
I'm Ilias, and I've worked on the marketing teams of startups generating $1M-$1B+ in annual revenue, helping them build and scale their affiliate programs. I'm also an active affiliate myself, so I know these platforms from both sides, what works for companies AND what affiliates actually want to use.
I've spent 100+ hours testing 30+ platforms, and I've seen it all: tracking that breaks and loses commissions, buggy integrations that cost companies thousands, and platforms that make simple tasks unnecessarily complicated.
Look, your affiliate program's success depends entirely on tracking quality and ease of setup. Affiliates will leave if your tracking screws them over or has bugs. They also drive serious value beyond sales, SEO traffic, backlinks, and organic referrals that compound over time.
If you're here for the TL;DR, here are the 3 best affiliate software platforms in 2025:
- Tolt - $49/month, 0% transaction fees, 5.0/5.0 rated. Only platform with zero commission on affiliate revenue. White-label everything, built for bootstrappers.
- Affonso - $12.50/month, built by a 12-year affiliate veteran. Cheapest option with AI affiliate discovery and auto payouts. Perfect for launching fast.
- Dub - $75/month, backend link tracking (most accurate). Powers affiliate programs for Framer, Tella, Privy. $36M+ revenue driven, 194K+ partners.
What separates great platforms from garbage:
- Bulletproof tracking - Cookie and cookie-less tracking that doesn't drop conversions (this is make-or-break) + Cloudflare proxy / Ad-block bypass.
- Instant setup - Connect your payment processor in minutes, no developers needed
- Automated payouts - No manual spreadsheets, no payment headaches
- Affiliate-friendly dashboards - If your affiliates hate it, they won't promote you
Most affiliate software is either overpriced enterprise bloat or janky DIY tools. You need something that works, tracks properly, and doesn't cost a fortune.
The top 3 platforms (pick one of these):
- Tolt - 0% transaction fees, $49/mo, 5.0/5.0 rated, perfect for bootstrappers
- Affonso - $12.50/mo, AI affiliate discovery, cheapest way to launch
- Dub - $75/mo, backend link tracking (most accurate), powers Framer/Tella/Privy
8 more options if you need something specific:
- Rewardful - $49/mo, 2,600+ teams, deepest Stripe integration (under 15 min setup)
- PromoteKit - $39/mo, free tier (3 referrals), "software with a soul" - stupidly simple
- FirstPromoter - $49/mo, 7+ years, $30M+/mo tracked, 2,000+ customers, battle-tested
- PartnerStack - Custom pricing, 127K+ partners, $2.5B+ driven, purpose-built for B2B SaaS
- Tapfiliate - $89/mo, 66,000+ customers, "tracking never fails", 30-min setup
- Post Affiliate Pro - $129/mo, 200+ features, self-hosted option available
- Impact - $5,000+/mo, Fortune 500 solution, AI optimization, 120+ countries
- Referral Rock - $200/mo, dual programs (customer referrals + affiliates)
Why affiliate software matters (and why most programs fail)
You're here because you want to grow without burning cash on ads.
Here's what affiliate programs actually give you:
- Leverage - Other people sell for you 24/7
- Trust - Personal recommendations beat ads every time
- Scale - Unlimited sales force without hiring
- Zero risk - Only pay for actual results
- SEO authority - Backlinks and traffic that compounds for years
Most companies mess this up. They pick cheap software, the tracking breaks, affiliates get screwed on commissions, and the program dies.
My experience with these platforms:
I haven't tested every single platform listed here, but I've been on both sides of affiliate programs for years, as an affiliate promoting other products ($20k/mo in commissions!), and as a manager running programs for my own tools like AI SEO Tracker, LinkDR, MagicSpace SEO, GenPPT, MagicBuddy, Awesome.tools, SEO Roast, and many more clients at our marketing agency.
I know which platforms are easy to set up and which ones make you want to throw your laptop. I know which tracking works and which drops conversions. Pricing verified November 2025. These recommendations come from real-world experience managing affiliate programs and being an active affiliate myself.
Why 90% of affiliate programs fail:
Bad tracking. That's it.
Real example from my affiliate work:
I promoted two similar SaaS products. Both got about 1,000 clicks from my content.
Program A (good tracking): I could see every lead and signup come through. People started trials, converted to paid, I saw it all. Clear attribution, reliable commissions. I kept sending them traffic. Now at $1k/mo in commissions.
Program B (broken tracking): Only saw clicks. No conversions showing up, even though I knew people were signing up (I checked the product, saw real users). The issue? Cookie-based tracking that broke when people switched from mobile to desktop. Their backend didn't track properly, so my conversions got lost.
Result: I stopped sending Program B traffic entirely. Found a competitor with better tracking instead.
This happens constantly. When tracking breaks, affiliates don't just lose commissions, they lose trust. And when affiliates leave, you don't just lose sales, you lose the backlinks, SEO traffic, and organic referrals they were driving.
Bottom line: Don't cheap out on tracking. The $50/month difference between garbage software and reliable software will cost you thousands in lost commissions and burned affiliate relationships. Programs with reliable tracking retain affiliates who become long-term growth channels.
