Quick Overview
- 1#1: ThirstyAffiliates - WordPress plugin for cloaking, categorizing, and tracking clicks on affiliate links with basic analytics in the free lite version.
- 2#2: Pretty Links - WordPress plugin that shortens, redirects, and tracks affiliate link clicks with detailed reports and export options in the free version.
- 3#3: Affiliates - Free WordPress plugin for managing affiliate programs with referral link tracking, commissions calculation, and performance reporting.
- 4#4: Google Analytics - Powerful free web analytics platform for tracking affiliate link traffic, conversions, and events via UTM parameters.
- 5#5: Matomo - Open-source self-hosted analytics tool for privacy-focused tracking of affiliate referrals, goals, and marketing campaigns.
- 6#6: Rebrandly - Link management platform with custom domains, real-time click tracking, and retargeting for affiliate links in the free plan.
- 7#7: Bitly - Free link shortening service offering click counts, geographic data, and referrer tracking for affiliate campaigns.
- 8#8: Linkly - Link tracking tool with cloaking, auto-updates, rotation, and analytics for affiliate marketers in the free starter plan.
- 9#9: ClickMeter - Link tracker providing click fraud detection, lead tracking, and detailed stats for affiliates in the free limited plan.
- 10#10: Cuttly - Free URL shortener with click analytics, QR codes, and bio link pages for tracking affiliate marketing performance.
Tools were selected based on a rigorous assessment of features, ease of implementation, performance reliability, and value, ensuring they cater to diverse user needs, from basic tracking to advanced fraud detection and lead management capabilities.
Comparison Table
Understanding free affiliate marketing tracking software is vital for managing campaigns effectively, and this table compares top tools including ThirstyAffiliates, Pretty Links, Affiliates, Google Analytics, Matomo, and more. Readers will gain insights into features, usability, and integration to select the right solution for their needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ThirstyAffiliates WordPress plugin for cloaking, categorizing, and tracking clicks on affiliate links with basic analytics in the free lite version. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 2 | Pretty Links WordPress plugin that shortens, redirects, and tracks affiliate link clicks with detailed reports and export options in the free version. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 3 | Affiliates Free WordPress plugin for managing affiliate programs with referral link tracking, commissions calculation, and performance reporting. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 4 | Google Analytics Powerful free web analytics platform for tracking affiliate link traffic, conversions, and events via UTM parameters. | other | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 6.8/10 | 9.9/10 |
| 5 | Matomo Open-source self-hosted analytics tool for privacy-focused tracking of affiliate referrals, goals, and marketing campaigns. | other | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.2/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 6 | Rebrandly Link management platform with custom domains, real-time click tracking, and retargeting for affiliate links in the free plan. | specialized | 7.3/10 | 6.9/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 7 | Bitly Free link shortening service offering click counts, geographic data, and referrer tracking for affiliate campaigns. | specialized | 6.8/10 | 6.0/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 8 | Linkly Link tracking tool with cloaking, auto-updates, rotation, and analytics for affiliate marketers in the free starter plan. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.9/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 9 | ClickMeter Link tracker providing click fraud detection, lead tracking, and detailed stats for affiliates in the free limited plan. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 10 | Cuttly Free URL shortener with click analytics, QR codes, and bio link pages for tracking affiliate marketing performance. | specialized | 7.1/10 | 6.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.0/10 |
WordPress plugin for cloaking, categorizing, and tracking clicks on affiliate links with basic analytics in the free lite version.
WordPress plugin that shortens, redirects, and tracks affiliate link clicks with detailed reports and export options in the free version.
Free WordPress plugin for managing affiliate programs with referral link tracking, commissions calculation, and performance reporting.
Powerful free web analytics platform for tracking affiliate link traffic, conversions, and events via UTM parameters.
Open-source self-hosted analytics tool for privacy-focused tracking of affiliate referrals, goals, and marketing campaigns.
Link management platform with custom domains, real-time click tracking, and retargeting for affiliate links in the free plan.
