Quick Overview
- 1#1: GoAffPro - All-in-one affiliate marketing platform for Shopify with a free forever plan offering unlimited affiliates, custom dashboards, and automated commissions.
- 2#2: UpPromote - Comprehensive affiliate and influencer marketing app for Shopify featuring free plan with tiered commissions, fraud prevention, and referral tracking up to 200 orders.
- 3#3: Partnero - Flexible affiliate and referral program management software with a free starter plan for up to 100 transactions, API integrations, and partner portals.
- 4#4: Affiliates by itthinx - Robust free WordPress plugin for managing affiliate programs including tracking, commissions, creatives, and payouts.
- 5#5: Affiliate for WooCommerce - Free WooCommerce plugin to create and manage affiliate programs with coupon tracking, multi-tier commissions, and referral links.
- 6#6: Referral Rock - Customer referral and affiliate program software with a free plan for up to 100 contacts, customizable campaigns, and reward fulfillment.
- 7#7: Referral Factory - No-code referral and affiliate program builder with free basic plan, landing pages, automation, and analytics.
- 8#8: Gleam - Marketing platform for affiliate promotions, referrals, and contests with a free plan supporting up to 10,000 entries monthly.
- 9#9: ViralSweep - Promotion platform for affiliate referrals, sweepstakes, and loyalty programs with free basic features and integrations.
- 10#10: Woobox - Social media promotion tool for affiliate and referral campaigns with a free plan for basic contests and lead generation.
Tools were selected based on key factors including core functionality (tracking, commission structures, integrations), user-friendliness (setup ease, interface intuitiveness), and the strength of their free plans (unlimited affiliates, transaction limits, advanced features), ensuring each entry ranks as a top pick for businesses of all sizes.
Comparison Table
This comparison table explores top free affiliate program software tools, such as GoAffPro, UpPromote, Partnero, Affiliates by itthinx, and Affiliate for WooCommerce. Readers will gain insights into key features, usability, and suitability to find the best fit for their affiliate marketing goals.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GoAffPro All-in-one affiliate marketing platform for Shopify with a free forever plan offering unlimited affiliates, custom dashboards, and automated commissions. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.7/10 | 10/10 |
| 2 | UpPromote Comprehensive affiliate and influencer marketing app for Shopify featuring free plan with tiered commissions, fraud prevention, and referral tracking up to 200 orders. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 3 | Partnero Flexible affiliate and referral program management software with a free starter plan for up to 100 transactions, API integrations, and partner portals. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 4 | Affiliates by itthinx Robust free WordPress plugin for managing affiliate programs including tracking, commissions, creatives, and payouts. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 5 | Affiliate for WooCommerce Free WooCommerce plugin to create and manage affiliate programs with coupon tracking, multi-tier commissions, and referral links. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 6 | Referral Rock Customer referral and affiliate program software with a free plan for up to 100 contacts, customizable campaigns, and reward fulfillment. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 6.2/10 |
| 7 | Referral Factory No-code referral and affiliate program builder with free basic plan, landing pages, automation, and analytics. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 8 | Gleam Marketing platform for affiliate promotions, referrals, and contests with a free plan supporting up to 10,000 entries monthly. | specialized | 6.8/10 | 5.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 9 | ViralSweep Promotion platform for affiliate referrals, sweepstakes, and loyalty programs with free basic features and integrations. | specialized | 6.7/10 | 6.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | Woobox Social media promotion tool for affiliate and referral campaigns with a free plan for basic contests and lead generation. | specialized | 4.8/10 | 3.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.5/10 |
All-in-one affiliate marketing platform for Shopify with a free forever plan offering unlimited affiliates, custom dashboards, and automated commissions.
Comprehensive affiliate and influencer marketing app for Shopify featuring free plan with tiered commissions, fraud prevention, and referral tracking up to 200 orders.
Flexible affiliate and referral program management software with a free starter plan for up to 100 transactions, API integrations, and partner portals.
Robust free WordPress plugin for managing affiliate programs including tracking, commissions, creatives, and payouts.
Free WooCommerce plugin to create and manage affiliate programs with coupon tracking, multi-tier commissions, and referral links.
