Best Affiliate Software for SaaS (2026): Rewardful vs FirstPromoter vs Tolt vs PartnerStack
Affiliate marketing can be one of the most cost-effective growth channels for SaaS—but only if your tracking, payouts, and partner experience are reliable. The right affiliate software helps you recruit partners, attribute conversions correctly, pay commissions automatically, and keep everything transparent.
In this guide, we compare Rewardful, FirstPromoter, Tolt, and PartnerStack—four popular options that SaaS founders and growth teams use to run affiliate and partner programs in 2026.
“To connect partner events to your tools without manual work, see our Best AI Workflow Automation Tools (2026): Zapier vs Make vs n8n + Alternatives roundup.”
How to Choose Affiliate Software for SaaS (Quick Checklist)
1) What type of program are you running?
- Affiliate program: content creators, bloggers, review sites
- Referral program: customers inviting customers
- Partner program: agencies, consultants, B2B partners, integrations
Many tools can do more than one, but each has a “sweet spot.”
2) Tracking accuracy (the non-negotiable)
Look for:
- reliable cookie + attribution windows
- subscription tracking (monthly/annual plans)
- refunds/chargebacks handling
- coupon and link tracking (if relevant)
3) Payout experience and automation
A good partner experience includes:
- clear dashboard for partners
- automated payouts (or simple payout workflows)
- tax documents/verification (if you operate globally)
4) Integrations with your stack
Most SaaS teams want the affiliate tool to connect with:
- payment processor (Stripe is common)
- CRM for pipeline visibility
- email marketing for partner onboarding
- automation tools for workflows
“To connect partner events to your tools without manual work, see our Best Workflow Automation Tools roundup.”
Quick Comparison Table (2026)
| Tool | Best for | Biggest strength | Main downside | CTA Button |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rewardful | Stripe-based SaaS affiliates | Simple + reliable + SaaS-friendly | Mostly Stripe-first | Start with Rewardful |
| FirstPromoter | Affiliates + referrals combined | Flexible program types | Setup needs structure | Try FirstPromoter |
| Tolt | Simple affiliate programs | Clean UX + quick launch | Fewer enterprise partner features | Launch with Tolt |
| PartnerStack | B2B partner ecosystems | Strong partner marketplace + tooling | Can be heavier for tiny programs | Explore PartnerStack |
1) Rewardful
Overview
Rewardful is a popular choice for SaaS companies—especially if you run payments through Stripe and want a straightforward way to manage affiliates without building a complex partner platform. It’s built around the idea of “launch fast, track accurately, pay partners easily.”
Key Features
- Affiliate and referral tracking
- Subscription-friendly attribution (useful for SaaS billing)
- Partner dashboard (links, performance, commissions)
- Coupon/link tracking (implementation dependent)
Pros
- Quick to launch and easy to maintain
- SaaS-friendly tracking approach
- Clean experience for both founders and affiliates
Cons
- Best fit when your billing stack is Stripe-centric
- If you want a full B2B partner ecosystem, you may outgrow it
Pricing (high-level)
Pricing typically scales by plan/features—choose based on how many partners you expect in the next 3–6 months.
Best for
SaaS teams that want a clean affiliate program fast, especially with Stripe.
“If you want affiliates to send leads into a sales pipeline, our Best CRM Software for Small Businesses (2026) — Top Picks Compared guide helps you pick the right CRM before you scale partners.”
2) FirstPromoter
Overview
FirstPromoter is a strong option if you want to run both affiliates and referrals with flexible program structures. It’s often used by SaaS teams that want different commission rules for different partner types.
Key Features
- Multiple program types (affiliate + referral-style setups)
- Flexible commissions and rules
- Partner portal/dashboard
- Tracking and reporting for growth teams
Pros
- Flexible program structure (useful as you grow)
- Good fit when you need more control over rules
- Works well for SaaS teams running multiple campaigns
Cons
- Requires thoughtful setup (naming, program tiers, rules)
- Can feel like “too many knobs” if you only want simple affiliates
Pricing (high-level)
Usually plan-based. Pick based on program complexity (number of partners + rules).
Best for
SaaS teams that want more program flexibility than a basic affiliate tool.
“To onboard partners and keep them active, your email system matters—see our Best Email Marketing Software guide for onboarding sequences and newsletters.”
3) Tolt
Overview
Tolt is great when you want a simple, modern affiliate program that’s easy to launch and doesn’t overwhelm you with enterprise features. If your goal is: “let partners promote, track conversions, pay commissions,” Tolt fits that straightforward workflow.
Key Features
- Fast affiliate program setup
- Partner dashboard and link tracking
- Core reporting and conversion visibility
- Simple partner management workflow
Pros
- Very fast to launch
- Clean user experience for partners
- Great for early-stage SaaS programs
Cons
- If you want advanced B2B partner features, you may need a bigger platform
- Deep customization options may be limited compared to heavier tools
Pricing (high-level)
Typically plan-based. Best to choose based on how quickly you plan to grow partner count.
Best for
Early-stage SaaS companies that want a clean affiliate program without complexity.
“If you’re building conversion pages for affiliates to send traffic to, see our Best Landing Page Builders for Small Businesses (2025) guide to improve signup rates.”
4) PartnerStack
Overview
PartnerStack is often used for B2B partner programs and larger partner ecosystems. It’s a different style of tool compared to simple affiliate trackers—more like “partner operations” where you can manage relationships, partner recruitment, and program structure at a bigger scale.
Key Features
- Partner program management (often B2B focused)
- Partner onboarding workflows
- Reporting and partner performance management
- Tools to support scaling partner relationships
Pros
- Strong option for B2B SaaS partner growth
- Better fit when you want a structured partner ecosystem
- Designed for scaling partners over time
Cons
- Can be heavier than you need if you’re just launching a small affiliate program
- Setup and program design matters a lot
Pricing (high-level)
Often aligned with business needs and program scale.
Best for
B2B SaaS teams that want a scalable partner engine, not just a basic affiliate tracker.
“If your partner leads need automation routing and alerts, our Zapier vs Make vs n8n: Best Automation Tool (2026) guide helps you choose the best connector for your workflows.”
Quick Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
- Best simple SaaS affiliate tool (Stripe-first): ✅ Rewardful
- Best flexible affiliate + referral mix: ✅ FirstPromoter
- Best quick-launch, clean affiliate setup: ✅ Tolt
- Best for B2B partner ecosystems at scale: ✅ PartnerStack
FAQ ?
Is affiliate software worth it for a small SaaS?
Yes—if you have a clear offer, a strong landing page, and you can pay partners reliably. Start simple, measure results, then expand.
What’s the difference between affiliate and referral programs?
Affiliates are typically external publishers/partners who promote you to earn commission. Referrals often involve customers inviting customers with rewards.
Do I need Stripe to run an affiliate program?
Not necessarily, but many SaaS affiliate tools integrate best with Stripe. Choose based on your billing stack and tracking needs.
What should I prepare before launching an affiliate program?
At minimum: a strong landing page, clear commission rules, a partner onboarding email, and tracking you trust.
What should I read next on PilotryLab?
Start with our Lead Generation Stack, then build automation workflows using Best Workflow Automation Tools.