Whether you are a creator, or affiliate marketer or you manage a program for a brand, advertiser, or merchant, selecting an affiliate network is a crucial step. An affiliate platform – also called a network – is the glue that holds how affiliates, publishers, and influencers connect with brands, select products and services that will resonate with their audience, and earn a commission or grow their business revenue online.
We reviewed the best affiliate networks for both affiliates and merchants based on several criteria such as payment terms, tracking and reporting capabilities, fraud prevention, network fees, ease of use, to source, connect, and manage the partnerships.
Here is our list of the 10 best affiliate networks, you should consider regardless of what end of the partnership ecosystem and spectrum you are;
- Impact Radius
- CJ
- Awin
- ShareASale
- Levanta
- PepperJam
- Rakuten
- AvantLink
- Flex Offers
- Skimlinks
Ready? Let’s dive in!
What are the Best Affiliate Networks?
Impact Radius
Impact (formerly Impact Radius) is one of the most robust affiliate networks to manage partnerships for affiliates, creators, fintech, Saas, influencers, retail, mobile apps, brand-to-brand (B2B), commerce content, and ambassadors. And the list can go on.
Impact Discovery tool is by far one of the largest and most diverse marketplaces to connect with creators and brands and advanced partner matching functionality based on audience affinities, projected performance, industry, promotional method, and more.
Update 2023: Impact released a new affiliate incrementality dashboard to make it even more easier for advertisers to understand and measure the incrementality of partners in their program.
Pros
- Easy Application process for publishers, affiliates, and creators
- Access to large marketplaces of brands and affiliates to work with
- Very easy-to-use admin dashboard.
Cons
- Complex tracking and API implementation
- Slow-to-respond customer support
- Global partnerships and payment options
CJ
CJ (formerly Commission Junction) is one of the largest affiliate networks with over one billion monthly global customers for brands and affiliates to reach. The network offers cutting-edge tech and industry expertise
CJ’s Data Layer provides a wealth of information about audience insights, customer analysis, competitive performance trends, and forecasting tools and is by far one of their best network features, especially for advertisers looking to benchmark performance.
Pros
- Easy-to-use platform
- Helpful support and resource
- Large marketplace of advertisers and brands to choose from
Cons
- Complex agreement terms and access for agencies
- High minimum payout threshold for publishers
- No Paypal payment options
Awin
Awin is a global affiliate marketing network that brings together advertisers and publishers from around the world. The platform offers a vast selection of products and services across multiple industries from over 13,000 different merchants. Awin’s user-friendly interface, reliable tracking, and timely payouts make it a preferred choice for affiliate marketers seeking international reach and quality partnerships.
Awin’s Power 100 report explores the open ecosystem and highlights 100 of the best partnerships on the global platform. Featuring exciting and unique partnership opportunities across 17 promotional types and interviews from industry innovators, the Power 100 is the perfect tool to inspire, inform, and challenge advertisers’ perceptions of affiliate marketing.
Pros
- Robust tracking capabilities
- Link builder
- Large network of publishers
Cons
- Tracking code implementation
- Customer service is hard to get ahold of
- Network fees
ShareASale
Acquired by Awin in 2017, ShareASale is one of the most popular affiliate networks known for fostering partnerships between merchants and affiliates with more than 4,500 affiliate programs. ShareASale’s transparent reporting and reliable tracking system enable affiliates to monitor their performance effectively and receive timely payments for their promotional efforts.
ShareASale’s platform offers affiliate diagnostics, which is a tool that allows you to see how your affiliate campaigns perform. The data from the diagnostic tool can help you improve your overall performance as an affiliate marketer.
