Partner.io vs ReferralHero

Partner.io is an AI partner management platform for lean teams, with web and API access. Its branded portal runs on a customer’s own domain, where partners can refer leads, follow activity, and view commissions. Lead and registered-deal records include partner, representative, status, and timeline details. Commissions can be approved manually or by rule, and Stripe handles payouts without a Partner.io payout fee. The platform also includes AI course creation and certification, automated follow-ups, approvals, and email flows. Listed integrations include HubSpot, Pipedrive, Salesforce, Slack, Shopify, Stripe, Claude, and ChatGPT. Developer options include a REST API, HMAC-signed webhooks, an MCP server with OAuth and 40+ tools, and embeddable widgets. Partner.io says it uses AWS hosting, encryption in transit and at rest, role-based access, two-factor authentication, and passwordless sign-in; it states that it is SOC 2 and GDPR compliant. The plan costs $79 a month per active seat, billed monthly; partners are free and unlimited. A 7-day trial is available, with no free plan.

ReferralHero is a platform for building referral, affiliate, waitlist, and contest programs. Participants receive unique referral links to share and may unlock rewards when referred friends become customers. Campaigns can use ReferralHero widgets or a custom form, with editable widget wording and colours. Email and SMS automations, user segmentation, a smart leaderboard, manual referral review, and automatic coupon or access-code delivery support campaign management. Analytics cover attribution channels, sources, sharing methods, device, and location, with subscriber-level views and CSV exports. ReferralHero lists more than 500 integrations, including Stripe, HubSpot, Salesforce, Mailchimp, Klaviyo, Shopify, and Zapier; developer options include JavaScript and REST APIs and webhooks. Fraud controls include an algorithm, ReCaptcha, and optional SMS phone verification. The Free Forever Plan costs nothing for up to 25 subscribers and includes ReferralHero branding. PRO costs $199 a month for up to 10,000 members; PREMIUM also costs $199 a month for up to 50,000 subscribers. Android, iOS, web, and API are listed platforms.