Working with affiliate networks is one of the most effective ways to increase brand awareness for your products and services, and up your conversions. Not only is affiliate marketing becoming a prime advertising concept, but marketers are taking advantage of the quick wins that affiliate networks guarantee.
With the complex nature of affiliate marketing, and the various platforms and networks that can be found within the market, you want to partner with only the top affiliate marketing networks out there to grow your business quickly.
Several advertisers and merchants are jumping on the affiliate marketing wagon, so you may be wanting to find more opportunities in this field too.
This guide will help you understand the economics of affiliate networks, what makes them better than standalone platforms, and which networks you should work with to maximize your ROI.
What is an affiliate network?
An affiliate network is an established platform that connects publishers, aka the affiliate marketers or advertisers, with brands. These publishers can be any kind of content creator, from bloggers to social media influencers who are willing to promote your product and services on their channels.
The affiliate network will usually offer reporting features and a database of members, serving as the ‘middleman’, so that both parties offering programs can connect and find the most suitable publisher or brand to work with.
Affiliate Marketing Buyer's Guide
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In essence, an affiliate network helps web and app publishers to monetize their inventory by providing a variety of options, as well as all of the necessary tools for running campaigns, such as tracking links and creatives.
For advertisers, affiliate network services and benefits include payment processing, ad tracking technology, ad campaign reporting tools, as well as access to a vast database of publishers.
Some publishers, known as ‘affiliates’ or ‘media buyers’ will create or buy traffic using advertising specifically to promote campaigns from a network, rather than just to monetize existing inventory.
There are also two characteristics that describe the concept of affiliate marketing that translate into a network, namely the types of offers and commissions. The most popular types are game offers, casino offers, app offers, dating offers and nutra offers. The most in-demand commission types are mobile CPA and CPI.
Top Affiliate Networks
The best affiliate networks
Affiliate networks are platforms that connect businesses with individuals and companies (affiliates) who then promote their products or services online.
Advertisers list their affiliate programs on the network, offering commissions for specific actions like sales, sign-ups, or clicks. Affiliates then choose which programs to promote using unique tracking links, and when a referred customer completes the desired action, the affiliate earns a commission.
We’ve listed the best affiliate networks below.
1. 888STARZ
888Starz Partners is the affiliate program associated with 888Starz, and it’s designed for individuals and businesses interested in promoting the platform’s new (and upcoming) services. The program offers flexible commission structures, including revenue share up to 50%, CPA up to $200, and hybrid models.
Affiliates gain access to real-time analytics, marketing materials, and dedicated account managers to optimize their campaigns. The program supports various traffic sources, including SEO, PPC, social media, and email marketing. Payments are processed weekly, with options for bank transfers, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies.
Overview
888Starz Partners is the official affiliate program for 888Starz, an online gambling platform. The affiliate program was launched in 2020, coinciding with the establishment of the 888Starz brand.
With its comprehensive offerings and global reach, 888Starz Partners has positioned itself as a notable player in the online gambling affiliate industry.
Services
888Starz provides its customers with the following services:
- Weekly payouts via crypto and e-wallets
- Real-time stats and marketing tools
- Up to 50% RevShare or $200 CPA
2. CrakRevenue
CrakRevenue is a leading affiliate network. It specializes in monetising web traffic across various verticals, including adult entertainment, dating, cam sites, OnlyFans models, gaming, and health. CrakRevenue has built a reputation for offering high-converting offers and innovative tools to help affiliates maximize their earnings.
The platform provides affiliates with access to over 400 exclusive offers and a suite of promotional tools, such as SmartLinks, live cam widgets, and pre-roll ads. Affiliates benefit from flexible commission models, too, including pay-per-sale (known as PPS) and pay-per-lead (known as PPL). CrakRevenue supports multiple payment methods, including PayPal, Bitcoin, Paxum, and wire transfers, with a minimum payout threshold of $100.
Overview
CrakRevenue is a leading CPA affiliate network founded in 2006 by Nicolas Chrétien and his associates. Based in Quebec City, Canada, the company was established by a group of friends and roommates who discovered their aptitude for building and promoting websites.
Under the leadership of Chrétien, CrakRevenue has grown into a significant player in the affiliate marketing industry, offering a wide range of high-converting offers and innovative tools to help affiliates maximize their earnings.
