If you’re new to Shopify or just starting with referral marketing, finding the right app can feel overwhelming. There are so many options, each offering different features and benefits. But don’t worry—I’ve done the research for you.
In this article, you’ll find the 10 best Shopify referral apps that can help you grow your customer base, boost sales, and strengthen your brand. These apps make it simple to launch a referral program, track results, and reward your customers.
Let’s dive in and find the perfect one for your store!
| Name | Key Features | Target Users |
|---|---|---|
| Joy (From $0) | Points-based rewards; VIP tiers; Referral program; Custom branding; Analytics | Shopify stores of all sizes that run loyalty and referral programs |
| Referral Candy (From $59) | Automated referral program; Customizable rewards; Branded emails and landing pages | Growing businesses focusing on scaling with referrals and affiliates |
| BON (From $0) | Anti-cheat; Multilingual support; Multiple referral program types | Shopify merchants with a global customer base |
| Rivo (From $0) | Custom “Refer a Friend” pages; Robust API toolkit; Personalized customer account | Fast-growing DTC brands |
| Smile (From $0) | Automated referral rewards; SEO-friendly referral pages | Mid-sized to large businesses with diverse loyalty needs |
| AfterShip (Free) | One-click referral campaigns setup; Automated reward emails; Widget customization | Businesses seeking a streamlined referral and affiliate program |
| Loox (From $9.99) | Integrates with referral programs to offer discounts for reviews | Businesses want to leverage social proof and reviews to drive referrals |
| LoyaltyLion (From $0) | Custom referral rewards; Advanced segmentation – Actionable analytics | Mid to large Shopify businesses seeking advanced loyalty and referral features |
| Yotpo (From $0) | Ready-made campaigns; Diverse rewards; Tier-based referral program; Advanced segmentation | Medium to large brands with advanced needs |
| UpPromote (From $0) | Referral widget, landing page, or post-purchase signup; Automated reward tracking & delivery | Shopify merchants looking to build growth from referrals and affiliate |
Why Use A Referral App on Shopify?
Shopify is a wonderful platform, but it doesn’t include built-in features to create and manage referral programs. That means, if you want to run a referral program, you’ll need a dedicated third-party app to get started.
Shopify referral apps can help:
- Simplify the entire process of setting up referral programs within just a few clicks, so you don’t have to figure out complex workflows or coding.
- Automating key aspects like tracking referrals, distributing rewards, and even sending reminders or thank-you messages to customers. This saves you time and ensures the program runs smoothly without manual effort.
By using a referral app, you can focus on growing your business while the app handles the details.
10 Best Referral Apps For Shopify
Without further ado, let’s dive into the top 10 Shopify referral program apps, which are highly rated and widely trusted by Shopify merchants.
Joy Rewards & Loyalty Program
Joy Rewards & Loyalty Program has been a big hit for the last few years. It is designed to simplify customer referrals while seamlessly blending loyalty features into one cohesive solution. With its straightforward referral program setup and automation, Joy makes managing referrals a breeze for Shopify merchants.
Key features:
- Simple setup and intuitive interface
- Support one-way referrals and two-way referrals
- Automated referral tracking and reward distribution
- Referral links and unique codes
- Analytics and performance tracking
- Support customizing your program to your liking
Customer support: 24/7 live chat support and email.
Integrations:
- Shopify POS, Shopify Flow
- Other Shopify apps: Judge.me, Klaviyo, Trancy, Loox, etc.
- Social media platforms
Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans are from $24.99/month
Referral Candy & Affiliate
Referral Candy & Affiliate is a comprehensive Shopify referral program app that combines referral and affiliate program management within a single platform. With its automated workflows, it saves time while driving more referrals.
Key features:
- Automated referral tracking in real time
- Flexible, customizable rewards
- Branded touchpoints through widgets, embedded links, etc.
- Multi-campaign support
- In-depth analytics
Customer support: Responsive customer support through live chat and email.
Integration:
- Email marketing tools: Klaviyo and Mailchimp
- Subscription services: Compatible with ReCharge and other subscription apps
- Analytics platforms: Allows embedding of tracking pixels from Facebook, Google, and AdRoll
Pricing: From $59/month.
BON: Loyalty Rewards Referrals
BON: Loyalty Rewards Referrals is an easy-to-use app that helps Shopify merchants build loyalty and grow their customer base through referrals. It is a great choice for small businesses that want an affordable yet powerful tool to engage their customers.
Key Features:
- Fully customizable referral campaigns and widgets.
- Unique branded referral links for customers.
