29 Best Referral Program Examples by Industry (And What Makes Them Work)

There’s no shortage of referral program examples out there. The challenge isn’t finding them. It’s knowing what to look for.

Most roundups show you the reward and the landing page. That’s useful, but it misses what actually separates programs that drive consistent referrals from ones that fizzle after launch.

We’ve collected 29 referral program examples across 11 industries. For each one, we break down what they do well and where they could improve. But more importantly, we’ll show you the patterns that the best programs share, so you can apply them to your own.

Browse the full collection below, or jump straight to the section that matches your business type:

• Ecommerce and online retail
• Software services and tools
• Franchises
• Subscriptions
• Apps
• Automotive
• Clothing
• Gyms
• Television, phone, and internet
• Travel
  
• Other

Note: Although some of these referral programs are no longer active, they’re still great examples that can help inspire your own program.

What the best referral programs have in common

Before diving into the examples, here are three patterns worth watching for. You’ll see them come up again and again in the programs that actually work.

They center the friend, not just the referrer. Most programs obsess over “what does the referrer earn?” But the programs that convert best flip the focus. They frame the referral as a gift the sharer is giving their friend. All the messaging, the offer, the landing page, centers on what the friend gets. When it feels like a gift instead of a sales pitch, people actually share it.

They keep access open. The worst thing you can do is make people sign up for your referral program before they can share. Every form, every login wall, every extra step kills momentum. The best programs give everyone a link or code by default. No join button. No hoops. ActiveCampaign and Dropbox both do this well, and you’ll see why below.

They run continuously, not as campaigns. A referral program isn’t a product launch. You don’t blast your list and hope for a spike. The programs that generate consistent results build referral touchpoints into their ongoing operations. Morning Brew promotes their program in every newsletter. The programs that run as limited-time campaigns (like some versions of Uber’s and T-Mobile’s) leave referrals on the table.

These aren’t just nice-to-haves. They’re the difference between a program that generates a few referrals at launch and one that keeps producing month after month.

Ecommerce and online retail referral programs

1. Omsom

The offer: Share the Omsom love: Give $5, get $5

Omsom offers bold starter packets to create authentic Asian dishes – and their referral program catches the eye with boldness that equals their flavors. Simply enter your email, and you’ve got your unique link. Then, you’re on your way to some fire rewards.

What they do well: The fire emoji and examples of dishes you can make with Omsom really draw in the eye, and we really appreciate the on-brand copy. Plus, the double-sided reward payouts motivate both the referrer to share and the friend to make their first purchase. We also appreciate that Omsom offers multiple ways to refer friends, including email, Facebook, Twitter, Messenger, and a referral link for sharing any way customers want to.

What they can improve: We can’t see much to improve here; this one’s neatly tied together. The only feedback we can think of is to place a link to the referral program page in the top menu of their homepage (they have it at the bottom of the homepage, but placing one at the top may make the program easier to find).

2. Blume

The offer: Become a Blume Buddy – Give your friends $10 off their first order + get $10 off your next order

Blume offers superfood lattes without the caffeine, and we think their referral program is super as well. It’s simple and uncluttered, so it’s easy for customers to understand how the program works. And like the Omsom program above, customers can start sharing in just a few clicks (enter their email, and they’re ready to go)!

What they do well: The uncluttered layout and simple explanation make it easy for customers to start sharing and remove friction. The product image is elegant and catches the eye. And notice how the headline leads with what the friend gets (“Give your friends $10 off”), not what the referrer earns. That’s the right framing.

What they can improve: Although we love the catchy, friendship-focused headline, we’d suggest adding the rewards in the headline so they’re easier to spot.

3. Casper

The offer: Give 20% off a mattress, get $75

Casper, a brand that specializes in mattresses, hits you with a double whammy. They offer a two-sided referral program. If a program member sends their friend $50 off a Casper mattress, Casper will give the member a $75 Amazon gift card back. These rewards are not the only reason you’ll be sleeping well at night.

What they do well: The referral page showcases the excitement of opening the product and fills the member in on what to do and what they get. Visually, this landing page looks really nice. The friend-first framing (“give a friend $50 off”) makes sharing feel generous rather than transactional. An Amazon card is a smart choice for the referrer since they probably aren’t in the market for another mattress anytime soon.