Customer referral and affiliate program software with a free plan for up to 100 contacts, customizable campaigns, and reward fulfillment.
No-code referral and affiliate program builder with free basic plan, landing pages, automation, and analytics.
Marketing platform for affiliate promotions, referrals, and contests with a free plan supporting up to 10,000 entries monthly.
Promotion platform for affiliate referrals, sweepstakes, and loyalty programs with free basic features and integrations.
Social media promotion tool for affiliate and referral campaigns with a free plan for basic contests and lead generation.
GoAffPro
specializedAll-in-one affiliate marketing platform for Shopify with a free forever plan offering unlimited affiliates, custom dashboards, and automated commissions.
Unlimited affiliates, referrals, and sales tracking on the free plan, a rarity in affiliate software
GoAffPro is a pioneering free affiliate marketing software designed for e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce, allowing merchants to launch unlimited affiliate programs without any upfront costs. It equips affiliates with unique referral links, coupons, and dedicated dashboards for tracking sales, commissions, and performance in real-time. The platform handles automated commission calculations and provides essential tools for program management, making it accessible for businesses of all sizes. With seamless integrations and no coding required, it's optimized for quick setup and scalability.
Pros
- Free forever plan with unlimited affiliates and referrals
- One-click installation and seamless Shopify/WooCommerce integration
- Real-time tracking, analytics, and multi-tier commission support
Cons
- Advanced customizations and automations locked behind paid plans
- Manual payout processing on free tier
- Limited theme and branding options without upgrade
Best For
Small to medium e-commerce store owners on Shopify or WooCommerce who want a robust, no-cost affiliate program to drive referrals and sales.
Pricing
Free plan with core features; Pro plan at $24/month, Premium at $49/month, and Affiliate at $99/month for advanced tools.
UpPromote
specializedComprehensive affiliate and influencer marketing app for Shopify featuring free plan with tiered commissions, fraud prevention, and referral tracking up to 200 orders.
Unlimited affiliates and referrals on the free plan
UpPromote is a Shopify-exclusive affiliate marketing app that helps merchants build, manage, and scale affiliate programs with features like custom referral links, sales tracking, and commission management. The free plan offers core functionalities such as unlimited affiliates, tiered commissions (limited), and a customizable affiliate portal. It's designed for e-commerce stores seeking an easy entry into affiliate marketing without upfront costs.
Pros
- Free plan supports unlimited affiliates and referrals
- Seamless one-click Shopify integration with intuitive setup
- Robust tracking and reporting dashboard even on free tier
Cons
- Limited automation like manual payouts only in free plan
- No multi-level marketing or advanced fraud detection for free users
- Exclusive to Shopify platform, no support for other e-commerce systems
Best For
Shopify store owners launching their first affiliate program on a tight budget.
Pricing
Free plan forever with core features; paid Pro plans start at $21.99/month (billed annually) for automation and advanced tools.
Partnero
specializedFlexible affiliate and referral program management software with a free starter plan for up to 100 transactions, API integrations, and partner portals.
White-label partner portals for fully branded, professional onboarding experiences
Partnero (partnero.io) is a partner management platform tailored for SaaS companies, enabling the creation and scaling of affiliate, referral, and reseller programs with automated tracking and payouts. It offers customizable partner portals, performance analytics, and seamless integrations with tools like Stripe and HubSpot. The free Starter plan supports up to 50 partners monthly, making it an accessible entry point for beginners in affiliate marketing.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited programs and basic automation
- Intuitive no-code setup and customizable dashboards
- Strong focus on SaaS-specific integrations and compliance tools
Cons
- Advanced analytics and unlimited partners require paid upgrades
- Limited customization options in the free tier
- Payout automation capped at basic levels on free plan
Best For
Bootstrapped SaaS startups and small teams launching their first affiliate programs on a zero-budget.
Pricing
Free Starter plan (up to 50 partners/month); paid plans from $99/month for Growth (500 partners) and higher tiers.
Affiliates by itthinx
specializedRobust free WordPress plugin for managing affiliate programs including tracking, commissions, creatives, and payouts.
