Top SaaS Affiliate Program Tips to Boost Earnings in 2025

Unlocking Revenue: Your Guide to the Best SaaS Affiliate Programs

Looking to generate recurring revenue? SaaS affiliate programs can help. This listicle showcases eight of the best SaaS affiliate programs in 2025, perfect for early-stage startups, SaaS founders, and indie hackers seeking new income streams. Discover programs like Refgrow, HubSpot, Shopify, and more. We'll cut through the noise and get you straight to the details that matter, helping you choose the best SaaS affiliate program for your needs and start earning.

1. Refgrow

Refgrow offers a unique approach to SaaS affiliate programs by embedding the entire system directly within your product. This creates a seamless and native experience for both your users and your affiliates, fostering organic growth without the friction of external platforms. Instead of redirecting users to a separate affiliate portal, Refgrow allows them to become promoters instantly from within your app, leading to significantly higher signup rates. This makes it a powerful tool for early-stage startups, self-serve SaaS companies, product-led growth SaaS, SaaS founders, and indie hackers looking to leverage their existing user base for rapid, cost-effective expansion.

One of Refgrow's key strengths is its ease of integration. A single line of code embeds the affiliate program into your product, eliminating complex setups and external redirects. This streamlined approach contributes to Refgrow boasting 2-3x more partner signups compared to traditional, clunky external platforms. Furthermore, the platform’s deep customization options allow you to tailor the affiliate experience to perfectly match your brand, from colors and layout to multilingual support. You can even configure commission rules per-affiliate or per-product, offering unmatched flexibility in managing your SaaS affiliate program. Automated conversion tracking through Stripe and LemonSqueezy webhooks ensures accurate reporting, while manual tracking via JS provides additional flexibility. A robust REST API further enhances integration possibilities, allowing developers to leverage Refgrow's full potential.

Learn more about Refgrow

Refgrow’s pricing model further solidifies its position as a cost-effective solution. With no transaction fees and unlimited earnings potential, it stands in stark contrast to competitors who often charge up to 9% per transaction. This makes Refgrow particularly attractive for startups and indie hackers focused on maximizing profitability. A 14-day free trial with no credit card required allows you to explore the platform risk-free, and the company offers effortless migration support from other platforms, minimizing disruption to your existing affiliate program (if you have one). Plans start at just $9/month after the trial.

Pros:

• Seamless, true native integration with just a one-line code snippet—no external redirects or complex setups needed.
• Zero transaction fees and unlimited affiliate earnings, significantly reducing growth costs compared to competitors.
• Deep customization including full UI branding, multilingual support, and configurable commission rules per-affiliate or product.
• Automated, accurate conversion tracking through Stripe and LemonSqueezy webhooks, plus optional manual tracking via JS.
• Rapid launch capability with a 14-day free trial, no credit card required, and effortless migration support.

Cons:

• Currently tailored primarily for SaaS companies; businesses outside of SaaS may find feature fit and integrations limited.
• While advanced, using the REST API and deep customization might require some developer resources for full potential.

Refgrow stands out as a valuable tool for any SaaS business looking to implement or enhance their affiliate program. Its unique embedded approach, combined with powerful features, flexible customization, and affordable pricing, makes it a compelling choice for driving organic, referral-driven growth without the need for expensive paid advertising. Its focus on ease of use, combined with advanced features, positions Refgrow as an ideal solution for SaaS of all sizes, from bootstrapped startups to established brands.

2. HubSpot Affiliate Program

The HubSpot Affiliate Program stands out as a top-tier SaaS affiliate program, offering a compelling opportunity for those seeking recurring revenue streams. Its generous 30% recurring commission rate for the first year of a customer's subscription makes it particularly attractive, especially considering HubSpot's position as a leading provider of CRM, marketing, sales, and customer service software. This means you're promoting a robust platform with proven market demand and strong customer retention, increasing your chances of successful conversions. This program is an excellent choice for SaaS founders, indie hackers, and early-stage startups looking to monetize their audience or supplement their income by recommending a well-respected product.

