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Running an affiliate program sounds simple on paper. You only need to
- offer a link,
- pay a commission,
- watch the sales roll in.
But if you’ve tried it, you know it’s not that easy. Maybe you’re not getting enough signups, the affiliates you do have aren’t promoting enough, or you're simply just not seeing the results you hoped for.
The truth is, some software companies are crushing it with affiliate marketing. They’ve built programs that attract the right partners, bring in steady revenue, and actually grow with their business.
So what are they doing differently?
In this post, we’ll look at 7 successful software affiliate programs – and break down exactly what makes them work. You’ll get practical lessons you can apply, whether you’re:
- Running a program that needs a boost,
- Planning to launch one, or
- Looking for high-quality software programs to promote.
Let's get started!
What Are the Benefits of Affiliate Programs for Software Brands?
Getting new customers is more expensive than ever. Annonces take a big chunk of your budget, and building a full sales team isn’t always realistic, especially for growing software companies. That’s why more of them are turning to programmes d'affiliation to grow faster, spend less, and reach more people.
Here are the benefits of affiliate programs for software companies:
You only pay when someone delivers real result
With traditional ads, you pay whether or not you get a sale. Advantage of affiliate programs is that you only pay when someone actually brings you a customer. That means your marketing spend is tied directly to performance, not just traffic or impressions.
You reach people you wouldn’t find on your own
Affiliates often have niche audiences who already trust them such as blog readers, YouTube subscribers and newsletter followers . When they promote your software, they open the door to communities that may have never come across your brand otherwise.
You earn trust from day one
People are more likely to try a tool when someone they already follow recommends it. That personal connection builds instant credibility in a way that branded ads just can’t replicate.
You can grow without growing your team
You don’t need to hire extra sales reps to reach more customers. As more affiliates join your program, your reach expands naturally, without adding to your payroll or overhead.
It works especially well for subscription-based products
Many affiliates prefer promoting software because of the recurring commissions. And for companies, it means one referral can turn into steady income month after month, making it a win on both sides.
7 Successful Software Affiliate Programs
The best way to build or improve your affiliate program? Look at what’s already working. Below are seven software companies that have built affiliate programs that affiliates actually want to promote programs that drive sales, reward loyalty, and make growth feel simple.
We’ll break down each one what they offer, how they support their partners, and what you can take away and whether you're running a program or planning to start one.
1. Kit
Kit, formerly ConvertKit, was built with creators in mind. Whether you’re a coach running a paid newsletter, a course creator launching your next program, or a solo blogger trying to turn traffic into income, Kit helps you do it without feeling like you need to hire a tech team.
It provides creators with l'automatisation, clean landing pages, easy-to-use email sequences, and the flexibility to grow your list and monetize without losing your mind.

Caractéristiques principales
- Commission type: 50% recurring commission every month for up to 12 months. That means if someone signs up for a paid plan through your link, you keep earning as long as they stay subscribed.
- Cookie duration: 60 days, so even if someone signs up weeks later, you still get credit.
- Payout method: Monthly PayPal payments. No fuss, no crazy thresholds.
- Signup process: Open and beginner-friendly. You don’t need a huge following , just a relevant audience and clear content.
What You Can Learn
Kit’s affiliate program is a great example of how aligning your offer with your audience can lead to natural conversions. When you promote a tool that was clearly built for the people you serve like coaches, writers, creators- it doesn’t feel like selling. It feels like helping.
2. Systeme.io
Systeme.io is an all-in-one platform that helps entrepreneurs build and run their online business without needing five different tools. You can create landing pages, send marketing emails, build sales funnels, launch online courses, take payments, and even run your own affiliate program – all from one dashboard.
It’s especially helpful for people just getting started, those who want to turn their knowledge into income but don’t have the time or budget for a complicated tech tool.

Caractéristiques principales
- Commission Type : 60% lifetime commissions for every paying customer you refer.
- Durée du cookie : Lifetime cookie, so you’ll still earn even if someone signs up weeks or months later.
- Payout Process: Monthly payouts via PayPal with a $30 minimum threshold.
- Signup Process: Open to anyone with a Systeme.io account (even free users). No approval process required.
What You Can Learn
Systeme.io is proof that convenience sells. People aren’t just looking for features; they’re looking for less complexity. By offering everything from email to course hosting under one roof, the product makes it easier for new creators to get started, which in turn makes it easy for affiliates to promote.
3. AWeber
AWeber has been in the marketing par courrier électronique game for over two decades. Unlike newer tools built around flashy add-ons, AWeber focuses on what small businesses actually rely on: deliverability, list management, and dependable automation that just works.
It’s especially popular with consultants, service providers, and local businesses basically people who need a steady way to stay in touch with clients without diving into complex setups.

