Is AffiliateWP only for WordPress?

Yes. AffiliateWP is a WordPress affiliate plugin and requires WordPress to run.

Can AffiliateWP track Stripe payments?

It can track Stripe-based payments through WordPress integrations (for example, WP Simple Pay), while Referello connects directly to Stripe for SaaS-first tracking.

Does AffiliateWP support last-touch attribution?

Yes. It includes a setting to credit the last referrer, and Referello also supports reliable last-touch attribution.

Does AffiliateWP support coupon code tracking?

Yes. Affiliate coupon tracking is supported, and Referello also supports coupon-based attribution.

Does AffiliateWP support paying affiliates automatically?

AffiliateWP supports payout methods such as Stripe and PayPal workflows, while Referello keeps payouts aligned to your Stripe-first program operations.

What happens to existing tracking cookies when switching?

Cookies typically do not transfer between platforms, so you should plan a controlled cutover and expect new clicks to be tracked in Referello immediately.

Can I keep my existing affiliate links during migration?

You can often preserve link behavior using redirects or re-issuing codes, but you should validate tracking during the cutover window.

Updated January 18, 2026

The Stripe-First Alternative to AffiliateWP

AffiliateWP is a popular WordPress affiliate plugin with annual licensing and a WordPress-first setup. Referello is a Stripe-first AffiliateWP alternative for SaaS with flat monthly pricing and built-in unlimited scale.

Start Free Trial See Comparison

WordPress Lock-in

Because AffiliateWP is a WordPress-only affiliate plugin, SaaS teams often end up maintaining extra infrastructure and integrations to keep affiliate tracking consistent across the marketing site, app, and checkout as the business scales.

Tiered Features

Some higher-end capabilities are tied to specific license tiers or add-ons, so what feels like a simple affiliate launch can turn into a plan-upgrade decision as soon as you need more advanced workflows.

SaaS Fit

If your main goal is clean Stripe subscription attribution and recurring revenue reporting, a WordPress-first architecture can introduce operational friction and edge cases that a Stripe-first platform avoids.

If you are searching for an AffiliateWP alternative, you are usually deciding between a WordPress affiliate plugin and a dedicated affiliate tracking platform built for SaaS. AffiliateWP is designed to run inside WordPress and is a strong fit when your marketing site, checkout, and customer workflows live in WordPress. But if your SaaS product is not WordPress-first, that dependency can add extra setup overhead and ongoing maintenance just to keep your affiliate program running smoothly. In an AffiliateWP vs Referello comparison, the biggest differences are platform fit and how cleanly your tracking maps to Stripe subscription revenue. AffiliateWP can track Stripe-based payments through WordPress integrations (for example, WP Simple Pay), but the tracking model is still centered on your WordPress environment. Referello is built as Stripe-first affiliate tracking software for SaaS, so attribution and revenue tracking are designed around how SaaS businesses sell and renew. For teams targeting keywords like "AffiliateWP alternative for SaaS" or "AffiliateWP alternative for Stripe subscriptions," Referello focuses on simple rollout, reliable last-touch attribution, and predictable cost. You get unlimited affiliates and unlimited revenue tracking on one flat monthly plan, so your partner channel can grow without license tiers, add-ons, or WordPress-only constraints slowing you down.

Feature Breakdown

Core Features	AffiliateWP	Referello
Flat monthly pricing Yearly license billed upfront.	Missing
Instant Stripe referral tracking Stripe tracking via WP Simple Pay integration.	Via integration
Reliable last-touch attribution Credit Last Referrer toggle in settings.	Included
Unlimited revenue tracking Unlimited commissions and referrals in plugin.	Included
Drop-in tracking script Tracking handled inside WordPress plugin.	WordPress plugin
Auto-generate referral codes Pretty affiliate links auto-generated.	Included
Real-time conversion feed Real-time reporting dashboard available.	Included
0% revenue share No revenue share, just license fee.	Included
Unlimited affiliates Unlimited affiliates on all plans.	Included
Easy setup effort Requires WordPress setup and integrations.	Medium
No campaign limits Unlimited creatives and referrals supported.	Included
No team member limits No per-seat limits in licensing.	Included
Branded affiliate portal Affiliate Portal available on higher tiers.	Tiered
Custom domain Runs under your WordPress site domain.	Included
Coupon code tracking Built-in affiliate coupon tracking.	Included
Automatic payouts Supports Stripe and PayPal payout methods.	Included
Self-referral abuse prevention Built-in fraud tools and self-referral controls.	Included

Which tool is right for you?

Choose AffiliateWP if your affiliate program is tightly coupled to WordPress and you want a plugin-based workflow inside your WP admin. Choose Referello if you want a Stripe-first affiliate tracking platform for SaaS with flat monthly pricing, unlimited affiliates, and clean recurring revenue attribution that scales with your partner channel.

The Referello Difference

Built specifically for Stripe SaaS Founders.

We focus on one thing: Making affiliate tracking seamless for Stripe. No clunky integrations, no enterprise bloat.

2-Minute Setup
Automatic Commissions
Simple Flat Pricing ($29/mo)

Get Started Free

No credit card required · 14-day free trial

"I switched from AffiliateWP because I was tired of paying monthly fees for features I didn't use. Referello is exactly what I needed."

SaaS Founder

Verified User

Final Verdict

AffiliateWP is a solid WordPress-native option when your entire business runs on WordPress and you want affiliate management living in the same admin area as your store. But for SaaS teams that care most about Stripe subscriptions, recurring revenue attribution, and scaling affiliates without tiered licensing decisions, Referello is the stronger AffiliateWP alternative: Stripe-first by design, faster to operate, and priced for growth.

Migration Steps

Review your AffiliateWP setup (integrations, commission rules, coupon mappings, and portal pages) and note what needs to be recreated in Referello.
Export or compile your affiliate roster and any key partner metadata you rely on, then format it for a clean import into Referello.
Rebuild the core structure of your program in Referello (offers, commission logic, approval rules, and code/coupon attribution) so behavior matches what partners expect.
Place the Referello tracking snippet in the right places across your marketing site and app, then run a few end-to-end tests to confirm clicks and conversions are recorded.
Connect Stripe in Referello and validate that purchases and subscriptions attribute correctly with last-touch rules and recurring revenue tracking.
Invite affiliates to the new portal, share updated links/codes, and run a brief verification period before fully removing AffiliateWP tracking.

AffiliateWP cookies and WordPress-specific tracking artifacts will not transfer, so plan a clean cutover and route new clicks through Referello.