Updated January 18, 2026
The Stripe-First Alternative to Awin
Awin is a well-known affiliate network built for partner-led growth, but its platform + tracking fees and network-first workflow can be a poor fit for SaaS subscription analytics. Referello is a Stripe-first Awin alternative designed for simple setup, clean attribution, and scalable tracking without revenue-share surprises.
Network Fees
Because Awin pricing typically combines a platform fee with an additional tracking fee applied to transaction value on top of partner commissions, total program cost can increase quickly as revenue grows even when your internal workload stays the same.
SaaS Mismatch
Awin is optimized for network-style affiliate marketing and ecommerce-style purchase attribution, so SaaS teams often need extra process to align reporting with subscriptions, upgrades, and recurring revenue behaviors.
Operational Load
Launching and maintaining an Awin program commonly includes onboarding steps, approvals, tag-based tracking implementation, and ongoing transaction validation workflows that add operational overhead for lean SaaS teams.
Searching for an “Awin alternative” usually means you’ve outgrown the idea of running your affiliate program inside a large affiliate network, or you want affiliate tracking software that’s built around how SaaS revenue actually works. Awin is a global affiliate marketing platform that connects advertisers with a large publisher ecosystem, and it pairs that network with a robust tracking stack (MasterTag, conversion tags, and last-click identification) meant to attribute and validate transactions reliably. The tradeoff is that Awin’s pricing and operations are built around network economics: a monthly platform fee (for certain plans) plus a tracking fee that scales with transaction value—on top of whatever commission you pay partners—so program costs can rise alongside growth, not just headcount.
If you’re a SaaS team, the friction usually shows up in the details: subscriptions, upgrades, seat expansions, trials-to-paid, and recurring revenue reporting don’t naturally map to the “one checkout, one order value” flow that affiliate networks evolved around. You can absolutely run a successful program on Awin, but you’ll typically manage more process (approvals, validations, partner workflows, and tag-based implementation) and you’ll often end up stitching together a “SaaS view” of performance across tools. That’s why many teams look for an Awin alternative that’s purpose-built for SaaS: Stripe-native tracking, clean last-touch attribution, coupon support, and a simpler operating model that doesn’t penalize you as revenue scales.
Referello is built for exactly that use case: SaaS affiliate tracking that plugs into Stripe, tracks what matters for subscription businesses, and stays easy to manage as you grow. Instead of a network-first workflow, you get a direct, brand-first affiliate program where you control partner experience, attribution, and reporting, with straightforward pricing and a modern setup flow designed for SaaS founders and growth teams.
Feature Breakdown
| Core Features | Awin | Referello |
|---|---|---|
Flat monthly pricing Platform + tracking fees apply. | Missing | |
Instant Stripe referral tracking No direct Stripe event syncing. | Missing | |
Reliable last-touch attribution Last-click identifier supports last-touch. | Included | |
Unlimited revenue tracking Tracking fees scale with sales. | Usage-based | |
Drop-in tracking script MasterTag runs sitewide for attribution. | Included | |
Auto-generate referral codes Primarily affiliate-link tracking IDs. | Missing | |
Real-time conversion feed Transactions surface quickly as tracked. | Included | |
0% revenue share Charges a transaction-value tracking fee. | Missing | |
Unlimited affiliates Large publisher ecosystem, no simple cap. | Included | |
Easy setup effort More onboarding and implementation steps. | High | |
No campaign limits Supports varied promos and commission logic. | Included | |
No team member limits User invites exist; limits not advertised. | Unclear | |
Branded affiliate portal Portal experience remains Awin-branded. | Missing | |
Custom domain No custom-domain partner portal. | Missing | |
Coupon code tracking Coupon attribution can track code-only. | Included | |
Automatic payouts Network pays publishers on payout cycle. | Included | |
Self-referral abuse prevention Validation and compliance reduce fraud. | Included |
Which tool is right for you?
Choose Awin if you want a network-first affiliate program and you’re optimizing for publisher marketplace access, network tooling, and ecommerce-style transaction operations. Choose Referello if you want SaaS-native affiliate tracking with Stripe at the center, simpler program management, and pricing that stays predictable as you grow.
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 Awin 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
Awin is a strong choice when you specifically want an affiliate network model—access to a broad publisher marketplace, network workflows, and ecommerce-oriented program operations—but it can be heavier and more expensive than SaaS teams expect once platform fees and transaction-based tracking fees stack up. If your goal is a clean, Stripe-first affiliate program that’s easy to operate, built for subscription revenue realities, and designed to scale without “network tax” dynamics, Referello is the better Awin alternative and the more founder-friendly long-term pick.
Migration Steps
- Audit your current Awin setup (tracking tags, attribution window, coupon rules, and any validation workflow) and document the minimum you need to replicate in a SaaS-first affiliate program.
- Export or compile your current partner list and key program details (commission terms, coupon allocations, and top-performing placements) so you can re-invite partners without losing momentum.
- Create your program in Referello and connect Stripe so new subscriptions, upgrades, and payments can be attributed going forward using your chosen attribution settings.
- Recreate your core incentives in Referello (default commissions, special partner deals, and optional coupon/referral-code structures) and generate new tracking links or codes for partners.
- Replace Awin tracking on your site with the Referello snippet (and update any GTM or server-side tracking touchpoints) then run a short QA cycle to confirm clicks, conversions, and attribution behave as expected.
- Notify partners with a clear cutover plan, run a brief parallel period if needed for confidence, then wind down the Awin program once Referello is consistently capturing new conversions.
Existing Awin cookies and historical network attribution won’t transfer, but new clicks and conversions will start tracking immediately once Referello is live.