How to Choose the Best SaaS Affiliate Program in 2025 (Promotion Tips)

SaaS affiliate programs are one of the best ways to earn recurring passive income in 2025. Instead of one-time payouts, you get paid as long as your referrals stay subscribed — turning a single signup into years of revenue. From email tools to CRMs and design platforms, there’s a program for every niche. The standout choice is the Text Affiliate Partner Program, with lifetime commissions, a long cookie window, and strong support. If you want steady income streams that grow over time, SaaS affiliate programs are the way to go.

Wouldn’t it be nice if one referral could keep paying you for years? That’s exactly what SaaS affiliate programs make possible. Instead of one-off payouts, SaaS runs on subscriptions — and subscriptions mean recurring commissions that can stack up into real passive income.

Businesses everywhere rely on software to manage customers, automate marketing, and scale operations. Your role is simple: recommend the right tools, share your affiliate link, and earn every time someone signs up and sticks around. Some programs even give you months of tracking time, so one click today can turn into a payout weeks later.

This guide will walk you through what SaaS affiliate programs are, how they work, and why they’re such a strong opportunity for affiliate marketers. You’ll also get a list of 20 programs worth joining right now — with the Text Affiliate Partner Program at the top, thanks to lifetime commissions and dedicated partner support.

The bottom line: SaaS affiliate programs allow you to turn your audience and content into reliable income streams with less hustle and more staying power.

What SaaS affiliate programs are

At their core, SaaS affiliate programs are pretty simple. You sign up with a software company, they give you a unique referral link, and you earn a commission every time someone signs up through it.

The twist, and what makes SaaS so appealing, is that most of these products run on subscriptions. That means your earnings don’t stop after the first sale. You keep getting paid as long as your referral keeps paying their monthly or yearly bill.

Think of it this way: instead of chasing new sales every single day, you can build a portfolio of referrals that generates income on autopilot. Many programs even track referrals with “cookies” that last for weeks or months, so someone who clicks your link today but signs up later still gets credited to you.

And the best part? You don’t need to be a developer or a SaaS expert. These programs are built for marketers, bloggers, and creators who know how to reach an audience.

Your focus stays on promoting tools people actually need — from CRMs and email marketing platforms to project management software — while the company handles the product, billing, and support.

So in plain terms: SaaS affiliate programs let you tap into the growing demand for software while building a source of recurring, passive income.

Why join a SaaS affiliate program

So why should you care about SaaS affiliate programs instead of sticking with the usual Amazon links or one-off product promos? Simple: the upside is bigger, longer lasting, and far less stressful.

Passive income that keeps rolling in

Most SaaS products are subscription-based. That means one referral today can keep paying you for months or even years, as long as the customer stays subscribed. Instead of starting from zero every month, you’re building recurring revenue that stacks over time.

Higher lifetime value means bigger payouts

SaaS customers tend to stick around. Many stay three years or more, which turns even a modest monthly commission into hundreds of dollars from a single referral. That’s a much more attractive math than one-time sales.

Demand is growing fast

Every business, from startups to enterprises, needs software. CRM systems, chat tools, marketing automation, project management platforms… these aren’t nice-to-haves anymore, they’re essentials. More demand means more earning potential for you.

Plenty of ways to promote

You don’t need to be a SaaS guru or a developer. Whether you run a blog, a YouTube channel, a podcast, or a LinkedIn community, you can find a program that fits your audience. Some even give you ready-made banners, copy, and campaign tools to make promoting easier.

Easy to scale without headaches

Unlike physical products, SaaS doesn’t deal with shipping, returns, or inventory issues. The company handles everything after the signup, while you focus on driving traffic. That makes it one of the most scalable ways to grow affiliate income.

Joining a SaaS affiliate program gives you the chance to build a revenue stream that’s steady, scalable, and better aligned with the way businesses spend money today.

How SaaS affiliate programs work

Ever wondered what really happens after you hit "join" on an affiliate program? The truth is, SaaS affiliate programs are designed to make life simple for marketers.

