In-depth analysis of every major SaaS affiliate platform
Comprehensive feature matrix across all platforms
Current pricing and features verified this month
Choosing the right affiliate marketing platform is one of the most important decisions for your SaaS business. The wrong choice can cost you thousands in percentage fees, limit your growth with inadequate tracking, or frustrate your affiliates with a poor experience.
This comprehensive guide compares 9 leading affiliate platforms purpose-built for SaaS and subscription businesses. We analyze real pricing (not hidden fees), actual feature availability, Stripe integration depth, and honest pros and cons for each platform.
Whether you're launching your first affiliate program or migrating from an existing platform, this guide will help you make an informed decision based on your business stage, budget, and technical requirements.
Last updated: December 2025. All pricing and features verified against official sources.
Quick Comparison: At a Glance
Compare starting prices, target use cases, and key differentiators for all 9 platforms.
| Platform | Starting Price | Best For | Rating | Key Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AffiliateBase | $39/mo | SaaS with Stripe needing flat pricing | ★★★★★ | No % fees, native Stripe webhooks |
| Rewardful | $49/mo | Simple affiliate programs | ★★★★☆ | Easy 5-minute setup, clean interface |
| FirstPromoter | $49/mo | Multi-brand SaaS companies | ★★★★☆ | Revenue-based tiers, multi-campaign |
| PromoteKit | Free | Early-stage startups on a budget | ★★★★☆ | Free until $1K/mo affiliate revenue |
| Dub Partners | Free tier | Companies using Dub.co for links | ★★★★☆ | Built into Dub.co link infrastructure |
| Endorsely | Free | Testing affiliate programs | ★★★★☆ | Free until $1K/mo, AI affiliate discovery |
| Lasso | $19/mo | WordPress content creators | ★★★★☆ | Amazon integration, link management |
| Trackdesk | $67/mo | High-volume affiliate networks | ★★★★☆ | 900+ integrations, enterprise features |
| PartnerStack | Custom | Enterprise partner programs | ★★★★☆ | Full PRM with marketplace |
Detailed Platform Analysis
In-depth breakdown of each platform including features, pricing, pros, cons, and real user feedback.
1. Rewardful
Best For
SaaS companies wanting a simple, reliable affiliate program with minimal setup
Who Should Consider Rewardful
Early to mid-stage SaaS companies (pre-seed to Series A) looking to launch their first affiliate program quickly. Ideal for teams without dedicated affiliate managers who need a "set it and forget it" solution.
Key Features
- Native Stripe and Paddle integration
- Self-serve affiliate signups with approval workflow
- Customizable commission structures (flat or percentage)
- Branded affiliate portal with custom domain support
- PayPal and Wise payout integration
- Basic analytics and reporting dashboard
Pros
- ✓Extremely easy 5-minute setup process
- ✓Clean, modern interface that affiliates love
- ✓Reliable tracking that "just works"
- ✓Good documentation and responsive support
- ✓Affordable entry point at $49/month
Cons
- ✗Limited API capabilities for custom integrations
- ✗No server-side tracking option (client-side only)
- ✗Basic reporting - limited to standard metrics
- ✗Revenue caps on lower tiers require upgrades
- ✗Limited customization for affiliate portal
How Rewardful Compares to AffiliateBase
Rewardful excels at simplicity but lacks server-side tracking and advanced API features. AffiliateBase offers deeper Stripe integration via webhooks for accurate subscription tracking, flat pricing without revenue caps, and more extensive API capabilities for custom integrations.
Real User Feedback
"Great for getting started quickly. We integrated in under an hour and had affiliates signing up the same day." — G2 Review, SaaS Founder
2. FirstPromoter
Best For
Multi-brand SaaS companies and agencies managing multiple affiliate campaigns
Who Should Consider FirstPromoter
Growing SaaS companies ($10K-$100K MRR) that need to manage multiple campaigns, brands, or product lines. Good for teams with dedicated marketing or affiliate managers.