1. Tolt: 0% commission with enterprise features

Tolt is the only affiliate platform with 0% transaction fees and enterprise features at startup prices. Built specifically for SaaS startups, it offers white-label branding, automated global payouts (PayPal, Wise, crypto, wire transfers), and handles everything from tracking to tax compliance. Rated 5.0/5.0 on Capterra with customers reporting "20% of revenue from Tolt affiliate links."
Pricing:
- Basic: $49/month (up to $10,000/month from affiliates), 2 programs, 3 partner groups, 3 team members, manual payouts
- Growth: $99/month (up to $20,000/month from affiliates), 5 programs, 5 partner groups, 5 team members, auto payouts
- Pro: $199/month (up to $50,000/month from affiliates), unlimited programs/groups/team members, dedicated Slack channel
- Enterprise: Custom pricing (over $50,000/month from affiliates), custom payout methods, priority support
All plans: 14-day free trial (no credit card required), 0% transaction fees, unlimited affiliates and referrals
Key features:
- 0% transaction fees: The only major platform with zero commission on affiliate revenue. Auto payouts have a 2% processing fee (Growth+ plans).
- 15-minute setup: Connect Stripe, Paddle, or Chargebee and you're live. Integrates with Shopify too.
- Full white-label branding: Custom domain (affiliates.yourdomain.com), branded portal, your logo everywhere. No "Powered by" branding on Pro+ plans.
- Automated global payouts: PayPal, Wise, local bank transfers, crypto, and wire transfers. Set it and forget it (Growth+ plans).
- Tax compliance built-in: Automatically collects W-9/W-8 forms and files 1099s for you. Invoices for affiliates included.
- Built for SaaS subscriptions: Handles recurring commissions, upgrades, downgrades, refunds, and cancellations automatically.
- Double-sided rewards: Offer coupons to both affiliates and their referrals to boost conversions.
- Flexible commission flows: Multiple commission structures per program (up to 3 on Basic, unlimited on Pro+).
- Resources page: Share marketing assets, brand guidelines, and promotional materials with affiliates.
- Custom affiliate commissions: Set individual commission rates for specific affiliates.
- Customizable email notifications: Personalize all email communications with your branding (Growth+ plans).
- Dedicated Slack channel: Direct line to the Tolt team for support (Pro+ plans).
What sets Tolt apart from competitors:
- 0% commission (competitors charge up to 9%)
- Works with Stripe, Paddle, AND Chargebee (most only support Stripe)
- Beautiful branded UI vs generic portals
- Built specifically for SaaS startups and indie hackers
- Auto payouts with PayPal AND Wise (many only offer one)
Real customer testimonials:
- "Around 20% of my revenue comes through Tolt affiliate links." — Philipp K., Founder, Marketing & Advertising
- "Super easy to set up + works great." — Lior N., Founder, Staffing and Recruiting
- "Best affiliate platform I've found so far!" — Nadav B., CEO, Telecommunications
- "The flexibility to setup custom commission per partner is amazing. Simplified process and really easy to use. I just love it." — Milinda U., Manager - Partnerships, Creately
Rating: 5.0/5.0 on Capterra (19 reviews) - Perfect score across all metrics
Why try it? Tolt is the only platform that gives you 0% transaction fees while supporting Stripe, Paddle, AND Chargebee. The white-label branding is genuinely beautiful (not just functional), and the auto payouts with tax compliance save massive time. At $49/month for the Basic plan, it's the best value for bootstrapped founders who need professional affiliate management without enterprise pricing.
Start with Tolt (14-day trial)
PS: I use Tolt for GenPPT, LinkDR, and SEO Roast. It's the only tool I've found that gives you enterprise features without forcing you to pay enterprise prices. The 0% transaction fees matter more than you think—with competitors charging up to 9%, you're saving thousands as you scale. Reliable tracking, zero drama. If you're bootstrapped and need professional affiliate management without the professional price tag, Tolt is it.
2. Affonso: built by a 12-year affiliate veteran

Affonso is built by Silvestro, who spent 12 years managing affiliate programs for international brands and even building his own affiliate network. He got tired of clunky, overpriced tools that created more work instead of making affiliate growth easier—so he built Affonso solo. It's the cheapest way to launch ($12.50/month) with AI-powered affiliate discovery, automated payouts, and setup that takes 30 minutes.
Pricing:
- Launch: $12.50/month (up to $1,000/month from affiliates), 1 program, 1 team seat, 3 affiliate groups, 180 discovery credits/year
- Growth: $29/month (up to $10,000/month from affiliates), 2 programs, 5 team seats, 5 affiliate groups, auto payouts, personalized onboarding, 420 discovery credits/year
- Elite: $79/month (up to $30,000/month from affiliates), 5 programs, unlimited team seats, unlimited groups, dedicated customer success manager, 600 discovery credits/year
All plans: 14-day free trial, unlimited affiliates and referrals, no hidden fees
Key features:
- Affiliate Discovery Agent: AI automatically finds relevant creators and potential partners for your SaaS. Includes discovery credits on all plans.
- 30-minute setup: Single lightweight JavaScript snippet integrates with Stripe, Paddle, Polar, Creem, and Dodo Payments. No technical hurdles.
- Automated payouts: Growth+ plans include full auto payouts—you pay one invoice, Affonso pays all your affiliates. Zero manual work.
