Top 7 Referral Marketing Platforms for 2025 Compared

Compare the top 7 referral marketing platforms for 2025 to find the best features, pricing, and scalability for your business growth.
Top 7 Referral Marketing Platforms for 2025 Compared

You want your business to grow faster in 2025. You need a referral marketing platform that matches your goals. Some top choices are Loyally AI, ReferralCandy, Friendbuy, Yotpo, Referral Rock, InviteReferrals, and Viral Loops. Referral marketing helps you get new customers and keep loyal ones. The right referral program software can help you sell more and get more referrals. Did you know 65% of new business comes from referrals? Referral marketing tools help you make a good referral marketing plan. Customers who are referred spend more, stay longer, and trust your brand more. If you start a referral campaign with good referral rewards, you get more sales and better profits. Find referral features that fit your business size and type. If you want better results, pick a platform that makes referral rewards simple and tracks every referral.

Key Takeaways

  • Referral marketing can help your business grow a lot. About 65% of new business comes from referrals. This makes it a strong way to get more customers.

  • Pick a referral marketing platform that matches your business. Think about how easy it is to use. Look at how much you can change it. Check if it works with your other tools.

  • Some platforms like Loyally AI and ReferralCandy have special features. Loyally AI gives digital loyalty cards. ReferralCandy gives rewards automatically and works with online stores.

  • Use analytics to see how well your referrals do. Knowing which rewards and channels work best helps you improve your campaigns.

  • Starting with a cheaper platform can help you save money. Many platforms let you try them for free. You can test features before you pay for a plan.

Top Referral Marketing Platforms Overview

Top Referral Marketing Platforms Overview
Image Source: pexels

Platform List

You want to pick the best referral marketing platform. Here are seven top choices for 2025:

  • Loyally AI

  • ReferralCandy

  • Friendbuy

  • Yotpo

  • Referral Rock

  • InviteReferrals

  • Viral Loops

These platforms help you run referral campaigns. You can use them to get new customers. They also help you keep your current customers. Some platforms are easy to set up. Others let you change more things. You may want a platform for e-commerce or retail. Some work well for big brands. If you want to grow fast, choose a platform that fits your needs.

Selection Criteria

How do you choose the right referral marketing platform? Think about what your business needs most. Some businesses want to start a referral program quickly. Others need more features or ways to connect with other tools. You may want loyalty tools or gamification. Big companies might need developer tools or API options. Startups often want simple solutions that work fast. Brands that are growing need more features. Global companies need platforms that can grow with them.

Here’s a table to show which criteria fit each business type:

Criteria

Business Type

Fast time to market

All types

Customization and developer tools

Enterprises

Enterprise integrations

Enterprises

Built-in loyalty and gamification

All types

API-first flexibility

Enterprises with strong dev teams

Basic, fast-to-launch solutions

E-commerce startups

Mid-market capabilities

Growing brands

Advanced scalability

Global enterprises

Think about your goals for referral marketing. Do you want more referrals quickly? Are you looking for a platform that tracks every referral? Maybe you want to give loyalty points or digital cards as rewards. The right platform makes your referral program easy to run. It helps you get the most from every referral.

Loyally AI Referral Marketing Platform

Features

You want a platform that is simple to use. Loyally AI gives you eight types of digital loyalty cards. You can pick stamp cards, cashback cards, or membership cards. There is a built-in CRM to keep customer data safe. You can split your audience into groups. You can send as many push notifications as you want. Geolocation alerts help you reach customers close by. Loyally AI works with Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. This makes rewards easy to find. You get analytics to check your referral program. Everything is in one easy package.

Tip: You can start a referral program fast with templates.

