Affiliate marketing has quickly become one of the most reliable ways for creators and marketers to build sustainable income streams.
Instead of trading time for money, you’re building partnerships with brands and earning commissions every time someone buys through your unique affiliate link.
The appeal is obvious: you don’t need to create a product yourself, handle shipping, or deal with customer service. If you have an audience—whether it’s through a blog, podcast, YouTube channel, or email list—you can recommend products you genuinely believe in and get rewarded for it.
But here’s the challenge: with thousands of affiliate programs out there, which ones are actually worth your time? The right program can mean steady, reliable commissions.
The wrong one might leave you promoting products that don’t resonate with your audience or pay too little to make it worthwhile.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of the 30 best affiliate marketing programs for creators and marketers—programs that pay fairly, offer quality products, and have proven track records.
What to Look for in an Affiliate Marketing Program
Before we dive into the list, here are a few things to consider when choosing the right affiliate programs for your brand:
- Commission Rate – How much do you earn per sale or lead? Rates vary widely, from 3% on physical goods to 50% or more on digital products.
- Cookie Duration – This determines how long after a click you can earn a commission. Longer cookie windows give you better chances of being credited for a sale.
- Product Relevance – Does the product align with your audience’s needs and interests? A highly relevant product will almost always perform better.
- Payout Terms – How and when do you get paid? Some programs pay monthly, while others require you to hit a threshold before receiving commissions.
30 Best Affiliate Marketing Programs for Creators and Marketers
Here’s a breakdown of programs across software, e-commerce, finance, and lifestyle niches.
1. Amazon Associates
- Commission Rate: 1%–10% depending on category
- Cookie Duration: 24 hours
- Why It’s Great: Amazon sells almost everything, so it’s easy to find relevant products for your audience.
2. ShareASale
- Commission Rate: Varies by merchant
- Cookie Duration: Typically 30–90 days
- Why It’s Great: A massive affiliate network with thousands of merchants across nearly every niche.
3. CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction)
- Commission Rate: Varies by brand
- Cookie Duration: Varies
- Why It’s Great: A trusted platform that partners with global brands like Verizon, Grammarly, and Lowe’s.
4. Rakuten Advertising
- Commission Rate: Varies
- Cookie Duration: Typically 30 days
- Why It’s Great: Works with premium brands and offers detailed tracking.
5. Impact
- Commission Rate: Flexible
- Cookie Duration: Varies
- Why It’s Great: Modern platform with big names like Airbnb, Uber, and Adidas.
6. Awin
- Commission Rate: Varies
- Cookie Duration: Typically 30 days
- Why It’s Great: Access to thousands of programs, including Etsy and Fiverr.
7. ClickBank
- Commission Rate: 40%–75% on digital products
- Cookie Duration: 60 days
- Why It’s Great: Huge payouts on digital products, including online courses and software.
8. PartnerStack
- Commission Rate: Up to 50% recurring
- Cookie Duration: Varies
- Why It’s Great: Focuses on SaaS programs, perfect for B2B creators.
9. Shopify Affiliate Program
- Commission Rate: Up to $150 per signup
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- Why It’s Great: Ideal for marketers in the e-commerce space.
10. HubSpot Affiliate Program
- Commission Rate: 15% recurring or up to $1,000 per product sale
- Cookie Duration: 90 days
- Why It’s Great: A great option for B2B marketers promoting marketing and CRM tools.
11. ConvertKit
- Commission Rate: 30% recurring
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- Why It’s Great: A popular choice among creators building email lists.
12. MailDrip.io
- Commission Rate: Competitive recurring commissions
- Cookie Duration: 60 days
- Why It’s Great: Simplifies email automation with easy drip campaigns, free templates, and pay-as-you-go options. Perfect for creators and small businesses.
13. SEMrush
- Commission Rate: $200 per subscription sale
- Cookie Duration: 120 days
- Why It’s Great: High payouts for marketers promoting SEO tools.
14. Bluehost
- Commission Rate: $65+ per signup
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- Why It’s Great: A trusted web hosting company often recommended to beginners.
15. Elementor
- Commission Rate: 50% per sale
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- Why It’s Great: A website builder plugin that’s hugely popular with WordPress users.
16. Teachable
- Commission Rate: 30% recurring
- Cookie Duration: 90 days
- Why It’s Great: A strong option for creators promoting online course platforms.
17. Thinkific
- Commission Rate: 30% recurring
- Cookie Duration: 90 days
- Why It’s Great: Another top online course platform with strong affiliate terms.
18. Fiverr Affiliates
- Commission Rate: Up to $150 per sale
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- Why It’s Great: Huge range of digital services and creative gigs.
19. Upwork
- Commission Rate: Up to $150 per client
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- Why It’s Great: Great for marketers with audiences interested in freelancing.
20. Canva
- Commission Rate: 25%
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- Why It’s Great: A design tool loved by creators and marketers.
21. Adobe Creative Cloud
- Commission Rate: 33% on the first month or year
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- Why It’s Great: Trusted software for creative professionals.
22. Notion
- Commission Rate: 50% for the first year
- Cookie Duration: 90 days
- Why It’s Great: Perfect for productivity and workflow creators.
23. Skillshare
- Commission Rate: $7 per new customer
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- Why It’s Great: Affordable online learning platform with wide appeal.
24. Coursera
- Commission Rate: 15%–45% per sale
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- Why It’s Great: Huge selection of professional courses and certifications.
25. NordVPN
- Commission Rate: Up to 40%
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- Why It’s Great: Popular VPN service with high conversion rates.
26. Surfshark
- Commission Rate: Up to 40%
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- Why It’s Great: Strong alternative VPN affiliate program.
27. FreshBooks
- Commission Rate: $10 per free trial + $200 per sale
- Cookie Duration: 120 days
- Why It’s Great: Accounting software that’s easy to recommend to freelancers.
28. QuickBooks
- Commission Rate: Up to 10%
- Cookie Duration: 45 days
- Why It’s Great: A widely used accounting solution.
29. Leadpages
- Commission Rate: 30% recurring
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- Why It’s Great: Landing page builder with high conversion potential.
30. GetResponse
- Commission Rate: 33% recurring
- Cookie Duration: 120 days
- Why It’s Great: A versatile email marketing platform.
FAQs
How do I choose the best affiliate program for my audience?
Start by identifying what your audience truly needs. If they’re creators, tools like MailDrip.io or ConvertKit may be perfect. If they’re into e-commerce, Shopify or WooCommerce might be a better fit.
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Can I join multiple affiliate programs?
Yes. Many marketers diversify their income by promoting several programs that align with different needs of their audience.
How much can I realistically earn with affiliate marketing?
It depends on your traffic, niche, and the programs you promote. Some creators earn a few hundred dollars per month, while others scale into six figures.
Do I need a website to start affiliate marketing?
A website helps, but it’s not the only option. You can also promote affiliate products via social media, YouTube, or email newsletters.
How does email marketing fit into affiliate marketing?
Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to promote affiliate products. With platforms like MailDrip.io, you can create automated drip campaigns that consistently nurture leads and recommend products at the right time.
Final Thoughts
Affiliate marketing is one of the most rewarding ways for creators and marketers to build long-term revenue streams. The key is choosing programs that not only pay fairly but also genuinely help your audience.
The list above covers a wide range of opportunities—from beginner-friendly networks like Amazon Associates to high-paying SaaS programs like HubSpot and MailDrip.io.
If you’re serious about growing your affiliate income, start with one or two programs that align with your audience’s immediate needs. Then, use tools like MailDrip.io to set up automated campaigns that work for you while you focus on creating content.
Which of these affiliate programs do you see fitting best with your audience’s needs?
