Best business referral programs
5 business referral programs ranked by what you get, the form it comes in and the effort to qualify. The top pick is Mercury: $250. 3 of 5 pay cash or gift cards.
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1
Mercury referral link
Best for startups that can keep $10,000 in a new business account
- You get$250
- FormCash or gift card
- EffortAccount or ID check
Deposit $10,000 within 90 days
9.0/10 -
2
Gusto referral link
Best for small businesses about to run their first payroll
- You get$100
- FormCash or gift card
- EffortAccount or ID check
Run your first payroll on a paid plan
8.0/10 -
3
ZenBusiness referral link
Best for anyone forming a new LLC or corporation
- You get$50 Amazon gift card
- FormCash or gift card
- EffortPaid purchase
Form a new company through the link
7.8/10 -
4
Google Workspace referral link
Best for new businesses setting up email and docs on their own domain
- You get10% off your first year
- Worthabout $8.40
- FormDiscount
- EffortPaid purchase
Pay for a Business plan for 90 days
4.9/10 -
5
Dropbox referral link
Best for new Dropbox users who want a little more free space
- You get500 MB of extra storage
- WorthNo cash value
- FormOther
- EffortFree to qualify
Install the desktop app and verify email
3.0/10
Compare business referral programs side by side
| Program | You get | Worth | Effort | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | $250 | $250 | Account or ID check | 9.0 |
| Gusto | $100 | $100 | Account or ID check | 8.0 |
| ZenBusiness | $50 Amazon gift card | $50 | Paid purchase | 7.8 |
| Google Workspace | 10% off your first year | $8.40 | Paid purchase | 4.9 |
| Dropbox | 500 MB of extra storage | No cash value | Free to qualify | 3.0 |
How these business referral programs are ranked
Every program gets a score out of 10 from three things you can check on its page:
- Value to you, up to 6 points. The cash-equivalent value of what you get, on a log scale so a $250 bonus beats a $25 one without drowning out everything else. $250 or more earns all 6. Percent discounts are valued on the price or minimum order the terms name.
- Form, up to 2 points. Cash, gift cards and crypto paid in a dollar amount get 2, account credit 1.5, discounts 1. Cash spends anywhere; a discount only counts if you were buying anyway.
- Effort, up to 2 points. Free to qualify gets 2, a paid purchase 1.5, and a new financial account or ID check 1.
Scores update every time the program terms are rechecked. The site earns the referrer reward on every program listed, so earnings can't tilt the ranking: it never enters the score.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best business referral program right now?
Mercury, with a score of 9.0 out of 10. You get $250. What it takes: deposit $10,000 within 90 days.
Which one is worth the most?
Mercury: about $250 to you (cash bonus).
Which ones pay cash or gift cards?
Mercury ($250), Gusto ($100) and ZenBusiness ($50 Amazon gift card).
Which one is easiest to qualify for?
Dropbox. Free to qualify: install the desktop app and verify email.