Pros
- Higher acceptance rate than average for publishers
- Easy and transparent payment system
- Access to a large network of affiliates and merchants
Cons
- Outdated platform look and feel
- You will need a website to sign
- Limited reporting tools
Levanta
Levanta is a partner marketing platform that supports Amazon’s Attribution API and allows sellers and publishers to build direct partnerships. The platform offers more visibility in Amazon revenue attributed to Amazon Associates. Their link-tagging feature is fully compatible with Amazon Associate Links which allows affiliates, joining this network, to increase affiliate earnings and commission opportunities with top Amazon Sellers.
Levanta offers a nice user feature to streamline the creation of commissions and contracts for affiliates such as a commission calculator that includes commission payouts + Levanta fess + Amazon’s brand Referral Bonus (BRB). Yes! If you drive non-Amazon traffic to Amazon, sellers will get a bonus averaging 10% of sales.
Pros
- Easy-to-use platforms for advertisers and creators
- Setup commissions at the ASIN level
- Handle 1099 tax reporting
Cons
- Limited payment options
- Time to scale can be longer
- Great for creators, needs improvement for advertisers
PepperJam
With more than 2 million partnerships created annually, Pepperjam (a Partnerize company) offers advertisers and publishers a robust intuitive technology solution to discover, engage, and convert high-value customers and a partner with the experience to drive connections that create commerce.
Pepperjam’s dynamic attribution technology allows businesses to identify the most effective advertising channels and ensure appropriate commissions for top market influencers. Pepperjam also provides users with insights regarding conversion rates and compliance violations, among other valuable analytics.
Pros
- Large selection of coupon and deal sites
- Quick and easy signup
- Low payout threshold for publishers
Cons
- Outdated UI and platform layout
- Publishers are mostly coupon sites
- Limited payment methods
Rakuten
Rakuten, also known as Rakuten Advertising, is a global affiliate marketing network that connects advertisers and publishers on an international scale. With over 1,000 merchants’ programs and a wide range of products and services available, Rakuten offers affiliates diverse opportunities to promote and earn commissions based on their performance.
From a consumer’s perspective, Rakuten will currently pay you $30 if you refer a friend and give another $30 to the friend if they spend at least $20 within 90 days. There’s also a $10 welcome bonus for new Rakuten users.
Pros
- Easy signup process
- Large selection of merchants
- Advanced tracking solutions
Cons
- Customer support
- Outdated platform dashboard and UI
- Long payout window for publishers and shoppers
AvantLink
AvantLink is an affiliate marketing network catering to outdoor and lifestyle brands. It provides affiliates with access to a wide range of products related to activities such as camping, hiking, and sports. AvantLink’s industry-specific approach and performance-based commission structures make it a preferred choice for affiliates with audiences interested in outdoor-related products.
AvantLink’s paid placement tool lets you enjoy the benefits of paid ad placement. Paid ads are an excellent way to earn commissions through the AvantLink platform. To be specific, the network makes it easy to retain optimal control over the denial or approval of merchant bids. You can even choose display ads from merchants or any other ad network.
Pros
- Easy-to-use dashboard and tracking
- Dedicated forum for affiliates and publishers
- High transparency on performance
Cons
- Acceptance rate for publishers
- Poor customer service
- The platform’s UI needs improvements
FlexOffers
FlexOffers is a recognized leader in performance-based marketing. We employ a “one-roof” approach that enables us to work with over 10K advertisers across 65 networks and over 75K publisher programs
FlexOffers has released its WordPress Plugin to automate link creation and enhance affiliate product pages with product widgets – with over 500M product selections – you can directly embed natively within your content either using a grid, carousel, or list view.
Pros
- Payment options flexibility
- Robust tracking and reporting capabilities
- A large variety of advertisers
Cons
- Basic customer service
- No Paypal payment options
- Learning curve for affiliates new to the space
Skimlinks
Skimlinks is the leader in commerce content monetization. Trusted by enterprise leaders and SMEs across the world. Commerce content enables editorial teams to build a sustainable stream of revenue and advertisers grow their ecommerce sales by reaching out to new audiences. More than 60, OOO publishers and 48,500 merchants connecting globally, driving $2.5M of sales every day.
