TL;DR: The best affiliate network depends entirely on your business model and stage. For most founders with digital products or early-stage SaaS, ShareASale provides the best mix of affiliate volume, reliability, and reasonable cost. For scaling B2B SaaS companies, PartnerStack is the clear specialist, while larger, enterprise-level brands will find the powerful tracking and automation of Impact.com to be the market leader.
Quick answers
What is the best affiliate network for beginners?
For most beginners, whether you're a new merchant or a new affiliate, ShareASale is the best starting point. It has a lower barrier to entry than Impact or PartnerStack, a massive directory of both affiliates and merchants, and a long-standing reputation for reliable payments. I started on networks like this before building my own programs.
Which affiliate network pays the most?
No single network 'pays the most'. High payouts are determined by the merchant's offer, not the network itself. You can find high percentage payouts (50-75%) on digital product networks like ClickBank. However, promoting a high-ticket B2B SaaS on PartnerStack at a 30% recurring commission could yield thousands per month from a single referral, dwarfing the info product sale.
Do I need a website to join an affiliate network?
Mostly, yes. While some networks might theoretically approve you without one, the vast majority of reputable affiliate networks require you to have an established website or a significant social media presence. This is how they verify your identity and ensure you have a legitimate audience. Trying to get approved with just a social media link is tough; a simple blog or personal site is much better.
Is ClickBank a good affiliate network in 2026?
ClickBank can be good for a very specific niche: high-volume, low-touch digital information products. It's easy to get started on and offers high commission rates. However, it has a reputation for lower-quality products and high refund rates, which can hurt your brand long-term. I generally advise my founder friends to build on more reputable platforms unless they are purely in the direct response info-product game.
How do I choose an affiliate network as a merchant?
First, identify your ideal affiliate partner. Are they a blogger, YouTuber, or a B2B agency? Then, find the network where those partners are most active. Evaluate the network's fee structure (setup, monthly, and transaction fees), technology, and the quality of other brands on the platform. I cover my full framework for this below.
What exactly is an affiliate network and why should you care?
An affiliate network is a third-party marketplace that connects merchants (like me, with my software) to affiliates (people with audiences who promote products for a commission). Think of it as a broker. Instead of me having to find thousands of individual bloggers and YouTubers myself, I can list my product, like my automated webinar software WebinarKit, on a network, and affiliates can find and apply to promote me. The network handles the tracking, reporting, and crucially, the payments. This solves a massive administrative headache and provides a layer of trust for both sides. For a founder, leveraging an affiliate network is one of the fastest ways to build an external sales team that works purely on performance. You only pay for results, which is a beautiful model when you're scaling.
Affiliate Network vs. In-House Program
An in-house program means you build the entire system yourself using software like Rewardful or FirstPromoter. You are responsible for recruiting every single affiliate, managing payments, and handling all the tech. It gives you more control and you don't pay network fees. However, you miss out on the network's existing base of affiliates who are actively looking for products to promote. Early on, the discovery you get from a network is invaluable. We've run both models across my companies, and the honest answer is that a hybrid approach often works best. You can use a network for broad recruitment and run a private, in-house program for your top-tier VIP partners with special terms.
How did I choose the right affiliate network for my businesses?
My journey with affiliate networks started over a decade ago, and the decision process was messy and filled with mistakes. When I launched my first major digital products, I was obsessed with one thing: commission percentage. I went straight for networks like JVZoo and ClickBank because they championed 50% or higher commissions. What I learned the hard way is that platform quality and affiliate quality matter far more than a headline percentage. High commissions on a low-quality network often come with high refund rates, low-quality traffic, and brand damage. For my book, 'Sell More With Webinars', and my software products like WebinarKit, I needed a more stable, professional solution. My evaluation shifted from 'who pays the most' to 'who provides the most long-term value'. This meant looking at the network's reputation, the types of affiliates on the platform, the reliability of their tracking technology, and the overall user experience for both my team and my affiliate partners. The cost became a secondary concern to the potential for sustainable growth and brand safety.
ShareASale is my top pick for most digital product creators
ShareASale is the best all-around choice for the vast majority of founders launching digital products, courses, or early-stage SaaS. It's one of the oldest and most respected players in the game, and its acquisition by Awin has only expanded its reach. The primary reason I recommend it is the sheer size and diversity of its affiliate base. You will find tens of thousands of active content creators, from niche bloggers to mid-sized review sites, actively looking for products to promote. For a new product, this 'discovery' function is worth the network fees alone. We saw an immediate influx of applicants when we listed one of our earlier products there, something that's impossible with a private, in-house program. The interface can feel a bit dated compared to newer platforms, but it is rock-solid reliable. Tracking is accurate, payments are always on time, and their support is responsive. The fee structure is also manageable for a growing business: a one-time setup fee and a percentage of the commissions you pay out, which aligns their success with yours. For anyone who isn't a massive enterprise or a niche B2B SaaS, ShareASale is the place to start.