Volunteer affiliate support, allowing non-paid affiliates to promote content without commission setups
Affiliates by itthinx is a free WordPress plugin designed to help website owners launch and manage affiliate programs without any upfront costs. It enables affiliates to register, generate tracking links or banners, and track referrals, commissions, and performance metrics through a dedicated dashboard. The plugin supports integration with WooCommerce for e-commerce tracking and provides basic tools for payouts and reporting, making it suitable for small-scale affiliate operations.
Pros
- Completely free core plugin with essential affiliate tracking and management
- Seamless integration with WordPress and WooCommerce
- User-friendly affiliate dashboard and creative tools
Cons
- Limited advanced features like recurring commissions or coupons (require paid add-ons)
- Reporting and automation options are basic in the free version
- Relies on WordPress, limiting use outside that ecosystem
Best For
WordPress site owners, particularly WooCommerce users, seeking a cost-free starter affiliate program for small businesses or blogs.
Pricing
Free core plugin; premium add-ons and Affiliates Pro start at $99/year per site.
Affiliate for WooCommerce
specializedFree WooCommerce plugin to create and manage affiliate programs with coupon tracking, multi-tier commissions, and referral links.
Customizable affiliate registration forms that auto-assign referral links and integrate with existing WooCommerce user accounts
Affiliate for WooCommerce by StoreApps is a free WordPress plugin designed specifically for WooCommerce stores to set up and manage an affiliate marketing program. It enables affiliates to register via customizable forms, generate unique referral links or coupons, and track their sales, referrals, and commissions through a user-friendly dashboard. The plugin handles commission calculations automatically based on flat rates, percentages, or formulas, with support for PayPal payouts and basic reporting.
Pros
- Completely free with unlimited affiliates and no usage caps
- Seamless WooCommerce integration with automatic commission tracking
- Multiple referral methods including direct links, coupons, and static pages
Cons
- No recurring commissions or multi-tier affiliates in free version
- Limited reporting and analytics compared to premium alternatives
- Payouts restricted to manual or PayPal in free tier
Best For
Small to medium WooCommerce store owners wanting a no-cost, easy-to-implement affiliate program for basic referral marketing.
Pricing
Free core plugin; premium extensions start at $79/year for advanced features like recurring commissions and deeper integrations.
Referral Rock
specializedCustomer referral and affiliate program software with a free plan for up to 100 contacts, customizable campaigns, and reward fulfillment.
Multi-step referral funnels that guide advocates through personalized journeys for higher conversion rates
Referral Rock is a robust referral marketing platform designed to help businesses create, manage, and optimize customer referral and affiliate programs with automated rewards and tracking. It offers customizable campaign templates, multi-step referral flows, and detailed analytics to measure program performance. While it excels in referral automation, it overlaps with affiliate management through promoter tracking and commission payouts, though it's not a dedicated free affiliate tool.
Pros
- Highly customizable referral and affiliate program templates
- Advanced analytics and reporting for tracking conversions
- Seamless integrations with CRMs, email tools, and e-commerce platforms
Cons
- No perpetual free plan, only a 14-day trial
- Pricing starts high at $200/month, limiting accessibility for small businesses
- Advanced features require higher-tier plans and some setup complexity
Best For
Mid-sized businesses seeking scalable, automated referral and affiliate programs with strong analytics, willing to invest in paid software.
Pricing
Paid plans start at $200/month (Startup), $500/month (Growth), and custom enterprise pricing; 14-day free trial available, no free tier.
Referral Factory
specializedNo-code referral and affiliate program builder with free basic plan, landing pages, automation, and analytics.
Drag-and-drop builder with pre-made templates for viral referral funnels
Referral Factory is a referral program software that enables businesses to create customizable referral and affiliate campaigns using a drag-and-drop builder. It automates reward distribution, tracks referrals in real-time, and integrates with tools like Zapier for seamless workflows. The free plan supports up to 100 rewards per month, making it suitable for small-scale affiliate programs focused on customer referrals.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop campaign builder
- Generous free plan with core referral tracking
- Automated multi-channel reward delivery
Cons
- Limited to 100 rewards per month on free plan
- Basic analytics and reporting in free tier
- No custom domains or advanced integrations for free users
Best For
Small businesses and startups launching simple affiliate or referral programs on a zero-budget.
