BarkBox vs Chewy Referral Bonus (2026)
A detailed comparison of BarkBox (Free extra month per referral) and Chewy (No referral payout per referral) in the Home & Pets category.
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Verdict: Chewy Edges Ahead
Both BarkBox and Chewy offer competitive referral programs. Chewy edges ahead with a 4.4-star rating.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | BarkBox | Chewy |
|---|---|---|
| Referrer Bonus | Free extra month | No referral payout |
| Referee Bonus | First month free | $20 eGift card (new customers) |
| Payout Type | Free Months | Cash |
| Commission Type | One-Time | One-Time |
| Max Referrals | unlimited | n/a — no referrer payout |
| Max Earnings | unlimited | Varies (affiliate commission ~4% of first order) |
| Conversion Difficulty | Easy | Hard |
| Rating | 4.3 | 4.4 |
| How to Refer | Log in to BarkBox.com, find the referral section in your account, and share your unique referral link. | There is no personal referral link that pays you. To earn from Chewy, apply to its affiliate program (via Impact) and share affiliate links. To pass along the new-customer welcome offer, share Chewy's current first-order promotion. |
| Referee Requirements | Must be a new BarkBox subscriber and sign up for a 6- or 12-month subscription plan. | Must be a new Chewy customer and place a first order of $49 or more. Terms and availability of the welcome offer are set by Chewy and can change. |
| Last Verified |
Pros & Cons
BarkBox
Pros
- +Dog owners are passionate sharers — high referral conversion
- +Unlimited referrals
- +Free monthly box adds real value ($23–$35/month)
- +Fun, shareable content (unboxing photos/videos) drives organic referrals
Cons
- −Niche audience — limited to dog owners
- −Free months, not cash
- −Friend must subscribe to a multi-month plan to qualify
Chewy
Pros
- +Huge pet-product selection and strong reputation make Chewy easy to recommend
- +Affiliate program (via Impact) offers a real, if modest, earning path for publishers
- +New shoppers can still claim a $20 first-order welcome offer
Cons
- −No consumer refer-a-friend program — the referrer earns nothing
- −Affiliate commission is one-time and only up to ~4%, not recurring
- −Affiliate path requires a website or audience and approval through Impact
Detailed Program Breakdowns
BarkBox Referral Program
Earn a free extra month of BarkBox added to your subscription for each friend who subscribes to a 6- or 12-month plan using your referral link.
Max earnings: unlimited
Max referrals: unlimited
Chewy Referral Program
Chewy does not run a consumer refer-a-friend program that pays the referrer. The only way to earn from Chewy is its affiliate program (run through Impact), which pays a one-time commission of up to roughly 4% on a referred customer's first order. The widely-shared '$20 Chewy gift card' is a new-customer welcome offer that goes to the new shopper, not to you.
Max earnings: Varies (affiliate commission ~4% of first order)
Max referrals: n/a — no referrer payout
Our Recommendation
Chewy edges ahead with a 4.4/5 rating, making it our top pick in this comparison. It offers No referral payout per referral with cash payouts.
That said, BarkBox is still a solid program worth considering. The best choice ultimately depends on your audience — promote the platform your referrals are most likely to sign up for, as conversions matter more than raw bonus amounts.
For best results, consider promoting both programs and recommending whichever fits each individual referral's situation. Many successful referrers maintain active links for multiple programs in the same category.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which referral program pays more, BarkBox or Chewy?
- BarkBox offers Free extra month per referral while Chewy offers No referral payout per referral. Based on the maximum bonus value, BarkBox has the higher earning potential per referral.
- Is BarkBox or Chewy easier to refer friends to?
- BarkBox has a easy difficulty level while Chewy has a hard difficulty level. BarkBox is generally easier to convert referrals for.
- How do BarkBox and Chewy pay referral bonuses?
- BarkBox pays referral bonuses as free months with a one-time commission structure. Chewy pays as cash with a one-time commission structure.
- Can I promote both BarkBox and Chewy referral programs?
- Yes, you can promote both BarkBox and Chewy referral programs simultaneously. Many successful referrers promote multiple programs in the same category and recommend different options to different audiences based on their needs and preferences.
- Which has a higher rating, BarkBox or Chewy?
- BarkBox has a 4.3/5 rating while Chewy has a 4.4/5 rating on RefPerks. Chewy is rated higher overall. Ratings reflect the quality of the referral program from a referrer's perspective, including payout reliability, bonus amounts, and ease of conversion.
Explore Each Program
Get the complete breakdown of each referral program, including detailed tips, step-by-step referral instructions, and earning strategies.
Referral program terms may change. Verify current offers on the official website.