Commission Structure – 8.5/10
Surfshark's affiliate program offers a competitive commission structure designed to suit a range of monetization strategies. Affiliates earn 40% revenue share (RS) on new VPN sales, and a higher 60% RS on new sales of Surfshark One, Antivirus, AdBlock, and Alert products.
This tiered approach provides strong incentives for promoting the full suite of Surfshark services beyond just the VPN. While the recurring revenue share is appealing for affiliates seeking long-term income, it’s important to note that availability may depend on specific plan types or partnership arrangements.
Cookie Duration – 8/10
Surfshark provides a cookie duration of 30 days, which is standard across the VPN affiliate industry. While not particularly outstanding, it ensures that affiliates have a fair tracking window to capture conversions. There are competitors offering longer durations (up to 60–90 days), but 30 days remains adequate for most typical user journeys.
Payout Process – 7.5/10
The program offers a relatively low minimum payout threshold of $100, which is manageable for most affiliates. Payment options include PayPal and wire transfer, offering some flexibility but not an extensive range of options compared to other platforms that might also include crypto or digital wallets. Payments are made monthly, which is acceptable, though not as flexible as weekly options found elsewhere.
Geographical Target Market – 9/10
Surfshark targets a global audience, with strong performance across North America, Europe, and parts of Asia-Pacific. This wide reach enhances the potential audience for affiliates regardless of location. Their product’s relevance across regions with privacy concerns or heavy censorship also expands the affiliate’s targeting options.
Tracking Software – 8/10
The tracking system used by Surfshark is reliable, offering real-time tracking and fairly accurate reporting on clicks, leads, and sales. The dashboard is user-friendly, allowing affiliates to view performance metrics clearly. Additionally, Sub-ID tracking is supported, which is crucial for affiliates who want to segment and analyze traffic sources. While it does the job well, it lacks some of the advanced reporting tools seen in top-tier SaaS platforms.
Marketing Tools and Support – 8/10
Surfshark provides a broad range of banners, landing pages, and promotional creatives. These materials are frequently updated to reflect current offers or product changes. There’s some level of customization available, especially for top-performing affiliates, though this isn't as easily accessible to newcomers. The affiliate support is generally responsive and helpful, with dedicated managers available for those who generate higher volumes. That said, response time for standard inquiries may vary.
Reputation and Trustworthiness – 8.5/10
Surfshark has built a strong reputation in the VPN space for providing privacy-focused, affordable services. The brand is often listed among top VPNs in independent reviews and has received recognition in tech publications. The company has been active for several years and has consistently grown its market share, which adds credibility to its affiliate program.
Conversion Rates – 8/10
The conversion rates for Surfshark are generally strong, particularly when promoting long-term plans with discounts. The checkout process is optimized for mobile and desktop users, is secure, and supports multiple payment methods, contributing to lower cart abandonment. Actual conversion success can vary based on traffic quality and promotional strategy but is overall above average in the industry.
Program Flexibility – 7.5/10
There is some flexibility in commission models, especially for affiliates who can generate volume. Surfshark offers hybrid models, and in some cases, terms can be adjusted based on affiliate needs. However, this often requires negotiation and is not openly advertised as a customizable feature for all partners.
Exclusive Offers and Incentives – 7/10
Surfshark does offer exclusive promotions to affiliates during key campaigns (e.g., Black Friday, Cyber Monday), though these are not as frequent or aggressive as some competitors. Performance-based bonuses are occasionally available, but again, these are generally geared toward affiliates with higher traffic or established relationships with the affiliate manager.
Technical Integration – 7.5/10
The setup process is straightforward, with minimal technical requirements. Affiliates can easily get links and banners through the dashboard. However, API access is currently limited or only available to select partners, which may restrict more advanced affiliates from integrating performance data directly into their systems.
Overall Rating: 8.0/10
The Surfshark affiliate program is a strong choice for affiliates operating in the privacy, security, or general tech niche. It offers competitive commissions, solid tracking, and a well-known brand that converts well. While it doesn’t lead in every category, its broad audience appeal, decent flexibility, and trustworthy operations make it a reliable option for both novice and seasoned affiliates.