Free link shortening service offering click counts, geographic data, and referrer tracking for affiliate campaigns.
Link tracking tool with cloaking, auto-updates, rotation, and analytics for affiliate marketers in the free starter plan.
Link tracker providing click fraud detection, lead tracking, and detailed stats for affiliates in the free limited plan.
Free URL shortener with click analytics, QR codes, and bio link pages for tracking affiliate marketing performance.
ThirstyAffiliates
specializedWordPress plugin for cloaking, categorizing, and tracking clicks on affiliate links with basic analytics in the free lite version.
Automatic link insertion and cloaking, which replaces raw affiliate URLs with clean, trackable branded links throughout site content.
ThirstyAffiliates is a popular WordPress plugin designed for affiliate marketers to manage, cloak, and track affiliate links seamlessly within their sites. The free version provides essential tools like link creation, categorization, automatic link replacement, and basic click tracking statistics. It's particularly suited for bloggers and content creators looking to streamline affiliate marketing without additional costs or complex setups.
Pros
- Intuitive WordPress integration with one-click setup
- Robust free click tracking and link categorization
- Effective link cloaking for better user experience and SEO
Cons
- Limited to WordPress sites only
- Advanced features like geo-targeting require paid upgrades
- Basic analytics lack depth compared to premium tools
Best For
WordPress site owners and bloggers seeking a free, user-friendly solution for affiliate link management and basic performance tracking.
Pricing
Free core plugin; premium add-ons start at $49/year for enhanced features like A/B testing and custom redirects.
Pretty Links
specializedWordPress plugin that shortens, redirects, and tracks affiliate link clicks with detailed reports and export options in the free version.
Built-in click tracking dashboard showing detailed stats like locations and referrers without needing third-party tools
Pretty Links is a WordPress plugin designed for creating custom, shortened links that cloak long affiliate URLs into branded, trackable short links. It offers built-in click tracking, including data on clicks, referrers, countries, and browsers, accessible via an intuitive dashboard. This free tool is particularly valuable for affiliate marketers on WordPress sites seeking to monitor link performance without external services.
Pros
- Seamless WordPress integration for effortless setup
- Robust free click tracking with geographic and referrer insights
- Unlimited pretty links and redirects at no cost
Cons
- Limited to WordPress sites only
- Advanced analytics and A/B testing require premium upgrade
- No standalone app or non-WP compatibility
Best For
WordPress bloggers and site owners running affiliate marketing campaigns who want free, simple link tracking.
Pricing
Free core version; premium plans start at $99/year or $199 lifetime for advanced features.
Affiliates
specializedFree WordPress plugin for managing affiliate programs with referral link tracking, commissions calculation, and performance reporting.
Native WordPress coupon tracking for effortless affiliate referral validation
Affiliates by itthinx is a free WordPress plugin designed for managing affiliate marketing programs directly from your WordPress site. It enables tracking of referrals via unique affiliate links or coupons, affiliate registration and management, commission calculations, and basic reporting. Ideal for bootstrapped site owners, the core free version provides essential tracking tools, while premium extensions unlock advanced features like recurring commissions and integrations.
Pros
- Completely free core plugin with solid referral tracking
- Seamless WordPress integration, including WooCommerce support
- Easy affiliate signup forms and basic reporting dashboard
Cons
- Limited advanced features like recurring billing in free version
- Requires WordPress hosting, not standalone
- Reporting and automation need paid add-ons for depth
Best For
WordPress site owners launching a simple affiliate program on a budget.
Pricing
Free core plugin; premium add-ons start at $49/year for advanced features.
Google Analytics
otherPowerful free web analytics platform for tracking affiliate link traffic, conversions, and events via UTM parameters.
Custom dimensions and events for granular affiliate link performance without extra cost
Google Analytics is a powerful, free web analytics platform from Google that tracks website traffic, user behavior, and conversions in real-time. For affiliate marketing, it enables tracking of affiliate links via UTM parameters, custom events, and goals to measure clicks, referrals, and ROI. While highly customizable, it requires technical setup for affiliate-specific metrics like commission tracking.
