Best Affiliate Programs in 2024
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An inevitable step in every affiliate marketer’s journey is joining affiliate programs.
According to Optinmonster, more than 80% of brands use affiliate marketing programs to boost sales and drive more leads. Eight out of ten brands rely on this marketing strategy. This speaks loudly of the great significance affiliate marketing has in today’s eCommerce industry. In fact, affiliate marketing drives around 16% of sales in the two biggest eCommerce markets – the US and Canada.
As you can imagine, there are thousands of affiliate programs out there, and for an affiliate newbie, it can be difficult to decide on which door to knock. That’s why we created a list of the best programs within all verticals.
So brace yourself, this is going to be a looong read. But in case you already know your field of interest, affiliate-wise, you can go through our Table of Content, skip to the vertical of your choice, and see which programs we enlisted.
However, there is an alternative option – you can go straight to affiliate CPA networks or search both networks and direct programs through CPA aggregators in order to find suitable offers or decide what program to join.
What is an affiliate program?
Affiliate programs are sort of additional sales channels companies create in order to increase their chances of reaching and converting their target audience. Thanks to these programs, they don’t have to push themselves on potential customers directly. Instead, they can use the power of affiliate marketing, and present what they have to offer through a mediator.
These programs will provide affiliate marketers with links they can then share on their blog, social media, or any other platform in order to promote offers and get their fair share of sales profit. Clearly, going with paid ads is one way to promote your links, and if you’re willing to trust our humble opinion, it’s the most cost-effective solution for your affiliate efforts.
Here, we talked about affiliate links, how they work, and how they allow merchants to track all the clicks and conversions that come from an affiliate’s link so that the affiliate can get a well-deserved commission:
Affiliate programs are there for individuals and businesses to join, allowing them to create a profile and select a brand they want to promote. Joining the wrong affiliate program in a specific niche can result in all your efforts being in vain, or with insufficient income.
A good affiliate program will be easy to use (functional and fast working interface), it will provide you with support (some of them offer affiliate managers as well), and they will be able to promise good commissions and regular payments.
Note: Usually affiliate programs are Net 30 (payouts are every month), but some are Net 60 or even Net 90 (you will have to wait for three months to get your earnings). Pay attention to this detail when joining programs if payment frequency is a thing that could be a deal breaker for you.Types of Affiliate Programs
When deciding on affiliate programs to join, you need to consider where your targeted audience spends the majority of their time, in order to increase the possibility of reaching them and pursuing them into converting.
Based on where and how you want to approach promoting offers, there are five types of affiliate marketing programs:
- Content – programs that focus on promoting offers through articles, reviews, and other similar formats
- Social – programs intended for affiliates who prefer promoting offers on social media channels through paid traffic or influencers
- Email – programs that support email marketing
- Search/Paid – programs that tend to reach audiences through search engine
- Coupon – programs targeting an audience that visits sites with coupons and discounts
Note: Bear in mind that as an affiliate, you can count on PropellerAds to promote these offers through various ad formats – Push ads, In-Page Push ads, Popunder ads, Interstitial ads, and Survey Exit ads. And if you are looking for the most converting offers you can always look at what CPA networks have to present.
Ranking of the best affiliate marketing programs for all verticals
Now, we will go through verticals, one by one, presenting what we believe are the best affiliate programs for each.
Best eCommerce Programs
#1 CJ Affiliate
Founded in 1998, formerly known as Commission Junction, CJ Affiliate is one of the oldest programs out there, and one of the most reliable ones as well. They have a huge base of brands you can choose to partner with and promote – 3.800 to be precise, and apparently the longest cookie duration among competitors.
- Minimum payout – $50
- Cookie duration – 400 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
ShareASale is one of the fastest-growing affiliate programs, with currently 25,000 merchants enlisted, and 200 million dollars generated in 2022. After you join the program, you will have to apply to the individual merchants and wait for the approval. Only then you can create affiliate links. The fact ShareASale has more than 270,000 active affiliate partners confirms its credibility.
