7 Referral Program Tools That Work Seamlessly with Shopify Plus

Introduction

When you're scaling on Shopify Plus, growth strategies need to be more than just flashy ads and discounts. You need methods that are sustainable, cost-effective, and build long-term loyalty. That’s where referral marketing comes in. Whether you're a DTC brand or a fast-growing small business, a referral program can unlock your most powerful growth channel i.e. your existing customers.

What Is a Referral Program?

A referral program is a marketing strategy that incentivizes existing customers to refer new customers to your store. This can be through discounts, points, cashback, or other rewards. The process is automated through a referral software or referral app that tracks links, rewards, and customer actions seamlessly.

Many of these tools also include branded widgets, post-purchase prompts, and social sharing options to encourage participation. The beauty lies in its simplicity and people trust recommendations from friends more than they trust ads.

Perks of Referral Marketing

Here’s why smart eCommerce brands (especially on Shopify Plus) are doubling down on referring business:

• 💸 Lower Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): Referrals convert at a higher rate and cost less than paid ads.

• 🤝 Built-in Trust: Customers referred by friends are more loyal and less likely to churn.

• 📈 Compounding Growth: One customer brings two, who each bring more.

• ⚙️ Scalable with Software: Modern referral program software does the heavy lifting.

• 🎯 Perfect for Small Businesses: Many small business referral programs see results with minimal spend.

Top Referral Program Tools for Shopify Plus

Below are 7 powerful referral program tools that integrate seamlessly with Shopify Plus and help you unlock word-of-mouth growth:

1. Nector – The All-in-One Loyalty and Referral Engine

If you're looking for an integrated referral app that also handles loyalty and rewards, Nector is your go-to tool. Designed specifically with Shopify Plus users in mind, it lets you create high-converting referral flows in minutes.

Key Features:

• Gamified referral widgets and email flows

• Dual-sided rewards (give and get)

• Seamless Shopify Plus integration

• Advanced analytics and segmentation

• Loyalty program + referral incentives under one roof
  

Whether you’re a small business referral program just starting out or a scaling brand, Nector ensures your referred app experience feels organic and on-brand.

🟢 Best for: Brands that want a complete loyalty and referral software stack.

2. ReferralCandy – Plug-and-Play Simplicity

One of the most popular referral software programs on Shopify, ReferralCandy is trusted by thousands of DTC brands.

Why it works:

• Fast setup (gets live in under an hour)

• Rewards for both advocates and friends

• Real-time tracking of referrals and performance

• Integrates well with Shopify Plus and email tools like Klaviyo
  

This referral software focuses on simplicity, so it’s perfect for teams that don’t want to spend hours building workflows but still want results.

🟢 Best for: Shopify Plus stores new to referral marketing.

Read more on Referral Marketing

3. Yotpo Referrals – Built for Brands with Big Communities

Yotpo isn’t just about reviews. Their referral program software helps you turn happy customers into vocal brand advocates.

What makes it different:

• Custom-branded sharing experiences

• Post-purchase referral prompts

• Deep integration with SMS & email marketing

• Insights and ROI tracking built-in
  
  

It’s a powerful tool if your store already uses Yotpo for reviews or loyalty, making it easy to layer in referrals without switching platforms.

🟢 Best for: Referrals + loyalty + UGC brands on Shopify Plus.

4. Talkable – Enterprise-Grade Referral Software

If you're looking for a highly customizable and enterprise-ready referral software, Talkable is worth a look.

Features to note:

• A/B testing for referral campaigns

• Anti-fraud detection

• Personalized campaigns based on segments

• Dedicated account manager for Shopify Plus stores
  

Talkable is ideal for referring business in industries like beauty, fashion, and subscription boxes, where experience and timing matter.

🟢 Best for: High-growth brands that want complete referral control.

5. Friendbuy – Smart Automation for Referrals

With a modern UI and intelligent automation features, Friendbuy is built to scale with your business.

Highlights:

• Easy plug-in for Shopify Plus

• Advanced rules for when and how rewards are given

• Works great with mobile-first design

• Optimized referral widgets and landing pages
  

It's a solid choice if you want to refer to website traffic with referral links that actually convert.

🟢 Best for: Shopify Plus stores focused on performance-driven growth.

6. Smile.io – Loyalty Meets Referrals

Smile.io is known for its loyalty programs, but its referral app is just as capable and it integrates smoothly with Shopify Plus.

What you get:

• A simple dashboard for customers to share and refer

• Rewards like points, discounts, or free gifts

• Full mobile and desktop support

• Easy integration with your Shopify Plus store
  

If you're already using Smile for loyalty, adding the referral module is a no-brainer.

🟢 Best for: Shopify brands combining rewards with referral marketing.

7. Growave – Community-Driven Referrals

Growave offers an all-in-one engagement suite with a strong referral program module, especially great for community-led brands.

Top features:

• Social sharing tools for referrals

• Influencer and micro-advocate targeting

• Loyalty, wishlist, and referral built into one

• Affordable pricing for small business referral programs
  

It’s a great fit for brands building long-term customer relationships, especially those that see value in organic community growth.

🟢 Best for: Value-packed referral software for growing stores.

Final Thoughts

If you’re on Shopify Plus, you’re already investing in growth so why not let your existing customers fuel that growth? These referral program tools make it easier than ever to turn everyday shoppers into brand ambassadors.

Whether you need a full-featured referral program software, a simple referred app, or just want to test the waters with small business referral programs, there’s an option here that fits.

Pro Tip: Choose a referral software that not only integrates with Shopify Plus but also aligns with your long-term retention and loyalty strategy.

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