Technology
Stocard is gone: what to use to keep all your loyalty cards together
For years, Stocard was the go-to app for storing loyalty cards. It no longer exists as a standalone app. Here is what replaced it, how to recover your cards, and where to keep them all today on iPhone and Android.
Key takeaways
- Klarna bought Stocard in 2021 and moved its loyalty cards into the Klarna app, available in Canada; the Stocard app has left the app stores.
- To keep all your cards together, your phone’s wallet is enough: Apple Wallet, Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet.
- On Android, Catima is a free, open-source option with no ads that works offline.
Does Stocard still exist?
Not as a standalone app. Klarna bought Stocard in 2021 and brought its loyalty cards into the Klarna app in 2022, including in Canada. The Stocard app then disappeared from the app stores; users were offered a transfer of their cards to Klarna.
According to Klarna’s June 2022 press release, Stocard had more than 48 million users at the time, and the Klarna app’s loyalty card space launched in 18 countries, including Canada, with more than 8,000 supported programs.
Users were invited to move their cards to Klarna. Since Klarna is first and foremost a payment app, many preferred to go back to their phone’s wallet.
What replaced Stocard?
Three replacements: the Klarna app, which took over Stocard cards; the phone’s built-in wallet (Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet), already installed; and dedicated apps such as Catima on Android or Pass2U Wallet on iPhone.
| Option | Phones | Strengths | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Klarna | iPhone and Android | Took over Stocard cards | Payment app first, account required |
| Apple Wallet | iPhone | Preinstalled, retailer cards stay up to date | Only accepts cards issued by the retailer |
| Google Wallet | Android | Preinstalled, also accepts a barcode photo | Manually added cards: frozen balance |
| Samsung Wallet | Samsung | Quick Access swipe, typed or scanned cards | Samsung phones only |
| Catima | Android | Open source, free, no ads, offline, data export | No iPhone version |
| Pass2U Wallet | iPhone | Turns a barcode into an Apple Wallet pass | Paid Pro version |
What is the best app to store loyalty cards?
For most people, the wallet already on the phone: Apple Wallet on iPhone, Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet on Android. It needs no installation and keeps retailer-issued cards up to date. On Android, Catima suits people who want a dedicated app with no ads and no account.
The deciding factor is balance updates. A card added from a barcode, in any app, is just an image: you see neither your points nor your rewards. A retailer-issued Wallet card updates by itself after every purchase. When a retailer offers one, take its Wallet card rather than a copy.
How do I keep all my loyalty cards in one place?
List your cards, then for each one look first for the retailer’s official Wallet version (website, app, email). For the rest, add the barcode to Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet or a dedicated app. Then you can throw away the cardboard, after testing each card at checkout.
- Inventory: take out all your cards and note the ones you really use.
- Official version first: look for the “Add to Apple Wallet” or “Add to Google Wallet” button at each retailer.
- Barcode next: add cards with no Wallet version to your wallet, or to Catima (Android) or Pass2U Wallet (iPhone).
- Test at checkout: use each digital card once before throwing away the original.
Step-by-step instructions for iPhone, Android and Samsung are in how to add a loyalty card to your phone.
Why do some cards update and others do not?
Because only a card issued by the business is connected to its loyalty system. A card copied from a barcode is just an image. An official Wallet card receives the new balance after each visit and can show a notification when a reward is available.
Frequently asked questions
How do I transfer my Stocard cards?
Stocard cards were migrated to the Klarna app: sign in to Klarna with the same email or account you used on Stocard to find them. If a card is missing, add it again to your phone’s wallet by scanning its barcode.
Where should I store my loyalty cards?
In the wallet already installed on your phone: Apple Wallet on iPhone, Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet on Android. Cards issued by retailers show an up-to-date balance there; others can be added from their barcode.
How can I recover my loyalty cards?
Wallet cards are tied to your Apple or Google account and generally come back when you restore a phone. You can also ask the retailer for a lost card: at businesses using ARSOM, signing up again with the same email sends an access link to your existing card, balance included.
Which app should I use for loyalty cards on iOS?
Apple Wallet for every card that retailers offer in Wallet format. For the others, apps such as Pass2U Wallet convert a barcode into an Apple Wallet pass, and the Klarna app holds the cards of former Stocard users.
Sources
- Klarna (2022). Klarna App is enhanced with digital wallet for easy access to loyalty cards.
- Catima. Catima, open-source loyalty card manager.
- MicroMacro Mobile. Pass2U Wallet (App Store Canada).
- Google. Loyalty cards & gift cards (Google Wallet Help).