Refer and Earn: 52+ Programs That Pay You Per Referral

“Refer and earn” is the simplest side hustle there is: share a referral link for a product you already use, and get paid when a friend signs up. The payout might be cash, free stock, crypto, account credit, a gift card, or free months of a service. This page rounds up every referral program we track — 52+ in total — grouped by how they pay you, so you can pick the ones that match how you want to earn.

The formula is the same everywhere: join the program (it’s always free), copy your unique link or code, and share it with people who would genuinely benefit. You earn once your referral completes a qualifying action — usually a sign-up, a first deposit, or a first order. Below, jump straight to the payout type you care about.

52 referral programs that pay you per referral

Referral Programs That Pay Cash

These programs pay real money — deposited to your bank, PayPal, or sent as a check. Cash referral bonuses are the most flexible way to earn because there is no catch on how you spend what you make.

Airbnb

~$200 cash per host
CashTravel

Airbnb pays a cash reward (around $200 in the US) when you refer a new host who completes their first reservation. The US guest referral program is no longer available.

4.0View details →

Chime

$100
CashBanking

Earn $100 for each friend who opens a Chime account and sets up direct deposit. One of the highest-paying banking referrals available.

4.3View details →

T-Mobile

$50 per account ($100 limited-time)
CashMobile & Wireless

Earn a $50 Virtual Prepaid Mastercard ($100 during the current limited-time promo) for each new T-Mobile account you refer, up to $500 per calendar year.

4.3View details →

SoFi

$75
CashBanking

Earn $75 for each friend who opens a SoFi account and deposits $10. No limit on the number of referrals.

4.4View details →

Rakuten

$50 cash
CashShopping & Cashback

Earn $50 cash for each friend who joins Rakuten and shops $50+. One of the highest-paying shopping referral programs with unlimited referrals.

4.6View details →

Chase

$50
CashBanking

Earn $50 cash for each friend who opens a qualifying Chase checking account. Up to 10 referrals a year, for $500/year in referral bonuses.

4.5View details →

Acorns

$5–$50
CashInvesting

Earn $5–$50 for each friend who joins Acorns and makes their first investment. Perfect for referring investing beginners.

4.1View details →

Wise

$75 per 3 referrals
CashMoney Transfer

Earn $25 per qualifying referral who makes a $300+ international transfer on Wise. Your friend gets their first transfer fee-free.

4.5View details →

Cash App

$5–$15
CashBanking

Earn $5–$15 for each friend who signs up for Cash App and sends $5. No limit on referrals — unlimited earning potential.

4.3View details →

Ibotta

$10 cash
CashShopping & Cashback

Earn $10 cash for each friend who joins Ibotta and redeems their first cashback offer. Free to use with unlimited referrals.

4.3View details →

Venmo

$5
CashMoney Transfer

Earn $5 for each friend who joins Venmo and makes their first $5 card-funded payment. Capped at 10 referrals ($50 total).

4.3View details →

GetUpside (Upside)

$5 + 1¢/gal forever
CashTravel

Earn $5 for each friend who joins Upside (GetUpside) and makes a $10+ purchase, plus 1¢/gallon forever on their future gas fill-ups. Everyone drives — easy referral.

4.0View details →

Chewy

No referral payout
CashHome & Pets

Chewy has no consumer referral program that pays the referrer. The $20 eGift card is a new-customer welcome offer. The only earning path is Chewy's affiliate program.

4.4View details →

Referral Programs That Pay Account Credit

Ride-share, food delivery, and subscription apps hand out account credit you can spend on the service. If you already use the app, this credit is effectively cash off your own bills.

DraftKings

Up to $100 in bonus bets
CreditCasino & Betting

Earn up to $100 in bonus bets for each friend who joins DraftKings and deposits $25+. Capped at 5 referrals ($500) per promotional window.

4.4View details →

BetMGM

$100 bonus bet
CreditCasino & Betting

Earn $100 in bonus bets for each friend who joins BetMGM Sportsbook and deposits $100+. Capped at 20 referrals per month (~$2,000/mo).

4.2View details →

Fiverr

Up to $100 in Fiverr Credits
CreditFreelance & Gig

Earn up to $100 in Fiverr Credits (10% of first order) per new Fiverr buyer you refer, capped at $500 total. Credits are spendable on Fiverr, not cash.

4.2View details →

Fanatics Sportsbook

$100 in FanCash
CreditCasino & Betting

Earn $100 in FanCash for each friend who joins Fanatics Sportsbook and bets $20+. Capped at 5 referrals for $500 in FanCash.

4.0View details →

BetRivers

$100 bonus bet
CreditCasino & Betting

Earn $100 in bonus bets for each friend who joins BetRivers and deposits and wagers $50. Capped at 3 referrals for $300 in bonus bets.

4.0View details →

FanDuel

$50 bonus bet
CreditCasino & Betting

Earn $50 in bonus bets for each friend who joins FanDuel and bets $10. Capped at 5 referrals per 30 days per product.

4.5View details →

bet365

$50 bonus bet
CreditCasino & Betting

Earn $50 in bonus bets for each friend who joins bet365 and bets $10+, up to $500 per year. The offer runs in cycles and excludes NC and PA.