Is Impact.com the best network for mature SaaS businesses?
Yes, for mature SaaS and established e-commerce brands, Impact.com is arguably the most powerful platform on the market today. While ShareASale is a marketplace, Impact is more of a partnership management platform. It's built for brands that are moving beyond simple affiliate links and want to manage a wide array of partnerships, including influencers, strategic B2B partners, and mobile apps. Their tracking and contracting technology is best-in-class, allowing for much more flexible and creative commission structures. You can set up bonuses, pay for actions other than a final sale (like a lead or a demo signup), and manage complex contracts directly within the platform. When we were evaluating scaling options for WebinarKit, we took a hard look at Impact. The main drawback is the cost and complexity. It's a true SaaS model with a significant monthly platform fee on top of any network fees, which prices it out of reach for most startups. But if you have a dedicated partnership manager and the budget to support it, Impact gives you an unparalleled level of control and insight into your partner program's performance. It’s what you graduate to.
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Can you still make money with ClickBank in 2026?
You absolutely can, but you need to go in with your eyes wide open about what ClickBank is and isn't. ClickBank excels at one thing: enabling direct response marketers to sell digital info-products with very high, instant commissions. The platform is built around this model. It's incredibly easy for affiliates to get started, find a product with a 75% commission, and start running traffic to a sales page. For merchants, it handles all the sales processing and affiliate payouts, which is convenient. However, the platform's open nature means quality control can be an issue. It has a long-standing reputation for being home to some over-hyped, low-value 'make money online' type products. If you have a solid, high-quality course or ebook, you might feel out of place. Furthermore, their generous refund policy, while good for consumers, can lead to high refund rates for merchants. I see ClickBank as a viable platform for a specific type of business focused on high-volume, transactional sales. It is not the place I would choose to build a long-term, premium brand like my AI app builder, Maker AI, where customer lifetime value and brand perception are critical.
What about PartnerStack for B2B SaaS?
PartnerStack has carved out a brilliant niche and is the undisputed king for B2B SaaS affiliate and reseller programs. If your company sells software to other businesses, PartnerStack should be at the top of your list. Unlike general-purpose networks, their entire platform is designed around the needs of a SaaS business. They understand recurring revenue and have built-in features to manage commissions on monthly and annual subscriptions, upgrades, and downgrades. This is a nightmare to handle on generic networks. More importantly, PartnerStack focuses on 'partners', not just 'affiliates'. Their platform is designed to manage different types of partner relationships, such as referral partners who pass on leads, and reseller partners who actively sell and onboard new customers. They automate the entire lifecycle, from partner application and onboarding to rewards and payments. Many of the top B2B SaaS companies you know use PartnerStack, which creates a powerful network effect. B2B-focused affiliates and agencies are already on the platform and comfortable with how it works, making it easier to recruit them for your program. Their focus makes them the go-to choice, similar to how I built WebinarKit to be the best-in-class tool specifically for automated webinars.
My 5-step framework for evaluating any affiliate network
Choosing a network is a significant decision that impacts your budget, brand, and growth trajectory. After a few costly mistakes early in my career, I developed this simple five-step framework. It's what I use to evaluate any new platform or partnership opportunity, and you can find more of my operational frameworks in my founder's blog.
- Define Your Ideal Affiliate First: Before you even look at a network, get crystal clear on who you want promoting your product. Are they a tech blogger with a small, dedicated audience? A massive YouTuber? A B2B consultant? A 'coupon mom' blogger? Each of these personas lives on different platforms. Don't pick a network and hope the right affiliates are there; find where your ideal affiliates are, and go to that network.
- Analyze the True Cost Structure: Don't get seduced by a low commission percentage. Dig into the fee schedule. There's often a one-time integration or setup fee ($500 - $5000+), a recurring monthly platform fee, and a network fee, which is a percentage of the affiliate commissions you pay. For example, if you pay an affiliate $100, and the network fee is 20%, your total cost is $120. Model this out based on your expected sales volume to understand the real cost.
- Audit the Network's Technology and Tracking: This is non-negotiable. Bad tracking kills affiliate programs. Can their system handle your specific needs (e.g., recurring subscriptions, app-install tracking)? How long is the cookie life? Is their reporting clear and actionable for both you and your partners? I recommend asking for a full demo and speaking to a few existing merchants on the platform about their experience with tracking accuracy.
