20 Best Viral Marketing Software Reviewed In 2024
10 Best Viral Marketing Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 20 tools reviewed.
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
Marketing managers face the constant challenge of grabbing and retaining attention. Viral marketing software can be your secret weapon, helping your team create campaigns that resonate and spread like wildfire.
These tools simplify tracking trends, analyzing audience behavior, and crafting engaging content. They save time and effort, letting you focus on creativity and strategy.
In this article, I'll share my top picks for viral marketing software. Each tool has unique strengths, and I'll guide you through its features, usability, and impact. Whether you're looking to boost engagement or expand your reach, there's something here for everyone.
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Best Viral Marketing Software Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top viral marketing software selections, helping you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
| Tools | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Tapfiliate | From $74/month (billed annually) | Website |
| GrowSurf | From $125/month | Website |
| InviteReferrals | From $99/month | Website |
| Referral SaaSquatch | Pricing upon request | Website |
| HelloReferrals | From $39/month | Website |
| UpViral | From $79/month (billed annually) | Website |
| ViralSweep | From $49/month (billed annually) | Website |
| FirstPromoter | From $49/month | Website |
| PerkZilla | From $29/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Genius Referrals | From $71/month (billed annually) | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareHow To Choose Viral Marketing Software
It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. Here's a checklist of factors to remember to help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process.
| Factor | What to Consider |
| Scalability | Ensure the software can grow with your business. Look for tools that handle increased campaign size and user base without compromising performance. |
| Integrations | Check if it connects with your current tools. Smooth integration with CRM, email, and analytics platforms streamlines your marketing efforts. |
| Customizability | Consider how much you can tailor the software to fit your unique needs. Look for customizable templates, workflows, and reporting features. |
| Ease of Use | Look for intuitive interfaces and clear tutorials. Your team should spend more time creating campaigns, not learning the software. |
| Budget | Evaluate the total cost, including hidden fees. Ensure it fits your budget without sacrificing essential features. |
| Security Safeguards | Confirm it meets data protection standards. Your customers' privacy should be a top priority, especially with increasing regulations. |
| Customer Support | Check availability and quality of support. Responsive support can save you time and frustration when you encounter issues. |
| Analytics | Look for detailed reporting capabilities. Understanding metrics like reach and conversion rates helps you refine your strategies. |
Best Viral Marketing Software Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of my shortlist’s best viral marketing software. My reviews thoroughly examine each tool’s key features, pros and cons, integrations, and ideal use cases to help you find the best one.
Tapfiliate is an affiliate and referral marketing platform that helps businesses manage their promotional campaigns effectively. It’s designed for teams looking to grow their reach through partnerships and collaborations.
Why I Picked Tapfiliate: Tapfiliate makes it easy to manage influencer campaigns by tracking referrals and providing performance analytics. You can create custom rewards and commission structures to incentivize influencers effectively. The platform also allows you to brand affiliate dashboards, giving influencers a smooth experience that aligns with your company’s image.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include tools for tracking affiliate performance in real time so that you can monitor results easily. The platform allows you to set up multi-tiered commission structures to reward different performance levels. It also offers automated payout processing, saving your team time on administrative tasks.
Integrations include Zapier, Shopify, WooCommerce, Stripe, PayPal, Google Analytics, Mailchimp, HubSpot, BigCommerce, and Salesforce.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Automated payouts simplify administrative tasks
- Real-time tracking of affiliate campaign performance
- Multi-tier commission structures for flexible rewards
Cons:
- Support response times vary during peak periods
- Lacks detailed segmentation options for reporting
GrowSurf is a referral marketing platform designed to help businesses create automated referral programs. It’s tailored for teams looking for efficient ways to manage growth campaigns and track results.
Why I Picked GrowSurf: GrowSurf provides features geared explicitly toward SaaS startups, like automated reward distribution to reduce manual work. It integrates smoothly with your existing tools, so your team can easily incorporate referral marketing into your workflow. The platform also offers scalable options, allowing you to manage growing user bases without extra effort.
StandoutFeatures & Integrations:
Features include referral tracking tools that provide real-time updates on campaign performance. You can customize reward structures to fit your team’s goals and incentives. Detailed reporting tools let you analyze program success and make data-driven decisions.
Integrations include Zapier, HubSpot, Stripe, Salesforce, Intercom, Google Analytics, Slack, Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, and Shopify.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Automated workflows reduce manual effort
- Works well for subscription-based business models
- Flexible options for reward program setup
Cons:
- Requires technical setup for custom integrations
- Limited pre-built templates for campaigns
InviteReferrals is a referral marketing tool designed to help businesses create and manage effective referral campaigns. It is ideal for teams that want straightforward tools to set up, track, and optimize referral efforts across digital platforms.
Why I Picked InviteReferrals: InviteReferrals provides easy integration options that work well with most websites and e-commerce platforms, reducing technical barriers. It includes tools for automating referral workflows, like generating unique links and setting up email notifications. You can also customize campaigns to align with your brand’s look and feel, making them more engaging for your audience.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include tools for creating customizable reward structures. The platform allows real-time tracking of referrals and conversions, giving your team clear insights into campaign performance. It also offers automated workflows that handle tasks like referral notifications and reward disbursement.
Integrations include Zapier, Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Magento, HubSpot, Salesforce, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, and Stripe.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Provides real-time updates for referral tracking
- Offers extensive customization for campaign rules
- Works well with existing website platforms
Cons:
- Requires technical knowledge of advanced features
- Limited pre-designed templates for campaigns
Referral SaaSquatch is a referral marketing platform tailored for businesses needing scalable customer acquisition and engagement solutions. It’s designed to support teams managing complex and high-volume referral programs.
Why I Picked Referral SaaSquatch: Referral SaaSquatch provides enterprise-level tools like multi-tier referral structures, allowing you to design sophisticated incentive programs. The platform integrates with various CRM and marketing tools, making managing campaigns across large teams easy. You can customize workflows to align with your organization’s goals and branding.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include support for white-label referral programs, allowing you to maintain full control over branding. The platform provides advanced segmentation tools, allowing you to tailor referral campaigns to different customer groups. It also offers real-time analytics to monitor program performance and make data-driven adjustments.
Integrations include Salesforce, HubSpot, Shopify, Zapier, Marketo, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, ActiveCampaign, Slack, and Stripe.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Scales well with significant enterprise needs
- White-label support for complete branding control
- Flexible options for multi-tiered incentive structures
Cons:
- Higher cost compared to similar platforms
- Requires API for some advanced integrations
HelloReferrals is a platform designed to help businesses easily set up and manage referral programs. It’s built for teams looking for straightforward tools to drive word-of-mouth growth and incentivize customer engagement.
Why I Picked HelloReferrals: HelloReferrals simplifies launching referral programs, making it a good fit for small businesses with limited resources. It offers easy-to-use tools for tracking referrals, customizing rewards, and communicating with participants. The platform also lets you manage multiple referral campaigns in one place, keeping everything organized.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include automated reminders to keep participants engaged and aware of their referral progress. You can create unique referral links for easy tracking and better visibility into campaign performance. The platform also includes detailed reporting tools to help your team understand what’s working and where to improve.
Integrations include Zapier, Stripe, PayPal, QuickBooks, Salesforce, HubSpot, Slack, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, and Shopify.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Offers detailed campaign performance insights
- Supports multiple referral campaigns at once
- Simple setup for non-technical users
Cons:
- Some advanced features require manual work
- Limited customization for landing pages
UpViral is a marketing platform designed to help businesses create and manage referral and engagement campaigns. It’s ideal for teams focused on gaining insights into campaign performance and audience behavior.
Why I Picked UpViral: UpViral provides detailed analytics that let your team track metrics like conversions, shares, and participant activity in real time. It includes customizable dashboards so you can visualize data in a way that aligns with your goals. You can also segment audiences based on their actions, helping refine future campaigns.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include customizable referral pages that match your brand’s design and messaging. The platform supports gamification elements like leaderboards to encourage participation and engagement. You can also use email automation tools to communicate with participants throughout the campaign.
Integrations include Zapier, HubSpot, Mailchimp, Salesforce, Shopify, Google Analytics, ActiveCampaign, Klaviyo, Stripe, and Slack.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports gamification for participant engagement
- Customizable referral pages for brand consistency
- Detailed campaign analytics for data-driven decisions
Cons:
- Reporting tools lack advanced segmentation filters
- Advanced customization requires some technical knowledge
ViralSweep is a platform designed to help businesses create and manage promotional campaigns such as contests, giveaways, and sweepstakes. It’s ideal for teams looking to increase engagement and grow their audience through interactive campaigns.
Why I Picked ViralSweep: ViralSweep offers tools for building and running various promotional campaigns, including contests and giveaways. Its drag-and-drop campaign builder lets your team design and launch campaigns quickly without coding. You can use detailed entry tracking to ensure fairness and monitor performance. With advanced options for customizing campaign rules, ViralSweep adapts to your specific goals.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include advanced fraud prevention tools to ensure fair participation in campaigns. The platform can also automate winner selection, saving your team time during the closing phase. It supports embedding campaigns directly on your website, giving you full control over the user experience.
Integrations include Zapier, Shopify, HubSpot, Mailchimp, Salesforce, Klaviyo, Stripe, Google Analytics, ActiveCampaign, and Constant Contact.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Automates repetitive tasks like winner selection
- Strong fraud prevention features
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop campaign builder
Cons:
- Initial setup can take some time
- Limited customization for email templates
FirstPromoter is a platform designed to help businesses manage affiliate, referral, and partner programs. It’s ideal for teams that want a straightforward way to track performance and reward advocates.
Why I picked FirstPromoter: FirstPromoter focuses on affiliate tracking by providing detailed insights into how affiliates drive conversions. The platform automates many aspects of affiliate program management, like link generation and payout calculations. It supports tiered commissions, making incentivizing top-performing affiliates easier for your team.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include customizable dashboards that let your team monitor affiliate performance at a glance. The platform supports multi-currency payouts, so you can easily manage international affiliates. It also includes fraud detection tools to ensure your program remains accurate and fair.
Integrations include Stripe, PayPal, Zapier, HubSpot, Salesforce, Shopify, WooCommerce, Google Analytics, BigCommerce, and Mailchimp.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Automates repetitive tasks like payout calculations
- Multi-currency support for global payouts
- Detailed analytics for tracking affiliate performance
Cons:
- upport response times can vary during peak hours
- Lacks some advanced reporting filters
PerkZilla is a marketing tool designed to help businesses expand their reach and engage with their audience through incentive-driven campaigns. It provides a range of features to support campaign creation and management, making it suitable for teams focused on growth and engagement strategies.
Why I Picked PerkZilla: PerkZilla makes creating campaigns that encourage user participation easy by rewarding them for specific actions like sharing or referring others. Its customization options let you tailor incentives to your goals, whether you’re offering discounts, early access, or exclusive content.
The platform also provides detailed analytics to track campaign performance so you can see how your efforts pay off. If your team wants to grow your audience while keeping participants motivated, PerkZilla gives you the tools to make that happen.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include customizable landing pages that let you create visually appealing campaigns without needing design skills. You can also use email capture tools to build your mailing list directly through your campaigns. Automated email notifications keep participants updated and engaged throughout the process.
Integrations include Zapier, Mailchimp, ConvertKit, AWeber, HubSpot, ActiveCampaign, GetResponse, Constant Contact, Klaviyo, and Campaign Monitor.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Works well for both small and large teams
- Detailed analytics for tracking campaign success
- Easy to customize landing pages
Cons:
- Learning curve for advanced campaign options
- Limited customization for email templates
Genius Referrals is a platform designed to help businesses create and manage referral programs to encourage customer engagement. It’s suited for teams that want flexible tools to enhance referral program visibility and user experience.
Why I Picked Genius Referrals: Genius Referrals offers fully customizable referral widgets that you can embed directly into your website or application. The widgets allow you to tailor the design, functionality, and messaging to match your brand’s needs. It also provides multilingual support so your team can run referral campaigns in various languages. If you want to create a unique and integrated referral experience, Genius Referrals has the tools to make it happen.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include a rewards management system that simplifies creating and distributing incentives. You can set automated notifications to inform participants about their rewards and referral progress. Detailed analytics let your team track campaign performance and identify areas for improvement.
Integrations include Zapier, Salesforce, HubSpot, Shopify, Google Analytics, Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, Slack, and Stripe.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Scalable options for growing businesses
- Multilingual support for global reach
- Highly customizable widgets for any campaign
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve for new users
- Limited templates for quick campaign setup
Other Viral Marketing Software
Here are some additional viral marketing software options that didn’t make it onto my shortlist but are still worth checking out.
- Viral Loops
For pre-built campaign templates
- ReferralHero
For multi-language support
- Ambassador
For influencer marketing
- Mention Me
For retail businesses
- Referral Rock
For small business referrals
- AppVirality
For mobile app campaigns
- Influitive
For customer advocacy
- Extole
For enterprise scalability
- Friendbuy
For referral personalization
- ReferralCandy
For ecommerce stores
Viral Marketing Software Selection Criteria
When selecting the best viral marketing software to include in this list, I considered everyday buyer needs and pain points, such as increasing brand visibility and managing referral tracking. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair.
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these everyday use cases:
- Create and manage referral campaigns
- Track and analyze campaign performance
- Integrate with social media platforms
- Offer customizable templates
- Automate reward distribution
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- Multi-language support
- Advanced fraud detection
- Gamification elements
- A/B testing capabilities
- Customizable landing pages
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive user interface
- Easy campaign setup
- Clear navigation
- Minimal learning curve
- Responsive design
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Interactive product tours
- Comprehensive templates
- Live webinars
- Access to chatbots for assistance
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- 24/7 support availability
- Response time
- Access to live chat
- Quality of help documentation
- Availability of dedicated account managers
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Competitive pricing
- No hidden fees
- Flexible pricing plans
- Discounts for annual subscriptions
- Free trial availability
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Overall satisfaction rating
- Feedback on features
- Comments on ease of use
- Relevance of pros and cons
- Comparison to competitors
Trends In Viral Marketing Software
In my research, I sourced countless product updates, press releases, and logs from viral marketing software vendors. Here are some of the emerging trends I’m keeping an eye on.
- AI-driven personalization: Many vendors are adopting AI to personalize user experiences within campaigns. This trend allows businesses to tailor promotions and messages based on user behavior and preferences, making campaigns more engaging.
- Gamification elements: Software providers are incorporating gamification to increase user participation. By using points, badges, and leaderboards, these tools encourage users to interact more with campaigns, boosting engagement and referrals.
- Blockchain for transparency: Some vendors are exploring blockchain to offer more transparent referral tracking. This technology records all transactions, reducing fraud and building user trust.
- Augmented reality (AR): AR is integrated into viral campaigns to create immersive experiences. This trend attracts users by allowing them to interact with products virtually, making campaigns more memorable.
- Sustainability-focused campaigns: An increasing number of software solutions enable businesses to run sustainability-themed campaigns. These campaigns resonate with eco-conscious consumers and help brands align with their values, fostering deeper connections.
What Is Viral Marketing Software?
Viral marketing software is a tool that helps businesses create and manage campaigns designed to spread brand awareness through referrals, contests, and social sharing. Marketing professionals, business owners, and growth teams typically use viral marketing software to increase engagement and attract new customers efficiently.
Features like referral tracking, customizable templates, and campaign analytics help users manage promotions, understand their audience and optimize strategies. These tools make it easier to grow a customer base by leveraging word-of-mouth and digital sharing.
Features Of Viral Marketing Software
When selecting viral marketing software, look for the following key features.
- Customizable templates: Allow you to design campaigns that match your brand's identity and engage your audience effectively.
- Referral tracking: Provides accurate monitoring of referrals and sales, helping you measure the success of your campaigns.
- Analytics capabilities: Offers insights into campaign performance, enabling you to optimize strategies based on data-driven decisions.
- Social media integration: Facilitates easy sharing across various platforms to boost campaign reach and engagement.
- Automated reward distribution: Saves time by automatically handling the reward process for successful referrals.
- Multi-language support: Enables the creation of campaigns that resonate with international audiences, expanding your global reach.
- Gamification elements: Increases user participation and engagement through interactive elements like points and leaderboards.
- Fraud detection: Ensures the integrity of your campaigns by identifying and preventing fraudulent activities.
- Augmented reality (AR): Provides immersive experiences that attract users and make campaigns more memorable.
- A/B testing: Allows you to test different campaign elements to find the most effective approach for your audience.
- Email marketing integration: Helps you nurture your audience with personalized campaigns sent directly to their inboxes.
- Milestone rewards: Incentivizes users by offering rewards when they reach specific milestones, encouraging continued engagement.
- Virality tracking: Monitors how your campaign spreads across platforms, providing insights into its organic reach and effectiveness.
- Waitlist management: Creates buzz by enabling pre-launch waitlists and early access campaigns, fostering exclusivity.
- Amplification tools: Includes features that amplify campaign reach through strategic sharing and user participation mechanisms.
- Case study examples: Provides access to case studies and success stories to help you understand how to maximize your software's potential.
- Email list building: Integrates with tools to grow your email list as part of your campaigns, ensuring long-term audience engagement.
- Lead generation capabilities: Helps capture new leads through referral campaigns and viral content strategies.
- SMS integration: Enables campaign updates and referral notifications through SMS, enhancing user engagement on mobile devices.
- Social media channel tracking: Monitors which social media platforms drive the most traffic and engagement for your campaign.
- Coupon distribution: Simplifies offering discounts and rewards as incentives for referrals or participation.
- Optimization tools: Provides real-time optimization features to tweak campaigns for better results based on performance metrics.
- Interactive quizzes: Engages users with quizzes that can go viral, increasing participation and sharing.
Benefits Of Viral Marketing Software
Implementing viral marketing software provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to.
- Increased brand visibility: Social media integration and customizable templates help your campaigns reach a wider audience, enhancing brand awareness.
- Efficient referral management: Automated reward distribution and referral tracking simplify managing and rewarding successful referrals.
- Data-driven decisions: Analytics capabilities provide insights into campaign performance, allowing you to optimize strategies for better results.
- Cost-effective marketing: Viral campaigns can reach large audiences with minimal investment, thanks to social sharing and gamification features.
- Enhanced user engagement: Gamification elements and augmented reality create interactive experiences that boost user participation and interest.
- Global reach: Multi-language support enables you to engage international audiences, expanding your market presence.
- Improved campaign effectiveness: A/B testing allows you to refine your approach, ensuring your campaigns resonate with your target audience.
Costs & Pricing Of Viral Marketing Software
Selecting viral marketing software requires understanding the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes standard plans, average prices, and typical features of viral marketing software solutions.
Plan Comparison Table for Viral Marketing Software
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
| Free Plan | $0 | Basic campaign templates, limited analytics, and social sharing options. |
| Personal Plan | $10-$25/user/month | Customizable templates, basic referral tracking, and entry-level analytics. |
| Business Plan | $50-$100/user/month | Advanced tracking, customizable workflows, and detailed campaign insights. |
| Enterprise Plan | $200+/month | Multi-language support, advanced reporting, and dedicated account management. |
Viral Marketing Software FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about viral marketing software.
What are the problems with viral marketing software?
One of the main challenges in viral marketing is the need for more control over content once it goes viral. As content spreads across the internet, it can be modified, misinterpreted, or taken out of context. This could harm the brand’s image and dilute the intended message. To mitigate these risks, you should monitor your campaigns closely and prepare a response plan.
What are the risks of using viral marketing software?
Viral marketing carries risks such as misinterpretation of your message and loss of control over content distribution. Once content goes viral, it can lead to unintended associations or offensive interpretations. Your team must craft clear, thoughtful messages and be prepared to address any issues swiftly.
What are the pros and cons of viral marketing software?
Viral marketing is cost-effective and can generate significant leads and brand credibility. However, it may not suit small businesses and can be challenging to measure. You could also go viral for the wrong reasons, so weighing these factors when considering viral marketing for your business is important.
What is the rule of viral marketing software?
The rule of viral marketing is to inspire individuals to share your message widely. This approach aims to increase recipients’ growth through word of mouth and online sharing. Your goal should be to craft messages that resonate and encourage sharing to maximize reach.
How can you measure the success of marketing campaigns using viral marketing software?
Success in viral marketing is often measured by tracking metrics such as reach, shares, and engagement rates. You can also monitor referral traffic and conversion rates to assess the impact on your business goals. Using analytics tools will help you gain insights into campaign performance and areas for improvement.
How can viral marketing software enhance campaign management?
Viral marketing software can streamline your campaign management by automating tasks like tracking referrals and distributing rewards. It provides you with analytics to monitor performance and optimize your strategies. By leveraging these tools, you can focus on creating engaging content and achieving your marketing objectives.
What’s Next?
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