Quick Overview
- 1#1: Influitive - Orchestrates B2B customer advocacy programs to engage advocates in creating content and referrals.
- 2#2: Extole - Scales word-of-mouth marketing through personalized referral and review experiences for advocates.
- 3#3: Ambassador - Manages referral, affiliate, and partner programs to activate customer advocates.
- 4#4: Referral Rock - Builds customizable referral programs that turn customers into brand advocates.
- 5#5: SaaSquatch - Powers customer loyalty and referral programs to foster ongoing advocacy.
- 6#6: Friendbuy - Automates post-purchase referrals to leverage customer advocates in ecommerce.
- 7#7: GrowSurf - Launches viral referral campaigns to acquire and activate customer advocates.
- 8#8: Tapfiliate - Tracks and manages affiliate programs to engage advocates and influencers.
- 9#9: Refersion - Streamlines affiliate marketing to build and reward customer advocate networks.
- 10#10: Viral Loops - Creates automated viral referral loops to turn users into brand advocates.
We ranked these tools by evaluating features, usability, performance, and value, ensuring inclusion of solutions that deliver consistent, scalable results across diverse business needs.
Comparison Table
Advocate marketing software helps businesses harness customer loyalty—explore this comparison table featuring tools like Influitive, Extole, Ambassador, Referral Rock, SaaSquatch, and more to understand their key features, pricing models, and capabilities, enabling readers to identify the best fit for their advocacy strategy.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Influitive Orchestrates B2B customer advocacy programs to engage advocates in creating content and referrals. | enterprise | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | Extole Scales word-of-mouth marketing through personalized referral and review experiences for advocates. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Ambassador Manages referral, affiliate, and partner programs to activate customer advocates. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Referral Rock Builds customizable referral programs that turn customers into brand advocates. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | SaaSquatch Powers customer loyalty and referral programs to foster ongoing advocacy. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 6 | Friendbuy Automates post-purchase referrals to leverage customer advocates in ecommerce. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 7 | GrowSurf Launches viral referral campaigns to acquire and activate customer advocates. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 8 | Tapfiliate Tracks and manages affiliate programs to engage advocates and influencers. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 9 | Refersion Streamlines affiliate marketing to build and reward customer advocate networks. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 10 | Viral Loops Creates automated viral referral loops to turn users into brand advocates. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.6/10 |
Orchestrates B2B customer advocacy programs to engage advocates in creating content and referrals.
Scales word-of-mouth marketing through personalized referral and review experiences for advocates.
Manages referral, affiliate, and partner programs to activate customer advocates.
Builds customizable referral programs that turn customers into brand advocates.
Powers customer loyalty and referral programs to foster ongoing advocacy.
Automates post-purchase referrals to leverage customer advocates in ecommerce.
Launches viral referral campaigns to acquire and activate customer advocates.
Tracks and manages affiliate programs to engage advocates and influencers.
Streamlines affiliate marketing to build and reward customer advocate networks.
Creates automated viral referral loops to turn users into brand advocates.
Influitive
enterpriseOrchestrates B2B customer advocacy programs to engage advocates in creating content and referrals.
The challenge-based gamification engine that automates personalized missions for advocates to produce high-value content like referrals and reviews
Influitive is a premier advocate marketing platform designed for B2B companies to transform customers into active advocates through private online communities called AdvocateHubs. It gamifies engagement with personalized challenges that generate testimonials, referrals, case studies, and user-generated content while rewarding participation. The platform offers robust analytics to measure advocacy ROI and integrates seamlessly with CRM and marketing tools for scalable programs.
Pros
- Highly effective gamified challenges that drive 5x higher engagement
- Comprehensive analytics and ROI tracking for advocacy programs
- Seamless integrations with HubSpot, Salesforce, and Marketo
Cons
- Enterprise-level pricing may be steep for small businesses
- Initial setup and community onboarding requires time investment
- Advanced customization options could be more flexible
Best For
Mid-market to enterprise B2B SaaS companies aiming to scale customer advocacy and generate authentic marketing content.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starting around $10,000-$50,000 annually based on advocate volume and features; contact sales for demo and quote.
Extole
enterpriseScales word-of-mouth marketing through personalized referral and review experiences for advocates.
Universal Profile technology that creates a persistent, unified advocate profile across all channels and devices for personalized experiences
Extole is a powerful advocate marketing platform designed to help brands build and scale customer referral, review, and advocacy programs. It enables businesses to create personalized campaigns that drive word-of-mouth growth through seamless sharing across email, SMS, social media, and websites. With robust analytics, CRM integrations, and compliance tools, Extole turns customers into high-performing advocates while providing deep insights into program ROI.