What they can improve: This program looks great overall. This is a bit nitpicky, but Casper could add a benefit in the initial headline: “Refer a friend to great sleep.”

4. SimpliSafe

The offer: Get a $100 Visa gift card when you refer a friend!

Both parties in this program get a pretty nice reward. The new friend gets both a discount on their system (which can range into the $100s and then some). Having a 40% off coupon to get a system picked out will save the referral a nice chunk of money. To add to that, they get a  free indoor camera as well. This would be an easy referral request anyway, especially since people referring this type of service are probably sharing it with someone they know needs or has discussed wanting a security system. The cherry on top – a $100 gift card for the referrer.

What they do well: They offer a hefty reward for the referring customer and a big discount for the referral. SimpliSafe also provides a few easy sharing options like email form, SMS, and direct link. All in all, it’s a solid referral program.

What they can improve: Their occasional special offers that aren’t related to the program can sometimes outshine the referral discount, potentially reducing program appeal. Solution? Let referral discounts stack with promos for maximum conversion power (and maximum success in tracking who really brought in that new customer)

SaaS referral program examples

5. PayPal

The offer: Get $10 for referring a friend

PayPal is one of the pioneers in the referral program space, as they were one of the first (if not the first) to offer rewards for referring friends and the inspiration for programs like Dropbox’s. PayPal is built on the premise of sending money to friends, so it made perfect sense to encourage users to get their friends to sign up.

The PayPal program is still going strong today, and offers a $10 double-sided reward every time a newly referred customer signs up.

What they do well: The program instructions are super concise, the layout is mobile-friendly, and users can go to a separate page for full program details if they have more questions. Plus, cash is a perfectly appropriate reward for a service where people send money to their friends.

What they can improve: This referral program is pretty well tied together, and it practically promotes itself since it’s so well-known. We can’t find flaws with this one.

6. Hostinger

The offer: Earn up to $200 when you refer a friend to Hostinger, and they get a 20% discount on any hosting plan!

Hostinger’s referral program is a simple way to share a good deal and get rewarded at the same time. When someone refers a friend who signs up for a yearly hosting plan, that referrer gets a 20% commission – that’s up to $200 per referral. The friend also enjoys a 20% discount on their new plan. Win-win!

What they do well: Hostinger makes the whole referral process easy and straightforward. You earn money, your friend saves money – it’s that simple. The process is smooth and built right into their platform, so anyone can get started effortlessly. The 20% discount for new customers and the 20% commission for referrers make it worthwhile for both sides.

What they can improve: Hostinger’s referral program only offers two payout options – PayPal and wire transfer. While these options work for most people, we’d hope they would let you trade in your referral bonuses for Hostinger services, like different hosting plans.

7. Dropbox

The offer: Get up to 16GB of free space by inviting your friends to try Dropbox

Dropbox has a cool spin on a traditional referral program: Because the main goal is to provide users with a space to put digital files, they’ve created a program that gives users extra storage space by inviting their friends to try Dropbox. Pretty nifty!

What they do well: They have two reward structures based on different account options. For those who pay more, they can gain even more space, so it’s a nice extra bonus for Plus accounts. They also use one-click access, so all users on their platform can refer without having to sign up for the program. That’s the right approach: everyone’s already in, no extra steps.

What they can improve: Currently, they only offer the mobile version of this referral program for Dropbox Basic users. Anyone on the Plus account will only be able to access the program on desktop – so users on this plan who only use the mobile app may not even know they can refer.

8. Hiver

The offer: Earn up to $350 for every qualified referral

Hiver, a customer support tool that works through Gmail, runs a compelling referral program that’s both tiered and stepped. Advocates earn Amazon gift card rewards for both qualified referred leads and referrals that result in sales. But the milestone rewards are even more enticing (a Kindle for three referrals, a high-caliber evening out for five referrals, and an iPhone for 10 referrals).

What they do well: The reward structure is extremely compelling, and the “How it works” section of their program page simplifies the complex reward structure so it’s easy to understand. We also love the “get rewarded” button above the fold (so loyal customers can start referring right away) and the FAQ at the bottom to clear up any questions.

