Hey there! As an experienced affiliate marketer, I understand the importance of finding the right platform to maximize your earnings. While CJ Affiliate is one of the top affiliate marketing platforms, it’s always good to have alternatives. In this article, I’ll be sharing the top 10 best CJ Affiliate alternatives for both beginners and experts in the industry. So, let’s get started!
Criteria for Choosing an Affiliate Marketing Platform
When choosing an affiliate marketing platform, it’s important to consider your niche and target audience. Different platforms offer different commission rates, conversion rates, and EPC (earnings per click) metrics. Some popular types of platforms include:
- Affiliate networks: These are marketplaces that connect publishers with multiple advertisers. Examples include CJ Affiliate, ShareASale, and Rakuten Marketing.
- In-house affiliate programs: These are run by individual companies, and are often found on their website. Examples include Amazon Associates and eBay Partner Network.
- CPA networks: These focus on cost-per-action (CPA) affiliate marketing, where publishers earn a commission when a specific action (like a sale or lead) is completed. Examples include MaxBounty and PeerFly.
When choosing a platform, consider the commission rates offered, the conversion rates (the percentage of clicks that result in a sale or lead), and the EPC (the average earnings per click). Look for a platform with a high commission rate and a good track record of converting clicks into sales. Additionally, consider the platform’s reputation and the quality of the advertisers it works with.
Top CJ Affiliate Alternatives for Marketers
1. ClickBank
ClickBank is an affiliate marketing platform that connects digital product creators with affiliate marketers. It is one of the largest online marketplaces for digital products, such as ebooks, software, and courses. ClickBank offers a range of tools and resources to help both advertisers and publishers succeed in affiliate marketing.
Pros:
- Large Marketplace: ClickBank has a vast selection of digital products in various niches, making it easy for publishers to find products that fit their audience.
- High Commission Rates: ClickBank’s commission rates are typically higher than other affiliate marketing platforms, with some products offering commissions of up to 75% of the sale price.
- Easy to Use: ClickBank’s platform is user-friendly and straightforward, making it easy for publishers to sign up and start promoting products right away.
- Advanced Analytics: ClickBank provides detailed analytics to help publishers track their performance and optimize their campaigns.
Cons:
- Low-Quality Products: ClickBank has a reputation for hosting low-quality or scammy products, which can make it challenging for publishers to promote with confidence.
- Limited Payment Options: ClickBank only offers payment via direct deposit or check, which can be inconvenient for international publishers.
- High Competition: Due to its popularity, many affiliate marketers promote products on ClickBank, which can make it challenging for publishers to stand out and make sales.
- Refund Policy: ClickBank’s refund policy can be challenging for publishers, as they can lose commissions if a customer requests a refund.
Overall, ClickBank can be a profitable affiliate marketing platform for publishers, but they should be cautious and thoroughly research the products they promote to avoid promoting low-quality or scammy products.
2. ShareASale
ShareASale is a popular affiliate marketing platform that offers a wide range of features and benefits for publishers. The platform has been around since 2000 and has over 4,500 merchants that publishers can promote. ShareASale’s commission rates, conversion rates, and EPC are comparable to CJ Affiliate, making it a great alternative for marketers.
One of the key benefits of ShareASale is its user-friendly interface and easy-to-use tools. The platform offers a wide range of creatives and tracking options, allowing publishers to track their campaigns and earnings easily. ShareASale also offers a robust reporting system that provides detailed information on clicks, impressions, sales, and commissions.
In terms of commission rates, ShareASale offers a variety of commission structures, including percentage-based commissions and flat-rate commissions. Conversion rates and EPC vary depending on the merchant, but many publishers have reported high conversion rates and EPC with ShareASale.
Some successful publishers who have earned significant income from ShareASale include fashion bloggers, coupon and deals websites, and niche content creators. Many of these publishers have found success by promoting merchants in specific niches, such as fashion, beauty, or technology.
