There are many ways to make extra money these days, and one popular way is by referring friends to join certain apps or sign up for certain services. Many companies offer referral bonuses as a way to encourage new customers, and some of those referral bonuses can be quite substantial.
Referred customers often enjoy discounts and special offers not available to the general public.
You can make money by referring friends.
Referral programs aren’t just about earning extra cash; they’re also an opportunity to share valuable services and products with friends and family.
When you refer someone to a service you love, you’re not just getting paid, you’re helping them discover a product that could make their life easier, more enjoyable, or more efficient.
Here’s how it works: simply sign up for a retailer’s referral program and provide your friend’s name and email address. When your friend makes their first purchase or sign up, you’ll earn a commission.
If you’re looking to earn some extra cash by referring your friends to join certain apps, read on for our list of the best referral programs.
How To Earn Money By Referring Friends
Before we dive into our list of the best referral programs, let’s quickly go over how to actually earn money with referral links.
It’s pretty simple:
- First, find a referral program that you’re eligible for and that you think your friends would be interested in.
- Sign up for the program and get your unique referral link.
- Share your referral link with your friends via social media, email, or text.
- When your friend clicks on your link and signs up for the program or makes a purchase, you’ll earn money.
It’s that easy! Just make sure to check the terms and conditions of each program before you sign up, so you know how and when you’ll get paid.
If you own a blog, you can potentially reach thousands of people and invite them for large referral bonuses. Like I have referred hundreds of people to the world-class CashApp service that makes life easy for them and gets some cash for me. Win-win for both.
Quick Note: Always promote products or services you have personally used or can vouch for. Transparency is key: let your friends know why you’re recommending this service and how they could benefit from it. This honest approach ensures that you maintain your credibility and strengthen your relationships, rather than risking them for a quick reward.
Now that we’ve gone over the basics of how referral programs work, let’s take a look at some of the best programs out there.
Best Referral Programs To Earn Money
Here is the list of various apps grouped in different categories that pay money for referring friends.
Investment Apps That Offer Referral Bonuses
1. Stash
If you’re looking for a way to earn some extra cash, why not try inviting your friends to join Stash?
For every friend who joins and funds their account, you’ll earn $5.
Plus, your friends will love being able to start investing money.
Sign up now and earn money by referring your friends.
2. M1 Finance
Did you know that you can earn money by referring your friends to M1finance? For every friend who signs up for an account and funds it, you’ll earn $10.
Plus, your friend will get a $10 bonus, too. So it’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.
3. Acorns
Have you ever wanted to earn money just by referring your friends to a service that you love? Well, now you can with Acorns! For every friend that you refer who signs up and links their bank account, you’ll earn $5.
And there’s no limit to how many friends you can refer. So start spreading the word and pocket some extra cash.
It’s easy money for simply doing something that you’re already doing – talking to your friends about a service that you enjoy.
And who knows, maybe you’ll even be able to make enough to cover your Acorn subscription.
4. Fundrise
Fundrise is an alternative to traditional investments. You can invest in real estate for as little as $10 with Fundrise.
When you sign up via the link on this page, you will get a $10 bonus yourself.
When you become their member, their referral program allows you to earn a commission for every friend who signs up for an account and invest $10.
You can earn $25 to $100 worth of shares per referral based on the type of account your referral opens with Fundrise.
So if you’re looking for a way to make some extra money, be sure to tell your friends about Fundrise.
5. Betterment
Betterment is a financial services company that offers a way to earn money by inviting friends.
When you refer a friend to Betterment, they will earn a $25 bonus when they open an account and deposit at least $250.
Betterment will also credit your account with a $10 bonus. You can earn up to $500 per year by referring friends to Betterment.
6. Robinhood
Earn money just by referring your friends to sign up with Robinhood!
For every friend that you refer who signs up and links their bank account, you’ll both get a free stock.
Stock can be worth anything from a few dollars to a couple of hundred dollars and is assigned randomly.
If you can refer a handful of friends, you could earn a few extra dollars.
7. Wealthfront
Wealthfront is a great way to invest your money and grow your wealth. And now you can earn even more by referring your friends.
When you refer a friend to Wealthfront, you’ll get paid when they sign up and deposit money into their account.
Plus, your friend will get a free $10 just for signing up. It’s a win-win!
8. SoFi Invest
SoFi Invest is an investment platform that allows users to refer friends and earn money. When a friend signs up for SoFi Invest using a referrer’s code, the referrer receives $20 in cash.