What they can improve: While the current layout works well, showcasing those drool-worthy specific referral incentives (especially that iPhone!) – and how you get them – above the fold could drive even more participation

9. ActiveCampaign

The offer: Refer ActiveCampaign and earn money

Email marketing and automation tool ActiveCampaign knows that every customer has the potential to be their brand ambassador. Their referral program encourages clients to share ActiveCampaign with other businesses that might benefit.

What they do well: Here’s the pattern worth copying: every ActiveCampaign client is automatically enrolled in the referral program and already has a referral link. No signup form. No “join the program” step. They can share with friends right away. They also offer different levels of rewards (higher Amazon gift card rewards for higher-level paid plans). Plus, since referred customers must be active for 60 days before the advocate gets a reward, ActiveCampaign only pays when referrals have generated value. The referred new user gets $10 credit when they sign up for a paid account.

What they can improve: Adding a small reward for the advocate when referred customers first enroll in a paid plan could make things even more motivating for the advocate.

10. GetResponse

The offer: Invite a friend and get $30 each to save on your bill

GetResponse’s unique referral program is a great example of how to add a higher reward tier to your program. And you can only get some of the rewards from GetResponse, so the program offers unique value.

What they do well: We love the tiered structure: every successful referral earns subscription credits, but every three referrals lets a customer take a $200 GetResponse digital marketing certification course for free. The double-sided reward is also a great practice (the referred friend also saves on their subscription), and the program’s easy to follow.

What they can improve: There’s only a limited amount of certification courses available for GetResponse users (unless, of course, someone can take the same course every year and build more skills). So, the second tier of rewards isn’t ongoing for power referrers.

Franchise referral program examples

11. Culligan Water

The offer: Your friends deserve better water. You deserve $100.

Culligan Water’s franchise referral program saw a significant word-of-mouth boost when it launched a formal referral program and started giving double-sided referral rewards. Referring customers earn a $100 gift card to a brand of their choice, and anyone they refer receives $100 off their new Culligan water treatment system.

And thanks to Referral Rock, their program easily integrated with each of their dealer groups’ CRMs, making their reward management easier.

What they do well: Culligan ticks ALL the boxes for a successful referral program. There are plenty of sharing options, including email, social media, and a click-to-copy referral link. There’s also a nice list of the types of friends who might benefit from a Culligan system, so it’s easier to think of friends to refer.

Plus, referrers can choose from over 100 gift cards, so there’s a reward that motivates everyone (and customers love the element of choice). Culligan also has escalating rewards for power-referrers ($150 for every referral after the sixth and $200 for every referral after the 12th). And their seamless CRM integration across dealer groups makes managing rewards a breeze.

What they can improve: Culligan’s program is already crushing it! A slightly more streamlined “how it works” section is the only minor tweak we can suggest.

Subscription and newsletter referral programs

12. Morning Brew

The offer: Tiered rewards for referring subscribers, from stickers to a MacBook Pro

Morning Brew provides the model for how to do a newsletter referral program right. They promote the program every day in their newsletter, and they offer a motivating slate of tiered rewards. And you’ve probably heard of their flash referral contests, where winning subscribers score a MacBook Pro for themselves and their friend!

What they do well:

This is continuous promotion done right. The program appears in every single newsletter, which means it’s always top of mind. There’s no launch-and-forget here. The tiered rewards (with pictures) are extremely motivating, and having a high-value reward for 1,000 referrals means there’s always a driver for super-advocates to share. The reward tracker turns advocacy into a game (just a few more shares and you’ll win the next reward!).

There’s a lot more brilliance in Morning Brew’s extremely successful referral program. Want to know how to steal its secrets? Check out our newsletter referral program guide.

What they can improve: Adding a mid-range milestone reward between 100 and 1,000 referrals could create an additional engagement point for power-advocates. But honestly, their current model is practically flawless.

13. Freeletics

The offer: Give a friend a discount on their subscription, earn free gear

Freeletics offers a subscription for fitness and nutrition plans. They also have a variety of fitness gear and athletic wear available for purchase. If an app user sends a referral, their friend gets a discount on their subscription, and the user can earn free gear.

What they do well: It’s easy to find the referral program within the app (visible in two spots), so that’s always a plus. A discount to get someone new started, and for those already on their fitness journey some new gear to keep them going. Solid approach.

