The Good Tech Companies - The 5 Best Free Affiliate Marketing Software for SaaS Companies in 2025

Episode Date: June 25, 2025

This story was originally published on HackerNoon at: https://hackernoon.com/the-5-best-free-affiliate-marketing-software-for-saas-companies-in-2025. Learn about the best free affiliate marketing software for SaaS companies and start boosting your sales effortlessly. Check more stories related to business at: https://hackernoon.com/c/business. You can also check exclusive content about #saas, #saas-marketing, #saas-startups, #affiliate-marketing, #affiliate-marketing-software, #affiliate-marketing-saas, #saas-marketing-tips, #good-company, and more. This story was written by: @endorsely. Learn more about this writer by checking @endorsely's about page, and for more stories, please visit hackernoon.com. A new generation of affiliate platforms has emerged specifically for SaaS companies. Endorsely's Affiliate Finder crawls the web to identify bloggers, influencers, and content creators already promoting tools similar to yours, while their Content Studio tracks every piece of content affiliates publish about your product.

This audio is presented by Hacker Noon, where anyone can learn anything about any technology. The 5 best free affiliate marketing software for SaaS companies in 2025. By Indorsly, last month, I watched a fellow SaaS founder nearly tear his hair out trying to track affiliate commissions using a platform designed for selling sneakers. Hissaffiliates were promoting a $99 per month project management tool, but the software could only handle one-off sales. Every time someone upgraded from a trial top-aid, downgraded their plan, or churned after three months, the tracking went they wire.

His affiliates couldn't see their recurring earnings, he couldn't calculate lifetime value per partner, and everyone was frustrated. Sound familiar? Most affiliate marketing platforms were built for e-commerce stores selling physical products, not SaaS companies managing subscription revenue. They're designed around single transactions, not the complex dance of trials, upgrades, downgrades, and monthly recurring revenue that defines our industry. This creates a perfect storm of problems. You're stuck manually calculating recurring

commissions, your affiliates can't track their subscription-based earnings properly, and you're missing crucial data about which partners drive customers who stick around versus those who churn. Meanwhile, you're bleeding potential revenue because quality affiliates won't promote products

they can't track effectively. The good news? A new generation of affiliate platforms has emerged specifically for SaaS companies. After testing dozens of platforms over the past two years and implementing affiliate programs for multiple SaaS businesses, I can confidently say that the best free affiliate marketing software for SaaS in 2025 is EndorSly. In this guide, I'll walk you through the five best free options for affiliate marketing platforms designed with SaaS companies in mind.

We'll cover everything from AI-powered affiliate discovery to subscription tracking capabilities. Soyo can choose the platform that'll actually help you build a thriving partner program, not just add another headache to your plate. 1. IndorSly. Best overall free SaaS affiliate platform. Best for Early-stage to mid-sized SaaS companies wanting high-powered affiliate discovery and automated program management.

Here's what stands out about Endorsely right from the start. It's the only platform I found that uses AI to literally show you your ideal affiliates there by analyzing your competitors. Instead of starting with an empty database and hoping quality partners will magically find you, Endorsely's affiliate finder crawls the web to identify bloggers, influencers, and content creators already promoting tools similar to yours. I tested this feature with a client's email marketing SaaS, and within minutes, we had a list of 47 potential affiliates who were actively reviewing and promoting competing tools like Mailchimp and ConvertKit. These weren't random influencers, they were people already creating content in our exact

niche, with audiences genuinely interested in email marketing solutions. It was like having a research team hand you a golden list of warm prospects. But the AI discovery is just the beginning. Indorsly's Content Studio feature has become my secret weapon for affiliate management. It automatically tracks every piece of content your affiliates publish about your product. This isn't just helpful for monitoring quality and performance, it's crucial for providing feedback and helping your partners create more effective promotional content. The real win for SaaS companies is IndorSlea's subscription tracking.

Unlike traditional affiliate software that treats every sale as a one-time event, IndorSleep automatically tracks trial signups, trial to paid conversions, plan upgrades, downgrades, and even churn attribution. You can see exactly which affiliates drive customers with high lifetime value versus those who bring in users that cancel after a month. Key Features AI Affiliate Discovery discovery finds competitors partners automatically. Content Studio tracks all affiliate generated content. Subscription focused analytics, LTV, churn, upgrade tracking.

Five minute setup with native Stripe and paddle integration. Automated recurring commission calculations and payouts. White labeled affiliate portal on your domain. Custom promo codes for platforms where links aren't allowed. Free plan details. Completely free until you hit $1,000 per month in affiliate-driven revenue. Then just $39 per month for the pro plan. No setup fees, no per-transaction costs, and you can cancel anytime.

