Over 143.6 billion apps and games were downloaded in 2021. The trend shows that this number is expected to grow to 200 billion by 2025. There’s no denying it – Apps play a huge role in our daily lives.
However, with so many apps competing for a valuable spot on your smartphone device, a new industry of apps with referral bonus programs has emerged. Some apps will pay you up to $100 cash to refer your friends, while other apps will pay you in free gift cards for your referrals.
Needless to say, these ‘refer and earn’ programs can feasibly earn you $100 – $1,000 per day or in my case $30k fast!
Below are 32 such apps with lucrative referral bonus programs to bank extra money. Pick and choose the ones best for you, and then let these apps pay you real money by referring others to them.
- Grocery Savings Apps
- Shopping Cash Back and Rewards Apps
- Apps That Pay You for Gas Receipts
- Gig Apps That Pay You to Refer Friends
- Survey Apps that Pay You
- Finance Apps with Referral Rewards
- Banking Bonus Referral Apps
- Mobile Payment Apps That Pay to Refer
- Credit Card Mobile App Referral Programs
- Food and Delivery Apps
- Apps that Pay You Conclusion
Grocery Savings Apps
Apps that pay you back a portion of your grocery bill are on the rise. In these instances, it pays to be a budget conscious consumer. These apps come in the form of couponing apps, rebate and reward apps, and discount marketplace apps. Use these to find grocery deals that will stretch your budget and leave more money in your pocket.
1. Ibotta: Save and Earn on Groceries
Ibotta is a grocery savings app that will earn you cash back rewards on brand name grocery bought items. During the holidays, they are also known to give out FREE food to app users, including full Thanksgiving dinners.
Ibotta doesn’t limit the amount of friends you can invite with your referral link. So the sky is truly the limit with how much you can earn! Once you’ve reached a minimum of $20, you can cash out your referral money.
Ibotta Refer-a-Friend Details:
- $5 Per Referral
- No Limit on Number of Referrals
- Payout to PayPal, Bank Account, or Gift Card
Download Ibotta here and use Ibotta promo code KSHAGVC to earn $5 FREE money bonus by scanning your first grocery receipt.
2. Fetch Rewards: Earn Free Gift Cards for Receipts
The Fetch Rewards app will take virtually any receipt you snap and give you points for it. This includes receipts from gas stations, grocery stores, health and beauty stores, restaurants and more. Accumulate a minimum of 3,000 points to cash out your rewards.
Your friend will receive 1,000 – 2,000 free points when they use your referral code link to sign up. I usually stack my grocery app rewards, which really makes them worthwhile to use.
Fetch Rewards Refer-a-Friend Details:
- 2,000 – 4,000 Points Per Referral (up to $4 per referral)
- No Limit on Number of Referrals
- Payout to Free Gift Card, Donate to Charity, Sweepstakes Entries, or Fetch Merch
Download Fetch Rewards and use Fetch promo code AWPFV8 to receive up to 2,000 free points as a new member.
3. Flashfood App
Flashfood is an app that aims to reduce food waste by passing along significant savings on groceries nearing their shelf expiry date. Discounts can range anywhere from 20% to upwards of 50% off regularly priced items.
At the high rate of inflation we’re currently experiencing now, these savings are a welcomed benefit to those in need. Flashfood locations are in limited areas throughout Canada and the United States.
Flashfood Refer-a-Friend Details:
- Earn $5 per referral that spends $7 or more on their first Flashfood order. Your friend will also earn $5.
- No Limit on Number of Referrals
- Payout is in Flashfood credits to your account
Read more about how Flashfood works. Then download the app with a Flashfood promo code to earn a $5 credit on your first order, and to access your referral code.
4. Shopkick: Get Paid to Scan Product Barcodes
You heard that right. The Shopkick app will pay you to walk around grocery stores and scan product barcodes. Additionally, if you purchase these items and scan your receipt, you’ll also earn cash back rewards. It’s almost like a grocery savings app / gig app all-in-one!
You’ll get rewarded ‘kicks’ for each activity you complete or receipt you submit. You can then use these kicks to earn a free gift card of your choice. It’s a great way to get out and walk, and take a friend along with you!
Shopkick Refer-a-Friend Details:
- Earn 500 kicks per referral (about $2). Your friend will also get 500 kicks.
- Get paid on up to 100 Referrals (No more than 25,000 kicks)
- Payout to Gift Card at over 60 merchants.
Download the app. Then use Shopkick promo code CARD513768 to earn 500 kicks at sign up and to access your referral link.
