Trackli
Comparison

Trackli vs ShareASale

ShareASale is one of the oldest affiliate networks, connecting merchants with a large pool of affiliate publishers. Unlike SaaS affiliate tools, it operates as a marketplace where affiliates find and join merchant programs — taking a cut of every transaction.

Free plan: Trackli / ShareASale
5-min setup: Trackli
ShareASale operates as a network with its own payment processing. It doesn't integrate with external payment processors like Stripe or Paddle — everything goes through the ShareASale network infrastructure.

What is ShareASale?

Best suited for

Established ecommerce merchants who want immediate access to a large pool of affiliates without building their own recruitment pipeline.

May not be right for

SaaS companies, subscription businesses, startups on a budget, or anyone who wants to own and control their affiliate relationships directly.

Where ShareASale shines

  • Massive network of established affiliate publishers that can drive immediate traffic to your offers
  • Over two decades of operational experience since 2000, providing stable and proven infrastructure
  • Access to diverse publisher types including content sites, coupon aggregators, and comparison platforms

Where startups struggle with ShareASale

  • You don't own the affiliate relationships — they're mediated through the network with limited direct control
  • The $625 minimum deposit and ongoing network fees make it one of the most expensive ways to start
  • Designed entirely for ecommerce product sales with no support for SaaS subscription or recurring revenue models

The Trackli approach

You own your affiliate program — no middleman, no network fees
Purpose-built for SaaS with subscription and recurring revenue tracking
Full control over branding, commissions, and affiliate relationships
Start free with zero deposits or minimum commitments

Feature-by-feature: Trackli vs ShareASale

Feature
ShareASale
Trackli
Setup time
Application process (days)
Under 5 minutes
Pricing
Network fees + deposit
Free tier available
Free tier
No ($625 deposit)
Stripe support
Not supported
Native
Multi-gateway support
Network payment processing
Stripe, Paddle, and more
Recurring commissions
Not designed for recurring
Fully automatic
Real-time tracking
Network delays
Instant
Affiliate portal
Network marketplace
Fully branded portal
API access
Network API
Full REST API
Custom commissions
Network-managed
Fully flexible rules
Auto-scaling/limits
Network-managed
Automatic scaling

How Trackli tracks affiliate conversions

Affiliateshares ref linkVisitor Clickstracked by TrackliCustomer Paysvia your processorCommissionauto-calculatedby TrackliWebhook eventHow Trackli Tracks AffiliatesNo cookies needed · Server-side attribution · Works with any payment processor

Setup & time-to-value comparison

Trackli Setup

1
Sign up1 min

Create your free Trackli account with just an email address. No credit card required, no sales calls, no waiting for approval.

2
Connect payment processor2 min

Link your Stripe, Paddle, or other payment processor with a single OAuth connection. Trackli automatically syncs your products and plans.

3
Create first affiliate1 min

Add your first affiliate partner and configure their commission structure. Choose percentage-based, flat-rate, or tiered commissions.

4
Share referral links1 min

Generate unique referral links and share them with your affiliates. They can start driving traffic immediately through your branded portal.

ShareASale Setup

1
Application submission1-2 days

Submit an application to join ShareASale as a merchant, including business details and website verification.

2
Approval and deposit3-7 days

Wait for application review and approval, then make the required $625 minimum deposit to activate your account.

3
Program configuration1-2 hours

Set up your merchant program including commission rates, creative assets, and program terms.

4
Tracking implementation30 min

Install ShareASale's tracking pixels and conversion tags on your website.

5
Affiliate recruitmentOngoing

Create your program listing in the ShareASale marketplace and wait for publishers to discover and apply.

Pricing & value

ShareASale requires a $625 minimum deposit plus ongoing network fees and transaction commissions. This network-based model means you're paying for access to their marketplace rather than owning a tool. Trackli is free to start, charges no network fees, and gives you complete ownership of your affiliate program and data.

Frequently asked questions

Is ShareASale a good fit for SaaS companies or only ecommerce?
ShareASale is built for ecommerce and product-based sales. It has no native support for SaaS subscription tracking, recurring commissions, or integration with billing platforms like Stripe. SaaS companies should use a purpose-built tool like Trackli instead.
Why does ShareASale require a $625 deposit?
The deposit ensures merchants have funds available to pay affiliate commissions. It reflects ShareASale's network model where they handle payouts to publishers. With Trackli, you pay affiliates directly through your own payment processor with no deposits or network fees required.
Do I own my affiliate relationships on ShareASale?
No — your affiliates are part of the ShareASale network. If you leave ShareASale, those relationships don't come with you. Trackli gives you direct ownership of all affiliate data, relationships, and referral history that you can export anytime.
How does ShareASale's network model compare to Trackli's direct model?
ShareASale acts as a middleman between you and your affiliates, taking fees for facilitating the relationship. Trackli gives you a direct, fee-free connection to your affiliates with full control over branding, commissions, and communication.
Can I use ShareASale alongside Trackli?
Yes — some companies use ShareASale for accessing network publishers while running their own direct program through Trackli. This lets you leverage ShareASale's marketplace while maintaining direct, higher-value relationships through Trackli.

Related use cases

Shopify Affiliate Tracking
Stripe Affiliate Tracking
Startup Affiliate Programs
All comparisons

Ready to switch from ShareASale?

Join SaaS teams who chose simpler, more affordable affiliate tracking. Start free — no credit card required.