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Gift cards are a popular choice for those who want to give a thoughtful present but struggle to find the perfect item. A whopping 48% of U.S. consumers in 2023 indicated they planned to purchase gift cards, making it the top reason for American shoppers to choose them. They offer flexibility for the recipient and eliminate the risk of getting something unwanted. But what about managing all those plastic cards scattered in your wallet or drawer? Enter gift card apps! These convenient tools take the hassle out of gift cards, allowing you to store, send, and track them digitally.
The U.S. gift card industry alone is expected to reach USD 188 billion by 2024. With the rising popularity of gift cards, the demand for efficient management solutions has also increased.
Types of gift card apps
There are various gift card apps available, each catering to specific needs. Here's a breakdown of the top 10 categories:
General gift card management application
1. Xoxoday
Features: Xoxoday's user-friendly app goes beyond basic gift card management. It allows users to:
- Purchase and send digital gift cards from a vast selection of popular brands (Amazon, Walmart, Nike, etc.).
- Seamlessly integrate with corporate expense management systems for streamlined gift card purchasing within organizations.
- Leverage a robust reporting suite to track gift card usage and program effectiveness (ideal for businesses).
- Facilitate bulk gifting for employee rewards or customer loyalty initiatives.
- Personalize gift cards with messages for a special touch.
- Design and implement custom reward programs using gift cards as incentives.
Benefits: Xoxoday caters to both individual and corporate users. Individuals can enjoy a convenient way to manage and send gift cards, while businesses gain a powerful tool for employee appreciation, customer engagement, and program management.
2. Raise
Offers similar functionalities as other platforms, Raise allows for branded credit card fundraisers and bulk purchase discounts.
Features:
You can run fundraisers using branded credit cards on the app.
Users can also get discounts on their cards when buying in bulk, making this a great option for smaller businesses, or organizations raising funds for charitable causes.
Their marketplace has 1000’s of discounted gift cards at up to 30% off, so you can save on everything from retail and restaurants to gas and grocery.
Features: Fetch Rewards incentivizes users to save money on groceries while earning rewards. Key features include:
- Earn points on buying groceries.
- Redeeming points for various gift cards from popular brands like Amazon and Target.
- User-friendly interface for receipt scanning and reward tracking.
Benefits: Fetch Rewards combines grocery savings with the opportunity to earn gift cards for future purchases. It's a great way to stretch your grocery budget and get rewarded for everyday shopping.
4. Runa
Runa’s robust platform boasts a user-friendly interface, extensive gift card partners, and great customer support. They also offer comprehensive reporting and the ability to recapture unused card balances.
Features:
- Businesses can effortlessly incorporate gift cards into their existing systems, whether it’s an e-commerce website or mobile app.
- It understands gift card usage patterns, redemption rates, and customer preferences. They use this data to fine-tune your strategy and optimize your gift card programs.
- Runa allows businesses to recapture the value of expired cards.
5. GiftFly
This service allows merchants of all sizes to create customized gift cards and digital offers for free. A small convenience fee paid by the recipient at purchase empowers businesses to leverage the power of gift cards.
Features:
- Allows shoppers to buy and send gift cards via email, Facebook or text directly from their local merchants online.
- Add GiftFly to any website and allow your customers to buy & send eGift cards from any device via email and text.
- Free Gift Card Solution for Businesses, Social, Mobile & Local Gift Cards, & Free Gift Card App for Small-Mid Sized Businesses
6. Gyft
Gyft offers a diverse platform with over 200+ gift cards and a hybrid desktop-mobile approach. They also provide solutions in payment optimization, security, and alternative credit data.
Features:
- Buy and manage gift cards from any device. Choose gift cards from hundreds of retailers.
- End-to-end service for ordering, distributing, and tracking your e-gift cards in bulk. Order and send in minutes.
7. CardSnacks
This app focuses on a user-friendly, personalized gifting experience. Consumers can customize greetings with text, video, and animations for a unique touch. Businesses enjoy features like send automation and bulk customization options.
Features:
- CardSnacks lets you create & send fun, animated ecards, greetings, and gift cards to your friends and loved ones on Birthdays, Anniversaries, and every special occasion!
- CardSnacks Invitations allows you to create fully customizable multimedia invitations that can include photos, voice, videos, stickers, and a selection of over 50,000 popular songs to add as a soundtrack.
- An easy-to-use RSVP widget that can be easily personalized for different events.
8. ibotta
Ibotta provides cashback rewards for shopping at partner retailers. Users can redeem their earnings for gift cards. For example, Mark, an avid shopper, earned $50 in cashback rewards and used them to buy an Amazon gift card.
Features:
- Get up to 30% cash back at top online retailers.
- Get cash back when you shop online with free Ibotta browser extension or log in to their website. Compare prices and get the best deal, every time you shop.
Choosing the right gift card application
With so many options, selecting the ideal app depends on your needs. Here are some factors to consider:
- Functionality: Do you primarily need a manager for existing plastic gift cards, or are you interested in buying and selling them?
- Features: Look for features like barcode scanning, balance tracking, spending notifications, and easy gifting options.
- Security: Ensure the app has robust security measures to protect your financial information.
- Supported Brands: Check which retailers and brands the app supports to ensure it caters to your needs.
- User Reviews: Read reviews from other users to get a sense of the app's usability and customer support.
Gift card apps for strategic gifting
Gift card apps aren't just about managing plastic. They can be powerful tools for strategic gifting.
- Budgeting: Set spending limits for gift cards within the app, ensuring you stay within your budget.
- Group Gifting: Coordinate with friends and family to contribute to a single digital gift card via the app.
- Last-Minute Gifting: Around 6% of gift card buyers purchase them as a last-minute gift option. No more scrambling! Forgot a birthday or anniversary? Send a digital gift card instantly.
The future of gift cards
The digital revolution is transforming the gift card industry. Mobile wallets and integrated functionalities with online shopping platforms are gaining traction. We can expect even more innovation in gift card apps, with features like:
- Personalized Recommendations: Apps suggesting gift cards based on recipient preferences and past purchases.
- Gamification: Earning points and badges for using gift cards, adding a fun element to the experience.
- Experiences over Products: Gifting experiences like restaurant meals or spa treatments through gift card apps could become more commonplace.
Conclusion
Gift card apps offer a convenient, secure, and versatile way to manage, buy, and send gift cards. With a plethora of options available, you can find an app that perfectly suits your gifting needs and preferences. Platforms/ apps like Xoxoday goes beyond just managing traditional gift cards. Our platform offers a unique "Experiences" marketplace within our app, allowing you to gift unforgettable moments instead of just physical products.
The Xoxoday marketplace partners with over thousands of vendors across multiple locations in the USA, offering a vast selection of experiences and gift cards to suit any taste and budget.
