Merchloop vs Snappy What Growing Companies Should Know Before Choosing a Gifting Platform

Employee gifting isn’t what it used to be. Gone are the days of bulk ordering logo mugs and hoping everyone likes them. Today’s companies want gifting programs that feel personal, flexible, and aligned with their brand—without creating more work behind the scenes.

That’s where platforms like Merchloop and Snappy come into the conversation.

Both are popular choices for employee gifting, but they’re built for very different purposes. If your company is growing, hiring remotely, or trying to build a stronger culture, choosing the right platform matters more than ever.

In this deep dive into Merchloop vs Snappy, we’ll explore how each platform works, what they’re best at, where the differences really show, and which option makes the most sense for companies planning for long-term growth.

A Quick Overview of Merchloop and Snappy

Before comparing features, it helps to understand the core philosophy behind each platform.

What Is Merchloop

Merchloop is an on-demand swag and employee gifting platform designed for modern teams. Instead of buying inventory in bulk, companies create custom online swag stores or gifting programs where items are produced only when someone orders them.

Merchloop specializes in:

• On-demand branded merchandise

• Employee swag stores

• New hire kits and onboarding gifts

• Client and prospect gifting

• Ongoing employee reward programs

A key differentiator is that Merchloop is vertically integrated. That means products are decorated, fulfilled, and shipped from their own facilities, allowing for better quality control, faster turnaround times, and lower costs.

What Is Snappy

Snappy is a recipient-choice gifting platform. Companies send a gift credit, and employees or recipients choose an item from a curated collection. The focus is on surprise-and-delight moments, usually tied to a specific event like a birthday, work anniversary, or recognition milestone.

Snappy works well for:

• One-time employee appreciation gifts

• Celebrations and recognition moments

• Simple gifting with minimal setup

While both platforms offer gifting, they solve very different problems.

Merchloop vs Snappy A Difference in Strategy Not Just Features

One of the biggest distinctions between Merchloop and Snappy is how companies use them.

Snappy Focuses on Moments

Snappy is built around individual moments. You send a gift. The employee chooses something. The interaction ends. It’s simple, effective, and enjoyable—but it’s also transactional.

That works well if gifting is occasional.

Merchloop Focuses on Programs

Merchloop is designed for ongoing engagement. Instead of a single gift, companies build systems:

• Always-available employee swag stores

• Reusable gifting budgets

• Seasonal or quarterly drops

• Branded onboarding experiences

This difference becomes more important as companies scale.

Advantage: Merchloop

Branding and Customization Where Merchloop Clearly Pulls Ahead

Snappy Branding Limitations

Snappy offers limited branding options. While some gifts can include a logo or branded packaging, the experience largely revolves around Snappy’s curated catalog rather than your brand.

Employees may love the gift, but the brand connection often fades quickly.

Merchloop Branding Flexibility

Merchloop is built for companies that care about brand presence. With Merchloop, you can:

• Create fully branded online swag stores

• Offer premium apparel and merchandise

• Customize logos, placements, and decoration methods

• Maintain brand consistency across all gifts

Employees don’t just receive a gift—they interact with your brand repeatedly.

Advantage: Merchloop

Employee Experience Choice Versus Ownership

Snappy The Appeal of Choice

Snappy’s biggest strength is recipient choice. Employees enjoy picking something they want rather than receiving a generic item. That moment of choice feels personal and fun.

The downside is that the experience is short-lived.

Merchloop Choice Plus Continuity

Merchloop also gives employees choice—but adds something more powerful: continuity.

Employees can:

• Visit a branded store anytime

• Choose their own sizes and styles

• Return for future drops or rewards

• Feel ownership over branded items they actually wear and use

This creates a stronger emotional connection than a one-time gift.

Advantage: Merchloop

Cost Control and Budget Management

Snappy Cost Considerations

Snappy uses gift credits, which can be easy to send but harder to manage over time. As teams grow, gifting costs can increase quickly, especially when credits are used frequently.

There’s also less transparency and flexibility when it comes to long-term budgeting.

Merchloop Budget Flexibility

Merchloop offers significantly more control:

• Set budgets per employee or department

• Avoid wasted inventory entirely

• Pay only when items are ordered

• Spread gifting spend throughout the year

Because Merchloop handles production in-house, pricing is often more competitive and predictable.

Advantage: Merchloop

Scalability for Growing Companies

Growth changes everything. What works for a team of 20 often breaks at 200.

Snappy at Scale

Snappy works best for small to mid-sized teams with infrequent gifting needs. As gifting becomes more regular, managing credits and costs can feel limiting.

It’s not designed to support ongoing swag programs or large-scale onboarding efforts.

Merchloop Built to Scale

Merchloop was created with growth in mind. It supports:

• Rapid hiring

• Remote and global teams

• Multiple departments and use cases

• Consistent branding at scale

Whether you’re welcoming one new hire or 500, the process stays simple.

Advantage: Merchloop

Onboarding and New Hire Gifting

Snappy for Onboarding

Snappy can be used for onboarding gifts, but it’s typically a one-off experience. New hires receive a gift, enjoy the surprise, and move on.

Merchloop for Onboarding

Merchloop turns onboarding into an experience:

• New hires receive store access

• They choose items that fit their style and size

• Swag arrives when they need it

• No awkward size collection required

This creates a stronger first impression and reduces operational friction.

Advantage: Merchloop

Remote and Hybrid Teams

Distributed teams add complexity to gifting.

Snappy and Remote Teams

Snappy simplifies gifting for remote teams by shipping directly to recipients, but size issues and product relevance can still be a challenge.

Merchloop and Remote Teams

Merchloop shines in remote environments:

• Employees select their own sizes

• Items ship directly to home addresses

• No inventory to manage or store

• Consistent experience regardless of location

It’s a natural fit for modern, distributed workforces.

Advantage: Merchloop

Use Case Comparison Which Platform Fits Your Needs

Snappy Is a Good Fit If

• You want simple, occasional gifts

• Gifting is limited to recognition moments

• Branding is not a top priority

• You value quick setup over flexibility

Merchloop Is a Better Fit If

• You want a long-term gifting or swag strategy

• You care about brand visibility

• You’re hiring regularly

• You want predictable costs and no inventory

• You want employees to actually love and use what they receive

Why Growing Companies Often Switch from Snappy to Merchloop

Many companies start with Snappy because it’s simple. Over time, they realize:

• One-time gifts don’t build culture

• Branding opportunities are limited

• Costs add up as teams grow

• Employees want more relevant, wearable items

Merchloop provides a more sustainable solution that grows alongside the company.

Merchloop vs Snappy The Final Takeaway

Snappy delivers fun gifting moments. Merchloop delivers lasting impact.

If your goal is occasional appreciation, Snappy can do the job. But if you’re building a modern company culture, onboarding employees at scale, and investing in your brand long-term, Merchloop offers a more powerful and flexible approach.

For growing companies thinking beyond the next gift and toward the next phase of growth, Merchloop is the smarter choice.