Pros
- Completely free with unlimited data collection for most users
- Robust UTM and event tracking for affiliate campaigns
- Deep integrations with Google tools and third-party platforms
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Data sampling limits accuracy on high-traffic sites
- Lacks native affiliate management like dashboards or payouts
Best For
Tech-savvy affiliate marketers needing scalable, customizable tracking without budget constraints.
Pricing
Free forever; premium Google Analytics 360 starts at $150,000/year for enterprises.
Matomo
otherOpen-source self-hosted analytics tool for privacy-focused tracking of affiliate referrals, goals, and marketing campaigns.
Self-hosting for 100% data privacy and unlimited tracking without third-party dependencies
Matomo is a free, open-source web analytics platform that provides self-hosted tracking for website traffic, campaigns, and conversions, making it a viable option for affiliate marketers monitoring link performance and referrals. It excels in handling UTM parameters, custom goals, and e-commerce tracking to attribute clicks, leads, and sales to specific affiliates without relying on third-party cookies. While not exclusively designed for affiliate marketing, its flexibility via plugins and custom dimensions allows detailed commission and ROI analysis.
Pros
- Fully free and open-source with no usage limits
- Complete data ownership through self-hosting
- Robust campaign and goal tracking for affiliate attribution
Cons
- Requires server setup and technical knowledge
- Lacks built-in affiliate-specific tools like automated payouts
- Advanced customization needs plugins or coding
Best For
Privacy-focused affiliate marketers or small teams with technical expertise seeking customizable, cost-free tracking.
Pricing
Core platform is free and open-source; optional paid cloud hosting starts at $23/month and premium plugins available.
Rebrandly
specializedLink management platform with custom domains, real-time click tracking, and retargeting for affiliate links in the free plan.
Custom branded domains that allow affiliate links to match your domain for better trust and branding
Rebrandly is a versatile link management platform that specializes in creating custom branded short links with comprehensive click tracking and analytics, making it suitable for affiliate marketers to monitor link performance. It provides insights into clicks, referrers, locations, devices, and UTM parameters, helping users attribute traffic effectively. The free plan offers essential tracking tools without cost, though with usage limits, positioning it as an accessible entry-level solution for affiliate link tracking.
Pros
- Free plan with unlimited clicks and basic analytics
- Custom branded domains for professional affiliate links
- User-friendly interface with real-time dashboards
Cons
- Limited to 500 branded links on free plan
- Lacks advanced conversion tracking and attribution
- Some analytics features restricted to paid tiers
Best For
Beginner affiliate marketers needing simple, free click tracking and branded links without complex setup.
Pricing
Free plan with 500 branded links; paid plans start at $29/month for unlimited links and advanced features.
Bitly
specializedFree link shortening service offering click counts, geographic data, and referrer tracking for affiliate campaigns.
Interactive click maps showing global engagement patterns
Bitly is a URL shortening and link management platform that enables users to create custom short links and track their performance through detailed analytics. For affiliate marketing, it offers free basic click tracking, including metrics like total clicks, geographic locations, referrers, devices, and browsers. While straightforward for monitoring basic link engagement, it lacks advanced affiliate-specific features like conversion tracking or revenue attribution. Its free tier makes it a low-barrier entry for simple tracking needs.
Pros
- Free plan with unlimited links and solid basic analytics
- Extremely user-friendly interface for quick setup
- Real-time tracking with geographic and device insights
Cons
- Branded bit.ly links on free plan look less professional
- No native conversion or revenue tracking for affiliates
- Limited advanced features like A/B testing or custom parameters without upgrading
Best For
Beginner affiliate marketers or social media users needing simple, cost-free click tracking on shortened links.
Pricing
Free plan with basic features; paid plans start at $29/month (billed annually) for custom domains and advanced analytics.
