How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- ReferralCandy is a strong starting point for Shopify and WooCommerce stores, but its success fee grows with referral revenue.
- Friendbuy and Mention Me suit larger brands that need fraud controls, testing, and enterprise integrations.
- GrowSurf and Referral Factory suit software and service businesses that want fast setup and flexible rewards.
- Viral Loops and InviteReferrals cover campaigns beyond simple refer-a-friend, including waitlists and contests.
- Model total cost at your expected referral volume before choosing, since a low monthly fee can hide a high percentage fee.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 ReferralCandy | Ecommerce referral programs | $39 per month | Free trial |
 Friendbuy | Enterprise referral programs | See website | No |
 Mention Me | Referral and customer advocacy | See website | No |
 GrowSurf | SaaS and service referrals | See website | Free trial |
 Referral Factory | Fast referral campaign setup | See website | Free trial |
 Ambassador | Partner and referral programs | See website | No |
 Viral Loops | Referral campaigns and waitlists | See website | Free trial |
 InviteReferrals | Ecommerce and app referrals | See website | Free trial |
 Extole | Enterprise advocacy programs | See website | No |
 Yotpo | Loyalty and referrals for ecommerce | See website | Free trial |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Starting price$39 per month
Free planFree trial
ReferralCandy is built for online stores that want a refer-a-friend program without custom development. Customers get a personal referral link or code, friends get a discount, and referrers earn cash or store credit when a referred purchase completes. Integration with Shopify and WooCommerce handles code generation and tracking, and a dashboard shows referral sales and rewards.
Pricing starts at 39 USD per month on the Basic plan, plus a success fee on referred sales that falls as you move to higher plans. At high referral volume, that percentage fee can exceed the monthly subscription by a large margin, so model total cost at your expected volume. ReferralCandy is a good fit for small to mid-size stores that want a focused referral tool, not a full loyalty suite.
What we like- Simple setup for Shopify and WooCommerce
- Automatic reward codes
- Fraud checks for self-referrals
Watch out for- Success fee on referred sales adds up at scale
- No loyalty points or VIP tiers built in
#2Friendbuy
Best for: Enterprise referral programs4.3/5 on
G2 (58 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit friendbuy.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Friendbuy serves larger brands that need referral programs across web, mobile, and email, with controls for fraud, testing, and segmentation. You can run different offers by customer segment, test reward types, and connect referral data to analytics and CRM tools. That depth suits companies where referrals are a major acquisition channel, not a side experiment.
Pricing is not published as a simple starting plan, so you will need a quote based on volume and features. Setup also takes more time than a plug-and-play store app. Friendbuy fits mid-market and enterprise teams that want control and reporting, and can justify the cost with referral volume.
What we like- Strong fraud prevention
- Testing and personalization
- Enterprise integrations
Watch out for- Pricing is quote-based
- Setup is heavier than simple store apps
#3Mention Me
Best for: Referral and customer advocacy4.4/5 on
G2 (61 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit mention-me.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Mention Me helps brands run referral programs and broader advocacy, where customers share reviews, content, and recommendations as well as referral links. Reporting focuses on referred customer value and retention, not just first purchase, which helps brands judge whether referrals bring good long-term customers. The platform works with major ecommerce systems and supports multiple languages and regions.
Mention Me targets larger brands, so pricing and implementation reflect that focus. A small store may find the platform more than it needs. For a growing retail brand that wants referrals tied to lifetime value and advocacy, Mention Me is a strong enterprise option.
What we like- Referral plus advocacy features
- Strong reporting
- Experience with large retail brands
Watch out for- Enterprise focus means higher cost
- Smaller stores may find it heavy
#4GrowSurf
Best for: SaaS and service referrals4.5/5 on
G2 (10 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit growsurf.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
GrowSurf is designed for software, service, and membership businesses that want referral programs without building tracking themselves. You can create a campaign, embed a referral portal, and offer rewards such as account credits, discounts, or cash. Integrations with billing and CRM tools help track referrals from sign-up through paid conversion, which matters for SaaS where value arrives over months.
Ecommerce stores may miss Shopify-specific features found in ReferralCandy, such as automatic discount code sync. GrowSurf's strength is flexibility for non-store businesses. If you sell subscriptions or services, GrowSurf offers a clean setup and a clear view of referral-driven sign-ups.
What we like- Fast setup for SaaS
- Flexible rewards including cash and credits
- Embeddable referral widgets
Watch out for- Less ecommerce-specific than ReferralCandy
- Reward fulfillment needs planning for cash payouts
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Referral Factory offers a no-code builder with templates for refer-a-friend, waitlists, and lead generation campaigns. You can launch a campaign in days, customize pages and emails, and track referrals without developer help. That speed suits startups, agencies, and small businesses that want to test referrals before investing in a larger platform.
Advanced fraud controls and enterprise integrations are less deep than in Friendbuy or Extole, and pricing scales with the number of contacts or users in some plans. Referral Factory is best for teams that need a fast, flexible campaign builder and are willing to manage fraud checks manually at first.
What we like- Many campaign templates
- No-code builder
- Works across industries
Watch out for- Advanced fraud and enterprise features are thinner than Friendbuy
- Pricing scales with contacts
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Ambassador covers referrals, affiliates, influencers, and partners in one platform, with tracking, payouts, and reporting across those channels. That breadth suits companies that want one system for all partner-driven growth, rather than separate tools for customers, affiliates, and creators. Payout management and tax-related features help larger programs that pay many partners.
The platform is quote-based and broader than a simple referral app, so setup and cost exceed what a small store needs. Ambassador fits companies with an existing partner strategy that want to unify referrals and affiliates, and that can staff the program properly.
