November 15, 2023
This page contains affiliate links, and we may earn commissions for purchases on other sites.
The standard way to make money in affiliate marketing is through sales commissions. For instance, I promote various business and marketing tools on my site. A click on one of my affiliate links, followed by a sale, will result in a commission for me.
Successful affiliate marketers earning four and five monthly figures rely on sales commissions. However, affiliates can earn commissions much quicker by getting merchants’ leads. Therefore, this post will review the best pay-per-lead affiliate programs for beginners, bloggers, and social media marketers.
What Is a Pay-Per-Lead Affiliate Program?
A pay-per-lead (PPL) affiliate program compensates an affiliate for getting prospects and new users. PPL is also known as a cost-per-lead (CPL). Pay-per-lead programs commonly require a user to:
- Sign up for a free trial
- Submit contact info, e.g., name, home address, email, etc.
- Subscribe to an email newsletter
- Create an account
- Register for a webinar or event
- Download or install an app
- Request a demo, e.g., a software or product demo
- Order a bank card, e.g., a debit or credit card
- Book/schedule a meeting, appointment, or visit
- Request a quote, e.g., a life insurance quote
- Deposit or transfer funds
- Complete a survey, poll, or form
Pay-per-lead programs are attractive because they set a low bar. Getting a person to sign up for something is more straightforward than getting that same individual to make a purchase. For example, Domestika pays $2 per new account, Tidio $5 per new user, and Semrush $10 per trial.
Pay-per-lead programs can be helpful during slow periods and commission droughts (slumps happen to the best of us). On the other hand, because actions or objectives are less demanding than sales, PPL programs typically pay low commission rates, for example, $0.01 per lead. Also, focusing exclusively on pay-per-lead programs will not likely make you thousands of dollars monthly.
Best Pay-Per-Lead Affiliate Programs
First, I won’t waste your time with an incomplete list of 10 to 20 programs or unproven programs without EPC data. Instead, my list includes high-paying and reputable merchants in profitable affiliate marketing niches. Also, these programs are available on established affiliate networks to ensure you get paid for your promotional activities.
Semrush
Semrush is a powerful and versatile SEO, advertising, social media, and content marketing platform for online marketers. It features keyword, link building, market analysis, PPC, content, and video advertising research tools.
The Semrush affiliate program is lucrative for these reasons:
- Commission: $10 per lead and $200 per sale
- Cookie duration: 120 days
- Payout threshold: $10
- Affiliate network: Impact
ShareASale offers tracking technology, reporting tools, and automated payment options to facilitate the affiliate marketing process. It also provides a platform where merchants and affiliates can connect and form partnerships.
Affiliates get the following from the ShareASale affiliate program:
- Commission: $150 per merchant and $30 per qualifying affiliate
- Cookie duration: 60 days
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: ShareASale
Tidio
Tidio is an all-in-one customer service app that improves your customer support and helps generate more sales. Its live chat widget makes your business available 24/7, while AI-powered chatbots engage your customers in real-time.
The Tidio affiliate program is rewarding for these reasons:
- Commission: $5
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: CJ Affiliate
Zenefits
Zenefits provides a cloud-based software platform to help businesses manage their human resources services. It offers payroll, benefits administration, compliance, hiring, onboarding, and employee performance management tools.
Marketers get the following from the Zenefits affiliate program:
- Commission: $25
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payout threshold: $10
- Affiliate network: Impact
ProWritingAid
ProWritingAid is an AI-powered writing assistant that helps you improve your grammar, style, and clarity. It can identify over 250 writing errors, including grammar, punctuation, and spelling. It also offers suggestions for improving your writing. ProWritingAid is available as a free online tool or premium subscription and is an excellent Grammarly alternative.
The ProWritingAid affiliate program offers the following benefits:
- Commission: $0.25 per lead and $20 per sale
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: ShareASale
Square
Square is a financial services and digital payments company. In addition to point-of-sale systems, Square offers various other financial and business services. These include solutions for payroll, customer engagement, marketing, online sales, and business analytics. The company also operates Cash App, a popular mobile payment service that allows individuals to send, spend, save, and invest money.
The Square affiliate program offers the following compensation:
- Commission: $5
- Cookie duration: 45 days
- Payout threshold: $10
- Affiliate network: Impact
FreshBooks
FreshBooks provides cloud-based accounting solutions for small businesses and freelancers. The platform offers invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, and project management features. It also includes reporting and analytics tools to help companies manage their finances effectively.
The FreshBooks affiliate program has the following benefits:
- Commission: $10
- Cookie duration: 120 days
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: ShareASale
QuickBooks
QuickBooks is an accounting software package developed and marketed by Intuit. It’s primarily designed for small and medium-sized businesses, offering on-premises accounting applications and cloud-based versions.
Affiliates get the following benefits from the QuickBooks affiliate program:
- Commission: $5
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: CJ Affiliate
Ecomail
Ecomail is an email and omnichannel marketing platform allowing users to communicate with customers using email, SMS, Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger. Features include marketing automation, split testing, segmentation, opt-in forms, and e-commerce integrations.
The Ecomail affiliate program is attractive for these reasons:
- Commission: $1 per lead and 20% per sale
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payout threshold: $10
- Affiliate network: Impact
Atlassian
Atlassian develops products for software developers and project managers. It’s best known for its issue-tracking application, Jira, and its team collaboration and wiki product, Confluence.
Affiliates get the following benefits from the Atlassian affiliate program:
- Commission: $5 to $30
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payout threshold: $10
- Affiliate network: Impact
ClickUp
ClickUp is a task and team management platform that makes your personal and professional lives more productive with docs, reminders, goals, calendars, inboxes, whiteboards, and more. Its automation and integrations enhance your workflow.
Marketers get the following from the ClickUp affiliate program:
- Commission: $20
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payout threshold: $10
- Affiliate network: Impact
Monster
Monster is one of the largest job search websites in the world, and it lists millions of jobs in various industries. When you search for a job on Monster, you can filter your results by location, job title, industry, and other criteria. You can also create a profile and upload your resume so employers can find you.
The Monster affiliate program has the following benefits:
- Commission: $15
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: CJ Affiliate
Domestika
Domestika is an online learning community that focuses on creative fields. Originating from Spain and growing internationally, it offers various courses in illustration, design, photography, and more.
The Domestika affiliate program offers the following incentives:
- Commission: $2 per lead and 40% per sale
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payout threshold: $10
- Affiliate network: Impact
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is an online educational platform offering video courses by industry experts in software, creative, and business skills. Lessons completed on LinkedIn Learning can often be displayed on the user’s LinkedIn profile, showcasing their acquired skills to potential employers or connections.
Affiliates get the following from the LinkedIn Learning affiliate program:
- Commission: $8
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: FlexOffers
Pluralsight
Pluralsight offers a variety of video training courses for software developers, IT administrators, and creative professionals. It also provides skill assessments, learning paths, and analytics to help users track their progress and reach their learning goals.
The Pluralsight affiliate program offers the following compensation:
- Commission: $5
- Cookie duration: 45 days
- Payout threshold: $10
- Affiliate network: Impact
Chime
Chime provides fee-free mobile banking services through its digital platform. As a neobank, Chime doesn’t operate physical branches and instead delivers all banking services online.
The Chime affiliate program is rewarding for these reasons:
- Commission: $10
- Cookie duration: 24 hours
- Payout threshold: $10
- Affiliate network: Impact and CJ Affiliate
CIT Bank
CIT Bank operates primarily online without traditional physical branch networks. It offers a range of banking products, including savings accounts, checking accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), and home mortgage loans.
Marketers get the following from the CIT Bank affiliate program:
- Commission: $100
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: CJ Affiliate
Credit Karma
Credit Karma offers financial tools and resources, including free credit scores, identity monitoring, credit card recommendations, loan advice (car, home, and personal), and more.
The Credit Karma affiliate program has the following benefits:
- Commission: $3
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payout threshold: $10
- Affiliate network: Impact
National Debt Relief
National Debt Relief offers debt settlement services. They work with individuals who have significant amounts of unsecured debts, such as credit card debt, medical bills, or personal loans and are struggling to make the required payments.
The National Debt Relief affiliate program is appealing for these reasons:
- Commission: $27.50
- Cookie duration: 60 days
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: ShareASale
YNAB
You Need A Budget (YNAB) is a personal budgeting software that helps users take control of their finances. It operates on the principle that every dollar should be “given a job,” meaning that all income should be allocated to specific expenses, savings goals, or debt payments.
Affiliates get the following benefits from the YNAB affiliate program:
- Commission: $6
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payout threshold: $10
- Affiliate network: Impact
Allianz Care
Allianz Care is one of the world’s leading international health insurance providers. Its health and protection solutions are particularly suited to the high net-worth expatriate audience living, working, or studying abroad and HR managers of international companies or governmental organizations.
The Allianz Care affiliate program is lucrative for these reasons:
- Commission: $10
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: CJ Affiliate
Esurance
Esurance sells direct-to-consumer (DTC) personal car insurance and other types of coverage, such as homeowners, renters, and motorcycle insurance.
The Esurance affiliate program offers the following incentives:
- Commission: $10
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: CJ Affiliate
Hippo
Hippo streamlines the insurance process, offering quick online quotes and modern coverage options to fit today’s lifestyles. Its goal is to provide more comprehensive and affordable coverage, focusing on proactive prevention measures.
Affiliates get the following from the Hippo affiliate program:
- Commission: $5
- Cookie duration: 90 days
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: ShareASale
Hiscox
Hiscox offers coverage for small businesses, professionals, and high-net-worth individuals. It provides various insurance products, including professional liability, general liability, cyber insurance, and property insurance.
The Hiscox affiliate program offers the following compensation:
- Commission: $25
- Cookie duration: 7 days
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: CJ Affiliate
EliteSingles
EliteSingles is an innovative matchmaking service designed for sophisticated and ambitious professionals of all ages seeking satisfying relationships.
The EliteSingles affiliate program is rewarding for these reasons:
- Commission: $7
- Cookie duration: 45 days
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: CJ Affiliate
Match
Match redefines how single people meet, flirt, date, and fall in love through online dating. Match allows users to create a profile, search for potential matches, and communicate with other members through direct messages and chats.
Marketers get the following from the Match affiliate program:
- Commission: Up to £4
- Cookie duration: Up to 30 days
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: CJ Affiliate
Audiobooks.com
Audiobooks.com customers can choose and listen to over 425,000 premium audiobooks from curated and recommended booklists, including New York Times bestsellers. Additionally, VIP members get monthly deals, sales, and extra listening hours. Listening to popular books on the go has never been faster, easier, or more enjoyable.
The Audiobooks.com affiliate program offers these terms on CJ:
- Commission: $4.50
- Cookie duration: 45 days
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: CJ Affiliate and in-house
Opera Desktop
Opera is a free and open-source web browser developed by Opera Software. It is based on the Chromium web browser but has several unique features, including a built-in ad blocker, a free VPN, and a battery-saving mode. Opera is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
The Opera Desktop affiliate program pays the following:
- Commission: $0.10
- Cookie duration: 45 days
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: CJ Affiliate
1Password
1Password is a password management tool that helps users securely store and manage their passwords, credit card information, and other sensitive data. It uses strong encryption to ensure that this information is kept secure.
The 1Password affiliate program is profitable for these reasons:
- Commission: $2
- Cookie duration: 45 days
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: CJ Affiliate
Byte
Byte is a teledentistry company that provides aligner products and programs for at-home use to straighten teeth faster and more affordably than traditional braces. It’s a top-rated solution for individuals seeking a speedy, cost-effective dental alignment program.
The Byte affiliate program offers the following incentives:
- Commission: $45
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: ShareASale
Minted
Minted is an online marketplace connecting independent artists and designers with consumers looking for unique, high-quality stationery, art, and home decor products. It has been featured in numerous publications and has won several awards for its innovative approach to e-commerce and its commitment to supporting the creative community.