Pros. Genuinely free until you're making money from affiliates. AI discovery saves months of manual partner research. Built specifically for SaaS subscription models. Excellent onboarding and clean, intuitive interface. Automatic recurring commission handling. Content tracking helps optimize affiliate performance. Cons.

Newer platform with fewer third-party integrations than established competitors. Analytics are solid but not as advanced as enterprise-level solutions. Relies heavily on Stripe, Paddle for full functionality. Wyatt's number one. Endorcely solves the two biggest challenges SaaS companies face with affiliate marketing. Finding quality partners and managing subscription-based commissions, with elegant automation that just works. And it's the only free affiliate marketing software for SaaS that allows you time to

grow before you start paying. Check out Endorsely here too. First Promoter Best for Stripe-heavy SaaS companies Best for SaaS companies deeply integrated with Stripe who need robust subscription tracking and fraud detection First Promoter feels like it was built by someone who actually understands the Stripe ecosystem inside and out.

If your entire billing infrastructure runs on Stripe, this platform integrates so seamlessly it feels like a native Stripe feature. The setup process connects directly to your Stripe account, automatically importing customer data, subscription plans, and payment events. What sets First Promoter apart is its sophisticated approach to subscription analytics. The platform doesn't just track when someone signs up through an affiliate link, it follows the entire customer journey. You can see trial conversion rates per affiliate, average revenue per user, ARPU, by traffic source, and even churn patterns attributed to specific partners. The fraud detection capabilities are particularly impressive.

First Promoter uses machine learning to identify suspicious referral patterns, duplicate accounts, and other common affiliate fraud schemes. Key features DeepStripe integration with automatic data sync Real-time subscription tracking and churn analysis. Advanced fraud detection and prevention. Multi-tier commission structures. Automated email sequences for affiliate onboarding. Custom tracking parameters for campaign analysis.

Free plan. 14-day trial with full features, then pricing starts at $49 per month. While not technically free, many SaaS companies consider the trial period sufficient for testing. Pros Exceptional Stripe integration and subscription tracking Robust fraud detection keeps your program clean Detailed analytics help optimize partner performance Responsive customer support with strong technical knowledge

Handles complex commission scenarios well Cons No true free tier, just a trial period with strong technical knowledge, handles complex commission scenarios well. Cons No true free tier, just a trial period. Limited payment processor options beyond Stripe. Interface feels more technical than user-friendly. No built-in affiliate discovery tools. Bottom line. If you're a Stripe-powered SaaS company willing to pay for premium features, First Promoter

delivers enterprise-level subscription tracking. However, Endorsely's free tier and AI discovery tools make it more accessible for growing companies. 3. Rewardful. Best for marketing team-friendly setup. Best for. Marketing teams who want quick setup without technical complexity and build an affiliate discovery features Rewardful strikes a nice balance between simplicity and functionality. The platform was clearly designed with non-technical marketing teams in mind. Everything from the onboarding flow to the dashboard interface prioritizes ease of use over advanced features. You can have a basic affiliate program running in about 15 minutes, even if you've never set up tracking before. Rewardful strength lies in its marketing automation features.

The platform includes pre-built email templates for affiliate outreach, automated onboarding sequences, and social sharing tools that make it easy for partners to promote your product across different channels. Key features, credit-based affiliate discovery system, marketing automation and email templates, SEO-friendly affiliate links and custom domains, real-time analytics and conversion tracking, Stripe and Paddle integration for SaaS companies, social sharing tools for affiliates, free plan, 30-day trial with full access, then $49 per month for the starter plan, limited free features after trial period, pros, very

user-friendly interface designed for marketers. Good selection of automation and outreach tools. Solid integration with major payment processors. Reasonable pricing for small to medium teams. Helpful customer support and documentation. Cons. Limited free usage after trial period. Affiliate discovery isn't as sophisticated as AI-powered alternatives.