What we like- Combines referrals, affiliates, and partners
- Payout management
- Tracking across channels
Watch out for- Quote-based pricing
- Broader scope can be complex for a simple refer-a-friend program
#7Viral Loops
Best for: Referral campaigns and waitlists4.0/5 on
G2 (42 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit viral-loops.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Viral Loops specializes in campaigns that grow a list or launch a product, such as referral waitlists, milestone rewards, and contests. Participants share a link, climb a leaderboard or earn rewards as more friends join, and the campaign page handles sign-ups and sharing. That structure suits product launches, apps, and events where the goal is sign-ups rather than immediate purchases.
Post-purchase ecommerce referral features, such as automatic discount codes tied to completed orders, are less central than in ReferralCandy. Viral Loops is best when the campaign itself is the product, and you want sharing mechanics that motivate people to invite many friends quickly.
What we like- Templates for waitlists, contests, and referrals
- Social sharing tools
- Easy campaign pages
Watch out for- Less focused on post-purchase ecommerce rewards
- Analytics are campaign-level
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
InviteReferrals offers referral programs for websites, ecommerce stores, and mobile apps, with templates, referral links, and reward management. It suits small to mid-size businesses that want a referral program without enterprise pricing, and it supports campaigns in multiple languages. Mobile app support is a useful plus for app-first businesses.
The interface feels less modern than GrowSurf or Referral Factory, and enterprise controls are thinner. InviteReferrals is a practical, lower-cost option for businesses that want a working referral program quickly, and do not need advanced fraud or partner management yet.
What we like- Works for websites and mobile apps
- Campaign templates
- Referral tracking and rewards
Watch out for- Interface is less polished than newer tools
- Enterprise features are limited
#9Extole
Best for: Enterprise advocacy programs4.7/5 on
G2 (25 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit extole.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Extole serves large brands that run referral and advocacy programs at scale, with analytics on customer value, sharing behavior, and program performance. It supports complex campaigns across channels and integrates with enterprise marketing and CRM systems. Brands with large customer bases use Extole to turn advocacy into a measured acquisition channel.
Pricing is quote-based, and implementation requires planning and internal resources. Small businesses will find Extole too heavy and costly for a first referral program. For enterprises that already invest in customer advocacy, Extole offers depth and reporting that simpler tools cannot match.
What we like- Enterprise-grade referral and advocacy
- Strong analytics
- Experience with large brands
Watch out for- Quote-based pricing
- Implementation needs time and internal resources
#10Yotpo
Best for: Loyalty and referrals for ecommerce4.3/5 on
G2 (265 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit yotpo.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Yotpo combines loyalty, reviews, referrals, and SMS marketing for ecommerce brands, which suits stores that want retention tools in one place. Referral programs run beside loyalty points and VIP tiers, so a customer can earn points, refer friends, and receive rewards inside a single system. Shopify integration is strong, and email and SMS tools help promote the program.
Because referrals are part of a larger suite, a store that only wants referrals may pay for features it does not use. Pricing also grows as you add Yotpo products and order volume. Yotpo fits ecommerce brands that want loyalty and referrals together, rather than a standalone referral app.
What we like- Loyalty, reviews, and referrals in one suite
- Strong Shopify integration
- SMS and email tools
Watch out for- Referral features sit inside a broader suite
- Pricing grows as you add products
How we chose
We compared platforms on ecommerce and SaaS fit, reward types, fraud controls, integrations, reporting, and pricing structure, using vendor homepages, pricing pages, and documentation. We favored platforms with current, supported referral products and a clear audience, rather than discontinued tools or generic marketing suites with no referral tracking. Prices are listed only where a current starting plan could be checked; other entries show See website, and success fees should be confirmed on the pricing page.
Setting a referral offer that actually works
A good offer rewards both sides, but not so much that it attracts only bargain hunters. A discount for the friend and a smaller reward for the referrer often works better than a large cash payout that invites abuse. Set clear rules: one reward per new customer, no self-referrals, and a waiting period until a return window passes before you pay out.
Promote the program where customers already are: order confirmation pages, post-purchase emails, account pages, and app settings. Track referred customer retention, not just first orders, since a referral that churns in a month is worth less than a direct customer who stays. Review fraud patterns monthly, and adjust reward size or eligibility if abuse rises.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best referral software for a Shopify store?
ReferralCandy is a strong starting point for Shopify, with simple setup and automatic discount codes. Yotpo suits stores that also want loyalty and reviews in one suite. Compare success fees at your volume before choosing.
How much does referral software cost in total?
Total cost includes the platform fee, success or percentage fees on referred sales, and the rewards you pay customers. A low monthly fee with a high success fee can cost more at scale than a higher flat fee. Model costs at your expected referral revenue.
Can referral software prevent fraud?
Good platforms flag self-referrals, duplicate accounts, and coupon leaks, but no tool stops all abuse. Set clear rules, delay payouts until returns pass, and review flagged referrals regularly. Fraud controls matter more as volume grows.
Do referral programs work for SaaS?
Yes, especially when rewards fit the product, such as account credits or extra features. GrowSurf and Referral Factory suit SaaS well, since they track sign-ups through paid conversion. Ecommerce-focused tools may fit less well for subscription businesses.
How long does it take to launch a referral program?
A simple store program can launch in days with ReferralCandy or Referral Factory. Enterprise programs with custom offers, integrations, and testing take weeks. Start simple, measure results, and add complexity only when volume justifies it.
Sources we checked (10)
- https://www.referralcandy.com
- https://www.friendbuy.com
- https://www.mention-me.com
- https://www.growsurf.com
- https://referralfactory.com
- https://www.getambassador.com
- https://viral-loops.com
- https://www.invitereferrals.com
- https://www.extole.com
- https://www.yotpo.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.