CHCKN vs. DataCandy
Choosing a loyalty platform shouldn’t feel like choosing between a flip phone and a smartphone. But that’s the reality when you compare CHCKN with DataCandy. Both help you reward repeat customers. One is built for 2025. The other still feels like 2015.
What DataCandy does
DataCandy has been around for a while, mostly serving franchises and large retail groups. Its loyalty and gift card systems work, but the interface and user experience show their age.
The biggest friction? You can’t make changes on your own. Need to edit a reward or update an offer? You’ll have to go through a rep — and likely pay for it. There’s even a $299 implementation fee, plus $100 per month, per location.
It’s also missing the flexibility small businesses need today. It does integrate with POS systems, but it stops there. The designs are outdated, customization is limited, and that makes it hard to create trust or excitement with customers.
If you’re running a single location, that kind of dependency can be a dealbreaker.
What CHCKN does differently
CHCKN takes everything small business owners actually want (flexibility, simplicity, affordability) and builds it into one system.
For $50 per month per location, there’s no implementation fee. You can set it up yourself, make changes anytime, and launch campaigns instantly — starting for free.
Where CHCKN really stands apart is in its omni-channel focus. It bridges your in-store and online experiences, giving customers one connected way to earn rewards whether they buy at the counter or from a pop-up link.
Behind the scenes, CHCKN’s AI-powered insights and customer segmentation show you who your best customers are, identifies customer behaviour patterns, uncovers what drives repeat visits, and shows where to focus your marketing.
👉 Learn more about how CHCKN helps brick and mortar businesses drive repeat customers.
Where CHCKN and DataCandy differ most
CHCKN
Setup: Self-service, no fee 🏆
Monthly cost: $50/location 🏆
Design & usability: Clean, mobile-first, customizable 🏆
Customer insights: Advanced analytics + AI segmentation 🏆
Omni-channel loyalty: In-store + digital wallet (Google and Apple) + links 🏆
POS integration: 🤷♀️ Not required
Gift cards: ❌ Not yet
Reputation management: ❌ Coming soon
Membership tiers: ❌
E-commerce rewards (SKU): ❌
Social media rewards: ❌
DataCandy
Setup: Requires rep, $299 setup
Monthly cost: $100/location
Design & usability: Outdated and rigid
Customer insights: Advanced analytics + basic reports
Omni-channel loyalty: POS-based + online sign-up + Google wallet
POS integration: ✅ POS required
Gift cards: ✅
Reputation management: ✅
Membership tiers: ✅
E-commerce rewards (SKU): ✅
Social media rewards: ✅
So, who is CHCKN for?
If you run a small chain, coffee shop, or independent retail business, CHCKN makes more sense. You don’t need a franchise-level budget or a dedicated marketing team to keep customers coming back.
CHCKN helps you:
Build trust with a clean, modern customer experience
Keep your brand visible and top-of-mind in the customer’s digital wallet, with transactional push notifications
Capture and analyze customer data automatically
Send smart offers based on real behaviour
If you need enterprise integrations, complex membership tiers, or SKU-level tracking, DataCandy might still fit. But for most local businesses that just want to grow customer loyalty without the headache, CHCKN is the clear choice.
Start your loyalty
program today
With CHCKN, rewarding your regulars has never been easier. Whether you’re running a cafe, bakery, or small business, we have the tools to help you build loyalty and grow your community.