Affiliate marketing is a simple way to earn money online by promoting products and services. The key is to find programs that offer high payouts. This article lists the top 20 affiliate programs with the highest payouts, giving you a head start in the world of affiliate marketing.
Key Takeaways
- Commission-based earnings are common, usually offering a percentage of each sale.
- Some programs pay for leads or clicks instead of sales, known as pay-per-lead (PPL) or pay-per-click (PPC).
- Tiered commissions can boost your earnings as you refer more customers.
- Recurring commissions allow you to keep earning as long as your referrals stay subscribed.
- High-ticket programs often offer larger commissions but may require more effort to convert sales.
1. HubSpot
HubSpot offers one of the highest-paying affiliate programs in the market. Affiliates can earn a 30% recurring commission for up to one year for every sale they make. The program is structured into three tiers, each with increasing earning potential and rewards:
- HubSpot Affiliate: 30% recurring commission for up to one year for every sale.
- Super Affiliate: 30% recurring commission for up to one year for every sale, plus additional bonuses.
- Elite Affiliate: Custom commission rates.
HubSpot’s plans range from $50 to over $3,000 per month, and it’s common for customers to purchase multiple products, which can significantly increase their earnings. The program is managed through Impact, making it easy to track your progress and commissions.
With a cookie life of 180 days and a minimum sales threshold of just one sign-up, HubSpot’s affiliate program is designed to help you succeed.
Affiliates also gain access to an extensive creative inventory with over 400 promotional assets, including demo videos, banners, and a copy bank, to help you maximize your commissions.
2. Amazon Associates
Amazon Associates is one of the largest and most popular affiliate programs in the world. Affiliates can promote a staggering number of products, from electronics and books to household items, all through the Amazon Associates network. With millions of products available, affiliates use easy link-building tools to recommend products to their audiences and earn up to 10% in commissions from qualifying purchases.
Key Details
- Commission Rate: 1% – 10% of the item sale price
- Cookie Window: 24 hours
- Payout Methods: Check, Amazon gift certificates, or wire transfer
- Payout Threshold: $10 minimum for wire transfer, $100 for checks
- Industry: E-commerce
- Best For: Content creators, bloggers, social influencers, review sites
- Affiliate Support: Publisher Studio extension, Product Advertising API, promotional materials, image banners, text link banners
One main advantage of affiliate marketing with Amazon is that people already know the company and love to shop there, so it’s not a hard sell. The company has very high conversion rates, especially around the holidays.
Another great feature is that if someone clicks your affiliate link and buys something other than what you linked to, you still get a commission on the entire cart. However, some categories like video games and electronics have lower commissions.
For those with large audiences, Amazon offers the Amazon Influencer Program, an extension of the Associates program for social media influencers. This program provides similar benefits and gives you your own page on Amazon to showcase recommended products. To qualify, you need a YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook account with a good number of followers and engagement metrics.
3. eBay Partner Network
The eBay Partner Network is a great way for affiliate marketers to earn commissions by driving traffic to eBay listings. Affiliates can earn between 1% to 4% of the purchase price, depending on the product category. This program is ideal for those who want to promote a wide range of items, from vintage collectibles to brand-new electronics.
Key Details
- Commission Rate: 1% – 4% of the purchase price
- Cookie Window: 24 hours
- Payout Methods: PayPal or wire transfer
- Payout Threshold: $10 minimum payout
- Industry: E-commerce
- Best For: Content creators, bloggers, social influencers, publishers
- Affiliate Support: eBay Partner Portal provides creative gallery, custom graphics, banner ads, data & reporting tools, and eBay APIs
With over one billion listings, eBay offers a diverse selection of products, making it a lucrative opportunity for affiliates with broad audiences.
4. Reclaim.ai
Reclaim.ai is a standout affiliate program, especially after its acquisition by Dropbox. This AI-powered calendar and productivity tool helps users find the best times for tasks, habits, meetings, and breaks. It’s perfect for large companies, individual employees, freelancers, and even students.
Key Features
- Smart Scheduling: Automatically plan your workweek around your priorities.
- Time Tracking: Keeps track of how you spend your time.
- People Analytics: Analyzes team productivity and work-life balance.
Affiliate Program Details
- Commission: 25% recurring commission for up to one year
- Cookie Window: 90 days
- Payout Methods: PayPal, Stripe, or direct deposit
- Payout Threshold: $5 minimum payout
- Best For: Social influencers, bloggers, podcasts, review sites, directories, consultants
Reclaim.ai is now part of Dropbox, driving the future of productivity at work together.
