Referral Bonus Apps [2025] Best Referral Apps to Make Money

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I’ve been making money online promoting referral bonus apps for over 10 years. My current favorite referral app to make money is the Temu referral program.

Join it, then promote your referral link to make money when people buy products.

Or, you can simply download the free Temu app and earn $5 dollars for each friend you refer who also downloads the app.

The free Temu app has over 110 million downloads.1 It’s legit.

I also earn referral bonuses with Cash App. Download Cash App and enter P4FN7MV to get $5 dollars in your account. Once you have Cash App, you’ll get your own referral link to make money.

Below I’ll share my full list of favorite referral apps to make money and tell you how they work.

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.

Temu

Referral Bonus: $5 when your refer-a-friend downloads the Temu app. You also earn up to 20% of items sold

Payout Method: Money in your Temu account that you can cash out via PayPal or other options

Referral Limit: None stated

How to Earn Bonus: 

Step 1 – download the free Temu app if you don’t already have it

Step 2 – Join the free Temu affiliate program

Step 3 – Promote the Temu app and Temu products to your followers, friends, and family to earn money!

See my full Temu affiliate program review.

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 sign-up with Cash App. Remember to use code P4FN7MV to get your $5.

Once you’re on Cash App, they’ll give you your own refer a friend link where you’ll earn $5 dollars per referral.

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.

Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card 

Referral Bonus: $50

Payout Method: Cash back

Referral Limit: $500 per year

How to Earn Bonus: 

When you are approved for the Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card (it has no annual fee!) you’ll get $200 cash back when you spend $500 in your first 3 months with the card.

Plus, for each person you refer, you’ll get $50 when they’re approved for this credit card.

Chase Freedom cash back rewards offer some incredible referral bonus opportunities.

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 (worth $150)

Payout Method: Credit card points that you can cash out

Referral Limit: 75,000 points per year (worth $750 dollars)

How to Earn Bonus: 

First you’d need to get this credit card. I have this card and I love it because I use it for travel perks. But you can also use it for cash back. When you’re approved, you can get $600 cash back when you spend $4,000 in your first 3 months with the card.

Then Chase will give you a refer a friend link. Then you’ll get paid $150 for each person who is approved for the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Click our link for the best available bonus.

Chase Ink Business Unlimited

Referral Bonus: 40,000 points (worth $400 dollars)

Payout Method: Credit card points that you can cash out for dollars

Referral Limit: 200,000 points per year (worth $2,000 dollars)

How to Earn Bonus: 

First you’d need to get approved for the Chase Ink Business Unlimited card. If you have any kind of small business from solopreneur to freelancer to a side hustle or more, you are eligible for Chase Ink Business cards.

You don’t need an EIN. You can apply with your social security number. There is no annual fee.

You’ll get $750 cash back when you spend $6,000 in your first 3 months with the card. You’ll also earn $400 per small business person you refer with your link.

I have the Chase Ink Business Unlimited card and use it all the time.

Click this link to start earning points through referrals.

Rakuten

Referral Bonus: $30 for each person who spends at least $30

Payout Method: Cash back

Referral Limit: None

How to Earn Bonus: 

First, join Rakuten. Then get $30 cash back when you spend $30 online with Rakuten. So you basically get $30 worth of free stuff at major stores like Walmart, Target, Sephora, and hundreds more.

I’ve been using Rakuten for many years. They’ve always paid me. Rakuten is legit.

Next, use the Rakuten refer a friend feature to get $30 when your followers, friends, or family members use your link to shop online.

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. 

Use code 2scpb to get $5 free when you create a new account or 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.

Examples of how you can use Instacart as a customer.

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. Also, be sure to check out more ways to earn $20 per referral.

Three friends sharing how they save money using referral bonus apps.
You can make serious money just by sharing referral bonus apps with your friends.
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. 

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.

Examples of where you can get cash back using Ibotta, like Home Depot, Best Buy, Chewy and more.

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 that you can cash out

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.

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:

  • Temu – You’ll earn $5 dollars each for refer-a-friend bonus
  • Cash App – Enter code P4FN7MV to get your $5 referral bonus
  • Rakuten
  • Instacart
  • Venmo
  • Ibotta
  • Drop (remember to enter code 2scpb to get your $5 referral bonus!)

Which App Gives Real Money on Referring?

These referral bonus apps reward you with real money:

How Can I Earn Money By Referring?

You can earn money by:

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:

$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:

  • Temu – my favorite because it’s so easy and popular. I’ve made lots of money with it
  • Cash App – my 2nd favorite free money referral app. Enter code P4FN7MV to get a $5 dollar refer a friend bonus
  • Drop – enter code 2scpb to get your $5 referral bonus
  • Rakuten
  • Ibotta
  • Venmo
  • PayPal 

Referral Sites That Pay?

These referral platforms are all legit – and they all pay as promised:

Alternatives To Referral Bonus Apps / Similar To Referral Bonus Apps?

Go a step further than refer-a-friend apps and check out affiliate marketing! Here’s my list of reviews of the top programs available:

Related:

Sources:

1 – https://focus.cbbc.org/what-is-temu-the-new-chinese-bargain-shopping-app-explained/

2 – https://unsplash.com/photos/X1GZqv-F7Tw

3 – https://unsplash.com/photos/GUPqey7k7b4