- Minimum payout – $50
- Cookie duration – 365 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
#3 Amazon Associates
Among the best affiliate programs for beginners, there’s definitely Amazon Associates – it’s actually one of the biggest programs in the world. It has around 12 million offers, it’s very easy to join, and its commission rates can go up to 20%. The downside is that fixed commissions are now quite low for some product types, and they have a short cookie lifetime.
- Minimum payout – $100
- Cookie duration – 24 hours
- Payment frequency – Net 30 (but you will be paid for the current month 60 days after the month ends)
#4 Rakuten
Wherever you look for the best affiliate program for eCommerce, you will stumble upon Rakuten’s name. And with reason. It’s a Japanese affiliate platform that offers a great variety of brands and products to promote and comes with quite decent commissions. But some users say their interface is a bit outdated. Rakuten affiliates can earn based on two conversion flows – PPS (pay-per-sale) and PPA (pay-per-action).
- Minimum payout – $50
- Cookie duration – 90 days
- Payment frequency – Net 60
#5 eBay Partner Network
This huge industry name created a program suitable for those who are just making their first affiliate steps, but also for experienced players. It’s easy to join, it has incredible commission rates that go up to 70% per sale, and there are millions of products you can promote via affiliate links. The only thing slightly problematic is a short cookie duration, just like with Amazon.
- Minimum payout – $10
- Cookie duration – 24 hours
- Payment frequency – Net 30
#6 ClickBank
ClickBank is sort of a specialized affiliate program, since they are focused on selling only digital products. This is the program that offers quite high commissions, and it’s probably one of the best affiliate programs for beginners without a website. Everything you need to know about their products or affiliate processes, you can find at ClickBank Marketplace.
- Minimum payout – $100
- Cookie duration – 60 days
- Payment frequency – Net 15
Best Finance CPA Programs
#1 Personal Capital
First on the list of the most popular affiliate programs in the Finance niche is Personal Capital that’s focused on the US market. Within this program, you can get $100 per qualified lead. According to the company, some of their best affiliates earn up to 50k a month, and more than 3 million people use this tool to help them with investing and managing their money.
- Minimum payout – $100
- Cookie duration – 30 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
#2 Credit Karma
With 100 million members to whom it offers free advice and recommendations about 3-rd party services, Credit Karma is a great brand to promote within the finance niche. Even though they are not presenting high commissions, it’s easy for affiliates to convert the audience since they will be paid for each new account, and there’s a 15-day free trial option.
- Minimum payout – Network-dependent
- Cookie duration – 30 days
- Payment frequency – Net 45
#3 Credit Sesame
With a lot of features being free of charge, Credit Sesame is another easy sell for affiliates. It’s a membership site that will pay you $9 for each new registered user. The process is simple – apply, wait for approval and an onboarding session, get your link as well as everything else you need, and start earning those commissions.
- Minimum payout – NA
- Cookie duration – 30 days
- Payment frequency – Net 35
#4 Questrade
Questrade is an online brokerage and wealth management company from Canada that has more than 200,000 users. And they are offering some great terms for affiliates – $70 per acquisition, or 7,5% revenue share. On top of that, whenever you refer a new affiliate, you will be getting paid for every conversion your sub-affiliate makes (10% or 1,5%).
- Minimum payout – No minimum payout
- Cookie duration – 60 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
#5 EToro
This one is a trading platform with more than 16 million users worldwide. And their affiliate program is so on point. You will get the full support of their affiliate managers, access to converting promo tools, an easy-to-comprehend tracking system, and up to $250 commissions. On top of all that, their cookie duration has no limits; it’s for life.
- Minimum payout – $100
- Cookie duration – Lifetime
- Payment frequency – Net 30
Best Apps/Software Affiliate Programs
#1 Pawns.app
Joining this affiliate program is very easy and free, and it will allow you to get up to 20% commissions per referral’s earnings. The app is based on providing its users with passive income, so it will be an attractive offer for sure. Another reason why this is the best affiliate program to make money is that commissions are for life, you will be paid for every referral, every time a withdrawal is made.
- Minimum payout – $5
- Cookie duration – 90 days
- Payment frequency – On demand
#2 Toluna
This is a survey platform on which users can share their opinions on famous brands and products, and it’s available for both Android and iOS devices. Their affiliate program is based on a one-time commision, whenever someone registers on the app through your link. And commission is fixed – $1,20 per sign-up.
- Minimum payout – $10
- Cookie duration – 45 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
#3 Instamobile
When someone asks what is the best affiliate marketing program, the only relevant answer is – the one that allows you to earn good money. Given that Instamobile offers a 30% commission, it’s clear they had to be on this list. Bearing in mind the nature of the app, it’s a good offer if you have mobile developers and entrepreneurs among your audience.
- Minimum payout – NA
- Cookie duration – 30 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
#4 Blinkist
Blinkist is a subscription-based app that offers book summaries, but only for non-fictional books, and it should be super easy to promote. As an affiliate, you can earn 20% commission whenever your link leads to an app subscription (for a paid plan), but there are also other commission plans, like a long-term revenue shared commission.
- Minimum payout – NA
- Cookie duration – 30 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
Best Social Affiliate Programs
#1 Cupid Media
Even though this is not a huge and well-known affiliate program, they do offer some great terms for affiliates. You can earn 75% for each initial sale referred by you, and it’s free and easy to join the program, as long as your website is not inactive and is based on rich and unique content. Cupid Media runs a great number of niche romance services.
- Minimum payout – No minimum
- Cookie duration – NA
- Payment frequency – Net 30
#2 eHarmony
Eharmony is a social (romance) service that has existed for years now, and it has a quite reliable affiliate program. Their commissions (20%) are maybe not the highest, but the brand name does attract a lot of attention, so achieving a good number of subscriptions through your link should not be an issue. The user just needs to complete registration questionnaires and sign up for 6, 12, or 24-month subscriptions.
- Minimum payout – $50
- Cookie duration – 45 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
#3 EliteSingles
Here’s another social site you can earn on if you join their program. The commission here is fixed, and it’s $7, but not on a registration. The user must complete the personality test fully in order for you to get your share. The site has almost 400,000 members, and it’s currently one of the top dating services.
- Minimum payout – $50
- Cookie duration – 30 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
#4 Christian Cafe
When talking about sub-niche social sites, this is the one that’s quite promising, given the audience it’s targeting. And affiliate program per se is not bad at all – you will get a 40% commission per sale, and a pretty long cookie duration – within dating affiliate programs, it’s the longest.
- Minimum payout – $50
- Cookie duration – 120 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
Best Education Affiliate Programs
#1 Coursera
As one of the popular educational platforms, Coursera has a nice affiliate program, with probably the best commission rate in the niche. The average earnings are 32,5%, but you can go up to 45%. There are 4,000 courses and specializations you can promote, and there’s an easy-to-integrate tracking system that can help you track the traffic from your links.
- Minimum payout – $50
- Cookie duration – 30 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
#2 Udemy
This is by far the biggest learning-based site, with 210,000 online video courses. Becoming a new member of their affiliate program can take a couple of days, and to join you need to provide the list of followers, consistent traffic, and your website needs to be aligned with the Udemy standard. The commission rate you can expect here is 20%.
- Minimum payout – NA
- Cookie duration – 7 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
SkillShare is offering some interesting terms for its affiliates – 40% commission, up to $67, for every new customer you refer to this platform. It’s an online course website with around 25,000 classes, and it has 600,000 members. What you’ll get is a unique tracking link you can use to share any Skillshare link on your website, social media post, or blog.
- Minimum payout – $10
- Cookie duration – 30 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
#4 Teachable
In case you are targeting an audience who are lesson providers, this is the partner program for you. This is one of the best affiliate marketing programs in the niche, with up to 30% commissions, and repeated earning opportunity – once you send a customer to them you will get paid for it for the entire first year.
- Minimum payout – NA
- Cookie duration – 90 days
- Payment frequency – Daily/Net 15/Net 30
Best Utilities Affiliate Programs
#1 NordVPN
All affiliates looking to target utilities-interested audiences should consider NordVPN. Not only is this a reliable service that can provide secure and private internet access, but it comes with an affiliate program offering good commission. You will get at least 40% for a sign-up, an additional 30% for any renewal, and a great recurring commission.
- Minimum payout – $50
- Cookie duration – 30 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
#2 Norton
Pretty much anyone could click on a link that leads to purchasing a world’s famous security software for desktop and mobile devices. The wide range of audience and the Norton brand name should be enough to persuade you to join their affiliate program. And there’s also a fixed 20% commission.
- Minimum payout – $50
- Cookie duration – 60 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
#3 PureVPN
Among the best paying affiliate programs in the utilities niche is definitely PureVPN, given they are offering up to 40% commission rate for the price of each sold plan, and a $300 sign-up bonus when you first join the program. Every affiliate will be provided with the support of their dedicated managers who will provide them with attractive deals and coupons for better conversions.
- Minimum payout – $100
- Cookie duration – 90 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
#4 SurfShark
With pretty similar conditions, except the cookie duration which is shorter (30 days), SurfShark had to find its place on our list. It is another VPN provider that developed a decent program based on a 40%+ commission rate and a good support system in place for young affiliates. The software comes in 17 languages and it covers all devices.
- Minimum payout – $100
- Cookie duration – 30 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
Best Affiliate SaaS Programs
#1 HubSpot
This is a well-known CRM platform built out of five hubs – all working together with one purpose, and that’s to help companies manage customer experience. There are three affiliate programs within HubSpot you can join, and earn 30% recurring commissions, or a custom commission for the Elite affiliate program.
- Minimum payout – $50
- Cookie duration – 180 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
#2 Moosend
Moosend is an all-in-one email marketing tool, designed to uplift your game. It’s affordable and it comes with many features, and the Moosend affiliate program allows you to earn up to 40% lifetime recurring commission. Their affiliates will get access to pre-made materials, like banners and templates, but also many resources in their dashboard.
- Minimum payout – $5
- Cookie duration – 90 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
#3 AWeber
If you are looking for the best affiliate program within SaaS, AWeber is a good place to start, given they are offering up to 50% commission rates. There are actually two programs you can choose from, and the main principle is this – the more you sell, the more you earn. For up to 10 accounts commission is 30%, for more than 10 the commission is 40%, and for 50 or more customers, you will get 50%.
- Minimum payout – $30
- Cookie duration – 365 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
#4 Systeme.io
Here’s another marketing tool you can promote through your affiliate links. The platform that offers pretty much everything you need to launch and scale your online business, is being used by 200,000 people and continues to grow. The program for affiliates is quite generous – you can get a 50% lifetime commission on all sales, plus an additional 5% if their referrals promote the platform themselves.
- Minimum payout – $30
- Cookie duration – 180 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
#5 ConvertKit
Email marketing is blooming, if it’s according to the number of platforms developed to raise its performance. ConvertKit is one of them, it’s designed to help with growing an email subscriber base, and it comes with an affiliate program that’s quite good. You will be able to earn 30% for every sale or webinar subscription.
- Minimum payout – NA
- Cookie duration – 30 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
#6 Bluehost
This is a web hosting platform that serves more than 2 million websites, and is quite a name in the industry. And they definitely have one of the best paying affiliate programs, since you can earn from $65 to $130 per sale that happens through your link. To join the program is free, which is an additional plus, and there’s a tracking system you can rely on to make sure you are paid for every lead you provide.