Affiliate Resources
- Affiliate Partner Guide: Offers brand assets, social templates, promotional assets, best practices, ROI stats, and more.
5. Jotform
Jotform is a no-code online form builder that helps businesses create custom forms to collect and organize important data. The platform offers a variety of features, including a drag-and-drop interface, customizable templates, and mobile optimization. It also supports payment collection, conditional logic, workflow, and real-time analytics.
The Jotform Affiliate Program provides a generous recurring commission structure, a dedicated partner dashboard, marketing materials, and a dedicated account manager focused on your success. Commission rates start at 30% and can go up to 50% based on your performance.
- Commission: 30%-50% recurring commission, plus a $5 bonus for each subscription purchase in the first 30 days
- Cookie window: 60 days
- Payout methods: PayPal
- Payout threshold: None
- Industry: Online Form Builder, online surveys, no-code app builder
- Best for Content creators, bloggers, web educators, digital entrepreneurs, web developers, digital marketers, directories, consultants, healthcare professionals
- Affiliate resources: Dedicated partner dashboard, brand assets, promotional material, and dedicated account manager
6. PartnerStack
PartnerStack is a leading affiliate network tailored for B2B technology partnerships. If you’re new to B2B affiliate marketing, it works similarly to B2C but with generally higher and longer-lasting commissions. Think recurring revenue of 20-100% of a sale for the lifetime of the customer you helped create.
Through the in-app dashboard, you can easily monitor your performance across all the programs you are part of. Built-in partner engagement features like challenges, in-app messaging, and learning materials allow for more connectivity with the partner program managers.
Like other affiliate networks, you must apply to each partner program separately, but you’ll be paid out once a month via PayPal or Stripe once you hit the network’s $5 payout threshold.
If you want to work with top-tier B2B companies that provide higher commission and conversion rates, the PartnerStack Network should be the first place to start your search for affiliate marketing programs.
7. Clickbank
Clickbank is a well-known affiliate marketing platform that offers a wide range of products for affiliates to promote. It is particularly popular for its high commission rates and diverse product categories.
Key Features
- High Commission Rates: Clickbank offers some of the highest commission rates in the industry, often ranging from 50% to 75%.
- Diverse Product Categories: From health and fitness to e-books and software, Clickbank has a wide variety of products to choose from.
- Reliable Payments: Affiliates can expect timely payments through various methods like direct deposit, PayPal, and checks.
Why Choose Clickbank?
Clickbank is ideal for both new and experienced affiliates. The platform provides extensive resources and support to help you succeed. Additionally, the Clickbank top products list is updated regularly, ensuring you always have access to the most lucrative offers.
Clickbank’s user-friendly interface and high commission rates make it a top choice for affiliates looking to maximize their earnings.
Commission Structure
| Product Type | Commission Rate |
|---|---|
| Digital Products | Up to 75% |
| Physical Products | Up to 50% |
Getting Started
- Sign Up: Create a free account on Clickbank’s website.
- Choose Products: Browse through the marketplace to find products that align with your niche.
- Promote: Use your unique affiliate links to promote the products through your website, blog, or social media.
- Earn: Receive commissions for every sale made through your affiliate links.
Clickbank’s combination of high payouts, diverse product offerings, and reliable payment methods make it a standout choice for affiliate marketers.
8. Rakuten
Rakuten is a well-known technology company, famous for its e-commerce marketplace and cashback site. The Rakuten affiliate network acts as a middleman between brands, affiliate marketers, and consumers. Rakuten offers a unique affiliate program with three different commission structures:
- Dynamic: Commissions vary by category and customer status.
- Coupon: Brands set rules for coupon codes and commission terms.
- Multitouch: Rewards the first click in the user’s journey towards a sale.
Affiliate Program Details
- Commission Rate: Varies, typically around 3-20%.
- Cookie Duration: Varies by advertiser.
- Payout Methods: PayPal, direct deposit, or check.
- Payout Threshold: $50 minimum payout.
- Best For: Content creators, bloggers, social influencers, publishers, review sites.
- Affiliate Support: Varies by merchant.
Rakuten is ideal for those looking to earn commissions on sales from high-ticket brands like Sephora, Lululemon, and Neiman Marcus.
9. Elementor
Elementor’s affiliate program is a fantastic opportunity for those looking to promote a widely-used website builder. Elementor powers 8% of all websites globally, making it a trusted name in the industry. Affiliates can earn up to 50% commission on every new sale, which is one of the highest in the market.
