The Open Source
Referral Factory Alternative
Referral Factory is a closed-source black box — you can't see the code, you can't move your data freely. RefearnApp is fully open source under AGPL v3. Inspect it, deploy it on your own servers, own your data completely.
🔓 Do You Need Open Source?
Check everything that matters to you. We'll tell you if RefearnApp is your match.
Your open source needs
Check what matters to you above
RefearnApp covers all 5 open source needs out of the box
Referral Factory — Closed Source Problems
- ✕ Limited branding control unless you pay for their highest enterprise tier.
- ✕ Proprietary black box — you can't verify how your tracking actually works.
- ✕ Your affiliate data is locked in their servers — no self-hosting option.
- ✕ If they shut down or raise prices, you have no way out.
RefearnApp — Fully Open Source
- ✓ Full source code on GitHub — inspect every line before you trust it with your business.
- ✓ Deploy to your own servers with our step-by-step docs — no dev work needed, just run the setup scripts.
- ✓ Self-hostable — your servers, your data, your rules. Migrate anytime.
- ✓ We handle all updates and improvements — you just stay on the latest version.
Want to self-host RefearnApp?
Our documentation walks you through the full setup. No dev work required — just follow the steps, run the setup scripts, and you're live on your own server.
Referral Factory vs RefearnApp — Open Source Comparison
| Feature | Referral Factory | RefearnApp |
|---|---|---|
| Source Code Access | Closed Source | Open Source (AGPL v3) |
| GitHub Repository | ||
| Self-Hosting | ||
| Self-Host Documentation | refearnapp.com/docs | |
| Data Sovereignty | ||
| Vendor Lock-In | Yes — trapped | None — total freedom |
| Pricing Model | $95/mo subscription | $199 one-time or free self-host |
| Unlimited Affiliates | Limited on lower tiers | |
| Stripe & Paddle Support | Stripe only or expensive add-on | |
| Coupon Code Tracking |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is RefearnApp really open source unlike Referral Factory?
Yes. RefearnApp is fully open source under the AGPL v3 license. The complete source code is available on GitHub. Referral Factory is proprietary closed-source software — you have no visibility into how it works.
Can I self-host RefearnApp on my own servers?
Yes. RefearnApp is fully self-hostable. Follow the setup guide at refearnapp.com/docs — no dev work required, just run the setup scripts and you are live. You can also start on our managed cloud and migrate to your own servers at any time.
Do I need to be a developer to self-host RefearnApp?
No. Our documentation at refearnapp.com/docs walks you through every step. You just follow the guide and run a few setup scripts. We handle all updates and improvements so you never need to touch the code.
What license does RefearnApp use?
RefearnApp uses the AGPL v3 (GNU Affero General Public License version 3). This means you can inspect the code, self-host it, and deploy it on your own servers freely.
Does open source mean it is free to use?
You can self-host RefearnApp for free using the open source code — see refearnapp.com/docs for the setup guide. If you prefer a managed cloud version with support and guaranteed uptime, that is available as a one-time payment of $199 for Pro or $299 for Ultimate — no monthly subscription.
More Open Source Alternatives
RefearnApp replaces every closed-source affiliate tool
Stop Trusting a Black Box With Your Affiliate Data
RefearnApp is open source, self-hostable and yours forever.
AGPL v3 · Self-hostable · One-time payment · No lock-in