HubSpot’s program provides a comprehensive support system to maximize your affiliate success. This includes dedicated affiliate managers to offer guidance and answer your questions, a library of pre-made marketing materials and promotional resources to simplify your marketing efforts, and real-time reporting through their Impact partnership platform for accurate performance tracking. The 90-day cookie duration provides a reasonable window for attributing conversions to your referrals. Whether you're focusing on product-led growth or building a self-serve SaaS company, the HubSpot Affiliate Program offers a valuable avenue for expanding your reach and generating revenue.

Features:

• 30% recurring commission for the first year of customer subscription
• 90-day cookie duration for tracking referrals
• Comprehensive marketing materials and promotional resources
• Dedicated affiliate manager support
• Real-time reporting dashboard

Pros:

• High recurring commission rate (30%) on all products: This allows you to earn a substantial income from each successful referral.
• Well-known brand with strong market reputation: HubSpot's brand recognition simplifies the selling process, as potential customers are likely already familiar with their products.
• Excellent support and educational resources for affiliates: You're not left to figure things out on your own; HubSpot provides ample resources and support to help you succeed.
• Diverse product range allows promotion to various business segments: From marketing automation to sales CRM and customer service hubs, you can target a wide audience.

Cons:

• Commission stops after the first year despite continued customer subscription: While the initial year's commission is generous, the lack of ongoing commission might be a drawback for some.
• High-ticket products may take longer sales cycles: Due to the nature of HubSpot's products and pricing, closing deals may require more nurturing and follow-up.
• Competitive niche with many affiliates promoting HubSpot: You'll be competing with other affiliates, requiring strategic marketing efforts to stand out.

Website: https://www.hubspot.com/partners/affiliates

Implementation Tips:

• Focus on a specific niche: Rather than trying to promote all of HubSpot's products, concentrate on a specific area (e.g., marketing automation for e-commerce businesses) to better target your audience.
• Leverage content marketing: Create valuable content, such as blog posts, tutorials, and webinars, that showcases the benefits of HubSpot’s products and includes your affiliate link.
• Utilize social media: Share your affiliate link and promotional content on relevant social media platforms to reach a wider audience.
• Track your results: Monitor your clicks, conversions, and earnings through the Impact platform to optimize your campaigns.

The HubSpot Affiliate Program deserves its place on this list because of its high commission rate, robust product offering, and comprehensive support system. While the competitive landscape and limited commission duration are worth considering, the potential to generate significant recurring revenue makes it an attractive option for those seeking a powerful SaaS affiliate program.

3. Shopify Affiliate Program

The Shopify Affiliate Program stands out as a leading SaaS affiliate program, particularly attractive for those operating within the e-commerce ecosystem. This program allows you to earn by referring prospective merchants to the Shopify platform, empowering them to build and manage their own online businesses. This resonates strongly with audiences like early-stage startups, self-serve SaaS companies, product-led growth SaaS, SaaS founders, and indie hackers who are often looking for tools to facilitate their online presence and sales. The program's structure is built around a generous one-time commission model.

Shopify offers a compelling 200% bounty payment on the customer's first monthly subscription fee. This means if you refer a customer who opts for the basic $79/month plan, you receive a $158 commission. While the commission structure isn't recurring, the potential for high earnings is significant given Shopify's substantial user base and high conversion rates. This makes it a particularly lucrative SaaS affiliate program, even without ongoing commissions. For example, focusing your content on a specific niche, like dropshipping or print-on-demand businesses, can significantly improve your conversion rates as you're targeting a highly motivated audience already interested in e-commerce solutions.

Key features of the Shopify Affiliate Program include a custom affiliate dashboard with real-time reporting, providing you with the insights needed to track your performance and optimize your strategies. Shopify also provides a comprehensive suite of promotional materials such as banners, product images, and text links, streamlining your marketing efforts. Regular communication from Shopify's dedicated affiliate team, including program updates and promotional tips, ensures you're equipped with the latest resources and strategies to maximize your success within the program. This support is invaluable for those new to affiliate marketing or the SaaS space.