Pricing

Loyally AI costs $12 each month to start. This price helps small businesses begin quickly. You can choose a plan that fits your needs. The Essential Plan works for one location. The Growth Plan works for three locations and more managers. The Premium Plan gives custom integrations and up to ten locations. Loyally AI is cheaper than many other platforms. You save money and grow your referral program.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Better Customer Lifetime Value

Hard to balance rewards and profits

Builds a strong brand community

Some may misuse referral programs

Low cost and simple to use

Too much focus on referrals

GDPR/CCPA compliant

Trusted by many businesses

Use Cases

You can use Loyally AI in stores, hotels, and service businesses. Big brands like Starbucks and Walmart use loyalty programs to get more sales. These programs help keep customers coming back. You can run a referral campaign that rewards both referrers and new customers. Dropbox grew its users by thousands with smart referral programs. You can use gamification, badges, and special offers to make your program fun. Loyally AI helps you build a loyal group and earn more money.

ReferralCandy Referral Marketing Platform

Features

You want a platform that is easy to use. ReferralCandy helps you run a referral program with little work. You can link it to your online store. It works with Shopify and WooCommerce. You get rewards for every referral. The system sends invites and rewards for you. You do not need to do extra steps. You see data right away to know what works best. You can change templates to match your brand style. ReferralCandy lets you share your program in many places. Customers see offers by email, social media, and your website.

Feature

Description

Seamless Integrations

Connects with top eCommerce platforms for easy setup.

Automation Capabilities

Sends rewards and invites automatically for each referral.

Powerful Analytics

Shows real-time data on referral performance and top referrers.

Customizable Templates

Lets you design referral campaigns that fit your brand.

Multi-Channel Promotion

Shares referral offers on email, social media, and more.

Pricing

ReferralCandy costs $47 each month to start. You pay a 3.5% fee for sales from referrals. This price works well for small and medium stores. Other platforms have different prices. You can see how ReferralCandy compares in the chart below.

Bar chart comparing minimum and maximum monthly pricing for ReferralCandy, Viral Loops, Referral Factory, and Affise

Platform

Monthly Pricing Range

Additional Fees

ReferralCandy

Starts from $47/month

3.5% commission on sales

Viral Loops

$35 to $399/month

None

Referral Factory

$95 to $1400/month

None

Affise

$500 to $1500/month

None

Tip: You can pick a basic plan first. You can upgrade later as your program grows.

Pros and Cons

ReferralCandy has many good sides. You get help from experts and an easy dashboard. You can start campaigns fast. Rewards can be cash or discounts. Customer support helps you quickly. Some people say discount codes are limited. Setup can be hard if your store uses a different language. Coupons may not work for every product.

Pros

Cons

Professional service and easy program launch

Limited options for discount codes

Great customer support

Setup can be hard with unsupported languages

Clear analytics dashboard

Coupon issues for some product types

Flexible rewards, including cash

Use Cases

You want your referral program to help your store grow. ReferralCandy works best for small and medium online stores. If you sell health items, fitness gear, or food, you can use ReferralCandy. Retail brands also get good results. ReferralCandy helps you get new customers and save money. You can use it for selling products online. Many brands use ReferralCandy to get more customers with referral campaigns.

  • Small and mid-sized eCommerce stores

  • Health, wellness, and fitness brands

  • Retail businesses

  • Food and beverage companies

Note: ReferralCandy is a smart pick if you want a simple referral program for your online store.

Friendbuy Referral Marketing Platform

Features

You want a referral marketing platform that is easy to use. Friendbuy gives you tools to control your program. You can try out different messages with A/B tests. This helps you find what your customers like best. You can see every step of the referral process right away. When people share links on Facebook, you get updates. Friendbuy has email templates that send invites for you. You do not need to do extra work. You can set up triggers and reports to keep customers interested. Friendbuy lets you run loyalty programs and referral campaigns together. Rewards like coupon codes and gift cards go out by themselves. Each customer gets their own referral link. This makes sharing simple and fun.

Key Feature

Description

A/B tests

Test different messages to improve referral results.

Real-time tracking

Watch every stage of the referral process.

Facebook feed

See feedback when customers share referral links.

Automated email templates

Send referral invites with less effort.

Event-based triggers

Keep customers engaged with smart communication.

Loyalty program management

Run loyalty and referral programs together.

Automated reward fulfillment

Send out rewards like coupon codes and gift cards automatically.