Linkly
specializedLink tracking tool with cloaking, auto-updates, rotation, and analytics for affiliate marketers in the free starter plan.
Direct embedding of retargeting pixels into links for seamless Facebook, Google, and Pinterest audience tracking
Linkly is a free link shortening and tracking platform optimized for affiliate marketers, enabling the creation of custom short links with comprehensive click analytics including geography, device type, referrer, and UTM data. It supports features like link cloaking, rotation, A/B testing, and direct integration of retargeting pixels from platforms like Facebook and Google. Ideal for protecting affiliate links from ad network restrictions while providing real-time performance insights without any cost for core functionality.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited links and detailed analytics
- Built-in retargeting pixel support for major ad platforms
- Simple dashboard for quick link creation and management
Cons
- Linkly branding on shortened links in free plan
- Custom domains and advanced reporting require paid upgrade
- Customer support limited to email on free tier
Best For
Budget-conscious affiliate marketers needing reliable, no-cost link tracking and basic optimization tools.
Pricing
Free plan with core features; paid Pro plans start at $19/month for branding removal and extras.
ClickMeter
specializedLink tracker providing click fraud detection, lead tracking, and detailed stats for affiliates in the free limited plan.
Smart traffic distribution rules that automatically route visitors based on geo, device, ISP, and blacklists
ClickMeter is a link tracking and management platform designed for affiliate marketers to monitor clicks, traffic sources, conversions, and performance metrics in real-time. It offers features like link cloaking, geotargeting, device targeting, A/B testing, and postback pixel tracking to optimize campaigns and detect bots. The free plan provides essential tracking for small-scale use, making it a solid entry-level option for beginners.
Pros
- Generous free plan with 10,000 clicks/month and basic analytics
- Real-time detailed stats including geo, device, and referrer data
- Easy link cloaking and traffic distribution rules
Cons
- Limited to 1 tracker and no custom domains on free plan
- Advanced features like extra pixels and API access require paid upgrade
- Customer support limited to email on free tier
Best For
Beginner affiliate marketers managing a handful of links and low-volume campaigns on a zero budget.
Pricing
Free (10k clicks/mo, 1 tracker); Starter $29/mo (100k clicks, more features); Pro $69/mo; Enterprise custom.
Cuttly
specializedFree URL shortener with click analytics, QR codes, and bio link pages for tracking affiliate marketing performance.
Free detailed click analytics including geolocation, referrers, and device breakdowns for unlimited short links
Cuttly (cutt.ly) is a free URL shortening service that provides basic link tracking capabilities, making it suitable for affiliate marketers needing simple click monitoring without cost. Users can create custom short links, generate QR codes, and access analytics on clicks, unique visitors, geolocations, referrers, devices, and browsers. While it offers real-time stats and an intuitive dashboard, it falls short on advanced affiliate features like conversion tracking or A/B testing. It's a straightforward entry-level tool for tracking affiliate link performance.
Pros
- Completely free with unlimited links and solid basic analytics
- Extremely user-friendly interface with real-time tracking
- Custom aliases, QR codes, and referrer/device insights included at no cost
Cons
- No conversion tracking or advanced funnel analytics
- Limited integrations and no native affiliate network support
- Deeper reporting and custom domains require paid upgrades
Best For
Beginner affiliate marketers or solopreneurs seeking free, no-frills click tracking for short links.
Pricing
Free forever plan with core shortening and analytics; Pro plans from $5/month for advanced features like link rotation and custom domains.
Conclusion
Top free affiliate marketing tracking tools standout, with ThirstyAffiliates, Pretty Links, and Affiliates leading the pack—each offering unique features for link cloaking, tracking, and analysis. ThirstyAffiliates tops as the versatile choice, excelling in basic analytics and ease of use for beginners. Pretty Links and Affiliates close the gap, with the former providing detailed reports and the latter focusing on program management, both strong for specific needs. The right tool depends on priorities, but ThirstyAffiliates emerges as the go-to.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison