Do you know this customer success story? By partnering with the right affiliate marketing app and implementing a strategic approach, Saledress skyrocketed its sales by a staggering 400% within a year!
But how did they achieve such remarkable success? The answer lies not just in affiliate marketing itself, but in choosing the perfect app and approaching a winning strategy.
This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge to navigate the world of the best affiliate marketing app for Shopify. Let’s dive in and explore the key features to consider and choose the ideal app for your online business!
Contents
1. What is an Affiliate Marketing App for Shopify?
An affiliate marketing app for Shopify is designed to streamline the process of creating and managing an affiliate program for your online store.
They allow you to recruit partners (affiliates) who promote your products on their websites, social media, or blogs. When a customer clicks the affiliate’s unique link and makes a purchase, the affiliate earns a commission.
Shopify’s affiliate marketing apps are like bridges, connecting you with a vast network of potential customers. The process is surprisingly simple:
- App setup: You choose an app, set commission rates, and create marketing materials for affiliates to use.
- Affiliate recruitment: You recruit affiliates who have audiences interested in your products.
- Promotion: Affiliates promote your products using unique tracking links.
- Tracking & Sales: The app tracks clicks and sales generated by each affiliate link.
- Payouts: You pay commissions to affiliates based on their sales performance.
There are numerous benefits to incorporating affiliate marketing into your Shopify strategy. Here are a few key advantages:
- Increased sales and reach: Affiliates introduce your brand to new audiences, significantly expanding your marketing reach and driving more sales.
- Cost-effective marketing: You only pay affiliates for successful sales, making affiliate marketing a highly cost-effective way to acquire new customers.
- Brand advocacy: When affiliates genuinely love your products, they become brand advocates, boosting customer trust and loyalty.
But how can you choose the best affiliate marketing app for Shopify? Let’s check out this checklist to guide your selection:
- Ease of use: Look for an app that’s user-friendly for both you and your affiliates. A smooth onboarding process and intuitive interface are essential.
- Tracking and reporting: Ensure the app provides comprehensive tracking and reporting features. You should be able to monitor clicks, sales, and commission payouts for each affiliate.
- Commission structure: Choose an app that allows you to offer flexible commission structures, such as a percentage of sales, a fixed amount per sale, or tiered commissions based on performance.
- Marketing materials: The app should provide affiliates with essential marketing tools, including banners, coupons, and product descriptions, to effectively promote your brand.
- Payment management: Secure and reliable payment processing is vital. Look for an app that offers secure commission payouts to your affiliates.
- Reporting and analytics: In-depth reporting and analytics are crucial for understanding your program’s performance
Now, let’s move on to the next part and explore the list of top affiliate marketing apps on Shopify! We’ll delve into the features and functionalities of each app to help you choose the one that best suits your store’s needs.
2. Top-rated Shopify affiliate program app in a nutshell
| No. | App | Review | Pricing | Link |
| 1 | UpPromote Affiliate Marketing | 4.9 ⭐ (3400+ reviews) | FREE – $199.99/month | Try the app |
| 2 | Automizely Referral&Affiliate | 4.9 ⭐ (2500+ reviews) | FREE | Try the app |
| 3 | Referral Candy & Affiliate | 4.9 ⭐ (2100+ reviews) | $59/month – $299/month | Try the app |
| 4 | GOAFFPRO ‑ Affiliate Marketing | 4.8 ⭐ (1800+ reviews) | FREE – $29/month | Try the app |
| 5 | BixGrow: Affiliate Marketing | 5.0 ⭐ (1000+ reviews) | FREE – $15/month | Try the app |
| 6 | ReferrLy Affiliate Marketing | 5.0 ⭐ (700+ reviews) | FREE – $15/month | Try the app |
| 7 | RecomSale: Affiliate Marketing | 4.9 ⭐ (400+ reviews) | FREE – $49/month | Try the app |
3. Top Shopify apps for affiliate programs: A detailed review
3.1. UpPromote Affiliate Marketing
UpPromote is a comprehensive affiliate marketing app designed for Shopify stores. Trusted by top brands and experts, it helps businesses boost revenue through influencer marketing and referral programs.
As one of the best Shopify apps, it offers an effortless setup with everything you need, including flexible commission structures, automated coupons, and affiliate links.
⭐ Shopify rating: 4.9 ⭐ (3400+ reviews)
🔷 Pricing tier plan:
- Free Plan
- Grow Affiliate: $29.99/month
- Professional: $89.99/month
- Enterprise: $199.99/month
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🔶 Key features:
- Customizable affiliate portal and branding
- Referral program with rewards and discounts
- Multi-level marketing (MLM) support
- Real-time tracking and analytics
- Automated payouts (PayPal and others)
- Bulk link generation and management
- Affiliate performance tracking and bonuses
- Fraud protection
- Integrations with popular platforms like Klaviyo and Omnisend
| ✔️ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| – User-friendly interface for both merchants and affiliates – Extensive customization options for branding – Wide variety of commission structures and reward options – Automation features to save time and effort – Excellent customer support with live chat | – UpPromote’s affiliate marketplace may not be effective for businesses seeking new affiliates, particularly those in niche markets. |
3.2. Automizely Referral&Affiliate
Automizely Referral & Affiliate is the best affiliate marketing app for Shopify free, ideal for businesses starting with affiliate marketing or looking for a simple referral program solution. It empowers you to turn existing customers into brand advocates and collaborate with influencers to drive sales and brand awareness.
⭐ Shopify rating: 4.9 ⭐ (2400+ reviews)
🔷 Pricing tier plan:
- FREE
🔶 Key features:
- One-click referral program setup
- Unique referral links and reward coupons
- Automated reward emails for successful referrals
- Bulk influencer invitations and management dashboard
- Free gift commissions for influencers
- Customizable referral widget
| ✔️ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| – Free plan with core features – Easy setup and management – Automated features for streamlined workflows – Flexible reward options for advocates and influencers – Brand customization for the referral widget | – Limited features compared to paid affiliate marketing apps – May not be suitable for businesses requiring advanced tracking or reporting functionalities – Lacks multi-lingual support |
3.3. Referral Candy & Affiliate
Referral Candy & Affiliate is the best affiliate program app for Shopify designed to supercharge your customer acquisition strategy through referral and affiliate marketing programs. It can help you incentivize existing customers and influencers to promote your brand, driving sales and customer loyalty.
⭐ Shopify rating: 4.9 ⭐ (2100+ reviews)
🔷 Pricing tier plan:
- Premium: $59/month + 3.5% commission fee
- Plus: $299/month + 1.5% commission fee
🔶 Key features:
- Easy program setup and launch
- Automated enrollment triggers (pop-ups, emails)
- Automated cash and coupon rewards
- Customizable program branding
- Integrations with popular marketing tools
- Multi-tier commission structures
- Tracking and analytics for affiliates and referrals
- Fraud protection
- Branded affiliate portal
- Custom referral links and discounts for affiliates
| ✔️ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| – Easy to set up and use – Automated features for streamlined program management – Brand customization optionsIntegrations with popular tools – Multiple reward options for program participants – Comprehensive tracking and analytics | – No Free plan – Commission fees on top of monthly subscription costs – Higher-tier plans can be expensive for some businesses |
3.4. GOAFFPRO ‑ Affiliate Marketing
GOAFFPRO is a well-rounded affiliate marketing app for Shopify stores. Its user-friendly interface, scalable features, and mobile apps make it a strong choice for businesses of all sizes. It encourages businesses to quickly launch and manage an affiliate program, leveraging the reach of influencers and brand advocates to drive sales.
⭐ Shopify rating: 4.8 ⭐ (1800+ reviews)
🔷 Pricing tier plan:
- Free Plan
- Premium Plan: $29/month
🔶 Key features:
- Unlimited affiliates and program growth
- Branded affiliate portal with access to referral links and statistics
- Automated referral tracking and order attribution
- Multiple payout options for affiliate commissions
- Mobile apps for affiliates (Android & iPhone)
- Advanced multi-level marketing functionalities
- Customizable compensation plans for affiliates
| ✔️ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| – Easy to set up and use, ideal for beginners – No limitations on affiliates, sales, or earning potential – Automated tracking and payouts streamline program management – Mobile apps keep affiliates engaged – Advanced features like multi-level marketing cater to complex needs | – Several reviews mention slow response times and unhelpful interactions with customer service. |
3.5. BixGrow: Affiliate Marketing
As one of the best Shopify free apps, BixGrow is a 2-in-1 affiliate and referral marketing solution. It supports Shopify store owners to leverage the power of influencers, brand ambassadors, and existing customers to drive sales and brand advocacy.
⭐ Shopify rating: 5.0 ⭐ (1000+ reviews)
🔷 Pricing tier plan:
- Starter: Free
- Scale: $9/month
- Pro: $15/month
🔶 Key features:
- Flexible tracking with affiliate links, coupons, and email tracking
- Built-in referral program to incentivize repeat purchases
- Recruit affiliates and influencers through multi-level marketing (MLM) and a marketplace
- Diverse commission options including tiered structures, royalties, and performance bonuses
- Comprehensive referral management with analytics, bulk link generation, and fraud protection
- Customizable branded portal for a professional affiliate experience
- Multiple payout options including bank transfers, bulk payouts, and PayPal
- Multi-lingual support (English, Spanish, and more)
| ✔️ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| – User-friendly platform combining affiliate and referral marketing functionalities – Seamless integration with Shopify and popular marketing tools – Branded affiliate portal enhances the experience for partners – Multilingual support broadens your affiliate network reach | – Some features, like custom development, may incur additional costs |
3.6. ReferrLy Affiliate Marketing
If you are looking for a straightforward approach to affiliate and referral marketing, ReferrLy is a user-friendly and affordable solution. Its intuitive interface and automated features simplify program setup, management, and affiliate onboarding.
⭐ Shopify rating: 5.0 ⭐ (700+ reviews)
🔷 Pricing tier plan:
- Starter: Free
- Scale: $9/month
- Pro: $15/month
🔶 Key features:
- Seamless affiliate onboarding with custom signup options
- Flexible commission rules based on various criteria
- Automatic referral link and coupon code generation
- Post-purchase pop-ups to recruit new affiliates
- Referral tracking with link and coupon code attribution
- Dedicated affiliate portal for performance monitoring
- Access to pre-made marketing materials for affiliates
| ✔️ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| – Easy to set up and manage within the Shopify admin panel – Flexible commission structures cater to diverse needs – Customer recruitment tools help expand the affiliate network – Affordable pricing plan | – Reviews mention the app can feel basic and lacks customization options beyond commission structures. |
3.7. RecomSale: Affiliate Marketing
RecomSale by Channelwill is a comprehensive affiliate program Shopify app to manage affiliate programs, referral programs, ambassador partnerships, and influencer marketing campaigns. This all-in-one solution can help you launch programs with a single click and manage everything efficiently from a centralized platform.
⭐ Shopify rating: 4.9 ⭐ (400+ reviews)
🔷 Pricing tier plan:
- Free
- Essential: $9/month
- Growth: $29/month
- Professional: $49/month
🔶 Key features:
- One-click launch for affiliate programs, referral programs, and influencer collaborations
- Referral tracking via affiliate links or discount codes
- Feature-rich affiliate portal for link access, code management, and performance tracking
- Diverse commission options with coupon rewards and special product commissions
- White-labeled email marketing to remove RecomSale branding
- Customizable referral program widget with hiding rules
- Multiple payment methods for affiliate commissions (PayPal, store credit, etc.)
- Shortened and branded affiliate links for improved aesthetics
- Branded affiliate portal hosted on your own domain
- Brand storefronts for affiliates and ambassadors
- Access to creative marketing assets
| ✔️ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| – User-friendly platform for easy setup and program management – All-in-one solution for various marketing initiatives – Flexible tracking and reward options cater to diverse needs – Branded experiences with white-labeling and custom domains – Multiple payment methods for convenient commission payouts | – While the app offers customization options, it may not allow for entirely separate commission structures for different affiliate programs (e.g., influencers vs. general affiliates) |
4. The last words
A perfect app can propel your Shopify store to new heights through the power of targeted affiliate partnerships. But remember, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” solution. The best affiliate marketing app for Shopify will depend on your specific needs, budget, and target audience.
Ready to unlock the potential of affiliate marketing for your Shopify store with eComStart?
Dive deeper into the app options explored throughout this guide, and embark on your journey to explosive sales growth!
5. FAQs