You don’t need to build the product, manage billing, or handle support — the software company takes care of all that. Your role is to connect people with products they need and let the commissions roll in.

Think of it as a step-by-step path: you join the program, get your unique links, share them through your content, and as a partner, earn recurring commissions once your audience subscribes. From there, the recurring payments keep stacking as long as those customers stay active.

Here’s how the SaaS affiliate marketing journey usually looks:

Tips to promote SaaS software effectively

Promoting SaaS isn’t just about dropping links and hoping someone clicks. The affiliates who win big are the ones who focus on trust, education, and smart distribution. Here are some proven ways to get your links in front of the right people and turn them into recurring commissions.

• Lead with education: Software as a service tools often solve specific business problems, so your content should do the same. Write tutorials, case studies, or "how-to" guides that show your audience exactly how the software makes their life easier.

  If you can walk someone from frustration to solution in a single post, the signup almost feels like a no-brainer.

• Use comparisons to capture intent: When people search for "Tool A vs Tool B" or "Best CRM features for small businesses," they’re already close to making a decision. Creating comparison articles and "best of" roundups helps you catch buyers at the point where they’re ready to act.
• Show, don’t just tell: A quick demo or walkthrough video goes a long way. Screen-share tutorials on YouTube, Instagram reels that highlight a cool feature, or even an evergreen webinar can give people the confidence to try the software. Visual proof builds trust faster than a paragraph ever could.

• Make email your silent sales engine: If you’ve got a newsletter, it’s a perfect place to mix education with promotion. Share tips, insights, or a success story and naturally weave in your affiliate link. Unlike social media posts that disappear in hours, emails sit in inboxes waiting for clicks.
• Borrow authority with social proof: Testimonials, reviews, and customer success stories are powerful. You can quote existing case studies from the SaaS provider or share your own results. The more you can show that real businesses are thriving with the software, the easier it is for your audience to picture themselves doing the same.
• Tap into niche communities: Your target audience already hangs out in these communities, whether it’s LinkedIn groups, Slack channels, or Reddit threads. Join the conversation, be genuinely helpful, and share your affiliate content when it adds value. Done right, this feels like advice, not a pitch.
• Think long-tail with SEO: Ranking for "CRM" or "email marketing software" is a losing battle. But phrases like "best CRM for freelancers" or "email automation for non-profits" are specific, less competitive, and more likely to convert.

  Creating content around these long-tail keywords lets you reach buyers who already know what they want.

• Sweeten the deal with bonuses: Give people an extra reason to sign up through you. That could be a free checklist, a starter template, or even a consultation. Bonuses turn your affiliate offer from "just another link" into a package with added value.
• Test, track, and repeat: Use your affiliate dashboard and analytics to see what’s working. Double down on content types and traffic channels that bring the most trials or conversions, and don’t be afraid to tweak your approach. Affiliates who test and optimize build serious passive income streams.

21 best SaaS affiliate programs in 2025

With so many programs out there, it can be tough to know which ones are actually worth your time. To save you the research, here’s a curated list of the best SaaS affiliate programs in 2025.

Each one offers solid earning potential, but the real trick is matching the program to your audience. Whether you’re talking to freelancers, ecommerce founders, or enterprise teams, there’s a program here that fits.

Text Affiliate Partner Program

Text, an AI customer service software, packs live chat, helpdesk, and AI agents into one system to automate and scale support effortlessly. It enables 24/7 service, handles high support volumes, and optimizes workflows with AI-powered automation. Trusted by over 35,000 companies worldwide, Text empowers team members to drive engagement, increase conversions, and deliver exceptional support experiences immediately.

The Text Affiliate Partner Program is one of the most rewarding options for affiliates who want reliable recurring income. Partners earn 20% lifetime commission on every subscription, with the rate bumping to 22% once you’ve referred five paying customers. The 120-day cookie window is generous compared to many programs, giving you more time to capture referrals.