- Built-in fraud protection: Self-referral detection and suspicious activity blocking built-in on all plans. Protects revenue automatically.
- Automated refund handling: Commissions update instantly when customers cancel or get refunded. No manual adjustments.
- Custom commission rules: Recurring, one-time, fixed, percentage-based. Affiliate-specific rules and group commissions.
- Advanced tracking: Personalized referral links, coupon codes, SubID parameters, deeplinks. See what actually converts.
- Branded affiliate portal: Customizable dashboard with your logo, colors, and custom onboarding flow. Remove "Powered by" branding on Elite.
- Private & public programs: Run invite-only programs or open signups (Growth+ plans).
- Creative asset library: Share banners, links, and promo materials in one place for affiliates.
- Multi-currency support: 190+ currencies with live exchange rates. Reward affiliates globally.
- Flexible payouts: PayPal, Wise, crypto—whatever works for your affiliates.
- Automated invoice creation: Generate compliant payout invoices automatically (Elite plan).
- Tax compliance: Collect W-8/W-9 tax forms automatically (Elite plan).
- Real-time analytics: See every conversion instantly. Track performance that affiliates can trust.
- Email notifications: Branded updates and payout alerts to keep affiliates engaged.
- Team collaboration: Multiple team seats on Growth+ plans with unlimited on Elite.
- GDPR compliant: Full data protection and compliance built-in.
Who uses it: post-bridge, viral.app, BlogBuster, ScoreDetect, Lexington Themes, SocialRails, Supstarter, Postel, Uneed
Real testimonials:
- "All the bells and whistles you need to run an affiliate program without costing you a fortune every month wondering if it's worth it—affonso definitely is." — Jack Friks, Founder, post-bridge
- "The pricing is super fair and the platform works flawlessly. And their founder support is great!" — Mike, Founder, viral.app
- "Most affiliate platforms are overpriced and overly complex. Affonso was the perfect fit as it gave me all the professional tools I needed to manage affiliates." — Maxime, Founder, BlogBuster
- "One of the most efficient setup processes I've ever had (as a bootstrapped founder). And bootstrap-friendly pricing too!" — Michael Sumner, Founder, ScoreDetect
- "I got everything setup within 30 minutes. The UX of both the dashboard and affiliate signup portal is just sublime. And I already got 8 leads by using Affonso so far." — Matt, Founder, SocialRails
Why try it? Affonso is the cheapest option at $12.50/month while still offering enterprise features like auto payouts and AI affiliate discovery. Built by someone who actually ran affiliate programs for 12 years, not just coded software. The founder's experience shows—setup genuinely takes 30 minutes, and the fraud protection is built-in from day one. Perfect for bootstrapped founders who need professional tools without enterprise pricing.
Try Affonso (14-day trial)
PS: I use Affonso for AI SEO Tracker and MagicSpace SEO. The AI discovery saves hours of manual outreach, and the tracking is solid. What I appreciate most is that it's built by someone who's actually run affiliate programs—you can tell from the feature set. If you want to find partners fast and scale without hiring a partnership team, Affonso's AI discovery is a game-changer.
3. Dub: Most accurate tracking via backend links

Dub is a modern link management platform (think Bitly but better) that makes the top 3 because of its superior tracking technology. Unlike frontend JavaScript trackers that break when users switch devices, Dub's backend link tracking is baked into the URL itself, making it the most accurate attribution method available.
Why Dub's tracking is superior:
Most affiliate platforms rely on frontend JavaScript scripts that can break, get blocked, or lose cookies when users switch devices. Dub uses backend link tracking—the referral code is baked into the URL itself, so tracking happens server-side before any JavaScript even loads.
This means:
- No cookie loss - Tracking survives ad blockers, privacy tools, and device switches
- No frontend dependencies - Works even if JavaScript fails or gets blocked
- Most accurate attribution - Backend tracking is the gold standard for reliability
Proven scale: Dub currently tracks tens of millions of conversion events and processes $500K+ in partner payouts every month. Their network has driven $36M+ in revenue with $20M+ in commissions earned across 194,000+ active partners.
Who uses it: Framer, Tella, Anara, Privy, Superhuman, Granola, Cal, and Perplexity use Dub for their affiliate programs.
Pricing:
- Business plan: $75/month (billed yearly) with $2,500/month payout limit, 5% payout fees
- Advanced plan: $250/month (billed yearly) with $15,000/month payout limit, 5% payout fees
- Enterprise plan: Custom pricing with unlimited payouts, 3% payout fees, dedicated success manager
Key features:
- Backend link tracking: Most accurate tracking method, no frontend scripts required
- Partner discovery: Intelligently find partners who've succeeded in your space
- AI landing page generator: Create compelling partner signup pages automatically
- Embedded referral dashboard: Onboard users as referral partners directly in your app
- Dual-sided incentives: Reward both the referrer and the customers they bring
- Automated global payouts: 1-click payouts with automatic tax compliance (W-9, 1099, W-8 forms)
- Built-in invoicing: Automatic invoice generation for each payout
- Real-time attribution: Live insights for your team and partners
- Fraud prevention: Built-in fraud and risk prevention
- Messaging center: Communicate with partners directly in the platform
- API-first: Native integrations, webhooks, and SDKs for custom workflows
What people use Dub for:
- Link shortening & branding: Create branded short links (yourdomain.com/xyz) for all your marketing
- Partner programs: Manage affiliates, influencers, and referral partners
- Campaign tracking: Track which channels drive traffic and conversions
- Analytics: Real-time performance data for marketing teams and partners
Why try it? If you need link management AND the most accurate referral tracking available, Dub does both beautifully. The backend link tracking is unmatched for accuracy. It's newer than dedicated affiliate platforms, but companies like Framer and Privy are already processing serious revenue through it. If tracking accuracy matters and you also need link management, Dub is worth considering.
