Reviewed by the NexaToolkit team · Last reviewed June 2026. Picks split publisher-side tools from merchant-side software, since they’re different jobs. NexaToolkit may earn a commission from links on this page — it never changes what we recommend.
“Affiliate marketing tools” means two different things: networks where publishers find programs to promote, and link-management tools that help you earn more from the ones you join. A growing publisher needs both. Here’s the 2026 landscape, with real pricing and the note that the big networks are consolidating.
The biggest networks: Awin and ShareASale
Awin (which acquired ShareASale) is one of the largest networks globally — 240,000+ active publishers and 16,500+ combined merchants across every niche. ShareASale is being folded into Awin through 2026, creating one unified network. For a publisher, this is the widest merchant variety in one place — free to join as a publisher.
Best for ecommerce/Shopify programs: Refersion
Refersion powers many DTC brands’ in-house programs with deep Shopify/WooCommerce integration — commissions typically 5–15% per sale with cookie windows up to 90 days. As a publisher you encounter it on individual brand programs rather than as a network to browse.
Best for serious publishers: Impact and link tools
Impact is the enterprise network (custom-quoted) with strong fraud detection, home to many large brand programs. On the earning side, Lasso and similar WordPress link-management plugins help bloggers insert, track, and optimize affiliate links and display product boxes — turning more clicks into commissions.
Affiliate tools by role
| Tool | Type | Publisher cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Awin / ShareASale | Network | Free to join | Widest merchant variety |
| Impact | Network (enterprise) | Free to join | Big brand programs |
| Refersion | Brand program engine | — (per brand) | Shopify/DTC programs |
| Lasso | Link management (WP) | Paid plugin | Optimizing link earnings |
A real scenario
A growing niche blogger: join Awin/ShareASale (free) to access thousands of merchant programs in one dashboard, sign up directly for the Refersion-powered programs of the specific brands they review, and add a WordPress link-management tool like Lasso to insert tracked links and comparison boxes that lift conversion. The networks are free to join; the only real spend is the link-management plugin — and it pays for itself once it nudges your click-to-sale rate up even slightly. Watch the ShareASale→Awin migration through 2026 so your links keep tracking.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best affiliate marketing tools for publishers?
Networks to find programs — Awin/ShareASale (widest variety, free to join) and Impact (big brands) — plus a link-management tool like Lasso to earn more from the programs you join.
Do affiliate networks cost money to join as a publisher?
No — Awin, ShareASale, and Impact are free for publishers; merchants pay the platform fees. Your only real cost is optional link-management software.
What’s happening with ShareASale?
It’s being merged into Awin (its parent) through 2026 into one unified network. Existing publishers should watch the migration to ensure their affiliate links keep tracking correctly.
More: see our social media management tools and marketing analytics tools.
