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AffiliateBase vs Refersion

Discover why SaaS businesses are choosing AffiliateBase over Refersion. No per-conversion fees, better developer tools, and a flat pricing model that scales with your program.

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$0
No Per-Conversion Fees

Pay a flat monthly fee. Unlike Refersion, we never charge extra fees on top of your plan for each conversion.

100%
API Coverage

Full REST API access with webhooks and SDKs for complete programmatic control of your affiliate program.

<5min
Setup Time

Get your affiliate program running in under 5 minutes with our simple integration and clear documentation.

When evaluating affiliate marketing platforms, pricing transparency and developer flexibility matter as much as features. Refersion is a well-known platform with strong e-commerce roots, but its per-conversion fees and e-commerce-first design can create friction for SaaS businesses looking for a leaner, API-first solution.

This comparison breaks down the key differences between AffiliateBase and Refersion across pricing, integrations, developer experience, and SaaS suitability — so you can choose the platform that fits your business model.

Feature Comparison

FeatureAffiliateBaseRefersion
Flat Monthly Pricing—
No Per-Conversion Fees—
Stripe Integration
Shopify Integration—
BigCommerce Integration—
REST API Access
Webhooks
SDK Libraries—
SaaS-First Design—
Custom Affiliate Portal
Advanced Fraud Detection—
Multi-Touch Attribution—
Real-Time Analytics
White-Label Options—

Ready to get started?

Join SaaS businesses that have moved to AffiliateBase for flat pricing, better developer tools, and an affiliate platform built for subscriptions. Start your free trial today.

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Key differences between AffiliateBase and Refersion:

1

Pricing & Value

Refersion's Professional plan starts at $99/mo and adds per-conversion fees on top of that, making costs unpredictable as your program scales. AffiliateBase uses flat monthly pricing with no hidden fees — you know exactly what you'll pay regardless of how many conversions you drive.
2

SaaS vs E-Commerce Focus

Refersion was built primarily for e-commerce brands using Shopify and BigCommerce. While it can support SaaS, the product experience reflects its e-commerce origins. AffiliateBase is designed from the ground up for SaaS and subscription businesses, with features that align with recurring revenue models.
3

Developer Experience

AffiliateBase offers a comprehensive REST API, webhooks, and SDKs for popular frameworks including Next.js and React. Refersion provides API access but lacks the same depth of developer tooling and SDK coverage, making custom integrations more effort-intensive.
4

Stripe Integration

Both platforms integrate with Stripe, but AffiliateBase offers deeper support for SaaS billing patterns: subscription tracking, trial-to-paid attribution, MRR-based commissions, and real-time webhook processing. Refersion's Stripe integration is more suited to one-time purchase flows.
5

Analytics & Reporting

AffiliateBase provides real-time analytics with detailed affiliate performance data, conversion funnel insights, and customisable reporting. Refersion offers solid reporting for e-commerce metrics but lacks the subscription-focused analytics that SaaS businesses need.

Why Choose AffiliateBase Over Refersion?

Here are the key advantages that make AffiliateBase the better choice for SaaS and subscription businesses:

Predictable Flat Pricing

No per-conversion fees or revenue-based charges. One flat monthly price that stays the same whether you drive 10 or 10,000 conversions.

Built for SaaS

Commission structures, tracking, and reporting designed around subscriptions, trials, and MRR — not one-time e-commerce purchases.

Better API & Developer Tools

Comprehensive REST API, webhooks, and SDKs make integration straightforward for any tech stack. Less time spent on plumbing, more time on growth.

Advanced Attribution

Server-side tracking, cookie-less attribution, and multi-touch models give you accurate conversion data even as privacy restrictions evolve.

White-Label Affiliate Portal

Fully branded affiliate dashboards that match your product experience, with no AffiliateBase branding visible to your partners.

Superior Fraud Detection

Automated fraud detection and traffic quality scoring protect your commission payouts from invalid clicks and self-referrals.

How to Switch from Refersion

Migrating your affiliate program is easier than you think

Total time: Under 30 minutes

1

Export Your Data

5 min

Export your existing affiliate list, commission history, and program settings from the Refersion dashboard.

2

Create Your AffiliateBase Account

3 min

Sign up for AffiliateBase and complete the quick onboarding wizard to configure your program settings and commission structure.

3

Import Affiliates

5 min

Use our bulk import tool to bring over your existing affiliates. We'll preserve their stats and commission history.

Tip: Affiliates will receive an email inviting them to set up their new portal login.

4

Configure Commission Structure

5 min

Set up your commission rates, tiers, and rules. AffiliateBase supports more complex structures than Refersion, including MRR-based and tiered commissions.

5

Update Your Integration

10 min

Replace the Refersion tracking snippet with AffiliateBase. Our clear API docs and SDKs make this a straightforward swap for most tech stacks.

6

Test & Launch

5 min

Run a few test conversions to confirm everything is tracking correctly, then you're ready to go live.

Need Help Migrating?

Our team offers free migration assistance for businesses switching from Refersion. We'll handle the technical details so you can focus on growing your program.

Contact Support

Frequently Asked Questions

Is AffiliateBase cheaper than Refersion?
For most SaaS businesses, yes. Refersion's Professional plan starts at $99/mo and adds per-conversion fees on every tracked order. AffiliateBase charges a single flat monthly fee with no per-conversion charges, making costs predictable and often significantly lower as your program scales.
Can I migrate from Refersion to AffiliateBase?
Yes. AffiliateBase provides migration tools and hands-on support to transfer your affiliate data, including affiliates, commission history, and program settings. Most migrations complete in under 30 minutes.
Does AffiliateBase work with Stripe like Refersion?
Yes, and with deeper SaaS-specific support. AffiliateBase integrates with Stripe for real-time webhook tracking, subscription attribution, trial-to-paid conversion tracking, and MRR-based commission calculations.
Does AffiliateBase support Shopify and BigCommerce like Refersion?
AffiliateBase is focused on SaaS and subscription businesses and connects natively with Stripe. If your primary need is Shopify or BigCommerce integration, Refersion may be a better fit for your e-commerce setup.
Which platform is better for developers?
AffiliateBase. It offers a comprehensive REST API, webhooks, and SDKs for popular frameworks, with detailed documentation. Refersion has API access but provides less depth in developer tooling and SDK coverage.
How long does it take to switch from Refersion?
Most businesses complete the migration in under 30 minutes. Our step-by-step migration guide covers every stage, and our support team is available to assist with any technical questions.

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Ready to Switch from Refersion?

Join SaaS businesses that have moved to AffiliateBase for flat pricing, better developer tools, and an affiliate platform built for subscriptions. Start your free trial today.

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