Prefinery vs ReferralHero (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Prefinery if

• Fits if you're running a pre-launch waitlist and want signups to refer friends
• Works for small launches under 1,000 users

Look elsewhere if

• Tight if you grow: Lite stops at 1,000 users and extra users are $5 a month per 1,000
• Skip it if you need API, webhooks or integrations, which start at Essentials at $199
• Watch out: prices are billed every 6 months, and no monthly price is shown
• Not for you if you want an ongoing affiliate program, since it's built for launches

Pick ReferralHero if

• Fits if you run a waitlist or launch campaign and want it built from templates
• Works for a local service business that wants a hosted referral program

Look elsewhere if

• Pricey if you are small: Basic is $249 a month for 1,000 subscribers and one campaign
• Tight if you want free: there is no free plan and the trial lasts 7 days
• Watch out: emails past 25,000 a month are $1.50 per 1,000, and reward payouts carry fees from 2.5% + $0.50
• Not for you if you need the API or unlimited campaigns without paying $399 a month
• Watch out: mobile SDK access and mobile attribution need an annual plan

Prefinery

• Prices are shown on a six-month billing basis; the monthly-billed price was not shown on the page.
• Lite has no team members, and webhooks, API, integrations and branding removal need Essentials or higher.
• Users beyond the included amount cost an extra $5 a month per 1,000.
• The plan card says Essentials has 2 team members while the comparison table says 3.

ReferralHero

• Subscriber count is capped at 1,000 on Basic, which also allows only one self-serve campaign.
• Emails over 25,000 a month cost $1.50 per 1,000; SMS is pay-as-you-go by country.
• Reward payouts carry processing fees from 2.5% + $0.50 per payout.
• Mobile SDK access and 10,000 mobile attribution subscribers require an annual plan.

Prefinery

Viral referral links

Each signup gets a referral link or vanity code, and sharing can move them up a waiting-list queue or earn action-based rewards.

Signup form builder

A form builder with custom HTML and CSS, language and branding options, and opt-in consent tracking.

Beta and access management

A stateful user flow to gate access, deliver invitation codes and run an invite-a-friend system for pre-launch and beta programs.

Email automation

Autoresponder, referral, invitation and reward emails with a drag-and-drop editor, double opt-in and an option to use your own SMTP server.

Fraud protection

Automatic blocking of spam emails and IPs and bot signups, with a customizable safelist and blocklist.

Integrations and API

Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, custom JavaScript, webhooks, an API and Zapier for connecting other web apps.

ReferralHero

Campaign builder

A drag-and-drop widget builder with embeddable widgets, a hosted landing page and campaign templates.

Referral, waitlist and contest templates

Templates for referral programs, waitlists and contests, with a smart leaderboard.

Rewards

Payouts by gift card, Visa or Mastercard, ACH, bank transfer or charity donation.

Automation

25,000 automation emails a month on both plans, plus SMS automation and OTP verification.

Anti-fraud

An anti-fraud algorithm on every plan.

Developer access

JavaScript and REST API on Pro, and mobile SDKs with an annual plan.

Prefinery

• Lite$39

  per month for 1,000 users, billed every 6 months

  1 campaign, no team members, unlimited emails and basic analytics. Extra users cost $5 a month per 1,000.

• Essentials$199

  per month for 10,000 users, billed every 6 months

  3 campaigns, team members, full analytics, no Prefinery branding, integrations, webhooks and API.

• Pro$399

  per month for 50,000 users, billed every 6 months

  10 campaigns, 10 team members, strategy session, priority support and concierge onboarding with a 6-month plan.

ReferralHero

• Basic$249

  per month for up to 1,000 subscribers

  1 self-serve campaign, 25,000 automation emails a month, anti-fraud algorithm and email support.

• Pro$399

  per month

  Unlimited subscribers and campaigns, 500+ integrations, your branding, multiple admins, JavaScript and REST API, and chat support.

• Pro + Done For YouCustom

  Pro plus strategy, design, setup and ongoing optimization by the vendor's team.

Prefinery

• Annual discount

  Save up to 20% paying every six months

  The pricing page marks the semiannual payment option as saving up to 20% compared with monthly billing.

ReferralHero

No public discounts listed.