SaaS affiliate programs are among the most attractive in affiliate marketing for a simple reason: software subscriptions renew. A single referral can pay you month after month, and business software buyers tend to research carefully — which rewards affiliates who write genuinely useful reviews and comparisons rather than hype.
But “high commission” headlines are misleading without the details. The rate, the cookie duration, the payout threshold, and whether commissions recur all matter more than a single percentage. Below: what makes a SaaS program good, ten programs worth a look (with terms quoted only where we verified them on the official program page), and how to choose among them.
New to affiliate marketing generally? Start with our beginner’s guide to affiliate marketing before applying to anything.
What Makes a Good SaaS Affiliate Program
Judge programs on these dimensions, not on marketing copy:
- Recurring vs. one-time commissions. Recurring pays you for as long as the customer stays (sometimes capped at 12–24 months); one-time pays a flat bounty per signup. Recurring compounds; one-time pays faster. Neither is inherently better — it depends on your traffic and patience.
- Cookie duration. The window after a click during which a purchase still credits you. Longer windows (90–180 days) matter for expensive software with long buying cycles; short windows are fine for impulse-priced tools.
- Payout threshold and method. How much you must earn before getting paid, and how (PayPal, bank transfer, etc.). A high threshold on a program you will rarely convert through means your money sits there indefinitely.
- Approval requirements. Some programs accept new sites; others want established traffic or a business email. Do not take rejections personally — apply again once your site has more content.
- Product quality and retention. This is the one beginners underestimate. A 50% commission on software people cancel after month one is worth less than 20% on software they keep for years. Only promote products you would recommend to a friend — our guide to choosing affiliate products that convert goes deeper on this.
- Attribution and support. Clear tracking dashboards, responsive affiliate managers, and published terms you can actually read before joining.
The 10 Programs
1. Brevo
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) is an email marketing and CRM platform, and its affiliate program is refreshingly simple: instead of percentages, it pays flat amounts. Per Brevo’s official affiliate page: $5 per free account (unlocked after your first paid referral) and $100 per paid account, with a 90-day cookie window. Payouts run monthly through PartnerStack.
The flat structure makes earnings easy to predict, and the generous free plan gives affiliates a low-friction offer to promote. Read our in-depth Brevo review for the product side.
- Commission: $100 per paid account; $5 per free account
- Cookie: 90 days
- Payouts: Monthly via PartnerStack
2. HubSpot
HubSpot’s CRM and marketing platform is a staple of B2B content, and its affiliate program is one of the best-documented in SaaS. Per HubSpot’s official affiliate overview: 30% recurring commission for up to one year on referred customers, with a 180-day cookie window — one of the longest in the industry. The program runs on Impact, with payouts by direct deposit or PayPal and tiered bonuses for higher-volume affiliates.
- Commission: 30% recurring, up to 1 year
- Cookie: 180 days
- Payouts: Via Impact (direct deposit or PayPal)
3. ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign is an email marketing and automation platform aimed at growing businesses, and its affiliate program is built for content creators. Per the official ActiveCampaign affiliate page: affiliates earn up to 30% recurring commission on the subscription price paid for up to 12 months, starting at 20% and climbing to 30% based on new business and retention. The program is managed through PartnerStack with an affiliate portal, starter assets, and a dedicated support team.
- Commission: 20%–30% recurring, up to 12 months
- Cookie: Terms vary — check the official program page
- Payouts: Via PartnerStack
4. GetResponse
GetResponse is an email marketing platform known for offering affiliates a choice of commission models — historically a recurring percentage or a flat bounty per sale. It is a solid option if your audience is email marketers or small businesses, but the exact structures change periodically. Terms vary — check the official program page before quoting rates in your content.
- Commission: Terms vary — check the official program page
- Cookie: Terms vary — check the official program page
5. Shopify
Shopify powers a huge share of independent ecommerce, which makes it relevant to almost any “make money online” or small-business audience. Its affiliate program has historically paid bounties per referred merchant, with terms and average payouts revised over time. Terms vary — check the official program page for the current offer before promoting it.
- Commission: Terms vary — check the official program page
- Cookie: Terms vary — check the official program page
6. ClickFunnels
ClickFunnels is a funnel-building platform with a devoted user base — and a well-known affiliate culture of its own. It has historically paid recurring commissions to affiliates, which appeals to marketers with audiences already interested in funnels and online selling. Program specifics have changed across versions of the platform. Terms vary — check the official program page.
- Commission: Terms vary — check the official program page
- Cookie: Terms vary — check the official program page
7. Semrush
Semrush is a leading SEO toolkit, and SEO content is one of the most natural fits for affiliate promotion — the audience is literally researching tools. Its affiliate program has historically combined bounties for trial signups and paid subscriptions. Terms vary — check the official program page.
- Commission: Terms vary — check the official program page
- Cookie: Terms vary — check the official program page
8. Fiverr Affiliates
Fiverr’s affiliate program covers the Fiverr marketplace plus its business products, with historically a choice between CPA bounties and hybrid (CPA plus revenue-share) models across different Fiverr services. It suits audiences of freelancers, creators, and small businesses. Terms vary — check the official program page.
- Commission: Terms vary — check the official program page
- Cookie: Terms vary — check the official program page
9. Kit (formerly ConvertKit)
Kit is a creator-focused email marketing platform — a natural recommendation for audiences of bloggers, YouTubers, and newsletter writers. Its affiliate program has historically paid recurring commissions, which fits the creator niche well since subscribers tend to stay. Terms vary — check the official program page.
- Commission: Terms vary — check the official program page
- Cookie: Terms vary — check the official program page
10. MailerLite
MailerLite is a budget-friendly email marketing tool popular with beginners and small businesses. Its affiliate program has historically offered recurring commissions on referred subscriptions, making it an easy secondary recommendation alongside pricier tools. Terms vary — check the official program page.
- Commission: Terms vary — check the official program page
- Cookie: Terms vary — check the official program page
Comparison Table
| Program | Commission type | Cookie window | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brevo | Flat: $100 paid / $5 free | 90 days | Email-marketing audiences, beginners |
| HubSpot | 30% recurring, up to 1 yr | 180 days | B2B, CRM, marketing content |
| ActiveCampaign | 20–30% recurring, up to 12 mo | Check program page | Marketing automation audiences |
| GetResponse | Check program page | Check program page | Email marketing audiences |
| Shopify | Check program page | Check program page | Ecommerce, make-money-online |
| ClickFunnels | Check program page | Check program page | Funnel/online-selling audiences |
| Semrush | Check program page | Check program page | SEO and content-marketing audiences |
| Fiverr | Check program page | Check program page | Freelancers, creators, SMBs |
| Kit | Check program page | Check program page | Creators, bloggers, newsletters |
| MailerLite | Check program page | Check program page | Budget-conscious beginners |
Terms were verified on official program pages in September 2026 only where stated above; everything marked “check the program page” should be re-verified before you publish or promote, since programs revise terms without much notice.
How to Choose Which Programs to Join
Do not join all ten. Pick two or three that match your audience:
- Match the program to content you will actually write. If your site covers email marketing, Brevo, ActiveCampaign, and Kit are natural. If it covers SEO, Semrush. Relevance beats commission rate every time.
- Prefer products you can evaluate honestly. You will convert better — and sleep better — recommending tools you have tested. Our Brevo review is an example of research-based evaluation you can model.
- Weight the cookie against the buying cycle. Enterprise software takes months to decide; a 30-day cookie on a $2,000/year product will leak attributions. HubSpot’s 180-day window exists for exactly this reason.
- Check the payout threshold against your realistic volume. If you will drive three referrals a month, a $100 minimum payout means waiting months for your first check. That is fine — just know it going in.
- Apply through networks too. Several of these programs also run through affiliate networks. Our guide to the best affiliate networks explains when a network beats applying direct.
Disclosure Best Practices for SaaS Affiliates
SaaS roundups and comparisons are exactly the content regulators care about, because readers treat them as objective advice. Follow the general principles in the FTC’s disclosure guidance: a clear disclosure near the top of the article (like the one at the top of this page), plain language, and visibility before the reader clicks anything. Do not rely on a sitewide footer disclaimer alone, and do not assume readers know you earn commissions. This is general information, not legal advice — read the official guidance and consult a professional if unsure.
Two more habits worth building: re-check program terms periodically (commissions and cookies change — quote the page, not your memory), and never let a commission rate determine your recommendation order. Readers reward honesty with the one metric that matters: they come back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which SaaS affiliate program pays the most?
“Most” depends on your audience and the product’s price, not just the percentage. A 30% recurring commission on a $500/month plan dwarfs a 50% commission on a $10/month tool — but only if your audience buys $500/month tools. Match the program to your readers first.
Are recurring commissions better than one-time bounties?
Recurring commissions compound and reward you for referring sticky products, but they pay out slowly and stop if the customer churns. One-time bounties pay immediately and in full. A mix of both across your portfolio is usually the healthiest approach.
Can beginners get accepted to these programs?
Most of these programs accept beginners with a real website and genuine content; some prefer established traffic. If you are rejected, keep publishing and reapply in a few months. Our beginner’s guide covers the first-steps checklist.
Do I need to be a customer to promote a SaaS product?
Usually not — most programs above accept non-customers. But you will write far more convincing content if you have actually used the product, even on a free trial or free plan.
How do I avoid promoting a program that cuts commissions later?
You cannot fully avoid it — programs change terms. Mitigate by diversifying across programs, favoring products with strong retention (happy customers keep paying you), and never building your entire income on a single program.