- Scrutinize the Network Quality and Brand Fit: Go onto the network as if you were an affiliate. Look at the other merchants in your category. Are they reputable brands you'd be proud to be listed alongside, or is it a sea of low-quality junk? The company you keep on a network reflects on your own brand. A premium product on a low-rent network creates a brand mismatch that smart affiliates will notice.
- Read the Contract and Understand the Terms: This sounds obvious, but it's where the devil resides. Are there any exclusivity clauses that prevent you from using other networks? What are the payment terms and cycles? What's the process for resolving disputes with affiliates? As I mentioned in my book, understanding the operational details before you sign is critical. Run the contract by a lawyer if it involves a significant financial commitment.
Head-to-Head Comparison: ShareASale vs. Impact vs. PartnerStack
Choosing between the top networks can be tough because they all claim to be the best. Here's a simplified breakdown based on my experience and research. This table cuts through the marketing fluff to help you see which platform aligns with your business stage and model.
| Feature | ShareASale | Impact.com | PartnerStack |
|---|
| Best For | Digital Products, E-commerce, Early-stage SaaS | Mature Brands, Enterprise SaaS, Retail | B2B SaaS |
| Pricing Model | One-time setup fee + % of affiliate payout | Monthly SaaS fee + % of affiliate payout | Monthly SaaS fee + % of partner revenue |
| Key Strength | Large, diverse affiliate marketplace for recruitment | Advanced tracking, automation, and contract management | Specialized tools for recurring revenue and B2B partner types |
| User Interface | Functional but dated | Modern and powerful, but complex | Clean, modern, and SaaS-focused |
| My Take | The best all-around starting point for most founders. Reliable, cost-effective, and great for discovery. | The enterprise-grade power tool. You graduate to Impact when you have a dedicated team and budget. | The no-brainer choice if you're a B2B SaaS company. It's built for your exact business model. |
How do you recruit and manage affiliates once you're on a network?
Getting listed on a network is just step one; it’s not a 'set it and forget it' channel. The real work is in recruiting and activating the right partners. First, you have to be proactive. Use the network's directory to search for affiliates who are already promoting similar or complementary products and send them a personalized invitation. Don't just rely on the generic application queue. Explain why your product is a great fit for their specific audience. Second, you need to treat your affiliates like true business partners. This means creating a dedicated resource center for them with marketing assets, email swipe copy, banners, and product tutorials. This is crucial for getting them to actually start promoting. The best affiliates are educators, which is why a solid [webinar marketing funnel](https://www.stefanciancio.com/blog/webinar-marketing-guide) is such a powerful tool for them to use. Giving them a pre-recorded, high-converting webinar to promote is like handing them a money machine. Managing your top performers is like running a VIP club; this is where creating a dedicated space using one of the [best community platforms](https://www.stefanciancio.com/blog/best-community-platform) can give you a massive edge over your competitors by building loyalty and direct communication lines.
What tools do you need besides the network itself?
While the network provides the core infrastructure, you need a few other tools to run a truly effective affiliate program. The most important is a system for creating marketing assets for your partners. Affiliates are busy; the easier you make it for them to promote you, the more they will. They need a constant supply of fresh content ideas, social media posts, email copy, and graphics. This is an area where AI can be a massive force multiplier. We use our own tool, Maker AI, to generate dozens of content variations and marketing angles from a single piece of source material. This allows us to supply our affiliates with an endless stream of unique promotional content without burning out our marketing team. You should also consider an affiliate link management tool, especially if you work with influencers outside of a formal network. Tools like Pretty Links (for WordPress) or Bitly can help you create clean, memorable links. Finally, clear communication is key. You'll need a reliable email marketing system to send out affiliate newsletters with updates, promotions, and success stories. Keeping your partners engaged and informed is critical for long-term success. I talk more about the founder's essential toolkit on my resources page.
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FAQ
What's the difference between an affiliate network and an affiliate program?
An affiliate program is a single company's offer to pay commissions (e.g., the WebinarKit affiliate program). An affiliate network (like ShareASale) is a large marketplace that hosts thousands of different affiliate programs from many companies. The network acts as the intermediary, providing tracking, payment, and a directory for both merchants and affiliates.
Are there affiliate networks with instant or no approval?
Generally, no. Networks that offer instant or no-approval access tend to be very low quality and are often associated with spammy practices. Reputable networks have an approval process to protect their merchants from fraud and ensure affiliates have a legitimate audience. This vetting process is a feature, not a bug, as it maintains the quality of the ecosystem.