Personalized referral links

Give each customer a unique link for sharing.

Pricing

Friendbuy costs $99 each month to start. This price gives you the main referral features. You can run a referral program with these tools. Some platforms like Lootly cost less and have more options. Friendbuy is simple and helps you make good referral campaigns. You can pick Friendbuy if you want a strong platform that is easy to set up.

Platform

Pricing

Features Offered

Friendbuy

$99 per month

Basic referral services

Lootly

Lower cost

Points, VIP, referrals, affiliates

Tip: Start with Friendbuy’s basic plan. You can upgrade later if your program gets bigger.

Pros and Cons

Friendbuy has many good points. You get real-time tracking and rewards sent out for you. You can use A/B tests to make your program better. It is easy to manage both loyalty and referral programs. Some people think the price is high. You may want more features if your business grows fast.

Pros

Cons

Real-time tracking

Higher starting price

Automated reward fulfillment

Fewer advanced features

Easy loyalty and referral management

A/B testing for referral campaigns

Use Cases

You can use Friendbuy for many businesses. Natural Dog Company made a strong group with referral links. Nuuly got over 2,500 new subscribers from sharing. SPANX saw 15% of people join from referral campaigns. Friendbuy helps you get more customers, sell more, and keep people coming back. If you want a referral program that works, Friendbuy helps you track and reward your best customers.

Business Name

Achievement Description

Natural Dog Company

Built a loyal community with referral links.

Nuuly

Added 2,500+ new subscribers through referral sharing.

SPANX

Reached a 15% conversion rate with referral campaigns.

Note: Friendbuy is a good choice for brands that want to grow with referral marketing and loyalty programs.

Yotpo Referral Marketing Platform

Features

You want more than just sending referral links. Yotpo gives you many tools for your referral program. You can reach customers by SMS and email. Yotpo helps you manage reviews from your customers. You see what people think about your brand. There is a sticky rewards bar on your site. It shows referral offers to visitors. Yotpo connects with many apps. This makes it easy to add referral features to your store. You can track what customers do. You see how your referral program works. Analytics help you find your best referrers. You see which rewards get shared most.

Tip: Check Yotpo’s analytics to learn which rewards bring new customers.

Pricing

Yotpo does not show prices on its website. You must ask for a quote. The price depends on your monthly orders. If you have over 800 orders, you pay extra. Other platforms, like Lootly, have simple pricing. Lootly lets you have unlimited orders for one fee. Yotpo’s price can be higher than other platforms. You may need to sign a yearly contract. This means you cannot switch easily. Here is a table to compare Yotpo and Lootly:

Feature

Yotpo

Lootly

Pricing Structure

Custom, based on order volume

Simple, transparent

Unlimited Orders

No, charges after 800 orders

Yes, $299/month

Affiliate Marketing

No

Yes

Referral Popups

No

Yes

SMS Referral Sharing

Yes

Yes (on higher plan)

Cross Store Rewards

No

Yes (on higher plan)

Pros and Cons

Yotpo gives you many ways to run your referral program. You get SMS and email marketing. You can manage reviews and connect with many apps. The platform helps you track referrals. You see what works best. You can use a sticky bar to show rewards. Yotpo gives you deep insights into customer actions. But Yotpo’s pricing is not clear. You may pay more than you think. Setup can be hard. You might need help to use all the features. Some features need separate installation. Yotpo can slow down your site if you add too many tools.

Pros

Cons

SMS and email marketing

Annual contracts limit flexibility

Review management

Higher pricing compared to competitors

Wide range of integrations

Non-transparent pricing structure

All-in-one platform

Can slow down your site

Sticky rewards bar

Steep learning curve and complex setup

Analytics and customer insights

Extra features need separate installation

Use Cases

You can use Yotpo for many referral programs. If you run an online store, Yotpo helps you get more referrals. You send SMS and email invites to customers. You reward people for sharing your brand with friends. Yotpo works well for brands that want reviews and referrals in one place. You use analytics to find your best referrers. You give them special rewards. Yotpo fits businesses that want a full referral marketing platform. If you want to grow your customer base and keep people coming back, Yotpo gives you the tools.

