Best Shopify App for Affiliate Link - Top Picks

in Shopify appsMarketing · 9 min read

Comparison of the best shopify app for affiliate link with features, pricing, pros and cons, side-by-side comparison, pricing breakdowns, and

Overview

If you are searching for the best shopify app for affiliate link to recruit, track, and pay affiliates, this article compares five widely used Shopify apps: Refersion, UpPromote (Secomapp), Affiliatly, LeadDyno, and Goaffpro. The comparison focuses on accuracy of tracking, ease of setup, affiliate management features, payment automation, integration with Shopify and third-party tools, and cost versus scale.

Key decision criteria include: tracking accuracy (link and coupon support), onboarding and recruitment tools, payout automation (PayPal, Stripe, manual), reporting, integration with email/CRM/analytics, and price relative to expected affiliate volume. Quick summary: Refersion suits larger brands needing advanced reporting and merchant-grade workflows; UpPromote balances features and price for growth stores; Affiliatly is lightweight and budget-friendly; LeadDyno offers strong partner marketing and onboarding tools; Goaffpro is a cost-effective option with modular upgrades.

This guide gives side-by-side comparison tables, concrete pricing breakdowns, and a short decision checklist to help pick the right app based on budget, scale, and technical needs.

Top Picks

Refersion

Overview and Positioning

Refersion is positioned as an enterprise-ready affiliate and influencer management platform for Shopify merchants that need robust tracking, advanced reporting, and built-in payout workflows. It targets mid-market to enterprise stores that expect higher affiliate volumes and want deep control over program rules.

Key Features and Strengths

  • Cookie and link tracking, plus support for coupon-code tracking.
  • Customizable commission rules (percent or flat), multi-tier commissions, and recurring commission support for subscriptions.
  • Affiliate portal for creatives, links, and performance dashboards.
  • Payout automation via PayPal mass pay or manual CSV exports; API access for custom workflows.
  • Integrations with popular tools: Shopify, Klaviyo, Recharge, Google Analytics, and major ad/networks.

Tradeoffs

  • Pricing is higher than entry-level apps, which can be a barrier for small stores.
  • Some advanced features require configuration or developer support.
  • The interface is feature-dense; merchants seeking a minimal setup may find it heavier than necessary.

Pricing and Value

  • Pricing (approximate, as of June 2024): plans start at $89 per month for basic program tiers; Growth and Pro tiers (with larger affiliate counts and API access) run from $199 to custom enterprise pricing. Enterprise contracts and onboarding are available for high-volume merchants.
  • Value: Best for stores that can justify the monthly cost with higher AOV and predictable affiliate-led sales.

Best For

  • Mid-market brands, subscription businesses, and stores that need multi-tier commissions or advanced reporting and API access.

Uppromote (Secomapp)

Overview and Positioning

UpPromote (by Secomapp) is a popular Shopify affiliate and referral app that emphasizes a balance of functionality and affordability. It offers a freemium model that allows merchants to start with a trial set of features before upgrading to add automation and advanced controls.

Key Features and Strengths

  • Free tier available for small programs and testing.
  • Affiliate registration page, link and coupon tracking, and referral programs.
  • Commission types include percent, flat, and first-purchase-only commissions.
  • Payout options with PayPal integration and manual approvals.
  • Integrates with Shopify, Klaviyo, Recharge, and Zapier for automation.

Tradeoffs

  • Reporting and analytics are solid but not as granular as enterprise platforms.
  • Some merchants report occasional UI quirks and rate limits on large affiliate lists.
  • Payout automation beyond PayPal can require external tools or manual handling.

Pricing and Value

  • Pricing (approximate, as of June 2024): Free plan available; paid plans starting around $19.99 to $29.99 per month for starter features; Pro tiers around $49.99 to $149.99 per month depending on affiliate counts and advanced features. Enterprise pricing on request.
  • Value: Strong ROI for growing stores that want to scale beyond a free plan without jumping to enterprise pricing.

Best For

  • Growth-stage stores that want a low-cost entry path and are likely to scale to a paid plan as their affiliate base grows.

Affiliatly

Overview and Positioning

Affiliatly is a lightweight, budget-friendly Shopify affiliate app aimed at merchants who need reliable link and coupon tracking without complexity. It is often chosen by smaller stores and creators that want fast setup and predictable pricing.

Key Features and Strengths

  • Simple affiliate link and coupon tracking with a straightforward affiliate panel.
  • Multiple commission models: percentage, fixed amount, or custom per product.
  • JavaScript pixel tracking and referral cookies for attribution.
  • Email templates for onboarding and basic automation.

Tradeoffs

  • Lacks some advanced features such as built-in automated payouts, deep integrations (limited compared to larger platforms), and multi-tier commission complexity.
  • Reporting and analytics are basic; larger teams may want exportable raw data for BI tools.

