The 66 Best Recurring Affiliate Programs to Snowball Your Income in 2022 by Emily Brookes
Originally published on www.nichepursuits.com
Affiliate Marketing
Whether you’re an established blogger or you’re just starting out in the world of affiliate marketing, finding the right affiliate programs to join is key to your long-term success. Choosing a product or service that offers recurring commissions can be very lucrative, as it allows your income to snowball over time as more people purchase through your links. In this article, we’re sharing 66 of the best recurring affiliate programs in a variety of different niches to help you find the best (and most profitable) affiliate programs to join.
What is a Recurring Affiliate Program?
Recurring affiliate programs allow you to earn a recurring commission for people that purchase a product or service through your affiliate link. There are different ways to promote these, but having your own website with traffic or a popular social media channel is a good place to start.
How are Affiliate Programs With Recurring Commissions Different?
Affiliate programs generally pay a commission the first time someone signs up for a service or buys a product. However, affiliate programs with recurring commissions allow you to earn a commission on every purchase that person makes. This is great for subscription services or products that run out every few weeks, to give you an example.
Every affiliate program operates slightly differently, but as a general rule, there are no restrictions on how many affiliate programs you can promote.
However, you want your website visitors to feel confident in the product you are promoting. If you water this down too much, they may decide not to purchase from you at all.
Recurring Affiliate Programs for Email Marketing
Convertkit
Convertkit is a powerful email marketing tool popular with bloggers and small businesses alike. Convertkit’s affiliate program pays a 30% recurring commission every month for 24 months for every paying customer who signs up through your affiliate link.
Aweber
Aweber is a popular email marketing platform that also has the ability to send push notifications and help users set up a landing page. Alongside a 365-day cookie window, Aweber offers affiliates a 30% commission on the initial sale, plus 30% recurring affiliate commission on all monthly payments that recur after this.
Your commission rates will increase to 40% once you’ve referred 10 accounts in a 12-month period. Rates will also increase again to 50% once you refer 50 new customers in a 12-month period.
ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign is an email marketing and marketing automation platform that’s perfect for anyone selling digital products, services or even physical products.
This platform offers partners an initial 20% of monthly fees for the lifetime of any referral’s subscription. This increases to 30% the longer they have an active subscription.
GetResponse
GetResponse is a powerful email marketing tool that combines marketing automation, conversion funnels, landing pages, and more.
It pays $100 for any initial sales that are made through your affiliate link. On top of this, affiliates also earn a 33% commission for recurring payments for the lifetime of the customer’s subscription.
Mailerlite
Despite its name, MailerLite offers much more than just email support. It has a range of features including helping you grow your mailing list, setting up popups on your website, and setting up full-on promotional campaigns.
Mailerlite’s recurring affiliate program offers a 33% lifetime commission for anyone that takes the plunge and signs up using your affiliate link.
Drip
Drip is an email marketing, marketing automation, and CRM designed specifically for e-commerce brands.
Their affiliate program is aimed at agencies and pays a 30% commission each month for the lifetime of the customer referred using your link.
Moosend
If you’re looking for software to help you design emails that encourage your customers to click through to your products, then Moosend could be a perfect choice. They’re keen to help their affiliate team members and have a tracking dashboard and lots of support.
They also pay a lifetime recurring commission of 30% for those that sign up using your link and stay members.
BenchMark
BenchMark offers a range of email marketing tools. Its aim is to be a one-stop shop for businesses owners who want to email their customers on a regular basis. Benchmark offers a wide range of tools for affiliates to help with the promotion of their link.
They also pay a lifetime recurring commission of 25% for anyone who signs up.
Recurring Affiliate Programs for CRM Software
Pipedrive
Pipedrive is a web-based sales-focused CRM and pipeline management tool. It is designed to help businesses plan promotions and monitor their sales. Pipedrive focuses on activity-based selling and streamlines actions to make the platform easy to use.
They pay affiliates 20% of all revenue from the customers you refer during year one. This means you get 20% of their monthly subscription every month for the first year, plus 20% of any add-ons they might buy.