Features:

• 200% commission on the first month's subscription fee
• 30-day cookie duration
• Custom affiliate dashboard with real-time reporting
• Promotional materials including banners, product images, and text links
• Regular communication with program updates and promotional tips

Pros:

• High one-time commission structure (200% of first month)
• Widely recognized brand with high conversion potential
• Excellent tracking and reporting system
• Regular promotional opportunities and seasonal campaigns

Cons:

• No recurring commissions beyond the initial payment
• Highly competitive affiliate space (requires targeted strategy)
• Longer sales cycle for higher-tier plans (emphasizes the need for quality content and nurturing leads)

Website: https://www.shopify.com/affiliates

Implementing the Shopify Affiliate program is straightforward. Simply apply through their website and, upon acceptance, you'll gain access to your personalized dashboard and marketing resources. A key tip for success is to focus on content marketing. Creating valuable content, such as blog posts, tutorials, or reviews, targeting specific e-commerce niches, can significantly enhance your credibility and attract potential Shopify users. While competing with other affiliates, focusing on a specific niche allows you to tailor your content, addressing specific pain points and providing targeted solutions, ultimately driving conversions. This positions the Shopify Affiliate Program as a powerful tool for those invested in the SaaS affiliate marketing landscape.

4. Semrush Affiliate Program

For SaaS founders, indie hackers, and early-stage startups looking to leverage the power of affiliate marketing, the Semrush Affiliate Program stands out as a compelling opportunity within the broader SaaS affiliate program landscape. This program allows you to earn a generous 40% recurring commission on all new Semrush subscriptions for the first two payment periods, covering both monthly and annual plans. This makes it particularly attractive for promoting a high-value, in-demand product to your audience. Think about it: if you're in the digital marketing, SEO, or business growth niche, your audience is likely already looking for tools like Semrush. By becoming an affiliate, you can provide a valuable solution while generating a substantial income stream.

The program operates through the BeRush platform, a dedicated affiliate dashboard providing comprehensive tracking, detailed reporting, and a wealth of promotional resources. This includes ready-made marketing materials such as banners, landing pages, and email templates, simplifying the process of integrating Semrush promotion into your existing marketing efforts. The 120-day cookie duration is another significant advantage, giving potential customers a longer window to convert after clicking your affiliate link, increasing your chances of earning a commission. Regular promotions and special offers from Semrush also provide additional incentives to boost conversions. You can find more valuable resources regarding SaaS affiliate programs in general if you Learn more about Semrush Affiliate Program.

Pros:

• High Commission Rate: The 40% recurring commission for the first two payment periods provides significant earning potential, especially considering Semrush's high average order value.
• Extended Cookie Duration: The 120-day cookie duration maximizes your chances of earning a commission even if a customer doesn't subscribe immediately.
• Dedicated Affiliate Dashboard: The BeRush platform streamlines tracking, reporting, and access to promotional materials.
• Regular Product Updates: Semrush's continuous development and new feature releases provide ongoing opportunities for fresh content and promotions, keeping your affiliate marketing efforts relevant and engaging.

Cons:

• Non-Recurring Commission: After the initial two payment periods, the commission becomes non-recurring. However, the high initial payout can still be substantial.
• Product Complexity: Semrush is a comprehensive suite of tools, and effectively promoting it might require creating more in-depth educational content to explain its various features and benefits to your audience.
• Competitive Landscape: The SEO tools market is competitive, meaning you’ll need a solid strategy to stand out as a Semrush affiliate.

The Semrush Affiliate Program deserves a place on this list because it combines a high commission rate with a reputable brand and a suite of tools highly sought after by businesses and digital marketers. While the recurring commission is limited to the first two payment periods, the high average order value and the long cookie duration can still generate substantial revenue for affiliates. By leveraging the provided marketing materials and focusing on educating your audience about Semrush's value proposition, you can effectively promote this powerful SaaS platform and reap the rewards of this robust affiliate program. Visit the BeRush platform to learn more and get started.

