If you love telling friends about apps that save time or money, why not get paid for it? Referral programs turn everyday recommendations into real cash, gift cards, or stock. In this guide, we’ll break down the best referral apps that pay money, how they work, and simple ways to earn more—without being pushy or spammy.
Whether you prefer easy “share a link, earn a few bucks” or higher-value bonuses that require a deposit or purchase, you’ll find options you can start using today.
Note: Offers change often and can vary by region. Always check each app’s latest terms.
Why referral apps are a smart side hustle in 2025
- Low effort: You’re already recommending apps—now you get rewarded for it.
- Wide variety: From cashback shopping to investing, there’s a referral fit for everyone.
- Stackable with welcome bonuses: Many apps offer both a sign-up bonus and a referral bonus.
- Flexible payouts: Cash to your bank or PayPal, gift cards, points, or even fractional stocks/crypto.
Best referral apps that pay money: our top picks
Below are tried-and-true categories with examples. Choose a few that match your habits and your network.
Shopping and cashback apps
These help your friends save money on things they already buy—making referrals feel natural and valuable.
Rakuten (formerly Ebates)
- What you earn: Often 40 per friend after their qualifying purchase (varies by promo).
- Payout: Cash back via check or PayPal during their “Big Fat Check” cycles.
- Why it works: Easy value prop—get cash back for shopping. High seasonal bonuses.
Ibotta
- What you earn: Typically 20 per friend when they redeem an offer; occasional boosters.
- Payout: Cash to bank or PayPal; also gift cards.
- Why it works: Grocery savings are universal. Great for families and budget-minded shoppers.
Dosh
- What you earn: Often 15 when a friend links a card and makes an eligible purchase.
- Payout: Cash to bank or PayPal.
- Why it works: Fully automatic card-linked offers—no receipts, low friction.
Upside (gas, groceries, dining)
- What you earn: Referral bonuses vary; commonly a one-time cash bonus plus cents-per-gallon overrides.
- Payout: Cash via PayPal or bank; also gift cards.
- Why it works: Gas prices sting; this offers real savings and recurring earnings as referrals keep using the app.
Fetch
- What you earn: Points (often 2,000–4,000) when friends scan their first receipt.
- Payout: Gift cards (points ≈ 4 per typical referral; promos vary).
- Why it works: Everyone has receipts. Simple, fast win—even if it’s not direct cash.
Capital One Shopping
- What you earn: Varies; typically points redeemable for gift cards when friends begin earning.
- Payout: Gift cards.
- Why it works: Auto-applies coupon codes and finds lower prices—easy sell for online shoppers.
Banking and cash apps
Bigger bonuses, but friends often need to meet requirements like a direct deposit or card use.
Cash App
- What you earn: Frequently 15 when a friend signs up with your code and completes required actions.
- Payout: Cash to your Cash App balance.
- Why it works: Fast setup, popular with peer-to-peer payments.
Chime
- What you earn: Often 200 after your friend receives a qualifying payroll direct deposit.
- Payout: Cash to your Chime account.
- Why it works: High-dollar bonuses, especially attractive if your network can meet deposit rules.
SoFi (Banking, Invest, Credit Card)
- What you earn: Varies by product; commonly 100+ when friends open and fund eligible accounts.
- Payout: Cash or fractional shares depending on the product.
- Why it works: Multiple products means multiple referral paths; strong welcome promos.
Current (mobile banking)
- What you earn: Frequently $50 after friend’s qualifying direct deposit.
- Payout: Cash to your Current account.
- Why it works: Straightforward, friendly interface, often competitive promos.
Revolut (availability varies by country)
- What you earn: Seasonal cash bonuses when friends complete onboarding tasks.
- Payout: Cash to your Revolut account.
- Why it works: International-friendly with strong budgeting tools; watch for limited-time boosts.
Investing and crypto apps
Great for friends curious about markets. Rewards are often stocks or crypto that you can sell later (after any holding period).
Robinhood
- What you earn: Free stock (value varies) per referral; sometimes boosted events.
- Payout: Stock (convertible to cash after selling).
- Why it works: Low barrier to start investing; “free stock” is an easy conversation starter.
Webull
- What you earn: Multiple free stocks or credits when a friend deposits/trades.
- Payout: Stocks or stock equivalents; convertible to cash.
- Why it works: Often more generous during promos; good for friends willing to deposit.
Public
- What you earn: Fractional shares (varies by promo) for referred sign-ups.
- Payout: Fractional shares; convertible to cash after selling.
- Why it works: Social investing angle makes it easy to share and discuss picks.
M1 Finance
- What you earn: Cash bonuses for friends who open and fund accounts (amount varies).
- Payout: Cash to your M1 account.
- Why it works: Automated investing; appeals to long-term planners.
Coinbase
- What you earn: Historically cash/crypto when friends trade a minimum amount (amount varies).
- Payout: Crypto (sellable for cash).
- Why it works: Well-known brand; good entry into crypto.
Rewards and survey platforms
These pay smaller amounts but are easy to share and stack up over time.
Swagbucks
- What you earn: A percentage of your referral’s earnings (commonly 10%) plus occasional one-time bonuses.
- Payout: PayPal cash or gift cards.
- Why it works: Many ways to earn—surveys, shopping, games, search—so friends often stick around.
MyPoints
- What you earn: One-time bonuses and a percentage of referral earnings (varies).
- Payout: PayPal cash or gift cards.
- Why it works: Long-running, trustworthy brand; frequent promos.
InboxDollars
- What you earn: One-time bonuses and ongoing percentages (varies).
- Payout: Cash via check, prepaid card, or gift cards.