- Dual rewards for referrer and referred customers.
- Automated tracking and reward distribution.
- 200+ language support for global campaigns.
- Real-time analytics and performance insights.
Customer support: 24/7 customer support through live chat and email.
Integrations:
- Email marketing, customer reviews, landing page apps
- Social media
- Shopify POS
Rivo Loyalty Rewards Referrals
Rivo Loyalty Rewards Referrals is a highly customizable referral app Shopify designed to help fast-growing DTC brands boost customer retention. Offering ongoing updates and world-class support, Rivo focuses on enhancing loyalty and referral strategies for maximum growth.
Key features:
- Fully customizable “Refer a Friend” pages
- Regular product updates
- Personalized the customer experience
- Advanced-develop API toolkit
- Instantly integrates with your stack
Customer support: 24/7 live chat and dedicated email support.
Integration:
- Klaviyo, Gorgias Postscript Attentive, and 50+ integrations
- Shopify Flow, Shopify POS
Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans are from $49/month.
Smile: Loyalty Rewards Program
Smile: Loyalty Rewards Program is one of the most popular loyalty and referral apps for Shopify. It’s designed to help merchants create beautiful, easy-to-use programs that reward customers for shopping and referring friends.
With its clean interface and powerful features, Smile is ideal for businesses looking to build loyalty and boost customer referrals.
Key features:
- Automated referral rewards for successful referrals
- Customizable “Refer a Friend” pages
- Social media referral support (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook)
- SEO-friendly referral program pages
- Time-limited bonus points for referrals
- Performance tracking with advanced analytics
Customer support: Via email
Integration:
- Klaviyo, Mailchimp, Gorgias, Judge.me, Recharge, Loox and 25+
- Social media accounts: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook
- Shopify Flow, Shopify POS
Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans are from $49/month.
AfterShip Referral&Affiliate
AfterShip Referral & Affiliate stands out as a dynamic referral app for Shopify stores, especially in the US. Its unique blend of referral campaigns, influencer collaboration, and customizable rewards empowers businesses to build brand loyalty and boost sales with its simplicity and automation.
Key features
- One-click setup for referral campaigns with unique referral links.
- Customizable reward programs for advocates and referred customers.
- Automated reward emails with easy-to-redeem coupon codes.
- Free gifts or commission payouts
- Widget customization
- Real-time tracking
Customer support: Via email
Integrations
- Shopify and Automizely apps.
- Supports automated workflows and email campaigns for referrals.
Pricing: Free to use
Loox ‑ Product Reviews App
Loox, a most-used option currently on Shopify, not only excels at collecting and showcasing visual reviews but also offers a powerful referral system to grow your brand.
With fully customizable referral options and seamless integration with Shopify, Loox makes building customer trust and incentivizing brand advocacy effortless.
Key features
- One-click referrals with unique links for smooth sharing.
- Next-purchase discounts for rewards
- Automated redeemable rewards
- Customizable referral widgets
- Data-driven insights
- Combines referrals with photo/video reviews
Customer support: 24/7 assistance.
Integration:
- Marketing tools: Klaviyo, Omnisend, LoyaltyLion
- Marketplace: Meta Shop (Facebook), Shop app
- Shopify Flow, Checkout, and Customer Accounts
Pricing: From $9.99 to $299.99 per month with 14-day free trial
LoyaltyLion Rewards & Referral
LoyaltyLion Rewards & Referral is another trusted loyalty and referral Shopify app that helps you drive customer engagement and retention. Known for its advanced customization and data-driven approach, the app allows you to create personalized referral and rewards programs that align with your business goals.
Key features
- Customizable referral rewards points or vouchers.
- Automated referral emails:
- Referral insights, actionable analytics
- Integrated loyalty page
- Social sharing incentives to boost visibility
- Multi-language campaigns in English, German, French, and more.
Customer support: Email and phone support.
Integration:
- Marketing tools: ReCharge, Klaviyo, Okendo, Attentive, Yotpo, Mailchimp
- Shopify Flow, Shopify POS, Checkout, Customer accounts
Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plan is $199 per month with a 7-day free trial.
Yotpo: Loyalty & Rewards
Yotpo Loyalty & Rewards comes as a flexible option for creating loyalty and referral programs that drive customer retention and engagement. Designed for ease of use, this no-code solution offers customizable campaigns and detailed analytics to help businesses boost customer lifetime value (LTV) and brand loyalty.
Key features
- Out-of-the-box referral campaigns
- Referral widgets
- Actionable analytics program performance
- Advanced segmentation
- Tiered rewards structure
- Customize, launch, and manage your loyalty and rewards program with no code
Customer support: Via phone and email.
