PartnerShare vs Tradedoubler vs Affiliatly: Which Fits Your Program?
Choosing affiliate software often comes down to three different models: a SaaS-focused affiliate and referral platform, a large European affiliate network, and an ecommerce tracking tool. PartnerShare, Tradedoubler, and Affiliatly each represent one of those models. This comparison breaks down where each one is strong, where it is limited, and which type of business should pick which.
Quick comparison at a glance
First viewport screenshot of Tradedoubler Blog: Insights & Updates.
| Criterion | PartnerShare | Tradedoubler | Affiliatly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary model | Affiliate marketplace + in-product referral system for SaaS | European affiliate and partner marketing network | Affiliate tracking software for ecommerce stores |
| Best fit | SaaS and digital product teams that want performance-based growth with no upfront ad budget | Brands seeking publisher reach, especially in Europe | Ecommerce merchants who want to run their own affiliate program |
| Recruitment | Marketplace where promoters discover products; in-product referrals turn customers into advocates | Large publisher network across many markets | No built-in discovery; merchants recruit affiliates themselves |
| Tracking scope | Clicks, signups, and deals | Affiliate program tracking and optimization | Email, link, coupon, and QR code tracking |
| Payout handling | Automated commission calculations and global settlements with multi-currency support | Commission management within the network | Bulk PayPal payments and gift card payments |
| Pricing entry point | Free tier, then subscription plans with sales limits | Tiered plans; Grow plan for SMEs | Tiers priced by affiliate count |
PartnerShare: built for SaaS affiliate and referral programs
First viewport screenshot of www.partnershare.com.
PartnerShare combines two things that SaaS teams usually have to stitch together: an affiliate marketplace and an in-product referral system. Promoters can discover and promote products in the marketplace, while existing customers can be turned into advocates through referral flows inside the product.
The platform tracks clicks, signups, and deals, automates commission calculations and payouts, and provides tools for managing promoters and setting up reward structures. It also handles global commission settlements with multi-currency support and includes fraud and chargeback protection.
Pricing starts with a free tier and scales through subscription plans with varying sales limits, team members, and service fees. The model is pay-for-performance: no prepaid ad budget is required, which lowers the risk for teams testing affiliate and referral channels for the first time.
Where PartnerShare stands out:
- A single system for both affiliate recruitment and customer referrals
- Automated payouts and multi-currency settlement for global promoters
- A free starting point that lets SaaS teams validate the channel before committing budget
Where to look elsewhere: If your priority is access to a massive established publisher network in Europe, a network like Tradedoubler is the more direct fit. If you run an ecommerce store on Shopify or WooCommerce and mainly need order-level tracking, Affiliatly is purpose-built for that.
For a closer look at how PartnerShare compares with other referral tools, see PartnerShare vs Referral Rock.
Tradedoubler: network reach with a European center of gravity
First viewport screenshot of Tradedoubler | Boosting partnerships since 1999.
Tradedoubler has been running partner programs since 1999 and is one of the established names in European affiliate marketing. Its scale is a genuine strength: a large active publisher base and coverage across dozens of markets. Brands that want a European-first network spanning affiliates, influencers, cashback, and comparison shopping will find reach here that a self-serve tool cannot match.
The company also offers Grow by Tradedoubler, a SaaS solution aimed at SMEs with tiered pricing, AI-assisted program descriptions, and enhanced commission management. It has added AI visibility services to help brands appear in AI-generated answers, and its client roster includes large consumer brands. Tradedoubler is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange and has won multiple European Affiliate Awards.
Where Tradedoubler stands out:
- Publisher reach and market coverage, particularly in Europe
- A mature network model with established tracking and optimization tools
- Brand credibility and a long operating history
Trade-offs to weigh: Network models come with their own friction. The entry-level Grow plan limits users and programs, and technical implementation may carry a setup fee. Pricing structures can be less transparent than self-serve SaaS tools, and the network model is oriented toward advertisers with established budgets rather than teams testing a channel from zero.
Affiliatly: straightforward affiliate tracking for ecommerce
First viewport screenshot of Affiliate tracking software.
Affiliatly is an affiliate tracking and program management tool designed for ecommerce stores. Merchants can start, control, track, and manage their own affiliate programs with a feature set that includes multiple tracking methods (email, link, coupon, and QR code), individual affiliate management, marketing assets, two-tier commissions, and bulk PayPal payments.