Pros
- Highly customizable multi-channel referral and advocacy programs
- Advanced analytics and ROI tracking for enterprise-scale insights
- Seamless integrations with major CRMs, e-commerce platforms, and marketing tools
Cons
- Custom enterprise pricing can be steep for SMBs
- Steeper learning curve for setup and advanced configurations
- Limited out-of-the-box templates compared to some competitors
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises seeking scalable, data-driven advocate marketing programs with strong compliance and integration needs.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $10,000+ annually for enterprise plans with no public tiers.
Ambassador
enterpriseManages referral, affiliate, and partner programs to activate customer advocates.
Proprietary Smart Rewards engine for dynamic, automated incentive distribution across multiple channels
Ambassador is a robust advocate marketing platform designed to help businesses build, manage, and scale customer referral programs and advocacy initiatives. It enables companies to track referrals, automate rewards, collect testimonials and user-generated content, and measure program ROI through advanced analytics. With seamless integrations into CRMs, e-commerce platforms, and email tools, it turns customers into brand advocates efficiently.
Pros
- Advanced referral tracking and fraud prevention
- Extensive integrations with 100+ tools including Shopify and Salesforce
- Scalable analytics and reporting for enterprise-level programs
Cons
- Steep learning curve for setup and customization
- Higher pricing not ideal for small businesses
- Limited out-of-the-box templates for non-technical users
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises aiming to scale sophisticated referral and advocacy programs with strong analytics needs.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; starts at around $850/month for Launch plan, scaling to $1,650+/month for higher tiers with custom quotes.
Referral Rock
specializedBuilds customizable referral programs that turn customers into brand advocates.
Flexible multi-sided referral programs (e.g., double-sided rewards for both advocate and friend) with automated reward fulfillment
Referral Rock is a powerful advocate marketing platform designed to help businesses launch, manage, and optimize customer referral programs at scale. It enables companies to create customizable referral campaigns where advocates earn rewards for successful referrals, with robust tracking and analytics to measure ROI. The software supports multi-channel sharing via email, social media, and SMS, making it ideal for turning customers into brand promoters.
Pros
- Highly customizable referral program templates and multi-step funnels
- Seamless integrations with CRMs, email tools, and e-commerce platforms like HubSpot, Mailchimp, and Shopify
- Advanced analytics and fraud detection for accurate performance tracking
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for small businesses or startups
- Steep learning curve for advanced customizations
- Limited built-in content or UGC tools compared to some competitors
Best For
Mid-sized B2B and B2C companies seeking scalable, high-conversion referral programs with strong automation.
Pricing
Starts at $200/month (Pro plan, billed annually) for basic features; Premium at $500/month and custom Enterprise pricing available.
SaaSquatch
enterprisePowers customer loyalty and referral programs to foster ongoing advocacy.
The Unit Engine, which enables complex, multi-step reward journeys and cross-channel advocacy automation.
SaaSquatch is a growth marketing platform specializing in advocate marketing, enabling businesses to create referral programs, loyalty rewards, and ambassador campaigns that turn customers into advocates. It automates the entire advocacy lifecycle, from tracking actions like referrals and reviews to delivering personalized rewards via its flexible Unit Engine. The platform integrates seamlessly with CRMs, e-commerce tools, and analytics systems to drive customer acquisition and retention.
Pros
- Highly customizable referral and rewards programs with rules-based automation
- Extensive integrations with tools like HubSpot, Shopify, and Segment
- Strong analytics for tracking ROI on advocate marketing efforts
Cons
- Pricing can be expensive for startups or small teams
- Initial setup and customization require a learning curve
- Limited out-of-the-box templates for non-technical users
Best For
Mid-sized SaaS, e-commerce, and subscription businesses aiming to scale customer advocacy programs for growth.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; Growth plans start around $999/month, scaling to Enterprise tiers based on volume and features.
Friendbuy
specializedAutomates post-purchase referrals to leverage customer advocates in ecommerce.
Post-purchase referral flows that capture high-intent advocates at the optimal moment with personalized, automated campaigns
Friendbuy is a powerful advocate marketing platform focused on referral programs that turn customers into brand advocates through seamless sharing across email, SMS, social media, and more. It provides tools for creating customized referral campaigns, managing rewards, and tracking performance with advanced analytics and A/B testing. Designed primarily for e-commerce brands, it excels in post-purchase referral flows and integrates deeply with platforms like Shopify, Klaviyo, and Zendesk.
Pros
- Robust multi-channel referral sharing with one-click options
- Advanced analytics and fraud detection for accurate ROI tracking
- Deep integrations with e-commerce and marketing stacks
Cons
- High pricing with minimum 12-month contracts
- Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
- Limited free trial and customization flexibility for smaller teams
Best For
Mid-to-large e-commerce brands seeking scalable, high-volume referral programs with enterprise-grade analytics.
Pricing
Starts at $599/month (Starter), $1,499/month (Growth), custom Enterprise; requires annual commitment and is billed annually.
GrowSurf
specializedLaunches viral referral campaigns to acquire and activate customer advocates.
