In today’s digital landscape, affiliate marketers are on the lookout for opportunities to earn not just once, but again and again. That’s where recurring commission affiliate programs come in, enabling affiliates to generate steady, long-term income by promoting services and products that pay monthly or yearly for as long as customers remain active. Here, we’ll explore the best recurring commission affiliate programs that can help you build a reliable income stream. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting out, these programs cover a wide range of industries to suit different niches and audience types.
Why Choose Recurring Commission Affiliate Programs?
Unlike one-time commission models, recurring commission programs allow you to keep earning as long as your referral remains a customer. This is ideal for building passive income, as your efforts can pay off long after the initial sale. For affiliates in digital marketing, web hosting, software as a service (SaaS), and e-commerce, recurring commissions can make all the difference between a sustainable business and sporadic earnings.
Key Benefits
Consistent Revenue: Recurring affiliate programs allow you to establish a reliable income stream as long as your referred users stay active with the product or service.
Passive Income: After referring a customer, you can keep earning ongoing commissions without needing to put in extra work.
Customer Retention: These programs typically emphasize customer satisfaction and retention, increasing the chances that your referrals will stay on board, securing your recurring income.
Sustainable Growth Potential: With each month or year, your recurring commissions accumulate, creating a dependable income source that supports long-term financial growth and stability.
Top 10 Best Affiliate Programs with Recurring Commissions
Many of these products and services we have used ourselves, many we have not. Ones we have used will be indicated with a star. Let’s dive into some of the best affiliate programs with recurring commissions across different industries:
Personally used and recommended by us.
1. Kit (Formerly ConvertKit) – Email Marketing for Creators
- Commission: 50% recurring for the first 12 months, then bonuses based on the tier level you’ve reached.
- Why It’s Great: Kit is a popular email marketing platform for content creators, bloggers, and online entrepreneurs. It’s a powerful choice for affiliates because it has a high customer retention rate, ensuring long-term commissions.
- Niche Fit: Bloggers, influencers, small business owners, and course creators.
2. SEMrush – SEO and Marketing Toolkit
- Commission: $0.01 – $200 per sale
- Why It’s Great: SEMrush offers tools for SEO, competitive analysis, content marketing, and more. It’s a staple for digital marketers, and with a generous 40% commission on each renewal, it’s one of the most profitable recurring commission affiliate programs.
- Niche Fit: SEO experts, marketers, and agencies.
3. Kinsta – Managed WordPress Hosting
- Commission: 10% lifetime recurring
- Why It’s Great: As a premium managed WordPress hosting provider, Kinsta targets businesses and high-traffic websites, meaning that clients tend to stay for extended periods. The 10% lifetime commission can add up, especially if you target serious business owners.
- Niche Fit: Website owners, bloggers, digital agencies.
4. GetResponse – Email Marketing Software
- Commission: 33% recurring
- Why It’s Great: GetResponse is an email marketing tool that also offers webinar hosting and landing page builders. With a 33% recurring commission, it’s one of the most lucrative programs for affiliates targeting small businesses.
- Niche Fit: Small business owners, e-commerce shops, and digital marketers.
5. Shopify – E-commerce Platform
- Commission: 20% recurring
- Why It’s Great: Shopify is one of the top choices for e-commerce platforms, and with a 20% recurring commission on subscriptions, it’s ideal for affiliates with e-commerce audiences. Plus, it’s a reliable product with excellent customer satisfaction.
- Niche Fit: E-commerce enthusiasts, business consultants, website developers.
6. Teachable – Online Course Platform
- Commission: 30% recurring
- Why It’s Great: Teachable allows creators to host and sell online courses. With the rise of e-learning, Teachable offers a valuable service with strong customer retention, resulting in steady recurring commissions.
- Niche Fit: Educators, coaches, bloggers, and online entrepreneurs.
7. NordVPN – VPN and Cybersecurity
- Commission: Up to 30% recurring
- Why It’s Great: Cybersecurity is in high demand, and NordVPN provides an essential service for online privacy. With up to 30% recurring commission, affiliates can target a broad audience concerned with online security.
- Niche Fit: Tech enthusiasts, security bloggers, general internet users.
8. Thinkific – Online Course Platform
- Commission: 30% recurring
- Why It’s Great: Thinkific is another popular platform for creating and selling online courses. With a 30% recurring commission, it’s a strong option for affiliates who focus on the online education and self-improvement sectors.
- Niche Fit: Educators, life coaches, business coaches, and e-learning influencers.
9. Aweber – Email Marketing Tool
- Commission: Up to 50% recurring commissions.
- Why It’s Great: Aweber is known for its ease of use, making it a great tool for small businesses and beginners in email marketing. With up to 50% recurring commission, Aweber is ideal for affiliates aiming at SMBs.
- Niche Fit: Small business owners, e-commerce sites, and online marketers.
10. SamCart – E-commerce Checkout Software
- Commission: 40% recurring
- Why It’s Great: SamCart is a powerful shopping cart solution that helps e-commerce businesses increase conversions. With a substantial 40% recurring commission, it’s a great program for affiliates working with online store owners.
- Niche Fit: E-commerce, online retailers, digital product sellers.
Web Hosting and Website Services
Cloudways – Earn $30 per sale + 7% lifetime commission
Email Marketing and CRM Tools
ActiveCampaign – 20-30% recurring commission
SEO and Marketing Tools
Mangools – 35% recurring (*personally used and recommended)
Surfer SEO – Up to 25% recurring
Course Creation and E-learning Platforms
E-commerce Platforms and Shopping Carts
PayKickstart – 25% recurring
ClickFunnels – 30% recurring
Systeme – 60% recurring
VPNs and Cybersecurity
PureVPN – Up to 35% recurring
SaaS and Productivity Tools
Social Media and Video Marketing
TubeBuddy – 15% recurring for a year
VidIQ – Up to 25% recurring (*personally used and recommended)
SocialBee – 20% recurring
Crowdfire – 35% recurring, up to a year
PromoRepublic – 35% recurring
Digital Products and Web Design Tools
DepositPhotos – Recurring commission on subscriptions
How to Maximize Earnings from Recurring Commission Affiliate Programs
To get the most out of recurring commission affiliate programs, follow these best practices:
- Choose High-Retention Products: Target affiliate programs with products that have a high customer retention rate. The longer a customer stays, the longer you earn.
- Create Helpful Content: Write reviews, comparisons, and tutorials to showcase the value of the products. Content that educates users on how to benefit from the product tends to attract serious buyers.
- Focus on Your Niche: Promote products and services that align with your audience’s needs. By sticking to a niche, you’ll build trust with readers, increasing conversions.
- Leverage SEO: Targeting keywords about recurring commissions can drive organic traffic to your content.
- Engage Your Audience with Email Marketing: Build a list of interested subscribers and nurture them with updates, tips, and special offers for products you promote.
Conclusion
Finding the best affiliate programs with recurring commissions is essential for building a stable and lucrative affiliate business. By choosing products and services that your audience finds valuable, you can create a passive income stream that continues to grow over time. Whether you’re in digital marketing, cybersecurity, e-commerce, or education, these recurring commission affiliate programs offer excellent opportunities to maximize your earnings potential.