Its main strength is integration breadth. Affiliatly connects with major ecommerce platforms such as Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, SquareSpace, Ecwid by Lightspeed, Shoplazza, Storeden, Jumpseller, Shift4Shop, CrateJoy, and HikaShop, as well as custom stores. Recent updates include API-based integration for Squarespace with tracking via product code or customer email, automatic order status updates, and free API usage.
Where Affiliatly stands out:
- Fast setup for ecommerce merchants on popular store platforms
- Clear, affiliate-count-based pricing tiers
- Practical payout options including bulk PayPal and gift cards
Trade-offs to weigh: Affiliatly's tiers are capped by affiliate count (for example, 50, 200, and 500 affiliates on the main plans), so scaling often means upgrading. It also has no built-in discovery layer, meaning merchants must recruit affiliates themselves. For a deeper look, read the Affiliatly review for ecommerce tracking.
How to choose: match the model to your business
The three tools are not interchangeable; they solve different problems.
Choose PartnerShare if: you run a SaaS or digital product business, want affiliate and referral programs in one place, need automated global payouts, and prefer a pay-for-performance model with a free starting tier.
Choose Tradedoubler if: you are a brand with an established budget that wants access to a large publisher network, especially in Europe, and values network-level reach over self-serve control.
Choose Affiliatly if: you run an ecommerce store on a supported platform, want to manage your own affiliates, and need reliable order-level tracking with simple payout options.
If you are still mapping the landscape, the top affiliate and partner marketing networks for 2026 provides a broader view of how networks compare on pricing and publisher reach.
Related reading
- PartnerShare vs Referly: Which Affiliate Software Fits SaaS? - Compare PartnerShare vs Referly for SaaS affiliate and referral programs. See how marketplace reach, in-product referrals, pricing, and analytics differ.
- Referly Review 2026: Affiliate Software for Agencies & SaaS - Evidence-based Referly review: ideal users, use cases, strengths, limits, pricing signals, setup, and decision criteria for agencies, SaaS, and eCommerce.
- PartnerShare vs Extole vs All-in-One Reward & Referral Platform - Compare PartnerShare, Extole, and the all-in-one Reward & Refer-a-Friend platform on promoter recruitment, referral tracking, payouts, and pricing.
Sources and further reading
- 10 Best Tradedoubler Alternatives to Use in 2026 - A comparison of the 10 best Tradedoubler alternatives across affiliate networks, partnership platforms, and creator-first tools to help brands pick the right partner marketing solution for 2026.
- Tradedoubler vs Affiliatly: Ecommerce Marketing Comparison - Compare Tradedoubler vs Affiliatly 2026. Tradedoubler has 6609 and Affiliatly has 4286 customers in Ecommerce Marketing industry. Know more.
- 10 Best Affiliatly Alternatives to Use in 2026 - A roundup of the 10 best Affiliatly alternatives in 2026, comparing affiliate and referral tools by pricing, integrations, and workflow features to help brands scale beyond Affiliatly's caps.
Frequently asked questions
Is PartnerShare a replacement for an affiliate network like Tradedoubler?
Not exactly. PartnerShare is a SaaS-focused affiliate and referral platform with its own marketplace, while Tradedoubler is a large European network with an established publisher base. PartnerShare suits teams that want to build and manage programs directly; Tradedoubler suits brands seeking network reach.
Can Affiliatly handle SaaS affiliate programs?
Affiliatly is designed primarily for ecommerce stores and integrates with platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce. SaaS teams with subscription billing and in-product referral needs will generally find a SaaS-oriented platform like PartnerShare a better fit.
Which tool has the lowest entry cost?
PartnerShare offers a free tier, and Affiliatly is known for low-cost entry plans priced by affiliate count. Tradedoubler's network model typically involves higher commitment levels, and optional technical setup fees may apply.
Does PartnerShare support global payouts?
Yes. PartnerShare automates commission calculations and payouts with multi-currency support and global commission settlement, along with fraud and chargeback protection.
Conclusion
PartnerShare, Tradedoubler, and Affiliatly each serve a distinct need. Tradedoubler offers network scale and European reach. Affiliatly offers simple, well-integrated tracking for ecommerce. PartnerShare offers SaaS teams a combined affiliate marketplace and referral system with automated payouts and a free starting point. Match the model to your business type and growth stage, and the decision becomes much clearer.