What is refref?

An open-source platform for building and running referral, affiliate, and loyalty programs. It captures referral clicks via a landing script, attributes signups to referrers, applies reward rules for events like purchases, and delivers rewards through billing providers or webhooks. Includes referrer and partner portals, flexible reward types, custom domain links, sandbox testing, and automation webhooks. Runs on PostgreSQL with a Next.js/React frontend. Self-host via Docker Compose or local Node.js 20+ with pnpm. Currently in alpha under AGPL-3.0.

Should you self-host refref?

refref scores 44/100 on selfhost.directory (how scoring works) and ranks #11 of 12 in Marketing Automation. It has 239 GitHub stars.

There was no stable release in the past 12 months, so check the repository's recent activity before you rely on it.

Setup is moderate: expect some configuration beyond a single command. It is AGPL-3.0-licensed and written mostly in Typescript.

Its closest alternative on selfhost.directory is Mautic (76/100, 10 857 stars). It scores higher overall, so compare the two before you pick. See refref vs Mautic side by side.

Features

Automated Nudges
Automatic Reward Approval
Automatic Reward Dispersal
Customizable Rewards
Engagement Analytics
Fraud Monitoring
Loyalty Programs
Manual Reward Approval
Manual Reward Dispersal
Partner Portal
Personalized Pages
Referral Attribution
Referrer Portal
Testing Environment
Webhooks

FAQ

Can I test RefRef before I go live?

Yes. Each Live Project has a paired Sandbox Project with its own ID, and an API key reaches only one environment. Test in Sandbox, then switch the key and the Project ID.

What types of businesses can use RefRef?

B2B and B2C software, AI apps, subscriptions, and marketplaces. RefRef names each customer with your own ID, either a person or a company account.

How do I integrate RefRef with my product?

Add the landing script to your website, send signups from your backend, and connect your billing provider for purchases. The docs have guides for common auth systems, billing providers, and stores.

How does RefRef work?

A referrer shares a link. The RefRef landing script on your website records the click in a first-party cookie. When the new customer creates an account, your backend sends the signup to RefRef with that cookie, and RefRef connects the customer to the referrer. Later purchases use the same referral, and your rules decide the Rewards.

What is RefRef?

RefRef is an open source platform for referral, affiliate, and loyalty programs for software and commerce products. It gives referrers their links, connects new customers to the person who referred them, and records and delivers the Rewards that your rules give.