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Head-to-head · Referral Marketing Software

ReferralCandy vs GrowSurf

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score ReferralCandy #1 in Referral Marketing Software 8.9/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit ReferralCandy
GrowSurf #19 in Referral Marketing Software 6.3/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit GrowSurf

ReferralCandy leads on 1 check, GrowSurf on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreReferralCandy · 8.9/10
  • Lowest starting priceReferralCandy · $39/mo
  • Free trialboth

ReferralCandy scores higher on our rubric for referral marketing software: 8.9 against 6.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #19.

ReferralCandy is cheaper to start at $39/mo against $125/mo.

ReferralCandy is the better fit for ecommerce brands needing mature referral campaigns. GrowSurf is the better fit for growing programs needing mobile and API coverage.

  • ReferralCandy fits best

    Ecommerce brands needing mature referral campaigns

  • GrowSurf fits best

    Growing programs needing mobile and API 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 ReferralCandy 8.9/10 Visit ↗ GrowSurf 6.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 6.3
Ranking #1 in Referral Marketing Software #19 in Referral Marketing Software
Best for Ecommerce brands needing mature referral campaigns Growing programs needing mobile and API coverage
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $39/mo (best) $125/mo
Free plan — —
Free trial 7 days 14 days
Free trial length 7 days 14 days
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web Web, iOS, Android
Integrations 17 integrations 20 integrations
Features ReferralCandy 3/3 · GrowSurf 3/3
Referral links ✓ ✓
Referral codes ✓ ✓
Fraud controls ✓ ✓
Specs
Reward payouts PayPal, Tremendous, store credit, coupons, custom rewards, and self-managed payouts for eligible affiliate campaigns gift cards, cash payouts, account credits, PayPal payouts
Attribution window Not checked yet Not checked yet
Participant limit Not checked yet 500 participants
Our review
Pros
  • Referral links, coupon codes, attribution, rewards, and fraud controls
  • Integrations with major ecommerce, marketing, analytics, and payout tools
  • API access for purchases, advocates, referrals, and rewards
  • Supports web, iOS, Android, REST API, and JavaScript SDK integrations
  • Combines referral tracking, rewards, fraud controls, analytics, and webhooks
  • Offers payment, CRM, analytics, automation, and reward-delivery integrations
Cons
  • No free plan; paid plans start at $39 per month
  • Every plan includes a success fee
  • Dedicated onboarding and account management are Enterprise features
  • Starts at $125 per month with no free plan
  • Startup is limited to 500 participants and two referral programs
  • Advanced scale and support require higher-priced or custom plans
Our verdict

ReferralCandy is referral and affiliate marketing software for ecommerce brands. It creates unique referral links and coupon codes, tracks referred purchases and attribution, applies reward rules, and supports cash, coupon, store-credit,…

Read the review →

GrowSurf is referral program software for marketing and product teams. It supports branded referral programs with automatically generated participant links, referral tracking, qualifying-action triggers, rewards, analytics, and fraud…

Read the review →
  1. ReferralCandyReferral Marketing Software 8.97-day trial
  2. GrowSurfReferral Marketing Software 6.314-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ReferralCandy — where it wins

    • Referral links, coupon codes, attribution, rewards, and fraud controls
    • Integrations with major ecommerce, marketing, analytics, and payout tools
    • API access for purchases, advocates, referrals, and rewards

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; paid plans start at $39 per month
    • Every plan includes a success fee
    • Dedicated onboarding and account management are Enterprise features

  • GrowSurf — where it wins

    • Supports web, iOS, Android, REST API, and JavaScript SDK integrations
    • Combines referral tracking, rewards, fraud controls, analytics, and webhooks
    • Offers payment, CRM, analytics, automation, and reward-delivery integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Starts at $125 per month with no free plan
    • Startup is limited to 500 participants and two referral programs
    • Advanced scale and support require higher-priced or custom plans

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