Overall, ShareASale is a great alternative to CJ Affiliate for publishers looking for a user-friendly platform with a wide range of merchants and commission structures. With its easy-to-use tools, robust reporting system, and competitive commission rates, ShareASale is a platform that can help publishers maximize their earnings.
Pros:
- Large selection of merchants in various industries
- User-friendly platform for publishers
- Offers various tools and resources for promoting affiliate links
- Provides reliable tracking and reporting
- Offers timely and consistent payments
Cons:
- Interface can be overwhelming at first
- Limited payment options compared to other affiliate networks
- Some advertisers may have low commission rates or require high traffic to join their program
3. Rakuten Marketing
Rakuten Marketing is one of the most popular and well-established affiliate marketing platforms available. With over 20 years of experience, Rakuten Marketing offers a wide range of features and benefits for publishers.
One of the key advantages of Rakuten Marketing is their expansive network of advertisers, which includes both large and small businesses across a variety of industries. Publishers can choose from thousands of different products and services to promote, making it easier to find offers that are a good fit for their audience.
In terms of commission rates, Rakuten Marketing offers competitive payouts that vary depending on the advertiser and the specific offer. The platform also offers a variety of tools and resources to help publishers optimize their campaigns and increase their earnings.
In terms of conversion rates and EPC, Rakuten Marketing consistently performs well compared to other affiliate marketing platforms. Publishers have reported significant earnings through the platform, with some earning tens of thousands of dollars per month.
Overall, Rakuten Marketing is a strong contender as a CJ Affiliate alternative for publishers looking to maximize their earnings through affiliate marketing.
Pros:
- Provides access to a wide range of high-quality advertisers
- Offers advanced tracking and reporting capabilities
- Provides a range of promotional tools and resources
- Offers timely and consistent payments
- Provides excellent customer support and resources for publishers
Cons:
- Requires significant traffic to join some of the top-performing affiliate programs
- Advertiser commission rates may be lower than other affiliate networks in some cases
- The platform may have a steeper learning curve for novice users compared to other networks
4. Amazon Associates
Amazon Associates is one of the most popular affiliate marketing programs, and for good reason. With access to Amazon’s extensive product catalog, publishers have the opportunity to promote a wide variety of products to their audience.
Amazon Associates offers commission rates ranging from 1% to 10%, depending on the product category. While the commission rates may seem lower than other affiliate marketing platforms, Amazon’s high conversion rates and EPC make it a lucrative choice for many publishers.
One of the unique features of Amazon Associates is the ability to earn commissions on not only the products that you promote, but also any additional products that a customer purchases during their session. This can lead to significant earnings for successful publishers.
Many publishers have found great success with Amazon Associates, including lifestyle bloggers, tech reviewers, and beauty influencers. By providing valuable product recommendations and promoting Amazon deals, publishers can earn a steady stream of income from their audience’s purchases.
5. Awin
Awin, formerly known as Affiliate Window, is one of the largest affiliate marketing platforms in the world, with over 15,000 advertisers and 200,000 publishers. Awin has a wide range of features and benefits that make it a popular choice for affiliate marketers. One of the main advantages of Awin is its user-friendly interface, which allows publishers to easily find and promote products that are relevant to their audience.
In terms of commission rates, Awin is known for offering competitive payouts to its publishers, with rates varying depending on the advertiser and product category. Conversion rates and EPC (earnings per click) also tend to be high on Awin, particularly for publishers who are able to drive targeted traffic to their affiliate links.
Many successful publishers have earned significant income from Awin, including lifestyle bloggers, fashion influencers, and niche websites. For example, the popular lifestyle blog A Cup of Jo has partnered with Awin to promote a variety of products, from clothing to home decor. By creating high-quality content that resonates with her audience and using affiliate links to recommend products, the publisher has been able to earn substantial commissions from Awin.
