Affiliate marketing on Shopify involves a lot of moving parts, making it impossible to handle without an app, especially if you plan to scale.
For instance, you may not know who referred a sale or when to approve a commission for your affiliate if you’re not using an app.
Considering how vital this is, we’ve reviewed five of the best affiliate apps for Shopify merchants. Keep reading to find out more.
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Table of Contents
1. UpPromote
UpPromote lets you run automated programs to recruit, track, and reward partners who bring sales to your store. It gives you some of the best affiliate management functions Shopify doesn’t provide out of the box.
Cost
| Plan | Monthly Fee (USD) | Performance Fee |
| Free | $0 | None |
| Growth | $29.99 (or ~$24.99/year) | 2% of successful referral sales |
| Professional | $89.99 (or ~$74.99/year) | 1.5% of successful referral sales |
| Enterprise | $199.99 (or ~$166.66/year) | 1% of successful referral sales |
Performance fee means you pay a small percentage based on sales generated by affiliates, not just the subscription cost. All plans also come with a 14-day free trial, so you can test before committing.
Why We Chose This?
- Fraud Protection: Built-in safeguards help block fake sign-ups and self-referrals, helping protect your bottom line.
- Branded Portals and Communication: Affiliates get their own dashboard where they can access links, track performance, and receive announcements. There’s also in-app communication on some plans.
- Automated Commissions: UpPromote calculates commissions automatically based on rules you set, including tiered and multi-level structures, and can even auto-payout via PayPal on higher plans.
2. ReferralCandy
ReferralCandy is one of the apps you use when you need an easy setup and automation. It integrates easily with your Shopify workflow, compared to some other options on this list.
Cost
| Plan | Base Monthly Fee (USD) | Success Fee on Referral Sales |
| Basic | $29/mo | 10.50% |
| Grow | $79/mo | 3.50% |
| Scale | $249/mo | 1.50% |
| Enterprise | $799/mo | 0.25% |
All plans include the core referral + affiliate features; you just pay more for better success-fee rates and advanced support. Every plan usually comes with a 7-day free trial.
Why We Chose This?
- Easy Shopify Integration: One-click install with built-in app blocks and theme extensions; no developer needed.
- Tiered Incentive Options: You can increase rewards as affiliates hit referral milestones, helping keep high performers engaged.
3. GOAFFPRO
GOAFFPRO lets you turn customers and influencers into advocates without complex coding or spreadsheets.
You get tight Shopify integration, real-time analytics, and an affiliate ecosystem that scales as you grow. Even better, it has one of the most generous free plans on this list.
Cost
| Plan | Monthly Fee (USD) |
| Hobby (Free) | $0 |
| Premium | $49/mo |
| Business | Starting ~$99/mo |
The free plan allows unlimited affiliates, unlimited revenue, and a branded affiliate portal, even on the free plan.
Why We Chose This?
- Mobile Apps: Affiliate mobile apps keep partners engaged with push alerts, performance stats, and link management.
- Custom Affiliate Portal: Affiliates get their own dashboard with branding, referral links, analytics, and reporting.
- Flexibility in Commissions: Set custom commission rates, tiered structures, and multi-level (MLM) frameworks to suit any reward strategy.
4. BixGrow
BixGrow is yet another app ranked for its ease of use. You install it directly on Shopify and manage affiliate/referral campaigns right from your Shopify dashboard. No extra code or dev time needed.
Cost
| Plan | Monthly Fee (USD) | Annual Fee (Approx) |
| Starter (Free) | $0 | $0 |
| Scale | $14.99 | ~$162/year (10% savings) |
| Pro | $24.99 | ~$249/year (17% savings) |
The starter plan is free forever. However, you’re limited to basic affiliate programs, tracking, and automation.
You can also try the paid plans for 14 days before commitment.
Why We Chose This?
- Multi-level Commissions: BixGrow supports advanced commission structures, including multi-tier or performance-based plans, giving you flexibility in how partners are rewarded.
- Simple Tracking: It automatically tracks affiliate sales using links or coupons and offers payout options like PayPal or store credit.
5. ReferrLy
One standout feature of ReferrLy is its performance analytics. You get insights into which affiliates are driving revenue, which links convert best, and where you can optimize campaigns.
Cost
| Plan | Monthly Fee (USD) |
| Starter | $0 |
| Growth | $29/mo |
| Scale | $59/mo |
| Pro | $119/mo |
Why We Chose This?
- Affiliate Dashboard: Your partners log into a branded portal to see their links, performance stats, and earnings
- Automated Tracking: It automatically tracks affiliate link clicks, conversions, and generated sales, then calculates rewards based on rules you set.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Really Need an Affiliate App if I Already Use Shopify?
Yes, you do. Shopify doesn’t have built-in affiliate tracking, commission automation, or partner dashboards. You’ll struggle without these tools.
How Do I Choose the Right Affiliate App for My Store’s Size?
If you’re starting, a strong free plan like GOAFFPRO or BixGrow may be enough. If you want advanced automation and deeper customization, apps like UpPromote may suit you better.
Your decision should depend on revenue volume, number of affiliates, and how much automation you want.
Will Affiliate Apps Slow Down My Shopify Store?
No. Reputable affiliate apps integrate Shopify’s official app system and do not affect storefront speed (at least not noticeably).
Final Words
The right Shopify affiliate marketing app gives you infrastructure. It tracks every click, calculates every commission, and gives your affiliates the tools they need to perform.
However, affiliate marketing on Shopify isn’t about installing an app and hoping for sales. You need to be able to build a structure that turns attention into predictable revenue.
This is what we do for all of our clients. Want to see how your affiliate program could reach new heights? Schedule a quick chat with us.