Ontraport
Ontraport is a popular CRM and marketing automation platform that aims to help businesses manage and scale through Ontraport’s automation tools.
It offers a generous affiliate program, giving you 25% of the monthly fees for each person who signs up through your link for the lifetime of their subscription.
Wishpond
Wishpond is a powerful landing page and contest creator, popular with content creators who offer digital products like webinars and online courses. They’re known for their easy-to-use platform and variety of tools.
Publishers can earn a recurring 30% commission for the lifetime of each referee’s subscription.
Recurring Affiliate Programs for Hosting
Cloudways
CloudWays offers cloud-based WordPress hosting solutions to those needing space online to host their own website. Their affiliate program works in two ways.
First, they offer a flat-rate commission of $125 per sale. This is known as the ‘Slab’ option. The second option is to sign up for their Hybrid affiliate program. This pays $30 upon someone signing up initially through your link and then 7% for any recurring affiliate commissions.
Kinsta
Kinsta is well known for offering secure, super-fast web hosting with great customer service.
Their affiliate program pays an initial fee of up to $500 per referral. After that, you will also earn 10% every month for the lifetime of their subscription with Kinsta.
RoseHosting
When you consider that RoseHosting has been offering hosting services since 2001, it’s safe to say that they’re pretty good at what they do.
If you choose to Join RoseHosting’s affiliate program, you’ll earn 50% straight off the bat for any sales you make and then a 10% ongoing recurring commission.
Recurring Affiliate Programs for YouTubers
VidIQ
VidIQ is a popular YouTube SEO platform. It helps YouTubers rank higher in search results and gives video suggestions based on the channel’s content.
The affiliate program offers a sliding commission scale, depending on how many customers you refer. For less than ten sales, it’s 15%, rising to 20% for 11-50 sales and 25% for over 50 sales.
TubeBuddy
TubeBuddy is a browser extension that gives YouTubers the tools to rank higher in search and get more views. With tools like the A/B thumbnail testing and topic suggestions, the app gives creators tools to manage their channel as well as optimize and grow.
Publishers can join the recurring commission affiliate program and earn up to 30% of subscription fees forever. There is also free access to the top-tier plans for high earners.
Recurring Affiliate Programs for Landing Pages and Funnels
Leadpages
Leadpages is a landing page builder that helps small businesses build an audience and turn viewers into email subscribers and sales. The platform offers several tools to improve web presence. This includes a landing page and website builder.
It offers a generous affiliate program, giving affiliates up to 50% commission on all sales, including upgrades, renewals, and one-off purchases for the lifetime of the customer’s subscription.
Instapage
Instapage is a powerful landing page builder which is known for high levels of customization. In particular, they’re popular for their feature that automatically adjusts the landing page according to a user’s geographical location.
They offer a generous 50% commission on each referred customer in your first year. After that, it drops to a recurring 30% commission for the lifetime of the user’s subscription.
Kartra
Kartra is an all-in-one eCommerce platform that combines marketing, web hosting, and business management into one holistic marketing platform. The software is hugely popular with new businesses, thanks to its well-reviewed customer support.
Affiliates can earn up to 40% commission for the lifetime of each subscription bought through your link.
Clickfunnels
ClickFunnels is a sales funnel builder designed to help small businesses to increase their sales using high-converting sales funnels. The platform is popular for new entrepreneurs, thanks to its easy setup and automation process.
This affiliate program offers affiliates up to 40% commission. They also hold regular competitions where top affiliates can enter to win a car of their choice.
Recurring Affiliate Programs for WordPress Themes
Thrive Themes
Anyone who has designed a WordPress website knows that having a decent theme is important. Well, Thrive Themes has plenty to choose from, along with a range of useful WordPress plugins.
For every new sale you bring to their platform via your affiliate link, they’ll pay you a 35% commission. After that, you’ll get 25% as a recurring lifetime commission for as long as they have an active Thrive Themes subscription.
Elegant Themes
Elegant Themes offers a range of beautifully designed WordPress themes, including the popular Divi theme—widely considered one of the best WordPress themes for beginners. Whatever type of WordPress blog or website you want to create, Elegant Themes should have a theme to suit.
Their affiliate program is one of the best around, too! Not only do they pay a massive 50% commission on new sales, but you’ll also get that recurring for any membership renewals!
Membermouse
MemberMouse allows you to set up a members-only area on your website. For example, you can use it if you’re offering the opportunity for paid-up members to participate in an online course.
They offer recurring commissions of 25% for up to a year of membership following them signing up through your link.
Superbthemes
SuperbThemes offers fast, SEO-optimized themes for WordPress websites.
They offer a generous commission scheme that pays 60% commission for every sale that you make. On top of that, they offer recurring yearly commissions for anyone that signs up for any of their ongoing subscription services.
Recurring Affiliate Programs for Chat Software
LiveChat
LiveChat is a live chat software platform that helps its clients boost sales by starting conversations and solving problems. It uses a mixture of AI and human interaction to save business owners time and money. It’s known for its smart delegation software and various integrations.
The LiveChat affiliate program offers up to 27% commission with 120-day cookies and 24/7 support for publishers.
Olark
Olark is a simple-to-use live chat platform that is known for intuitive AI and great chat window templates that are customizable to your brand. The messages are automated and designed in the same way as sales funnels in order to boost conversions.
The partner program offers a 20% commission for new referrals. It also pays commissions on renewals for up to a year.
ProvideSupport
ProvideSupport is a popular live chat service that promises easy setup and integration. It’s also one of the most established companies in the industry, having been running for 18 years.
ProvideSupport is known for excellent customer support and ease of use. They offer a 30% recurring commission on new sales, renewals, and upgrades for the lifetime of the subscription.
Purechat
Purechat is a powerful live chat system specializing in small and medium-sized businesses. All membership tiers come with unlimited chats as standard, with options to add full transcript history, widget customization, and unlimited operators.
They offer 25%+ commission on either a one-off or recurring basis.
Liveagent
Liveagent was one of the first platforms to offer live chat and help desk services. Fifteen years later, it’s still one of the most affordable and highly-rated solutions on the market.
Their affiliate program pays affiliates $5 just for signing up, followed by a 20% commission on all payments for the lifetime of the referral’s subscription.
Crisp
Crisp Chat is a messaging app that allows you to connect with customers across multiple platforms in one simplified shared inbox, ensuring that you never miss a message.
It offers a lucrative affiliate program paying affiliates a 20% commission on sign-ups and offers a marketing discussion on Slack to help you boost sales.
Recurring Affiliate Programs for Online Course Software
Teachable
Teachable is one of the leading online course builders, targeted to creators looking to offer a digital product to their audience. It’s known for its wide range of integrations and ease of use.
Their affiliate program offers up to 30% commission for the lifetime of a referral’s subscription, depending on how many referrals you make.
Podia
Podia is an all-encompassing creation and marketing tool. Users can build websites, landing pages, and online courses, as well as use the platform to manage, market, and sell their products.
Affiliate marketers can make up to 30% commission for the lifetime of the referral’s subscription.
Thinkific
Thinkific is a course creation tool with a cult following. It’s one of the best options for creating and selling subscription-based courses, offering plenty of ways for you to connect with your students.
They offer a competitive affiliate program, giving publishers 30% lifetime recurring commissions, regardless of sales figures.
Recurring Affiliate Programs for Time Tracking Software
RescueTime
RescueTime is an automatic time-tracking and time management tool to help freelancers and business owners stay on track. The time management tool is combined with productivity software that shows you how to better manage your time.
It offers one of the smallest referral fees at just 15% for sign-ups. However, it’s a service that many people would use, which makes up for it.
TimeDoctor
TimeDoctor is a time management platform for small businesses that allows employers to track their employee’s time. The platform also offers advice on staying focused and being productive; it’s become a popular tool for project management professionals.
The affiliate program offers publishers up to 30% commission on every sale, while offering higher commissions for top affiliates.
Recurring Affiliate Programs for Graphic Design
Stencil
Stencil is one of the most popular online graphic design tools. It was built specifically for small business owners and bloggers and focuses on easy-to-use design tools with a wide range of templates.
Affiliates can receive a 30% recurring commission on each sale, with payouts handled by PayPal.
PicMonkey
PicMonkey is one of the internet’s most long-established picture editing platforms. It started out as one of the most basic tools on the market and has since become one of the go-to platforms for content creators to edit images.
This program requires potential affiliates to fill in a form before finding out any details, but other creators have suggested an average referral fee of 25%.
Snappa
Snappa is a relatively new player in the world of online graphics creation tools, but it’s already gained a cult following and excellent reviews. Aimed at people who need simple software, it’s ideal for new creators on a budget.
They offer one of the most generous referral schemes, rewarding publishers with a 40% recurring commission for the lifetime of subscriptions.
Recurring Affiliate Programs for Ecommerce and Dropshipping
Eggflow
Eggflow is a marketing automation and lead generation tool for e-commerce businesses. It focuses on making inbound marketing easy for beginners. It’s known for being simple to use and having a huge number of high-profile integrations like Shopify and WordPress.
The Eggflow affiliate program offers up to 20% recurring commission for the lifetime of subscriptions created through your link.
MarketHero
MarketHero is an email automation platform for e-commerce businesses. It combines AI and sales tracking to create compelling email marketing communications. The platform also offers autoresponders that are customized based on the individual’s actions on your website.
Publishers can earn 30% lifetime recurring commissions on referrals, representing one of the most attractive programs for affiliates.
Dropified
Dropified is a powerful dropshipping tool that helps users access wholesalers who will handle the dropshipping for you, as well as manage weekly earnings reports. The customer service team helps new users improve their sales through targeted and one-on-one advice.
The Dropified affiliate program allows users to make 20% recurring commissions for up to one year after a user has signed up.
SamCart
SamCart is a unique e-commerce platform, created with bloggers in mind. The platform offers web-based checkout pages, with high-converting templates that allow users to sell one-off products and subscriptions. It also focuses on upselling within the checkout page, to effortlessly increase revenue.
Affiliates can earn up to $995 per sale along with recurring commissions for each user who stays subscribed.
PayHip
PayHip is one of the internet’s most powerful payment platforms. It’s incredibly popular with bloggers thanks to its easy-to-use design and high-converting sales funnels targeted specifically at online course sales and digital downloads.
They offer an impressive 50% recurring commission for each new customer that signs up through your link, making it a great way to earn.
Spocket
Spocket is a powerful platform designed specifically for US and EU-based dropshippers. The platform makes it easy for users to start drop-shipping products by putting you in touch with wholesalers and also offering advice on how to improve sales.
It offers affiliates up to $450 for each customer they bring in, alongside a 30% recurring commission for 15 months.
Sellfy
Sellfy is a platform that allows users to create their own ecommerce store with very little experience. The platform offers beautifully designed, high-converting templates, step-by-step guides and marketing tools, and also advice for both a user’s website and for marketing on social media.
They offer affiliates a 25% lifetime recurring commission for every user they bring in.
SendowL
Sendowl is a platform that allows creators to sell and deliver digital products. It’s one of the most versatile digital product selling platforms, allowing users to distribute audiobooks, ebooks, podcasts, photography, software, membership subscriptions, and even event tickets.
The affiliate program offers publishers a 20% lifetime recurring revenue on all future signups.
SocialPilot
SocialPilot is designed to be a social media tool that can be used by both individuals and businesses of any size. They offer a range of packages, and as an affiliate, you can earn a 20% commission on any sales you make.
They have a range of pre-written content and creative assets that affiliates can use to promote the products in the best possible way.
Crowdfire
Crowdfire is designed to help you discover new content worth sharing and manage all your social media accounts from one place.
They offer recurring commission payments for the first year of any sign-ups using your link, paying 35% for each payment made.
Tailwind
Tailwind is designed to help with bulk uploading and optimization of social media feeds on both Instagram and Pinterest.
They have a comprehensive affiliate marketing program that allows you to earn up to 15% commission for any sales you make and any ongoing renewals.
SocialOomph
SocialOomph is not only designed to help you streamline your social media, but it’s designed to help ensure that your social media presence is as productive as possible.
They offer a recurring 50% commission for anyone that upgrades to their Professional package. On top of that, if anyone signs up under you to also be an affiliate, you’ll also earn a 5% commission on their sales!
AgoraPulse
AgoraPulse has a range of features in terms of social media management, including managing your inbox and publishing new content. Their plug-in makes it easy for affiliate links to be shared and therefore offers the best chance of earning a commission.
The affiliate program pays a recurring commission of 15% for each sign-up you generate.
Recurring Affiliate Programs for SEO
Semrush
Semrush is a popular all-in-one marketing tool designed to help with SEO, competitor research, social media, and content marketing.
Their affiliate program is free to join and works on every sale and subscription renewal made using your link, paying you 40% commission each time.
Mangools
Mangools is a set of 5 SEO tools designed to help you perfect your SEO and digital marketing presence.
They offer a lifetime commission rate of 30% on each full-price payment made through your unique link. If someone purchases at a discount, then your commission is reduced accordingly.
Serpstat
Serpstat is an all-in-one SEO platform designed to help you succeed in all areas of digital marketing, SEO, and PPC.
They offer an affiliate program that pays up to 30% payment on the first sale alongside a 30% commission on any subsequent payments for the lifetime of that customer.
LongTailPro
LongTailPro offers a range of tools to assist with your keyword research and SEO.
Their affiliate program pays a 30% commission on any new sales that you make. It also pays a 30% commission on any future recurring transactions for any monthly or annual subscription plans.
FATJOE
FatJoe offers a range of SEO and digital marketing services, allowing everything to be taken care of in one place.
They pay a 10% commission on any sales that you make for the lifetime of the customer. Whether that is someone signing up for a monthly payment or just a one-off purchase, you will earn every time they purchase.
SpyFu
SpyFu is a full marketing suite that gives users the tools to analyze PPC data and manage backlink outreach.
Alongside a 365-day tracking code for your cookies, SpyFu offers a 40% monthly recurring commission payment for any signups you generate via your link.
The Best Recurring Affiliate Program for Influencer Marketing
NinjaOutreach
NinjaOutreach is a tool designed to help businesses to find and connect with influencers in their niche. Features include email integration, analytics, and social media publishing.
They offer a recurring commission of 20% for each sign-up you refer to their platform if they sign up to one of their 4 subscription plan choices.
Recurring Affiliate Programs for Stock Photography
Deposit Photos
Deposit Photos is a royalty-free image selling platform encompassing video and music. It’s one of the more niche platforms for buying and selling stock images, which makes it a popular choice for users to find unique content.
The partnership program allows publishers to earn a 15% commission from every first-time purchase made through their link.
Recurring Affiliate Programs for affiliate marketing
Post Affiliate Pro
Post Affiliate Pro is an affiliate marketing tracking software. It allows companies to create their own affiliate programs, track user performance, assign commissions and issue payouts. It’s one of the best options for small businesses looking to start their own affiliate program.
Publishers can earn a 20% recurring monthly commission as well as a one-off bonus just for signing up.
Recurring Affiliate Programs for VPNs
HideMyAss
HideMyAss is one of the biggest VPN providers on the market. It allows users to choose from more than 290 locations across the globe, all with high-speed connections and a proxy to access blocked websites.
HMA claims to have one of the best VPN affiliate programs in the industry but isn’t currently accepting new users. However, you can email them to join the waiting list and find out when they are accepting new affiliates.
ZenmateVPN
Zenmate VPN is a fairly new platform but has quickly gained a great reputation. It’s well known for its ease of use, simply sitting in Chrome as a browser extension, so it’s easy to access and adjust settings.
They have one of the most unique commission structures on the market, offering publishers 100% of the initial sign-up fee, followed by a 35% recurring commission.