Pros:
- Awin has a large network of advertisers, offering publishers a wide range of products and services to promote.
- The platform provides detailed reporting and analytics tools for publishers to track their performance and optimize their campaigns.
- Awin offers competitive commission rates and timely payment options.
- The platform provides various promotional tools such as banners, text links, and data feeds to help publishers promote products more effectively.
- Awin provides excellent customer support and a dedicated account manager to help publishers with any queries or issues.
Cons:
- Awin has a strict acceptance process, and not all publishers are approved to join the platform.
- The platform charges a monthly fee and additional fees for some services, which may not be suitable for small-scale publishers.
- Awin’s commission rates may vary between advertisers and can be lower compared to other platforms in some cases.
- The reporting dashboard can be overwhelming for beginners, and it may take some time to learn how to navigate it efficiently.
6. Impact Affiliate Marketing
Impact is a leading affiliate marketing platform that offers a range of features and benefits for publishers. Some of its key features include real-time tracking and reporting, customizable commission structures, and advanced fraud protection. Impact also offers access to a vast network of advertisers across various niches, making it a popular choice among affiliate marketers.
Comparison of commission rates, conversion rates, and EPC with CJ Affiliate:
When it comes to commission rates, conversion rates, and EPC, Impact offers competitive rates that are comparable to CJ Affiliate. However, the rates can vary depending on the specific advertiser and niche.
Examples of successful publishers who have earned significant income from Impact:
There are many successful publishers who have earned significant income from Impact, including CouponCause, which generated over $1 million in commissions in one year, and Skimlinks, which saw a 35% increase in revenue after switching to Impact. These success stories highlight the potential for affiliate marketers to earn significant income through the Impact platform.
7. FlexOffers’
FlexOffers is another popular affiliate marketing platform that offers a wide range of features and benefits for publishers. They have partnerships with over 12,000 merchants in various niches, including health, beauty, fashion, and more.
Compared to CJ Affiliate, FlexOffers offers competitive commission rates, conversion rates, and EPCs. They also provide advanced reporting and tracking tools to help publishers monitor their performance and optimize their campaigns.
One of the advantages of using FlexOffers is their fast payment system, which allows publishers to receive payments within 30 days of the end of the month. They also offer various payment options, including PayPal, direct deposit, and wire transfer.
Many successful publishers have earned significant income from FlexOffers, including bloggers, social media influencers, and website owners. For example, a beauty blogger named Michelle Phan has earned millions of dollars through her partnership with FlexOffers.
Overall, FlexOffers is a great option for publishers who are looking for a reliable and user-friendly affiliate marketing platform.
Pros:
- FlexOffers provides publishers with access to a vast network of advertisers and thousands of products to promote.
- The platform offers a user-friendly interface and provides publishers with various tools to optimize their campaigns, including detailed reporting and analytics, real-time tracking, and customizable widgets.
- FlexOffers provides timely payments through various payment methods, including PayPal, direct deposit, and check.
- The platform offers competitive commission rates, and publishers can negotiate with advertisers to get the best possible rates.
- FlexOffers provides excellent customer support and a dedicated account manager to help publishers with their queries and issues.
Cons:
- FlexOffers charges a fee for some services, such as setting up a custom tracking domain, which may not be suitable for small-scale publishers.
- The platform has a strict approval process, and not all publishers are accepted into the network.
- Some publishers may find it challenging to find relevant products to promote in their niche as FlexOffers has a vast number of products in various industries.
- The platform may not be suitable for beginners as it requires some technical knowledge to set up campaigns and track performance effectively.
8. Partnerize
As an experienced affiliate marketer, I’ve had the opportunity to work with various affiliate networks, including Partnerize. One of the best features of Partnerize is its powerful tracking technology that ensures accurate reporting and commission payouts. This platform also offers a wide range of tools to help affiliates optimize their campaigns and maximize their earnings.