Note: Yotpo is best for brands that want reviews, rewards, and referral campaigns together.

Referral Rock Referral Program Platform

Features

You want a referral platform you can control. Referral Rock helps you track every referral. You see where each referral comes from. You can manage employee referrals and affiliate programs. The platform lets you set up fun rewards. Sharing is more exciting for everyone. You get notifications to keep people interested. Conversion tracking shows which leads become customers. These tools help you improve your referral marketing.

Feature

Description

Referral Source Tracking

Tracks where referrals are coming from to optimize marketing efforts.

Employee Referral Management

Manages referrals made by employees, enhancing internal engagement.

Conversion Tracking

Monitors the success of referrals in converting leads to customers.

Affiliate Marketing

Supports affiliate programs to broaden reach and incentivize partners.

Creative Rewards

Engages users with unique rewards for sharing, increasing participation.

Timely Notifications

Keeps participants informed and engaged with updates and reminders.

Tip: Try Referral Rock’s creative rewards to get more people to share.

Pricing

Referral Rock starts at $200 each month. You can try a free demo and trial first. The platform connects with over 25 other tools. Referral Rock costs more than some platforms. Some competitors are cheaper but have fewer features. Others cost much more. Here is a chart to compare starting prices:

Bar chart comparing starting monthly prices of Referral Rock and five competitors

Platform

Pricing

Demo / Trial

Integrations

Target Market

Referral Rock

Starts at $200/month

Free demo and trial

25+

All businesses

Competitor A

Starts at $39/month + commission

Free webinar demo and trial

14

Ecommerce

Competitor B

Starts at $249/month

Free demo and trial

25+

Ecommerce

Competitor C

Starts at $1,750

Free demo

12

All businesses

Competitor D

Starts at $99/month

Free demo and trial

10+

Single-step sales

Competitor E

Starts at $49/month

Free demo and trial

25+

Single-step sales

Pros and Cons

Referral Rock makes running a referral program easy. The interface is simple to use. Customer service is very helpful. You can track referrals and change your program. The platform works with many other tools. You can set up your campaign fast. Some users say rewards are hard to manage. You might see problems with editing text. The price is higher than some other platforms. You get more features for the cost.

Pros

Cons

User-friendly interface

Incomplete integration with CRM systems

Excellent customer service

Lack of support in the Australian time zone

Robust tracking capabilities

Cumbersome reward management

Ease of use

Limitations with landing page hosting

Customization

Glitches with text editing

Simplicity and Flexibility

Lack of customization

Seamless Integration

Complexity

Cost-Effective

Higher cost

Use Cases

Referral Rock works for many referral programs. You can run customer referral campaigns. This helps more people learn about your brand. The platform helps you manage affiliate and partner marketing. You can track every referral and payout. You can set up brand ambassador programs. Customers, partners, and employees can join. Many businesses use Referral Rock to grow their referrals. If you want more referrals, this platform gives you the tools.

Use Case

Description

Customer Referral Programs

Gain more brand awareness and referrals from your best customers through on-brand sharing experiences.

Affiliate & Partner Marketing

Increase referrals from your channel partners & affiliates with the best tracking and payout management.

Brand Ambassador Programs

Run a brand ambassador program with a variety of participants (customers, partners, employees, and more).

  • You can use Referral Rock for customer referral programs.

  • You can manage affiliate and partner marketing.

  • You can run brand ambassador programs with different groups.

InviteReferrals Referral Marketing Platform

Features

You want a referral platform that helps you reach more people. InviteReferrals gives you lots of tools to make your program special. You can choose from many templates for your business. You can run your campaign by email, SMS, or social media. InviteReferrals works in over 25 languages, so you can go global. Gamified features make sharing fun for everyone. The platform tracks every referral and shows you deep analytics. You see which channel brings the most referrals. You can set up automatic emails, rewards, and coupons. InviteReferrals keeps your program safe with fraud prevention. You can give your team different roles to help manage the program.