Start with Dub free (no card required)
PS: Dub is a link management platform first, referral tracking second. The "Dub Partners" affiliate/referral feature is a paid upsell starting at $75/month (Business plan). That backend link tracking approach is the most accurate method available—no frontend scripts means no tracking loss. Companies like Framer, Tella, and Privy use it for affiliate payouts and are driving millions in revenue. If you only need affiliate tracking without link management, dedicated tools might be simpler.
4. Rewardful: Stripe integration done right

Rewardful is the go-to affiliate platform for Stripe users, trusted by 2,600+ teams. Connect your account, add two scripts, and you're live in under 15 minutes. It handles all SaaS complexity (subscriptions, refunds, upgrades, downgrades) automatically with deep two-way Stripe sync that shows affiliate data directly in your Stripe dashboard.
Pricing:
- Starter: $49/month (up to $7,500/month from affiliates), 1 campaign, up to 2 team members
- Growth: $99/month (up to $15,000/month from affiliates), unlimited campaigns, unlimited team members, branded affiliate portal, custom domain
- Enterprise: $149+/month (over $15,000/month from affiliates), customer success manager, phone support, one-click PayPal payouts
All plans: 14-day free trial, 0% transaction fees, unlimited affiliates, unlimited visitors
Key features:
- Under 15-minute setup: One-click Stripe/Paddle integration or copy-paste two scripts. No developers needed.
- Two-way Stripe sync: View and manage affiliate data directly from your Stripe dashboard. Deepest Stripe integration available.
- Coupon code tracking (NEW): Track referrals from influencers and platforms where link-based attribution doesn't work.
- Automated lifecycle tracking: Automatically adjusts commissions for upgrades, downgrades, cancellations, refunds, and free trials.
- PayPal and Wise mass payouts: Pay all affiliates in a few clicks. No manual spreadsheets or invoices.
- Self-referral fraud detection: Automatically identifies and deactivates suspected self-referrals.
- Flexible commission structures: Recurring or one-time, percentage or fixed amounts, custom rules per campaign.
- Customizable cookie length: Set cookie duration to match your sales cycle.
- First or last touch attribution: Choose the model that fits your program goals.
- Branded affiliate portal: Self-service dashboard with instant access to links, coupon codes, and performance data.
- Multi-currency support: Pay affiliates in their local currency automatically.
- API for white-labeling: Build fully custom dashboards and automate program management (Growth+ plans).
- Custom domain: Host your affiliate portal on your own domain (Growth+ plans).
Who uses it: Aragon.ai, Transistor.fm, GoRails, Hatchbox, Cometly, HelloPrenup, Castos, and 2,600+ other teams.
Real testimonials:
- "Every other affiliate platform we looked at was either insanely expensive or full of bugs—and sometimes both. Rewardful has been rock solid, and took less than 15 minutes to install." — Spencer Fry, CEO
- "It's affiliate software for Stripe, and it's everything I've ever wanted: simple setup, deep integration with Stripe, well-designed." — Justin Jackson, Co-founder, Transistor.fm
Why try it? If you're on Stripe or Paddle, Rewardful is the fastest way to launch. The two-way Stripe sync is unmatched, and 2,600+ teams trust it for a reason. Setup is genuinely under 15 minutes.
Note on tracking: Rewardful uses cookie-based tracking with customizable cookie length. For best results on cross-device conversions, configure custom scripts (available on Growth+ plans) or use their API for server-side tracking.
I've promoted products using Rewardful, and the standard setup works well for most traffic. But I did notice some conversion drop-off when I sent traffic from Instagram (mobile) and people signed up later on desktop. If your traffic is heavily mobile-first or you're driving conversions through social media, ask their support about custom script setup or use their API for server-side tracking. The good news? Their support (or the actual CEO in DMs on Twitter) actually responds and helps you configure it properly. Most teams find the standard setup works fine for their needs.
Try Rewardful free for 14 days
PS: Rewardful is the cleanest Stripe integration I've seen. That two-way sync where you see affiliate data in Stripe is incredibly convenient. 2,600+ teams use it, and it's easy to see why—the setup is actually under 15 minutes. If you're on Stripe and want something that just works, Rewardful delivers.
5. PromoteKit: "software with a soul"
PromoteKit is the simplest affiliate software for Stripe users, and they call it "software with a soul." Setup takes under 10 minutes with three options: no-code (auto-generated coupon codes), low-code (single script), or code-based (API integration). Their free plan gives you 3 referrals to test it out.