There’s also a two-tier system — refer other affiliates and you’ll earn 5% of their sales for life. Marketing support is strong, with banners, pre-written content, and a campaign builder included.

This program stands out as the best overall for affiliates looking to monetize audiences in SaaS and customer experience niches.

Decktopus Affiliate Program

Decktopus is an AI-powered presentation platform that helps anyone create professional, ready-to-share slides in minutes. It’s trusted by marketers, educators, and business professionals for turning complex ideas into simple, stunning presentations fast.

With on-brand design features, Decktopus helps users create presentations that stay consistent with their brand’s colors, fonts, and style.

With the Decktopus Affiliate Program, you can earn 50% commission for every sale made through your link. Joining is free and easy. You’ll get global access, real-time tracking, and ready-to-use promotional materials. With high conversion rates and growing demand, Decktopus offers one of the best affiliate opportunities for creators and marketers. Join now!

HubSpot Affiliate Program

HubSpot is one of the most recognized SaaS brands in marketing automation and CRM, which makes promoting it much easier. The affiliate program pays up to 100% of the customer’s first-month revenue and then 15% recurring commissions after that.

Affiliates benefit from promoting a trusted, enterprise-ready product that companies rarely churn from quickly.

The dashboard includes real-time tracking and creative assets to help with campaigns. Because HubSpot has products ranging from startups to enterprise-level plans, affiliates can target a wide range of businesses.

If you work in marketing, sales, or CRM niches, HubSpot’s brand reputation does a lot of the heavy lifting for you.

Shopify Affiliate Program

Shopify is a global leader in ecommerce, powering millions of online stores. Their affiliate program pays generous commissions for every new merchant referral, with rates that scale based on the subscription plan the customer chooses.

Affiliates have the advantage of promoting a platform with strong brand recognition and constant demand, especially as ecommerce continues to grow worldwide.

The program includes free training, webinars, and promotional resources to support affiliates. Because Shopify is a trusted name for entrepreneurs, conversions tend to be high if your audience includes small business owners or digital sellers.

For affiliates focused on ecommerce and online business, this program is a top performer.

ClickUp Affiliate Program

ClickUp is a fast-growing project management and productivity platform that competes with tools like Asana and Trello. Its affiliate program pays up to 30% recurring commission, which is higher than many competitors in the productivity SaaS space. ClickUp is particularly appealing because it offers free plans to attract users, and once they upgrade, you start collecting commissions.

The company also invests heavily in community building and education, which helps with customer retention — good news for affiliates. With its wide use across industries, affiliates can target teams, freelancers, and even large companies. If your audience is productivity-focused, ClickUp is a strong choice.

ActiveCampaign Affiliate Program

ActiveCampaign is a leading email marketing and customer experience automation tool. The affiliate program offers recurring commissions ranging from 20% to 30%, making it a strong source of passive income. Affiliates benefit from promoting a tool with high stickiness — businesses that start using ActiveCampaign for automation rarely switch to another provider quickly.

The program provides affiliates with banners, landing pages, and other ready-made materials to simplify promotion. Focusing on small to mid-sized businesses, the program gives affiliates a wide market to tap into.

If your niche includes email marketing or small business growth, this program is both profitable and reliable.

Semrush Affiliate Program

Semrush is one of the most popular SEO and marketing analytics platforms on the market, making it an easy sell for affiliates in the digital marketing space. The program is known for its strong payouts — $200 per subscription sale, plus smaller amounts for free trial sign-ups and leads.

Affiliates benefit from a brand that’s already trusted by marketers, agencies, and SEO professionals.

Because Semrush is a tool businesses use for growth, churn tends to be low, which means more consistent earnings.

The affiliate portal provides banners, keyword lists, and pre-written copy to simplify promotion. For affiliates with audiences in marketing, SEO, or business growth, Semrush can quickly become one of your top earners.

ConvertKit Affiliate Program

ConvertKit is an email marketing platform built with creators, bloggers, and small businesses in mind. Its affiliate program pays 30% recurring commissions for the lifetime of each customer, which is particularly attractive for long-term passive income.

