32 Apps that Pay You Side Hustle Money to Refer Friends

Check out these mobile apps that pay you up to $100 per referral you send them. This is my favorite side hustle idea that earns me thousands of dollars per month!

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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.

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• Grocery Savings Apps
  • 1. Ibotta: Save and Earn on Groceries
    • Ibotta Refer-a-Friend Details:
    • Fetch Rewards Refer-a-Friend Details:
    • Flashfood Refer-a-Friend Details:
    • Shopkick Refer-a-Friend Details:
    • Receipt Hog Refer-a-Friend Details:
    • 6. Fluz: Social Earning App that Keeps On Giving
      • Fluz Refer-A-Friend Details
      • Rakuten Refer-a-Friend Details:
      • 8. GasBuddy: Fuel Up and Pay Less at the Pump
        • GasBuddy: Refer-a-Friend Details:
        • UpSide Refer-a-Friend Details:
        • 10. Field Agent: Complete Small Tasks for Money
          • Field Agent Refer-a-Friend Details:
          • Observa Refer-a-Friend Details:
          • 12. SwagBucks: Answer Surveys, Shop, Videos
            • SwagBucks Refer-a-Friend Details:
            • Survey Junkie Refer-a-Friend Details:
            • 14. Robinhood: Commission-Free Investing App
              • Robinhood App Refer-a-Friend Details:
              • WeBull Refer-a-Friend Details:
              • Acorns Refer-A-Friend Details:
              • Brigit Refer-a-Friend Details:
              • 18. Upgrade: Rewards Checking Account
                • UpGrade Rewards Checking Refer-a-Friend Details:
                • Chime App Refer-a-Friend Details:
                • SoFi Money Refer-a-Friend Details:
                • Netspend Refer-a-Friend Details:
                • Varo Online Banking Refer-a-Friend Details:
                • Revolut US Online Account Refer-a-Friend Details:
                • DCU Refer-a-Friend Details:
                • 25. Venmo: Fast, Safe Social Payments
                  • Venmo Refer-a-Friend Details:
                  • PayPal Refer-a-Friend Details:
                  • CashApp Refer-a-Friend Details:
                  • 28. Chase Freedom Credit Card: Referral Bonus
                    • Chase Freedom Refer-a-Friend Details:
                    • Capital One Credit Card Refer-a-Friend Details:
                    • 30. Seated: Restaurant Dining, Delivery, Take Out
                      • Seated App Refer-a-Friend Details:
                      • InstaCart Refer-a-Friend Details:
                      • Green Chef Refer-a-Friend Details:

                      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 100 – 500 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:

                      • 100 – 2,000 Points Per Referral (up to $2 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 500 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 $3 per referral that purchases $15 or more on their first Flashfood order. Your friend will also earn $3.
                      • 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 $3 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