When you find something you’re excited about, you like to tell your friends, right?
Of course you do! Because humans are social creatures. Americans even spend 34 minutes socializing each day.1
And thanks to referral bonus apps, all that socializing can become lucrative.
Lots of platforms will reward you for suggesting them to friends and family. Talk about easy money!
I’ve made the most money referring the Rakuten app because it works at restaurants and shopping. Upside is my favorite app for gas cash back.
But where can you find a referrals app? And which platforms pay the most?
Below, I share my favorites – and tell you how they work.
Source: Unsplash2
Table of Contents
How to Earn Money With Referral Bonus Apps?
Earning money with referral bonus apps is super easy.
Here’s the 3-step process for referrals app success:
- Step 1: Sign up for your own account.
- Step 2: Refer the app to friends and family – usually with a promo code or special link.
- Step 3: Receive your bonus – which could come as money, points, credit, or a gift card, depending on the referrals app.
Remember, these referral bonus apps want new customers, so they make the process simple.
The Best Referral Apps
While a standard referrals app can be lucrative, there are other ways to make money through referrals – like with credit cards, software providers, and other services.
Here are the best referral programs for making money while helping your friends.
Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card
Referral Bonus: $50
Payout Method: Cash back
Referral Limit: $500 per year
How to Earn Bonus:
The Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card has some serious perks: up to 5% cash back on purchases, no annual fee, and a $200 sign-up bonus if you spend $500 in your first 3 months.
My friend Melissa has had the Chase Freedom card for a few years now, and almost always uses the points she racks up for holiday and birthday gifts throughout the year. She says you can often get discounts on gift cards and other purchases, making your points go even further!
Click through our special link to apply for the card.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card
Referral Bonus: 15,000 points
Payout Method: Credit card points
Referral Limit: 75,000 points per year
How to Earn Bonus:
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card is great for travelers, offering five times the standard rewards when you book travel through Chase. So if you’re a road warrior (and your friends are, too), you can make the most of the benefits – and then cash in through referrals.
Click our link for the best available bonus.
Chase Ink Business Unlimited
Referral Bonus: 40,000 points
Payout Method: Credit card points
Referral Limit: 200,000 points per year
How to Earn Bonus:
The Chase Ink Business Unlimited card is designed for small businesses – and it offers a $750 bonus and unlimited 1.5% cash back. Keep in mind that you can only refer businesses, not individuals.
Got a business – and business-owning friends? Then click this link to start earning points through referrals!
Rakuten
Referral Bonus: $30
Payout Method: Cash back (added to account)
Referral Limit: None
How to Earn Bonus:
Rakuten is a cash-back app that lets you earn money by shopping with popular retailers. Your friends will also earn $30 if they sign up with the referral link you send them. Win-win!
Here's a quick video showing how Rakuten works.
Use our special link to sign up for this special referrals app today.
Drop
Referral Bonus: $10
Payout Method: Credit towards your next order
Referral Limit: $5,000
How to Earn Bonus:
Drop is a community-based online retailer – meaning people offer feedback on the available products, and then the website changes its offerings accordingly. It’s a cool idea, and you’ll love it if you’re into computers.
Sign up through our special link to start your Drop experience.
Instacart
Referral Bonus: $10
Payout Method: Credit toward purchases
Referral Limit: None
How to Earn Bonus:
Instacart is a super-helpful service that allows you to order groceries for pick-up or delivery. You know when you really don’t want to wait in line at the store? Yeah – this service is for days like that.
Choose convenience by signing up through our special link.
ActiveCampaign
Referral Bonus: $25 – $100 (depending on the plan)
Payout Method: Amazon gift card
Referral Limit: None
How to Earn Bonus:
ActiveCampaign is a software provider that helps businesses automate their marketing. Got a business? Then it could be super helpful. Got friends with businesses? Then you could earn lots through referrals, too!
Here's a quick video on how ActiveCampaign works.
Click our special link to take advantage.
TurboTax
Referral Bonus: $25
Payout Method: Gift cards
Referral Limit: $500 (20 referrals)
How to Earn Bonus:
Turbotax is a digital platform that helps you file your taxes. We all know tax season can be stressful – but Turbotax offers experts and software programs that genuinely make doing your taxes easier.
Sign up with our special link. Your friends will appreciate it!
Walmart Plus
Referral Bonus: $20
Payout Method: Promo code (can be used with online purchases of $35+)
Referral Limit: None stated
How to Earn Bonus:
Walmart Plus is a subscription service with some awesome perks – including free Walmart deliveries and the Paramount+ streaming service. Plus, there’s a free 30-day trial, so you can make sure you like it – and then start recommending it to friends!
Use our link to get started with Walmart Plus.
Source: Unsplash3
WP Engine
Referral Bonus: $25
Payout Method: Gift card
Referral Limit: None stated
How to Earn Bonus:
WP Engine is a platform that helps people develop and manage websites on the WordPress system.
*Note – This referral program is for potential WP employees, not customers.
Cash App (enter code P4FN7MV)
Referral Bonus: $5
Payout Method: Money added to Cash App account
Referral Limit: None stated
How to Earn Bonus:
Cash App is an all-in-one finance platform that helps you send money to friends, set up bank accounts, and even make investments.
