The Best Referral Programmes in 2026 – Earn Money Online
With most referral programmes and referral apps, you refer a friend to a service both you and your friend can get some kind of a deal out of it, win-win! Brands use these reward schemes as a part of their marketing strategy to attract more users to their service and reward their loyal customers. Word-of-mouth marketing can be very successful as they’re effectively getting their existing customer base to promote them.
For influences (or anyone with an online presence) referral programmes, like affiliate partnerships can be a great way to generate income from your blog or social media following. I also have a new discussion board where you can share all of your referral links.
10 referral apps that pay:
When a brand offers some type of customer referral program you can often share their product or service with friends, family and across the internet. Successful referrers can earn a steady income with these best referral programmes right now!
Image source: save money picture, Depositphotos
Monzo refer a friend – £10 free
Monzo is an ‘online bank account’. I opened a Monzo account a few years back (see review) – it’s brilliant for sending money between friends/splitting bills and building savings pots.
The Monzo refer a friend scheme includes £10 free when you sign up + £10 for each friend you refer (to qualify for the free £10 referrals need to make a card payment within 30 days).
Zilch refer and earn – £5
Zilch’s users can keep track of all their purchases in one place – whether made online or in-store – ensuring they have a transparent view of their finances as well as their repayment timelines. They’re currently offering £5 for new users + £5 for the referring customer.
This is my favourite referral campaign – I’ve earned £1000’s in the past year. You can spent your referral money anywhere (I added my Zilch card to my Apple wallet and I activate the card in the app whenever I want to use my rewards credit).
Outside of the referral program, Zilch offers 2% cashback at 100’s of retailers – an offer that I use every week.
TopCashback tell-a-friend – up to £30
Every time you shop through TopCashback, the retailer pays them a commission for referring you to their website, they then pass this commission back to you as ‘cashback’. When you tell a friend about TopCashback you can earn up to £30 & your friend will get a £5 gift card.
To receive your Tell-a-Friend bonus, the person you have referred must sign up to TopCashback through your link and earn at least £10 cashback. You can give them a nudge once a week but it’s best to explain how amazing TopCashback is in the first place.
Swagbucks referrals – 10% lifetime earnings
Swagbucks is a rewards and loyalty-program operator that allows you to earn gift cards by completing short surveys, tasks, games and videos. I’ve earned £100’s with Swagbucks and can usually do most tasks on my lunch break!
If your friend signs up via your referral link you’ll get 10% of their earnings FOR LIFE! So if they earn £500, you’ll get £50!
Best referral schemes that offer cash incentives
Shopmium referral code – £3
Shopmium money off deals on food, drinks and cosmetics from your local supermarket! I love Shopmium’s referral programme and have managed to get tons of free food and drinks by referring. For each referral Shopmium reward customers with £3 in credit. You can spend referral credit on the featured food, drinks and cosmetics. Your referral will also get a free chocolate-based treat!
Shopmium referral code: AEFAMUGY
Cheddar – £2-£5 Bonus
Cheddar is one of my favourite cashback apps – simply connect your bank account through open banking to earn cashback when spending with selected retailers. You can also earn money by buying gift cards through the app.
Cheddar referral code: BEEMON1
Earn a £2-£5 bonus when referring friends to the app who buy a gift card within 14 days.
Tide referral programme – £50
Tide is a UK financial technology company providing mobile-first banking services for sole traders and small businesses. It’s incredibly easy to set up your account with Tide.
They’ll offer £50 when you sign up and spend £500 on your Tide card (doesn’t have to be in one go). Then earn £50 per referral.
Referral code: 5QJGJO
Investment referrals – up to £200!
If you’d like to earn money referring your readers to investment options its important that you communicate the risk of investing. The value of investments can fall as well as rise and your readers could get back less than they have invested. Anyone unsure about investing, should seek independent advice.
Having said that there are a range of investment referral programmes. Should you choose to sensibly promote them, you can find out more below:
- Robinhood – When you open a Robinhood Invest account, you’ll get a free share worth £5-£100 when you deposit £1. Earn up to $1500 from referrals every year.
- AJ Bell Dodl – Get a £30 voucher (various retailers) when adding £500 to an Investment ISA, Lifetime ISA, Pension, or General Investment Account.
Octopus Energy – £50 free energy
When you switch to Octopus Energy using a referral link you’ll get £50 free credit. It’s free to get a no-obligation quote. If you decide to switch, your bonus will be awarded once your switch is complete.
Once you have an Octopus account you’ll be able to refer friends and earn £50 credit towards your gas and electric bill.
Surfshark – referral program
Surfshark’s ‘Refer & Earn’ program is an opportunity for users to earn rewards by inviting others to try Surfshark’s cybersecurity services. Share your unique referral link to earn up to USD 38 per referral and gift your friend up to 3 months free).
This program is open to anyone with an active Surfshark subscription, and there are no limits to the number of referrals you can make. To get started, log into your Surfshark account, navigate to the ‘Refer & Earn’ tab, and share your unique referral link with friends and family.
Awin – affiliate network
Made up of over 6,000 advertisers, Awin is a global affiliate network. Awin is arguably the most well-known affiliate network out there – with big-name brands, and smaller advertisers all willing to give bloggers/influences commission for referrals and sales.
More Referral Programmes and Extra Income Blog Posts
How I Earned £1000 From Home In 1 Month
Appen: Work From Home And Earn Money Online
Whether you’re looking to make an income from your blog or just earn some extra money, referral programmes are full of benefits for both the referrer and the company you’re referring. As with most things, there will be terms and conditions involved with these refer and earn schemes so do check those before going on a refer a friend rampage!
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