Key Details
- Commission: Up to 50% per sale
- Cookie Window: 45 days
- Payout Methods: PayPal
- Payout Threshold: $200 minimum
- Industry: Website builder
- Best For Content creators, web educators, digital entrepreneurs, WordPress developers, digital marketers
- Affiliate Support: Access to Elementor marketing kit
Why Join?
Elementor offers several paid plans ranging from $59/year to $399/year, making it easier to target different audiences. The program is especially beneficial for bloggers, publishers, and content creators who focus on web design and WordPress.
With notable affiliates earning over $10,000 a month, Elementor is an attractive option for anyone looking to monetize their content.
Joining the Elementor affiliate program is a smart move for those who want to promote a high-quality product and earn substantial commissions.
10. ConvertKit
ConvertKit is an email marketing platform designed to help creators grow and monetize their audiences. Through custom landing pages, sign-up forms, link pages, and automated marketing flows, digital creators can market and sell their digital products and subscriptions while driving up their conversions. Thanks to a user-friendly interface and a focus on building meaningful connections with subscribers, it has become one of the most popular email marketing tools.
Commission Structure
ConvertKit’s affiliate program offers a 30% recurring commission on sales for 24 months for every new customer referred. This means affiliates can earn a steady income as long as their referrals remain active customers.
Cookie Duration
The program has a generous 90-day cookie window, giving affiliates ample time to earn commissions from their referrals.
Payout Methods
Affiliates are paid through PayPal, making it convenient and accessible for most users.
Resources and Support
ConvertKit provides a wealth of resources to help affiliates succeed. These include access to a training course, evergreen webinars, videos, and graphics assets. This support helps affiliates drive sales more effectively.
ConvertKit’s affiliate program is ideal for digital marketers, content creators, web educators, digital entrepreneurs, and social influencers looking to monetize their audience.
Best For
- Digital marketers
- Content creators
- Web educators
- Digital entrepreneurs
- Social influencers
Key Features
- Custom landing pages
- Sign-up forms
- Link pages
- Automated marketing flows
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive forms with advanced features
- Flexible list management with tags
- Paid newsletter feature
Cons:
- Limited design options in the email editor
- Only three customizable templates
- Basic analytics
Ratings
- Features: 4.8
- Ease of Use: 4.3
- Support: 4.4
- Overall Score: 4.5
11. SEMrush
SEMrush is a well-known name in the digital marketing world. It offers a suite of over 40 tools that help with everything from keyword research to social media management. One in every four Fortune 500 companies uses SEMrush products.
Commission Structure
Affiliates can earn impressive commissions with SEMrush:
- $200 for every new subscription
- $10 for every new lead
- $0.01 for each new signup
Commissions are paid out 27 days after the end of the month.
Key Features
SEMrush provides a variety of tools, including:
- Keyword Research Tool
- Backlink Checker
- Website Authority Checker
- Keyword Rank Checker
- Keyword Difficulty Checker
- SERP Checker
- Website Traffic Checker
- Keyword Generator
SEMrush is one of the best high-commission affiliate programs for marketers. Affiliates will earn 200% of the customer’s first monthly payment. For an enterprise client, you can earn as much as $1,500.
Additional Benefits
- 14-day trial for premium features
- Free access to core features
- Over 55 tools available
URL and Cookie Duration
- URL: SEMrush affiliate program
- Cookie duration: 120 days
12. Fiverr
Fiverr is a freelance platform that connects businesses with talent across more than 300 categories of digital services. It’s trusted by some huge brands, including L’Oreal, Unilever, and 888. com. The simplest is Fiverr CPA, which offers a dynamic commission per action — ranging from $15 to $150 — based on the service purchased. Others include:
- A 50% commission for sales of AND.CO
- 30% of every course order from Learn From Fiverr
- $100 upfront plus a 10% revenue share for 12 months on Fiverr Business sales
Commission Structure
Fiverr follows a dynamic CPA model that pays a one-time fee for each sale. The payouts range from $15 to $150, depending on the service purchased. Fiverr Pro sales earn $150. Freelance services in categories like graphic design, web development, SEO, and animation can earn $50 or $30 per referral.
Program Requirements
The Fiverr affiliate program is open to anyone. After you complete the sign-up form, you can immediately log into the platform and start promoting the platform.
Fiverr has no referral limit and offers lifetime attribution. Given that its verticals and audiences differ, its commissions vary across its products and services.