Key Features
- Multi-campaign and multi-brand support
- Stripe, Paddle, Chargebee, Recurly, Braintree integration
- Tiered commission structures
- Auto-upgrade based on revenue thresholds
- Detailed analytics and fraud detection
- API access for custom integrations
Pros
- ✓Excellent multi-campaign management
- ✓Wide range of payment processor integrations
- ✓Detailed analytics and reporting
- ✓Flexible commission structures
- ✓Active development with regular updates
Cons
- ✗Revenue-based pricing can get expensive at scale
- ✗Interface can feel complex for simple needs
- ✗Some advanced features locked to higher tiers
- ✗Documentation could be more comprehensive
- ✗Auto-upgrades can surprise growing companies
How FirstPromoter Compares to AffiliateBase
FirstPromoter offers more payment processor options but uses revenue-based tier pricing. AffiliateBase provides flat monthly pricing regardless of affiliate revenue, deeper Stripe webhook integration, and simpler pricing that scales predictably.
Real User Feedback
"Handles our multi-product affiliate program well, but watch out for the auto-upgrade fees as you grow." — Capterra Review
3. PromoteKit
Best For
Early-stage startups testing affiliate marketing with zero upfront cost
Who Should Consider PromoteKit
Pre-revenue or early-stage SaaS companies wanting to experiment with affiliate marketing without financial commitment. Best for testing if affiliate marketing works for your business.
Key Features
- Completely free until $10K/mo affiliate revenue
- Stripe integration with Lemon Squeezy support
- Coupon code tracking for social platforms
- Self-referral fraud detection
- Custom affiliate portal domain
- Product-based commission settings
Pros
- ✓Truly free tier with meaningful limits
- ✓No credit card required to start
- ✓Good fraud detection features
- ✓Supports coupon-based tracking
- ✓Clean, modern interface
Cons
- ✗Limited features on free tier
- ✗Smaller company - less proven at scale
- ✗Fewer integrations than established players
- ✗Community and documentation still growing
- ✗Enterprise features limited
How PromoteKit Compares to AffiliateBase
PromoteKit is ideal for zero-budget testing but has limited enterprise features. AffiliateBase offers more robust Stripe integration, server-side tracking, and comprehensive API access for growing SaaS companies ready to invest in their affiliate program.
Real User Feedback
"Perfect for validating affiliate marketing before committing budget. Upgraded to Pro once we hit traction." — Product Hunt Review
4. Dub Partners
Best For
Companies already using Dub.co for link management
Who Should Consider Dub Partners
SaaS companies that use Dub.co for link shortening and want a unified platform for affiliate tracking. Best for teams already in the Dub ecosystem.
Key Features
- Built into Dub.co link infrastructure
- Real-time conversion tracking
- Automated global payouts
- Tax compliance (W-9, 1099, W-8)
- AI-powered landing page generator
- Partner performance dashboards
Pros
- ✓Seamless if you already use Dub.co
- ✓Modern, developer-friendly approach
- ✓Built-in tax compliance handling
- ✓Attractive affiliate-facing experience
- ✓Active development and community
Cons
- ✗Relatively new - less battle-tested
- ✗Requires adoption of Dub.co ecosystem
- ✗Pricing details not fully transparent
- ✗Smaller user base for social proof
- ✗May lack some enterprise features
How Dub Partners Compares to AffiliateBase
Dub Partners is ideal if you're already in the Dub ecosystem. AffiliateBase offers a standalone solution with deeper Stripe integration, server-side webhook tracking, and established reliability without requiring ecosystem lock-in.
Real User Feedback
"Love how it integrates with our existing Dub links. Setup was surprisingly smooth." — Twitter/X User
5. Endorsely
Best For
SaaS companies wanting AI-powered affiliate discovery
Who Should Consider Endorsely
SaaS founders who want help finding and recruiting affiliates, not just tracking them. Good for companies struggling to build their affiliate network.
