Updated: January 27, 2026
10 Best WooCommerce Referral & Loyalty Plugins in 2026 (Complete Guide)
If you want more repeat customers, referrals and loyalty rewards are two of the highest ROI growth levers. This guide covers the best WooCommerce referral and loyalty plugins in 2026, with detailed pros and cons, comparison tables, and tips for choosing the right solution.
Referral programs bring in new customers through word of mouth, while loyalty programs keep existing customers coming back. The best plugins support both.
Quick Picks (Top 3)
- ReferralCandy (via WooCommerce integration) – Best for referral-first programs.
- WooCommerce Points and Rewards – Best for loyalty points.
- AffiliateWP – Best for affiliate-style referrals.
Why Referral + Loyalty Programs Matter
- Lower acquisition costs: Referrals are cheaper than ads.
- Higher retention: Loyalty rewards increase repeat purchases.
- Better trust: Customers trust recommendations more than ads.
- Long-term growth: Retention compounds over time.
1) WooCommerce Points and Rewards
This official extension adds points-based rewards for purchases and engagement.
- Pros: WooCommerce-native, stable
- Cons: Focused on loyalty, not referrals
- Best for: Stores that want simple points programs
2) ReferralCandy (WooCommerce Integration)
ReferralCandy focuses on referral campaigns with automated reward distribution and tracking.
- Pros: Easy referral automation
- Cons: Subscription pricing
- Best for: Brands that want referral-first growth
3) AffiliateWP
AffiliateWP is a full affiliate management platform for WordPress and WooCommerce.
- Pros: Powerful tracking, flexible payouts
- Cons: More complex to manage
- Best for: Stores that want affiliate-style referral programs
4) YITH WooCommerce Points and Rewards
YITH offers a flexible points system with customizable rewards and conversion rules.
- Pros: Flexible points logic
- Cons: Premium pricing
- Best for: Stores that want advanced loyalty customization
5) SUMO Reward Points
SUMO Rewards is a popular plugin for points and loyalty systems, including referrals in some setups.
- Pros: Flexible rules, one-time pricing
- Cons: UI can be complex
- Best for: Stores wanting flexible reward rules
6) Gratisfaction (Loyalty Suite)
Gratisfaction combines loyalty, referrals, and VIP tiers. It is good for brands that want a full loyalty suite.
- Pros: All-in-one loyalty features
- Cons: Subscription cost
- Best for: Stores that want a full loyalty platform
7) WooCommerce Smart Coupons + Referral Hooks
Coupons can be used to create referral incentives. Some stores run referral programs entirely with coupon-based tracking.
- Pros: Simple setup, works with WooCommerce coupons
- Cons: Limited referral tracking
- Best for: Smaller stores that want basic referral rewards
8) LoyaltyLion (via WooCommerce Integration)
LoyaltyLion is a well-known loyalty platform. It offers points, tiers, and rewards with WooCommerce connections.
- Pros: Modern UX, loyalty-focused
- Cons: Paid platform
- Best for: Brands building premium loyalty programs
9) Referral Program for WooCommerce (Lightweight Plugins)
Some lightweight plugins focus only on referral rewards without heavy loyalty features.
- Pros: Simple and lightweight
- Cons: Fewer features
- Best for: Stores wanting easy referrals only
10) Custom Referral Programs with WooCommerce + CRM
Some businesses build referral workflows using WooCommerce and CRM tools. This is useful for service-based sellers with high-value clients.
- Pros: Fully customized workflows
- Cons: Requires setup and integrations
- Best for: High-ticket or service-based businesses
Comparison Table
| Plugin | Best For | Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| WooCommerce Points and Rewards | Loyalty points | WooCommerce-native | No referrals |
| ReferralCandy | Referrals | Automation | Subscription cost |
| AffiliateWP | Affiliate referrals | Tracking + payouts | More setup |
How to Choose the Right Plugin
- Referral-first growth: Use ReferralCandy or AffiliateWP.
- Loyalty-first retention: Use Points and Rewards or YITH.
- Full loyalty suite: Use Gratisfaction or LoyaltyLion.
Best Practices
- Keep rewards simple and easy to understand.
- Offer both referral and loyalty benefits.
- Promote the program at checkout and in email flows.
- Track ROI carefully to avoid unprofitable discounts.
FAQs
Do referral programs work for WooCommerce?
Yes. Referral programs are one of the most cost-effective acquisition channels.
Are loyalty points or referrals better?
Referrals bring new customers, loyalty points keep existing customers. The best stores use both.
Do I need a separate affiliate plugin?
If you want affiliate tracking and payouts, yes. Otherwise referral plugins are enough.
How much should referral rewards be?
Most stores offer 5-15% of order value or a fixed credit.
Can I use referral plugins for service sales?
Yes, especially if you sell services or packages. Woo Sell Services can support service-based workflows.
Do these plugins support email marketing integration?
Many do, but check integrations before you buy.
Conclusion
The best WooCommerce referral and loyalty plugins depend on your goals. ReferralCandy and AffiliateWP excel for acquisition, while Points and Rewards and YITH shine for retention. If you want the strongest results, combine referrals and loyalty into a single program that rewards customers for both purchases and sharing.