13. Shopify
Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform that allows users to create and manage their own online stores. Affiliates earn high-ticket commissions by promoting Shopify’s various plans and services. The platform offers a wide range of tools to help businesses grow, including website building, payment processing, and marketing solutions.
Key Features
- Website Builder: Create a professional online store with customizable themes.
- Payment Processing: Accept payments online with ease.
- Marketing Tools: Reach and retain customers through social media integrations and email marketing.
- Analytics and Reporting: Track sales, orders, and customer behavior.
- Shopify App Store: Enhance your store with various apps and plugins.
Shopify’s affiliate program is ideal for those looking to earn substantial commissions by promoting a comprehensive e-commerce solution.
Commission Structure
| Plan Type | Commission Rate |
|---|---|
| Basic | $58 |
| Shopify | $598 |
| Advanced | $2,000 |
Affiliates can earn anywhere from $58 to $2,000 per sale, depending on the plan sold. This makes Shopify one of the most lucrative affiliate programs available.
14. Etsy
Etsy, the beloved online marketplace for handmade and unique products, continues to thrive as a hub for artisans, crafters, and shoppers seeking one-of-a-kind goods. The company’s charm lies in its commitment to supporting independent creators and fostering a community of like-minded individuals.
Etsy’s affiliate program allows partners to promote a platform that celebrates creativity and individuality. Affiliates can introduce their audience to a treasure trove of handmade and vintage items, as well as unique art and craft supplies for a flat 4% on referred sales.
Key Details of the Etsy Affiliate Program:
- Commission: 4% commission per sale
- Cookie window: 30 days
- Payout methods: International wire, wire transfer, check
- Payout threshold: $20 minimum payout
- Industry: Online marketplace
- Best for: Social influencers, content creators, bloggers, entrepreneurs, publishers, review sites
- Affiliate support: Access to promotional materials, brand assets, curated pages, affiliate newsletter
Etsy sellers are eligible for the affiliates program and are now eligible to earn commission on sales from any shops, including their own.
15. Bluehost
Bluehost is a leading eCommerce hosting provider, especially popular for WordPress hosting. With plans starting as low as $2.95, it’s easy to attract referrals. In 2020 alone, Bluehost paid out over $5 million in commissions.
Commission:
You can earn $65 for each qualified hosting purchase. The commission can increase with volume, and some top affiliates report earning over $100 per sale through custom arrangements.
Payments:
Commission fees are processed about 45 – 60 days after the end of the month. Affiliates can choose to get paid via PayPal, wire, or ACH transfer.
Resources and Support:
Bluehost offers a wide range of creative assets, including ads and banners that fit well with your website’s branding. Affiliate managers are available 24/7 to provide support.
Cookies:
The cookie duration is 90 days.
With such an accessible program, there are a ton of Bluehost reviews with the pros and cons.
16. NordVPN
NordVPN is a top choice for those seeking privacy and security online. As a leading VPN service, it offers a robust affiliate program with some of the highest commission rates in the industry.
Commission Structure
- Initial Subscription Purchase: Earn between 40% to 100% commission.
- Renewals: Receive a 30% recurring commission on plan renewals.
Program Details
- Cookie Window: 30 days
- Payout Methods: PayPal and wire transfer
- Payout Threshold: $10 minimum payout
- Best For: Content creators, bloggers, web educators, digital entrepreneurs, podcasts, web developers, digital marketers, directories, consultants
- Affiliate Support: Access to brand assets, promotional material, and a specialized account manager
With the increasing importance of online privacy, NordVPN has become a prominent player in the affiliate marketing landscape. Affiliates can earn up to 40% on both new sign-ups and renewals.
17. Leadpages
Leadpages is a powerful online tool that helps you create customizable websites and landing pages. This tool is designed to collect contact information and boost your conversion rates. Leadpages offers an affiliate program with up to 50% lifetime recurring commissions for each paying customer you refer. Membership prices range from $49 to $399 per month.
Key Features
- Commission Rate: Up to 50% lifetime recurring
- Cookie Life: 90 days
- Payout Methods: PayPal or Stripe
- Minimum Sales Threshold Before Payout: $50
Special Offers
Leadpages occasionally runs special promotions, such as a $5,000 bonus for affiliates who drive 10+ sales by a specific date. Affiliates also get access to banners, sidebar images, and social media-friendly links.
Best For
This affiliate program is ideal for current Leadpages customers whose audience would benefit from a dedicated landing page tool. This includes experienced freelancers and startup owners.
Leadpages is a great choice for anyone looking to build a strong stream of passive income quickly.
18. Typeform
Typeform is a dynamic online form builder that allows anyone to create surveys, questionnaires, and feedback forms without needing to know how to code. It’s a SaaS platform designed for building anything from surveys to quizzes and more.
Commission: $20 per referral
Cookie life: 90 days
Payout Methods: PayPal, Stripe
Minimum Sales Threshold Before Payout: None
Industry: Online form building, online surveys/SaaS
Best for: Digital marketers, content creators, web educators, web developers, digital entrepreneurs, social influencers
Affiliate support: Promotional materials, HTML banners, link banners
Why Choose Typeform?
Typeform’s affiliate program offers a flat $20 commission for every annual plan you refer. Given the platform’s focus on user experience and customization, it’s an attractive offering that can be marketed to a diverse audience. However, they do offer a monthly plan, and it doesn’t appear to reward on those purchases – so you would want to make sure you’re emphasizing their annual plan in your promotions.
This adds up quickly, and the service is relatively cheap, making it easy for your referrals to make a purchase. If you refer 100 customers who sign up for a monthly basic plan, that’s already $2,000.
Who Should Join?
Bloggers and content creators whose audience could use a form tool — for instance, if your audience is made up of small business owners or customer service professionals. But Typeform is such a versatile tool that it could even be used for non-professional purposes, so you can even refer family and friends.
19. Teachable
Teachable is a top online course platform that lets educators, coaches, and entrepreneurs share their knowledge with the world. With over 18 million students and nearly 200,000 active courses, it has become one of the most reputable e-learning platforms.
Commission: Up to 30% recurring commission for up to one year.
Cookie Window: 30 days.
Payout Methods: PayPal.
Payout Threshold: None.
Best For: Digital educators, content creators, bloggers, podcasters, digital marketers, entrepreneurs, review sites, and consultants.
Affiliate Support: Promotional materials, brand assets, affiliate dashboard, and monthly email updates.
Teachable’s affiliate program allows partners to promote a platform recognized for its simplicity and robust course creation tools. Affiliates can earn recurring commissions of up to 30% on each Teachable subscription they refer. The company claims the average affiliate makes $450/month using their partner program, with many others earning over $1,000/month.
20. BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a flexible e-commerce platform that helps businesses build and grow their online stores. It is used by over 60,000 merchants in more than 150 countries. Affiliates can earn 200% of the customer’s first monthly payment or $1,500 per enterprise customer. This high payout rate offers substantial earnings for affiliates.
Commission
- 200% of the customer’s first monthly payment
- Up to $1,500 per enterprise customer
Cookie Duration
- 90 days
Payout Methods
- PayPal
- Direct deposit
Affiliate Support
- Access to promotional materials
- Dedicated account manager
BigCommerce’s affiliate program is ideal for content creators, bloggers, social influencers, and digital entrepreneurs. It provides a great opportunity to earn high commissions while promoting a leading e-commerce platform.
Conclusion
Affiliate marketing is a great way to make money online, particularly if you choose programs that offer high payouts. You can earn through different methods, like commissions, pay-per-lead, and pay-per-click models, giving you multiple ways to increase your income. The top 20 affiliate programs we’ve highlighted offer some of the best opportunities available. Whether you’re just starting out or already have experience, these programs can significantly boost your earnings. Keep in mind that success in affiliate marketing takes effort, planning, and selecting the right programs. So, take the time to explore these options and begin your path to financial success today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the highest-paying affiliate programs?
The highest-paying affiliate programs are usually for software services or digital courses, not physical products. Programs like HubSpot and Fiverr can pay up to $1,000 for a single sale.
Which affiliate programs offer recurring commissions?
Some of the top programs with recurring commissions include GetResponse (33%), Teachable (up to 50%), and ClickFunnels (up to 40%). These programs pay you as long as your referrals stay subscribed.
What is the average affiliate commission?
On average, affiliate commissions range from 5% to 30% of the order value. Some programs may offer a fixed amount per sale or lead.
What is the difference between an affiliate network and an affiliate program?
An affiliate network manages affiliate marketing for many brands and acts as a middleman. An affiliate program is run directly by the brand, often using software to manage the process.
How do tiered commissions work in affiliate programs?
Tiered commissions increase your earnings as you refer more customers. The more sales you make, the higher your commission rate becomes.
What types of earnings structures are there in affiliate programs?
Affiliate programs can pay based on commissions, pay-per-lead (PPL), pay-per-click (PPC), or tiered commissions. Each structure has different ways of rewarding affiliates for their efforts.