5. Canva Pro Affiliate Program

The Canva Pro Affiliate Program is a compelling option for those seeking a high-paying SaaS affiliate program, particularly if your audience overlaps with design, marketing, or business productivity. This program offers a generous $36 flat commission for each new Canva Pro or Canva for Teams subscription generated through your referral link. This equates to roughly 80% of the yearly subscription cost, making it a lucrative opportunity for affiliates. The program leverages the Impact platform, providing robust tracking, reporting, and reliable commission payouts. Given Canva's widespread popularity and the ease of use of its design tools, conversion rates tend to be high, making this a potentially profitable avenue for affiliate marketers.

Canva's position as a leading design platform makes its affiliate program a valuable asset for SaaS affiliates. For early-stage startups, self-serve SaaS companies, and product-led growth SaaS, recommending Canva Pro can be a natural fit. Imagine, for instance, a SaaS startup offering marketing automation tools. Recommending Canva Pro to their users for creating engaging visuals complements their core offering and provides an additional revenue stream through the affiliate program. Similarly, indie hackers and SaaS founders building communities around productivity or design can leverage this program to monetize their audience while providing a valuable resource.

Features:

• $36 flat commission for each new Canva Pro or Canva for Teams subscription
• 30-day cookie duration
• Easy-to-use Impact affiliate dashboard
• Regular promotional campaigns and seasonal offers
• Ready-to-use marketing assets and creative materials

Pros:

• High one-time commission ($36 per conversion)
• Widely recognized brand with strong market presence
• User-friendly product with broad appeal across industries
• Low entry barrier for customers makes conversions easier

Cons:

• One-time commission instead of recurring payments
• Relatively short cookie duration (30 days)
• High competition among affiliates due to product popularity

Implementation Tips:

• Target the right audience: Focus on niches related to design, marketing, content creation, and business productivity.
• Leverage Canva's resources: Utilize the provided marketing assets and creative materials to promote effectively.
• Highlight Canva Pro's value: Focus on the benefits of Pro features like premium templates, stock photos, and brand kits.
• Integrate into your content strategy: Seamlessly weave Canva Pro recommendations into your blog posts, social media, and email marketing.
• Track your results: Monitor your performance through the Impact dashboard and adjust your strategies accordingly.

While the Canva Pro Affiliate Program faces stiff competition and offers a one-time rather than recurring commission, the high payout and brand recognition make it a strong contender in the SaaS affiliate landscape. Its accessibility through the Impact platform, coupled with readily available marketing materials, streamlines the setup process. For those targeting the right audience and actively promoting the product, the Canva Pro Affiliate Program offers a significant opportunity to generate revenue. You can find more information and apply to the program at https://www.canva.com/affiliates/.

6. ConvertKit Affiliate Program

For SaaS founders, indie hackers, and early-stage startups focused on a product-led growth model, finding the right SaaS affiliate program is crucial. The ConvertKit Affiliate Program stands out as a compelling option, particularly if your target audience overlaps with content creators, bloggers, and online business owners. This program offers a lucrative recurring commission structure that aligns perfectly with building a sustainable passive income stream for both you and your affiliates. By recommending a valuable tool like ConvertKit, you're not only providing a solution to your audience's email marketing needs but also establishing a long-term revenue source.

ConvertKit distinguishes itself by offering a true lifetime recurring commission of 30% for every customer referred. This means that for as long as the referred customer remains a ConvertKit subscriber, you continue to earn commission. This is a powerful incentive for affiliates and contributes to the overall success of the program. The program also boasts a 60-day cookie duration, providing a generous window for conversions. A dedicated affiliate dashboard provides real-time tracking and reporting, enabling you to monitor your performance and optimize your strategies. ConvertKit also equips its affiliates with comprehensive educational resources and promotional materials, empowering them to effectively market the platform. Regular product updates and new features provide fresh content and opportunities for promotion, keeping your affiliate marketing efforts dynamic and relevant.