Click our special link to bring your personal finance game into the 21st century. Remember to use code P4FN7MV to get your $5!
Venmo
Referral Bonus: $10
Payout Method: Money in your Venmo account
Referral Limit: $100
How to Earn Bonus:
Venmo is all about making it easier to send money to a friend, relative, or acquaintance. Gone are the days of digging through your wallet to pay your portion of the bill.
Sign up with Venmo using our link.
Ibotta
Referral Bonus: $10
Payout Method: Money in your Ibotta account
Referral Limit: None
How to Earn Bonus:
Ibotta is a cash-back platform – meaning they’ll give you back a portion of your money when you shop with certain retailers. It’s a great way to save when shopping, and your friends will like it as much as you do.
Use our special link to start shopping with Ibotta.
Upside
Referral Bonus: 1¢ per gallon of gas that the referred person buys
Payout Method: Money in your Upside account
Referral Limit: None stated
How to Earn Bonus:
Upside is a cash-back app that focuses on gas, but also offers deals from supermarkets, restaurants, and other retailers. Make sure you tell your friends who love to hit the road!
Click our special Upside link to open your account.
DoorDash
Referral Bonus: Offers vary
Payout Method: Credits toward future purchases
Referral Limit: 10 referrals
How to Earn Bonus:
DoorDash is a food delivery service, allowing you to place orders from your favorite restaurants, then pick it up or have it delivered to your front door. Sounds nice, right? Trust me, it is!
Click through our special link to start chowing down.
American Express EveryDay Credit Card (*the one with no annual fee)
Referral Bonus: 10,000 points
Payout Method: Credit card points
Referral Limit: 55,000 points per calendar year
How to Earn Bonus:
There’s a lot to like about the American Express EveryDay credit card: no annual fee, a 10,000-point welcome bonus, and a 0% intro APR for the first 15 months. And when you refer a friend, you can both get a bonus – no matter which American Express card they choose!
Click through our link to apply.
American Express Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card
Referral Bonus: 20,000 points
Payout Method: Credit card points
Referral Limit: 55,000 points per calendar year
How to Earn Bonus:
The American Express Marriott Bonvoy card can save you some serious money when you travel – earning you six times the standard points when you stay at participating hotels.
Use our special link to send in your application.
American Express Cash Magnet Credit Card
Referral Bonus: $75 – $100 (reports vary)
Payout Method: Statement credit
Referral Limit: $550
How to Earn Bonus:
The American Express Cash Magnet card has no annual fee, and you’ll earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases. There’s also a 15-month introductory period with a 0% APR – which is super solid if you’re looking to buy something major without paying interest!
Use our link to take advantage!
Common Questions About Referral Bonus Apps
How To Use Referral Bonus Apps?
To use referral bonus apps, start by signing up for the app itself. Then, find the “referrals” section within the app. It should give you a link or promo code you can share with friends.
What Apps Give You Money to Refer a Friend?
Some of the best referral bonus apps include:
- Rakuten
- Instacart
- Cash App (remember to enter code P4FN7MV to get your $5 referral bonus!)
- Venmo
- Ibotta
Which App Gives Real Money on Referring?
These referral bonus apps reward you with real money:
- Rakuten
- Cash App (remember to enter code P4FN7MV to get your $5 referral bonus!)
- Venmo
- Ibotta
- Upside
How Can I Earn Money By Referring?
You can earn money by:
- Signing up for a referral app (Venmo, Upside, and Rakuten are solid options)
- Finding a referral link or promo code within the app
- Sharing the link or code with friends
Apps With Instant Referral Bonus?
Most referral bonus apps have requirements, so you can’t earn your bonus immediately. But you can earn them quickly with these apps:
- Cash App (remember to enter code P4FN7MV to get your $5 referral bonus!)
- Ibotta
- Venmo
- PayPal
- DoorDash
$50 Referral Bonus Instant?
You can earn $50 very quickly with Venmo, one of the best referral bonus apps. You’ll get $10 per referral – so refer five friends to make $50. The money will probably arrive in your account within five days.
Instant Referral Bonus No Deposit?
There are lots of referral bonus apps that don’t require a deposit:
But even with the best referrals app, the bonus won’t be truly instant. You’ll probably have to wait a few days.
Apps Like Cash App With Referral Bonus?
Venmo and PayPal are similar to Cash App, allowing you to transfer money online – and they both have a referral bonus. Venmo pays $10 per referral, while PayPal gives you $10 worth of cash back points, and Cash App gives you $5 for each referral (use code P4FN7MV to get yours!).
Free Money Referral Apps?
There are lots of apps that give you free money for referring friends. My favorites are:
- Rakuten
- Ibotta
- Venmo
- Cash App (remember to enter code P4FN7MV to get your $5 referral bonus!)
- PayPal
Referral Sites That Pay?
These referral platforms are all legit – and they all pay as promised:
- Drop
- TurboTax
- Walmart Plus
- Ibotta
- Rakuten
- Cash App (remember to enter code P4FN7MV to get your $5 referral bonus!)
Sources:
1 – https://www.bls.gov/news.release/atus.nr0.htm