What they can improve: They mention a $15-30 reward. It’s unclear if that means each referral is worth $15 and they can only refer 2 people, or if the reward is based on the subscription the referred friend chooses. More clarity upfront would help.

Consumer app referral programs

14. AllTrails

The offer: Share the love and help the planet

AllTrails uses emotion to create powerhouse referrals. The good news is that anyone who is using AllTrails already loves the outdoors and nature, and probably knows a few people who do too.

Referring someone to use the app is no harm as they have a free option. So outdoorsy friends gain an insightful app for trails and the referrer gets to feel good about being responsible for a newly planted tree.

What they do well: The program is easy to follow and there is really no downfall. Friends can share a useful app, and potentially get a tree planted during that process. AllTrails opted for a simple sharing option – by just providing a referral link for the user to share however they wish.

What they can improve: While the simple referral link works well, adding quick social sharing buttons could boost participation by reducing friction even further.

15. Scooter’s Coffee

The offer: Invite friends to download our app, and they’ll each get $2 in credit to spend at Scooter’s Coffee. 

Their referral program is short and sweet. $2 credit per referral is quite good considering that pays for a cup of coffee or at least makes a large latte cheaper. It’s a win for coffee lovers!

What they do well: The program’s super easy to find on the app. Upon clicking on the ‘share’ button multiple sharing options appear. If you choose to text, email, or share on social, a prefilled message will appear, making sharing super easy. The message is editable too – so that’s a bonus for any one wanting to add or edit what’s already there. We also love the QR code -super convenient!

What they can improve: Their “Share hAPPy rewards” pun is clever but might initially read as a typo to some users. Overall though, this straightforward program delivers exactly what coffee lovers need.

16. Venmo

The offer: Invite friends, earn $10

Venmo is one of the popular digital wallets out there with over 60 million users. Its growth is formed from word of mouth. For example, you may have downloaded it yourself after being asked to pay for something off Facebook Marketplace or another type of sales page with it. Many others have downloaded because of this too. But, they do have a formal referral program. Meaning people are missing out on free money for using word of mouth (like they are already doing)!

What they do well: The program is visible from the user account, making the program easy to find and participate in (despite all the free word of mouth already happening). We also like that they offer a tracker for referrals

What they can improve: The language is a little confusing. Initially, people are told they can earn $10. But upon the next page they learn referrals are worth $5 per referral instead. But on the same page it mentions $5, it says ‘earn up to $100’ by sending to 10 friends. It’s a bit confusing.

We suggest changing it up so all the language matches, no matter what page someone is on. Also, the referral program seems to only be on the mobile app, and cannot be accessed or found via a desktop.

 

Automotive and ride service referral programs

17. Uber

The offer: Earn free Uber with your own personalized referral code!

Uber has run a few referral programs in the past. They did a good job at catering to everyone, both drivers, and riders. Drivers can earn cash rewards between their drives by referring drivers and riders. Additionally, riders can earn free Uber credits for sharing with their friends.

What they do well: They’ve run a few types of referral programs, one for employees and one for customers – which we find impressive.

What they can improve: Uber’s program has changed frequently, which is expected for a program that’s been going strong for years. But it also appears to run as a limited-time offer at times. That’s leaving referrals on the table. A referral program works best when it’s always on, giving you consistent data and consistent results rather than spikes and silence.

18. Tesla

Receive a $1,000 credit when you order a new Model S or Model X.

Tesla’s referral program embraced big rewards. The most recent referral program gave Tesla referrals $1000 credit towards the sale price of a car when using a referral code. The Tesla owner who sent the referral code then earned rewards based on how many qualifying referrals they had.  The more referrals a user sent, the more perks they would receive. Everything from new rims to a new car!

What they do well: We like that they make the reward worthwhile. And it only makes sense as cars can be pricey.

What they can improve: The referrer’s reward is sort of based on a point system so the referrer will have to make a few referrals before earning bigger prizes. This may deter some people from referring. However, most people who own a Tesla know someone who probably wants one too – so referrals may not be that difficult to get.

Apparel and clothing referral programs

19. MeUndies

The offer: Be a hero. Invite your friends to MeUndies and they’ll get 20% off.