Integration:
- Marketing tools: Yotpo, Klaviyo, ReCharge, Gorgias, SMSbump
- Shopify Flow, Shopify POS, Checkout
Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plan is $199/month.
UpPromote Affiliate Marketing
UpPromote Affiliate Marketing is a comprehensive app designed for Shopify merchants who want to expand their business through affiliate and referral marketing. It offers powerful tools to manage and scale your referral program and helps you turn your customers, influencers, and partners into brand ambassadors.
Key features
- Show the “refer-a-friend” program as a widget, landing page, or post-purchase signup.
- Seamlessly track referral orders via affiliate links, coupons, and connected emails.
- Unique referral links and coupon codes
Customer support: 24/7 live chat.
Integrations:
- Connects with email marketing tools like Klaviyo and Mailchimp to automate referral communications.
- Offers social media sharing options, allowing affiliates and customers to promote their links easily.
- Integrates with Google Analytics to track program performance and optimize campaigns.
Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans are from $29.99/month.
How To Choose The Best Shopify Referral App For Your Store
But with so many options out there, how do you decide? Focus on these key factors to find the app that truly fits your store’s goals:
- Understand Your Store’s Goals: Before choosing a referral app, think about what you want to achieve. Understanding your objectives will help you narrow down your options.
- Consider Your Budget: Referral apps come with various pricing plans. Set a realistic budget and compare the features offered in each plan to find the best value for your money.
- Prioritize Ease of Use: Look for apps with clear instructions, user-friendly interfaces, and helpful support documentation.
- Focus on Customer Experience: Select an app that allows you to create a positive and engaging experience for both your referrers and their friends. Look for features like customizable rewards, branded emails, and easy social sharing.
- Look for Automation: Automation is your best friend! Choose an app that automates key tasks like reward delivery, email reminders, and referral tracking. This will save you time and ensure a smooth experience for your customers.
- Don’t Forget Fraud Prevention: Protect your referral program from abuse with an app that offers robust fraud prevention measures.
- Customer Support: Look for apps offering 24/7 customer service, tutorials, or dedicated account managers to help you succeed
Tips for Maximizing the Success of Your Referral Program With Shopify Apps
Here are some actionable tips to get the most out of your Shopify referral program:
- Promote Your Referral Program: If customers don’t know about your program, they can’t participate. Promote your referral program across multiple touchpoints:
- Add banners or pop-ups on your website to highlight the program.
- Include referral links in post-purchase emails.
- Share announcements and reminders on social media.
- Keep It Simple: Avoid complicated rules or confusing processes. You can also provide clear instructions and make it easy for customers to share their referral links or codes
- Offer compelling rewards: Ensuring the incentives are attractive enough to encourage participation. Tailor rewards for both referrers and referees to maximize appeal.
- Prevent fraud: Many apps, including Joy, come with built-in fraud detection features. Enable these settings to automatically flag suspicious activities.
- Integrate referrals with your loyalty program: Combine your referral program with a loyalty rewards system to enhance customer engagement.
- Review analytics regularly: Use the app’s analytics tools to track program performance and optimize it by tweaking rewards, adjusting campaign visibility, or experimenting with new promotional tactics.
Wrapping Up
There you have it! Ten powerful Shopify referral apps to help you unleash the power of word-of-mouth marketing and boost your customer growth. Each app on this list offers unique strengths, but the true power lies in how you use them to turn loyal customers into passionate advocates.
Try them out and see what works best for your Shopify store!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do referral apps work with other marketing tools on Shopify?
Yes, most referral apps integrate well with popular email marketing tools, loyalty programs, and CRM systems. This allows you to run cohesive marketing campaigns and keep customer data in sync.
Can I track the performance of my referral program?
Absolutely. Referral apps typically provide dashboards where you can monitor referrals, conversions, top advocates, and overall ROI in real time.
Is it possible to prevent fraud in referral programs?
Yes, many referral apps include fraud detection tools that flag suspicious activity like self-referrals or duplicate signups. These measures help protect your store and ensure only genuine referrals are rewarded.
How do customers claim their referral rewards?
Customers usually receive rewards automatically after their referred friend makes a qualifying purchase. Rewards can be delivered via email, account credit, or coupon codes depending on how you set up the program.
Do I need to be on a paid Shopify plan to use referral apps?
Some referral apps require a Basic Shopify plan or higher, especially those with advanced features. Always check the app’s listing to see plan compatibility and pricing details.
