

Stripe is a flexible online payment processor that is ideal for online businesses that want to sell gift cards using a professionally developed website. To get the most out of Stripe, you will need developer expertise; Stripe is not a DIY all-in-one solution for beginners to sell gift cards online. If you don’t have technical web developer skills, you may need to hire a web developer to implement Stripe into your website. You can use one of Stripe’s pre-built website builder integrations, such as WooCommerce, to create your eComm website, but again, given its advanced capabilities, Stripe is mainly geared toward professionally developed websites.

Stripe has pre-built integrations with several digital gift card software solutions, but you can also build your own integrations using the API.

8. Shopify POS: Best For Multichannel Sellers

Shopify POS

Get Started With Shopify POS

shopify egift card example

Pros

Multichannel retail POS
Multiple options for gift card redemption, including social media
Physical, digital, & printed paper gift cards
No additional cost to accept gift cards

Cons

Cards are not reloadable
No dedicated merchant account

Shopify POS Features

Shopify POS offers gift cards for small businesses and other features:

Multichannel retail POS
Mobile & countertop POS options
Sell physical and digital gift cards on POS & online
Issue promotional gift cards
Issue refunds on gift cards
Customers can add gift cards to Apple Wallet
Integrates with Gift Up!, Rise.ai, Growave, Govalo, & other gift card software

Shopify Pricing

Shopify POS plans start at just $5/month for the Shopify Starter POS plan, which includes gift card functionality. If you want an online store where customers can purchase and redeem gift cards, you’ll need at least the $29/month Basic plan.

Hardware Cost

Shopify POS runs on iOS and Android devices, though to use all the features you’ll need an iPad. But all you really need to start selling is a mobile device and a Shopify card reader, which costs $49 on Shopify’s website. You can also purchase other POS hardware like tablet stands, cash registers, and complete hardware kits.

Payment Processing

Shopify payment processing rates range from 2.4% to 2.7% for in-person transactions, depending on your plan. Online transactions range from 2.4% + $0.30 to 2.9% + $0.30, depending on your plan. You can use an outside payment processor with Shopify POS, but you’ll pay an extra transaction fee to do so.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Shopify plans are month-to-month with no contract, but you can receive a discount by committing to a one- or two-year plan. It’s worth noting that Shopify Payments is a third-party payment processor like Square, which means you will not have a traditional merchant account.

Where Shopify POS Really Shines For Small Business Gift Cards

Shopify POS is a flexible, scalable retail system that lies at the intersection of eCommerce and iPad POS. Shopify offers a fully integrated gift card program, and there is no additional fee to add gift cards to your account. You can purchase plastic gift cards from the Shopify Hardware store, issue digital gift cards that are emailed to the customer, or even print a paper gift card from your receipt printer.

Shopify’s gift cards can be purchased and redeemed either at your POS or in your Shopify eCommerce store. Both physical and digital Shopify gift cards use QR codes, and the digital cards can be added to your customer’s Apple Wallet for easy redemption at your POS. Additionally, customers can redeem Shopify gift cards on your other online channels that use the Shopify checkout, such as Facebook, Pinterest, or using a “Buy” button on your WordPress or Squarespace website. You can also issue a free gift card with a set value to an existing customer as a reward, refund, or promotional incentive.

9. QuickBooks POS: Best for QuickBooks Desktop Users

QuickBooks POS Desktop

Get Started With QuickBooks POS Desktop

quickbooks pos hardware setup with windows tablet

Pros

POS system integrates directly with QuickBooks Desktop
Can issue refunds on gift cards as store credit
Automatic gift card tracking

Cons

Physical gift cards only
Additional monthly cost to accept gift cards

QuickBooks POS Features

QuickBooks POS offers the following features:

Locally installed POS system—only needs WiFi for payment processing
Automatic data syncing with your QB accounting software
Traditional plastic gift cards sold & redeemed at POS
Gift cards can be used at any of your store locations
Check gift card balance at POS and automatically print card balances on receipts
Other POS features include layaway, purchase orders, employee management, customer tracking, & loyalty

Quickbooks POS Pricing

The base price for QuickBooks POS is $960 (one-time payment) but to add gift cards, you’ll need at least the $1,360 “POS Pro” package. Multilocation establishments will pay a one-time fee of $1,520. After that, you’ll pay a recurring $14.95/month to add gift card functionality. After the first 100 gift card transactions per month, you’ll pay an additional $0.20/transaction.