Advanced fraud detection and double opt-in to ensure high-quality, genuine referrals
GrowSurf is a referral marketing platform that enables businesses to launch automated customer referral programs to drive growth through word-of-mouth. It offers customizable campaigns with rewards like cash, credits, or discounts, along with real-time analytics, fraud detection, and seamless integrations with tools like HubSpot, Intercom, and Stripe. Primarily targeted at SaaS and subscription-based companies, it simplifies turning users into advocates while tracking ROI effectively.
Pros
- Quick setup with pre-built campaign templates and embeddable widgets
- Robust analytics dashboard for tracking referrals and ROI
- Strong integrations with 50+ tools including CRMs and email platforms
Cons
- Pricing starts high, which may deter bootstrapped startups
- Limited advanced customization for non-referral advocate activities like testimonials
- No perpetual free plan, only a 14-day trial
Best For
SaaS and subscription businesses focused on scaling through automated customer referrals.
Pricing
Starts at $775/month (Launch plan, billed annually) up to $1,495/month (Scale) and custom Enterprise; 14-day free trial available.
Tapfiliate
specializedTracks and manages affiliate programs to engage advocates and influencers.
Affiliate Designer Studio for creating custom banners, links, and creatives without design expertise
Tapfiliate is a robust affiliate marketing platform that enables businesses to create, manage, and scale affiliate and referral programs, turning customers into brand advocates through trackable promotions. It offers real-time tracking of referrals, automated commission payouts, and customizable affiliate dashboards, with strong emphasis on e-commerce integrations. Ideal for advocate marketing, it empowers advocates to promote products via unique links, coupons, and creatives while providing detailed analytics to measure ROI.
Pros
- Seamless integrations with 100+ platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce
- Intuitive interface with quick setup for affiliate programs
- Advanced commission structures including recurring and multi-tier
Cons
- Higher-tier features locked behind expensive plans
- Reporting lacks some advanced segmentation options
- Limited native tools for non-affiliate advocate activities like UGC management
Best For
E-commerce businesses and SaaS companies aiming to build scalable affiliate programs with customer advocates.
Pricing
Starts at €69/mo (Starter, annual billing), €139/mo (Growth), €279/mo (Pro), with custom Enterprise pricing.
Refersion
specializedStreamlines affiliate marketing to build and reward customer advocate networks.
Advanced fraud detection to prevent duplicate and invalid referrals
Refersion is a specialized affiliate and referral marketing platform that empowers brands to create, manage, and scale advocate programs by turning customers into promoters. It provides robust tools for tracking referrals, automating commission payouts, and recruiting affiliates through seamless integrations with e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce. Ideal for driving customer acquisition via word-of-mouth, Refersion offers real-time analytics and customizable program structures to optimize advocate performance.
Pros
- Deep integrations with 100+ e-commerce and payment platforms
- Real-time referral tracking and detailed analytics
- Automated commission calculations and payouts
Cons
- Pricing tiers scale quickly with order volume
- Limited support for non-referral advocate activities like UGC or reviews
- Customization requires technical setup for advanced users
Best For
Mid-sized e-commerce brands focused on scaling affiliate and referral programs.
Pricing
Starts at $89/mo (Pro, up to 500 orders), $299/mo (Advanced), custom Enterprise pricing.
Viral Loops
specializedCreates automated viral referral loops to turn users into brand advocates.
Infinite Viral Loops that create self-perpetuating sharing cycles beyond simple one-to-one referrals
Viral Loops is a no-code platform designed for creating viral referral programs, growth loops, and advocate marketing campaigns to drive customer acquisition through word-of-mouth. It provides customizable templates for waitlists, giveaways, ambassador programs, and milestone rewards, helping brands turn users into advocates. The tool includes analytics, A/B testing, and integrations with CRMs, email tools, and e-commerce platforms for seamless tracking and optimization.
Pros
- Extensive library of campaign templates for quick launches
- Advanced viral mechanics like loops and multi-step referrals
- Robust integrations with 50+ tools including Shopify and HubSpot
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for high-volume usage
- Free plan has significant limitations on visits and features
- Advanced customizations require higher-tier plans or developer help
Best For
Growth-focused startups and e-commerce brands seeking scalable referral and advocate programs without coding.
Pricing
Free plan (1,000 visits/mo); Starter at $95/mo (10k visits); Growth $295/mo; Pro $595/mo; custom Enterprise.
Conclusion
The reviewed advocate marketing tools represent top solutions for activating customer advocates, with a focus on driving referrals and content engagement. Influitive leads as the top choice, excelling in orchestrating B2B advocacy programs. Extole and Ambassador follow strong, offering personalized experiences (Extole) and multi-program management (Ambassador), each with unique strengths to meet varied needs.
Don’t miss the chance to leverage a leader—try Influitive today to build a thriving advocate network and unlock scalable growth.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison