Based on analysis of 2,600+ affiliate programs
Disclaimer: Commission rates and program terms are current as of October 2025. Always verify current rates on official affiliate program websites before joining, as terms may change.
SaaS affiliate program commission rates typically range from 20% to 30%, with premium programs offering up to 70% for top-tier affiliates. Analysis of over 2,600 SaaS affiliate programs reveals that recurring commission structures are the industry standard. Leading programs like Semrush pay $200-$350 per quarterly sale, ActiveCampaign averages $1,300 per referral, and NordVPN offers 40-100% commission on sign-ups. HubSpot provides either 15% of the first year or 100% of the first month, while Shopify offers 200% of the merchant’s monthly subscription fee for standard plans.
Understanding SaaS affiliate program commission rates is crucial for both affiliates selecting programs and companies setting competitive rates. Keep reading for the complete analysis of commission structures, payment terms, and the top 50+ programs by category ⬇️
Understanding SaaS Affiliate Program Commission Rates
After analyzing over 2,600 SaaS affiliate programs, research shows the typical commission rate for SaaS affiliate programs hovers around 30%, striking a balance between enticing affiliates and maintaining healthy profit margins. However, SaaS affiliate program commission rates vary significantly based on several factors including program type, product pricing, and commission structure.
Why SaaS Affiliate Program Commission Rates Are Higher
SaaS affiliate program commission rates are notably higher than traditional e-commerce programs because software companies enjoy 75-80% gross margins, allowing them to offer 20-30% commissions while still acquiring customers profitably. According to industry analysis, SaaS affiliate programs offer the highest average commissions on the market, ranging from 20% to 70%.
Commission Structure Types for SaaS Affiliate Programs
Recurring Commission Rates
Recurring commissions are the gold standard for SaaS affiliate program commission rates because they provide long-term passive income. These reward affiliates each time a referred customer pays subscription fees on a weekly, monthly, or yearly basis. In SaaS affiliate programs, affiliates usually receive between 20% and 30% in recurring commissions, with generous commission rates often resulting in affiliates promoting products more fervently.
One-Time Commission Payments
One-time commissions reward affiliates for a single sale made by the customer they referred. While simpler to manage, these provide less long-term value than recurring commission structures for SaaS affiliate programs.
Hybrid Commission Models
Some SaaS affiliate program commission rates use hybrid structures, such as 20%-40% of revenue for the first 3 months, then 0% after to protect future profit margins. This approach front-loads rewards while capping long-term liability.
Tiered Commission Structures
Tiered structures increase SaaS affiliate program commission rates based on performance milestones, keeping affiliates engaged by rewarding volume and consistency. For example, Moosend offers tiered recurring commissions from 30% (Bronze tier, 0-5 accounts) up to 40% (Diamond tier, 36+ accounts).
SaaS Affiliate Program Commission Rates by Category
Email Marketing & Automation Tools
High-Commission Programs (30-50%)
Moosend: Offers a 40% recurring commission rate to affiliates, with the average affiliate earning approximately $160 monthly for each paying referral. The Moosend affiliate program features a 90-120 day cookie lifespan and monthly payouts with real-time statistics tracking.
AWeber: Provides up to 50% of recurring referral payments for the lifetime of an AWeber Pro account, making it one of the highest SaaS affiliate program commission rates in email marketing.
Leadpages: Offers up to 50% commission on first-time and recurring sales with a tiered affiliate structure. Commission rates vary from 40% to 50% based on customer revenue thresholds.
Standard Commission Programs (20-30%)
Constant Contact: Features a 30% recurring monthly commission rate for up to one year, plus bonuses and custom commissions at higher tiers. The program includes an impressive 180-day cookie duration and operates through the Impact platform with a $10 minimum balance requirement.
Omnisend: Provides a 20% recurring commission specifically targeting e-commerce shop owners, with a 90-day cookie duration. The hybrid structure offers 100% of the first payment for monthly plans and 30% thereafter.
Kit (ConvertKit): Allows affiliates to earn through promoting webinars or package purchases, though specific commission rates vary by promotional activity.
CRM & Marketing Platform Commission Rates
Premium Programs (30-40%)
HubSpot: One of the most recognized names in SaaS affiliate program commission rates, offering 30% recurring commission for up to one year with a 180-day cookie duration. Alternatively, affiliates can choose 15% recurring for the full first year or 100% flat rate of the first month’s revenue. With HubSpot’s pricing ranging from $20 to over $4,000, the earning potential is substantial.
EngageBay: Offers a 30% recurring commission with a 90-day conversion period. With over 80,000 businesses worldwide using the platform, EngageBay provides strong conversion potential along with competitive SaaS affiliate program commission rates.
Pabbly: Features a 30% recurring commission rate for marketing automation software, with easy-to-use dashboard tracking and 30-day cookie period.
Standard Programs (20-30%)
ActiveCampaign: Pays 20-30% commission rates, with the average affiliate making $1,350 per referral according to company data. The program includes access to an affiliate community and product updates.
Saleshandy: Offers 25% lifetime commission plus performance bonuses: $25 for 5 customers in 1 month, $50 for 10 customers in 2 months, with a 90-day cookie duration.
Outgrow: Provides 20% commission on both initial and recurring payments of referred customers, plus 24/7 chat support for affiliates.
E-Commerce Platform Commission Rates
High-Value Programs
Shopify: Offers one of the most lucrative SaaS affiliate program commission rates with a one-time commission of 200% of the merchant’s monthly subscription fee for general plans (Basic, Shopify, Advanced). For Shopify Plus subscriptions, affiliates earn a flat $2,000 commission. Alternatively, affiliates can earn up to $58 per sale with a 30-day cookie duration.
Omnisend (E-commerce focus): Provides 100% of the first payment for monthly plans with 30% recurring thereafter, or 40% of the first payment for annual plans with 30% ongoing commission, specifically designed for e-commerce email marketing.
Project Management & Productivity Tool Rates
Standard Rates (20-30%)
Todoist: Operates through the Impact affiliate network with approval at Todoist’s discretion. The program targets productivity-focused audiences.
Creately: Provides 20% lifetime recurring commissions for visual collaboration and diagramming tools, offering steady long-term passive income.
Appointlet: Features a 20% recurring commission with a 30-day cookie period through Tapfiliate, with a $50 payment threshold.
SEO & Marketing Tool Commission Rates
Premium Commission Programs (25-50%)
SEMrush: Offers multiple earning opportunities with $200 for every new subscription sale, $10 for every new trial, and $0.01 for every new sign-up. The program features a generous 120-day cookie window with last-click attribution.
Semrush (recurring model): Provides 40% commission on affiliate subscriptions with recurring payouts using a first-click attribution model, ensuring the first affiliate link clicked receives credit.
Surfer: Features a recurring 25% commission on subscriptions with highly customizable plans and add-ons including Surfer AI, providing multiple upselling opportunities.
SpyFu: Offers 40% recurring commissions for competitive SEO research tools.
SEOPressor: Provides 50% recurring commissions, among the highest SaaS affiliate program commission rates in the SEO tools category.
Mangools: Offers $487 for each qualified lead, representing a high-value per-conversion opportunity.
VPN & Security Software Commission Rates
High Commission Programs (40-100%)
NordVPN: Offers flexible commission structures with either 40% or 100% commission for new sign-ups, making it one of the highest-paying SaaS affiliate program commission rates in the security software category.
PureVPN: Pays a 40% recurring commission with a 60-day cookie window, available through both Impact and CJ Affiliate networks.
LastPass: Offers a 20% commission on sales, with strong earning potential considering the high lifetime value of password manager subscriptions.
Online Course & E-Learning Platform Rates
Premium Platforms (20-30%)
Thinkific: Offers a 30% lifetime recurring commission with a generous 90-day cookie window, plus ready-made creative and promotional materials to help affiliates succeed.
Teachable: Provides 30% recurring commissions for course platform subscriptions, while Thinkific offers 20% recurring commissions.
Skillshare: Features a simpler $7 one-time commission per referral model rather than recurring payments.
Design & Creative Tool Commission Rates
Variable Commission Structures
Elementor: Offers up to 65% per sale—one of the highest SaaS affiliate program commission rates for design tools. Features a $200 payout threshold processed 60 days after referral purchase, with a 90-day cookie duration.
Piktochart: Pays a 40% recurring commission with a 60-day cookie window through the ShareASale network, providing an excellent alternative to Canva.
Canva: Offers a one-time commission of up to $36 for each new referral rather than recurring payments.
Web Hosting & Domain Service Rates
High One-Time Commissions
HostGator: Offers a one-time commission ranging from $65 to $125 for each referral, depending on the hosting plan purchased.
Hostinger: Provides at least 40% commission on web hosting and website builder packages, with dedicated account managers supporting affiliates.
Social Media Management Tool Rates
Recurring Programs (20-40%)
SocialPilot: Pays a 20% recurring commission for up to one year with a 90-day referral period through FirstPromoter, serving as an alternative to Hootsuite and Buffer.
