Editorial pick
Best affiliate programs in 2026
The best affiliate programs pair a payout worth earning with a cookie window long enough to actually get credited. The 10 below are our picks from the 57 programs we track — drawn only from records whose terms we read on the official page this pass, and chosen on commission, cookie length, recurring potential and brand strength, not sponsorship.
What we looked for
Most "best of" lists are padded with whatever pays the author the most. We started from the data instead. A program earned a spot here by scoring well on at least two of four measurable axes — payout size, cookie window, recurring commission and conversion-friendly brand — with every number traceable to the merchant's own program page.
The result leans toward software and hosting, because that is genuinely where the economics are strongest: subscription products can afford to pay more, and they keep paying. That said, we have included ecommerce and creator options so the list is not one-note.
The picks, with their reviewed terms
These are the terms as published when we read each official page. Commission structures change — always confirm on the official page linked in each full review before you rely on a figure.
| Program | Commission | Cookie | Min. payout | Network | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semrush Affiliate Program | $100–$300 per sale plus $10 per trial; higher tiers may vary | 120 days | Not publicly stated | Impact | |
| Shopify Affiliates | $25–$150 per eligible full-price plan referral, depending on market | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | First-party | |
| HubSpot Affiliate Program | 30% recurring for up to one year | 180 days | $10 | First-party | |
| beehiiv Affiliate Program | 50%, 55%, or 60% by tier, paid monthly for one year | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | First-party | |
| Kit (ConvertKit) Affiliate Program | 50% for 12 months, then 10–20% indefinitely for qualifying tiers | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | First-party | |
| Teachable Affiliate Program | 30% recurring for one year | 30 days | Not publicly stated | First-party | |
| Hostinger Affiliate Program | Starts at 40% and grows with volume | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | First-party | |
| Surfshark Affiliate Program | Starts at 40% of new sales | 30 days | $100 | First-party | |
| Bluehost Affiliate Program | $65 per referral | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | First-party | |
| Notion Affiliate Program | Up to $50 per activated signup plus 20% of first-year revenue | 180 days | Not publicly stated | PartnerStack |
Why software and hosting dominate
A hosting company like Hostinger can start affiliates at 40% of a sale because a single hosting customer renews for hundreds per year. A retailer paying a few percent on a $40 order simply cannot match that math. If your audience buys business tools, the SaaS and hosting programs are where a single conversion can outweigh dozens of retail sales.
How to choose between them
Match the program to your audience, not to the headline number. A developer blog converts managed hosting; a side-hustle newsletter converts Shopify and beehiiv; an SEO audience converts Semrush. Use the compare tool to line up two or three finalists on cookie window and payout before you commit your content to one.
Frequently asked questions
How did you pick the best affiliate programs?
Every pick is based on terms we could verify on the program's official page: the size of the payout, the length of the cookie window, whether the commission recurs, and the strength of the brand. We don't use fabricated ratings or sponsored placement — the numbers are linked to their source on each program page.
What makes an affiliate program 'good'?
A good program combines a meaningful payout with a cookie window long enough for buyers to decide, a brand that converts, and terms that are publicly stated. A high percentage means little if the cookie is 24 hours and the product is hard to sell.
Are high-paying affiliate programs harder to join?
Often, yes. Programs with the largest bounties (managed hosting, B2B software) tend to review applications more selectively. Beginner-friendly programs usually pay less but approve most applicants — see our programs-for-beginners guide.
Do these programs pay recurring commissions?
Some do. HubSpot (up to a year), beehiiv (monthly for a year), Kit (12 months, then a lower ongoing rate for qualifying tiers) and Teachable (one year) include recurring components, and Notion adds 20% of first-year revenue on top of a per-signup bounty. Recurring commissions keep paying while the customer stays subscribed, which is why subscription programs feature heavily here.