The 7 best referral program software to know in 2024
Let's take a moment together to explain what referral marketing software is, and the key features that distinguish top-notch software from the rest.
We'll then list the leading tools on the market, their key features and the pros and cons of each.
What is a referral program software?
A referral program software is a digital tool that simplifies and streamlines referral marketing programs for businesses of all sizes.
Basically, it enables businesses to capitalize on the power of word-of-mouth marketing by encouraging satisfied customers to refer the brand's products or services to their friends, family or colleagues.
This organic form of marketing builds on the trust and relationships that customers have established, making it an effective way of attracting new customers.
In fact, customers recommended by a friend are 4x more likely to buy and convert 5x faster.
Why use a referral marketing software?
Referral program software makes the whole process simpler by automating all aspects of referral management.
It provides companies with a centralized software for effortlessly creating, tracking and rewarding referrals.
Manual tracking, cumbersome spreadsheets and the complexity of managing referral links are now a thing of the past.
Whether it's for an ecommerce site, a technology startup or a service company, referral program software can be a valuable asset in your marketing toolbox.
It offers a cost-effective, scalable way to tap into your existing customer base and turn them into brand ambassadors.
With a referral software, businesses can effectively track the performance of their marketing campaigns, identify their most influential customers and measure the success of their incentives.
This data-driven approach enables them to refine their strategies and maximize the potential of their referral campaigns.
8 key features to look for in referral program software?
Key to choosing the right referral software to boost your brand's growth is keeping a close eye on the must-have features that can make all the difference.
Here's a rundown of the key attributes you should look for:
1. Easy integration
One of the first things to consider when choosing a referral software is how easily it integrates with your existing systems.
The last thing you need is a cumbersome and time-consuming installation process.
Look for software that connects easily to your website, ecommerce platform or CRM system, so you can get up and running without any hassle.
2. Customization options
Every brand is unique, and your referral program should reflect it.
Look for tools that offer a high level of customization, allowing you to align the program with your business identity and aesthetic.
The ability to tailor the program to your specific business objectives and audience will ensure a seamless experience for both your referred and their referrers.
3. Automated referral tracking
One of the key benefits of referral software is its ability to remove the burden of manual tracking.
Make sure the software you choose offers robust tracking capabilities, accurately attributing referrals to the right eir sources and providing real-time data on your campaign's performance.
4. User-friendly interface
No one wants to spend hours trying to figure out a confusing software interface.
A user-friendly platform changes all that, allowing you to navigate effortlessly through the set-up and management of your referral campaigns.
5. Referral reward flexibility
The core of any referral program lies in the rewards offered to both the referrer and the referred customer.
Make sure that the software allows you to customize rewards to suit your business objectives, whether through discounts, loyalty points, VIP Tiers, etc.
6. Social media connection
Social media are essential for word-of-mouth marketing. Look for referral software with seamless social media integration.
This feature makes it easy for referrers to share their referral links or codes on their favorite platforms, with just a few clicks.
This way, your brand message can reach a wider audience, resulting in increased referrals and brand visibility.
7. Communication tools for referrers
Referrers are your most valuable asset, so you need to keep them in the loop.
Look for software that offers effective communication tools to engage with them, share updates and encourage ongoing participation.
8. Analytics and reporting
Data is power! Choose a platform that offers in-depth analysis and reporting capabilities.
This will help you understand what works, identify your best-performing customers and make data-driven decisions to optimize the success of your referral program.
7 best referral program softwares
Loyoly
Loyoly is a new-generation referral and loyalty platform specifically designed for ecommerce businesses.
It's an ultra-complete, easy-to-use solution for encouraging customers to refer their brand to friends and family.
In just a few minutes, this platform lets you create, personalize and integrate a referral program that matches your brand image and your customers' preferences.
One of the great advantages of the Loyoly platform is that it allows you to create a complementary loyalty program, in which the referral program will be seamlessly integrated. Users can earn loyalty points for their word-of-mouth referrals, which they can then redeem in your loyalty program's rewards boutique.
A free 15-day trial is offered to test the software. It's more than enough to encourage the first referrers and generate the first sales.
Key features
- Analytics: Users get a comprehensive dashboard to track program performance, including the number of sales generated, turnover, the average order value and the most active referrers.
- Rewards: Companies can choose to offer vouchers, discount codes or points to add to the brand's loyalty program.
- Customization: The program's landing page, e-mails and referral links are all fully customizable to offer a consistent customer experience across its lifecycle.
- Customer account: Businesses can add a customizable section to their brand's customer account to easily redirect customers to their referral program.
- CRM: Users get a CRM listing of all their customers who referred friends, and can filter them by number of orders, total spent, sales generated, number of referrals, number of followers, etc.