SocialBee: Provides a 20% recurring commission for every customer brought to the platform, plus an extra 10% recurring commission for each sold concierge service.
Submagic: Offers a 30% recurring commission paid monthly via PayPal for lifetime, with a 30-day cookie duration, specifically targeting video content creators and social media influencers.
Content Creation & AI Tool Commission Rates
Premium AI Tool Commissions (30-60%)
Simplified: Offers a 40% recurring commission with a 45-day cookie window and a $50 minimum threshold requiring at least 2 referrals for payout.
Systeme: Provides an exceptional 60% recurring commission with a lifetime cookie window and just a $30 commission threshold, making it one of the highest SaaS affiliate program commission rates available.
Writesonic: Generates AI writing content for articles, blog posts, and marketing copy, with competitive commission rates for AI-powered content tools.
Payment Processing & Financial Tool Rates
Industry Rates (10-50%)
Invoice Ninja: Offers 50% recurring commission for invoicing and bookkeeping software, targeting freelancers and small businesses.
Nimbata: Features a lifetime commission structure with no cap on earnings, citing an impressive 8% conversion rate and 40% lead-to-conversion rate from their call tracking analytics platform.
Top-Paying SaaS Affiliate Program Commission Rates
Programs Offering 40%+ Commission Rates
Email & Marketing Automation:
- Moosend: 40% recurring (Diamond tier)
- AWeber: Up to 50% lifetime recurring
- Piktochart: 40% recurring with 60-day cookie
- Leadpages: 40-50% on first-time and recurring sales
VPN & Security:
- NordVPN: 40-100% commission options
- PureVPN: 40% recurring with 60-day cookie
SEO & Analytics:
- Semrush: 40% recurring commission
- SpyFu: 40% recurring
- SEOPressor: 50% recurring
Content & Design:
- Elementor: Up to 65% per sale
- Simplified: 40% recurring
- Systeme: 60% recurring with lifetime cookie
Hosting:
- Hostinger: At least 40% commission
- Skool: 40% lifetime commission ($39.60/month per $99 subscription)
Programs with 30-39% Commission Rates
CRM & Marketing Platforms:
- HubSpot: 30% recurring for up to one year, 180-day cookie
- EngageBay: 30% recurring, 90-day cookie
- Pabbly: 30% recurring commission
E-Learning:
- Thinkific: 30% lifetime recurring, 90-day cookie
- Teachable: 30% recurring
Email Marketing:
- Constant Contact: 30% recurring for up to one year
- Moosend: 30-40% tiered recurring based on referral volume
Productivity & Collaboration:
- Submagic: 30% recurring lifetime commission
- SpreadSimple: 30% commission for one year
Content Management:
- Wordable: 30% first year, then 15% recurring thereafter
- Brand24: Up to 30% recurring for life
Programs with 20-29% Commission Rates
CRM & Sales Tools:
- ActiveCampaign: 20-30%, averaging $1,350 per referral
- Saleshandy: 25% lifetime plus performance bonuses
- Outgrow: 20% on initial and recurring payments
E-Commerce:
- Omnisend: 20% recurring with 90-day cookie
- Shopify: 20% recurring (separate from 200% one-time option)
Productivity:
- Creately: 20% lifetime recurring
- Appointlet: 20% recurring with 30-day cookie
- SocialPilot: 20% recurring for one year
SEO & Analytics:
- Surfer: 25% recurring commission
- AccuRanker: 20% recurring
Miscellaneous SaaS:
- SocialBee: 20% recurring plus 10% on services
- Wati: 20% commission for up to 2 years
- WPFunnels: 20-50% tiered for 3 years
High-Value One-Time Commission Programs
Shopify: 200% of monthly subscription fee ($58-$2,000 for Plus plans)
Rewind: 200% commission payout (up to $800 per customer)
SEMrush: $200 per new subscription, $10 per trial, $0.01 per signup
FreshBooks: $10 to $200 one-time commission based on plan
HostGator: $65 to $125 per referral depending on hosting package
Cookie Duration Impact on SaaS Affiliate Program Commission Rates
Cookie duration determines how long after a click you can still earn a commission from SaaS affiliate programs. Longer durations significantly increase conversion opportunities and overall earnings potential.
120+ Day Cookie Windows (Excellent)
- SEMrush: 120 days
- HubSpot: 180 days (best-in-class)
- Constant Contact: 180 days
- GetResponse: 120 days
- Systeme: Lifetime (no expiration)
90-Day Cookie Windows (Very Good)
- Elementor: 90 days
- Thinkific: 90 days
- Moosend: 90 days
- SocialPilot: 90 days
- Saleshandy: 90 days
- EngageBay: 90 days
60-Day Cookie Windows (Good)
- PureVPN: 60 days
- Piktochart: 60 days
- Omnisend: 60 days
30-45 Day Cookie Windows (Standard)
- Shopify: 30 days
- Todoist: 30 days
- Submagic: 30 days
- Simplified: 45 days
- Appointlet: 30 days
- Pabbly: 30 days
Industry Insight: The general rule is to aim for programs with cookie lifespans of 60-90 days minimum, as 30 days may be insufficient for customer decision-making, particularly for higher-priced SaaS solutions.
Payment Thresholds & Processing Methods
Understanding payment terms is crucial when evaluating SaaS affiliate program commission rates and cash flow planning.
Low Thresholds ($10-$50)
- HubSpot: $10 minimum via Impact platform
- NordVPN: $10 payout threshold
- Systeme: $30 threshold
- Simplified: $50 minimum (requires at least 2 referrals)
Medium Thresholds ($100-$200)
- Elementor: $200 payout threshold, processed 60 days after purchase
- GetResponse: $100 for direct bank transfers, $1,000 for PayPal
Common Payment Methods
Most SaaS affiliate programs support multiple payment options:
- PayPal (most common and fastest)
- Direct deposit/wire transfer (for larger amounts)
- Specialized affiliate platforms: Impact, PartnerStack, FirstPromoter, Tapfiliate, ShareASale, CJ Affiliate
How to Set Competitive SaaS Affiliate Program Commission Rates
For Software Companies
Calculate Your Baseline Metrics:
First, calculate your profit margin to understand what commission rates you can afford. Consider your Cost Per Acquisition (CPA), Customer Lifetime Value (LTV), and operational costs of running an affiliate program.
If your current Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) equals 40% of your Customer Lifetime Value (CLTV), offering affiliates a 25% commission would be beneficial, reducing your CAC to 25% instead of 40% spent on other acquisition channels.
Industry Benchmark: The average SaaS startup enjoys a gross margin of 75-80%, so a 30% commission rate still allows companies to acquire customers profitably without upfront payment costs.
Key Decision Factors for Setting Rates
Commission Frequency: Choose between one-time commissions (single sale reward) versus recurring commissions (ongoing subscription payments). Recurring structures typically range from weekly to yearly billing cycles.
Attribution Model: Select between first-click attribution (credit goes to first affiliate link clicked) or last-click attribution (credit goes to final click before purchase). For example, EngageBay uses first-click to ensure fairness for initial referrers.
Tiered Incentives: Implement tiered structures where commission rates increase based on performance milestones (e.g., 25% for 1-10 sales, 30% for 11-25 sales, 35% for 26+ sales) to reward top performers and encourage volume.
Factors Affecting SaaS Affiliate Program Commission Rates
Industry Standards by Niche
Average commission rates typically range from 5% to 30% across all affiliate programs, with SaaS affiliate program commission rates staying within the higher 15% to 25% range. For comparison, travel agents receive 10-16%, while e-commerce programs often pay 5-15%.
Some highly specialized SaaS niches offer commission rates as high as 80-100% for initial periods to accelerate customer acquisition.
Product Pricing Impact on Commission Rates
Product pricing significantly influences SaaS affiliate program commission rates. Low-cost products require higher commission percentages to incentivize affiliates, while high-priced products allow for lower percentages that still deliver substantial dollar amounts.
Example: A 5% commission on a $500/month enterprise plan earns $25 monthly recurring, while the same 5% on a $50/month plan earns only $2.50—explaining why many top affiliates focus on high-ticket SaaS products with elevated Average Order Value (AOV).
Program Maturity
Many SaaS companies start with lower commission rates (5-15%) and increase rates as their brand grows and can afford higher affiliate payouts while maintaining profitability.
Red Flags in SaaS Affiliate Program Commission Rates
When evaluating SaaS affiliate programs, watch for these warning signs:
Short Cookie Durations Cookie lifespans of 30 days or less are insufficient as customers often take longer to make purchasing decisions. Aim for programs offering 60-90 day minimums.
Below-Market Commission Rates A good SaaS affiliate program commission rate starts at 20%. Programs offering less require significantly more effort for proportionally smaller returns.
Unclear Terms & Conditions Programs should provide transparent information about commission calculations, payment schedules, and affiliate requirements. Lack of clarity suggests poor management.
Missing Affiliate Dashboard While not mandatory, quality programs provide dashboards for easily tracking performance, commissions earned, and payment status.