You can refer as many friends as you like and earn a commission for each one of them.
9. Public
Public is an investment platform that allows users to invest in companies and refer friends. When a friend signs up for Public using a referrer’s link, the referrer receives $10 in cash.
Just share your referral code with friends and earn some cash.
Cryptocurrency Investment Apps with Referral Bonuses
10. Coinbase
Coinbase has a refer a friend program that allows you to earn some extra money.
Here’s how it works: refer your friends to sign up for a Coinbase account using your unique referral link.
Once they create an account and buy or sell $100 or more of digital currency within 180 days, you’ll both earn $10 of free bitcoin.
So not only can you support your friends as they get started in the world of cryptocurrencies, but you can also earn some money while doing so.
11. Binance
There are many apps that pay you money for referring your friends. Binance is one of them.
You can earn money by referring your friends to Binance. When they sign up using your referral link, they will get a certain amount of money.
And you will get a commission from that. The more friends you refer, the more money you can earn.
12. Gemini
Gemini, the digital asset exchange founded by the Winklevoss twins, is now letting its users earn money by referring their friends.
For every person that you refer who signs up for a Gemini account and completes KYC, you will receive $10 worth of BTC.
If you have a large network of friends or followers, you could potentially earn a lot of money.
In addition, each person that you refer will also receive $10 worth of BTC, so it’s a win-win for everyone involved.
13. Kucoin
When you refer a friend to Kucoin, they’ll get a special link that they can use to sign up. Once they create an account and make their first trade, you’ll earn a commission.
The amount of money you can earn varies depending on the percentage of the trade value. So if your friend makes a $100 trade, you could earn $10 just for referring them.
14. Crypto.com
You can refer your friends to sign up for an account on crypto.com and you will earn referral bonuses.
For every friend that you refer, you’ll earn $10 in referral bonus cash.
15. Celsius Network
If you’re looking for a way to make some extra money, consider referring friends to the Celsius Network. For every friend you refer who joins and completes a qualifying transaction, you’ll earn $20 in commission-free cash.
Plus, your friends will enjoy all the benefits of the Celsius Network, including great rates on loans and earning interest on their cryptocurrency holdings.
16. BlockFi
BlockFi offers one of the highest paying referral programs in the industry! For every friend you refer who signs up and funds their account, you’ll earn $25 in BTC.
BlockFi is a financial services company that allows you to buy, sell, and store cryptocurrency.
They also offer crypto-backed loans and earn interest on your cryptocurrency.
BlockFi is the easiest and most trusted way to get started in crypto. So tell your friends and start earning.
Referral Programs for Survey Sites
17. InboxDollars
InboxDollars is a great way to make some extra cash, and one of the easiest ways to do it is by referring your friends. For every friend that you refer who signs up and starts using InboxDollars, you’ll earn $1(for the first 5) and 30% of their lifetime earnings.
Your friends will appreciate being able to use InboxDollars to earn money in their free time.
18. Swagbucks
On Swagbucks, you can make money just by referring your friends. For every friend that you refer who signs up and starts earning, you’ll get a bonus.
Your friend will get a chance to earn money in a number of ways. So, it is very easy to convince your friends to join Swagbucks.
19. Branded Surveys
Do you love taking surveys and sharing your opinion? Do you have friends who feel the same way?
Well, now you can get paid for referring your friends to Branded Surveys. For every friend you refer who completes at least one survey, you’ll earn 50 points.
20. Survey Junkie
Earning money is easy with Survey Junkie. Not only do you get paid for taking surveys, but you can also refer your friends and get paid for that too.
It’s a win-win situation. For every friend that you refer, you’ll earn $1.50.
Your friends will thank you for introducing them to Survey Junkie with a plethora of opportunities.
21. ySense
You can now earn extra cash by referring a friend on ySense. For every friend that you refer and complete the offer, you will earn 10% of their earnings.
This is a great way to earn some easy money without having to put in much effort.
So why not start referring your friends today and start earning money.
22. PrizeRebel
Everyone loves free money, and with PrizeRebel you can earn cash just by referring your friends. When you refer a friend to PrizeRebel, they’ll get $1 added to their account balance just for signing up.
And when they complete their first offer, you’ll get $2 added to your account balance. So not only is it easy to earn money with PrizeRebel, but you can also help your friends earn cash as well.