- Why it works: Straightforward tasks; decent referral longevity.
Comparison at a glance
| App | Category | Typical Referral Reward (varies by promo) | Payout Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rakuten | Shopping cashback | 40 after friend’s first purchase | Cash (PayPal/check) | Frequent online shoppers |
| Ibotta | Grocery cashback | 20 after first redemption | Cash/gift cards | Grocery and household spenders |
| Dosh | Card-linked deals | 15 after card link + purchase | Cash (bank/PayPal) | “Set it and forget it” savers |
| Upside | Gas & dining | One-time + cents/gal overrides | Cash/gift cards | Drivers and commuters |
| Cash App | P2P payments | 15 after completing steps | Cash (app balance) | Quick, easy onboarding |
| Chime | Mobile banking | 200 after direct deposit | Cash | Friends who can set up payroll |
| SoFi | Banking/Invest | 100+ per product | Cash/fractional shares | Broad audience and multiple products |
| Webull | Investing | Multiple free stocks for deposit/trade | Stocks (sellable) | Friends willing to fund accounts |
| Robinhood | Investing | Free stock per referral | Stock (sellable) | New investors |
| Swagbucks | Rewards/surveys | % of referral earnings + bonuses | PayPal/gift cards | Low-effort, steady earners |
Tip: “Cash equivalent” rewards (stocks/crypto/points) are often convertible to cash after you meet holding or redemption rules.
How to choose the right referral app for you
- Match the requirement to your network
- Do your friends shop online? Lean into Rakuten, Ibotta, Dosh.
- Can they do a direct deposit? Banking apps like Chime and SoFi pay higher.
- Will they fund an investing account? Webull/M1/Robinhood can be lucrative.
- Consider payout speed and type
- Need fast cash? Prefer apps that pay PayPal or bank quickly (Dosh, Cash App).
- Happy with gift cards? Fetch, Capital One Shopping, and Swagbucks work fine.
- Look at “effort-to-earn” ratio
- Lower effort: Share, sign up, small action (Cash App, Dosh).
- Higher effort: Direct deposits or account funding (Chime, SoFi, Webull).
- Check seasonal promos
- Big shopping seasons often boost referral amounts. Time your push when payouts spike.
Pro tips to earn more (without being spammy)
- Lead with value, not the bonus
- “This app saved me $27 on my last grocery trip—here’s my link if you want to try it.”
- Show a quick proof
- Screenshot your cash-out or cashback summary (hide sensitive info).
- Pick 2–3 “hero” apps
- Focus on a few that fit your circle. Consistency beats chasing every promo.
- Use the right channels
- Group chats for close friends, your Instagram Stories for general tips, email footer for passive exposure, niche forums where relevant and allowed.
- Create micro-guides
- A one-minute how-to (or a short screen recording) helps friends onboard—and you earn faster.
- Stack offers
- Combine a friend’s welcome bonus with your referral code for a double win.
- Be transparent
- Mention that you may earn a bonus. People respect honesty.
Quick share templates you can copy:
- “I’ve been using [App] to get cash back on stuff I already buy. I got $X back last month. If you want to try it, here’s my invite link: [your link].”
- “If you’re setting up direct deposit soon, [Bank App] is offering a solid bonus. I can send you my referral code if you want details.”
Are referral bonuses taxable? Safety + fine print
- Taxes: In many regions, referral rewards are considered taxable income or rebates. Keep records and consult a tax professional if needed.
- Terms matter: Most apps require the friend to complete a qualifying action (e.g., purchase, deposit, card link). No action, no bonus.
- Holding periods: Stock/crypto rewards may need to be held for a set time before selling.
- No duplicate accounts: Creating fake or duplicate accounts can get both parties banned.
- Privacy: Only share links and screenshots that don’t reveal personal data.
FAQs: best referral apps that pay money
What are the best referral apps that pay money right now?
- Consistently strong picks include Rakuten, Dosh, Cash App, Chime, SoFi, Webull, Robinhood, and Swagbucks. The “best” one depends on your friends’ habits and which requirements they can meet.
How do I get paid from these apps?
- Most pay via PayPal or bank transfer; others pay as gift cards, points, or stock/crypto you can sell later. Check each app’s payout methods and thresholds.
How can I increase my referral conversions?
- Make it personal. Show a receipt or screenshot, explain the step-by-step, and send your invite link when someone is interested—not randomly.
Are these programs legit?
- The apps above are well-known with long-running referral programs. Always download from official app stores and read current terms.
Can I use multiple referral apps at once?
- Yes. In fact, using 2–3 that fit your audience often works best. You can rotate which one you feature based on seasonal promos.
What if my friend forgets to use my code?
- Some apps allow adding a code retroactively; others don’t. Encourage friends to enter the code during sign-up.
How much can I realistically earn?
- It depends on your network and the effort you put into helping friends complete requirements. Many people start with 300 in their first month by sharing 2–5 strong offers.
Putting it together: a simple earning path
- Start with one easy win (Dosh or Cash App) to score quick cash.
- Share a high-value offer (Chime or SoFi) to unlock bigger payouts when friends can meet the deposit rules.
- Add a recurring category (Rakuten, Ibotta, Upside) for steady long-term earnings as friends keep using the app.
- Build trust with proof, short how-tos, and honest notes that you may earn a bonus.
Conclusion: Your recommendations are worth real money
If you’re already recommending apps, it makes sense to focus on the best referral apps that pay money and turn that word-of-mouth into cash. Pick a couple that match your network, share how they help, and keep it simple with quick how-tos. You’ll build trust, help friends save or earn—and get rewarded along the way.
Ready to turn your next recommendation into income? Start Earning