Pros and cons
✅ The referral program creation and website integration process is extremely simple and straightforward, taking no more than a few minutes.
✅ The platform lets you set up double rewards, one for the referrer and another for the referred friend.
✅ In addition to a New-Gen referral program, Loyoly's solution allows you to create a loyalty program and easily collect UGC and customer reviews.
❌ Loyoly's referral program is currently only available to Shopify ecommerce brands.
Referral Factory
Referral Factory is a user-friendly SaaS referral marketing solution.
With its wide range of templates, integrations and customization options, this platform enables companies to create their own personalized referral programs with ease, and in just a few minutes.
Referral Factory is an excellent choice for companies looking for easy-to-use, versatile referral program software.
Key features
- Customizable templates: The platform offers an extensive collection of over 100 referral program templates, including widgets and popups.
- Landing page builder: Users can design eye-catching, brand-compliant pages with a drag-and-drop page builder.
- Automated communication: Referral Factory automates communication for invitations, referrals and rewards, ensuring a seamless and efficient user experience.
- Real-time data tracking: The intuitive dashboard provides real-time data tracking, enabling companies to keep up to date with the performance of their referral program.
Pros and cons
✅ The software allows for a wide range of reward structures, granting businesses complete control over customer rewards.
✅ With support for 19 languages, Referral Factory enables businesses to engage customers worldwide.
✅ The platform seamlessly integrates with popular CRMs such as HubSpot, Salesforce, and Intercom, streamlining data management.
❌ While it integrates with WooCommerce, it lacks support for Shopify, Magento, and BigCommerce, limiting ecommerce platform options.
❌ Although highly customizable, fine-tuning the setup might require some time, particularly on lower plans.
❌ Using your own domain requires an additional cost, potentially impacting budget-conscious users.
ReferralCandy
ReferralCandy is one of the pioneering tools in the field of referral marketing.
Its specialization in ecommerce makes it effective and user-friendly, especially for first-time site owners looking to harness the power of word-of-mouth marketing.
Although it may have certain limitations in terms of reward structures and CRM integrations, its ease of use and seamless platform integration make it an effective tool nonetheless.
Key Features
- Fraud Center v1.0: Their Fraud Center v1.0 helps identify and deal with any fraudulent activity, ensuring a safe and reliable referral program.
- Customizable reward options: Users can offer a variety of rewards, including cash, store credits and discount coupons, providing flexibility in creating attractive incentives.
- A/B testing: ReferralCandy offers A/B testing functionality on referral offers, so companies can identify the most effective incentives for customers.
- Automated communication: The software automates communication through post-purchase follow-up emails and prompts on the checkout page, encouraging referral when the business is top of mind.
Pros and cons
✅ The user-friendly nature of the platform enables a straightforward configuration process.
✅ ReferralCandy offers one-click integrations with various ecommerce and marketing tools, including Shopify, WooCommerce, Google Analytics and Mailchimp.
✅ The software shares ready-to-use email templates for the entire referral process.
❌ The base plan incurs a monthly commission, which might be a consideration for businesses on tight budgets.
❌ ReferralCandy's primary focus on ecommerce means it does not integrate with CRMs like HubSpot or Salesforce, limiting customer relationship management capabilities.
❌The platform lacks support for multi-step reward structures, tiered rewards, or recurring rewards, potentially limiting advanced referral program setups.
❌ Customers do not have a dedicated interface to track their referrals, potentially affecting the user experience from their end.
Referral Rock
Referral Rock is a comprehensive referral marketing program SaaS for companies of all sizes and in all sectors.
It enables you to create a personalized, tailor-made referral experience, ensuring seamless integration with your business and customer journey.
Referral Rock's user-friendly platform offers a wide range of features and seamless integrations.
With the flexibility to adapt to different reward structures and the expertise of an onboarding specialist, Referral Rock is a reliable solution on the market.
Key features
- CRM and ecommerce integration: Referral Rock seamlessly integrates with leading CRMs like HubSpot, Salesforce, and Zoho, as well as popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, BigCommerce, and more.
- Flexible reward structures: Businesses can design all kinds of reward structures, including multi-step structures, tiered incentives, commission payouts, referral contests, and referral drawings.
- Customizable program: It's possible to customize your referral program to suit your unique needs and maintain a consistent, branded experience.
- Automated templated email: Referral Rock allows to automate email communications with templated messages, simplifying and streamlining the whole referral process.
Pros and cons
✅ New customers benefit from detailed one-to-one support from an integration specialist, who guides them through program design, integration, launch and optimization.
✅ The platform offers easy-to-embed widgets, enabling seamless integration of referral features in every touchpoints.