How much does it cost for a merchant to join an affiliate network?
Costs vary widely. ShareASale has a one-time setup fee (around $550) plus a percentage of commissions. Impact.com and PartnerStack use a SaaS model with monthly fees that can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, plus other fees. There's rarely a 'free' option for merchants on major networks.
Yes, unless you have signed an exclusivity clause with a specific network, you can list your product on multiple networks. However, this can create administrative complexity in managing different platforms and potentially lead to commission disputes if a customer clicks links from affiliates on different networks. Most businesses start with one and master it before expanding.
What is the best affiliate network for physical products?
For physical products and e-commerce, ShareASale and CJ (Commission Junction) are two of the strongest contenders. Both have a long history and a massive base of affiliates who specialize in reviewing and promoting physical goods. Amazon Associates is its own massive program, but it's an in-house program, not a network in the same way.
How do I track my affiliate sales accurately?
The affiliate network handles this for you using tracking links and cookies. When a potential customer clicks an affiliate's unique link, a cookie is placed on their browser. If that customer makes a purchase within the specified cookie duration (e.g., 30-90 days), the network attributes the sale to that affiliate and logs it in your dashboard.
What are typical affiliate commission rates for SaaS?
For B2B SaaS products, a typical commission rate is 20-30% of the recurring revenue for the first year of the customer's subscription. Some offer lifetime recurring commissions, but this is less common. For lower-priced SaaS, you might see higher percentages, while for very high-ticket enterprise plans, you might see a lower percentage or a flat-rate bounty per sale.
Should I use an affiliate network or build an in-house program?
I recommend a hybrid approach for most. Start with an affiliate network like ShareASale to tap into their existing affiliate marketplace for discovery and recruitment. As you grow and identify your top-performing partners, consider moving them to a private in-house program where you can offer them better terms, direct support, and build a stronger relationship away from the noise of the network.
FAQ
What's the difference between an affiliate network and an affiliate program?
An affiliate program is a single company's offer to pay commissions (e.g., the WebinarKit affiliate program). An affiliate network (like ShareASale) is a large marketplace that hosts thousands of different affiliate programs from many companies. The network acts as the intermediary, providing tracking, payment, and a directory for both merchants and affiliates.
Are there affiliate networks with instant or no approval?
Generally, no. Networks that offer instant or no-approval access tend to be very low quality and are often associated with spammy practices. Reputable networks have an approval process to protect their merchants from fraud and ensure affiliates have a legitimate audience. This vetting process is a feature, not a bug, as it maintains the quality of the ecosystem.
How much does it cost for a merchant to join an affiliate network?
Costs vary widely. ShareASale has a one-time setup fee (around $550) plus a percentage of commissions. Impact.com and PartnerStack use a SaaS model with monthly fees that can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, plus other fees. There's rarely a 'free' option for merchants on major networks.
Can I be on multiple affiliate networks at the same time?
Yes, unless you have signed an exclusivity clause with a specific network, you can list your product on multiple networks. However, this can create administrative complexity in managing different platforms and potentially lead to commission disputes if a customer clicks links from affiliates on different networks. Most businesses start with one and master it before expanding.
What is the best affiliate network for physical products?
For physical products and e-commerce, ShareASale and CJ (Commission Junction) are two of the strongest contenders. Both have a long history and a massive base of affiliates who specialize in reviewing and promoting physical goods. Amazon Associates is its own massive program, but it's an in-house program, not a network in the same way.
How do I track my affiliate sales accurately?
The affiliate network handles this for you using tracking links and cookies. When a potential customer clicks an affiliate's unique link, a cookie is placed on their browser. If that customer makes a purchase within the specified cookie duration (e.g., 30-90 days), the network attributes the sale to that affiliate and logs it in your dashboard.
What are typical affiliate commission rates for SaaS?
For B2B SaaS products, a typical commission rate is 20-30% of the recurring revenue for the first year of the customer's subscription. Some offer lifetime recurring commissions, but this is less common. For lower-priced SaaS, you might see higher percentages, while for very high-ticket enterprise plans, you might see a lower percentage or a flat-rate bounty per sale.
Should I use an affiliate network or build an in-house program?
I recommend a hybrid approach for most. Start with an affiliate network like ShareASale to tap into their existing affiliate marketplace for discovery and recruitment. As you grow and identify your top-performing partners, consider moving them to a private in-house program where you can offer them better terms, direct support, and build a stronger relationship away from the noise of the network.