Refersion offers a strong affiliate earning model for B2B audiences — including recurring lifetime commissions (and in some cases a clear flat commission option). It’s best for agencies and affiliates who influence eCommerce brand decisions.
Refersion’s affiliate program is designed for agencies, affiliates, and business partners who refer eCommerce brands to Refersion’s affiliate marketing platform. The commission model is strong because it includes recurring lifetime commissions for many subscription types, but the brand’s third-party trust signals (Trustpilot) are currently weak and the “cookie duration” is not published as a single universal number for the referral program.
Refersion publishes a commission structure that is clearly recurring for many subscription types, which is a big positive for long-term affiliate value:
This is a strong earning model if your audience includes merchants actively choosing affiliate software. The main downside is that the structure is segment-dependent (Shopify-billed vs direct-billed vs custom), so affiliates should confirm which plan type their referrals are likely to choose.
Refersion (as a platform) generally uses attribution windows rather than relying purely on browser cookies, but for the Refersion SaaS referral program there is no single, clearly stated “cookie duration” published on the program pages we reviewed.
Because cookie duration impacts affiliates most when a buyer’s decision takes weeks/months, the lack of a public, fixed window reduces certainty for affiliates.
Refersion’s Help Center explicitly states that commissions are paid out via PayPal for its affiliate program, which is clear. However, a standardized public schedule (e.g., weekly / net-30) is not clearly stated on the core affiliate program pages reviewed.
Refersion is generally transparent about its affiliate program rules and restrictions, and it has clear support documentation. Commission rules are published, including important exceptions (e.g., direct-billed requirement for certain commissions).
The score is calculated using following formula:
(Trustpilot Score × 0.7) + (Internal Review Score × 0.3)
Calculation: (5.0 × 0.7) + (8.0 × 0.3) = 3.5 + 2.4 = 5.9 / 10
Refersion’s product is appealing to a clear buyer: eCommerce brands that want to run and scale affiliate, influencer, and ambassador programs with tracking and payouts. The product-market fit is strongest when your audience includes Shopify/DTC operators and agencies managing affiliate programs for clients.
Promotion is straightforward if your audience already trusts you for ecommerce tools (agencies, creators, SaaS comparisons). However, Refersion explicitly lists restrictions on promotion methods in its Help Center (including paid traffic / retargeting / coupon sites), which can limit some affiliates’ ability to scale aggressively.
The affiliate marketing software space is competitive (many alternatives, many “best affiliate software” lists), so ranking and converting can be challenging without a strong angle (agency case studies, niche ecommerce vertical focus, or high-trust content).
Refersion provides a structured Help Center and clear program rules, which is a positive baseline for affiliate support. As with many SaaS programs, the “hands-on” support experience can vary depending on partner size and channel.
Refersion uses a mixed commission structure that depends on what product you refer (Refersion vs UpOrder) and, for Refersion subscriptions, how the merchant is billed. In practice, you’ll see both recurring commissions and a flat payout option for specific merchant types.
| What you refer | Commission | When it triggers | Notes / conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refersion (Shopify-billed merchants) | $100 flat | After the merchant has spent 60 days on the platform (monthly plans). | This is a one-time payout for Shopify-billed subscriptions (until/unless they move into a qualifying plan tier below). |
| Refersion (non-Shopify billed merchants) | 15% recurring | Applies over the lifetime of the subscription (recurring). | Help Center specifies this applies to direct-billed subscriptions (Refersion bills the merchant directly). |
| Refersion (Enterprise upgrade from Shopify billing) | 15% recurring | If a Shopify-billed merchant upgrades to Enterprise. | Commission becomes recurring for the lifetime of the Enterprise subscription. |
| UpOrder | 20% recurring | Recurs over the lifetime of the subscription. | Strong recurring structure; best for audiences buying upsell/cross-sell apps. |
Refersion’s own affiliate portal for the Refersion/UpOrder program lists a 60-day attribution window. In plain terms: if a merchant clicks your affiliate link, Refersion can attribute the signup/purchase to you if the conversion happens within 60 days of that tracked click.