Pricing:
- Free: $0/month (up to 3 referrals), perfect for testing before committing
- Pro: $39/month (up to $10,000/month from affiliates), most popular tier
- Enterprise: Custom pricing for over $10,000/month in affiliate revenue
All plans: 0% transaction fees, unlimited affiliates, unlimited team members
Key features:
- Three setup options: No-code (auto-generated coupon codes), low-code (single script for Stripe Payment Links), or code-based (API integration). Choose what fits your skill level.
- Flexible tracking: Affiliate links or coupon codes. Track both one-time purchases and subscriptions.
- Flexible commissions: Recurring or one-time, percentage or fixed amounts. Limit recurring commissions to certain months/payments.
- Commission tiers: Reward high-performing affiliates with escalating commission rates based on referral count.
- Custom affiliate portal: Branded portal with your logo, custom domain (affiliates.yourdomain.com), light/dark mode themes.
- PayPal and Wise payouts: Mass payment support for both platforms.
- Self-referral fraud detection: Catches suspicious signups automatically (Pro+ plans).
- Currency conversion: Pay affiliates in different currencies automatically.
- Product-based commissions: Set different commission rates for different Stripe products or plans.
Who uses it: Nifty.ai, EmailGuard, InvestorBase, Aescape, Orbit Metrics, Schedul, WrapFast, Cleverly, NicoChat
Real testimonials:
- "Legit 2 minute setup. And no predatory pricing." — Cody Smith, Founder, EmailGuard
- "After I found PromoteKit it must have taken less than an hour. The price point is great and the customer service is unbeatable." — Jack Herbkersman, Co-Founder, InvestorBase
- "They should hold a masterclass for all other affiliate platforms regarding HOW IT'S DONE! Clear onboarding, very simple to use instructions, modern platform, super reasonable pricing, everything just simply works!" — Kostas Livieratos, Founder, Schedul
Why try it? Because most affiliate software is over-engineered. PromoteKit strips away the bloat and gives you exactly what you need with genuinely simple setup. The free plan (3 referrals) lets you test it risk-free, and $39/month is cheaper than competitors while handling up to $10K in affiliate revenue.
Try PromoteKit free (3 referrals)6. FirstPromoter: 7 years of proven reliability
FirstPromoter is the veteran in this space—over 7 years helping 2,000+ customers launch 7,000+ programs that now track $30M+ in revenue every month. It's built for power users who need complete control over commission structures, white-labeling, and tracking. The platform is incredibly flexible without being complicated.
Pricing:
- Starter: $49/month (up to $5,000/month from affiliates), max 1,000 affiliates, max 2 campaigns
- Business: $99/month (up to $15,000/month from affiliates), unlimited affiliates, unlimited campaigns
- Enterprise: $149+/month (above $15,000/month from affiliates), additional enterprise tiers available
All plans: 14-day free trial (no credit card required), unlimited website visitors, unlimited team members
Key features:
- Stripe Instant Flow (new): Set up Stripe coupon code tracking in under 5 minutes. No script required, no developer needed. Create Stripe coupons directly in FirstPromoter, assign multiple codes per affiliate, or let affiliates generate their own.
- One-click auto-payouts (new): FirstPromoter handles all affiliate payments for you. You pay one invoice, they handle 100% of payouts. Fully compliant and worry-free.
- Built for subscriptions: Automatically tracks recurring/one-time charges, upgrades, downgrades, cancellations, and refunds. Commissions adjust automatically for any billing event.
- 18-point reporting system: Powerful reports across campaign performance, promoter performance, traffic sources, landing pages—everything that matters.
- Customizable affiliate dashboard: Customize 50+ attributes including logo, colors, layout, custom CSS/Javascript. Light and dark themes supported.
- Built-in email marketing: Automated trigger-based emails and broadcasts built-in. No need for a third-party email tool.
- Multi-tiered commissions: Support for MLM and referral chains with up to 3 tiers (3rd tier on Business+).
- Link and coupon tracking: Track by referral links, coupon codes, or both. Sub-id tracking for A/B testing.
- Direct URL tracking: Assign a unique URL to an affiliate—tracks without requiring referral links.
- SEO-friendly referral links: 8 different link formats. No redirects, no ugly short-links.
- Embeddable dashboard: Embed the affiliate portal inside your app with automatic login (no password required).
- Custom domain: Host your affiliate portal on your own domain with SSL (Business+ plans).
- Individual rewards: Personalize commissions, bonuses, and reward schemes for each affiliate.
- Fraud protection: Commissions only pay after billing provider confirms purchase. Algorithms detect self-referrals and suspicious leads.
- PayPal and Wise bulk payouts: Pay hundreds of affiliates at once directly from the dashboard.
- W-9/W-8BEN tax form collection: Built-in tax compliance for US and international affiliates.
- Multiple currencies: Supports 190 currencies with conversions in 170 using daily updated exchange rates.
- Deep integrations: Stripe, Chargebee, Paddle, Recurly, Braintree, plus Zapier, Make, Albato, and API/webhooks.
Who uses it: Ghost.org, Minea.com, JustCall, Vidalytics, Carrot, Passion.io, Wishpond, Submagic, CustomGPT, neuroflash
Real testimonials:
- "We've been using FirstPromoter for over 5 years. It has helped us bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars of additional revenue, while being managed by just a single person." — John O'Nolan, Founder & CEO, Ghost.org
- "Every time we thought 'it would be great if we could do X', there was a feature to do exactly that. The support is quick, and they go above and beyond to help you solve problems, not just answer questions." — Dan Harvey, Co-Founder & CRO, Passion.io
Why try it? FirstPromoter has 7+ years of proven reliability with 2,000+ customers. The new Stripe Instant Flow (5-minute setup) and auto-payouts make it easier than ever to launch. If you need ultimate flexibility without complexity, this is it. The platform has every feature you could want, but the interface keeps it manageable.
