Get up to $6,000 in TikTok Ad CreditsClaim Credits
Koala Apps

Best Shopify Affiliate Apps & Software

December 17, 2024

Best Shopify Affiliate Apps & Software

Running an affiliate program on Shopify takes three things: a way to issue unique tracking links, a commission structure your affiliates can actually understand, and payouts that go out on time. The ten apps below each handle those basics differently, so the right pick depends on whether you're recruiting micro-influencers, loyal customers, or a large publisher network.

Here are our top 10 affiliate apps and software to get you started.

How To Find Any Shopify Store Apps With Koala Inspector

visit any shopify store

Click Koala inspector

See the stores apps

10 Best Shopify Affiliate Apps & Software

RankAppApp TypeDeveloperPriceRatingDescription
1UpPromoteAffiliate programUpPromoteFree to install4.9 (3,740 reviews)Affiliate marketing app for boosting Shopify store sales.
2RecomSaleAffiliate programChannelwillFree trial4.9 (514 reviews)Boost sales through customizable affiliate programs.
3BixGlowAffiliate programBixGlowFree starter plan5.0 (1,175 reviews)Easy-to-use, multi-channel affiliate marketing platform.
4BuzzAffiliate programBuzzbassadorFree starter plan4.9 (102 reviews)Automate influencer and affiliate marketing campaigns seamlessly.
5GoAffProAffiliate programGoAffProFree starter plan4.8 (1,854 reviews)Powerful affiliate program with in-depth analytics.
6ImpactAffiliate programImpact.comFree starter plan4.1 (73 reviews)Advanced affiliate and partnership management for growth.
7Simple AffiliateAffiliate programSA Inc.Free starter plan4.8 (83 reviews)Straightforward affiliate marketing for small businesses.
8Referral CandyAffiliate programReferralCandyFree starter plan4.9 (2,159 reviews)Reward customers for referrals to increase sales.
9RefersionAffiliate programReferralCandyFree starter plan4.7 (1,016)Manage, track, and grow your affiliate network effortlessly.
10ReferrLyAffiliate programStaqlabFree starter plan5.0 (845 review)Set up and track affiliate programs easily.

Want to see apps on any Shopify store?

Download for free and start exploring a whole new ecommerce world!

1. UpPromote

UpPromote is one of the most widely used affiliate apps on Shopify, with over 3,900 reviews and a 4.9-star rating. Its setup flow is direct: create a program, set commission rates, and affiliates get a branded signup portal the same day.

  • Developer: UpPromote
  • Price: Free plan available. Paid tiers: Grow Affiliate $29.99/month, Professional $99.99/month, Enterprise $199.99/month. 14-day free trial on paid plans.
  • App Type: Affiliate programs, loyalty, and rewards
  • Rating: 4.9 (3,993 reviews)

App Features

  • Branded affiliate portal with custom domain option
  • Personalized tracking links and per-affiliate commission rates
  • Automated tracking with real-time sales reporting
  • Email marketing integrations (Klaviyo, Omnisend, and others)

Pros

  • Customizable commission structures: You can set different rates by product, affiliate tier, or coupon code, which matters once your program scales past a handful of affiliates.
  • Real-time reporting: The dashboard updates without manual pulls, so you can see which affiliates are driving conversions today.
  • Multi-language support: The portal renders in multiple languages, useful if your affiliate base is international.
  • Flexible pricing tiers: The free plan handles basic programs; you only need to upgrade when you want auto-approval rules or multi-level commissions.

Cons

  • Reporting depth takes time to learn: The advanced analytics tabs (cohort views, MLM structures) are not obvious on first use.
  • Customization requires trial and error: First-time program managers typically spend a few hours configuring commission tiers and portal branding before they're satisfied.

Who Is This App For?

UpPromote fits small to mid-size Shopify stores that want to run a proper affiliate program without paying enterprise prices. It's also a natural choice for dropshippers who want to turn loyal buyers into brand advocates.

Integration with Shopify Apps

Connects with Klaviyo and Omnisend for affiliate email sequences, plus PayPal for automated payouts.

2. RecomSale

RecomSale focuses on word-of-mouth and social sharing rather than large publisher networks. Affiliates can share links directly from the portal to social platforms, which suits brands that recruit through Instagram or TikTok rather than content sites.