Pricing and Value

  • Pricing (approximate, as of June 2024): Plans start at about $16 per month for entry-level usage; mid-tier around $33/month; higher tiers for more affiliates and features up to $83+/month. No-frills pricing makes the app attractive for lean budgets.
  • Value: Excellent for small stores, one-person brands, and stores testing affiliate marketing without heavy investment.

Best For

  • Small merchants, single-product stores, and creators who prioritize low cost and simple setup.

Leaddyno

Overview and Positioning

LeadDyno is designed for merchants focusing on partner and affiliate marketing with strong onboarding, email automation, and lead-tracking features. It markets to stores that need both affiliate tracking and lead capture functionality to support affiliate recruitment and affiliate-led lead funnels.

Key Features and Strengths

  • Affiliate tracking with link and coupon support.
  • Built-in affiliate signup pages and email automation for onboarding affiliates.
  • Affiliate tracking for leads and sales, including UTM parameters.
  • Integrations with Shopify, Klaviyo, Mailchimp, Stripe, and payment processors; API access for custom flows.
  • Affiliate payment tools including PayPal mass payments and CSV exports.

Tradeoffs

  • Pricing is higher relative to simple affiliate tracker apps, and some advanced features are gated behind higher tiers.
  • UI can be less modern than newer entrants; learning curve for custom automations.

Pricing and Value

  • Pricing (approximate, as of June 2024): Plans typically start at $49 per month for core features; professional tiers $199+/month depending on affiliate counts and integrations. Enterprise/custom pricing is available.
  • Value: Good for stores that want integrated lead capture and more automated affiliate recruitment workflows.

Best For

  • Stores using email marketing heavily, SaaS or subscription products with lead nurturing, and businesses investing in an integrated partner marketing program.

Goaffpro

Overview and Positioning

Goaffpro is a cost-competitive affiliate app for Shopify that offers a free tier and modular paid upgrades. It aims to provide essential affiliate features at low cost, and is popular with small to medium-sized Shopify merchants and creators.

Key Features and Strengths

  • Free starter plan with link tracking and basic affiliate portal.
  • Paid tiers add features like coupon links, multi-level commissions, and automated payouts.
  • Customizable affiliate signup pages and widgets for easy recruitment.
  • Integrations include Shopify, Zapier, and email platforms via webhooks.

Tradeoffs

  • Advanced reporting and enterprise-level features are limited compared to top-tier platforms.
  • Some payout automation and customizations require manual work or third-party tools.
  • Support and SLA levels differ by plan; fastest support reserved for paid tiers.

Pricing and Value

  • Pricing (approximate, as of June 2024): Free plan available; paid plans commonly start around $9.99 to $19.99 per month; Pro tiers up to $49.99/month. Custom/agency plans for high-scale programs.
  • Value: Very price-competitive; good for merchants who want to minimize monthly fees while having flexible growth options.

Best For

  • Cost-conscious stores, startups, and creators who want to experiment with affiliate marketing without upfront expense.

How to Choose

Choose based on scale, required features, and budget.

  • Program scale and growth expectations: If you expect dozens or hundreds of affiliates and enterprise reporting needs, favor Refersion or LeadDyno. If you want to trial affiliate marketing with minimal cost, start with UpPromote, Affiliatly, or Goaffpro free tiers.
  • Tracking and attribution needs: For multi-channel tracking, recurring commission or subscription attribution (Recharge etc.), choose Refersion or LeadDyno which have deeper integrations. For basic link and coupon attribution, Affiliatly or Goaffpro suffice.
  • Payout automation: If you want built-in mass payouts (PayPal mass pay, Stripe connect), prioritize Refersion or LeadDyno. If manual CSVs and PayPal are acceptable, UpPromote or Affiliatly work.
  • Integration and automation: If you rely on Klaviyo, Recharge, or custom BI, ensure the app has those integrations or API access (Refersion, LeadDyno and UpPromote have stronger integration ecosystems).
  • Budget and time to manage: For low-cost, low-maintenance setups pick Affiliatly or Goaffpro. For hands-on management with dedicated support and features, plan for Refersion or LeadDyno monthly costs and possible implementation time.

Follow-up checklist:

  • Confirm the app’s tracking method (cookies, UTM, coupon).
  • Test a sandbox affiliate to validate attribution across devices.
  • Verify payout methods and frequency and their fees.
  • Ensure the affiliate signup/onboarding experience fits your brand.
  • Check for required integrations (email, subscription billing, analytics) and API availability.