Try FirstPromoter free for 14 days7. PartnerStack: #1 rated B2B partner ecosystem platform

PartnerStack is the #1 rated partner ecosystem platform built specifically for B2B SaaS, trusted by 600+ companies including monday.com, Unbounce, and Formstack. With 127,944 active partners in their marketplace, they've driven $2.5B+ in sales and paid out $351M+ in commissions. Their customers see an average of 109% revenue growth and launch new programs in just 74 days. Custom pricing based on your needs—this is premium B2B partnership infrastructure.
Pricing:
- Custom pricing: PartnerStack creates personalized plans based on your business needs and growth objectives. Request a demo to get pricing tailored to your company.
Network stats:
- 127,944 active partners in the PartnerStack Marketplace
- $2.5 billion+ in sales driven through the network
- $351 million+ in commissions paid to partners
- 600+ B2B SaaS companies using the platform
- Average customer sees 109% growth in revenue
- $707M+ in revenue driven by partners in the past year
Key features:
- PartnerStack AI (new): AI-powered affiliate recruitment with smart recommendations and targeted outreach to find high-intent partners.
- Purpose-built for B2B SaaS: Designed specifically for recurring revenue models, not one-time e-commerce sales.
- Recurring commissions: Align incentives to subscriptions, renewals, and expansion revenue—partners earn as long as customers stay active.
- Event-based triggers: Reward affiliates for milestones like demo completions, contract signings, or trial starts—not just final sales.
- CRM-connected tracking: Sync partner-sourced leads with your CRM (Salesforce, HubSpot) to track lead progression through complex B2B sales cycles.
- Payment system integrations: Connect to Stripe, Chargebee, and other billing platforms to track recurring and expansion revenue automatically.
- Advanced attribution: Multi-touch attribution that handles long B2B sales cycles with multiple touchpoints.
- Automated global payouts: Pay affiliates in 100+ currencies with built-in tax and VAT compliance. One monthly invoice, unlimited partners.
- Full partner ecosystem: Manage affiliates, agencies, resellers, influencers, and customer referrals all in one platform.
- Partner marketplace access: Promote your program to 127,944+ active partners looking for B2B SaaS products to promote.
- Engagement automation: Custom onboarding flows, auto-approvals, challenges, tiers, and automated emails keep partners active.
- Groups and segments: Customize commissions, content, and engagement by partner type or performance level.
- Training and challenges: Motivate partners with performance-based goals and training programs.
- Link tracking that works: Accurate attribution even when cookies are blocked (critical for B2B).
- Real-time performance tracking: Track every click, trial, and conversion with server-to-server (S2S) tracking.
- Dedicated customer success: "One-of-a-kind onboarding experience" with detailed timelines, checklists, and ongoing CSM support.
- 74-day average launch time: Customers go live with new partnership programs in just 74 days on average.
Who uses it: monday.com, Unbounce, GetResponse, Formstack, Jungle Scout, Looka, Sellfy, Maropost, Riipen, Teamwork, Product Hunt
Real testimonials:
- "I can't think of any other platform that enables companies to develop their program, work with their partners, and of course, increase their revenue." — Dor Winter, Referral Partnership Manager, monday.com
- "PartnerStack has been essential in building a scalable process for onboarding, engaging and rewarding partners, with a team that's supported us immensely as we've grown partnerships into a major acquisition channel." — Anca Bujor, Channel Partnerships Manager, Unbounce
- "I really made it a point to say that we needed to have a PRM, specifically PartnerStack, in order for me to really be successful at my job and to scale the program to the degree that they expected us to be able to." — Erica Grodin, Head of Affiliate and Partnerships, GetResponse
- "Compared to PartnerStack, the competition looked like it was inside of Windows Vista." — Nancy Mai Harnett, Partner Marketing Specialist, Teamwork
- "Without PartnerStack, there's no way we would have launched in three weeks." — Cory Snyder, VP Sales and Partnerships, Maropost
Why try it? PartnerStack is the only platform purpose-built for B2B SaaS partnerships with features like recurring commissions, CRM-connected tracking, and event-based triggers. Unlike platforms designed for e-commerce, PartnerStack understands complex B2B sales cycles where deals take months and involve multiple stakeholders. The 127,944+ partner marketplace is the largest B2B-focused network available. If you're scaling a B2B SaaS company and partnerships are (or should be) a core growth channel, PartnerStack is the industry standard. Custom pricing means you pay for what you need, not generic tiers.
Book a PartnerStack demo8. Tapfiliate: go live in 30 minutes with 66,000+ customers

Tapfiliate is trusted by over 66,000 customers including Selz, Boldking, Kickresume, and Krisp. They promise you can go live in 30 minutes with their 3-step process: Connect (30+ pre-built integrations), Invite (bulk CSV import or recruitment tools), and Grow (automated tracking behind the scenes). Known for tracking that "never fails" according to customers.