Analytics are basic compared to more advanced platforms. Fewer customization options for complex commission structures. The verdict? Rewardful works well for marketing teams who prioritize ease of use and don't need advanced features. However, the limited free tier and basic affiliate discovery make Endorsely a more compelling choice for budget-conscious SaaS companies. 4. Post-Affiliate Pro. Best for advanced SaaS tracking. Best for SaaS companies needing complex tracking setups, multi-tier commissions, and enterprise-level

features Post-Affiliate Pro is the Swiss army knife of affiliate marketing platforms. It's been around longer than most competitors and offers an impressive array of advanced features that can handle virtually any tracking scenario you can imagine. If you need multi-tier commissions, complex attribution models, or integration with unusual payment systems, this platform probably supports it. The subscription tracking capabilities are robust, with detailed analytics for trial conversions, upgrade paths, and churn attribution. You can create sophisticated commission structures that account for different subscription plans, contract lengths, and customer segments.

However, all this power comes with a learning curve. Post-Affiliate Pro feels like enterprise software. It can do almost anything, but you'll need to invest time learning how to configure it properly. The interface isn't as intuitive as newer platforms, and the setup process can be overwhelming for first-time users. Key features, advanced multi-tier commission structures, comprehensive API for custom integrations, detailed fraud detection and prevention tools, white label affiliate portals and branding. A, B testing capabilities for tracking links.

Integration with 100 plus payment processors and shopping carts. Free plan. Limited free version available with basic features and restricted affiliate click limits. Full features require paid plans starting around $97 per month. Pros. Extremely flexible and customizable platform. Handles complex commission scenarios well. Strong API and integration capabilities.

Comprehensive fraud protection features. Long track record and stable platform. Cons Steep learning curve and complex interface. Limited free tier with restricted functionality. Can feel overwhelming for simple affiliate programs. Higher pricing for full feature access. Setup requires more technical knowledge. Reality check. Post Affiliate Pro offers enterprise-level capabilities that most

SaaS companies simply don't need. Unless you have complex tracking requirements that simpler platforms can't handle, Endorsely's user-friendly approach and generous free tier provide better value. 5. Referral Candy. Best for e-commerce SaaS hybrids. Best for. SaaS companies that also sell physical products or have hybrid business models combining subscriptions and one-time sales referral candy originally focused on e-commerce referral programs, but they've expanded to support SaaS companies with subscription tracking and recurring commission features. If you're running a SaaS business that also sells physical products, training courses, or other one-time purchases, Referral Candy can handle both revenue streams in a single

platform. The platform's strength lies in its referral-focused approach rather than traditional affiliate marketing. It's designed to turn your existing customers into O-brand advocates, with automated email campaigns that encourage referral sans social sharing tools that make it easy for customers to spread the word. The subscription features are adequate but not as sophisticated as platforms built specifically for SaaS. You can track recurring revenue and set up commission structures for monthly subscriptions,

but the analytics don't dive as deep into SaaS-specific metrics like customer lifetime value attribution or churn analysis by traffic source. Key features Customer referral automation and email campaigns Social sharing tools and viral marketing features Basic subscription tracking in recurring commissions Integration with popular e-commerce and SaaS platforms. Fraud detection and duplicate referral prevention.

Customizable referral rewards and incentive structures. Free plan. Limited trial period, then pricing starts at $59 per month. No true free tier for ongoing use. Pros. Excellent for customer referral programs. Good social sharing and viral marketing tools Handles both subscription and one-time sales Strong automation features for customer outreach Established platform with reliable performance

Cons Limited free usage and higher pricing SaaS features aren't as advanced as specialized platforms Focus on referrals rather than affiliate partnerships. Analytics lack SaaS-specific insights. Better suited for customer referrals than affiliate marketing. The bottom line. Referral candy works for SaaS companies focused on customer referrals rather than affiliate partnerships. Feature comparison. How they stack up. Here's a side-by-side comparison of the key features and capabilities that matter most for SaaS affiliate programs. Endorce Lee First Promoter Rewardful Post Affiliate Pro Referral Candy

Best for AI-powered affiliate Discovery Stripe Heavy SaaS Companies Marketing-friendly setup Advanced tracking needs e-commerce SaaS hybrids Standout competitor affiliate analysis Deep Stripe integration User-friendly interface Enterprise- level features customer referral focus free plan until $1000 per month revenue 14-day trial only 30-day trial only limited free tier trial period only SAAS focus built specifically for SaaS excellent subscription tracking good SaaS support advanced SaaS features basic SaaS capabilities setup time 5-10 minutes 15-20 minutes 10-15 minutes 30-60 minutes 15 to 20 minutes, 10 to 15 minutes, 30 to 60 minutes, 15 to 25 minutes. Looking at this comparison, Indorsly's combination of true free usage, SaaS specific features, and iPower Discovery creates a compelling value proposition.