You can use your referral link on social media, in emails, or even in person.
23. LifePoints
You can earn refer a friend bonus on LifePoints by referring your friends to join. When you refer a friend, they’ll get bonus points just for signing up.
And when they complete their first survey, you’ll get bonus points too. It’s a great way to earn some extra cash.
Plus, the more friends you refer, the higher the bonuses.
24. Featurepoints
Have you ever wondered how apps with referral bonuses like Featurepoints work? It’s actually quite simple.
When you refer a friend to download and use the app, you earn a commission on their activity. The more friends you refer, the more money you can make.
For giving you a bonus, the website gets a new user. A win for both.
Earn Money by Referring Friends to Cash Back Apps
25. Ibotta
There are a number of ways to earn referral bonuses from apps. Ibotta is one such app that allows you to earn referral bonuses.
When you refer a friend to Ibotta, and they sign up using your referral code, you will earn a referral bonus. The referral bonus amount will vary depending on the offer, but it is typically $5.
Once your friend signs up and completes their first offer, the referral bonus will be deposited into your Ibotta account.
In addition to referral bonuses, Ibotta also offers cash back on a variety of everyday purchases, making it easy to save money on groceries, gas, and more.
With so many easy ways to earn cash back, there’s no reason not to download Ibotta today.
26. MyPoints
MyPoints is a great way to earn extra money by doing something you’re already doing – shopping online. But did you know that you can also get paid to refer friends?
For every friend who signs up and completes at least one qualifying activity, you’ll earn $10.
They will also get to earn money by doing a variety of things on Mypoints.
27. TopCashback
Companies that offer referral bonuses are always looking for new customers, and they’re willing to pay people to help them find them. That’s where you come in.
By referring your friends to companies that offer referral bonuses, you can earn a little extra cash with very little effort.
One such company is Topcashback which will give you money to refer your friends to them.
28. BeFrugal
Get paid to refer your friends to Befrugal. With their Refer-a-Friend program, you’ll earn $10 for every friend who signs up and completes a qualifying purchase.
Plus, your friend will get $10 off their order too! It’s a win-win!
Simply log in to your Befrugal account and click on the Refer-a-Friend tab to get started. Spread the word and start earning.
29. Rakuten
Rakuten is a cashback and referral bonus app that gives users referral bonuses of $30 when they sign up for the platform and make their first purchase.
With Rakuten, there is no limit to how much you can earn. The more friends you refer, the more referral bonuses you will earn.
Sign up for Rakuten today and start referring your friends!
30. Earny
One app that offers referral bonuses is Earny. With Earny, you can earn money by referring friends to the app.
For each friend that you refer, you’ll receive a bonus. The amount of the bonus will vary depending on how many friends you refer and how active they are on the app.
However, it’s possible to earn significant sums of money through the Earny referral program.
31. Dosh
If you’re looking for an easy way to make some extra cash, you should check out referral bonus apps like Dosh. With these apps, you can earn money simply by referring your friends.
For each friend that you refer, you’ll earn a bonus of $10 when they make a qualifying purchase.
If you have a large network of friends, you could potentially make a lot of money.
32. Shopkick
Did you know that you can earn money just by referring your friends to Shopkick? It’s easy – for every friend that you refer who signs up and uses Shopkick, you’ll earn $2.
Gig Apps With Referral Bonuses
33. Lyft
Do you love Lyft? Do you want to earn some extra cash?
Well, refer a friend to Lyft and you can earn money. For every friend that signs up and takes their first ride, you’ll earn $10.
Plus, your friends will get $5 off their first ride.
34. Uber
If you enjoy using Uber, why not invite your friends and earn some money while you’re at it? For every friend who signs up with your referral code, you’ll earn a bonus.
Plus, your friends will appreciate getting a discount on their first ride. It’s a win for everyone involved!
So don’t hesitate – start referring your friends today and start earning money.
35. Rover
You can get paid simply by referring your friends to Rover. Just sign up for an account, and you’ll be able to start earning money right away.
For every friend that you refer who creates a profile, you’ll earn a $20 credit.
There’s nothing to lose, and you could start making some extra cash just by spreading the word about Rover.
36. Sittercity
You can earn money by referring your friends to sign up for a service like Sittercity. If you refer a friend to Sittercity, and they create a profile, you’ll earn $10 in Sittercity credit.
You can then use that credit toward paying for your own membership, or you can cash it out and receive the money via PayPal.