5. Receipt Hog: Receipts for Piggy Bank Cash
Receipt Hog is a shopping rewards app that earns you just enough change to fill your piggy bank. The app will not make you rich, but you can use it to stack your rewards by uploading receipts to it.
You’ll earn ‘coins’ for scanning receipts from supermarkets, convenience stores, liquor stores, dollar stores, mom and pop shops and more. The amount of coins you earn per receipt depends on the total amount of the receipt. Earn 6,500 coins for a sweet $40 reward.
Receipt Hog Refer-a-Friend Details:
- 250 Coins per referral
- No Limit on Number of Referrals
- Payout to Amazon Gift Card, PayPal, or VISA Gift Card
Download Receipt Hog and use Receipt Hog referral code smur5378 for 5 free Hog Spins and a chance to earn free bonus coins.
Shopping Cash Back and Rewards Apps
Earning cash back money on purchases you regularly make is like giving yourself a raise for adulting like a pro! On your next shopping trip, brag to your friends about how much you’ve earned with your rebate apps. Then share your referral link with them, so they can join in on the savings.
6. Fluz: Social Earning App that Keeps On Giving
The Fluz app is a unique social earning rewards app where you earn cash back on any purchase at over 200+ stores. This is done through gift cards purchased through Fluz for the exact amount of your purchase. Essentially, the app allows you to buy gift cards within the app, and they give you cash back on that amount.
Though, the real money is made when you refer others to use the app. Fluz will not only reward you a percentage of the cash back amount of your referrals, but they will also reward you for their referrals as well. It operates something like a network marketing circle, where the earnings can really snowball the larger your network grows.
Fluz Refer-A-Friend Details
- Earn $5 for each person you refer. Plus, earn a percentage on all purchases of your referrals as well as their referrals.
- No Limit on Number of Referrals
- Payout to Bank Account, PayPal, Venmo, or Gift Card
Download Fluz and use Fluz promo code PILARBONUS for (2x) 25% cash back boosts.
7. Rakuten: Best Cash Back Deals Site
Rakuten is a popular cash back deals website and app that rewards you between 1% – 40% on your purchases. Though many people may be more familiar with their former name, Ebates. With over 2,500 partnered retailers, there’s bound to be a store you and your friend can shop and earn cash back rewards.
In my review of the deals site, I reveal how I quickly earned my first $81 during my first week using Rakuten. I also share details on how to immediately earn your first FREE $30 bonus money on the site.
Rakuten Refer-a-Friend Details:
- $30 – $40 for every qualified referral
- No Limit on Number of Referrals
- Payout to PayPal, a Big Fat Check, or American Express Membership Points
Download the app. Then use a Rakuten promo code link to earn a $30 FREE bonus. Registering without a promo code will only earn you $10.
Apps That Pay You for Gas Receipts
Apps that pay you gas money to refer your friends are hard to pass up. And with the price of oil skyrocketing these days, the extra savings at the pump will be a welcomed treat. Share these apps with your friends and earn some side hustle money for extra mileage on your next fill up!
8. GasBuddy: Fuel Up and Pay Less at the Pump
GasBuddy is a gas station payment service that will locate the gas station nearest to you with the lowest gasoline prices. Enroll in their Pay with Gasbuddy service by linking your card, and save up to $0.25/gallon on your next fill-up.
You’ll save at most major gas stations with some exceptions, including club gas stations such as BJ’s, Costco and Sam’s Club. This app will pay you up to $5 in gas credit per referral during special promotions. Below are regular referral program rates.
GasBuddy: Refer-a-Friend Details:
- $0.10/gallon discount on your next fill-up per referral
- No Limit on Number of Referrals
- Payout given as gas back credit on your free Gasbuddy card
Download the app and start saving on your next fuel fill-up today.
9. UpSide: Free App for Cash Back on Gas
UpSide, formerly GetUpside, is another gas savings app that has recently added additional features such as earning cash back at grocery stores and restaurants. You’ll save up to $0.25 per gallon on your next fill-up.
Simply check your app for promotions at the gas stations nearest to you, and fill up using your credit or debit card. You’ll earn real money cash back rewards when you pay with your card and check-in at the gas station.
UpSide Refer-a-Friend Details:
- Receive a one-time bonus reward of $0.15 per gallon for each referral. Plus, you’ll earn $0.01 / gallon for every gallon they buy in the future.
- No Limit on Number of Referrals
- Payout to Gift Card, PayPal or Bank Account
Download the GetUpSide app and enter promo code: 9GV42 at signup for an extra $0.15 per gallon reward bonus the first time you use the app!
Gig Apps That Pay You to Refer Friends
Individuals looking for supplemental income can now easily download an app and make immediate money doing small time gigs. Gigs can range anywhere from checking a store shelf price for accurate product pricing to snapping a picture of store promotional signage. Try out these gig apps for extra money for the weekend, and then let your friends in on your new money making secret!
10. Field Agent: Complete Small Tasks for Money
The Field Agent app will pay you for doing small time tasks such as being a mystery shopper, taking photos and sharing opinions. They dub themselves as ‘the app that pays you real cash’ and have reportedly paid out over $20 million dollars to gig agents.
Field Agent gig jobs pay between $3 – $42 per gig and can take anywhere from 5 mins to 45 mins to complete a task. Share your invite code with friends to earn up to $10 per referral.
Field Agent Refer-a-Friend Details:
- You will earn 10% of each approved job your referral completes, up to $10 per referral.
- No Limit on Number of Referrals
- Payout to Bank Account
Download the Field Agent app to create an account and get access to your referral code link.
11. Observa: The Gig App that Pays You in BitCoin
Observa is a gig side hustle app that will earn you between $4 – $20 per completed observation. On average, these short observations take about 20 minutes to complete and involve checking product inventory levels at stores, mystery shopping, and more.
Observa has been in business since 2016, and there are currently 400,000 gig workers throughout the United States, Canada, Spain, UK and Germany. Their refer-a-friend program is another great way to make additional money with Observa.
Observa Refer-a-Friend Details:
- Earn 25% of the first 4 successful observations for every observer you refer.
- No Limit on Number of Referrals
- Payout to PayPal or Bitcoin via Coinbase
Read my full Observa app review to see what it’s all about.
Survey Apps that Pay You
These next couple of apps will reward you for completing online surveys and watching videos online. You can literally spend all day on these sites making extra cash to pay small bills around the house or to use as disposable income. While they may not earn you a full-time paycheck, they do provide you with a way to get paid while on the bus ride to work or sitting around in a waiting room somewhere.
12. SwagBucks: Answer Surveys, Shop, Videos
The SwagBucks app offers a variety of things you can do online in order to earn points for free gift cards or PayPal cash. Tasks include: watching entertaining movies, answering survey questions, watching the latest movie clips and trailers to earning points as you shop online. Quick Tip: When you stick to the ‘Sign Up’ offers tab to earn SwagBuck points, you can potentially earn $500 on your first day of joining!
In general, 100 SwagBuck points is equivalent to $1.00 in value. In my first week using the app, I earned $120.31 in free money with the Varo Swagbucks promotion!
SwagBucks Refer-a-Friend Details:
- Earn 300 SwagBuck points per qualified referral ($3.00 in value), plus 10% for life on all earnings from your referrals
- No Limit on Number of Referrals
- Payout in Gift Cards or to PayPal Cash
Download the SwagBucks app to receive your free $10 instantly sign up reward and to access your referral code link.
13. Survey Junkie: Get Paid to Take Online Surveys
Survey Junkie is an app that will pay you to share your opinion on products and services, in order to help brands create a better customer experience. The pay is not super great as most surveys only pay roughly $1 each. So one will have to decide whether it’s worth it or not to join.
To start, a new registrant creates a user profile that will serve to match them with appropriate surveys. Once surveys are completed, a specified amount of points are earned for completing the task. These points can then be redeemed for free gift cards.
Survey Junkie Refer-a-Friend Details:
- $1.25 – $2.20 per referral sign up
- No Limit on Number of Referrals
- Payout in Gift Cards or to PayPal
Join the Survey Junkie affiliate program here to start earning $1.25 per referral.
Finance Apps with Referral Rewards
As people look to invest more, save more, and reduce overall debt, the demand for finance apps has become a lucrative one. These types of apps offer in-app credit or free stocks that can help grow your income over time. They are one of my favorite types of apps to promote for referral income.
14. Robinhood: Commission-Free Investing App
Robinhood is a stock trading and investment app. They grew in popularity as they became the first ever finance platform to introduce commission free stock trading. Later on, Robinhood became a favorite app for millennials to trade highly volatile meme stocks and crypto tokens.
The Robinhood app currently has over 18 million users and continues to grow its user base quickly. In November of 2021, they partnered with Burger King to entice more users to the platform by handing out free crypto tokens such as Dogecoin, Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Robinhood App Refer-a-Friend Details:
- Earn fractional stock shares ranging from $5 – $200 in value per referral. Your referral must sign up, get approved and link their bank account in order to qualify. They will also earn a gift stock.
- You can receive up to $1,500 in gift stocks each calendar year.
- Payout in free fractional share stocks that can be re-invested or sold on the open market for cash, and transferred to your bank account.
Download the Robinhood app here to earn your free fractional share reward worth up to $200 in value. You’ll also be able to access your referral link within the app.
15. WeBull: Suite of Investment Products
WeBull is an investment app with a comprehensive suite of products including stocks, fractional shares, options, ETFs and ADRs. They offer zero commission trading and smart tools for smart investing.
As more retail investors enter the stock market investing world, apps such as WeBull and Robinhood are capitalizing on the trend. These apps have also jumped on the Crypto investing bandwagon and offer crypto assets to its users as well.
WeBull Refer-a-Friend Details:
- Receive 1 FREE Stock valued up to $300 per referral. Additional promotional referral bonuses available throughout the year.
- No Limit on Number of Referrals
- Payout in free stock that can be sold on the open market for cash, and then transferred to your bank account.
Download the WeBull App here to receive up to 12 free fractional shares. Plus, access your WeBull referral code link.
16. Acorns: Micro-Investing and Savings
Acorns is a micro-investing and savings app that automates the process of investing into a portfolio of ETFs. Users can link a payment card, or use their Acorns debit card to re-invest their spare change into the stock market.
With the Round-ups® feature, Acorns will round up any purchase made from a linked account, debit or credit card to the next dollar. The money can then be set aside into a designated savings account or placed in an investment account.
Acorns Refer-A-Friend Details:
- Invite friends to earn a $5 referral bonus. Your friend must sign up with an account and successfully make their first investment. Your friend will also earn a $5 reward. Special limited-time promotions offer more opportunity to earn higher Acorns referral bonuses.
- No Limit on Number of Referrals
- Acorns will deposit your referral reward into your investment account within 30 days.
Download the Acorns app to earn a $5 bonus reward. Then access your referral link through your app settings.
17. Brigit: Financial Wellness
Brigit is an app that provides members with small cash advances of up to $250. The app is primarily geared to low-income earners, living paycheck to paycheck who would benefit from early payroll advances and loans.
As a financial wellness company, Brigit offers budgeting tools and financial insights that aim to avoid overspending and paying overdraft fees. New members can join for free or upgrade to a paid subscription account to access premium features.
Brigit Refer-a-Friend Details:
- Earn $10 per referral who receives an instant cash advance, pays their first Credit Builder installment, or pays their first membership fee.
- No Limit on Number of Referrals
- Your reward bonus will be deposited directly into your linked bank account within 5 business days.
Download the Bridget app to access your referral link.
Banking Bonus Referral Apps
The rise of Fintech mobile banking apps has created fierce competition between the companies as they try to win you over. It doesn’t help that many of them offer similar services including high-yielding savings accounts, no monthly banking fees, and fee-free ATMs across the US.
So, they resort to wooing you with bank bonus sign-up offers. Lucky you!
18. Upgrade: Rewards Checking Account
Upgrade is one such online finance company that offers personal loans and fee free checking and savings accounts. Upgrade is not a bank. Instead, they partner with banks and other financial institutions to offer you banking services.
Their Upgrade® Rewards Checking Plus and high yield savings accounts are provided by Cross River Bank, Member FDIC. So you can feel comfortable that your money is safe and insured up to $250k with their partner bank.
UpGrade Rewards Checking Refer-a-Friend Details:
- Earn $50 per person you refer to an Upgrade Rewards Checking Plus account and that meets the referral bonus requirements. The person you referred will earn a $200 bonus.
- You can earn a maximum of ten (10) Referral Bonuses from all Qualified Referrals in one calendar year.
- Your bonus will be credited to your Rewards Checking account in cash.
Read full details of the Upgrade Rewards Checking referral bonus. Then use a promo link to open an account for eligibility of the $200 sign up bonus from Upgrade
19. Chime: FinTech Online Banking with No Fees
Chime is a FinTech online banking app that doesn’t require a minimum balance, nor does it have a monthly maintenance fee or overdraft fees. It’s a breath of fresh air for those looking for a banking option that doesn’t eat away at your money with unnecessary fees.
Additionally, when you open an account with Chime, you get a VISA® debit card, and a spending account that can be managed entirely from your smartphone. Another added feature includes setting up direct deposit and getting your paycheck up to 2 days earlier. Plus, earn $100 in free money when you sign up to Chime using a referral link.
Chime App Refer-a-Friend Details:
- Earn $100 per person you refer to Chime that meets the referral bonus requirements. The person you referred will also earn a $100 bonus.
- You can earn a maximum of $1,000 per year with the Chime refer-a-friend program.
- Payout is in cash to your Chime online banking account.