Skimlink’s easy-to-use Chrome extension will pop up on any page for which Skimlinks has a merchant relationship. It’s the fastest way to create deep links.
Pros
- A wide range of advertisers and brands
- Solid application review and assessment
- Data transparency
Cons
- High network fees
- 90-day payment window
- Slow-to-no customer support
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What are affiliate networks?
Affiliate marketing has become an integral part of the digital marketing landscape. Companies looking to expand their reach and boost their sales often turn to affiliate networks to manage partnerships efficiently. These networks offer a range of functions and features designed to streamline the affiliate marketing process.
- Recruitment and partnership diversity
Affiliate networks serve as a central hub where businesses can recruit a diverse range of affiliates. This function enables companies to access a global talent pool, allowing for partnerships with affiliates who specialize in different niches and industries. Diversity in partnerships can significantly impact a company’s outreach and engagement.
- Automated partner matching
One of the core functions of an affiliate network is the ability to automatically match businesses with suitable affiliates. This matchmaking process is based on various factors such as industry, target audience, and performance metrics. Automated partner matching optimizes the partnership selection process, ensuring that businesses collaborate with affiliates who align with their goals.
- Cross-Device Tracking and Attribution
In an era where consumers switch between devices seamlessly, cross-device tracking and attribution are vital for tracking the customer journey accurately. Affiliate networks provide this functionality, enabling businesses to attribute conversions to the appropriate affiliate regardless of the device used. This ensures affiliates receive fair compensation for their contributions.
- Fraud prevention
Protecting the integrity of the affiliate marketing ecosystem is paramount. Affiliate networks implement fraud prevention mechanisms to safeguard against fraudulent activities such as click fraud or cookie stuffing. These measures help maintain the trust and reliability of the affiliate marketing channel.
- Commission and Payout
Affiliate networks manage the entire commission and payout process. They calculate and distribute commissions to affiliates based on their performance. This function ensures transparency and timely payments, which are crucial for maintaining healthy affiliate relationships.
- Communication
Effective communication is key to successful affiliate marketing partnerships. Affiliate networks often provide messaging and notification systems to facilitate easy communication between businesses and affiliates. This real-time interaction fosters collaboration and helps partners align their strategies for mutual success.
- Advanced Reporting Capabilities
Affiliate networks offer advanced reporting tools and analytics to help businesses monitor their affiliate marketing performance. These reports provide valuable insights into key performance indicators, enabling businesses to make data-driven decisions to optimize their campaigns and partnerships.
- Support and online resource
Affiliate networks typically offer support services and online resources to assist businesses and affiliates. These resources may include training materials, webinars, and dedicated support teams. They play a vital role in ensuring that both businesses and affiliates understand how to navigate the platform effectively and get the most out of their partnership.
- Platform Fees
Affiliate networks do charge fees for their services, which often include setup fees, monthly subscription fees, and a percentage of the commissions paid to affiliates. These fees are a necessary part of the affiliate marketing ecosystem, and they are usually offset by the value and convenience that the network provides in managing partnerships and tracking performance.
Benefits of the affiliate networks
For brands and advertisers
Cost-Effective Marketing: Affiliate networks offer a performance-based marketing model. Brands and advertisers only pay when a desired action, such as a sale or lead, is generated. This means a more efficient allocation of marketing budgets.
Access to Diverse Audiences: Affiliate networks have a wide range of publishers and affiliates, each with their own niche audience. This allows brands to tap into markets they might not reach through traditional advertising channels.
Risk Mitigation: With the pay-for-performance model, the risk is shifted from the advertiser to the affiliate. Advertisers only pay for actual results, reducing the risk of investing in campaigns that might not yield returns.
Measurable Results: Affiliate networks provide robust tracking and reporting tools. Brands can monitor the performance of their campaigns in real time, allowing for quick adjustments and optimizations.