MeUndies rewards customers with $20 for free if they refer a friend. Plus, the referred friend will receive 20% off. This underwear brand offers both men’s and women’s styles, so everyone can get in on the reward action. Don’t be fooled by the name, as MeUndies offers a variety of loungewear too. MeUndies also utilizes an easy sharing option. The happy customer simply shares by email or Facebook. Easy, right?

What they do well: Their invite form hits the sweet spot – simple yet customizable prefilled messages make sharing effortless without feeling robotic or impersonal.

What they can improve: With this example we see email and Facebook as the only two options for sharing. They could add SMS or even just add an option for the referrer to copy their link to paste wherever for maximum promotion potential.

20. Stitch Fix

The offer: Free clothes! Share with friends, earn $25

StitchFix is a clothing subscription. They give $25 in Stitch Fix credit for referring a friend. Plus, it’s pretty simple to do. Users just invite their friends right from their account homepage. Users can just copy and place their link wherever they’d like. A user also has the option to refer people right from their phone app. StitchFix also offers an affiliate program – score!

What they do well: We like that they are utilizing multiple channels of word of mouth to grow their customer base (both referrals and affiliates). This means they have the potential to reach even more people than one program alone.

What they can improve: There isn’t much indication of what the referred friend gets. Current customers may hesitate to refer if they aren’t sure something special will be given to their friend. Currently, the friend gets $20 off towards their styling fee, but this isn’t indicated anywhere until the friend clicks the link and lands on the referral page. If you want people to share, make the friend’s benefit visible upfront. That’s what turns a referral from an ask into a gift.

21. Outdoor Voices

The offer: #DoingThings is more fun with friends. Give $25, get $25. 

Activewear brand Outdoor Voices skillfully embraces the fact that working out and getting active really are more fun with a friend by your side. This makes them a great fit for a give-and-get referral program, with equal rewards for referrer and friend.

What they do well: The program’s easy to understand, the terms are clear, and the double-sided reward is attractive and easy to spot. We also love how Outdoor Voices incorporates its signature hashtag, and only requires an email address before someone can start sharing. The easy-to-spot CTA, and the program promotion in the site’s bottom menu, is also a plus.

What they can improve: This one’s pretty solid, but we’d suggest adding a referral button into the website’s top menu, so people don’t have to scroll down to find it.

Gym and fitness referral programs

22. 24 Hour Fitness

The offer: Fit for all your friends – share a FREE 3-day pass

24 Hour Fitness gives program members a few reward options, which is always a bonus! Members can opt for either a free 50-minute training session or a $20 MyStore coupon. All they need to do is invite a friend.

If the friend joins then they’re on their way to rewards. Plus their referral will receive a 3-day pass.  Double sided-rewards are the best!

What they do well: They incentivize referrals with a reward for both sides, and the referral process is cut and dry. Check out our gym referral program guide for more fitness examples that nail these steps.

What they can improve: The referring reward may not be worthwhile for all. Some people may not need or want a training session, especially if they are already comfortable with the gym. And some people may not be motivated enough by the $20 store coupon. An option for a universal gift card may be more motivating.

23. YMCA

The offer: Save up to 20% on your membership

The YMCA has plenty of locations and many of them have their own referral programs. This one is specific to Atlanta, but if a program member refers a friend both the program member and their referral get 20% off their membership! Double sided rewards are great.

What they do well: We love to see both parties getting rewarded. This really is a great way to motivate sharing and having the referral actually get interested in your company too.

What they can improve: We like that they make it easy to find more details about the program. But it might be good to add this either after they click to refer or add this link below the CTA. That way the CTA remains as the main focus.

Streaming, television, phone, and internet examples

24. T-Mobile

The offer: Refer a friend and earn up to $500 a year

T-Mobile lets existing phone plan users refer a friend to any plan and reap rewards (up to $50 back for every friend  who joins). And who doesn’t want to help a friend, especially if that helps them save on phone services?

What they do well: We like the images and wording that focuses on friendship and community. And even though the program caps at $500 per year, that’s probably not an issue as it might be difficult to get 10 friends to sign up for a new phone service. So that’s still a generous and well-paced reward.

What they can improve: It doesn’t appear that the friend earns any referral rewards for switching to T-Mobile (although they might be eligible for new customer deals). Having the terms and conditions above the fold makes the program look cluttered. Keep them below the fold or on a separate page. Based on those terms, the program also appears to be limited in time. Like we mentioned with Uber, referral programs work best when they’re always on. Keeping it active year-round lets you motivate and track referrals across a long timeframe.

