Affiliate marketing is one of the most cost-effective ways to generate income online. Whether you’re an e-commerce business looking to expand your reach or an influencer trying to monetize your audience, affiliate marketing can be an effective way to grow your revenue. However, to run a successful affiliate marketing program, you need the right tools to manage and track your affiliates, sales, and commissions.
While many affiliate marketing software platforms come with hefty subscription fees, there are also some free affiliate marketing software options that allow you to get started without a financial commitment. These free tools offer a range of features that can help you manage your affiliate network, track performance, and increase your earnings—all without breaking the bank.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best free affiliate marketing software available and how they can help you get started with your affiliate marketing efforts.
What is Affiliate Marketing Software?
Affiliate marketing software is a platform or tool that helps businesses manage their affiliate marketing program. These platforms typically offer features that allow you to:
- Track affiliate performance: Monitor clicks, conversions, and sales generated by each affiliate.
- Manage commissions: Set commission rates, process payments, and ensure affiliates are compensated fairly.
- Provide marketing materials: Give affiliates access to banners, links, and other promotional tools.
- Monitor program analytics: View detailed reports to assess the effectiveness of your affiliate campaigns.
- Attract and recruit affiliates: Manage affiliate applications, approve or reject them, and build a strong affiliate network.
For businesses just starting out, using a free affiliate marketing software can be a smart choice. While these free tools may not offer the extensive features of premium platforms, they can be a great starting point to test the waters and build your affiliate marketing strategy.
Top Free Affiliate Marketing Software Tools
Here are some of the best free affiliate marketing software tools to help you manage and grow your affiliate marketing program:
1. Post Affiliate Pro (Free Trial)
Post Affiliate Pro is one of the most popular affiliate marketing software solutions. While it’s not completely free, it does offer a 14-day free trial which allows you to explore its full range of features. During this trial period, you can test out its affiliate management tools, track conversions, manage commissions, and access detailed reporting.
Key Features:
- Affiliate sign-up and management
- Advanced tracking and reporting
- Multi-tier affiliate programs (for recruiting sub-affiliates)
- Integrations with e-commerce platforms like WooCommerce, Shopify, and Magento
- Customizable affiliate dashboard
While the free trial lasts, you can explore these features and determine if Post Affiliate Pro fits your needs before upgrading to a paid plan.
Pros:
- Comprehensive set of features for growing your affiliate program
- Easy integration with major e-commerce platforms
- High-level reporting and analytics tools
Cons:
- Only a 14-day free trial
- The full version can be pricey for small businesses
2. Affiliatly (Free Plan)
Affiliatly offers a free plan for businesses that are just starting their affiliate programs. This free plan includes essential features for running a small-scale affiliate program and supports up to 3 affiliates. You can easily set up your affiliate program, track affiliate sales, and manage commissions.
Key Features:
- Easy setup and management
- Integration with Shopify, WooCommerce, and other e-commerce platforms
- Tracking links for affiliates
- Basic reporting and analytics
- Custom commission structures
Affiliatly’s free plan is ideal for small businesses or individuals who are just beginning with affiliate marketing and need a simple way to manage a few affiliates.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- No transaction fees or hidden charges
- Offers integration with popular e-commerce platforms
Cons:
- Limited to only 3 affiliates on the free plan
- Advanced features like advanced reporting and automation are available only on paid plans
3. Tapfiliate (Free Trial)
Tapfiliate is a leading affiliate marketing platform that offers a free 14-day trial. While not fully free, the trial period allows you to explore all the platform’s features before committing to a subscription. Tapfiliate enables businesses to create and manage their affiliate programs with ease, tracking performance, commissions, and conversions across multiple channels.
Key Features:
- Customizable affiliate portals
- Advanced reporting and analytics
- Integration with Shopify, WooCommerce, Zapier, and more
- Automated affiliate communication
- Multi-language and multi-currency support for global affiliates
During the free trial, you can experience the platform’s complete capabilities and see if it’s a good fit for your affiliate marketing goals.
Pros:
- Easy to use and set up
- Highly customizable with various integrations
- Comprehensive reporting features
Cons:
- Free trial is limited to 14 days
- After the trial, subscription plans can be expensive
4. ShareASale (Free Plan for Affiliates)
While ShareASale is one of the largest affiliate marketing networks, it primarily serves as an affiliate marketplace rather than a full affiliate management system. However, it does offer a free plan for businesses looking to recruit affiliates and track performance. ShareASale allows businesses to set up affiliate programs, and affiliates can join for free to promote your products.
Key Features:
- Access to thousands of affiliates in various niches
- Real-time performance tracking
- Payment processing for affiliates
- Customizable commission structures
- Advanced reporting tools
ShareASale’s free plan is a great option for businesses who want to tap into an existing affiliate network to kickstart their marketing efforts.
Pros:
- Free to set up and access the affiliate network
- Vast pool of affiliates to choose from
- Well-established and reputable affiliate network
Cons:
- No full control over affiliate recruitment process
- Fees are charged per transaction (not free for businesses who make sales)
5. ReferralCandy (Free Trial)
ReferralCandy is a popular referral program platform that also offers affiliate marketing capabilities. While it’s primarily designed to manage referral programs, you can also use it to run a simple affiliate program with its free 30-day trial.
Key Features:
- Referral and affiliate program management
- Customizable rewards and commissions
- Integration with Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and other platforms
- Automatic email notifications for affiliates
- Real-time tracking and reporting
ReferralCandy is a great option for businesses that want to manage both referral and affiliate programs in one platform.
Pros:
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Good for small businesses just starting out with affiliate marketing
- Flexible commission structures
Cons:
- Free trial only lasts for 30 days
- Full features require a paid plan
Benefits of Using Free Affiliate Marketing Software
Here are a few reasons why you should consider using free affiliate marketing software to launch or manage your affiliate program:
- Low-Cost Entry: Most of the free options allow you to start without a financial commitment, making them ideal for small businesses or entrepreneurs who want to test the waters before investing in a paid platform.
- Simplified Management: Free affiliate marketing software often comes with easy-to-use dashboards, reports, and tracking tools that make managing affiliates more straightforward.
- Basic Affiliate Program Setup: These free tools allow you to recruit affiliates, assign commissions, and track performance without complex integrations or workflows.
- Testing Your Program: You can use the free version of affiliate marketing software to test how your affiliate program will perform and gauge its potential success before scaling it with more advanced features.
- Scalability: Some free affiliate software plans allow you to start small and scale up as your business grows, allowing for future expansion as your needs increase.
Limitations of Free Affiliate Marketing Software
While free affiliate marketing software is great for small businesses or startups, it does come with limitations:
- Limited Features: Free versions often come with restrictions on features, such as the number of affiliates, advanced tracking capabilities, or customization options.
- Lack of Dedicated Support: Free plans typically offer limited customer support, meaning that if you run into issues, you may have to rely on community forums or self-help resources.
- Growth Challenges: As your affiliate program grows, you may quickly outgrow the capabilities of free software and need to switch to a paid plan for more advanced features and scalability.
- Transaction Fees: Some free platforms might still charge fees per transaction, which can add up as your affiliate program generates more sales.
Conclusion
Affiliate marketing is a highly effective strategy for driving revenue, and using free affiliate marketing software can help you get started without upfront costs. Whether you choose platforms like Post Affiliate Pro, Affiliatly, or Tapfiliate, each of these tools offers the essential features needed to launch and manage your affiliate program effectively.
When selecting the right software for your needs, consider factors such as the size of your affiliate network, the types of integrations you need, and the specific features required for tracking and reporting. Starting with a free plan or trial can give you a clear understanding of how the software works and whether it’s a good fit for your business goals, while still allowing you to save on initial marketing costs.