Affiliatly vs Simple Affiliate: Which Tool Offers the Best Features for Small Businesses?

Affiliate marketing is such a great way for small businesses to grow by partnering with others to reach new customers and drive sales. To manage these partnerships effectively, businesses need the right software. 

Two popular options are Affiliatly and Simple Affiliate. Both tools have helpful features, but they cater to different needs. 

This article will help you understand which one might be the best fit for your business.

Introduction to Affiliatly and Simple Affiliate

Before we explore the specifics, here’s a quick summary:

• Affiliatly is a flexible platform designed to work with a wide range of online stores. It’s good for businesses that need more advanced features.
  
  
• Simple Affiliate is a straightforward, affordable choice with an easy setup. It’s honestly awesome l for businesses that are looking for a simple tool without a bunch of useless extra features they won’t ever use.
  

Now, let’s break down each tool, focusing on their strengths and how they can help your business.

Feature	Affiliatly	Simple Affiliate
Setup and Integration	Works with Shopify and other eCommerce platforms	Quick setup for Shopify
User Interface	Has many options, can be complex for new users	Simple and easy-to-navigate dashboard
Tracking & Reporting	Detailed tracking with various metrics	Core tracking metrics, easy to understand
Commission Structures	Multiple options (flexible, percentage, performance)	Flexible commission structures
Payout Options	Automated payouts with options for flexibility	Automated payouts with tax handling
Pricing	Monthly plans starting $16	Free Starter plan; Pro plan at $39/month

Simple Affiliate: Affordable and Easy to Use

Simple Affiliate is built to be super easy to use, giving you important features without a bunch of bloated complexity. This simplicity makes it a great fit for smaller businesses or those who are new to affiliate marketing.

Main Features

1. Seamless Shopify Integration: Simple Affiliate integrates directly with Shopify, making it a great choice for Shopify users. The setup is fast and doesn’t require advanced technical skills, so merchants can get started right away.
   
   
2. User-Friendly Dashboard: Simple Affiliate’s dashboard is organized and easy to navigate, with only the necessary features. This simplicity helps users focus on managing their affiliate program without feeling overwhelmed.
   
   
3. Core Tracking and Reporting: Simple Affiliate provides tracking for essential metrics like clicks, conversions, and sales. While it doesn’t offer as many details as Affiliatly, it delivers the main insights businesses need to understand affiliate performance.
   
   
4. Flexible Commission Structures: Simple Affiliate supports various commission structures and payment methods, including percentage-based and flat-rate commissions. This flexibility allows businesses to tailor their affiliate incentives based on specific goals or seasonal promotions.
   
   
5. Automated Payouts with Tax Handling: Simple Affiliate offers automated payouts through bank transfers, simplifying the payment process. Additionally, it handles tax forms like 1099s for affiliates, reducing administrative tasks for businesses.
   

Pricing

Simple Affiliate offers several pricing plans:

• Starter Plan: Free, includes auto-pay by bank, 1099 forms, unlimited referrals with up to 10 affiliates, one group and one link per affiliate, and live chat support.
  
  
• Pro Plan: $39 per month, includes all Starter features plus custom links, discount codes, product-specific commissions, permanent customer connection, unlimited affiliates, and a 14-day free trial.
  
  
• Premium Plan: $69 per month, includes all Pro features plus lower auto-pay fees and manual payouts, with a 14-day free trial.
  
  
• Enterprise Plan: $189 per month, includes all Premium features plus the lowest auto-pay fees and priority support, with a 14-day free trial.
  

For businesses that want to avoid monthly costs, the Starter plan offers a free option with essential features, while the Pro, Premium, and Enterprise plans provide more advanced features at competitive monthly rates.

Best For

Simple Affiliate is an ideal choice for small businesses looking for a budget-friendly tool with essential features. It’s especially helpful for Shopify users who need a straightforward setup without the need for complex customization.

Affiliatly: A Flexible Solution

Affiliatly is known for its extensive features, which can be helpful for businesses that want to get the most out of their affiliate program.

Main Features

1. Broad Compatibility with Platforms: Affiliatly works with popular eCommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and others. This makes it flexible enough for businesses that sell on multiple online platforms.
   
   
2. Detailed Tracking and Analytics: Affiliatly’s reporting features allow you to track clicks, conversions, and sales in depth. This helps businesses understand which affiliates are performing well and how their campaigns are doing overall.
   
   
3. Flexible Commission Options: Affiliatly supports multiple commission structures, like percentage-based, flat-rate, and performance-based bonuses. This variety gives businesses options to reward affiliates in ways that align with their goals.
   
   
4. Automatic Payouts: Affiliatly allows you to automate payments, including through PayPal. You can set minimum payout amounts and schedule payments, which saves time in managing payouts.
   

Pricing

Affiliatly offers monthly plans that start at $16 per month. Higher tiers unlock advanced features like customized affiliate links and tiered commission options. For businesses planning to scale up, the monthly cost could increase based on the level of features they need.

Best For

Affiliatly is a great choice for businesses looking for a feature-rich tool with advanced tracking, customizable commission options, and compatibility with several platforms. While there may be a bit of a learning curve, it’s well-suited for businesses with the time and resources to make full use of its capabilities.

Which Tool Should You Choose?

Affiliatly is best for businesses that need advanced tracking, flexible commission structures, and compatibility with multiple eCommerce platforms. It’s a powerful tool, but it may require time to learn and ongoing monthly payments.

Simple Affiliate is ideal for small businesses that want an easy, affordable option. Its free Starter plan, easy setup, and essential features make it a great choice for those managing a smaller affiliate program. For many small businesses, Simple Affiliate is likely to be the more practical and cost-effective solution.

Conclusion

Choosing the right affiliate management tool depends on your business’s unique needs and platform preferences. 

Affiliatly offers a powerful set of features with deep analytics and flexible commission structures, making it suitable for larger businesses or those looking for detailed insights. 

Simple Affiliate, however, stands out for its straightforward setup, affordability, and seamless integration with Shopify, making it a great option for small businesses that value ease of use and cost efficiency.