37. Taskrabbit
If you’re looking for a way to earn some extra cash, why not refer your friends to TaskRabbit? For every friend who signs up and completes a task, you’ll earn a referral reward.
Referring friends is easy – just log into your TaskRabbit account and navigate to the referral page. Then share your unique referral code with as many people as you like.
When someone uses your code to sign up, they’ll get $10 off their first task. And you’ll earn $20 when they complete their task. So start referring and start earning today.
Food Delivery Apps With Referral Programs
38. DoorDash
DoorDash is a food delivery app that allows users to order from their favourite restaurants and have the food delivered right to their door.
The app also has a refer-a-friend program that allows users to earn money when they refer their friends.
For every friend that signs up using the referrer’s code, the referrer will earn $5.
In addition, there is no minimum amount that must be spent in order to receive the referral bonus, so even if your friend only orders a small meal, you will still earn the $5 bonus.
Refer-a-friend program is a great way to earn some extra money, and it’s also a way to help out your friends by introducing them to a great food delivery app.
39. Grubhub
Grubhub is another popular food delivery app that offers a refer-a-friend program.
For every friend that you refer who signs up and places an order, you’ll earn $10 in Grubhub credit.
You can then use that credit to pay for your own orders, or you can cash it out and receive the money via PayPal.
40. Uber Eats
Uber Eats is a food delivery app from the popular ride-sharing company Uber. The app allows users to order food from their favourite restaurants and have it delivered right to their door.
And like Uber’s ride-sharing service, the app also has a refer-a-friend program that allows users to earn money when they refer their friends.
For every friend that you refer who signs up and places an order, you’ll earn $5 in Uber Eats credit. You can then use that credit to pay for your own orders.
41. Postmates
Postmates is a food delivery and courier service that allows users to order anything they want to be delivered right to their door.
The app also has a refer-a-friend program that rewards users for referring their friends.
For every friend that you refer who signs up and makes a delivery, you’ll earn $10 in Postmates credit.
You can then use that credit to pay for your own deliveries.
42. Instacart
Instacart is a grocery delivery service that allows users to order groceries from their favourite stores and have them delivered right to their door.
The app also has a refer-a-friend program that rewards users for referring their friends.
For every friend that you refer who signs up and makes a delivery, you’ll earn $10 in Instacart credit.
43. Caviar
Caviar is a food delivery service that allows users to order from their favourite restaurants and have the food delivered right to their door.
They also offer a refer-a-friend program where users can earn $10 in Caviar credit for every friend that they refer who makes an order of $30 or more.
44. Shipt
Shipt is a grocery delivery service that allows users to order groceries from their favourite stores and have them delivered right to their door.
The app also has a refer-a-friend program that rewards users for referring their friends.
For every friend that you refer who signs up and makes a delivery, you’ll earn $10 in Shipt credit.
Other Ways to Earn Money by Referring Friends
45. Airbnb
Airbnb is a popular online marketplace that connects people who need a place to stay with people who have an extra room or apartment.
The platform also has a refer-a-friend program where users can earn $20 in Airbnb credit for every friend that they refer who makes a booking.
46. Dropbox
Dropbox is a popular file-sharing and storage service that allows users to store their files online and share them with others.
The service also has a refer-a-friend program where users can earn 500 MB of storage space for every friend that they refer who signs up for a Dropbox account.
47. Payoneer
Payoneer is a popular online payment platform that allows users to send and receive money online.
The platform also has a refer-a-friend program where users can earn $25 for every friend that they refer who signs up for a Payoneer account.
48. Turo
If your friends need rental cars, you can earn money by referring them to Turo. Turo is an app that allows people to rent out their cars.
When you refer a friend to Turo, they’ll get a discount on their first rental, and you’ll get a referral bonus. The amount of the bonus varies depending on which Turo market you’re in.
For example, in the San Francisco Bay Area, the bonus is $25. Refer enough friends and you could make some decent money.
49. Fiverr
If you’re a creative person who likes to offer services online, then Fiverr is a great option for you.
Earn extra cash by offering your services on this platform, and get paid for every task that you complete.
If you refer a friend to Fiverr, you’ll also earn $5 for every successful referral.
50. Upwork
Did you know that you can earn money by referring friends to Upwork? When you refer a friend, they’ll get $50 off their first job, and you’ll get $20 when they complete their first project.
You could end up making some serious cash just by spreading the word about Upwork.