Affiliates benefit from promoting a product that’s simple to use but powerful enough to scale with growing businesses.

The company offers a free plan, which makes onboarding new users easier and increases conversion rates for affiliates.

With training, marketing resources, and regular affiliate updates, ConvertKit makes it easy to stay aligned with their brand. If your audience includes creators or solo entrepreneurs, this is a high-converting choice.

GetResponse Affiliate Program

GetResponse is a well-established email marketing and automation platform that also includes landing pages, webinars, and ecommerce integrations.

The affiliate program offers two payout models: a recurring 33% commission or a one-time $100 per sale, giving affiliates flexibility depending on their strategy. This dual approach makes it attractive for marketers who want either fast cash flow or steady long-term income.

Affiliates also get access to banners, guides, and live chat support to help maximize performance.

With global recognition and multilingual support, GetResponse appeals to international audiences as well. For affiliates targeting email marketing and ecommerce niches, this is a safe, profitable bet.

FreshBooks Affiliate Program

FreshBooks is a cloud-based accounting software tailored for freelancers and small businesses. The affiliate program pays $10 per free trial and up to $200 for paid sign-ups, giving you both volume-based and high-value opportunities.

FreshBooks is popular with small business owners who need simple invoicing and bookkeeping solutions, which means there’s always demand.

Affiliates benefit from promoting a product with a clear value proposition: save time and reduce stress around finances. The company provides marketing creatives, blog content, and tracking tools to make promotion straightforward.

If your audience includes freelancers or entrepreneurs, this program is an excellent fit.

Pipedrive Affiliate Program

Pipedrive is a CRM platform built to help sales teams close more deals. Its affiliate program offers recurring commissions (20% to 33%, depending on the customer plan), making it attractive for affiliates targeting B2B sales professionals.

Pipedrive is known for its simplicity compared to more complex CRMs like Salesforce, which helps with conversions.

Affiliates have access to dashboards, creatives, and tracking tools to manage performance easily. Since CRMs are critical tools for almost every business, promoting Pipedrive has broad appeal. If you’re looking to serve sales-driven audiences, Pipedrive is a solid revenue opportunity.

Zendesk Affiliate Program

Zendesk is a well-known customer service and help desk platform used by companies worldwide. Its affiliate program pays commissions on referrals that turn into paying customers, with competitive rates thanks to its enterprise pricing. Affiliates benefit from promoting a tool that solves a universal business need — better customer support.

Brand recognition makes selling easier since Zendesk is trusted by startups and Fortune 500 companies.

The program provides tracking dashboards, marketing assets, and resources to help affiliates succeed. For those focused on SaaS tools in customer service, this is a strong addition to your portfolio.

Monday.com Affiliate Program

Monday.com is a popular work operating system that combines project management, collaboration, and workflow automation. Its affiliate program offers 25% recurring commissions, giving you reliable passive income as long as customers remain subscribed.

Affiliates benefit from a highly visual product that is easy to demonstrate and promote through content or video.

With a wide range of use cases — from marketing teams to HR and software developers — it appeals to a large audience. Monday.com also provides banners, guides, and ongoing support for affiliates.

If you want a versatile SaaS product to promote, this one is a great fit.

Notion Affiliate Program

Notion has quickly become a go-to productivity and knowledge management app, with a loyal community of users. Its affiliate program allows partners to earn rewards when new users sign up for paid plans, making it a good choice for affiliates targeting freelancers, students, and startups.

While commission percentages are not as high as some other SaaS programs, Notion’s popularity and ease of use make conversions easier. Affiliates benefit from promoting a tool that already has strong word-of-mouth momentum.

The company also supports affiliates with creative assets and promotional guidance. For affiliates in the productivity niche, Notion offers a highly engaged audience that is ready to convert.

Cloudways Affiliate Program

Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting platform that appeals to developers, agencies, and businesses wanting flexibility without server headaches. The affiliate program is unique because it offers two commission models: a one-time payout or a recurring revenue share. Affiliates can choose based on whether they want fast, upfront cash or long-term passive income.