The AI affiliate discovery feature essentially gives you a research team's worth of work in minutes. Professional tips for choosing SaaS affiliate software. After implementing affiliate programs for dozens of SaaS companies, here's what actually matters. Subscription-specific tracking is non-negotiable. Your platform must understand that SaaS revenue doesn't work like e-commerce sales. Look for trial conversion tracking, upgrade, downgrade attribution, and churn analysis by traffic source. If a platform can't tell you which affiliates drive customers who stick around versus those who cancel, you're flying blind. Payment processor integration saves massive headaches. Choose a platform that integrates natively with your billing system, stripe, paddle, etc. Manual

commission calculations are a nightmare when dealing with prorated upgrades Andre funds. Manual commission calculations are a nightmare when dealing with prorated upgrades Andre funds. Start with discovery, not just management. Finding quality partners is often the biggest challenge. Prioritize platforms that help you identify potential affiliates through AI analysis, built-in directories, or search tools. Free doesn't always mean cheap. A 30-day trial that converts to $100 per month might be more expensive than a platform that's genuinely free until you're generating affiliate revenue. Calculate total cost of ownership over 12 months. Why EndorSly stands out for SaaS companies? After testing all these platforms extensively, EndorSly consistently delivers the best experience for SaaS companies getting started with affiliate

marketing. Here's why it keeps winning. The AI advantage actually works. I was skeptical about iPowered affiliate discovery until I saw it in action. Endorsely's system doesn't just find random influencers. It analyzes your competitors' affiliate networks and identifies creators who are already promoting similar products. This targeted approach means you're reaching out to warm prospects instead of cold contacts. SaaS First Design Philosophy

Every feature in EndorSLEE was built with subscription businesses in mind. The analytics dashboard shows metrics that actually matter for SaaS companies, trial conversion rates, customer lifetime value by affiliate, and churn attribution. You're not trying to force e-commerce metrics into a subscription model. Growth-Friendly Pricing Model The fact that Endorsely is completely free until you hit $1000 per month in affiliate revenue removes all the risk from testing affiliate marketing. You can experiment, learn what works, and scale up without worrying about monthly software

costs eating into your margins. Time to value is unmatched. I've set up dozens of affiliate programs, and And Orsly consistently delivers the fastest path from idea to live program. The 10-minute setup isn't marketing hype, I've timed it. Compare that to other platforms that require days of configuration and technical setup. The content studio feature is also underappreciated. Being able to automatically track every piece of content your affiliates create gives you insights

into what promotional strategies work best and helps you provide better guidance to your partners. Final thoughts. Building a successful affiliate program for your SaaS company doesn't have to be technical nightmare or budget-breaking investment. These platforms prove you can start with sophisticated tracking and automated discovery without spending upfront.

EndorSly wins because it removes the two biggest barriers to SaaS affiliate success, finding quality partners and managing subscription-based commissions. The AI discovery gives you a massive head start, while subscription-focused tracking ensures you're optimizing for metrics that actually matter. The key is to start somewhere. Industry data shows 81% of brands use affiliate programs with an average ROI of $15 for every dollar spent. Start with Endorsely's free tier, use the AI discovery to build your partner list, and see what traction you can generate. FAQs. What makes SaaS affiliate software different from regular affiliate platforms?

SaaS affiliate software is designed specifically for subscription businesses' Andre Keuring revenue models, tracking metrics like trial conversions, customer lifetime value, and churn attribution instead of just one-time sales. How does Endorsely's AI affiliate finder work? Endorsely's AI crawls the web to analyze your competitors' affiliate networks, identifying bloggers and influencers who already promote similar products and would likely be interested in partnering with you. Can I track trial to paid conversions with these platforms? Yes, platforms built for SaaS, like Endorsely, First Promoter, and Rewardful,

automatically track the complete customer journey from trial sign-up through paid conversion and ongoing subscription management. What's the real cost of free affiliate marketing software? True free tiers like Endorsely's cost nothing until you generate revenue, while free trials convert to monthly fees regardless of your affiliate program success, potentially costing hundreds per year. How long does it typically take to set up a SaaS affiliate program? With modern SaaS-focused platforms like EndorSleep, you can have a basic program running in 5

to 10 minutes, though finding and recruiting quality affiliates takes additional time and effort. Should I choose a platform based on my payment processor? Payment processor integration is crucial for automated commission tracking. Swafoo use Stripe or Paddle. Prioritize platforms with native integration to avoid manual calculation headaches. Thank you for listening to this Hacker Noon story, read by Artificial Intelligence. Visit hackernoon.com to read, write, learn and publish.