51. Truebill
Truebill is an app with referral bonuses for easy cash. For every friend that you refer who signs up and uses the app, you’ll earn $5.
Plus, your friend will get a $5 bonus too.
And since Truebill is a free app to try basic functions, it’s easy for your friends to sign up and start using it.
52. Trim
Trim is an app that helps people save money. When you refer a friend to Trim, they’ll get $5 off their first bill, and you’ll get $5 when they sign up.
Plus, if your friend saves $10 with Trim, you’ll also get an additional $5 bonus. That’s a total of $15 that you can earn just by referring one friend.
Tips to Earn Bonus by Referring Friends
Here are a few things to keep in mind to maximise your earnings while referring friends to earn cash rewards.
1. Check the terms and conditions of the referral program before you start referring friends. Some programs have specific requirements that you need to meet, like living in a specific location in order to earn the bonus.
2. Use social media, email, or word-of-mouth to let your friends know about the referral program.
3. Keep track of your referrals and make sure that they sign up for the program within the specified time frame.
4. Ask your friends if they need help understanding how the app or the referral program works.
5. Be patient and don’t give up if you don’t see results immediately. It can sometimes take a while for your referrals to sign up and start using the service.
6. Earnings from referral programs are usually paid out in cash, so make sure that you have a PayPal account or another way to receive payments.
With these simple things, you will be able to earn good money just by forwarding your referral links to your friends.
Maximizing Your Referrals
To make the most out of referral programs, creativity and strategy are your best friends. Use your social media platforms not just to share your referral link, but to tell a story about why you love the service.
Personal testimonials resonate more than a simple sales pitch. Consider creating engaging content like tutorials or reviews that showcase the benefits of the service you’re promoting.
And quality over quantity—targeting a few interested friends is more effective than a blanket approach.
Final Words on Earning Money by Referring Friends
It’s clear that there are a number of different ways to make money by referring friends, and what works best for you may depend on the app or platform you’re using.
Try to refer to the apps you have already used so you can convince your friends to use the app and finally get a bonus for yourself.
Have you had success with any of these apps? Let me know in the comments what works best for you—I’d love to hear about it.
FAQs on How to Earn Money by Referring Friends
Which app gives the highest referral bonus?
There is no definite answer as to which app gives the highest referral bonus. It changes from time to time, and also depends on the location. You can check this blog post for the latest updates on referral bonuses.
Can I use a referral code more than once?
Yes, you can use a referral code more than once. Each person’s referral code is unique and can only be used to invite a number of people.
How long does it take to receive the bonus after referring a friend?
It depends on the app or platform. Some apps will credit the bonus to your account immediately after your friend signs up, while others may take a few days to process the referral.
Do I need to have an account with the app to refer my friends?
Yes, in most cases you will need to have an account with the app in order to refer your friends and receive the referral bonus. While a few of them doesn’t need an account. You can use your email to get a referral code. But I would advise having an account so that you can track your invitees.
Can I refer a friend who doesn’t live in my country?
Yes, you can refer a friend who doesn’t live in your country. But there are some apps that have restrictions on which countries they operate in. So, it’s best to check the terms and conditions of the referral program before starting.
Do I need to pay anything to refer my friends?
No, you don’t need to pay anything to refer your friends. Referral programs are free to join and you can earn money by referring your friends without any investment.
What is the best way to promote my referral code?
There is no one definitive answer to this question as it depends on your personal preferences and the app you’re using. You can promote your referral code on social media, by email, or by word-of-mouth.
Can I refer old users?
Most apps have restrictions in place that only allow new users to be referred. It’s best to check the terms and conditions of the referral program before starting.
How can I find my referral code?
Your referral code is usually located in the “Referral” or “Invite Friends” section of the app. If you can’t find it, contact the customer support of the app and they will help you locate it.
I didn’t receive the bonus even though my friend signed up using my referral code. What should I do?
If you didn’t receive the bonus even though your friend signed up using your referral code, contact the customer support of the app. They will be able to help you troubleshoot the problem and credit the bonus to your account.
Sumeet is founder of MoneyFromSideHustle and an experienced side hustler who replaced his full-time income with side hustles. His work has been quoted on major finance websites like CNBC, Yahoo! Finance, GOBankingRates, MSN, Nasdaq, AOL, and more. He has helped thousands of people find side hustles and is here to help you find your extra source of income. More about him.