Cloudways is also attractive due to its performance-focused hosting and strong customer support, which means satisfied, sticky customers.

Affiliates get access to marketing creatives, reporting dashboards, and dedicated partner managers.

If your audience includes businesses building websites or agencies managing clients, Cloudways is a lucrative choice.

Elementor Affiliate Program

Elementor is one of the most widely used WordPress website builders, powering millions of sites worldwide. Its affiliate program offers a generous 50% commission per sale, which is among the highest in SaaS affiliate programs.

Affiliates benefit from a product that’s easy to explain and demonstrate — website design made simple with drag-and-drop tools. Because Elementor is a one-time purchase with yearly renewals, it offers a mix of immediate earnings and recurring potential.

The company provides affiliates with banners, product demos, and email templates to help drive conversions.

Elementor is a top-performing affiliate program for anyone with an audience in web design, blogging, or small business growth.

Unbounce Affiliate Program

Unbounce is a well-established landing page builder trusted by marketers and agencies. Its affiliate program pays 20% recurring commission, making it a reliable choice for long-term earnings.

Affiliates benefit from promoting a tool that solves a very specific and high-value need: increasing conversions. Since Unbounce customers often use the platform for years, it’s an attractive source of recurring revenue. The program includes dedicated account support, banners, and promotional copy.

If you’re targeting digital marketers, advertisers, or agencies, Unbounce is an easy fit.

Leadpages Affiliate Program

Leadpages is another strong contender in the landing page and lead generation space. Affiliates earn 30% recurring commissions, which means long-term, predictable payouts.

The platform is especially appealing to small businesses and solopreneurs who want to capture leads without technical skills.

Affiliates benefit from a wide market, as nearly any business online can use Leadpages to boost conversions. With marketing assets, training, and regular updates, affiliates are well supported.

If you focus on entrepreneurs, marketing, or online education, Leadpages is a profitable program to join.

Aweber Affiliate Program

Aweber is an email marketing platform with a long history in the industry. Its affiliate program pays 30% recurring commissions, giving marketers reliable passive income. Affiliates benefit from promoting a product that’s beginner-friendly and popular with small business owners.

With ready-made banners, emails, and landing page templates, the platform is simple to integrate into your promotions. Its affordable entry-level pricing also makes it easier to convert new customers.

For affiliates targeting freelancers, creators, and small companies, Aweber remains a solid choice.

WP Engine Affiliate Program

WP Engine is a premium WordPress hosting provider trusted by businesses and developers who want fast, secure websites.

Its affiliate program pays a minimum of $200 per referral, with the potential for much higher commissions depending on the customer plan. Affiliates benefit from promoting a high-ticket SaaS service where just a few sign-ups can add up quickly.

The brand is well known for its quality, which increases trust and conversion rates. WP Engine provides custom creative materials, real-time tracking, and performance bonuses for top affiliates.

If your audience includes website builders, agencies, or online businesses, this is one of the most lucrative hosting affiliate programs.

Canva Affiliate Program

Canva is one of the most popular online design tools, used by marketers, small businesses, and creators worldwide. Its affiliate program offers up to $36 per new Canva Pro subscriber, making it a strong choice for affiliates who work in creative or business niches.

Canva is a household name in design, which makes promoting it easier — most people already recognize the brand and just need a nudge to try Pro.

Affiliates benefit from high conversion rates thanks to Canva’s free plan, which funnels users into paid subscriptions. The company also provides tracking dashboards, creative assets, and ongoing support to partners.

For affiliates targeting creators, educators, or small business owners, Canva is a versatile and easy-to-promote program.

Why choose the Text program

Plenty of SaaS companies run affiliate programs, but the Text Affiliate Partner Program is built with long-term earnings in mind.

Instead of one-off payouts, you get recurring lifetime commissions on every customer you refer — and that means your income grows the longer your referrals stick around.

