If you’re looking for ways to make some money online, affiliate marketing is the way to go. There are many different marketplaces and affiliate networks that can make this easier and boost revenue.
For good reason, Clickbank is generally regarded as one of the top picks. But if you’re looking for something with different commission models or just a more robust system, there are other platforms available. Take a look at some of the top picks for Clickbank alternatives here.
Top 8 ClickBank Alternatives
- JVZoo – Best Entry Level Alternative
- Rakuten Advertising – Highest Quality Alternative
- GlobalWide Media – Alternative With Most Pay Models
- CJ Affiliate Network – Privacy focused Alternative
- MarketHealth – Health/Beauty Alternative
- MaxBounty – High Paying CPA Alternative
- Amazon Associates – Largest Alternative
- ShareASale – Best Physical And Digital Product Alternative
#1 JVZoo
JVZoo is a digital marketplace similar to Clickbank. They have a huge list of available categories for different products to promote.
Searching for a product on JVZoo is relatively easy. Using a combination of keywords, categories, and subcategories you can find the perfect product to advertise. The search dashboard also offers insight into the refund rates, average prices, and the commission for each product among other stats.
JVZoo heavily utilizes funnels in its marketing. When you’re approved to promote the main product, you also gain access to promoting all of the products in the sales funnel. This allows for the chance to get some add-on sales and additional commission.
| Pros | Cons |
| The website provides an easy-to-use UI that makes it a great entry level platform. | Prioritizes quantity over quality when it comes to products on the network. |
| Twenty-two main product categories to choose from with multiple subcategories to find the perfect product. | It has lesser known brands and products, so you will have to do some research to know what will work for you. |
| Offers transparent statistics regarding how successful a product has been in the past. | – |
| Commission rates are usually above average. | – |
>>MORE: Alternatives & Rivals For SAP
#2 Rakuten Advertising
Rakuten is another big name in the affiliate space. Originally Linkshare, Rakuten differentiates itself by focusing on higher quality products than quantity. Some of the brands include Sephora, Jansport, JetBlue, and more. There are quite a few different categories that can cater to whichever niche you choose for your website.
To promote a product on Rakuten, you have to be approved for each one. This means that you may not necessarily be able to promote every product you’re interested in. Because of this, I recommend Rakuten if you already have some experience in affiliate marketing to boost your chances.
| Pros | Cons |
| Paypal, direct deposit, and check payments are available in 25 different currencies. | The application process is strict and required for each product. It is not recommended if you’re new to the space. |
| High quality, well-known brands are available to promote. | Commissions tend to be lower since companies need to pay higher fees to have their products on Rakuten. |
| Provides tools and information to help grow your business. | – |
| Primarily focuses on physical products rather than digital. | – |
>>MORE: Alternatives & Rivals For Bloomberg Terminal
#3 GlobalWide Media
GlobalWide takes you in a slightly different direction than other Clickbank alternatives here. Previously known as Neverblue, it is one of the most well-known CPA networks. Having that reputation doesn’t stop them from offering a few other commission models, as well.
There are several different categories to choose from. These can range from automotive, dining, and more. They have the usual payment methods (Paypal, Direct Deposit, etc) and payments are sent out regularly.
| Pros | Cons |
| Connecting with affiliate managers can help grow your business. | The minimum payout of $100 can take a bit to reach and be off-putting to some, especially when first starting. |
| The approval process involves vetting everyone who joins the platform to prevent fraud. | Although the application process provides security on the platform, it can be time consuming and difficult to be accepted. |
| They have the best reputation out of CPA networks but also offer several other commission models. | – |
| Excellent support is available in case of any issues on the platform. | – |
>>MORE: Alternatives & Rivals For Freshdesk
#4 CJ Affiliate Network
CJ Affiliate, formerly known as Commission Junction, is another one that has been around for a long time. It does have the unique advantage of being part of a Fortune 500 company, which explains just how large the platform is.
It is free to sign up, like most other platforms, and commissions can vary based on the advertised product. You are required to have a minimum balance of $50 to be paid out through direct deposit. The minimum for checks is $100. Payouts occur within 20 days of the end of the month.
| Pros | Cons |
| Cookieless tracking provides more security than the other platforms. | No Paypal option for payouts can be off-putting to some. |
| They take extra steps in fraud prevention to ensure everyone on the platform is safe. | Not a good option for those just starting. Failure to produce adequate results within six months can lead to deactivation. |
| Robust website and real-time analytics allow you to make decisions regarding advertising. | Also requires approval for each product before being able to promote it. |
| Provides you with plenty of information on available products so you can choose the perfect ones to promote. | – |
>>MORE: Alternatives & Rivals For vSphere
#5 Market Health
This one is a very specific niche. However, it is worth mentioning as Market Health does have a good reputation on the internet. It focuses entirely on health products, so if your website pertains to health, beauty, or fitness, you can find what you’re looking for here.
Easy to sign up for and just as easy to navigate, this is a great platform for those looking for health related products to promote. It also offers many different tracking methods which vary depending on the product.
| Pros | Cons |
| This is a perfect fit if your website focuses on health or beauty products. | If your website isn’t focused on any of the niches listed, you probably won’t find this one to be useful. |
| Provides a lot of different analytics on products so you can make a sound decision on what to promote. | Even with the analytics it does provide, there are still some important stats missing. An example being how successful a product has been on the platform. |
| Each product has different tracking options and they are customizable to find what will work for you. | – |
| It’s easy to sign up, and the UI provides a very newbie friendly experience. | – |
>>MORE: Alternatives & Rivals For DigitalOcean
#6 MaxBounty
This is a primarily CPA network that also boasts over 2,000 offers to promote. The platform is free, like many others, but there is an application process to go through.
Affiliate managers are also available for consultation to help develop strategies. They offer weekly payments and bonuses for high performing affiliates. International campaigns also allow for a wide variety of countries you can acquire traffic from.
The application process has a bit more to it than some. A website is suggested but not required. If you don’t currently have a site you will need a timeline for when you will get one or why you don’t need one. You do also need to draft a plan on how you will utilize the available campaigns. An English photo ID and a Skype account are also musts.
| Pros | Cons |
| Sleek UI offers up-to-date tracking of traffic and earnings. | The application process requires more information than some. While it is available for beginners, a solid plan is needed first. |
| Extremely beginner friendly. | An English photo ID is required which could be troublesome for some. |
| Regular weekly payments offer a more reliable source of income. | The application itself functions somewhat like an interview. However, a phone interview is also required. The interview is typically done in 1-3 days. |
| Performance-based bonuses are a plus. | – |
>>MORE: Alternatives & Rivals For Medallia
#7 Amazon Associates
Amazon is one of the biggest companies in the world and its affiliate program is no exception. Amazon Associates is an excellent Clickbank alternative for those looking to access a larger amount of products.
There are some downsides to this, though. Because of just how extensive the network is, the commission rates are lower when compared to others. And there is a 24-hour window in which your referrals need to make a purchase to earn a commission.
Like most, it is recommended to have a well established website already so that you can get accepted. But once you do, bringing in Amazon’s top-notch reputation can help organically boost your revenue.
| Pros | Cons |
| Amazon’s existing reputation can work in your favor to bring in more traffic. | Only allows a 24-hour window for purchases to be made and you to earn a commission. |
| The sheer amount of products available to market dwarfs most of the other options. | Commissions are significantly lower on Amazon Associates than other platforms. |
| Both physical and digital products are available, although it’s primarily physical. | Because of the significantly lower commissions, you need a website that is already generating a good amount of traffic to benefit. |
| Once accepted, the platform is very simple to get started on. | – |
>>MORE: Alternatives & Rivals For Xfinity Software
#8 ShareASale
Easy signup and a huge network of partners set ShareASale up as a great Clickbank alternative. Unlike Clickbank, ShareASale has both physical and digital goods. At the time of writing, they boast over 15,000 brands across all of the available sectors.
They offer regular monthly payouts on all commissions earned. Payouts are primarily done through ACH, check, or direct deposit. Which commission model they use to pay you can vary depending on the brand but is primarily revenue share.
| Pros | Cons |
| A huge network of merchants across many well respected brands. | The UI can be kind of clunky and feels outdated. |
| An equal amount of physical and digital products are available to promote. | Payments are made monthly, which may not work for some. |
| Signup is pretty quick and straightforward. | No Paypal option. |
| Reviews indicate payments are usually on time. | – |
So, these are some of the best Clickbank alternatives available for affiliate marketers. You will, on average, begin seeing real results from marketing in around six months. This can be lowered, however, by researching which products belong in your particular niche.
There is a lot of information to digest but no shortage of options for you to pick. With the right tools under your belt, affiliate marketing can be a lucrative revenue stream to add to what you’re already doing.
>>MORE: Alternatives & Rivals For Avalara
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different commission models?
Which commission model is used can vary depending on the network or for each product. There is a laundry list of different options, but some of the most popular are as follows:
- CPC, cost-per-click, where you are paid out for each click you generate.
- CPA, cost-per-action, is one of the most popular models. Examples of payable actions are email submissions, signups, purchases, etc.
- Revenue share is also a popular model. Essentially, it means you share a portion of the revenue generated on a sale.
What does Net 15 or Net 30 mean in this context?
These are pretty standard terms in freelancing. However, not everyone may be familiar with them. What these payout methods mean is that you can expect your payments within the specified amount.
Net 15 indicates a payment within 15 days, and the same logic applies to net 30.
What earns more? Digital or physical goods?
This can be tricky. On average, the amount of money earned on digital goods is higher than physical. This is usually due to not having to account for the costs of producing goods.
As far as the actual selling points, there are some things to consider. Shoppers love tangible products that they can use, which tends to steer them towards physical goods. However, some niches rely very heavily on learning or digital products. If you’re in one of those niches, that may be the way to go.
One other thing that you should be aware of is how refunds affect your total earnings. If something is refunded, you no longer earn commission on the original purchase. I mention this because it is easier to request a refund on digital goods, while many people will not go through the hassle of returning a physical product.