Services
CrakRevenue provides its customers with the following services:
- Bi-monthly payouts from $100
- Real-time stats and affiliate support
- CPA, PPL, PPS, and RevShare models
3. 22Bet Partners
22Bet Partners is the official affiliate program for 22Bet. The program enables affiliates to earn commissions by referring players to the platform, which offers a wide range of sports betting markets, casino games, and live dealer options.
22Bet Partners also supports sub-affiliate commissions, offering an additional 5% for newly referred affiliates. With its global reach and multilingual support, the program caters to a diverse affiliate base aiming to monetize traffic in the iGaming sector.
The program also provides real-time tracking, detailed analytics, and marketing materials to help affiliates optimize their campaigns.
Overview
The affiliate program was launched in 2017 and is operated by TechSolutions Group N.V., a company registered in Curaçao. Affiliates benefit from flexible commission structures, timely payments, and comprehensive affiliate tools.
The program is known for its high player retention, driven by diverse betting markets, live casino games, and enticing promotions.
Services
22Bet Partners provides its customers with the following services:
- Monthly payouts via crypto and virtual wallets
- Real-time stats and promotional tools
- Up to 50% RevShare or CPA deals
4. Traffic Light
Traffic Light is a global CPA affiliate network that’s known for its wide range of high-converting offers across health and wellness, whitehat products, and sweepstakes.
With over 2,500 campaigns, the network caters to affiliates looking for volume and geographic diversity. It supports various promotional methods and equips affiliates with exclusive landing pages and marketing materials to maximize conversions.
The platform features real-time tracking through its proprietary system and is known for flexible, fast payouts with no minimum threshold. Affiliates can also receive payments via WebMoney, USDT, Capitalist, Qiwi, YooMoney, and bank transfers.
Overview
Traffic Light is a global CPA (Cost Per Action) affiliate network that was founded in 2014 by a team of talented individuals. It offers over 2,500 active offers across various verticals, including health and wellness, whitehat goods, and sweepstakes, spanning more than 90 countries.
Services
Traffic Light provides its customers with the following services:
- Daily payouts with no minimum, via multiple payment methods
- Over 2,500 global CPA offers in nutra, whitehat, and sweepstakes
- Real-time tracking and dedicated affiliate support
5. Affilitex
Affilitex is a performance-based CPA (known as Cost Per Action) affiliate marketing network designed to connect advertisers with affiliates who want to monetize their online traffic.
It focuses on delivering high-converting offers across popular verticals such as dating, iGaming, health and wellness (known as nutra), and sweepstakes. Affiliates earn commissions by promoting these offers through channels such as websites, social media, paid ads, or email campaigns.
The platform offers flexible payment terms with multiple payout options, including bank transfers, PayPal, and cryptocurrencies. The standard payment schedule is ‘Net-30’, meaning affiliates are paid 30 days after the end of the earning month, though high-performing affiliates may qualify for faster payouts like Net-15 or weekly payments.
Overview
Affilitex was founded by a team with extensive experience in the affiliate marketing industry, including Eugenia, who has over eight years of hands-on experience. The platform was developed by the experts behind iMonetizeIt, aiming to provide affiliates with high-converting offers, advanced tracking tools, and dedicated support.
The platform supports multiple payment methods, such as bank transfers, PayPal, and cryptocurrencies, with flexible payment schedules.
Services
Affilitex provides its customers with the following services:
- Provides real-time tracking and analytics for performance optimization
- Delivers affiliate support through experienced account managers
- Offers high-converting CPA campaigns across dating, iGaming, nutra, and sweepstakes
6. Ace Partners
Ace Partners is a trusted iGaming affiliate network. Backed by a team with over a decade of experience in affiliate marketing, it provides affiliates with a comprehensive ecosystem to maximize earnings.
The network supports multiple commission models, including CPA, CPL, and RevShare, and offers weekly payouts through several key payment methods.
Affiliates benefit from exclusive high-converting products, free mobile apps, and dedicated support to optimize their campaigns. You can benefit from free mobile apps, exclusive products, and dedicated account managers to enhance campaign performance.
Overview
Ace Partners launched in 2022. The network offers more than 1,500 gambling and betting offers in over 90 countries, providing affiliates with a diverse range of opportunities.
The team has over a decade of experience and can offer advice to adjust your CPA and RevShare campaigns as you go.
