Choosing the right affiliate marketing platform can significantly impact your business’s success, but with numerous options on the market, finding the perfect solution can be daunting. Refersion is a well-regarded platform, known for features like first-party tracking, customizable commission structures, and affiliate discovery. However, every brand has unique needs, and what works for one company might not be ideal for another.
Whether you're a small business looking for affordable affiliate marketing software, an enterprise needing advanced tracking and reporting tools, or a brand aiming to integrate influencer and affiliate marketing strategies, there are several alternatives that might better suit your objectives. In this article, we delve into the 10 best Refersion alternatives, highlighting their features, pricing, and reviews to help you find the right platform for your affiliate marketing goals.
Our comparison focuses on several key aspects:
A detailed overview of all the features covered by these platforms both affiliate marketing related as well as other capabilities.
Overview of all the integrations the software offers.
Different industries which use the software.
Level of support the platform offers
Understanding the cost and reviews can help brands to make the right decision.
When selecting affiliate marketing software, there are two main types that determine how your brand will implement its affiliate program:
Refersion is a well-regarded platform in the affiliate marketing industry, particularly known for its ease of use and robust tracking capabilities. It is designed to help businesses manage and scale their affiliate programs efficiently, making it a popular choice for D2C e-commerce brands and individuals who want to leverage affiliate marketing to drive sales.
While primarily focused on affiliate marketing, Refersion also integrates with popular marketing tools like Klaviyo, Zapier, and Salesforce, allowing businesses to connect their affiliate marketing efforts with broader marketing strategies.
Refersion is classified as an inbound platform, emphasizing the tracking and management of affiliate relationships. It is particularly suited for businesses that need a straightforward yet powerful tool to manage their affiliate marketing campaigns.
Refersion integrates seamlessly with Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and BigCommerce. It also supports additional integrations with Klaviyo, Zapier, and Salesforce, providing a flexible and connected ecosystem for managing affiliate marketing.
Founded in 2013, headquartered in New York. It is particularly well-suited for D2C ecommerce brands and individuals looking to expand their affiliate marketing efforts.
Verb, Fuego, Simply Earth, Harney & Sons, In common Beauty
The platform supports a variety of industries, including health and wellness, CBD, and home goods.
Ideal for D2C ecommerce brands and individuals who want to manage and scale their affiliate marketing programs with ease.
Refersion offers customer support through email and chatbot, ensuring that users have access to assistance whenever they need it.
Influencer Hero is recognized for its comprehensive influencer marketing capabilities. It excels in providing a wide array of tools that simplify influencer management and affiliate marketing. Businesses seeking an all-in-one platform for both influencer and affiliate marketing will find Influencer Hero to be a robust choice.
Influencer Hero offers additional features beyond affiliate marketing, such as an influencer finder tool, influencer outreach capabilities, influencer CRM, content & UGC management, influencer gifting options, and comprehensive reporting and analytics.
Influencer Hero is classified as an outbound platform due to its strong emphasis on outreach and active management of influencer and affiliate relationships. This approach allows businesses to take a proactive role in their marketing strategies.
Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, Instagram, Klaviyo, Gmail, Outlook.
Founded in 2017, Influencer Hero has rapidly grown to serve a diverse clientele.
Bower Collective, Alkaline, Immersive Gamingbox, FreakOut, Olivida, Holzprofi24
Beauty, Fashion & Retail, e-commerce, Food & Beverage, Technology & Apps, Gaming, Luxury, Automative, Hospitality
Ideal for D2C ecommerce brands and marketing agencies looking for a comprehensive solution to manage both influencer and affiliate marketing campaigns.
Influencer Hero offers 24/7 live chat support with fast response times, ensuring that users can get assistance whenever needed.
Refersion and Influencer Hero serve different aspects of affiliate marketing. While Refersion focuses primarily on affiliate management with a robust system for tracking and managing affiliate sales, Influencer Hero offers a broader scope that includes both influencer and affiliate marketing.
Influencer Hero is priced higher but justifies it with its extensive feature set, especially for businesses that require a combined solution. Refersion’s pricing is more flexible, catering to smaller businesses, whereas Influencer Hero is better suited for larger enterprises or those heavily invested in influencer marketing.