Key Features
- Free until $1K/mo affiliate revenue, then $39/mo
- AI-powered affiliate discovery from competitor programs
- Stripe integration with subscription tracking
- Coupon code tracking
- Marketing asset hub for affiliates
- Brand-bidding fraud protection
Pros
- ✓Generous free tier for testing
- ✓AI affiliate recruitment is unique
- ✓Good fraud detection features
- ✓Simple, flat pricing after free tier
- ✓Active product development
Cons
- ✗Newer platform - limited track record
- ✗AI discovery quality varies
- ✗Smaller ecosystem and community
- ✗Limited enterprise features
- ✗Documentation still maturing
How Endorsely Compares to AffiliateBase
Endorsely offers unique AI-powered affiliate discovery. AffiliateBase focuses on reliable tracking and deep Stripe integration with server-side webhooks, better suited for companies who already know how to recruit affiliates.
Real User Feedback
"The AI found affiliates we never would have discovered manually. Game changer for building our program." — Endorsely Customer
6. Lasso
Best For
WordPress content creators managing Amazon and other affiliate links
Who Should Consider Lasso
Bloggers, content creators, and WordPress site owners who need to manage affiliate links across Amazon and other networks. Not ideal for SaaS-specific affiliate programs.
Key Features
- WordPress plugin with dashboard
- Amazon API integration for images/pricing
- Link localization for international traffic
- Broken link monitoring
- Click tracking and analytics
- Chrome extension for quick link creation
Pros
- ✓Excellent WordPress integration
- ✓Great for content affiliate marketing
- ✓Amazon integration is best-in-class
- ✓Affordable starting price
- ✓Good for managing many affiliate links
Cons
- ✗Not designed for SaaS affiliate programs
- ✗No Stripe integration
- ✗WordPress-centric (not standalone)
- ✗Limited for running your own program
- ✗Not suitable for subscription tracking
How Lasso Compares to AffiliateBase
Lasso is designed for content creators joining affiliate programs, not running them. AffiliateBase is purpose-built for SaaS companies creating and managing their own affiliate programs with Stripe subscription tracking.
Real User Feedback
"Essential for managing our blog affiliate links, but we needed something else for our SaaS affiliate program." — WordPress Blogger
7. Trackdesk
Best For
High-volume affiliate networks and agencies
Who Should Consider Trackdesk
Affiliate networks, agencies, and high-volume programs generating $30K+ monthly in affiliate revenue. Best for teams with dedicated affiliate managers.
Key Features
- Unlimited affiliates, clicks, and conversions
- 900+ integrations via Zapier and native
- Enterprise API access
- Managed migration assistance
- Dedicated account management (higher tiers)
- Custom development options
Pros
- ✓Enterprise-grade scalability
- ✓Comprehensive integration ecosystem
- ✓Strong for high-volume programs
- ✓Good migration support
- ✓Flexible for complex setups
Cons
- ✗Higher starting price point
- ✗Can be overkill for smaller programs
- ✗Complex interface for simple needs
- ✗Revenue caps on lower tiers
- ✗Enterprise features require expensive plans
How Trackdesk Compares to AffiliateBase
Trackdesk is built for affiliate networks and high-volume programs. AffiliateBase offers simpler, flat pricing ideal for individual SaaS companies, with deeper Stripe integration and without the complexity overhead.
Real User Feedback
"Handles our agency clients affiliate programs at scale, but the pricing adds up quickly." — Agency Owner
8. PartnerStack
Best For
Enterprise SaaS companies building comprehensive partner ecosystems
Who Should Consider PartnerStack
Series B+ SaaS companies with dedicated partnership teams building multi-faceted partner programs including affiliates, resellers, and referral partners.