Caractéristiques principales
- Commission Type : Tiered recurring commissions based on performance over a 12-month period.
- 30% for 0–99 new paid accounts
- 40% for 100–499 new paid accounts
- 50% for 500+ new paid accounts
- Durée du cookie : A 365-day cookie that lets affiliates earn long after the first click which is ideal for long-form and evergreen content.
- Payout Process: Monthly payments via PayPal with a low minimum threshold.
- Signup Process: Open to all. Quick and easy sign-up through AWeber’s official Advocates portal.
What You Can Learn
For affiliate program managers, AWeber is a great example of how to create simple but motivating incentives. There’s no overcomplication, just recurring rewards, clear milestones, and low payout barriers. The tiered commission structure (30% to 50%) encourages affiliates to keep going, knowing there’s a next level to reach.
4. ClickUp
ClickUp is a fully customizable productivity system built for people who love structure. From agile development teams to content creators who build Notion-style templates, ClickUp offers powerful flexibility: tasks, docs, timelines, goals, and whiteboards. All of them are tailored to how you work.
That flexibility is what makes it such a strong affiliate offer. If your audience includes systems-focused creators, agency owners, or remote teams obsessed with workflow hacks, promoting ClickUp is like handing them the toolbox they’ve been searching for.

Caractéristiques principales
- Commission Type : Earn up to $25 per new workspace activated through your link.
- Durée du cookie : 30-day cookie period means you’ll still get credit if someone signs up within a month.
- Payout Process: Paid monthly via PayPal after passing a $20 minimum payout threshold.
- Signup Process: Open to anyone with an online presence, such as blogs, social media, or YouTube channels. Application review is straightforward.
What You Can Learn
ClickUp’s program proves that a flat-rate commission can still drive results when the product solves a clear, immediate need. A one-time $20–$25 payout might seem modest next to recurring models, but for productivity tools where users often decide within a day or two, it works.
5. Semrush
Semrush is a marketer's tool. From deep SEO audits and competitor tracking to PPC insights and content planning, it’s built for people who treat marketing numérique like a strategy, not just a checklist.
That’s why it’s especially appealing to affiliates in the SEO, blogging, and agency space.

Caractéristiques principales
- Commission Type :
- $10 for each new trial signup
- $50 – $200 for each new paid subscription
- Small rewards for free sign-ups
- $10 for each new trial signup
- Durée du cookie : 120-day cookie window, giving affiliates plenty of time to earn credit
- Payout Process:
- Paid through the Impact network, with a $10 minimum
- Payments are processed about 30 days after the end of the month
- Paid through the Impact network, with a $10 minimum
- Signup Process: Hosted via Impact and requires a website, blog, or social account with consistent traffic or engagement
What You Can Learn
Don’t shy away from big incentives if your product has big value. Semrush knows its ideal customer won’t convert overnight. That’s why it gives affiliates strong support inlcuding custom landing pages, dedicated managers, and ready-made creatives . So, they can focus on education-based content like tutorials, product comparisons, and case studies that actually convert.
6. Grammarly
Grammarly is practically a writing safety net. Whether someone’s polishing a client email, submitting a college essay, or publishing a blog post, Grammarly steps in to catch what they missed and make their writing sharper, clearer, and more professional.
That’s a huge reason why its affiliate program works so well. Affiliates are not introducing a brand-new concept; they’re pointing people to something they’ve probably heard of, maybe even used.

Caractéristiques principales
- Commission Type : Earn $0.20 per free signup and up to $30 per premium sale.
- Durée du cookie : A 90-day cookie window gives affiliates plenty of time to earn credit for conversions.
- Payout Process: Monthly PayPal payouts with no minimum threshold which ensures affiliates get paid no matter how small the amount.
- Signup Process: Open to anyone. The application is quick, and approval is generally fast.
What You Can Learn
Grammarly’s program proves that brand familiarity can do half the selling for you. People already trust the tool and know what it does, so when an affiliate shares a Grammarly link, they’re reminding someone of a tool they probably already need. The 90-day cookie also gives affiliates time to earn.
7. Teachable
Teachable helps creators package what they know into courses, coaching offers, and digital products they can actually sell. It’s not a platform to just share knowledge for free but its designed for people who want to build a real business around their expertise, .
From payments and landing pages to content delivery and upsells, Teachable handles the backend so creators can stay focused on what they do best.

Caractéristiques principales
- Commission Type : 30% recurring commission for the first year on any referred paid subscription.
- Durée du cookie : 30-day cookie window ensures affiliates still get credit if signups happen within a month.
- Payout Process: Monthly PayPal payouts are typically sent on the 1st of each month after a 30-day holding period. Affiliates must be approved via Teachable’s Impact-managed application.
- Signup Process: Managed through Impact. Applications are reviewed and approved when traffic and content quality meet Teachable's standards.
What You Can Learn
Teachable’s affiliate program shows how a clear creator focus and recurring revenue model can turn casual promoters into long-term partners. By offering up to 30% recurring commissions, it gives affiliates a real incentive to invest time into content that keeps performing, like course comparisons, platform reviews, or tutorials.
How Easy Affiliate Helps You Build a High-Performing Program
If you take a closer look at what makes these successful software affiliate programs work, it all comes down to structure, smart tools, and communication. That’s exactly where Affiliation facile shines.
It is Built for WordPress. Easy Affiliate gives you everything you need to run your own high-performing affiliate program without relying on expensive third-party platforms or complicated setups.

You can set custom commission structures, from flat-rates to recurring payouts. Your affiliates get their own dashboard where they can track clicks, conversions, and earnings in real time. You can easily generate liens affiliés ou custom coupon codes and send out onboarding emails, updates, or rewards directly from your site.
In short, Easy Affiliate helps you do what the top brands are doing – only faster, easier, and fully under your control.
Try Easy Affiliate today to create a smarter, more effective affiliate program.


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