In terms of platform type, Refersion is more inbound, focusing on tracking and management, whereas Influencer Hero is outbound, emphasizing outreach and relationship building.
UpPromote is a powerful tool for businesses looking to leverage affiliate marketing. It is particularly known for its cross-promotion opportunities and ease of use, making it a preferred choice for small to medium-sized businesses looking to grow their affiliate programs without the complexity of more extensive platforms.
In addition to its affiliate marketing features, UpPromote includes tools for ambassador recruitment, invoice and tax settings, and extensive reporting to help businesses streamline their operations.
UpPromote is an outbound platform with a focus on actively recruiting and managing affiliates, making it ideal for businesses that want to take a hands-on approach to their affiliate marketing efforts.
Shopify, WooCommerce, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel.
Founded in 2018, UpPromote has gained popularity for its flexible pricing and comprehensive support options.
TreSkin, SaleDress, Wink, Imperial Toys, Kaged, Capterra.
Retail, Consumer Goods, Beauty.
Ideal for D2C ecommerce brands that are looking to grow their affiliate marketing efforts with minimal setup.
UpPromote offers email support, along with tutorials and videos to help users get the most out of the platform.
Refersion and UpPromote offer different approaches to affiliate marketing. UpPromote’s primary strength lies in its accessibility, offering a free plan that is perfect for small businesses or those just starting with affiliate marketing. In contrast, Refersion provides a more robust system with advanced tracking and management capabilities, but at a cost.
UpPromote’s simplicity and focus on cross-promotion make it a more hands-on platform, whereas Refersion’s inbound approach offers more advanced features but with a steeper learning curve.
Awin is a leading global affiliate network known for its expansive reach and detailed reporting capabilities. It connects advertisers with publishers across various industries, making it a go-to platform for businesses looking to scale their affiliate programs internationally.
Awin supports businesses in scaling their affiliate marketing efforts with its partnership database and custom reporting tools. The platform also includes tools for fraud detection and prevention, ensuring that all transactions are legitimate.
Awin is classified as an inbound platform, focusing on tracking and managing affiliate activities. Its features are geared towards businesses that need a reliable system for monitoring performance and scaling operations.
Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, Bigcommerce, AppsFlyer, Adjust, Button, Branch, Squarespace, Wx, Wordpress
Founded in 2017, Awin is known for its extensive affiliate network and advanced tracking capabilities.
Nike, Boohoo, Acer, and MyProtein.
Retail, Travel, Finance, Telco & Comms.
Best for D2C ecommerce brands and individuals looking for a scalable affiliate marketing solution with international reach.
Awin provides email and phone support, ensuring that users can get help when they need it.
Awin and Refersion cater to different market needs. Awin’s global reach and comprehensive reporting tools make it an ideal choice for businesses looking to scale internationally. However, its complexity and stringent approval process can be a barrier for smaller businesses or those new to affiliate marketing. Refersion, on the other hand, offers a more straightforward and user-friendly interface that appeals to smaller businesses or those focused on managing affiliate programs within a single region.
While Awin excels in providing detailed analytics and a vast network of affiliates, Refersion's ease of use and flexible pricing options make it more accessible for a broader range of businesses. Awin’s inbound focus on tracking and managing affiliate relationships contrasts with Refersion’s more balanced approach, offering robust tracking with the flexibility to scale as needed.
ShareASale is one of the oldest and most reputable affiliate marketing platforms, known for its extensive network of affiliates and merchants. The platform is particularly valued for its ease of use and the variety of tools it offers for both affiliates and merchants to maximize their earnings and marketing efforts.
ShareASale also offers agency-managed options, allowing organizations to outsource their affiliate program management. This feature is particularly useful for businesses looking to scale without increasing internal resources.
ShareASale is an inbound platform, focusing on detailed tracking and management of affiliate relationships. This makes it ideal for businesses that require robust monitoring and reporting capabilities to optimize their affiliate marketing efforts.
Shopify, WooCommerce, Bigcommerce, Paypal, Mailchimp, Wix, Shoplazza.
Founded in 2000, ShareASale is one of the oldest and most trusted affiliate marketing platforms.
Northwest, Nanit, Buffy, and Ergobaby.