Pricing:
- Launch: $89/month (1 program, 50 affiliates, 5,000 clicks/month, 500 conversions/month, 1 team member)
- Scale: $199/month (unlimited programs, unlimited affiliates, 100,000 clicks/month, 10,000 conversions/month, 5 team members)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing (unlimited clicks, conversions, programs, affiliates, team members, dedicated manager)
Free trials: Launch (7 days), Scale (14 days), Enterprise (30 days). Switch plans anytime during trial without being charged.
Key features:
- 30-minute setup: 3-step process with 30+ pre-built integrations (Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Magento, Stripe, etc.). No custom coding required.
- Affiliate recruitment tools: Built-in tools to find and onboard new affiliates automatically.
- Real-time reporting: Live clicks, conversions, customers, and revenue data. Export to your favorite tools.
- Advanced tracking options: 30+ integrations, JS pixel, REST API, S2S/postback, coupon tracking, deeplinks, unlimited customer tracking.
- Bulk management: Apply multiple actions to affiliates at once. Group management with group commissions and bonuses.
- Flexible commissions: Recurring (ideal for SaaS), lifetime, fixed, or percentage-based. Item/category-based commissions, bonuses, and multi-level marketing (MLM) with advanced sales goals.
- Automated payouts: Integrated with Trolley for automated affiliate payouts (Scale+ plans). SEPA payout export available.
- White-label customization: Logo, favicon, colors, custom domains, custom sign-up fields, customizable wording, full white label (Enterprise).
- In-platform messenger: Communicate with affiliates directly in the platform.
- Email automation: Triggered notifications and bulk affiliate notifications without third-party tools.
- Assets management: Share compelling assets (pictures, documents, text) with affiliates. Private creative assets for specific groups (Scale+).
- Advanced reporting: SubID analysis, metadata reports, detailed API click reports, asset performance tracking, customer reports.
- MLM support: Standard multi-level marketing on Launch plan, Advanced MLM with sales goals on Scale+.
- Multiple languages: Affiliate account management in multiple languages.
- GDPR compliant: Full data protection and compliance features.
Who uses it: Selz, Boldking, Kickresume, Krisp, Sendinblue, Derigo, and 66,000+ other businesses
Real testimonials:
- "We went through many affiliate platforms and they were all either complicated, out-of-date or expensive. Usually all three. We've used Tapfiliate for a while now and it's so easy to use that it almost makes me cry." — Henri Liljeroos
- "The support is always here and systems are working well, I have not had any cases where tracking fails." — Tõnis Jõgeva, Sales Director
- "They are able to track sales far superior than anybody, with the accuracy and efficiency along with the data and analytics that they pair. Onboarding was extremely easy." — Michael Yewdwell, Chief Sales Officer
Proven results from case studies:
- 10X growth in sales in 4 months (Type01 Magazine)
- 183.17% GMV growth in one month
- $6M+ revenue generated from affiliates
- 237,000+ affiliates under management
- $200K+ monthly revenue from affiliates
Why try it? Tapfiliate has been around long enough to serve 66,000+ customers, and the "tracking never fails" testimonial says a lot. The 30-minute setup promise with 30+ pre-built integrations makes it genuinely easy to launch. At $89/month for the Launch plan, it's competitive pricing for the feature set. The automated recruitment tools are a standout feature for finding affiliates without manual outreach.
Try Tapfiliate free (7-14 day trial)9. Post Affiliate Pro: more features than you'll ever use

Post Affiliate Pro packs 200+ features into one platform, including built-in marketing tools, self-hosted options, and advanced fraud detection. At $129/month, it's for marketing teams who need maximum customization and aren't afraid of complexity, there's a learning curve but incredible power.
- 200+ built-in features: Every possible feature you could want-and dozens you'll never use.
- Ultimate flexibility: Custom commission structures, unlimited campaigns, advanced segmentation.
- Self-hosted option available: Run it on your own servers if data sovereignty matters.
- Marketing tools included: Built-in banners, landing pages, email campaigns, and promotional materials.
- Advanced fraud detection: AI-powered system catches duplicate accounts and suspicious patterns.
- Starts at $129/month: More expensive but extremely powerful if you need the customization.
- Best for: Marketing teams that need complete control and aren't afraid of complexity.
Explore Post Affiliate Pro if you love features
10. Impact: enterprise overkill

Impact.com is the Fortune 500 solution with AI-powered optimization, global payment infrastructure in 120+ countries, and enterprise security. Starting at $5,000+/month, it's only worth it if you have a dedicated partnership team managing millions in partner revenue across influencers, affiliates, and B2B partnerships.
- AI optimization: Machine learning automatically optimizes partner selection and commission structures.
- Full partnership suite: Influencers, affiliates, B2B partners, brand partnerships-all in one platform.
- Global payment infrastructure: Automated payouts in 120+ countries with tax compliance built in.
- Partnership discovery: Built-in marketplace connects you with vetted partners in your niche.
- Enterprise security: SOC 2, GDPR compliant, dedicated support team, custom SLAs.
- Starts at $5,000+/month: Fortune 500 pricing for Fortune 500 needs.
- Only worth it if: You have a dedicated partnership team managing millions in partner revenue.