25. Xfinity

The offer: Share the awesome. Refer-a-friend and you could get up to $500 in prepaid Visa gift cards

Xfinity is a cable and internet provider and they will give program members a whopping $100 for referring their first friend. Then a member can earn $200 for their 2nd friend and another $200 for their 3rd friend. That’s a lot of dough for simply getting a friend to join!

What they do well: We like that they offer a tiered reward system. Not many utilize this type of program, but if you want to continually earn referrals – why not make the stakes higher each time?

What they can improve: Tiered programs have to cap off at some point. It looks like this one stops at 3 referrals. With $500 being the reward cap, they could break up the rewards a little more (or add different incentive types) to gain an even higher number of referrals.

Want to run a tiered referral program? You’ll need the right referral program software. Referral Rock is robust enough to run tiered referral programs with custom rewards! 

Travel referral programs

26. Airbnb

The offer: Share your love of travel – they’ll get $30 in free travel credit, you’ll earn $30 when they take their first trip

Airbnb is the gift that keeps on giving. You invite a friend, and when they travel you get a credit. Then, if that friend invites a friend to use Airbnb, you get a bigger credit! How neat is that?

What they do well: Referrals keep building from each other, and the possibility to earn credits feels endless. The “give $30, get $30” format is easy to understand, and the call to “share your love for travel” appeals to friends’ common interests. Notice the framing: it leads with what the friend gets.

What they can improve: We think the program looks great. The one concern is that the endless rewards, though great, could become overwhelming.

Other referral program examples

27. Grover

The offer: Invite friends, get $30 Grover bucks.

Grover, an electronics rental service, offers a flexible and sustainable way to access the latest tech. Their referral program is awesome, too, as it’s both easy to share and track referrals of the service.

What they do well: The Grover referral program page is streamlined and uncluttered. Eye-catching images show customers sharing Grover with friends, and the three-step process makes the referral process simple to follow. The rewards are double-sided and tie right back to Grover: referred friends get a free month rental, and referring customers get $30 to spend on a future Grover payment.

What they can improve: Nothing much to improve here; this one’s very well-designed!

28. Fiverr

The offer: They’ll get 10% off your first order and you can earn up to $500 in Fiverr credits…

Fiverr is a huge online marketplace for a variety of freelance services, be it from graphics to web design. In fact, many businesses already know all about Fiverr. Part of that may be because their referral program is well-shared among many marketing communities (especially in the remote world).

The program offers a pretty sizable reward, especially if you consider how many jobs are listed for just $5 on Fiverr. This double-sided reward leads to a great opportunity for sharing!

What they do well: The offer is pretty substantial, considering how far you can stretch $100 on the Fiverr platform. Aside from that, they add a nice image to raise the visual appeal,  and offer multiple sharing options whether someone wants to share publicly or via dark social.

They also make the program really easy to understand, thanks to the three-step explanation with images.

What they can improve: The email form (visible after login) is simple: you add the email address and it sends. But, in a perfect world, adding the ability for the user to add to or edit the message would be nice.

29. Provident Bank

The offer: Refer a friend and get $25 or $50

Provident Bank is an awesome example of a financial referral program. Their rewards are spelled right out right away, and they make sure they express heartfelt gratitude for their referrals.

What they do well: Provident Bank breaks the referral process into three easy steps so it’s simpler to understand. Also, rewards vary based on the value of the new account the friend opens, with the higher reward reflecting the higher value of a business account. Plus, they focus on relationships and how referrals are a way to help friends.

What they can improve: The form is pretty long, even though breaking it up does make it a little less overwhelming. Provident Bank might also consider putting their detailed terms and conditions on another linked page, and/or reformatting them into an FAQ.

Patterns worth stealing for your referral program

After reviewing these 29 programs, the pattern is clear. The ones that work aren’t just offering bigger rewards or flashier landing pages. They center the friend, keep access open, and treat referrals as ongoing operations.

Whether you’re building your first program or refreshing an existing one, start with those three principles. The tactics will follow.

Need more ideas?

• Take a look at these small business referral examples
• Learn more about running a customer referral program with software
• Check out Referral Rock case studies to see how different types of businesses structure their programs