Key Features
- Full Partner Relationship Management (PRM)
- Partner marketplace for discovery
- Multi-partner type support (affiliate, reseller, referral)
- Enterprise SSO and compliance
- Custom contract and payout management
- Dedicated customer success
Pros
- ✓Comprehensive PRM solution
- ✓Partner marketplace drives discovery
- ✓Enterprise-grade security and compliance
- ✓Excellent for complex partner ecosystems
- ✓Strong customer success support
Cons
- ✗Enterprise pricing - expensive for SMBs
- ✗Overkill for simple affiliate programs
- ✗Long implementation timeline
- ✗Requires dedicated partnership resources
- ✗Complex for teams just getting started
How PartnerStack Compares to AffiliateBase
PartnerStack is a full PRM for enterprise partner ecosystems. AffiliateBase offers focused affiliate tracking for SaaS companies without the enterprise complexity and price tag, with superior Stripe integration for subscription businesses.
Real User Feedback
"Transformed our partner program, but we had to invest significantly in onboarding and ongoing management." — VP of Partnerships, Enterprise SaaS
9. Lemonfy
Best For
Lemon Squeezy merchants wanting native affiliate tracking
Who Should Consider Lemonfy
Digital product sellers and SaaS companies using Lemon Squeezy as their payment processor who want tight integration with their existing checkout.
Key Features
- Native Lemon Squeezy integration
- Automatic commission tracking
- Affiliate self-registration portal
- Basic analytics dashboard
- PayPal payout support
- Simple commission structures
Pros
- ✓Seamless Lemon Squeezy integration
- ✓Simple and affordable pricing
- ✓Easy setup for LS merchants
- ✓Good for digital products
- ✓Growing feature set
Cons
- ✗Only works with Lemon Squeezy
- ✗Limited features compared to alternatives
- ✗Smaller user community
- ✗Basic reporting capabilities
- ✗No Stripe integration
How Lemonfy Compares to AffiliateBase
Lemonfy is purpose-built for Lemon Squeezy merchants only. AffiliateBase offers Stripe-native integration with server-side webhooks, flat pricing, and works with any Stripe-based SaaS regardless of checkout solution.
Real User Feedback
"Works perfectly for our Lemon Squeezy store. Wish they had more advanced features." — Digital Product Creator
Complete Feature Comparison Matrix
Side-by-side comparison of 20 key features across all platforms.
| Feature | AffiliateBase | Rewardful | FirstPromoter | PromoteKit | Endorsely | Trackdesk | PartnerStack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | |||||||
| Flat monthly pricing | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| No transaction/percentage fees | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Free tier available | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Stripe Integration | |||||||
| Native Stripe connection | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Server-side webhook tracking | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Subscription lifecycle events | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Recurring commission tracking | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Developer Tools | |||||||
| REST API | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webhooks | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| SDK libraries | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Affiliate Experience | |||||||
| Custom branded portal | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom domain support | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Self-serve signup | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Marketing asset library | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tracking & Analytics | |||||||
| Coupon code tracking | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fraud detection | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-touch attribution | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Payouts | |||||||
| PayPal payouts | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wise (TransferWise) payouts | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Automated mass payouts | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
✓ = Supported, ✗ = Not supported. Feature availability may vary by plan. Last updated December 2025.
Which Platform is Right for You?
Our recommendations based on your business stage, budget, and specific needs.
Early-Stage Startups (Pre-Revenue to $10K MRR)
Just launched or in early traction, want to test affiliate marketing without significant investment.
Growing SaaS ($10K-$100K MRR)
Proven product-market fit, ready to invest in growth channels including affiliate marketing.
Scaling SaaS ($100K+ MRR)
Significant revenue, affiliate program is a meaningful growth channel, need reliability and features.
Multi-Product or Agency
Managing affiliate programs for multiple products, brands, or clients.
Enterprise Partner Ecosystem
Series B+ company building comprehensive partner programs (affiliates, resellers, referrals).
Content Creators & Bloggers
WordPress sites monetizing through affiliate links to other products.