✅ Referral Rock's reporting capabilities are advanced, providing businesses with valuable insights into their referral program's performance.
❌ Customizing email templates might be restrictive, and businesses seeking pixel-perfect branding should consider hooking referrals into their own email provider.
❌ The robust feature set of Referral Rock might be more suitable for businesses with comprehensive needs, potentially making it too complex for simple ecommerce referral programs.
Friendbuy
Friendbuy is a robust platform that enables marketers to optimize their referral marketing strategy.
Thanks to a library of templates, businesses can quickly create a referral program in a matter of hours.
Built around lightweight code snippets, Friendbuy makes it easy to implement referral programs, allowing companies to use popup widgets for seamless integration.
Although some reviews have raised concerns, A/B testing, real-time tracking and automated reward fulfillment capabilities make the platform an attractive choice among referral solutions on the market.
Key features:
- A/B tests: Users can conduct easy A/B testing to identify the most resonating messaging with customers, allowing them to optimize their referral program's performance.
- Real-time tracking: Friendbuy offers real-time tracking of the referral funnel, so businesses can closely monitor every stage of the process.
- Facebook feed: Companies have access to a Facebook feed of what people are saying when they share your referral link, providing valuable feedback and user sentiment.
- Automated email templates: referral programs can be automated with ready-to-use email templates that can be personalized.
- Event-based triggers and reports: Users can set event-based triggers and generate reports to power further communications to customers and prospects.
Pros and cons:
✅ Friendbuy also allows you to manage a loyalty program.
✅ Reward fulfillment is fully automated, including coupon codes, account credits, loyalty points and gift cards.
✅ Customers receive personalized referral links, increasing the appeal and engagement of the referral program.
❌ While ideal for most referral marketing needs, Friendbuy may not be the best fit for businesses seeking complex referral program structures.
❌ Some users have reported mixed experiences with support, indicating scope for improvement in this area.
❌ The dashboard design could benefit from enhancements to improve user experience.
Mention Me
Mention Me is a ready-to-use SaaS referral platform, offering companies an effective solution for launching their referral program in 30 days or less.
With its "name sharing" capability and seamless integrations, Mention Me maximizes word-of-mouth, making the referral process more understandable and engaging.
Although some users may see the pricing and learning curve as potential drawbacks, Mention Me's performance optimization and valuable referral data make it a reliable player on the market.
Key features
- Name sharing: Mention Me introduces a unique "name sharing" feature, enabling users to track offline referrals when checking out in physical stores.
- Integrations: Users can integrate this software with Magento, WeGift, Klaviyo, Dotmailer, and other platforms, to optimize their existing marketing stack.
- Customer segmentation: Mention Me makes it easy to segment customers, enabling companies to create highly targeted messages tailored to each stage of the customer journey.
- Real-time results: Users are able to track the performance of their referral program with real-time results available via the dedicated dashboard.
Pros and cons
✅ Mention Me's performance optimization feature are useful to identify and mobilize the most valuable customers
✅ The Customer Success team is responsive and provides helpful advice and assistance when needed.
✅ Users get valuable insights into customer behavior and referral performance, helping them to refine their strategies (if needed).
❌ Some reviewers found that the pricing structure was less transparent and perceived as high.
❌ Learning how to use the platform may be challenging for some users, requiring time and effort to fully grasp its capabilities.
❌ The software's user experience can be perceived as slightly restrictive at times, potentially affecting ease of use.
Extole
Extole offers a comprehensive recommendation platform that enables companies to deliver and optimize a tailored sharing experience.
With integration across all devices and channels, marketers can create a powerful acquisition channel by encouraging customers to refer new prospects onsite, in-app and offline.
While its robust functionality and data capabilities are of good quality, companies should carefully consider their marketing budget and requirements before committing to Extole.
Key features
- Flexible rewards: Extole enables companies to offer a wide range of rewards, including points, discounts, free products, store credits, gift cards and personalized rewards.
- Burst campaigns: A burst feature lets users temporarily increase rewards to boost engagement.
- Data and reporting: Extole displays robust referral data, including detailed segmentation, program performance and top advocates.
- Pre-built templates: Visual editing with mobile-optimized designs is pretty straightforward thanks to prebuilt sharing and referral templates
Pros and cons
✅ Extole offers in-depth audience segmentation and tracking capabilities, to optimize targeted marketing campaigns.
✅ A dedicated account manager assists users in program design, launch and ongoing optimization.
✅ Extole uses a sophisticated rule set to detect and prevent low-quality referrals, ensuring a high-quality advocate base.
❌ Extole's solution comes with a significant upfront cost, making it less accessible for smaller businesses with limited budgets.
❌ Some users have reported difficulties implementing integrations with external SaaS