PureVPN
PureVPN was voted the best VPN service for 2022. It boasts a selection of over 300,000 anonymous IP addresses across more than 6,500 encrypted servers, making it one of the largest networks on the market that offers a high degree of anonymity.
The affiliate commission structure is competitively priced, offering 100% of initial sales, followed by a 35% recurring commission.
TorGuard
TorGuard VPN is one of the highest-rated VPN platforms on Trustpilot. It’s famed for being particularly secure and reliable, offering a stable connection, complete anonymity, and lightning-fast speeds.
The affiliate program offers publishers a 30% recurring lifetime commission with quick payouts.
Recurring Affiliate Programs for Webinar Software
WebinarNinja
WebinarNinja allows users to create and hold webinars as well as distribute recordings. It is considered one of the best in-browser webinar softwares in the industry, making it easy for anyone to get started. It’s tailored toward content creators and digital educators and is known for its ease of use.
Their platform offers publishers a 30% commission rate that’s recurring and lasts the lifetime of the referral’s subscription.
EasyWebinar
EasyWebinar is a powerful yet easy-to-use platform that encompasses webinar creation and hosting. It also provides webinar marketing tools for cross-platform promotion that allows you to show up wherever your customers are.
Anyone can join the EasyWebinar affiliate program, which offers an impressive 30% recurring flat referral fee, regardless of sales figures.
For any affiliate scheme, recurring or otherwise, to be successful, you need to have plenty of traffic driven towards your link. Much like any other product, you need to consider the best way to promote and market this to give you the best possible chance of success.
So, what are some of the ways you should consider when promoting your recurring affiliate programs?
1 – Reviews
Consumers are switched on these days and are always looking up products and services before they use them. A comprehensive review of the product not only gives them the answers they are looking for but could encourage them to click through and purchase using your link – earning you a commission along the way.
2 – Tutorials
Much like the search for reviews, people also want to know how to use things effectively and therefore get the best value for the money out of their product. Creating a page with hacks, hints and tips, and a guide on how to use the product you’re selling can really help.
3 – Roundups
Roundups work in a similar way to a review page. However, with a round-up post you would write about a handful of products/services rather than just promoting one.
Consumers generally like comparisons so they can see which choice would be the best one for them. This can be a great way of promoting your affiliate link.
4 – On your resources page
Putting yourself out there as an expert on a particular subject is a great way to gain confidence from your potential customers. Sharing useful resources alongside a few words as to why or how you found them useful is a great way to share this knowledge with website visitors and use an affiliate link as you do.
Take a look at the Niche Pursuits Business Tools page for an example of how this can work.
5 – Case Studies
Case studies are a great way of injecting some real life into any product or service recommendations. The right examples can help your potential customers put themselves in the shoes of people that have found the product you’re promoting useful – and therefore, it would make sense that they purchase it too!
6 – In your blog content and on Social Media
Blog content and social media channels are a great way to promote products to people that are already interested in what you have to say. Social media influencers also often have great success promoting products and services. This is because their followers already know, like, and trust them.
How many Recurring affiliate programs should I join?
Multiple income streams are always a good idea, so it can be tempting to simply join every single affiliate program going.
However, while there is no limit on how many you can join, you do want to be seen as an authority figure rather than someone just promoting products to make money. It is often more beneficial to pick the products/services you believe in the most, and choose the best affiliate program for each area of your business.
Pros:
- Low start-up costs
- High earning potential
- Earn every month
- High rates
- Generate over time
- You only have to find a paying customer once and earn multiple commissions from them
Cons:
- are very competitive
- If you’re starting from scratch you may not see a return for 6-12 months
Overall, yes, recurring affiliate programs can be a great way to generate long-term passive income. However, if you want to stay authentic to your brand, it’s important to promote affiliate programs that you believe in and are relevant to your audience.
If there are no recurring affiliate programs in your niche, it might be worth considering another method of monetization instead. Some good alternatives to affiliate marketing include building your own online course and monetizing through display ads. Ezoic is a great option for display ads, particularly if you’re new to blogging and niche sites. You can check out our full Ezoic Review here.