Pricing
Free plan (100 rewards/month); paid plans start at $95/month for Starter (unlimited rewards, more features).
Gleam
specializedMarketing platform for affiliate promotions, referrals, and contests with a free plan supporting up to 10,000 entries monthly.
Viral referral actions that reward participants with extra contest entries for successful invites
Gleam is a versatile marketing platform primarily designed for running competitions, giveaways, and viral campaigns to boost social media engagement, email signups, and referrals. While it offers referral mechanics where users can earn entries by inviting friends, it lacks core affiliate program features like commission tracking, affiliate dashboards, and automated payouts. Its free plan makes it accessible for simple referral promotions, but it's better suited for one-off contests than ongoing affiliate management.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder for quick campaign setup
- Free plan supports basic referral contests with viral sharing
- Strong integrations with social media, email tools, and landing pages
Cons
- No commission calculation, tracking, or payout management
- Free plan limited to 1 live competition and 1,000 entries per month
- Not optimized for scalable, long-term affiliate programs
Best For
Small businesses or marketers running short-term referral giveaways to grow leads without needing advanced affiliate tracking.
Pricing
Free plan available (limited entries); paid plans start at $10/month for Pro with more entries and features.
ViralSweep
specializedPromotion platform for affiliate referrals, sweepstakes, and loyalty programs with free basic features and integrations.
Integrated referral system that rewards shares with bonus contest entries for effortless viral promotion
ViralSweep is a promotion platform specializing in sweepstakes, contests, and viral campaigns that includes basic referral mechanics for user-generated sharing and bonus entries. It supports lead generation through customizable promotions but lacks advanced affiliate tracking like commission management or multi-tier payouts. The free plan makes it accessible for simple referral programs, though it's more suited to contests than full affiliate software.
Pros
- User-friendly drag-and-drop builder for quick campaign setup
- Free plan with up to 100 entries per month
- Strong viral referral sharing integrated with contests
Cons
- No dedicated commission tracking or payout automation
- Limited customization and analytics on free tier
- Entry caps restrict scalability for larger affiliate programs
Best For
Small businesses or marketers running budget-friendly referral contests rather than complex affiliate networks.
Pricing
Free plan (100 entries/month, basic features); Pro starts at $59/month; higher tiers up to $499/month.
Woobox
specializedSocial media promotion tool for affiliate and referral campaigns with a free plan for basic contests and lead generation.
Seamless multi-platform social contest and giveaway creation
Woobox is a social media marketing platform designed for creating contests, giveaways, polls, quizzes, and promotional campaigns across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. It facilitates audience engagement, lead collection, and traffic generation through customizable landing pages and entry forms. However, it is not a dedicated affiliate program software, lacking features like referral tracking, commission management, affiliate dashboards, or payout systems. A limited free plan is available for basic promotional activities.
Pros
- User-friendly interface for quick campaign setup
- Strong integrations with major social media platforms
- Free plan suitable for small-scale promotions
Cons
- No native affiliate tracking or commission tools
- Limited customization for complex affiliate needs
- Free plan has significant restrictions and branding
Best For
Small businesses or social media marketers running basic giveaways and contests, not full affiliate programs.
Pricing
Free plan available; paid plans start at $39/month (Pro) up to $199/month (Enterprise).
Conclusion
After reviewing the top 10 tools, GoAffPro emerges as the top choice, offering an all-in-one platform with a free plan that provides unlimited affiliates and customizable features. UpPromote and Partnero follow closely, each with unique strengths—UpPromote excels in tiered commissions and fraud prevention for Shopify, while Partnero focuses on flexible transaction limits and API integrations, making them strong alternatives for different needs. For those seeking easy setup and scalability, these tools deliver reliable free options to grow their affiliate programs.
Take the first step toward successful affiliate marketing by trying GoAffPro’s free plan—start leveraging its features today to drive more referrals and boost your business.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
