20+ best referral programs to make money in 2025
Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2024 7:23 am
Online referral programs produce win-win outcomes for companies and loyal customers alike. Businesses gain new customers while a referring customer earns cash, credits, and discounts for a successful referral. However, not all referral programs are created equally or offer desirable rewards.
In this post, we’ll explain the difference telegram database between referral marketing and affiliate marketing and explore some of the best referral programs in the market.
What is a referral program?
A referral program is a marketing strategy used by businesses to encourage their existing customers to refer their friends, family, or acquaintances to the business in exchange for a reward or incentive. The program is designed to increase customer acquisition by leveraging the trust and social networks of current customers.
Typically, a referral program works by giving current customers a unique referral code or link that they can share with their friends or family. When someone uses that code or link to make a purchase or sign up for a service, the referring customer is rewarded with a discount, cashback, free product, or another incentive.
Referral programs go by different names, including:
Advocate program
Customer reward program
Invite-a-friend
Loyalty program
Refer-a-friend (RAF)
Rewards program
Referral marketing vs. affiliate marketing
Referral and affiliate marketing do overlap under the umbrella of performance marketing, but they’re different. Affiliate marketing is the promotion of products and services online by affiliate marketers, who are usually full-time content creators, bloggers, and YouTubers. Companies pay affiliates to generate leads and sales. For example, the email marketing company GetResponse has two affiliate programs that pay recurring and bounty commissions for new sales.
The table below highlights the differences between referral and affiliate marketing:
Referral Program Affiliate Program
Target users Existing customers, brand ambassadors, and loyal fans Content creators, bloggers, YouTubers, and agencies
Who they target Family, friends, acquaintances, and colleagues Anyone
Used or tried the product/service Likely Not likely
Compensation Credits, rewards, and discounts Cash
Can make a full-time living No Possible
Reporting Basic Advanced
Many program policies/rules No Yes
Disclosure requirements No Yes
Key differences between referral and affiliate programs.
Given the differences between referral and affiliate marketing, which one should you choose?
Promote referral offers if you want to occasionally share deals with your friends and people you know but don’t want to focus on creating content. Go with affiliate marketing if you want to create content, part- or full-time, to passively make extra money.
Related:
Affiliate marketing for beginners
12 best SaaS partner programs for marketing agencies
20+ successful referral program examples
Let’s review the best online referral programs from companies that have shown continuous referral program success. If a company offers their own referral program, it will likely be visible in their website footer menu, and you might receive details about it in the company’s email or newsletter.
GetResponse – $30 account credit per referral
Hostinger – 20% commission
Dropbox – Up to 32 GB per referral
Fiverr – Up to $100 per referral
Chase Bank – $50 per referral
SoFi – between $50 and $500 per referral
TurboTax – $25 per referral
Wise – $50 per three referrals
Acorns – $5 per referral
Charles Schwab – Up to $1,000 per referral
Robinhood – A reward stock per referral
Wealthfront – $5,000 managed for free per referral
Sam’s Club – $10 gift card per referral
T-Mobile – $50 per referral
Casper – $75 gift card per referral
Coursera – Pay $1 for the first month
Purple – $25 gift card per referral
Spanx – $20 off your purchase
Venmo – $50 per referral
Coinbase – $10 off your next month’s subscription
Tesla – Credits per referral
Marketing & online services
Let’s go a bit more in-depth with the referral program examples we’ve just mentioned above, and look into what their referral process is and give you more information to decide which customer referral program you might be interested in.
1. GetResponse
GetResponse Homepage
GetResponse is a leading email marketing and marketing automation software that offers multichannel solutions via its website builder, landing pages, ecommerce marketing, conversion funnels, webinars, live chats, and more. GetResponse helps businesses of all sizes to get leads, sales, and new customers.
GetResponse customers and advocates of the product have a number of ways to refer their friends and associates.
The GetResponse referral program is designed for customers who want to refer a friend or an associate. It is an easy-to-use program that is available in the GetResponse app. The customer and their referrals both receive a $30 credit.