Hardware Cost

QuickBooks POS runs on Windows PCs and Windows tablets. You can buy hardware bundles from the QuickBooks POS website for $900 (doesn’t include tablet).

Payment Processing

You’ll need a QuickBooks Payments account to use the gift cards feature. Current rates for QuickBooks POS users are 2.7% for in-person transactions with a pay-as-you-go plan.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

QuickBooks POS is a one-time download, but you may be curious about the QuickBooks Payments merchant account contracts. It appears that these accounts are month-to-month/pay-as-you-go, but make sure you read the fine print. Also note that QuickBooks Desktop Point of Sale works only with QuickBooks Pro, Premier, and Enterprise versions, and is not compatible with QuickBooks Online.

Where QuickBooks POS Really Shines For Small Business Gift Cards

QuickBooks POS is a locally-installed POS system for Windows PCs and tablets. As you might surmise, the system’s main draw is that it syncs your sales data with QuickBooks Desktop. QuickBooks POS also has a built-in gift card service, managed by Givex. This gift card service is ideal for businesses that use QuickBooks for accounting and want a POS that fully integrates with their accounting software (and are also OK with plastic gift cards only—QB POS does have an eCom integration option, but does not offer eGift cards).

QuickBooks POS gift card sales are separately tracked, as are card balances. Merchants also have the ability to issue refunds on gift cards as store credit and to check gift card balances at the POS without ringing up a sale. QuickBooks POS gift card numbers and balances are printed on receipts, and cards can be redeemed at any store location, not just the issuing store (provided that you have the “POS Multi-Store” plan).

10. Shift4Shop: Best For Basic Online Store

Shift4Shop

Start Trial

Get Started With Shift4Shop

shift4shop gift certificate example

Pros

Easy to use eComm website builder
Sell digital gift certificates on your website
Cheaper than competitors (e.g., Shopify)

Cons

Some issues with in-house payment processor
Not for traditional POS gift card sales

Shift4Shop Features

Here are some of the features you’ll receive with this solution:

All-in-one website builder & payment processing solution
Generous free plan
Free SSL certificate, domain name, & hosting
Built-in gift certificate module (doesn’t require any third-party app integration)
Create free gift certificates as loyalty rewards
Sell gift cards at a discount
Create group certificates in bulk for promotions
Numerous options for customer payment including digital wallets (Apple Pay, PayPal, etc.) and BNPL (Klarna, Affirm)
Processor works with high-risk businesses

Shift4Shop Pricing

Shift4Shop plans range from $0 to $229/month, but the free plan is actually the most advanced plan. The only caveat is that the free plan requires you to use Shift4Shop’s in-house processor.

Hardware Cost

N/A

Payment Processing

Published rates for Shift4 Payments on Shift4Shop stores are the industry-standard 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. Shift4Shop also offers an interchange-plus pricing option. On paid plans, you also have the option to integrate with 100+ payment gateways.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

There are various customer complaints regarding Shift4Shop’s in-house payment processor, Shift4Payments. These complaints range from poor customer service to difficulty canceling accounts. If you do decide to use Shift4Shop with Shift4 Payments, make sure you read all the fine print in your contract before committing.

Where Shift4Shop Really Shines For Small Business Gift Cards

Shift4Shop (formerly 3dCart) is an affordable, easy-to-use eCommerce website builder for businesses that want an online store to sell digital gift cards and/or other merchandise. Shift4Shop is an all-in-one solution with a generous free plan and built-in payment processing. Shift4Shop has numerous free templates and works great for retailers as well as service-based businesses such as spas that want to sell online gift certificates.

You can list gift certificates right alongside the other products for sale on your website, and upon purchase, the email address specified will be sent a digital code that can be used as a gift card code on your website. The customer can add names in the “To” and “From” fields and include a message of up to 500 characters. Though it’s fairly straightforward to create these basic gift certificates using Shift4Shop, web developers can use the Gift Certificates API (REST) to create apps that expand on Shift4Shop’s gift certificate features.