  • Pick templates for any business

  • Share by email, SMS, or social media

  • Works in 25+ languages for global reach

  • Gamified features make sharing fun

  • Deep analytics track every referral

  • Automation for emails, rewards, and coupons

  • Built-in fraud prevention and team controls

Tip: Use gamified rewards to make your referral program more exciting for your customers.

Pricing

InviteReferrals has three main plans. The Basic plan starts at $79 per month. The Standard plan costs $199 per month. If you need more, you can ask for a custom Enterprise plan. Here’s how InviteReferrals compares to other platforms:

Platform

Plan Type

Price

InviteReferrals

Basic

$79/month

Standard

$199/month

Enterprise

Custom Price

Genius Referrals

Bronze

$49/month

Silver

$129/month

Gold

$249/month

ReferralMagic

Monthly

$99/month

Annual

$999/year

Bar chart comparing monthly prices of InviteReferrals, Genius Referrals, and ReferralMagic plans

You can start with the Basic plan. You can upgrade as your program grows.

Pros and Cons

InviteReferrals makes it easy to start a viral referral campaign. You get a dashboard that is simple to use. You can track every referral link. You can share your program on social networks. The platform offers coupons and detailed tracking. Many users say InviteReferrals helps them grow their customer base without spending extra on ads. Some users have trouble logging in.

Pros

Cons

Good for viral campaigns

Some users have login issues

Easy to use dashboard

Tracks referral links and sharing

Offers coupons and detailed tracking

Helps grow customer base without extra ad spend

Use Cases

You can use InviteReferrals for many types of programs. If you run an online store, you can reward customers for every referral. Service businesses can use it to get more leads. InviteReferrals works well for global brands because it supports many languages. You can launch a campaign using email, SMS, and social media. Gamified rewards keep customers excited. You can track every referral and see which channel works best. InviteReferrals helps you grow your business by turning happy customers into your best promoters.

Viral Loops Referral Marketing Platform

Features

You want a referral platform that is simple to use. Viral Loops gives you smart tools for your referral campaigns. The platform uses AI to help you find the best people to invite. You can see which customers will share your brand the most. AI also helps stop fake referrals and keeps rewards fair. You get detailed analytics to track every referral and see what works. Viral Loops lets you set up your campaign quickly. You can connect it with other apps and use it on many channels. If you need help, customer support is always ready.

  • AI helps you find the right audience for referrals

  • Predictive analytics make your results better

  • Automated fraud checks keep your campaign safe

  • Dynamic rewards keep your program interesting

  • Easy setup and connects with other apps

  • Share referral offers on many channels

  • Customer support is there when you need it

Tip: Try Viral Loops’ AI tools to find your best referrers and give them rewards.

Pricing

Viral Loops has a simple price plan. You pay $35 each month to start. This plan lets you have up to 1,000 people in your referral program. Other platforms cost much more money. GrowSurf starts at $775 per month. Affise Reach starts at $800 per month. Most other referral platforms charge at least $500 per month. Viral Loops helps you save money and still run a strong referral campaign.

Platform

Starting Price

Participants Limit

Viral Loops

$35/month

Up to 1,000

GrowSurf

$775/month

Up to 10,000

Affise Reach

$800/month

N/A

Other Platforms

$500/month

N/A

Bar chart comparing starting prices of referral marketing platforms

Pros and Cons

Viral Loops has many good points. The platform makes it easy to start a referral campaign. You can use AI to get better results. The price is low, so you save money. You get strong analytics and fraud protection. Some users want more ways to change the platform. The participant limit may not work for very big programs. You might need to upgrade if your campaign grows fast.

Pros

Cons

Fast and easy referral campaign setup

Limited customization for some users

AI-driven referral features

Participant cap on starter plan

Low starting price

May need upgrade for bigger programs

Strong analytics and fraud protection

Multi-channel referral promotion

Use Cases

You can use Viral Loops for many types of referral programs. If you have an online store, you can reward customers for sharing your brand. Service businesses use Viral Loops to get more leads. Startups like the easy setup and low price. You can run contests, giveaways, and ambassador programs. Viral Loops helps you track every referral and reward your best customers. You grow your business by turning happy customers into your top promoters.