Services
Ace Partners provides its customers with the following services:
- CPA, CPL, and RevShare models
- Weekly payouts and affiliate support
- Over 1,500 global iGaming offers
7. ClickDealer
ClickDealer is a high-performing CPA affiliate network, giving publishers access to thousands of offers across multiple verticals such as eCommerce, mobile apps, dating, health, and finance.
ClickDealer provides affiliates with tools like Smartlink technology, automatically selecting the best-converting offer for each user, helping maximize earnings from global or untargeted traffic. It also offers real-time tracking, detailed performance analytics, and a dedicated account manager to help optimize campaigns.
Payments are made regularly through methods like PayPal, wire transfer, or digital wallets.
Overview
ClickDealer was founded in 2012 by a team of ambitious marketers in Kyiv, Ukraine, aiming to make a significant impact in the online advertising industry. Initially, it operated as a modest affiliate network focusing primarily on the dating vertical.
Taras Kiseliuk has been a pivotal figure in ClickDealer’s growth. He joined the company in 2012 as General Manager to expand operations in North America and was appointed CEO in 2018. Under his leadership, ClickDealer has enhanced its tech capabilities and global reach, contributing to its recognition as a leader in the affiliate marketing industry.
Services
ClickDealer provides its customers with the following services:
- SmartLink tech auto-optimises traffic for the best offers
- Over 16,000 offers across top niches
- Multiple payment options with flexible terms
8. Royal Partners
Royal Partners is an affiliate marketing program designed for promoting a group of online casinos under the Royal Partners brand. Established in 2018, the program allows affiliates to earn money by referring players to various licensed casino platforms through different commission models, including revenue share, CPA (cost per action), and hybrid deals.
Affiliates working with Royal Partners gain access to a range of promotional tools such as banners, landing pages, and tracking systems. The program is known for its flexible terms, including no negative carryover and low payout thresholds.
It supports multiple payout methods, including bank transfers and cryptocurrency, and assigns personal managers to help affiliates maximize performance.
Overview
Royal Partners was founded in 2017 by a team with extensive experience in traffic arbitrage and the iGaming industry. The company has since evolved into a leading affiliate program in the online gambling sector.
It also offers a range of commission models and collaborates with multiple in-house casino brands.
Services
Royal Partners provides its customers with the following services:
- High earnings with up to 60% RevShare or $100 CPA with no negative carryover
- Promote over 13 trusted online casinos with global reach
- Personal manager, detailed analytics, and weekly payments
9. PIN-UP Partners
PIN-UP Partners is an affiliate marketing program focused on the iGaming industry, promoting brands such as Pin-Up Casino and Pin-Up Bet. It allows marketers, influencers, and content creators to earn money by referring players to these platforms.
Affiliates can choose from several commission models, including CPA, revenue share, and hybrid plans. The program also offers tools like real-time dashboards, marketing creatives, and personal account managers to support affiliate efforts.
The platform supports affiliates from many countries, including Brazil, India, and Mexico.
Overview
Pin-Up Partners was founded in 2016 as the affiliate marketing division of PIN-UP Global, a company specializing in iGaming products. The program was established following a collaboration between Marina Ilina, CEO of PIN-UP Global, and Alexander Riddick, an experienced entrepreneur and affiliate marketing expert.
Their partnership aimed to create a robust affiliate program to promote brands like Pin-Up Casino and Pin-Up Bet. This initiative proved successful during the 2018 World Cup, where the program attracted over a million players in a month.
Services
PIN-UP Partners provides its customers with the following services:
- Flexible commission models, including CPA, revenue share, and hybrid earning
- Marketing tools and support such as creatives, landing pages, analytics, and personal managers
- Reliable payouts with a low threshold and multiple payment methods
10. Perform[cb]
Perform[cb] is a performance-based affiliate marketing network and customer acquisition platform that helps brands grow by driving high-quality leads and sales.
For affiliates, Perform[cb] offers access to a wide range of offers with flexible payout models, including CPA, CPL, CPS, and CPI. The platform supports global affiliates with weekly payouts, a low $50 minimum threshold, and multiple payment options such as ACH, PayPal, and wire transfers.
Affiliates also benefit from advanced tracking tools, dedicated support teams, and a strong compliance framework that ensures trustworthy and transparent operations.
Overview
Perform[cb] was established by a serial internet entrepreneur who, over time, stepped back from daily operations, paving the way for new leadership and strategic growth. In 2016, Clickbooth was acquired by Centre Lane Partners, a private equity firm, which supported its expansion through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. This growth included the integration of Adperio and Ignite OPM, leading to the rebranding of the unified entities as Perform[cb] in 2020.
Under the leadership of CEO Erin Cigich, who joined the company in 2007, Perform[cb] has focused on innovation in performance marketing.
Services
Perform[cb] provides its customers with the following services:
- Weekly payments with a low minimum threshold and flexible payment methods (ACH, PayPal, wire)
- Advanced tracking and analytics through their proprietary PerformLEAP platform
- Real-time reporting and optimization tools
How do affiliate platforms work?
Think of affiliate platforms as a marketplace for affiliates and marketers who sign up to the site, agreeing to its terms and conditions. Brands can then partner with suitable advertisers, and publishers can choose sites or brands they want to promote.
Once the two parties agree to collaborate, the publisher receives a custom link that monitors how many users follow this link or make a purchase from their site or advert. They are then paid a commission for each click that results in a sale.
Affiliate networks allow publishers to find affiliate programs and have an overview of affiliate commission payouts, while facilitating the process of partnering with influencers and affiliates for brands.
Now, you may be asking yourself what the difference is between affiliate networks and programs, as these terms are being mentioned in similar contexts. An affiliate program is usually a single brand, with which creators can get discovered on an affiliate network. The affiliate network is therefore a database made up of several programs to choose from and join.
By signing up to an affiliate platform, publishers can access available products and begin making sales right the next minute. However, they are usually only in direct contact with the network and not with the sellers, giving networks the core purpose of streamlining and monitoring the process of the collaboration.
Why should you join an affiliate marketing network?
Before signing up to an affiliate network, you may want to know more about why affiliate marketing can be of advantage and important to the growth of your business. So, let’s talk numbers.
Recent trends show that affiliate marketing spending is expected to reach $8.2 billion by 2022, which would be up from 5.4 billion that was recorded in 2017. Moreover, 81% of advertisers and 84% of publishers have turned to affiliate marketing, driving the industry towards this evolving strategy, only to increase even further in the upcoming years.
With advertisers using affiliate networks as a serious marketing tool, over 80% of them are investing more than 10% of their budgets in affiliate platforms. And when looking into different industries, retail had the highest share of affiliate revenue of 44% in 2021, with telecommunication and media accounting for 25% in global affiliate income.
What does this mean for marketers and influencers alike? More and better opportunities to secure sticky income online. But let’s dive into more concrete benefits of joining an affiliate network.
What are the benefits of working with an affiliate network?
Apart from several industries now turning to affiliate marketing and spending rates increasing rapidly by the year, there are many key benefits within the concept that can help grow your business.
The main advantage of joining an affiliate network is that it is already an established platform, so you don’t have to go on a hunt for influencers and get them to promote your mobile app. When you sign up to a network, you can locate the most suitable advertisers in the database, making it easier to collaborate with them.
Networks also only admit legitimate affiliates that need to pass certain criteria to join the platform. Therefore, you are less likely to partner with inactive publishers or those with low conversion rates.
In order to increase the chances of partnering with a suitable affiliate network, another benefit is that these platforms usually already have an existing reputation, meaning that you can research and read reviews surrounding the companies. This will make sure you find a network that aligns with the objectives of your business, ensuring long term success and steady revenue.
A final and important benefit of joining an affiliate network is that the platform will handle payments for you as well as provide insight into traffic and performance data through its many analytics and reporting tools. So, you can track your progress and adjust your campaign accordingly.
Top affiliate networks to partner with
When choosing the best affiliate network for your business, make sure to see the commission rates the platforms offer are at least around 5% of each sale. Moreover, the platform you choose to sign up to should connect you with affiliates that target the same audience as you do, or at least operate in the same field as your products and services.
Notice the approval requirements as well, as many credible networks have criteria for you to join their network, such as having an established website or a certain amount of traffic. So, make sure to carefully read through their terms and conditions before you sign up.
Keeping these points in mind, choosing to work with an affiliate network can be very beneficial to your mobile app, if you are looking to reach a wider audience and increase visibility for your services.
This list of the top affiliate networks focuses on the companies that significantly work with mobile and app related traffic and offers, be it as specialist mobile affiliate networks or as a general affiliate platform, with a sea of mobile-friendly affiliate programs.