For higher rewards, GetResponse also offers affiliate programs. The programs are designed for customers and non-customers who would like to develop an ongoing income by recommending the platform. There are two affiliate programs to choose from, a tiered 33%-50% recurring program or a one-time $100 or $150 upfront commission paid on new sales.
GetResponse also has a program for Marketing Agencies that have clients who can benefit from the GetResponse product. See our affiliate marketing and marketing agency program pages for more details.
Referral fee/reward: $30 account credit
Website: GetResponse referral program
Earn up to 50% commission for becoming our GetResponse MAX partner reseller – refer a premium plan to the premium audience! Learn more about the Partner Program here.
2. Hostinger
Hostinger referral program.
Hostinger is a globally trusted web hosting provider known for delivering reliable and affordable services. Through their referral program, you can earn up to $200 for each friend you refer.
Here’s how it works: when a friend signs up for a 12-month or longer web hosting or VPS plan using your unique referral link, you’ll receive a 20% commission on their purchase.
Your friend also benefits with a 20% discount automatically applied at checkout through your referral link. Once their plan stays active for at least 45 days, your commission will be credited. Payments are made via PayPal or Wire transfer, depending on your preference.
Referral fee/reward: 20% commission for you and a 20% discount for your friend.
Website: Hostinger referral program
3. Dropbox
Dropbox referral program.
Dropbox enables you to collaborate, store, sync, and share your files from a central and secure cloud platform. Therefore, you can keep your family organized, streamline remote work, increase productivity, simplify electronic signatures, and more.
Earn extra space by inviting your friends to try Dropbox. Dropbox Basic users get 500 MB per referral and up to 16 GB. Dropbox Plus and Professional users get 1 GB per referral and up to 32 GB.
Referral fee/reward: Up to 32 GB
Website: Dropbox referral program
4. Fiverr
Fiverr referral program page.
Fiverr is an online marketplace that connects businesses with on-demand freelance talent. It offers digital services in more than 400 categories across nine verticals, including graphic design, digital marketing, programming, writing, translation, animation, and more.
Your referrals will get a 10% discount on their first purchase (up to $100). After that, you’ll receive Fiverr Credits (capped at $100 Fiverr Credits per qualifying purchase). In total, you can earn up to $500 in Fiverr Credits.
Referral fee/reward: Up to $100 Fiverr Credits
Website: Fiverr referral program
Banking & financial
5. Chase Bank
Chase bank referral program.
Chase offers a broad range of financial services, including personal banking, credit cards, mortgages, auto financing, investment advice, small business loans, and payment processing. Chase is a part of the JPMorgan Chase financial services company.
You can earn $50 for each friend (up to $500 annually) who opens a Chase checking account. In addition, your referral will get a reward, which varies on the type of account they open.
Referral fee/reward: $50 per referral
Website: Chase Bank referral program
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6. SoFi
SoFi referral program.
SoFi creates financial products to help people borrow, save, spend, invest, and protect their money so that they can achieve financial independence and realize their goals.
SoFi offers six referral programs, where you can earn between $50 and $500 for a successful referral:
App referral program
Loan referral program
Invest referral program
Credit card referral program
Checking & savings referral program
Bank referral program
Referral fee/reward: between $50 and $500
Website: SoFi referral program
Read more related content:
1. Best marketing agency programs
2. 20+ best affiliate marketing programs
3. Top email marketing affiliate programs
4. Best recurring affiliate programs
7. TurboTax
Turbotax referral program.
TurboTax is a user-friendly and uncomplicated tax software that helps taxpayers keep more of their hard-earned money. It offers the convenience of preparing and e-filing your tax return from virtually any computer or mobile device with internet access.
Invite your friends to file with TurboTax, and you will get a $25 gift card for each referral up to $250. Furthermore, your referrals get up to 20% off online federal products.
Referral fee/reward: $25
Website: TurboTax referral program
8. Wise
Wise referral program.
Wise is a global money transfer services company helping people save, hold, and spend multiple currencies efficiently and affordably. It offers transparent money transfer and payment services for personal and business customers.
Every friend that you invite to Wise will get a discount on their first transfer. There are many different rewards. For example, with one program in the UK, you’ll get £50 once three invited friends make a qualifying transfer of at least £200 each.