Enhanced Brand Exposure: Working with affiliates can significantly increase a brand’s online presence. Through various affiliates, brands can reach different corners of the internet, increasing their visibility and authority.
Global Reach: Affiliate networks often have a global presence, making it easier for brands to expand into international markets and connect with affiliates around the world.
Time Efficiency: Managing individual partnerships can be time-consuming. Affiliate networks streamline this process, making it easier for brands to manage multiple partnerships through a single platform.
For publishers, creators, and affiliates
Monetization Opportunities: Publishers and creators can monetize their digital content by partnering with affiliate networks. They earn commissions for promoting products or services, turning their content into a revenue source.
Diverse Product Catalog: Affiliate networks offer a wide range of products and services, giving publishers and affiliates the flexibility to choose partnerships that align with their content and audience.
Passive Income: Once the content is created and the affiliate links are integrated, publishers can earn passive income as long as their content continues to drive traffic and conversions.
Professional Support: Affiliate networks often provide support, resources, and guidance to help publishers and affiliates succeed. This can include marketing materials, best practices, and technical assistance.
Transparent Tracking: Affiliate networks offer clear and transparent tracking tools that allow publishers to see the performance of their campaigns, helping them refine their strategies for better results.
Networking Opportunities: Joining an affiliate network provides opportunities to connect with other publishers and affiliates, fostering a sense of community and the potential for collaboration.
No Inventory or Customer Service: Creators and affiliates do not need to worry about inventory, shipping, or customer service. They simply refer customers to the brand, and the brand handles the rest.
How to pick the right affiliate network?
Selecting an appropriate affiliate network that aligns with your goals and objectives for optimizing your affiliate program. By choosing the right affiliate network, you can maximize your program’s effectiveness and reach your desired outcomes.
- Research and identify the goals and objectives of your affiliate program.
- Consider the types of products or services you offer and the target audience you want to reach.
- Evaluate different affiliate networks based on their reputation, track record, commission structure, payment terms, and support.
- Read reviews and testimonials from other affiliates who have worked with the networks you are considering.
- Compare the features and benefits offered by each network and how they align with your goals and objectives.
- Contact the affiliate networks directly to ask any specific questions or clarifications.
- Make a final decision based on your research and choose the affiliate network that best fits your needs.
- Sign up and create an account with the selected affiliate network.
Implement the necessary tracking and integration codes on your website or platform to start tracking affiliate referrals and conversions.
Affiliate networks FAQ
Affiliate network vs. affiliate software
Affiliate networks serve as intermediaries, connecting advertisers with affiliates and managing program logistics. They are third-party platforms with a broader network of affiliates and programs, making them ideal for businesses looking for a ready-made solution with less control but more convenience. These networks often charge fees based on commissions or flat rates.
On the other hand, affiliate software empowers individual businesses to create and oversee their own affiliate programs. This software provides greater control and customization options but requires more hands-on management and technical expertise.
Costs are typically in the form of licensing or subscription fees, making them a preferred choice for companies seeking autonomy in their affiliate marketing endeavors. The choice between the two depends on the level of control, customization, and resources a business has for managing its affiliate program.
What are the best Affiliate softwares for 2024
Wrapping-up
We went over a lot!
Affiliate networks are platforms that facilitate partnerships between advertisers and publishers and networks like Impact, CJ, Awin, or ShareSale are amongst the best affiliate networks you should consider if you are serious about scaling your online business.
Carefully evaluate criteria such as commission and payout flexibility, platform fees, communications, reporting capabilities, or partner discovery and marketplace, to determine the best affiliate network that will suit your specific needs.
Whether you’re a publisher looking to promote products or an advertiser seeking to expand your reach, making the right choice of network can significantly impact your success and profitability.
After all, the ultimate goal is to build profitable and long-lasting partnerships that not only maximize earnings but also enhance your overall affiliate marketing experience.
Success starts with The Good Strategy!
