PartnerShare/PartnerShare vs Affiliatly: SaaS vs Ecommerce Affiliate Tools

PartnerShare vs Affiliatly: SaaS vs Ecommerce Affiliate Tools

Compare PartnerShare and Affiliatly for affiliate and referral programs. See which fits SaaS vs ecommerce, pricing, tracking, and payouts.

ABy Anonymous12 min read

PartnerShare vs Affiliatly: Which Affiliate Platform Fits Your Business?

Choosing an affiliate platform often comes down to your business model. PartnerShare is built for SaaS and digital products, while Affiliatly specializes in ecommerce stores. This comparison breaks down their strengths, weaknesses, and best-fit scenarios so you can decide with confidence.

Quick Comparison: PartnerShare vs Affiliatly

First viewport screenshot of Affiliate tracking software

First viewport screenshot of Affiliate tracking software.

Feature PartnerShare Affiliatly
Primary focus SaaS and digital products Ecommerce stores
Affiliate marketplace Yes – promoters can discover products No – merchants recruit affiliates
In-product referral system Yes – turns customers into advocates Not natively; relies on affiliate links
Tracking methods Clicks, signups, deals Email, link, coupon, QR code
Automated payouts Yes – multi-currency Yes – bulk PayPal, gift cards
Fraud protection Yes – fraud and chargeback protection Not highlighted
Free tier Yes Not mentioned
Ecommerce integrations Limited Extensive (Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.)
Two-tier commissions Not specified Yes

PartnerShare: Strengths for SaaS and Digital Products

First viewport screenshot of Resources | PartnerShare

First viewport screenshot of Resources | PartnerShare.

PartnerShare is designed for SaaS teams that want to grow through performance-based partnerships without upfront ad spend. Its key advantages include:

  • Affiliate marketplace: Promoters can browse and join programs, reducing recruitment effort.
  • In-product referral system: Existing customers can refer others directly from your product, turning users into advocates.
  • Automated commission management: Tracks clicks, signups, and deals; calculates and pays commissions automatically.
  • Global payouts: Supports multi-currency settlements and handles international payments.
  • Fraud and chargeback protection: Safeguards against fraudulent referrals and disputes.
  • Zero upfront cost: Free tier available, with paid plans scaling by sales volume and team size.

These features make PartnerShare a strong fit for SaaS and digital product businesses that want a low-risk, pay-for-performance model.

Affiliatly: Strengths and Limitations for Ecommerce

First viewport screenshot of Affiliate Categories: Organize Your Affiliates and Manage Your Affiliate Program More Efficiently | Affiliate tracking software

First viewport screenshot of Affiliate Categories: Organize Your Affiliates and Manage Your Affiliate Program More Efficiently | Affiliate tracking software.

Affiliatly is a well-established affiliate tracking tool for ecommerce, founded in 2014. It offers:

  • Extensive ecommerce integrations: Works with Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, SquareSpace, Ecwid, and many others.
  • Multiple tracking methods: Email, link, coupon, and QR code tracking.
  • Affiliate management tools: Individual affiliate profiles, categories, and marketing assets.
  • Flexible payments: Bulk PayPal payments and gift card payouts.
  • Two-tier commissions: Supports multi-level affiliate structures.

However, Affiliatly has limitations when compared to PartnerShare for SaaS use cases:

  • Ecommerce-centric: Its feature set and integrations are tailored to online stores, not subscription software.
  • No built-in marketplace: Merchants must recruit affiliates themselves; there’s no discovery platform.
  • Limited referral system: It doesn’t natively turn customers into referrers within the product.
  • Fraud protection not emphasized: Unlike PartnerShare, fraud and chargeback protection are not highlighted.
  • No free tier mentioned: Pricing starts with a basic plan, but a free option isn’t advertised.

When to Choose PartnerShare

PartnerShare is the better choice if you:

  • Run a SaaS or digital product business.
  • Want to combine affiliate marketing with an in-product referral program.
  • Prefer a pay-for-performance model with no upfront costs.
  • Need automated, multi-currency commission payouts.
  • Value fraud protection and chargeback safeguards.
  • Want access to an affiliate marketplace to attract promoters.

For example, a SaaS startup could use PartnerShare to launch a referral program that rewards existing customers for inviting colleagues, while simultaneously running an affiliate program with influencers—all tracked and paid automatically.

When to Choose Affiliatly

Affiliatly is the better choice if you:

  • Operate an ecommerce store on Shopify, WooCommerce, or a similar platform.
  • Need deep integration with your store’s order system.
  • Require multiple tracking methods like coupons and QR codes.
  • Want to offer two-tier commissions to affiliates.
  • Prefer bulk PayPal or gift card payouts.

For instance, an online retailer could use Affiliatly to track coupon codes shared by influencers and automatically pay commissions via PayPal in bulk.

Integration and Workflow Considerations

First viewport screenshot of Better affiliate tracking on Squarespace – Our new API Integration | Affiliate tracking software

First viewport screenshot of Better affiliate tracking on Squarespace – Our new API Integration | Affiliate tracking software.

PartnerShare integrates with CRM tools like HubSpot to track affiliate and referral revenue alongside customer data. You can learn how to set up this workflow in our guide: How to Use PartnerShare with HubSpot.

Affiliatly’s strength lies in its ecommerce integrations, with recent updates including API-based integration for Squarespace and automatic order status updates. However, for SaaS businesses, these integrations may be less relevant.

Pricing and Value

PartnerShare offers a free tier and subscription plans that scale with sales limits, team members, and service fees. This makes it accessible for startups and scalable for growing teams.

Affiliatly’s pricing starts with a basic plan, but details on free options are limited. For ecommerce stores, the value comes from its deep integrations and tracking capabilities.

Related reading

Sources and further reading

  • bulletin - IRS - Dec 27, 1999 ... ship assets, and the computation of a partner's share of the ... procedure when one member of an affiliat- ed group filing a consolidated ...
  • State Tax Treatment of Investment Partnerships - ner and be used to source the partner's share of that item. ... rights, trademarks and similar assets, any royalties or other payments by a corporate owner or its ...

Frequently Asked Questions

Can PartnerShare handle ecommerce affiliate programs?

PartnerShare is primarily designed for SaaS and digital products. While it can track sales, it lacks the extensive ecommerce integrations that Affiliatly offers.

Does Affiliatly support SaaS referral programs?

Affiliatly focuses on ecommerce tracking. It does not natively provide an in-product referral system for SaaS customers, nor does it offer an affiliate marketplace.

Which platform offers fraud protection?

PartnerShare includes fraud and chargeback protection. Affiliatly’s materials do not highlight this feature.

Can I use both platforms together?

It’s possible but redundant. Most businesses choose one based on their primary model: SaaS or ecommerce.

Is there a free plan?

PartnerShare offers a free tier. Affiliatly’s free plan is not mentioned in available sources.

Conclusion

PartnerShare and Affiliatly serve different needs. PartnerShare excels for SaaS and digital products with its affiliate marketplace, referral system, and automated payouts. Affiliatly is a strong choice for ecommerce stores needing deep integrations and flexible tracking. Evaluate your business model and growth strategy to pick the right tool.

For more comparisons, see our PartnerShare vs Social Snowball analysis.