Note: Viral Loops is a smart pick if you want an easy, low-cost, and AI-powered referral platform.

Referral Marketing Platforms Comparison

Referral Marketing Platforms Comparison
Image Source: unsplash

Features Table

You want to know what each platform can do. This table shows the main features for each one. It helps you choose the right referral program software for your business.

Platform

Digital Loyalty Cards

CRM

PUSH Notifications

Geolocation

Referral Sharing

Analytics

Wallet Integration

Gamification

Social Media

Loyally AI

Yes

Yes

Unlimited

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

ReferralCandy

No

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

Friendbuy

No

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yotpo

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Referral Rock

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

InviteReferrals

No

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Viral Loops

No

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Tip: Loyally AI is best if you want digital loyalty cards and wallet integration.

Pricing Table

You need to see how much each platform costs. This table helps you compare prices for your referral campaign.

Platform

Starting Price (Monthly)

Free Trial

Extra Fees

Loyally AI

$12

Yes

No

ReferralCandy

$47

Yes

3.5% commission

Friendbuy

$99

Yes

No

Yotpo

Custom Quote

Yes

Depends on orders

Referral Rock

$200

Yes

No

InviteReferrals

$79

Yes

No

Viral Loops

$35

Yes

No

Note: Loyally AI has a low starting price and many features for your referral program.

Best For

You want to know which referral marketing tools fit your business. Here is a quick guide:

  • Loyally AI: Good for retail, hospitality, and service businesses. It gives digital loyalty cards, unlimited PUSH notifications, and wallet integration.

  • ReferralCandy: Great for small and mid-sized online stores. It is easy to use for referral programs.

  • Friendbuy: Works well for brands that want A/B testing and automated rewards.

  • Yotpo: Perfect for businesses that want reviews and referral marketing together.

  • Referral Rock: Best for companies needing employee, affiliate, and partner referral programs.

  • InviteReferrals: Ideal for global brands needing multi-language support and gamified rewards.

  • Viral Loops: Good for startups and businesses wanting AI-powered referral marketing tools and fast setup.

If you want your referral marketing to work, pick the platform that fits your goals and budget. The right referral program software helps you get more referrals, better rewards, and grow your business.

You want to pick the best referral marketing platform for your business. Loyally AI is a good choice for retail shops, hotels, or service companies. You can start a referral program quickly. You can track each referral and send as many push notifications as you want. You can reach customers using geolocation and wallet integration. You can see clear analytics for every referral. You can give rewards for each referral and help customers return. Other platforms are good for e-commerce or global brands. But Loyally AI helps you grow with every referral and reward. It helps you keep customers coming back. Are you ready to bring back and keep more customers? Try Loyally AI today! http://loyally.ai/?ref=loyally.ai

FAQ

What is a referral marketing platform?

A referral marketing platform helps you run programs where customers share your business with friends. You track referrals, give rewards, and grow your customer base. These tools make it easy to get new customers and keep loyal ones.

How do I choose the best referral platform for my business?

You should look at your business size, goals, and budget. Check which features matter most to you, like digital loyalty cards, analytics, or wallet integration. Try free trials to see which platform feels right.

Can I use referral marketing for any type of business?

Yes! You can use referral marketing for retail stores, restaurants, online shops, and service businesses. Most platforms let you customize your program to fit your brand and customers.

Do referral programs really help me get more customers?

Absolutely! Referral programs encourage your happy customers to bring in new people. You reward both the referrer and the new customer. This helps you build trust and grow faster.

Is it hard to set up a referral program?

No, most platforms offer templates and guides. You can start quickly, even if you have no tech skills. Some platforms let you launch a program in minutes.

Tip: Try a free demo before you decide. You can see how easy it is to set up and run your referral program.

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