Key factors to evaluate when choosing an affiliate platform for your SaaS:
Stripe Integration Depth
Pricing Model & Total Cost
Developer Tools & API Access
Affiliate Experience & Portal
Tracking Reliability & Fraud Prevention
Why AffiliateBase for Your SaaS Affiliate Program
Here's what sets AffiliateBase apart from other platforms:
Flat Monthly Pricing
No percentage fees on commissions, no revenue-based tier upgrades. Your cost stays predictable as your affiliate program grows. Save thousands compared to percentage-based platforms.
Server-Side Stripe Webhooks
Track conversions via Stripe webhooks, not client-side JavaScript. More reliable tracking that works even when ad blockers are present. Accurate subscription lifecycle tracking.
Built for SaaS Subscriptions
Purpose-built for subscription businesses. Automatic tracking of recurring payments, upgrades, downgrades, and cancellations. Lifetime value attribution out of the box.
Developer-First API
Comprehensive REST API with full documentation, webhooks, and SDKs for Next.js, React, and Vue. Build custom integrations without limitations.
Beautiful Affiliate Experience
Modern, brandable affiliate portal with custom domain support. Marketing asset library, real-time reporting, and easy payout tracking for affiliates.
Fraud Detection Built In
Automatic detection of self-referrals, suspicious patterns, and duplicate conversions. Protect your program without manual monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best affiliate software for SaaS companies?
How much does affiliate software typically cost?
Does affiliate software integrate with Stripe?
Can I migrate from one affiliate platform to another?
What's the difference between client-side and server-side tracking?
How do percentage fees work on affiliate platforms?
What features should I look for in affiliate software?
How do affiliate platforms handle recurring subscriptions?
Is it worth paying for affiliate software vs using a free solution?
How long does it take to set up an affiliate program?
What commission rates should I offer affiliates?
How do I recruit affiliates for my SaaS?
Can affiliate software detect fraud?
What payment methods do affiliate platforms support?
How does AffiliateBase compare to Rewardful?
AffiliateBase vs. our competitors
See how AffiliateBase stacks up one-on-one against the competition.
AffiliateBase vs. Rewardful
Compare AffiliateBase vs Rewardful for your SaaS affiliate program. See pricing, features, integrations, and why AffiliateBase is the better choice for modern businesses.
AffiliateBase vs. FirstPromoter
Compare AffiliateBase vs FirstPromoter for your SaaS affiliate program. See pricing, features, Stripe integration, and why AffiliateBase is the superior choice.
AffiliateBase vs. PromoteKit
Compare AffiliateBase vs PromoteKit for your SaaS affiliate program. See pricing, features, integrations, and why AffiliateBase is the better choice.
AffiliateBase vs. Dub Partners
Compare AffiliateBase vs Dub Partners for your SaaS affiliate program. See pricing, features, Stripe integration, and why AffiliateBase is the better choice for modern SaaS businesses.
AffiliateBase vs. Endorsely
Compare AffiliateBase vs Endorsely for your SaaS affiliate program. See pricing, features, Stripe integration, and why AffiliateBase is the better choice despite Endorsely being free.
AffiliateBase vs. Lasso
Compare AffiliateBase vs Lasso for your SaaS affiliate program. See pricing, features, Stripe integration, and why AffiliateBase is the better choice for modern SaaS businesses.
AffiliateBase vs. Lemonfy
Compare AffiliateBase vs Lemonfy for your SaaS affiliate program. See pricing, features, Stripe integration, and why AffiliateBase is the better choice for scaling SaaS businesses.
AffiliateBase vs. Partner.io
Compare AffiliateBase vs Partner.io for your SaaS affiliate program. See pricing, features, Stripe integration, and why AffiliateBase is the better choice for subscription businesses.
AffiliateBase vs. Trackdesk
Compare AffiliateBase vs Trackdesk for your SaaS affiliate program. See pricing, features, Stripe integration, and why AffiliateBase is the better choice for scaling SaaS businesses.
Ready to Launch Your SaaS Affiliate Program?
Try AffiliateBase free for 14 days. No credit card required. Flat pricing, server-side tracking, and built specifically for SaaS companies using Stripe.