7 Best Affiliate Programs for Beginners

Getting into affiliate marketing? Choosing the right program from the start can make a big difference. Pick smart, and you might start earning money in weeks. Pick wrong, and you could spend months spinning your wheels.

We’ve been in the game for over a decade, and we know what works. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best beginner-friendly affiliate programs. We’ve compared ease of use, payment details, and more—so you can start earning faster.

1. Amazon Associates

Pros:

• Everyone knows Amazon
• Over 385 million products to promote
• Great customer service benefits you too
• Super easy link management and dashboard

Cons:

• Commissions change often
• The 24-hour cookie is short-lived

Amazon’s affiliate program is one of the oldest and most popular out there. Launched in 1996, it’s still going strong today. If it’s sold on Amazon, you can earn a commission from it—books, tech, home goods, you name it. It’s a great starting point for beginners.

Quick Info:

• Type: Affiliate program
• Payments: Direct deposit, check, or Amazon gift card
• Payout threshold: $10
• Pay schedule: Net 60
• Best for: Brand-new affiliates building their first site

2. CJ (Commission Junction)

Pros:

• Easy-to-use dashboard
• Tons of big-name brands
• Options for display ads
• Solid support and tutorials

Cons:

• Brands come and go often
• Slight learning curve compared to Amazon

CJ has been around since the early 2000s and connects you with brands like Walgreens, Samsung, Trip Advisor, and many more. You can easily see how much you might earn from each program, which saves you time guessing.

Quick Info:

• Type: Affiliate network
• Payments: Direct deposit, Payoneer
• Payout threshold: $50
• Pay schedule: Net 30
• Best for: Affiliates with a few months of experience

Also Read: Can AI Tools Help in Passive Income Generation?

3. ShareASale

Pros:

• Thousands of products to promote
• Great for finding smaller, unique programs
• Smart merchant search feature
• Useful “PowerRank” metric

Cons:

• Outdated interface
• Unpredictable approval process

ShareASale isn’t flashy, but it works. It offers 5,000+ programs—many from small but high-paying companies. Some pay $300+ per sale! It’s a hidden gem with lots of earning potential.

Quick Info:

• Type: Affiliate network
• Payments: Check, direct deposit, wire, Payoneer
• Payout threshold: $50
• Pay schedule: Net 30
• Best for: Affiliates looking for niche or up-and-coming brands

4. ClickBank

Pros:

• No approval needed for most programs
• Great for affiliates without a website
• High commissions and recurring revenue
• Easy link creation

Cons:

• Outdated marketplace interface
• Some programs have high refund rates

ClickBank focuses on digital products, which often means instant delivery and fewer hassles. It’s perfect for email or social media marketers, and great if you’re just starting without a blog or site.

Quick Info:

• Type: Affiliate network
• Payments: Direct deposit, check, wire, Payoneer
• Payout threshold: $50
• Pay schedule: Net 60
• Best for: Digital marketers and social media affiliates

Also Read: How to Start a Blog that Makes Money in 2025

5. Rakuten Advertising

Pros:

• Big brand names
• Simple dashboard
• Handles over $100M in transactions annually
• Long-standing network

Cons:

• Old-school interface
• Slower approval process

Rakuten (formerly LinkShare) is huge in Japan but works globally. With 1,000+ programs, it’s a serious player. Approval can take a while, but it’s worth it.

Quick Info:

• Type: Affiliate network
• Payments: PayPal, direct deposit, check
• Payout threshold: $50
• Pay schedule: Net 30
• Best for: Affiliates looking beyond Amazon and eBay

6. Impact

Pros:

• Lots of instant-approval programs
• 2,500+ brands
• Smart, modern interface
• Big brands like Adidas and Airbnb

Cons:

• Slightly complex for beginners
• Fewer huge brands than CJ

Impact is newer than others but rising fast. Its interface is sleek and user-friendly. Look for “instant approval” brands to get started quickly with zero waiting around.

Quick Info:

• Type: Affiliate network
• Payments: Direct deposit, PayPal, wire
• Payout threshold: Varies
• Pay schedule: Monthly
• Best for: Affiliates looking for fast approval and variety

Also Read: How to Make $100 a day with Affiliate Marketing?

7. Awin

Pros:

• Fast payments
• Thousands of affiliate programs
• Easy-to-use platform
• Lots of big-name brands

Cons:

• High competition (260+ new affiliates daily)
• Most active in the UK and EU

Awin is massive—with over 16,000 advertisers and 225,000 publishers. If you’re looking for a huge network with plenty of options, this is a top choice. Bonus: it pays out quicker than most.

Quick Info:

• Type: Affiliate network
• Payments: Direct deposit, PayPal
• Payout threshold: Varies
• Pay schedule: Monthly
• Best for: Affiliates wanting tons of choice and quick pay