- Minimum payout – NA
- Cookie duration – 90 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
Best Gaming Affiliate Programs
#1 Razer
We are pretty sure all players are familiar with gaming accessories and equipment signed by the Razor brand. So getting to new prospective customers should not be an issue, especially if you target the right audience. The commission rate for each sale is 5%, and even though this doesn’t sound like a lot, bear in mind that this equipment is quite expensive.
- Minimum payout – NA
- Cookie duration – 30 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
#2 Logitech
The Logitech affiliate program is calling affiliates to join and promote technology that’s well-known all around the world. Their standard commission is 4-10%, and the average order price volume is $125. With a 30-day cookie duration the program fits an absolute industry standard, but the fact the brand is super famous means it shouldn’t be too hard to persuade your audience to convert.
- Minimum payout – NA
- Cookie duration – 30 days
- Payment frequency – Net 45
#3 Nvidia
All PC users are familiar with this brand that offers gaming and entertainment products. But their affiliate program is why they got a place on our list. The 90-day cookie lifetime is more than enough time to turn players into Nvidia customers, and up to 10% commission per sale is the reason why so many affiliates decide to join the program.
- Minimum payout – $50
- Cookie duration – 90 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
#4 Alienware
Alienware is part of the Dell company, and they are in charge of creating gaming-oriented laptops. The commission you can count on within this affiliate program is 4%, but again, prices of these products are very high. The only flaw of the program lies in a short cookie duration – it’s only 3 days long.
- Minimum payout – $50
- Cookie duration – 3 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
#5 Zygor Guides
In case you are targeting WOW players, Zygor Guides is an ideal choice for you. It is a website that offers World of Warcraft guides that can help improve users game performance really quickly. The commission rate is incredible – 50% of the sale you achieve with your link, plus a possibility of getting a recurring commission ($42,99) given there are monthly subscriptions.
- Minimum payout – NA
- Cookie duration – 60 days
- Payment frequency – Net 30
Best Nutra Affiliate Programs
#1 Nutra Innovations
Nutra Innovations is all about fitness, bodybuilding, and health. Their products are for building muscle, pre-workout, and fat burning, and they are quite affordable. If you decide to join the program, you will get a 10% commission for every sale, but also a discount offer to help you attract the audience. There are also bonuses based on the number of sales you achieve in a month (up to $100).
- Minimum payout – $50
- Cookie duration – NA
- Payment frequency – Net 30
#2 iHerb
If you are looking for the best affiliate marketing program in the Nutra industry, iHerb might be the one to rely on. You can earn from 5 to 20% commission by promoting some of the 40,000 natural products from 1,600 trusted brands. iHerb offers a wide range of supplements and vitamins for nutrition, brain hearts, etc.
- Minimum payout – NA
- Cookie duration – 7 days
- Payment frequency – Net 45
#3 1ShotEnergy
1ShotEnergy is not about preventing illnesses but about life-boosting through a series of products that are based on multivitamins. Their affiliate program provides a 10% commission for every referral, and it allows you to offer a 10%+ discount for your audience. The brand targets younger people and students.
- Minimum payout – $30
- Cookie duration – NA
- Payment frequency – Net 60
To conclude
Even though the existing list is huge (we know it took you some time to get to this point 🙂) there are definitely more affiliate programs that are worth considering. We mentioned only those who we believe are the best and most promising, despite the fact some of them do have a bit lower commissions than you might expected or hoped for, or shorter cookie lifespan.
Now it’s up to you to decide on the niche you want to step in and do your best to fulfill your personal targets. Our advice is to make sure you are really familiar with the topic you are about to cover, and to promote only those products you believe are right for your audience.
By the way, make sure to join our Telegram chat to discuss which programs other affiliates use.
And in case you need some help, start your PropellerAds campaign today!