Affiliates start at 20% commission, and once you’ve referred five paying customers, that jumps to 22%. With an average customer lifetime of around three years, a single referral can turn into hundreds or even thousands of dollars in commission.

Add in the 120-day cookie window, and you’ve got one of the most generous setups in the industry — giving your content plenty of time to convert clicks into signups.

There’s also a two-tier structure: you can refer other affiliates and collect 5% of their sales for life. This creates a second revenue stream without extra work on your part. On top of that, Text gives you a ready-made library of banners, email templates, and even a campaign builder inside the Partner app, so you don’t have to start from scratch.

The real difference, though, is support. You’re not left on your own — Text actively provides co-marketing opportunities and 24/7 assistance to help you succeed.

That combination of recurring income, flexible tools, and strong backing makes it one of the most affiliate-friendly programs you can join.

Tips to maximize earnings

Getting into a SaaS affiliate program is only the first step. The real growth comes from how you promote and optimize over time. Here are a few ways to squeeze the most out of your efforts:

• Pick programs that fit your audience: It’s tempting to join every affiliate program you see, but the best results come when the product truly matches your readers’ needs. SaaS tools with clear value to your niche will convert better and stick longer.
• Focus on retention-heavy products: Subscriptions pay as long as users stay active. Choose SaaS products with strong customer retention (like CRMs or AI customer service software) so your commissions keep stacking month after month.

• Invest in content that ranks: SEO-friendly tutorials, comparison posts, and reviews are the type of content that keeps working long after you hit publish. Target long-tail keywords that match buying intent — they might bring fewer clicks, but they convert more leads far better.
• Promote across multiple channels: Don’t rely on one traffic source. Mix blogs, automated emails, YouTube walkthroughs, and social communities. The more touchpoints you have, the more likely people are to click and buy.
• Offer bonuses or added value: Sweeten the deal by giving your audience a reason to buy through your link — maybe a free template, checklist, or consultation. It turns your affiliate promotion into a value-packed offer.
• Track and double down: Use your affiliate dashboard to see which content, links, or campaigns are converting best. Double down on what works and don’t be afraid to cut what doesn’t. Affiliates who test and refine always out-earn those who set and forget.

Conclusion

SaaS affiliate programs aren’t just another way to monetize your audience — they’re one of the most reliable paths to building recurring income in 2025. With software subscriptions, you earn long after the first click, which means the work you put in today can keep paying you for years. Whether you’re speaking to freelancers, agencies, or entrepreneurs, there’s a SaaS tool that fits your niche and rewards you for connecting people with the right solution.

If you’re serious about turning your content into passive income, the Text Affiliate Partner Program is the best place to start. Lifetime commissions, long cookie tracking, and hands-on partner support make it stand out from the crowd.

FAQ

How do SaaS affiliate programs pay compared to other affiliate models?

Most SaaS programs pay recurring commissions, meaning you keep earning as long as your referral stays subscribed. Unlike physical products or one-time sales, you’re building an income stream that grows over time.

Do I need technical skills to promote SaaS products?

Not at all. You don’t need to be a developer or a software expert. What matters is knowing your audience and creating content that shows them how the tool solves their problems.

How much can I realistically earn?

It depends on the program and your traffic. Some affiliates earn a few hundred dollars a month, while others build six-figure passive income streams. The real advantage is stacking referrals: the more long-term customers you bring in, the more predictable your income becomes.

What makes the Text Affiliate Partner Program different?

Text offers lifetime recurring commissions, a 120-day cookie window, and even a two-tier system where you earn more the more affiliates you refer. Plus, you get marketing tools and 24/7 support to help you succeed. Few programs offer that combination of long-term income and strong backing.

How do I choose which SaaS programs to join?

Start with products that align with your niche and audience needs. If you talk to freelancers, consider tools like FreshBooks or Canva. For business audiences, CRM and email automation tools like Pipedrive or ActiveCampaign perform well. And if you want the most affiliate-friendly option to start with, Text is your safest bet.