Quick Comparison

Feature | Refersion | UpPromote | Affiliatly | LeadDyno | Goaffpro — | —: | —: | —: | —: | —: Pricing (starting) | $89/mo (approx) | Free; paid from $19.99/mo | $16/mo | $49/mo | Free; paid from $9.99/mo Free plan | No (trial) | Yes | No (trial) | No (trial) | Yes Link tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes Coupon tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (paid tiers) Recurring commissions | Yes | Basic | Limited | Yes | Limited Payout automation | PayPal mass pay, CSV | PayPal, manual | Manual CSV | PayPal mass pay, CSV | PayPal, CSV (paid) API & integrations | Strong | Good | Basic | Strong | Basic to moderate Best for | Mid-market, enterprise | Growing stores | Small stores, creators | Partner-heavy programs | Budget-conscious merchants

Pricing notes: numbers are approximate and subject to change; verify current pricing in the Shopify App Store or vendor site before purchasing.

Pricing Breakdowns (Detailed View)

Refersion

  • Starter/Professional: approx $89/month for entry-level merchant features.
  • Growth: $199+/month for higher affiliate counts and API access.
  • Enterprise: custom pricing with onboarding.

UpPromote (Secomapp)

  • Free plan: core link and coupon tracking, limited affiliates.
  • Paid plans: starting around $19.99 to $29.99/month; Pro tiers $49.99 to $149.99 depending on limits.
  • Enterprise: custom.

Affiliatly

  • Starter: approx $16/month for basic tracking and small affiliate counts.
  • Mid: $33/month for more affiliates and features.
  • Pro: $83+/month for larger programs.

LeadDyno

  • Starter: approx $49/month including core tracking and onboarding tools.
  • Pro: $199+/month with advanced features and higher affiliate counts.
  • Enterprise: custom pricing.

Goaffpro

  • Free: basic link tracking and affiliate portal.
  • Paid tiers: typically $9.99 to $19.99/month for intermediate features.
  • Pro: $49.99/month for advanced features.

Note: Prices above are representative starting points as of mid-2024. Apps may offer usage-based pricing, trial periods, or promotional discounts. Transaction fees, payout fees (PayPal, Stripe), and custom development costs may increase total cost.

Decision Checklist

  1. Expected affiliate volume: estimate number of affiliates in first 6-12 months; pick an app that keeps per-month costs reasonable at that volume.
  2. Attribution complexity: need multi-device or recurring purchase attribution? Favor apps with subscription and cookie persistence features (Refersion, LeadDyno).
  3. Payout workflow: require automated mass payouts? Choose Refersion or LeadDyno. Manual payout acceptable? Affiliatly, UpPromote, or Goaffpro suffice.
  4. Integrations: verify native integration with key tools (Klaviyo, Recharge, Zapier, Google Analytics).
  5. Support and onboarding: check SLA and available onboarding help if you need white-glove setup for influencers or large programs.

FAQ

Most Shopify affiliate apps use a combination of referral cookies, link parameters (UTMs), and coupon code attribution. Cookie-based tracking can be susceptible to cross-device limitations when an influencer link is opened on mobile but purchase occurs later on desktop, so test cross-device flows and consider requiring coupon codes for more robust attribution.

Can These Apps Handle Recurring Subscriptions and Pay Affiliates on Each Renewal?

Some platforms like Refersion and LeadDyno support recurring commission rules and subscription attribution when integrated with subscription billing apps (for example, Recharge). Confirm before purchase that the app explicitly supports your subscription app and desired commission model.

Do Affiliate Apps Automate Payouts and Tax Reporting?

Automation varies. Refersion and LeadDyno provide mass payout options (PayPal mass pay) and CSV export for accounting. Most apps do not provide tax form automation by default; you may need to collect W-9/W-8 forms manually or via third-party tools, and account for payout fees and applicable taxes.

Both have pros and cons. Links are seamless for user experience and can track clicks and conversions; coupon codes provide explicit proof of affiliate-driven conversion and are more reliable across devices. Many merchants use both to maximize attribution accuracy.

How Fast Can I Start an Affiliate Program with These Apps?

Basic setup with most apps can be done within a day: install, configure commissions, add an affiliate signup page, and invite initial partners. More complex needs like API integrations, multi-tier commissions, or custom creatives may require several days to weeks and potential developer involvement.

Will an Affiliate App Work with My Shopify Plus Store?

Yes; virtually all apps discussed integrate with Shopify Plus. For enterprise use, confirm API limits, onboarding support, and SLAs with the vendor. Larger merchants may benefit from custom contracts and dedicated onboarding available from Refersion or LeadDyno.

Further Reading

Tags: shopify affiliate referrals marketing ecommerce
Jamie

About the author

Jamie — Founder, Profit Calc (website)

Jamie helps Shopify merchants build profitable stores through data-driven strategies and proven tools for tracking revenue, costs, and margins.

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