In this post, we’ll explain the difference telegram database between referral marketing and affiliate marketing and explore some of the best referral programs in the market.
What is a referral program?
A referral program is a marketing strategy used by businesses to encourage their existing customers to refer their friends, family, or acquaintances to the business in exchange for a reward or incentive. The program is designed to increase customer acquisition by leveraging the trust and social networks of current customers.
Typically, a referral program works by giving current customers a unique referral code or link that they can share with their friends or family. When someone uses that code or link to make a purchase or sign up for a service, the referring customer is rewarded with a discount, cashback, free product, or another incentive.
Referral programs go by different names, including:
Advocate program
Customer reward program
Invite-a-friend
Loyalty program
Refer-a-friend (RAF)
Rewards program
Referral marketing vs. affiliate marketing
Referral and affiliate marketing do overlap under the umbrella of performance marketing, but they’re different. Affiliate marketing is the promotion of products and services online by affiliate marketers, who are usually full-time content creators, bloggers, and YouTubers. Companies pay affiliates to generate leads and sales. For example, the email marketing company GetResponse has two affiliate programs that pay recurring and bounty commissions for new sales.
The table below highlights the differences between referral and affiliate marketing:
Referral Program Affiliate Program
Target users Existing customers, brand ambassadors, and loyal fans Content creators, bloggers, YouTubers, and agencies
Who they target Family, friends, acquaintances, and colleagues Anyone
Used or tried the product/service Likely Not likely
Compensation Credits, rewards, and discounts Cash
Can make a full-time living No Possible
Reporting Basic Advanced
Many program policies/rules No Yes
Disclosure requirements No Yes
Key differences between referral and affiliate programs.
Given the differences between referral and affiliate marketing, which one should you choose?
Promote referral offers if you want to occasionally share deals with your friends and people you know but don’t want to focus on creating content. Go with affiliate marketing if you want to create content, part- or full-time, to passively make extra money.
Related:
Affiliate marketing for beginners
12 best SaaS partner programs for marketing agencies
20+ successful referral program examples
Let’s review the best online referral programs from companies that have shown continuous referral program success. If a company offers their own referral program, it will likely be visible in their website footer menu, and you might receive details about it in the company’s email or newsletter.
GetResponse – $30 account credit per referral
Hostinger – 20% commission
Dropbox – Up to 32 GB per referral
Fiverr – Up to $100 per referral
Chase Bank – $50 per referral
SoFi – between $50 and $500 per referral
TurboTax – $25 per referral
Wise – $50 per three referrals
Acorns – $5 per referral
Charles Schwab – Up to $1,000 per referral
Robinhood – A reward stock per referral
Wealthfront – $5,000 managed for free per referral
Sam’s Club – $10 gift card per referral
T-Mobile – $50 per referral
Casper – $75 gift card per referral
Coursera – Pay $1 for the first month
Purple – $25 gift card per referral
Spanx – $20 off your purchase
Venmo – $50 per referral
Coinbase – $10 off your next month’s subscription
Tesla – Credits per referral
Marketing & online services
Let’s go a bit more in-depth with the referral program examples we’ve just mentioned above, and look into what their referral process is and give you more information to decide which customer referral program you might be interested in.
1. GetResponse
GetResponse Homepage
GetResponse is a leading email marketing and marketing automation software that offers multichannel solutions via its website builder, landing pages, ecommerce marketing, conversion funnels, webinars, live chats, and more. GetResponse helps businesses of all sizes to get leads, sales, and new customers.
GetResponse customers and advocates of the product have a number of ways to refer their friends and associates.
The GetResponse referral program is designed for customers who want to refer a friend or an associate. It is an easy-to-use program that is available in the GetResponse app. The customer and their referrals both receive a $30 credit.
For higher rewards, GetResponse also offers affiliate programs. The programs are designed for customers and non-customers who would like to develop an ongoing income by recommending the platform. There are two affiliate programs to choose from, a tiered 33%-50% recurring program or a one-time $100 or $150 upfront commission paid on new sales.