  • Developer: Channelwill
  • Price: Paid plans start at $19/month.
  • App Type: Affiliate and referral programs
  • Rating: 4.9 (500+ reviews)

App Features

  • Fast affiliate onboarding with a customizable signup page
  • One-click social sharing directly from the affiliate dashboard
  • Custom commission structures per affiliate or product

Pros

  • Quick affiliate onboarding: A new affiliate can be active within minutes of signing up, which reduces the friction that causes candidates to drop off before their first sale.
  • Social sharing built in: Affiliates don't need to copy links manually; they can share to Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter from inside their portal.
  • Affordable starting price: At $19/month, it's accessible for stores that are early in building an affiliate channel.

Cons

  • Design options are limited: The portal customization doesn't go much further than colors and a logo, so stores with strong brand guidelines may find it restrictive.
  • Basic reporting: The analytics show clicks and conversions but don't break down performance by product, channel, or affiliate tier.

Who Is This App For?

RecomSale suits brands focused on influencer and social referral marketing rather than traditional affiliate publishers.

Integration with Shopify Apps

Works with Shopify Email and third-party marketing tools for affiliate communications.

3. BixGrow

BixGrow is a strong option for stores that need tiered commission structures. Multi-tier commissions (where affiliates earn a percentage on recruits they bring in) are a built-in feature rather than a premium add-on.

  • Developer: BixGrow
  • Price: Free plan available; premium plans start at $9.99/month
  • App Type: Affiliate and referral programs
  • Rating: 4.9 (1,500+ reviews)

App Features

  • Multi-tier commission system (affiliates earn on their sub-affiliates' sales)
  • Full affiliate dashboard with performance metrics
  • Automated email notifications when affiliates hit milestones or generate a sale

Pros

  • Multi-tier commissions: Useful if you want affiliates to recruit other affiliates, creating a second layer of reach without extra acquisition cost on your side.
  • Automated notifications: Affiliates get emails when commissions are earned, which reduces the support tickets asking "did my sale get tracked?"
  • Generous free tier: The free plan works for stores just getting started, covering basic tracking and a branded affiliate portal.

Cons

  • Advanced features take time to configure: Multi-tier rules and custom commission triggers require careful setup or you'll end up with unexpected payout logic.
  • Some features locked to paid plans: Certain integrations and customization options require upgrading.

Who Is This App For?

BixGrow fits store owners who want granular control over commission tiers, particularly those building multi-level affiliate or ambassador programs.

4. Buzz

Buzz (formerly Buzzbassador) is built around ambassador and influencer programs rather than traditional affiliate networks. Where most affiliate apps treat all partners the same, Buzz gives each ambassador a personal dashboard showing their unique promo code performance, content guidelines, and earnings.

  • Developer: Buzzbassador
  • Price: Plans start at $49/month
  • App Type: Influencer and affiliate marketing
  • Rating: 4.7 (100+ reviews)

App Features

  • Dedicated ambassador dashboards with personalized performance data
  • Collaboration tools for managing influencer content and briefs
  • Automated payouts and commission tracking

Pros

  • Ambassador-first design: The experience is built for ongoing creator relationships, not one-off referrals.
  • Automated payout tracking: Commission calculations happen in the background, so you're not reconciling spreadsheets at the end of each month.
  • Clear performance dashboards: Ambassadors can see exactly what they've earned and how their codes are performing, which keeps them engaged.

Cons

  • Higher starting price: At $49/month, Buzz is more expensive than most alternatives on this list, which makes it a harder sell for stores testing influencer programs for the first time.
  • Less suited to traditional affiliate campaigns: If you want a large publisher network or content-site affiliates, this isn't built for that.

Who Is This App For?

Buzz is the right pick for Shopify stores that run ambassador or micro-influencer programs and need each creator to feel like they have a branded, personal workspace.

5. GoAffPro

GoAffPro is a reliable mid-range affiliate app with a custom affiliate portal, multi-level marketing options, and a real-time analytics dashboard. It covers the core use case well without overcomplicating the setup.

  • Developer: GoAffPro
  • Price: Free plan available. Premium plans start at $24/month.
  • App Type: Affiliate programs
  • Rating: 4.7 (1800+ reviews)

App Features

  • Custom-branded affiliate portals with a dedicated login page
  • Multi-level marketing (MLM) commission structures
  • Real-time analytics showing clicks, conversions, and affiliate earnings

Pros

  • Custom affiliate portals: Affiliates log in at a branded URL, not a generic app subdomain. This matters for professional affiliate programs.
  • MLM commission support: GoAffPro supports up to 20 levels, which is unusually deep for an app at this price point.
  • Free plan covers the basics: Small stores can run a functional affiliate program without paying anything until they need advanced features.

Cons

  • Third-party integrations are limited: Some CRM and email tools don't have native connectors; you may need Zapier for custom workflows.
  • Analytics are functional but basic: You get conversion data, but not the attribution-depth reporting you'd get from a dedicated platform like Impact.

Who Is This App For?

GoAffPro works best for Shopify stores that want a budget-friendly affiliate program with a professional-looking portal and the option to add MLM structures later.

6. Impact

Impact is a full partnership management platform, not just an affiliate app. It handles affiliate, influencer, and strategic partner tracking in one place, with contract management, fraud detection, and global recruitment tools built in.

  • Developer: Impact Tech
  • Price: Custom pricing (requires a consultation)
  • App Type: Affiliate and influencer management
  • Rating: 4.5 (100+ reviews)

App Features

  • Attribution and tracking across affiliate, influencer, and brand partnerships
  • Global affiliate recruitment through the Impact Marketplace
  • API access for custom integrations and workflow automation

Pros

  • Partnership breadth: Impact handles affiliates, media buying partnerships, and influencer contracts in one dashboard, useful for brands running multiple partnership types.
  • Global reach: The platform has a marketplace for recruiting international affiliates, which is harder to replicate in smaller apps.
  • Custom API access: Large teams can build custom reporting pipelines or connect Impact to internal BI tools.

Cons

  • No published pricing: You have to request a quote, which makes it hard to budget without a sales call.
  • Steep learning curve: The interface has a lot of surface area. Teams without a dedicated partnerships manager will likely underuse it.

Who Is This App For?

Impact suits large Shopify stores and DTC brands with established partnership teams. It's overkill for stores just launching an affiliate channel.

7. Simple Affiliate

Simple Affiliate does one thing: it lets you run a basic Shopify affiliate program with minimal setup time. No MLM tiers, no influencer collaboration tools, just tracking links, commissions, and payouts.

  • Developer: Simple Affiliate
  • Price: Starts at $15/month
  • App Type: Affiliate marketing
  • Rating: 4.9 (90+ reviews)

App Features

  • Automated affiliate tracking with first-party cookies
  • Link sharing via email or social directly from the affiliate portal
  • Custom commission rates per affiliate or product

Pros

  • Fast to launch: Most stores have a working affiliate program within an hour of installing.
  • Low starting price: At $15/month, it's one of the cheapest paid options on this list.
  • Clean interface: The affiliate portal is simple enough that non-technical affiliates rarely need support to use it.

Cons

  • Not built for scale: There's no support for tiered commissions, multiple programs, or advanced fraud detection.
  • Limited customization: The portal design options are minimal compared to apps like UpPromote or GoAffPro.

Who Is This App For?

Simple Affiliate is a practical starting point for Shopify merchants who want to test an affiliate channel without committing to a complex or expensive tool.

8. Referral Candy

ReferralCandy is built for customer referral programs rather than affiliate publisher networks. The core mechanic is rewarding existing customers for sending friends to your store, with cash, discount codes, or custom gifts as incentives.

  • Developer: ReferralCandy
  • Price: $49/month plus commission fees on referral-driven sales
  • App Type: Referral marketing
  • Rating: 4.9 (2,000+ reviews)

App Features

  • Automated referral tracking tied to customer purchases
  • Customizable reward types: cash, store credit, or percentage discounts
  • Shopify checkout integration with minimal setup

Pros

  • Customer-centric design: The referral flow is triggered by a purchase, so your most satisfied buyers become your recruiters at the moment they're most likely to share.
  • Automated reward delivery: Commissions and discount codes go out without manual intervention after a referred purchase is confirmed.
  • Strong review track record: Over 2,000 reviews at 4.9 stars indicates consistent results across a wide range of store types.

Cons

  • Commission fees on top of monthly cost: The $49/month base plus a percentage of referral revenue can add up quickly for high-volume stores.
  • Not a traditional affiliate program: If you want to recruit content publishers or influencers, this isn't the right tool. It works best when your existing customer base is your growth lever.

Who Is This App For?

ReferralCandy works well for Shopify stores with repeat customers and strong word-of-mouth potential, particularly in niches like beauty, supplements, and apparel.

9. Refersion

Refersion handles affiliate and influencer tracking at a level of depth that suits growing mid-market stores. It includes customizable affiliate dashboards, performance-based commission tiers, and direct integration with Shopify's order data.

  • Developer: Refersion
  • Price: Starts at $89/month
  • App Type: Affiliate and influencer marketing
  • Rating: 4.7 (1000+ reviews)

App Features

  • Advanced affiliate tracking (coupon codes, custom links, email attribution)
  • Customizable affiliate dashboard with branded portal
  • Direct Shopify order sync for accurate commission calculations

Pros

  • Multiple tracking methods: Refersion tracks via link, coupon code, or email, which helps capture sales that click-only tracking would miss.
  • Customizable dashboards: Affiliates see the metrics that matter to them, and you can limit or expand what each affiliate can view.
  • Mid-market fit: It has more depth than entry-level apps but is cheaper and simpler than Impact for stores that don't need full partnership management.

Cons

  • $89/month entry price: The cost is a significant jump from lower-tier options, which makes it hard to justify for stores still testing whether affiliate marketing works for them.
  • Some setup complexity: Configuring commission rules and payout schedules correctly takes more time than the app's documentation suggests.

Who Is This App For?

Refersion suits Shopify stores that already have affiliate traction and want a more structured platform than UpPromote or GoAffPro, without moving to enterprise pricing.

10. ReferrLy Affiliate Marketing

ReferrLy is a lightweight affiliate app that covers the basics at a low price. The free plan handles core tracking and reporting; paid tiers unlock custom branding and more detailed analytics.

  • Developer: ReferrLy
  • Price: Free plan available; premium plans start at $9.99/month
  • App Type: Affiliate marketing
  • Rating: 4.8 (500+ reviews)

App Features

  • Quick affiliate program setup with a branded signup page
  • Real-time click and conversion tracking
  • Flexible commission settings (percentage or flat-rate)

Pros

  • Low barrier to entry: The free plan is functional enough to test whether affiliate marketing generates any traction before committing budget.
  • Fast affiliate onboarding: New affiliates can be generating tracked links within minutes.
  • Real-time tracking: The dashboard shows active affiliate performance without delays or manual refreshes.

Cons

  • Feature ceiling: Once your program grows past a few dozen affiliates or you need tiered commissions, ReferrLy doesn't scale well.
  • Limited portal customization: The affiliate-facing portal design options are basic, which matters for brands where presentation is important.

Who Is This App For?

ReferrLy is a solid starting point for small Shopify stores or new merchants who want to try affiliate marketing with minimal upfront cost.

How to Choose the Right Shopify Affiliate App

The apps above differ in three practical ways: price floor, who they're built for, and how much flexibility you have in commission structures.

If you're launching for the first time: Simple Affiliate ($15/month), ReferrLy (free tier), or GoAffPro (free tier) all let you run a real program without committing significant budget. UpPromote's free plan is also worth evaluating since it covers multi-language support.

If you're recruiting influencers or creators: Buzz ($49/month) or BixGrow are built for ongoing creator relationships. RecomSale handles social sharing well for smaller influencer sets.

If your main channel is happy customers referring friends: ReferralCandy is the most purpose-built option, though its commission fee on top of monthly cost can add up.

If you already have affiliate traction and need more structure: Refersion ($89/month) adds multi-method tracking and better reporting depth. Impact is worth evaluating for brands running affiliate alongside other partnership types, but expect a sales process and custom pricing.

One thing to check before committing: Koala Inspector can show you which affiliate app any Shopify store is running. If you see a competitor using a specific tool and they appear to be generating affiliate-driven traffic, that's a data point worth considering.

Koala Inspector

Uncover e-Commerce success

Share this story:

Recommended Blogs