4.3View details →

Caesars Sportsbook

~$50 in Reward Credits
CreditCasino & Betting

Earn 5,000 Caesars Reward Credits (about $50) for each friend who joins Caesars Sportsbook and deposits and wagers $50. Up to 10 referrals per window.

4.1View details →

Mint Mobile

$45 renewal credit
CreditMobile & Wireless

Earn $45 in renewal credits for each friend who activates Mint Mobile — up to 4 referrals a year ($180). Budget wireless from $15/month on T-Mobile's network.

4.2View details →

ClassPass

~$20 in credits
CreditFitness & Wellness

Earn free ClassPass credits for each friend who signs up for a membership. Access to 30,000+ gyms and fitness studios worldwide.

4.2View details →

Visible

$20 account credit
CreditMobile & Wireless

Earn a $20 Bring a Friend credit for each friend who joins Visible. Bank up to 12 credits ($240) at a time on Verizon's network at budget prices.

4.0View details →

Lyft

$5–$18 ride credit
CreditRide Sharing

Earn $5–$18 in Lyft ride credits for each new rider. Unlimited referrals plus driver referral bonuses up to $500+.

4.0View details →

Grubhub

Around $10 credit
CreditFood Delivery

Earn a Grubhub delivery perk (around $7–$12) for each friend who signs up and places their first order. Unlimited referrals.

3.9View details →

Uber Eats

$10 credit
CreditFood Delivery

Earn around $10 in Uber Eats credit for each friend who signs up and orders food. Part of the larger Uber referral ecosystem.

4.1View details →

Lemonade Insurance

$10 per referral
CreditInsurance & Tax

Earn a $10 Lemonade credit for each friend who signs up through your link. No purchase required, capped at 10 referrals per year (~$100).

4.1View details →

Instacart

$10 credit
CreditFood Delivery

Earn a $10 grocery delivery credit for each friend who joins Instacart and completes their first order. Unlimited referrals.

4.0View details →

Notion

$5 credit
CreditBusiness Tools

Earn $5 in Notion credits for each friend who signs up. Unlimited referrals for the popular all-in-one workspace tool.

4.3View details →

DoorDash

$5 delivery credit
CreditFood Delivery

Earn $5 in delivery credit for each friend who joins DoorDash and places their first order, up to $20 total (about four referrals).

4.2View details →

Upwork

Upwork Credits
CreditFreelance & Gig

Refer freelancers or clients to Upwork and earn Upwork Credits (not cash) when they complete their first contract or hire. The top professional freelance platform.

4.0View details →

Uber (Rides)

Varies / limited-time
CreditRide Sharing

Uber no longer runs an always-on rider referral code, and the driver referral bonus has been replaced in many US cities by a new-driver earnings guarantee. Here is what actually pays in 2026.

3.6View details →

Referral Programs That Pay in Free Storage

Cloud storage services give you extra space for every friend who installs the app. It is not cash, but for heavy users it replaces a paid subscription.

How to Make the Most From Refer-and-Earn Programs

The referrers who earn the most don’t share more links — they share smarter ones. Start with services you already use and can recommend honestly; your endorsement converts because it is genuine. Then match each program to the right audience: a crypto exchange link belongs in an investing community, not a general group chat.

Stack programs with no referral cap and recurring commissions first — those compound over time, turning a one-off share into passive income. For one-time bonuses, focus on high-value categories like banking, investing, and business software, where a single successful referral can be worth far more than a handful of small app credits.

Always confirm the current terms before you share. Bonus amounts, referral caps, and qualifying requirements change frequently. Every listing on RefPerks shows a “last verified” date so you know how current the information is.

Refer and Earn: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make money by referring friends?
Sign up for a referral program, grab your unique referral link or code, and share it with friends or your audience. When someone signs up and completes the qualifying action (such as making a deposit, placing an order, or subscribing), you earn a bonus — paid as cash, free stock, crypto, account credit, gift cards, or free months depending on the program.
Which referral programs pay the most per referral?
Payouts vary widely by category. Banking, investing, and business software programs tend to pay the highest per-referral bonuses, while everyday apps like food delivery and ride-share pay smaller credits. Browse our payout-type sections above to compare programs side by side, or see our highest-paying collection for the top earners.
Are there referral programs with no limit on earnings?
Yes. Many programs let you refer an unlimited number of people with no cap on total earnings — common with VPNs, crypto exchanges, and SaaS tools that pay recurring commissions. Others cap the number of referrals or total payout per year, so always check the program's terms before you start sharing.
Do I have to pay to join a referral program?
No. Legitimate referral programs are free to join. Most simply require you to be an existing user or customer of the service so you can generate a referral link. Be wary of any program that asks you to pay a fee to participate.
How long does it take to get paid for a referral?
Payout timing depends on the program. Some credit your account within minutes of a friend signing up; others hold the bonus until your referral completes a qualifying action or clears a waiting period (often 30 to 90 days). Each listing on RefPerks shows the payout type and key requirements so you know what to expect.
Where can I share my referral link to earn the most?
Share where the people most likely to benefit will see it: relevant social media posts, niche online communities, your blog or newsletter, and direct messages to friends who would genuinely use the service. Targeting an interested audience converts far better than blasting a link everywhere.

Referral program terms may change. Verify current offers on the official website.