Impact.com for Fortune 500 companies
11. Referral Rock: referrals and affiliates in one
Referral Rock runs both customer referral programs and affiliate programs from one dashboard with pre-built templates and automated workflows. Starting at $200/month, it's good if you want both program types together, but dedicated tools are better if you only need one.
- Dual program platform: Run customer referral programs AND affiliate programs from one dashboard.
- Pre-built templates: Launch-ready referral campaigns for common industries and use cases.
- Automated workflows: Email sequences, reminders, and rewards triggered by referral actions.
- Multi-reward options: Cash, gift cards, discounts, account credits-whatever motivates your audience.
- White-label widgets: Embeddable referral widgets that match your site's design.
- Starts at $200/month: More expensive than single-purpose tools but handles both programs.
- Best for: Companies that want customer referrals AND creator/influencer partnerships in one place.
- Downside: Jack of all trades, master of none-dedicated tools are better if you only need one program type.
Best Affiliate Software Comparison Table
| Platform | Best For | Free Trial? | Starting Price | Real Talk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tolt ⭐ | Bootstrapped SaaS | 14 days | $49/mo | 0% fees, 5.0/5.0 rated |
| Affonso ⭐ | Budget-conscious founders | 14 days | $12.50/mo | Cheapest + AI discovery |
| Dub ⭐ | Tracking accuracy | Free tier | $75/mo | Backend tracking (most accurate) |
| Rewardful | Stripe/Paddle users | 14 days | $49/mo | 2,600+ teams, under 15 min |
| PromoteKit | Non-technical founders | Free (3 refs) | $39/mo | "Software with a soul" |
| FirstPromoter | Power users | 14 days | $49/mo | 7+ years, $30M+/mo tracked |
| PartnerStack | B2B SaaS companies | No | Custom | 127K+ partners, $2.5B+ driven |
| Tapfiliate | Multi-channel tracking | 7-14 days | $89/mo | 66K+ customers, 30-min setup |
| Post Affiliate Pro | Feature maximalists | Yes | $129/mo | 200+ features, self-hosted |
| Impact | Fortune 500 | No | $5,000+/mo | Enterprise-grade, 120+ countries |
| Referral Rock | Dual programs | Yes | $200/mo | Customer refs + affiliates |
Final Thoughts: Don't Screw This Up
Here's the reality: your affiliate program will live or die based on your tracking quality.
I've been on both sides. As an affiliate making $20K/month in commissions, I've abandoned programs that dropped my conversions, even when they were great products. As someone running programs for AI SEO Tracker, LinkDR, and GenPPT, I've seen how reliable tracking turns affiliates into long-term growth channels.
My honest recommendations based on your situation:
If you're bootstrapped and budget-conscious:
- Under $1K/mo from affiliates? → Affonso ($12.50/mo) - Cheapest option with AI discovery and auto payouts
- Want zero transaction fees? → Tolt ($49/mo) - Only platform with 0% commission, perfect for scaling
- Free tier to test? → PromoteKit ($0 for first 3 referrals, then $39/mo)
If you use Stripe or Paddle:
- Fastest setup (under 15 min)? → Rewardful ($49/mo) - 2,600+ teams trust it
- 5-minute Stripe coupon tracking? → FirstPromoter ($49/mo) - Battle-tested for 7+ years
- Simple + cheap? → PromoteKit ($39/mo) - "Software with a soul"
If tracking accuracy is critical:
- Most accurate tracking available? → Dub ($75/mo) - Backend link tracking, powers Framer/Tella/Privy
- Cross-device tracking that never fails? → Tapfiliate ($89/mo) - 66,000+ customers, proven reliability
- Need link management too? → Dub ($75/mo) - Link shortening + affiliate tracking
If you're a B2B SaaS company:
- Complex sales cycles? → PartnerStack (custom pricing) - CRM-connected tracking, 127K+ partners
- Need co-sell + affiliates? → PartnerStack - Purpose-built for B2B partnerships
- Fortune 500 infrastructure? → Impact ($5,000+/mo) - Enterprise-grade, 120+ countries
If you need specific features:
- Maximum customization? → FirstPromoter ($49/mo) - $30M+/mo tracked, every feature imaginable
- Self-hosted option? → Post Affiliate Pro ($129/mo) - 200+ features
- Customer referrals + affiliates? → Referral Rock ($200/mo) - Dual programs
Whatever you choose, don't cheap out on tracking. The $50/month difference between garbage software and reliable software will cost you thousands in lost commissions and burned relationships.
The platforms I personally use:
- Tolt for GenPPT, LinkDR, and SEO Roast - 0% fees matter when scaling
- Affonso for AI SEO Tracker and MagicSpace SEO - AI discovery saves hours
Good affiliates are hard to find. When you get them, don't lose them to broken tracking.
Questions? Hit me up on X.
WRITTEN BY:
Ilias is a former CTO turned SEO strategist who specializes in building scalable content systems that rank, convert, and compound. He's founded multiple ventures including LinkDR (AI-powered backlinks), MagicSpace SEO (CRO-focused agency), AISEOTracker (SEO monitoring), and GenPPT (AI presentations).
He's led SEO and content projects for 50+ brands, producing growth systems that drive 300%+ organic traffic increases through systematic conversion psychology and technical optimization.
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