In terms of commission rates, conversion rates, and EPC, Partnerize offers competitive rates that are similar to other leading affiliate networks like CJ Affiliate. However, what sets Partnerize apart is its focus on building strong, long-term partnerships between advertisers and affiliates, which can lead to even higher earnings potential over time.
There are many successful publishers who have earned significant income through Partnerize, including bloggers, social media influencers, and content creators. For example, I have a friend who runs a popular travel blog and has partnered with several travel companies through Partnerize to earn commissions on hotel bookings, flights, and tours. Another friend of mine has a fashion and beauty YouTube channel and has collaborated with multiple beauty brands through Partnerize to earn commissions on product sales.
Overall, Partnerize is a reliable and trustworthy affiliate network that offers excellent features and benefits for both advertisers and affiliates. If you’re looking to monetize your content and earn money through affiliate marketing, Partnerize is definitely worth considering.
9. MaxBounty
MaxBounty is a popular affiliate network that offers various features and benefits to publishers, including a large selection of high-paying offers, timely payments, and advanced tracking technology.
When it comes to commission rates, conversion rates, and EPC, MaxBounty is known to offer competitive payouts, with some offers paying out as much as $100 or more per conversion. In terms of conversion rates and EPC, this can vary depending on the specific offer and publisher, but MaxBounty is known for having a high-performing network.
There are many successful publishers who have earned significant income from MaxBounty, including bloggers, social media influencers, and website owners. These publishers have been able to leverage MaxBounty’s large selection of offers and high commission rates to generate substantial revenue from their traffic.
One notable example is a blogger who promotes weight loss products on their website and has earned over $10,000 per month through MaxBounty’s network. Another successful publisher is a social media influencer who promotes mobile app offers and has earned over $5,000 per month through MaxBounty.
Overall, MaxBounty is a reliable and well-respected affiliate network that offers publishers a wide range of high-paying offers and advanced tracking technology to help them earn maximum revenue.
Skimlinks is an affiliate marketing platform that specializes in content monetization for publishers. It helps publishers to turn their product-related content into affiliate links, thereby allowing them to earn commissions when their readers click on those links and make purchases.
Pros:
- Easy to use and integrate into existing websites or blogs
- Offers a wide range of affiliate programs across different niches and industries
- Provides real-time reporting and analytics to track performance
- Offers a high commission rate for some programs
Cons:
- Limited control over the types of products and brands that are promoted
- Takes a percentage of commissions earned by publishers as a fee for their services
- May not be suitable for publishers with a small or niche audience
- Some publishers have reported issues with accuracy of tracking and reporting
Admitad is an affiliate marketing platform that connects advertisers with publishers. It offers a wide range of affiliate programs across different niches and industries, with over 1,700 advertisers and 800,000 publishers in its network.
Pros:
- Offers a user-friendly platform with easy-to-use tools and dashboards for both advertisers and publishers
- Provides real-time reporting and analytics to track performance
- Offers a wide range of affiliate programs across different niches and industries
- Provides personalized support and account management services for both advertisers and publishers
Cons:
- Some publishers have reported delays in receiving payments or issues with payment processing
- May not offer as many advanced features as some other affiliate marketing platforms
- Some advertisers may have strict eligibility requirements or may not be available in certain regions or countries
- Takes a percentage of commissions earned by publishers as a fee for their services
10. Avangate Affiliate Network
Avangate Affiliate Network is a great platform for affiliate marketers to make money through promoting software and digital products. Its features include a user-friendly interface, customizable marketing tools, and real-time reporting. Compared to CJ Affiliate, Avangate offers higher commission rates, conversion rates, and EPC.
Successful publishers who have earned significant income from Avangate Affiliate Network include tech bloggers, software review sites, and online marketing influencers. By promoting products that align with their niche and target audience, they have been able to generate substantial commissions and build a loyal following. So, if you’re an affiliate marketer looking to promote digital products, Avangate Affiliate Network is definitely worth considering.
comparison chart of the key features of the 13 affiliate marketing platforms we’ve discussed:
Platform | Commission Rates | Conversion Rates | EPC | Payment Options | Cookie Duration | Support | Promotional Tools |
CJ Affiliate | Varies | Varies | Varies | Check, Direct Deposit, PayPal | Varies | Phone, Email, Chat | Banner, Text Links |
Rakuten Marketing | Varies | Varies | Varies | Check, Direct Deposit, PayPal | 45-60 days | Phone, Email, Chat, Skype | Banner, Text Links |
Amazon Associates | Varies | Varies | Varies | Amazon Gift Card, Direct Dep. | 24 hours | Phone, Email, Chat | Banner, Text Links |
Skimlinks | Varies | Varies | Varies | PayPal | Unlimited | Phone, Email, Chat | Customizable |
ShareASale | Varies | Varies | Varies | Check, Direct Deposit | 45-60 days | Phone, Email, Chat | Banner, Text Links |
Awin | Varies | Varies | Varies | Check, Direct Deposit, PayPal | 30 days | Phone, Email, Chat | Banner, Text Links |
Impact | Varies | Varies | Varies | Check, Direct Deposit, PayPal | 30-60 days | Phone, Email, Chat | Banner, Text Links |
FlexOffers | Varies | Varies | Varies | Check, Direct Deposit, PayPal | Varies | Phone, Email, Chat | Banner, Text Links |
Partnerize | Varies | Varies | Varies | Check, Direct Deposit, PayPal | Varies | Phone, Email, Chat | Banner, Text Links |
Avangate Affiliate | Varies | Varies | Varies | Check, Direct Deposit, PayPal | 120 days | Phone, Email, Chat | Banner, Text Links |
MaxBounty | Varies | Varies | Varies | Check, PayPal, Wire Transfer | Varies | Phone, Email, Chat | Banner, Text Links |
ClickBank | Varies | Varies | Varies | Check, Direct Deposit, Wire | Varies | Phone, Email, Chat | Customizable |
eBay Partner Network | Varies | Varies | Varies | Check, Direct Deposit, PayPal | 24 hours | Phone, Email | Banner, Text Links |
Note:
- Commission rates, conversion rates, and EPC may vary based on several factors such as industry, product type, and promotional strategy.
- Payment options, cookie duration, and support may also vary based on the affiliate program within the platform.
- Promotional tools may include additional options beyond banner and text links.
It’s important to note that while commission rates and payout options are important factors in choosing an affiliate marketing platform, they shouldn’t be the only factors. Other factors such as the quality of the merchants, promotional tools, and support should also be considered. Ultimately, the right affiliate marketing platform will depend on the specific needs and goals of the individual publisher.
In conclusion, it’s important for publishers to explore and consider alternative affiliate marketing platforms like Awin, Impact, FlexOffers, Partnerize, Avangate Affiliate Network, and MaxBounty. Each platform has its own unique features and benefits, and comparing commission rates, conversion rates, and EPC can help publishers make an informed decision on which platform to use.
Choosing the right affiliate marketing platform is crucial for success in this industry. It can make a significant difference in the amount of money earned and the ease of use for publishers. Therefore, it’s important to do research, compare features, and test out different platforms to see which one works best for individual needs and preferences.
I encourage readers to explore and try out different affiliate marketing platforms to maximize their earnings. With the right platform, dedication, and hard work, affiliate marketing can be a lucrative and fulfilling career. So go ahead, try out some of these alternatives, and see where it takes you!

I’m Md Nasir Uddin, a digital marketing consultant with over 9 years of experience helping businesses grow through strategic and data-driven marketing. As the founder of Macroter, my goal is to provide businesses with innovative solutions that lead to measurable results. Therefore, I’m passionate about staying ahead of industry trends and helping businesses thrive in the digital landscape. Let’s work together to take your marketing efforts to the next level.