| Element | How it works | What affiliates should do |
|---|---|---|
| Attribution window | Listed as 60 days. The conversion must occur within this window to be credited to the affiliate click. | Use content and CTAs that push a faster decision (demo/benefits pages, “how to set up” guides, onboarding checklists). |
| Qualified vs Unqualified | Refersion’s help documentation explains that after the window ends, conversions can appear as Unqualified. | Set expectations: “Sign up using this link so your account is properly tracked.” Encourage immediate signup. |
| Tracking method | Refersion promotes first-party tracking and session identifiers to match clicks to orders more reliably than third-party cookie-only systems. | Prefer links over “brand search later.” Send users directly to the correct landing page so the click is captured cleanly. |
| Recurring eligibility | After the initial attribution is established, recurring commissions can continue while the customer remains active (and eligible by billing type). | Target stable customers (agencies, established Shopify merchants) who are likely to stay subscribed longer. |
| Attribution risk factors | Attribution can fail if the buyer doesn’t convert within 60 days, uses a different device/session, or doesn’t use the tracked link. | Use clear “click here to start” buttons, avoid complex multi-step journeys, and add reminders for buyers who are evaluating. |
Refersion’s core target market is eCommerce brands (especially Shopify / Shopify Plus merchants) that want to run and scale affiliate, influencer, and ambassador programs with tracking and automated payouts. From an affiliate perspective, this means Refersion converts best when you influence merchant decisions (tool stacks, growth, partnerships) rather than general consumers.
| Segment | Where it fits best | What to say / how to position |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify / DTC brands | Merchants actively building a partner channel: affiliates, ambassadors, influencer partners, referral campaigns. | “Launch and manage an affiliate/ambassador program with tracking + streamlined payouts.” Focus on operational simplicity and measurable partner revenue. |
| Agencies & consultants | Teams responsible for growth partnerships and program execution for multiple clients. | “Agency-friendly affiliate program infrastructure.” Emphasize onboarding, partner management workflows, and reporting that helps prove ROI to clients. |
| Creator / influencer programs | Brands that want to treat creators as performance partners (codes/links, tracked conversions, payouts). | “Turn creators into measurable revenue partners.” Show how brands can track, reward, and scale creator partnerships. |
| Affiliate marketing education | Audiences learning how to start an affiliate program and looking for software recommendations. | “If you’re ready to run affiliates seriously, here’s a tool stack option.” Use tutorials, setups, and case-study style content. |
| Global reach (countries) | Refersion is a SaaS tool and can be adopted globally, but conversion is strongest where Shopify/DTC ecosystems are mature. | Prioritize English-speaking and Shopify-dense markets first (e.g., US/CA/UK/AU/NZ), then expand into EU markets where DTC and Shopify usage is strong. |
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Refersion’s affiliate program documentation states that affiliate commissions are paid once per month via PayPal. This means affiliates should expect a monthly payout cadence rather than weekly or instant payouts.
| Item | What Refersion states | Affiliate takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Payout frequency | Commission payouts are issued 1× per month. | Plan for monthly cashflow; this is normal for B2B SaaS programs but slower than “weekly network” payouts. |
| Payment method | Payments are made via PayPal. | Ensure your PayPal account is verified and matches your affiliate signup details to avoid payout friction. |
| Reversals / adjustments | Refersion notes commissions can be reversed for refunds or erroneous crediting. | Promote to high-intent buyers (agencies, established merchants) to reduce cancellations and improve long-term recurring income. |
| Practical “time to money” | Some commissions are only earned after eligibility conditions are met (example: waiting periods for certain plan types). | Expect a delay between “signup” and “paid” in some cases. This is normal—optimize for stable, long-retention referrals. |
Refersion uses a manual approval process for its affiliate program. After you submit the registration form, Refersion typically sends an approval decision by email in ~3–5 business days. They also state that incomplete applications and false/misleading information are direct grounds for non-approval (and can also void commissions if discovered later).
Fill out the application completely. Refersion explicitly notes that missing required information is grounds for non-approval.
Refersion indicates that applicants are notified by email after review, typically within 3–5 business days.
Approved affiliates can log in and share tracking links/banners. To receive commission credit, Refersion states the referral must sign up for a direct-billed account (not all billing flows qualify).