Maximizing Earnings from SaaS Affiliate Program Commission Rates
Choose Programs Strategically
Prioritize Recurring Commissions: Recurring commission structures mean earnings stack over time without requiring constant new referrals, though success depends on customer retention and low churn rates.
Evaluate Earnings Per Referral: Programs with low per-referral earnings require high volume to generate significant income. This can be challenging in small or saturated niches.
Focus on Product Quality & “Stickiness”
Product “stickiness”—the ability to drive customer satisfaction, reduce churn rates, and encourage long-term engagement—is crucial for sustained recurring revenue. Sticky products translate directly into reliable affiliate income from SaaS affiliate program commission rates.
Best Practice: Promote products and services you genuinely believe in rather than chasing every opportunity. Authentic recommendations convert better and build long-term audience trust.
Leverage Brand Recognition
Well-known platforms like HubSpot benefit from strong brand recognition and reputation, making conversions easier to achieve. The HubSpot affiliate program often sees conversions based on brand reputation alone.
Build Long-Term Relationships
Top-performing programs like Moosend feature impressive 120-day cookie lives, monthly payouts, real-time statistics tracking, and dedicated affiliate support. Long-term partnerships with quality programs deliver more consistent results than constantly switching programs.
Emerging Trends in SaaS Affiliate Program Commission Rates
AI-Powered Tools Leading Growth
92% of business leaders plan to purchase AI-powered software in 2025, making AI SaaS tools an exceptional opportunity for affiliate marketers. Commission rates for AI tools remain competitive at 30-60% as companies race for market share.
Increased Focus on Recurring Revenue Models
SaaS affiliate programs increasingly emphasize recurring commission structures over one-time payments. Unlike traditional affiliate programs selling physical goods with one-time payouts, SaaS offers recurring commissions lasting from one year to lifetime, providing genuine passive income.
Performance-Based Bonus Structures
More programs implement milestone-based bonuses alongside base commission rates. Examples include $200 bonuses after the first 50 customers, or tiered increases like Saleshandy’s $25 for 5 customers in 1 month and $50 for 10 customers in 2 months.
Advanced Tiered Commission Growth
Leading programs like HubSpot implement sophisticated tiered systems based on monthly signups: Starter tier (up to 29 signups/month at 30% commission), Sprocket tier (29-99 per month with enhanced terms), and Elite tier (over 99 per month with custom commission structures).
Final Recommendations for Affiliates
When selecting SaaS Affiliate Program Commission Rates based on commission rates:
- Start with 25-30% recurring programs in established niches for reliable income
- Prioritize 90+ day cookie windows to maximize conversion opportunities
- Target products you use and trust for authentic promotion and better conversions
- Calculate potential monthly recurring revenue (number of referrals × average commission) to set realistic goals
- Diversify across 3-5 programs to reduce dependency on any single income stream
- Monitor churn rates as high customer churn directly impacts recurring commission sustainability
Resources
All statistics and SaaS affiliate program commission rate data in this report were sourced from the following authoritative platforms and affiliate networks:
- Tapfiliate: Complete Guide for SaaS Affiliate Commissions
- lemlist: SaaS Affiliate Programs Database
- Xola: Industry Affiliate Commission Rate Benchmarks
- Authority Hacker: Best SaaS Affiliate Programs Report
- Selzy: State of Affiliate Marketing Report & SaaS Programs
- Taggbox: Top SaaS Affiliate Programs Analysis
- Saleshandy: SaaS Affiliate Program Guide
- LeadDyno: Ultimate Guide to Affiliate Commission Rates
- UpPromote: Affiliate Marketing Commission Rates Study
- Shopify: Best Affiliate Programs Guide
- EmpireFlippers: 200+ Recurring Affiliate Programs Database
- UtilizeWP: Recurring Commission Affiliate Programs
- Zonka Feedback: Top SaaS Affiliate Programs Analysis
- Mailmodo: Best SaaS Affiliate Programs Guide
- Red Points: Best SaaS Affiliate Programs Database
- Nimbata: High-Ticket SaaS Affiliate Programs
- Brand24: SaaS Affiliate Programs Analysis
- Digital Fodder: Best Recurring Affiliate Programs
- UpMenu: SaaS Affiliate Programs Guide
- Klipfolio: Top SaaS Affiliate Programs
- EngageBay: Superb SaaS Affiliate Marketing Programs
- GetLasso: Best SaaS Affiliate Programs with Commission Rates
- Woorise: Best Affiliate Programs in SaaS Space
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