GetResponse also has a program for Marketing Agencies that have clients who can benefit from the GetResponse product. See our affiliate marketing and marketing agency program pages for more details.
Referral fee/reward: $30 account credit
Website: GetResponse referral program
Earn up to 50% commission for becoming our GetResponse MAX partner reseller – refer a premium plan to the premium audience! Learn more about the Partner Program here.
2. Hostinger
Hostinger referral program.
Hostinger is a globally trusted web hosting provider known for delivering reliable and affordable services. Through their referral program, you can earn up to $200 for each friend you refer.
Here’s how it works: when a friend signs up for a 12-month or longer web hosting or VPS plan using your unique referral link, you’ll receive a 20% commission on their purchase.
Your friend also benefits with a 20% discount automatically applied at checkout through your referral link. Once their plan stays active for at least 45 days, your commission will be credited. Payments are made via PayPal or Wire transfer, depending on your preference.
Referral fee/reward: 20% commission for you and a 20% discount for your friend.
Website: Hostinger referral program
3. Dropbox
Dropbox referral program.
Dropbox enables you to collaborate, store, sync, and share your files from a central and secure cloud platform. Therefore, you can keep your family organized, streamline remote work, increase productivity, simplify electronic signatures, and more.
Earn extra space by inviting your friends to try Dropbox. Dropbox Basic users get 500 MB per referral and up to 16 GB. Dropbox Plus and Professional users get 1 GB per referral and up to 32 GB.
Referral fee/reward: Up to 32 GB
Website: Dropbox referral program
4. Fiverr
Fiverr referral program page.
Fiverr is an online marketplace that connects businesses with on-demand freelance talent. It offers digital services in more than 400 categories across nine verticals, including graphic design, digital marketing, programming, writing, translation, animation, and more.
Your referrals will get a 10% discount on their first purchase (up to $100). After that, you’ll receive Fiverr Credits (capped at $100 Fiverr Credits per qualifying purchase). In total, you can earn up to $500 in Fiverr Credits.
Referral fee/reward: Up to $100 Fiverr Credits
Website: Fiverr referral program
Banking & financial
5. Chase Bank
Chase bank referral program.
Chase offers a broad range of financial services, including personal banking, credit cards, mortgages, auto financing, investment advice, small business loans, and payment processing. Chase is a part of the JPMorgan Chase financial services company.
You can earn $50 for each friend (up to $500 annually) who opens a Chase checking account. In addition, your referral will get a reward, which varies on the type of account they open.
Referral fee/reward: $50 per referral
Website: Chase Bank referral program
Stay ahead of the game
Get the latest articles, tips, case studies, and more delivered straight to your inbox. Stay informed and inspired with insights that help you build multiple revenue streams!
Name *
Email *
JOIN THE NEWSLETTER
6. SoFi
SoFi referral program.
SoFi creates financial products to help people borrow, save, spend, invest, and protect their money so that they can achieve financial independence and realize their goals.
SoFi offers six referral programs, where you can earn between $50 and $500 for a successful referral:
App referral program
Loan referral program
Invest referral program
Credit card referral program
Checking & savings referral program
Bank referral program
Referral fee/reward: between $50 and $500
Website: SoFi referral program
Read more related content:
1. Best marketing agency programs
2. 20+ best affiliate marketing programs
3. Top email marketing affiliate programs
4. Best recurring affiliate programs
7. TurboTax
Turbotax referral program.
TurboTax is a user-friendly and uncomplicated tax software that helps taxpayers keep more of their hard-earned money. It offers the convenience of preparing and e-filing your tax return from virtually any computer or mobile device with internet access.
Invite your friends to file with TurboTax, and you will get a $25 gift card for each referral up to $250. Furthermore, your referrals get up to 20% off online federal products.
Referral fee/reward: $25
Website: TurboTax referral program
8. Wise
Wise referral program.
Wise is a global money transfer services company helping people save, hold, and spend multiple currencies efficiently and affordably. It offers transparent money transfer and payment services for personal and business customers.
Every friend that you invite to Wise will get a discount on their first transfer. There are many different rewards. For example, with one program in the UK, you’ll get £50 once three invited friends make a qualifying transfer of at least £200 each.