The platform supports industries such as beauty, e-commerce, food & beverage, and technology.
Ideal for D2C ecommerce brands, merchants, and agencies that need a well-established and reliable affiliate marketing platform.
ShareASale provides email and phone support, ensuring that users can resolve any issues or queries they might have in a timely manner.
When comparing Refersion and ShareASale, the most notable difference lies in the user experience and network size. ShareASale’s extensive network of affiliates and long-standing reputation make it a strong contender for businesses seeking a reliable platform with a broad reach. However, its complexity and high costs may be challenging for those new to affiliate marketing or those who prefer a more streamlined and affordable experience.
Refersion, while having a smaller network, offers a more modern and user-friendly platform that is easier to navigate, especially for smaller businesses or those looking to quickly set up and manage affiliate programs. ShareASale's agency-managed options provide an added layer of convenience for larger businesses, but this comes at the cost of higher complexity and potentially higher expenses.
ClickBank is a well-established platform in the affiliate marketing space, particularly known for its focus on digital products. The platform connects product creators with affiliates, allowing them to promote a wide range of products, from e-books to software, with ease.
ClickBank is favored by entrepreneurs and digital marketers looking to leverage the power of affiliate marketing to boost their sales.
In addition to its affiliate marketing features, ClickBank offers robust tools for product creation, sales funnel management, and analytics. This makes it an all-in-one platform for digital product creators who want to manage their entire sales process in one place.
ClickBank is classified as an inbound platform, as it focuses on managing and tracking sales and affiliate performance within its system. The platform is particularly strong in its ability to manage digital product sales and affiliate payouts.
Shopify, GetResponse, AWeber mailing, Facebook, Mailchimp.
Founded in 1998, ClickBank has established itself as a leader in the affiliate marketing space.
Tea burn, Organifi, Ship Offers, Voluum, Disk.
Consumer goods, Beauty, Fitness.
Suitable for D2C ecommerce brands and individuals looking to expand their digital product sales through affiliate marketing.
ClickBank offers 24/7 phone call support, ensuring that users can receive help whenever needed.
ClickBank and Refersion serve different niches within the affiliate marketing space. ClickBank’s focus on digital products and its extensive network of affiliates make it the ideal platform for digital entrepreneurs and marketers. Its all-in-one approach simplifies the process of creating, managing, and selling digital products, but this comes with strict policies and additional fees.
Refersion, by contrast, offers a more flexible and user-friendly platform that is suitable for a broader range of businesses, including those selling physical goods. While ClickBank excels in the digital realm, Refersion provides a more balanced solution for businesses that require robust tracking and management of both digital and physical products.
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GoAffpro is widely known for being a user-friendly and cost-effective solution for affiliate marketing, especially for small businesses and individuals looking to start their affiliate programs. It offers robust tracking features and easy setup, making it an attractive option for beginners in the affiliate marketing space.
GoAffpro is both seller and affiliate-friendly, offering tools that cater to the needs of both parties. It also includes features like multi-tier commission structures and customized dashboard access for affiliates, enabling a more personalized and transparent experience.
GoAffpro is classified as an inbound platform. Its simplicity and user-friendliness make it ideal for businesses that need an efficient yet straightforward affiliate marketing solution.
Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, Bigcommerce, Pagefly, PayPal Payouts, Wix, Squarespace.
Founded in 2020, Goaffpro is a relatively new player but has quickly gained popularity.
G Fuel, Lakme, Juicy Chemistry, S&D, Minimalist, Green Soul.
Primarily caters to the health and wellbeing, and beauty industries.
Ideal for D2C ecommerce brands and individuals who want to start an affiliate program with minimal investment and technical knowledge.
GoAffpro offers customer support through email and social media, ensuring that users have access to assistance whenever needed.
GoAffpro and Refersion cater to different segments of the market. GoAffpro is designed for small businesses and individuals looking for an easy-to-use and cost-effective solution, making it ideal for those just starting in affiliate marketing. Refersion, on the other hand, offers more advanced features and customization options, which can be more suitable for larger businesses or those needing a more robust platform.
GoAffpro’s free pricing model and automated payment features make it an attractive option for budget-conscious users, while Refersion’s more comprehensive tracking and management capabilities justify its higher price point. Both platforms are inbound, but Refersion provides a more detailed and customizable approach.