The Minted affiliate program is lucrative for these reasons:
- Commission: $1
- Cookie duration: 120 days
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: ShareASale
Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie allows users to earn money by taking surveys. It partners with market research companies to survey users on various topics, including consumer products, health and wellness, and entertainment.
Affiliates get the following from the Survey Junkie affiliate program:
- Commission: $1.25
- Cookie duration: 24 hours
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: ShareASale and Impact
Swagbucks
Swagbucks.com is a loyalty and consumer rewards program. Members get gift cards or cash for completing online activities like searching the web, playing games, watching videos, or shopping online.
The Swagbucks affiliate program offers the following compensation:
- Commission: $1.75
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: FlexOffers, CJ Affiliate, and Impact
LearnWorlds
LearnWorlds offers an online course platform for creating, selling, and promoting your online classes. Users can monetize their skills, experiences, and audience with content for continuing education, compliance training, and employee/customer onboarding.
The LearnWorlds affiliate program is appealing for these reasons:
- Commission: Up to $10
- Cookie duration: Up to 45 days
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: CJ Affiliate and ShareASale
Wayfair Professional
Wayfair Professional is a separate arm of the Wayfair brand whose objective is to give their business and trade customers a one-stop shop to turn their business spaces from good to great.
Marketers get the following from the Wayfair Professional affiliate program:
- Commission: $1 per lead and 5% per sale
- Cookie duration: 14 days
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: CJ Affiliate
1-800Accountant
1-800Accountant provides accounting services to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and independent contractors. The company offers services such as bookkeeping, tax planning, and tax preparation, among others, and seeks to make these services more accessible by leveraging technology.
The 1-800Accountant affiliate program offers the following incentives:
- Commission: $1
- Cookie duration: 120 days
- Payout threshold: $50
- Affiliate network: ShareASale
Amazon Associates
Amazon is one of the world’s largest online retailers, with a diverse range of products, including books, electronics, clothing, home goods, consumer electronics, kitchenware, apparel, and more. Amazon Associates is the name of Amazon’s affiliate program.
Instead of commissions on product sales, affiliates earn fixed commissions (“bounties“) for actions customers take on specific offers, such as activating a free trial or signing up for a program. Popular bounty programs include Amazon Fresh, Audible Plus, Amazon Wedding Registry, Amazon Baby Registry, and Amazon Prime.
- Commission: Up to $15
- Cookie duration: 24 hours
- Payout threshold: $10
- Affiliate marketing software: In-house
Start Earning
Some bloggers dismiss pay-per-lead programs that pay less than $5. However, that’s a nonsensical and amateurish point of view. For instance, does it make sense only to promote programs that pay $25+ but hardly (or never) convert or promote programs that pay less but convert regularly?
Seasoned affiliate marketers understand the nature of pay-per-lead programs, i.e., they pay low commission rates for low-friction cost-per-action activities, such as email submissions and free trial signups. So, while affiliates can’t expect to make fortunes with pay-per-lead programs, a well-rounded marketing strategy targets merchants that frequently convert, regardless of how much they pay. That’s the approach I use to make thousands in commissions annually.
Start by reviewing high-potential and high-paying PPL affiliate programs in your niche. ShareASale undoubtedly has the most PPL offerings of the top affiliate networks. Impact, FlexOffers, and CJ Affiliate also provide robust selections.
| Affiliate Marketing Network | Pay-Per-Lead Listings |
| ShareASale | 342 programs |
| Impact | 297 programs |
| FlexOffers | 101 programs |
| CJ Affiliate | 85 programs |
Some pay-per-lead programs have two commission tiers for leads that become customers, enabling affiliates to earn twice. For instance, a company might pay $7 per signup and $45 if the new user becomes a customer.
Partner with merchants and promote top-rated goods to generate commissions. You’ll promote cost-per-lead affiliate programs like any program, i.e., publishing high-quality, unique content about products and services through blogs, YouTube videos, social media, email marketing, etc. Also, adding calls to action, like “create a free account” or “request a free quote,” can guide users to act.
