Quick Overview
- 1#1: PrettyLinks - WordPress plugin for creating, cloaking, managing, and tracking affiliate links with detailed analytics.
- 2#2: Google Analytics - Tracks website traffic, conversions, and performance of affiliate links to optimize marketing campaigns.
- 3#3: Bitly - Shortens, customizes, and provides click tracking for affiliate links across campaigns.
- 4#4: Ahrefs Webmaster Tools - Free SEO toolkit for auditing sites, researching keywords, and analyzing backlinks to boost affiliate traffic.
- 5#5: Ubersuggest - Provides keyword research, content ideas, and competitor analysis to discover profitable affiliate niches.
- 6#6: Canva - Drag-and-drop design tool for creating banners, infographics, and social graphics to promote affiliate products.
- 7#7: Mailchimp - Email marketing platform with free tier for building subscriber lists and sending affiliate promotions.
- 8#8: Buffer - Schedules and publishes social media posts with affiliate links across multiple platforms.
- 9#9: Google Search Console - Monitors search performance, indexes pages, and identifies issues for affiliate websites.
- 10#10: Hootsuite - Manages social media accounts and schedules affiliate link posts from a single dashboard.
We selected and ranked these tools based on key factors: robust feature sets (including link tracking, analytics, and campaign automation), reliable performance and accuracy, intuitive user interfaces, and the value delivered by their free tiers, ensuring each tool excels as a practical, high-impact asset for affiliate marketing efforts.
Comparison Table
Navigating the world of free affiliate marketing software can be challenging, but this comparison table streamlines the process by featuring tools like PrettyLinks, Google Analytics, Bitly, Ahrefs Webmaster Tools, and Ubersuggest. Readers will discover key features, pros and cons, and ideal use cases to select the best fit for their affiliate marketing needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PrettyLinks WordPress plugin for creating, cloaking, managing, and tracking affiliate links with detailed analytics. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 2 | Google Analytics Tracks website traffic, conversions, and performance of affiliate links to optimize marketing campaigns. | other | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.1/10 | 10/10 |
| 3 | Bitly Shortens, customizes, and provides click tracking for affiliate links across campaigns. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | Ahrefs Webmaster Tools Free SEO toolkit for auditing sites, researching keywords, and analyzing backlinks to boost affiliate traffic. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 10/10 |
| 5 | Ubersuggest Provides keyword research, content ideas, and competitor analysis to discover profitable affiliate niches. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 6 | Canva Drag-and-drop design tool for creating banners, infographics, and social graphics to promote affiliate products. | creative_suite | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 7 | Mailchimp Email marketing platform with free tier for building subscriber lists and sending affiliate promotions. | other | 7.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 8 | Buffer Schedules and publishes social media posts with affiliate links across multiple platforms. | other | 7.1/10 | 6.4/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 9 | Google Search Console Monitors search performance, indexes pages, and identifies issues for affiliate websites. | other | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 10/10 |
| 10 | Hootsuite Manages social media accounts and schedules affiliate link posts from a single dashboard. | other | 5.2/10 | 4.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 6.0/10 |
WordPress plugin for creating, cloaking, managing, and tracking affiliate links with detailed analytics.
Tracks website traffic, conversions, and performance of affiliate links to optimize marketing campaigns.
Shortens, customizes, and provides click tracking for affiliate links across campaigns.
Free SEO toolkit for auditing sites, researching keywords, and analyzing backlinks to boost affiliate traffic.
Provides keyword research, content ideas, and competitor analysis to discover profitable affiliate niches.
Drag-and-drop design tool for creating banners, infographics, and social graphics to promote affiliate products.
Email marketing platform with free tier for building subscriber lists and sending affiliate promotions.
Schedules and publishes social media posts with affiliate links across multiple platforms.
Monitors search performance, indexes pages, and identifies issues for affiliate websites.
Manages social media accounts and schedules affiliate link posts from a single dashboard.
PrettyLinks
specializedWordPress plugin for creating, cloaking, managing, and tracking affiliate links with detailed analytics.
Built-in click tracking dashboard that logs detailed stats without external services
PrettyLinks is a powerful WordPress plugin designed for creating shortened, branded, and trackable links, making it ideal for affiliate marketers to cloak long affiliate URLs into clean, memorable ones. It offers built-in click tracking, link categorization, and automatic redirection, helping users monitor performance directly from their dashboard. The free version provides core functionality sufficient for most basic affiliate marketing needs on WordPress sites.
Pros
- Free core features including link shortening, cloaking, and basic click tracking
- Seamless WordPress integration with one-click link creation
- Improves user experience and SEO with keyword-rich pretty links
Cons
- Advanced features like A/B testing and link health monitoring require Pro upgrade
- Limited reporting depth in the free version
- WordPress-exclusive, not suitable for other platforms
Best For
WordPress-based affiliate marketers and bloggers seeking free, straightforward link management and tracking.
Pricing
Free version with full core features; Pro upgrade starts at $99/year for advanced tools.
Google Analytics
otherTracks website traffic, conversions, and performance of affiliate links to optimize marketing campaigns.
UTM-powered attribution modeling that precisely tracks and segments affiliate referral traffic and conversions
Google Analytics is a powerful, free web analytics platform that tracks website traffic, user behavior, and conversions, making it invaluable for affiliate marketers to monitor referral sources and campaign performance. It allows users to tag affiliate links with UTM parameters for precise attribution, set up goals for tracking sign-ups or sales from affiliates, and analyze audience demographics and behavior. With real-time reporting and integrations across platforms, it provides deep insights without any cost.
Pros
- Completely free with robust, scalable tracking capabilities
- Excellent for attributing traffic and conversions from affiliate links via UTM parameters
- Real-time data and advanced reporting for optimizing campaigns
Cons
- Steep learning curve for setup and advanced features like events and GA4
- No native tools for affiliate commission tracking or management
- Privacy compliance requirements can add complexity (e.g., consent mode)
Best For
Affiliate marketers with websites needing detailed traffic source analysis and conversion tracking on a zero budget.
Pricing
100% free, with optional paid upgrades via Google Analytics 360 for enterprises.
Bitly
specializedShortens, customizes, and provides click tracking for affiliate links across campaigns.
Real-time click analytics showing device, location, and referrer data even on the free plan
Bitly is a leading URL shortening and link management platform that transforms long links into short, branded ones while providing click tracking and analytics. For affiliate marketers, it enables monitoring of link performance, including clicks, locations, and referrers, helping optimize campaigns. The free plan supports basic features like custom aliases, QR codes, and up to 100 links with 1,000 clicks per month, ideal for entry-level use.
Pros
- Extremely user-friendly interface for quick link creation
- Reliable basic analytics with click counts and geography
- Established brand ensuring high link deliverability
Cons
- Free plan limited to 100 links and 1,000 clicks/month
- No custom domains or advanced segmentation on free tier
- Link data expires after 90 days on free plan
Best For
Beginner affiliate marketers or small-scale campaigns needing simple, free link shortening and tracking.
Pricing
Free plan with core features and limits; paid plans (Core $8/mo, Premium $29/mo) unlock unlimited links, custom domains, and advanced analytics.
Ahrefs Webmaster Tools
specializedFree SEO toolkit for auditing sites, researching keywords, and analyzing backlinks to boost affiliate traffic.
Free access to Ahrefs' massive 35+ trillion backlink index via Site Explorer for competitor and backlink analysis
Ahrefs Webmaster Tools is a free SEO platform for verified website owners, providing access to powerful data from Ahrefs' vast index including site audits, keyword rankings, backlinks, and competitor insights. It helps affiliate marketers identify technical issues, discover ranking keywords, and analyze traffic sources to optimize sites for organic growth. While limited compared to paid Ahrefs plans, it delivers high-value SEO essentials at no cost.
Pros
- Completely free with access to Ahrefs' industry-leading backlink and keyword data
- Comprehensive Site Audit identifies SEO issues quickly
- Keywords Explorer and Site Explorer provide actionable insights for traffic growth
Cons
- Limited to 500 crawl credits and reports per month per project
- Requires Google Search Console verification for own sites only
- No historical data, API access, or client site support
Best For
Beginner to intermediate affiliate marketers managing their own websites who need free, professional-grade SEO tools to boost organic traffic.
Pricing
100% free for verified website owners via Google Search Console; no paid upgrades within Webmaster Tools.
Ubersuggest
specializedProvides keyword research, content ideas, and competitor analysis to discover profitable affiliate niches.
Keyword Magic Tool for generating thousands of long-tail keyword ideas with metrics
Ubersuggest, created by Neil Patel, is a free SEO and keyword research tool that helps affiliate marketers identify profitable keywords, analyze search volumes, SEO difficulty, and competitor rankings. It offers content ideas, site audits, backlink checks, and traffic overviews to support niche selection and content creation for affiliate promotions. While powerful for beginners, its free tier includes daily limits, making it suitable for light to moderate use in affiliate marketing strategies.
Pros
- Generous free keyword research with volume, difficulty, and ideas
- Intuitive dashboard for quick insights
- Built-in content generator for affiliate blog posts
Cons
- Limited to 3 searches per day in free version
- Lacks affiliate-specific tools like link tracking or commission analytics
- Frequent upsells to paid plans
Best For
Beginner affiliate marketers needing free keyword research and content ideas to kickstart SEO-driven promotions.
Pricing
Free plan with 3 daily searches; paid plans from $29/month (Individual) for unlimited access.
Canva
creative_suiteDrag-and-drop design tool for creating banners, infographics, and social graphics to promote affiliate products.
Vast template library with marketing-specific designs for quick affiliate promotions
Canva is a user-friendly graphic design platform that allows users to create professional visuals such as social media graphics, banners, infographics, and presentations with a drag-and-drop interface. For affiliate marketers, it excels in producing eye-catching promotional content to drive traffic to affiliate links, leveraging thousands of free templates optimized for marketing. The free tier provides substantial tools for beginners, though advanced features require a Pro upgrade.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor accessible to non-designers
- Extensive library of free marketing templates and elements
- Mobile app for on-the-go design and collaboration
Cons
- Lacks affiliate-specific tools like link tracking or analytics
- Free version includes watermarks on some premium elements
- Limited advanced editing capabilities compared to professional software
Best For
Beginner affiliate marketers focused on creating visually compelling social media and promotional graphics without design experience.
Pricing
Free forever plan with core features; Canva Pro at $14.99/month or $119.99/year for premium templates, AI tools, and no watermarks.
Mailchimp
otherEmail marketing platform with free tier for building subscriber lists and sending affiliate promotions.
Intuitive audience segmentation for targeted affiliate promotions
Mailchimp is a leading email marketing platform that enables users to build email lists, design campaigns, and automate messaging, making it suitable for affiliate marketers to promote links via newsletters. Its free tier supports basic audience management, templates, and performance tracking, ideal for beginners testing affiliate strategies. While not exclusively for affiliates, it excels in list segmentation and A/B testing to optimize promotions.
Pros
- User-friendly drag-and-drop editor for quick campaign creation
- Generous free plan with analytics and segmentation basics
- Reliable deliverability and mobile-responsive templates
Cons
- Free plan limited to 500 contacts and 1,000 monthly sends
- Lacks native affiliate-specific tools like link tracking or cloaking
- Advanced automations and integrations require paid upgrades
Best For
Beginner affiliate marketers starting with small email lists and basic promotional campaigns on a zero budget.
Pricing
Free forever for up to 500 contacts and 1,000 sends/month; paid Essentials plan starts at $13/month for 5,000 contacts.
Buffer
otherSchedules and publishes social media posts with affiliate links across multiple platforms.
The automated posting queue that intelligently schedules content at optimal times without manual intervention
Buffer is a social media scheduling platform that allows users to plan, schedule, and publish content across channels like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok. For affiliate marketers, it facilitates the automation of sharing promotional links and content on social media to drive traffic and conversions. The free plan offers basic functionality, including up to 3 channels and 10 scheduled posts per channel, with simple analytics to track engagement.
Pros
- Free plan with unlimited posting queue for basic use
- Intuitive drag-and-drop calendar for easy scheduling
- Basic analytics to monitor post performance and engagement
Cons
- Limited to 3 social channels and 10 scheduled posts on free plan
- No native affiliate link tracking, cloaking, or conversion analytics
- Lacks integrations with affiliate networks or advanced automation tools
Best For
Beginner affiliate marketers focused on simple social media scheduling without needing advanced tracking features.
Pricing
Free plan (3 channels, 10 scheduled posts); Essentials $6/month per channel; Team $12/month per channel.
Google Search Console
otherMonitors search performance, indexes pages, and identifies issues for affiliate websites.
Performance report revealing exact search queries, clicks, impressions, and positions for your site
Google Search Console is a free tool from Google that allows website owners to monitor and optimize their site's performance in Google Search results. It provides detailed insights into search queries driving traffic, indexing status, mobile usability, core web vitals, and security issues, helping affiliate marketers improve organic visibility. Key functionalities include performance reports on clicks and impressions, URL inspection for crawl errors, and sitemap submission to enhance SEO efforts.
Pros
- Completely free with no usage limits
- Direct access to Google's proprietary search data like queries and impressions
- Comprehensive site health diagnostics including indexing and core web vitals
Cons
- Data updates are not real-time (typically 2-3 days delay)
- Limited to Google Search; no insights for other engines
- Requires technical setup like site verification and some SEO knowledge
Best For
Affiliate marketers relying on organic Google traffic who need free, accurate SEO performance monitoring and optimization tools.
Pricing
100% free forever, no paid tiers.
Hootsuite
otherManages social media accounts and schedules affiliate link posts from a single dashboard.
Centralized dashboard for scheduling affiliate link posts across multiple social networks
Hootsuite is a social media management platform that enables users to schedule and publish posts, including affiliate links, across multiple networks from a single dashboard. Its free plan supports basic scheduling and monitoring, which can aid affiliate marketers in promoting links on social media without dedicated affiliate tools. However, it lacks core affiliate features like link tracking, commission management, or performance attribution specific to referrals.
Pros
- Free plan allows scheduling up to 5 posts across 2 social accounts
- Unified dashboard simplifies multi-platform posting for affiliate promotions
- Basic analytics provide insights into post engagement
Cons
- No affiliate-specific tools like link cloaking, tracking, or conversion reporting
- Severely limited free plan restricts scalability for active marketers
- Lacks integration with affiliate networks or e-commerce platforms
Best For
Beginner affiliate marketers needing basic free social media scheduling to promote links without advanced tracking.
Pricing
Free: 2 social accounts, 5 scheduled messages; Professional starts at $99/month for more features.
Conclusion
The top tools reviewed showcase PrettyLinks as the leading choice, excelling in link creation, cloaking, and analytics to drive affiliate campaign success. Google Analytics and Bitly stand out as strong alternatives—Google for tracking traffic and conversions, Bitly for customizing and monitoring link performance—catering to diverse needs. Whether prioritizing versatility or specific features, the top three tools offer solid options for optimizing affiliate efforts.
Take the next step in your affiliate journey by trying PrettyLinks today; its intuitive design and powerful features can help you manage, track, and grow your affiliate marketing initiatives effectively.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison