Zeal vs Como: loyalty platforms for restaurants and retail compared

Como, which describes itself as a Global Payments company, is a customer engagement and loyalty platform for food and beverage and retail brands, with an optional branded app, marketing automation and online ordering. At the till, members typically identify with a code from the app or a phone number. Zeal runs on the card machine, recognising customers from the card they pay with.

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Customer tapping a phone on a Zeal-enabled card machine showing loyalty stamps

Award-winning value-added services for payment terminals

How members identify at the till: Como vs Zeal

Como's help centre describes members showing a temporary four-digit code from the app, as a QR code or barcode, and its Heartland version linking a phone number to the transaction. With Zeal there is nothing to show or type: the card payment identifies the customer, and new customers join on the card machine screen.

Recognise your regulars, then reward them

Zeal identifies the customer from the card, enrols new ones in a couple of taps on the terminal screen, and awards points, stamps or vouchers during the payment. Your customer database grows with every card payment, with nothing for the customer or your staff to remember.

Choosing between Zeal and Como

Como may suit you if you are a chain that wants a branded app, online ordering and an omnichannel CRM across many POS systems; Como lists 90+ POS integrations. Zeal suits you if you want loyalty that every card-paying customer can use, on the card machine you already have, without a till integration.

Zeal versus Como comparison lockup

A globally-recognised award-winning solution

Zeal has been recognised by Visa, Ingenico and other global industry leaders, has been nominated for London Fintech Week and has won multiple international awards.

ZEAL IN ACTION

Zeal is revolutionising payments & loyalty for merchants. Merchants using Zeal have witnessed massive boosts in customer retention, loyalty programme participation and overall sales.

28%

boost in retention rate for a leading burger chain in Cairo, Egypt

Loyalty points icon
80%

of customers engaging with loyalty on Zeal for its convenience and ease of use

Rewards gift box icon
12%

increase in sales attributed to retention and CLV boost using Zeal

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Explore more features

Discover more ways Zeal can realise the full potential of your card machines and grow your business.

Effortless Loyalty

Make loyalty effortless for your customers

Run frictionless loyalty programmes on your card machines without the need for any extra steps, QR, or loyalty cards.

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Identify Customers

Your card machines can identify & segment your..

Zeal turns your card machines into powerful data sources, giving you actionable insights about your customers.

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Remarketing Tools

Your card machines as loyalty engines

With Zeal, your card machines can run hyper-personalised marketing campaigns for your customers.

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Powerful Analytics

Realise the full potential of your in-store data

With Zeal, you can gain deeper insights into your customers and utilize data to boost retention.

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Testimonials

Don’t take our word for it

"Mellon’s payment solutions are designed to offer acquirers and merchants a competitive edge, and Zeal amplifies that. From personalised loyalty programmes to real-time customer insights, Zeal transforms every payment into an opportunity for engagement and growth."

Manos Perdikaris

Business Unit Manager

"Partnering with Zeal reinforces our commitment to delivering next-generation payment solutions. As the leading Android POS provider, we’re driving innovation and transforming in-store experiences through smarter, simpler, and scalable payment technology."

Jean-Philippe Niedergang

CCO and CEO of EMEA Region

"Zeal's loyalty technology, integrated into Ingenico’s Android solutions, enables merchants to identify, engage and reward customers effortlessly. Together, we're not just processing payments; we're shaping the future of customer loyalty in physical retail, setting new benchmarks for personalised engagement."

Boris Ferlet

SVP, Android & Partner Ecosystem

"At BRGR, we believe in keeping things simple: great burgers, great service, and a frictionless ordering & loyalty experience with Zeal. Our customers love how easy it is to earn and redeem rewards, and we love seeing them come back for more."

Ahmed Hanafi

Founder & CEO

"Luxury is about personalisation, and Zeal helps us bring that to life. Now, our clients can enjoy a tailored loyalty experience, ensuring their visits are always rewarded in a way that feels exclusive and effortless."

Mostafa Al Sagheer

CEO

ROI

How much is in it for you?

How many card machines do you have?

5

What’s your approximate annual turnover (£)?

50,000
Your projected annual turnover with Zeal

52,500

based on a 5-12% uplift in retained sales
Pricing

Zeal has flexible pricing to fit your business needs

Talk to sales to learn more about ongoing deals or partnership opportunities.

Basic plan

Free

Enable your card machines to recognise your customers and collect feedback after every transaction.

Get Basic plan
Features

A Basic plan enables you to:

Brand your card machine screens

Collect customer feedback for every transaction

Access basic reports

Premium plan

Custom

pricing

Provided through your payment provider, on revenue share or an annual licence across nominated terminals.

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Features

All features available in the Basic plan, plus:

Offer zero-friction loyalty on your card machines

View customer profiles and insights

Export powerful reports

View transactions history

Get priority support for your business

Commercials are agreed with your payment provider. For enterprise arrangements, please contact us.
Awards

Zeal is a globally-recognised award-winning solution

UK Fintech Awards 2026: Winner, Team of the Year and Winner, Innovator of the Year (Belal Mohamed, CTO) · Juniper Research Future Digital Awards 2023: Platinum, Payment Terminal Innovation · The Card & Payments Awards: 4x Finalist 2024 · UK Chartered Institute of Export: Innovation in Trade 2024 · Ingenico Making Data Pay Awards 2023: 1st Place

Fintech Awards London
Visa Everywhere Initiative Finalist 2020
UCL Centre for Digital Innovation
Barclays Eagle Labs
Ingenico
The Card & Payments Awards
Fintech Awards London
Visa Everywhere Initiative Finalist 2020
UCL Centre for Digital Innovation
Barclays Eagle Labs
Ingenico
The Card & Payments Awards
FAQ

Zeal vs Como

Frequently asked questions

What is Como?

Como is a customer engagement and loyalty platform for food and beverage and retail brands, covering loyalty, an optional branded app, marketing automation, online ordering and payments. Its website says it has 1,000+ clients in 30+ countries and describes Como as a Global Payments company.

How do members identify with Como?

According to Como's help centre, members can register through the app, website, POS or other channels, and at the POS they show a temporary four-digit code from the app as a QR code or barcode. Como's Heartland version links the member's phone number to the transaction.

Does Como need an app?

No, Como's app is optional. Zeal does not use an app: customers are recognised from the card they pay with and join on the card machine screen.

How is Zeal different from Como?

Como integrates with 90+ POS systems to run a brand's loyalty across channels. Zeal runs next to the payment app on supported card machines, so a merchant can add loyalty and customer insight through its payment provider without a till integration.

When was this comparison checked?

The Como details on this page come from Como's own website and help centre, checked in October 2026. Products change, so check with Como for the latest. The Zeal details come from Zeal's own product information.