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Head-to-head · Referral Marketing Software

FirstPromoter vs Cello

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score FirstPromoter #5 in Referral Marketing Software 8.5/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 3 features Visit FirstPromoter
Cello #6 in Referral Marketing Software 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Cello

FirstPromoter leads on 0 checks, Cello on 1, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreFirstPromoter · 8.5/10
  • Free planonly Cello
  • Free trialonly FirstPromoter
  • Most featuresCello · 3 of 3

FirstPromoter scores higher on our rubric for referral marketing software: 8.5 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

Cello offers free plan; FirstPromoter doesn't.

FirstPromoter is the better fit for saaS teams building referral channels. Cello is the better fit for teams needing web and mobile referral coverage.

  • FirstPromoter fits best

    SaaS teams building referral channels

  • Cello fits best

    Teams needing web and mobile referral coverage

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature FirstPromoter 8.5/10 Visit ↗ Cello 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 8.2
Ranking #5 in Referral Marketing Software #6 in Referral Marketing Software
Best for SaaS teams building referral channels Teams needing web and mobile referral coverage
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $490/yr $80/mo
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web Web, iOS, Android
Integrations 17 integrations 7 integrations
Features FirstPromoter 0/3 · Cello 3/3
Referral links Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Referral codes Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Fraud controls Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Reward payouts Not checked yet PayPal, Venmo
Attribution window Not checked yet Not checked yet
Participant limit Not checked yet 5 participants
Our review
Pros
  • Recurring and lifetime commission rules support subscription revenue
  • Automated payouts, exports, APIs, and webhooks cover operations
  • Fraud controls address self-referrals, bots, refunds, and chargebacks
  • Supports web, iOS, Android, and API implementations
  • Automates attribution, reward calculation, payouts, and fraud detection
  • Connects with Stripe, HubSpot, Salesforce, and other business systems
Cons
  • There is no permanent free plan
  • Starter limits accounts to 1,000 affiliates and three campaigns
  • Advanced revenue tiers cost more as referral income grows
  • The Free plan allows one partner campaign and five transacting partners
  • User Referrals Grow costs $200 per month, above the $80 starting price
  • Enterprise plans list custom SLAs without a monthly price
Our verdict

FirstPromoter is referral, partner, and influencer software for subscription businesses and SaaS companies. It tracks referrals through links, coupon codes, and direct URLs, then connects attribution to billing events. The platform…

Read the review →

Cello is referral marketing software for SaaS companies running user referral and partner programs. It places referral components and launchers inside web and mobile products, creates personal attributable links, and tracks signups and…

Read the review →
  1. FirstPromoterReferral Marketing Software 8.514-day trial
  2. CelloReferral Marketing Software 8.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • FirstPromoter — where it wins

    • Recurring and lifetime commission rules support subscription revenue
    • Automated payouts, exports, APIs, and webhooks cover operations
    • Fraud controls address self-referrals, bots, refunds, and chargebacks

    Where it doesn't

    • There is no permanent free plan
    • Starter limits accounts to 1,000 affiliates and three campaigns
    • Advanced revenue tiers cost more as referral income grows

  • Cello — where it wins

    • Supports web, iOS, Android, and API implementations
    • Automates attribution, reward calculation, payouts, and fraud detection
    • Connects with Stripe, HubSpot, Salesforce, and other business systems

    Where it doesn't

    • The Free plan allows one partner campaign and five transacting partners
    • User Referrals Grow costs $200 per month, above the $80 starting price
    • Enterprise plans list custom SLAs without a monthly price

More comparisons

All referral marketing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update