The Loyalty Club vs Embargo
Bluetooth beacon-based loyalty for hospitality. Requires app download. Square + Lightspeed POS. Quote-based pricing with 10% commission on rewards.
Quick Verdict
Embargo is better if...
Restaurants and bars wanting Bluetooth-based auto-detect loyalty with POS integration
- +Well-funded ($8.85M)
- +Large venue network
- +Auto-detect via Bluetooth
TLC is better if...
Businesses wanting zero-friction NFC stamps with anti-clone security and no app downloads
- +No app download
- +No commission
- +Transparent flat pricing
They're equal at...
- =Both help businesses retain customers through loyalty rewards
Feature Comparison
| Feature | The Loyalty Club | Embargo |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Engagement | ||
| NFC Tap-to-Stamp | NTAG 424 DNA anti-clone tags | No |
| Anti-Clone NFC (NTAG 424 DNA) | Cryptographic verification per tap | No |
| QR Code Stamps | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Beacon | No | Auto-detect customer presence |
| Capacitive Touch Device | No | No |
| WiFi Captive Portal | No | No |
| Customer Experience | ||
| App Download Required | No | Must download Embargo app |
| Apple Wallet Passes | Planned | No |
| Google Wallet Passes | Planned | No |
| Account Creation Required | No | No |
| Personal Info Required | No | No |
| Push Notifications | Via wallet passes | Via Embargo app |
| POS Integration | ||
| Square POS | Full 7-phase integration | Yes |
| Stripe POS | Planned | No |
| Clover POS | Planned | No |
| Lightspeed POS | Planned | Yes |
| Toast POS | No | No |
| Dojo | Planned | No |
| SumUp | Planned | No |
| Epos Now | No | No |
| Other POS Systems | Planned | No |
| Card-Linked Auto-Stamp | Card fingerprint matching via Square | No |
| E-Commerce | ||
| Shopify Integration | Planned | No |
| WooCommerce Integration | Planned | No |
| Security | ||
| Anti-Fraud Measures | NTAG 424 DNA + rate limiting + deduplication | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes | No |
| Marketing | ||
| Email Campaigns | Planned | Yes |
| SMS Campaigns | Planned | No |
| Automated Marketing | Planned | No |
| Referral Program | Planned | Yes |
| Cross-Merchant Network | No | No |
| Business Features | ||
| Multi-Location Support | Yes | No |
| White Label / Branded | Merchant branding throughout | No |
| Developer API | Planned | No |
| Analytics Dashboard | Yes | Detailed hospitality analytics |
How Stamp Collection Actually Works
Fewer steps = less friction = more stamps collected = more repeat visits
First Visit (Cash)
Customer pays cash, collects first stamp
Embargo requires app download
First Visit (Card)
Customer pays by card, collects first stamp
Embargo requires app download
Returning Visit (Cash)
Known customer pays cash, collects stamp
Returning Visit (Card)
Known customer pays by card, collects stamp
Pricing Comparison
The Loyalty Club
Setup: £15 (includes NFC hardware). Unlimited stamps, customers, vouchers. No commission.
Embargo
Quote-based
10% commission. 10% commission on redeemed rewards
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Loyalty Club really better than Embargo?
+
It depends on your needs. TLC is better if you want NFC tap-to-stamp with anti-clone security and no app downloads. Embargo may be better if: Restaurants and bars wanting Bluetooth-based auto-detect loyalty with POS integration. We believe in honest comparisons — the best platform is the one that fits YOUR business.
Can I switch from Embargo to TLC?
+
Yes. TLC is designed for quick setup — you can be running in under 30 minutes. Your customers don't need to download anything; they just tap the NFC tag on their next visit. There's no complex data migration needed since TLC starts fresh with your customers.
What does Embargo do that TLC doesn't?
+
Embargo's advantages include: Well-funded ($8.85M); Large venue network; Auto-detect via Bluetooth; Multiple POS integrations. TLC is focused on the core stamp card experience with maximum simplicity and security.
How much does Embargo cost compared to TLC?
+
TLC is £44.95/month flat with no hidden fees, no commission, and a one-time £15 setup fee that includes NFC hardware. See the pricing comparison section above for Embargo's full pricing breakdown.
Ready to try the difference?
Set up NFC loyalty stamps in under 30 minutes. No app downloads. No hidden fees.