Impact is a leading platform in the partnership automation space, known for its advanced tools and comprehensive solutions that go beyond traditional affiliate marketing.
It is particularly well-regarded for its cross-device tracking and extensive integrations, making it a preferred choice for large enterprises and brands looking to scale their partnership programs.
Impact provides migration assistance, helping businesses seamlessly transition from other platforms. The platform also supports other types of partnerships, such as influencer collaborations and business development deals, making it a versatile tool for comprehensive marketing strategies.
Impact is an inbound platform, focusing on detailed tracking and management of various types of partnerships, including affiliates. Its advanced capabilities make it suitable for large enterprises with complex marketing needs.
Shopify, Magento, BigCommerce, Hubspot, Segments, AppsFlyer, Klaviyo, Stripe, and more.
Founded in 2008, Impact is known for its comprehensive solutions and robust platform.
Uber, McAfee, Walmart, Ticketmaster, Microsoft, Lenovo.
Retail, Finance, Consumer Goods, Hospitality, Fashion, Electronics, Health & Beauty
Ideal for D2C brands and large enterprises that require a comprehensive partnership management solution with advanced tracking and analytics.
Impact provides customer support via email and chatbot, with additional resources available through its extensive knowledge base.
Impact and Refersion serve different market segments. Impact is designed for large enterprises and D2C brands that require a scalable, versatile platform capable of managing complex partnerships, including but not limited to affiliate marketing. Its advanced tracking features, particularly in cross-device environments, set it apart from Refersion, which is more focused on traditional affiliate marketing.
While Impact offers a broader range of functionalities, its higher cost and complexity may not be justified for smaller businesses or those with simpler needs, where Refersion’s more straightforward and cost-effective approach might be a better fit.
Both platforms are inbound, but Impact’s versatility and depth make it the choice for more complex marketing strategies.
Referral Candy is renowned for its simplicity and effectiveness in referral marketing, particularly for e-commerce businesses. It specializes in helping businesses leverage their existing customer base to drive new sales through referral programs, making it a popular choice among small to medium-sized online stores.
ReferralCandy includes features like a post-purchase popup and an embedded signup form on the shipping site, designed to optimize referrals by engaging customers at key touchpoints in their purchasing journey.
Referral Candy is primarily an inbound platform, focusing on tracking and managing customer referrals within its system. Its simplicity and automation make it ideal for businesses that want to implement referral marketing without a steep learning curve.
Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, Bigcommerce, Bold, Celery, Cratejoy, Paywhirl, Volusion.
Founded in 2019, Referral Candy focuses on helping eCommerce businesses grow through effective referral marketing strategies.
Colgate, Stanley, Tupperware, Steve Madden
Retail, Beauty, Travel, Wellness, Technology
D2C e-commerce brands looking to automate their referral programs.
Provides chatbot.
Referral Candy and Refersion offer different approaches to customer-driven marketing. Referral Candy is laser-focused on referral marketing, making it an excellent choice for e-commerce businesses that want to leverage their existing customer base to drive new sales. Its simplicity and affordability are significant advantages, especially for small to medium-sized businesses. However, it lacks the broader affiliate management capabilities that Refersion offers.
Refersion provides a more comprehensive suite of tools for managing affiliate relationships, including advanced tracking, reporting, and customizable commission structures. For businesses looking to expand beyond simple referral programs and engage in more complex affiliate marketing strategies, Refersion would be the better choice.
Both platforms are inbound, but Referral Candy’s specialized focus makes it ideal for businesses primarily interested in referral marketing, while Refersion offers more flexibility for those needing a robust affiliate management system.
Social Snowball is well-known for its focus on referral and affiliate marketing with a twist. It simplifies the process of turning customers into affiliates by enabling them to share referral links directly from their post-purchase experience. This makes it particularly effective for e-commerce businesses that want to capitalize on the enthusiasm of their customers.
Social Snowball also includes features like bulk actions and automations, allowing users to save time on repetitive tasks. The platform is designed with the user in mind, providing tools that streamline operations, from managing multiple campaigns to automatically sending gifts to creators when they reach certain milestones.