While ConvertKit's niche focus on creators might limit the potential audience compared to broader email marketing platforms like Mailchimp or Constant Contact, this specialization can also be an advantage. It allows for highly targeted marketing efforts, reaching an audience that is actively seeking solutions specifically designed for their needs. The lower initial plan costs of ConvertKit may result in smaller initial commissions, but the lifetime recurring model significantly outweighs this in the long run. Furthermore, ConvertKit’s growing platform and strong customer retention ensure a higher likelihood of long-term recurring revenue. Their responsive affiliate support team is another plus, providing assistance and guidance to maximize your success.

Looking to amplify your affiliate marketing results? Learn more about ConvertKit Affiliate Program and explore strategies to boost your conversions.

Implementing the ConvertKit Affiliate Program is straightforward. Simply sign up through their affiliate website (https://convertkit.com/affiliate) and access their resources to begin promoting. There are no specific technical requirements beyond having a platform to reach your target audience, whether that be a blog, social media channels, or email list. This makes it a particularly accessible saas affiliate program for early-stage startups and indie hackers. By leveraging ConvertKit's strong brand recognition and valuable offering within the creator economy, you can effectively monetize your audience and build a sustainable passive income stream within the competitive SaaS affiliate program landscape.

7. Fiverr Affiliate Program

While not strictly a SaaS offering itself, the Fiverr Affiliate Program offers a powerful way for SaaS affiliates to monetize their audience by connecting them with a vast marketplace of freelance services. This makes it a valuable addition to any SaaS affiliate program portfolio, particularly for those targeting early-stage startups, self-serve SaaS companies, product-led growth SaaS, SaaS founders, and indie hackers – audiences frequently in need of outsourced talent. These audiences often require assistance with everything from marketing and content creation to web development and customer service, making Fiverr an ideal solution. By recommending Fiverr, affiliates can provide a valuable resource while simultaneously earning commissions.

Fiverr's tiered commission structure is a key attraction. You can earn anywhere from $15 to $150 CPA for each first-time buyer you refer. This CPA model provides a clear and immediate return on your marketing efforts. Furthermore, the program offers a 10% revenue share on Fiverr Business purchases for a full 12 months, opening up significant earning potential for affiliates who can successfully promote this premium service to businesses. The 30-day cookie duration, while shorter than some other programs, still provides a reasonable window for conversions. The program also shines with its comprehensive marketing materials and promotional tools, empowering affiliates with the resources they need to succeed. Finally, the availability across multiple affiliate networks (Impact, CJ Affiliate, and Awin) provides flexibility and access to detailed tracking and reporting.

Features:

• Tiered commission structure: $15-$150 CPA for First-Time Buyers, 10% revenue share on Fiverr Business purchases for 12 months
• 30-day cookie duration for standard referrals
• Comprehensive marketing materials and promotional tools
• Multi-network availability (Impact, CJ Affiliate, Awin)

Pros:

• Flexible commission structure with high potential earnings
• Broad market appeal across multiple industries
• Regular promotions and seasonal campaigns boost conversion
• Low barrier to entry for referred customers (easy for your audience to get started on Fiverr)

Cons:

• Variable commission rates can be somewhat challenging to track
• Relatively short cookie duration (30 days compared to some other programs)
• High competition among affiliates in popular categories requires strategic promotion

Implementation Tip: Focus your promotional efforts on specific niches and services relevant to your audience. For example, if your audience consists primarily of SaaS founders, highlight Fiverr's offerings for logo design, website development, or content marketing. This targeted approach can increase conversion rates and maximize your earnings.

The Fiverr Affiliate Program deserves its place on this list due to its broad appeal and flexible earning potential. While it might not be a direct SaaS affiliate program, its connection to the needs of SaaS businesses and entrepreneurs makes it a valuable tool for generating revenue. Visit the Fiverr Affiliate Program website to learn more and sign up.

8. ActiveCampaign Affiliate Program

For SaaS founders, indie hackers, and startups seeking a lucrative SaaS affiliate program, ActiveCampaign's offering stands out as a compelling choice. It offers a powerful way to generate passive income by recommending a leading marketing automation platform. This program deserves its place on this list due to its generous lifetime recurring commission structure, comprehensive resources, and the overall strength of the ActiveCampaign product. By leveraging ActiveCampaign’s affiliate program, you’re not just promoting a tool; you’re recommending a solution that can significantly benefit businesses seeking to improve their marketing efforts. This is particularly relevant for early-stage startups, self-serve SaaS companies, and product-led growth SaaS businesses looking for effective ways to nurture leads and scale their operations.