Social Snowball is classified as an outbound platform, focusing on active engagement and outreach through referral and affiliate marketing. It is particularly well-suited for businesses that want to actively involve their customers in their marketing efforts.
Shopify, Zapier, Tydo, Prehook, Klaviyo, Adoric.
Founded in 2020, Social Snowball is a newer player in the affiliate marketing space with a focus on automation and ease of use.
Obvi, Tabs, True Classic, Solawave, and Javy.
Supports a range of industries including food & beverages, beauty, and wellness.
Ideal for D2C ecommerce brands and agencies that want to turn customers into affiliates through automated referral programs.
Social Snowball offers customer support via email and chatbot, ensuring that users can get the help they need to run their campaigns smoothly.
Social Snowball and Refersion offer different approaches to affiliate marketing. Social Snowball is particularly strong in turning customers into affiliates at the point of purchase, making it a powerful tool for e-commerce businesses looking to leverage their customer base. Its focus on automating tasks like affiliate onboarding and payouts sets it apart as a user-friendly platform.
However, Social Snowball’s emphasis on revenue-focused metrics and its outbound nature may not appeal to businesses looking for more in-depth analytics and customization options, where Refersion excels. Refersion offers a more traditional affiliate management approach with advanced tracking and reporting, making it suitable for businesses that require a comprehensive and customizable solution.
Both platforms serve different needs, with Social Snowball being ideal for businesses wanting a straightforward, automated referral solution, while Refersion provides more robust features for detailed affiliate management.
CJ Affiliate is one of the largest and most established affiliate marketing networks in the world. It is recognized for its extensive network of affiliates and its ability to connect advertisers with high-quality publishers. CJ Affiliate is particularly favored by large enterprises and businesses looking for a reliable and scalable platform to manage their affiliate programs.
CJ Affiliate offers cookieless tracking that is fully compatible with GDPR, ensuring privacy compliance while maintaining accurate tracking. Additionally, the platform includes in-platform influencer discovery, allowing businesses to easily find and connect with influencers that align with their brand.
CJ Affiliate is an outbound platform, focusing on active recruitment and management of affiliate relationships. Its extensive features make it ideal for businesses that need to scale their affiliate programs and maintain tight control over tracking and performance.
Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, Bigcommerce, Wordpress, Affiliate.ai, Fraudlogix.
Founded in 1998, CJ Affiliate is one of the oldest and most established affiliate marketing platforms.
J. Crew, Office Depot, Barnes & Noble, Priceline, Hello Fresh, Blue Apron.Industry Verticals: Retail, Consumer Goods, E-commerce, Technology
Ideal for D2C e-commerce brands, large enterprises, and individuals who want to scale their affiliate marketing efforts with a trusted and comprehensive platform.
CJ Affiliate provides customer support via email, phone, and chat, ensuring that users can get assistance through multiple channels.
CJ Affiliate and Refersion cater to different market segments with distinct needs.
CJ Affiliate’s extensive network and advanced tracking capabilities make it a top choice for large enterprises and businesses looking to scale their affiliate programs globally. Its comprehensive fraud detection and in-depth analytics provide additional layers of security and insight, which are crucial for managing large-scale campaigns. However, its high cost and complex approval process may be barriers for smaller businesses or those new to affiliate marketing.
Refersion, by contrast, offers a more accessible and user-friendly platform that is ideal for businesses of all sizes, especially those looking for a more straightforward and customizable affiliate management solution. While CJ Affiliate excels in scale and security, Refersion provides flexibility and ease of use, making it a better fit for businesses seeking a balance between cost and functionality.
In the search for the best Refersion alternatives, it's clear that each platform offers unique strengths tailored to different business needs.
Influencer Hero excels with its comprehensive influencer and affiliate management tools, making it ideal for brands seeking an all-in-one solution. GoAffpro stands out for its affordability and user-friendliness, perfect for small businesses. Impact offers advanced tracking and scalability, appealing to large enterprises. Social Snowball simplifies referral marketing, turning customers into affiliates effortlessly, while CJ Affiliate provides a vast network and robust fraud protection, making it a powerhouse for large-scale campaigns.
Refersion itself remains a strong choice with its ease of use and reliable tracking, but for businesses seeking specific features or scale, these alternatives offer compelling options to consider.
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