ActiveCampaign offers a generous 30% recurring commission for the lifetime of the referred customer. This means that for every customer you bring to ActiveCampaign, you'll receive 30% of their subscription fee for as long as they remain a customer. This recurring commission structure is a major advantage, providing a significant passive income opportunity over time. The 90-day cookie duration gives potential customers ample time to convert after clicking your affiliate link, increasing your chances of earning a commission.

ActiveCampaign's platform itself is a comprehensive suite of tools encompassing email marketing, marketing automation, and CRM functionalities. This makes it attractive to a broad range of businesses, from small startups to larger enterprises. The tiered pricing structure of ActiveCampaign also benefits affiliates, allowing for higher-value commissions as referred customers opt for higher-tier plans with more advanced features.

The ActiveCampaign Affiliate Program operates through the Impact platform, a reliable and industry-standard platform for affiliate management. This ensures accurate tracking, reporting, and timely commission payments. Furthermore, ActiveCampaign provides dedicated affiliate management support and comprehensive marketing materials, including educational resources. This support can be invaluable, particularly for those new to affiliate marketing.

Features:

• 30% lifetime recurring commission on all plans
• 90-day cookie duration
• Dedicated affiliate management team
• Comprehensive marketing materials and educational resources
• Regular product updates creating new promotional opportunities

Pros:

• True lifetime recurring commissions (30%)
• Strong product with high customer retention rates
• Tiered pricing structure creates potential for high-value commissions
• Excellent affiliate support and resources

Cons:

• The complexity of the product might require you to create educational content for effective promotion.
• The email marketing space is competitive, so standing out requires a strategic approach.
• Higher-tier plans may have a longer sales cycle, requiring more nurturing of leads.

Implementation Tips:

• Focus your promotional efforts on your target audience's specific needs and pain points that ActiveCampaign can address.
• Develop high-quality content, such as tutorials, case studies, and comparison articles, to showcase the value of ActiveCampaign.
• Leverage social media, email marketing, and your website to promote your affiliate link.
• Stay updated on ActiveCampaign's latest features and updates to create fresh promotional content.

Website: https://www.activecampaign.com/partner/affiliate

Top 8 SaaS Affiliate Programs Comparison

Maximize Your Affiliate Earnings: Choosing the Right SaaS Partner

Finding the perfect SaaS affiliate program is key to unlocking your income potential. From Refgrow's comprehensive platform to niche programs like Canva Pro or ConvertKit, the options we've explored offer diverse avenues for success within the SaaS affiliate landscape. Remember, the most effective SaaS affiliate program isn't necessarily the most popular, but the one that best aligns with your audience, content, and marketing strategies. Key factors to consider include commission structures, cookie duration, the quality of marketing materials provided, and most importantly, the product-market fit of the SaaS itself.

Choosing the right SaaS partner is crucial for maximizing your affiliate earnings. A key aspect to consider is how well the SaaS product gathers and utilizes customer feedback. Effective feedback mechanisms often translate to better product development and higher customer satisfaction, ultimately benefiting you as an affiliate. To help you make informed decisions, consider exploring these helpful resources on customer feedback tools from Saylo. By carefully evaluating these aspects and aligning them with the specific needs of your audience, you can maximize your chances of success with a saas affiliate program.

Ultimately, success in the SaaS affiliate marketing world depends on careful planning, diligent research, and consistent effort. By leveraging the insights provided here and focusing on building genuine value for your audience, you can establish a thriving affiliate marketing business and achieve your revenue goals in 2025 and beyond. Looking for a powerful tool to help you manage and optimize your affiliate program partnerships? Check out Refgrow, a platform designed to streamline your SaaS affiliate marketing efforts and maximize your earnings. Refgrow empowers you to discover, track, and optimize your performance across various SaaS affiliate programs, ensuring you get the most out of your partnerships.