SaaS vs. Hosted vs. Self-Hosted Affiliate Software: What to Choose?

Tracknow experts explain the differences between the three types of affiliate software and which type suits the needs of specific projects and tasks.

Affiliate marketing is an essential strategy for businesses looking to grow their customer base. To manage partnerships effectively, companies rely on affiliate software. There are three main types available: SaaS (Software as a Service), hosted, and self-hosted solutions. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, so choosing the right one depends on your business needs, technical capabilities, and long-term goals.

Definition

SaaS Affiliate Software

SaaS solutions are cloud-based platforms where everything is handled by the affiliate software provider. You pay a subscription fee, and the software company takes care of maintenance, security, and updates. Check the examples below.

Hosted Affiliate Software

Hosted solutions are also managed by the provider, but they may offer dedicated hosting for individual businesses. This allows for more customization and control than a standard SaaS model.

Self-Hosted Affiliate Software

Self-hosted solutions require you to install the software on your own servers. You have full control over data and customization, but you’re also responsible for maintenance, updates, and security.

Key Differences

Feature	SaaS	Hosted	Self-Hosted
Hosting & Maintenance	Managed by provider	Managed by your team and/or provider	Managed by your team
Customization	Limited	Moderate	Full control
Security & Updates	Provider handles everything	Provider handles most aspects	You handle everything
Technical Requirements	None	Moderate	High
Upfront Cost	Low (subscription-based)	Medium (may include setup fees)	High (one-time purchase + server costs)

How to Choose the Right Solution

If your company doesn’t have an in-house team of developers, DevOps engineers, and advanced affiliate marketing specialists, you should opt for a SaaS or hosted solution like Tracknow. This ensures a stable system managed by experts who monitor uptime, security, and affiliate tracking performance.

Best SaaS Affiliate Tracking Software

1. Tracknow – A Reliable SaaS Affiliate Software

Tracknow is a powerful SaaS solution for affiliate marketing, designed for eCommerce, forex & financial projects, and lead networks. The company provides a secure cloud-based platform with a dedicated team of developers, DevOps engineers, security specialists, and anti-fraud experts ensuring a stable and reliable system.

Features

• Real-time affiliate tracking

• Advanced reporting and analytics

• Integration with WooCommerce/WordPress (plugin or manual), Shopify, and other integrations.

• Automated commission payments

• Fraud detection tools

Tracknow’s clean interface and ease of use make it a top choice for businesses looking to optimize affiliate sales without complicating the process. The integration with various eCommerce platforms and the ability to track multi-level affiliates make it a great option for MLM programs of all sizes.

Pros:

1. Easy to set up and use

2. Secure cloud hosting with 24/7 monitoring

3. Supports multiple integrations (eCommerce, CRM, payment gateways)

4. Dedicated support team with affiliate marketing expertise

5. Free setup assistance from the Tracknow team

Cons:

• Free trial lasts only 14 days

Other SaaS Affiliate Software Tools

2. Refersion

Refersion is a well-known SaaS affiliate marketing platform focusing on eCommerce businesses.

Pros:

1. Easy Shopify integration

2. Automated commission tracking

3. Real-time analytics

4. Multiple payment options for affiliates

5. Good customer support

Cons:

• Expensive for high-volume affiliate programs

• Limited reporting and analytics customization.

• High fees on some plans.

• Limited Shopify integration.

• Doesn't support multiple currencies and languages.

• Mobile app functionality could be improved.

3. Tapfiliate

Tapfiliate is a flexible SaaS solution that integrates with multiple platforms.

Pros:

1. Supports various commission structures

2. API for custom integrations

3. Quick setup

4. Multi-language support

5. Affiliate link customization

Cons:

• Some integrations require additional setup effort

• Limited landing page and link customization.

• Can be complex to set up for beginners.

• Reporting and analytics are less advanced compared to competitors.

• Fewer integration options.

• No in-depth fraud detection tools.

4. Impact

Impact is a premium affiliate and influencer marketing platform.

Pros:

1. Advanced partner tracking

2. High-end reporting tools

3. Strong security measures

4. Dedicated account managers

5. Supports mobile app tracking

Cons:

• Expensive compared to competitors

• Steeper learning curve for new users.

• Pricing can be higher than other platforms.

• Limited customer support for lower-tier plans.

• Reporting tools may require additional configuration.

• Some users find the user interface overwhelming.

   

4. PartnerStack

PartnerStack is a SaaS affiliate platform designed for B2B partnerships.

Pros:

1. Supports affiliate, referral, and reseller programs

2. Partner onboarding tools

3. API access

4. Custom commission structures

5. Marketplace for discovering new affiliates

Cons:

• High cost for startups

• Limited affiliate communication tools.

• Can be expensive for smaller businesses.

• Reporting tools may feel basic compared to other platforms.

• Limited flexibility in program setup.

• Integration options are not as broad as some competitors.

 

Comparison Table: Tracknow vs. Other SaaS Platforms

Feature	Tracknow	Refersion	Tapfiliate	Impact	PartnerStack
Trial Period	14 days	14 days	14 days	No	No
Dedicated Support	✅	✅	❌	✅	✅
Anti-Fraud System	✅	❌	❌	✅	❌
Easy WooCommerce Integration	✅	✅	❌	❌	❌
Free Setup Assistance	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌

Best Self-Hosted Affiliate Software

Self-hosted solutions offer complete control, but they require technical expertise for installation and maintenance.

1. iDevAffiliate

A well-known self-hosted affiliate software with robust features.

Pros:

1. One-time purchase option

2. Advanced customization

3. API for integrations

4. Multi-tier commissions

5. No monthly fees

Cons:

• Requires manual maintenance

• Lacks advanced fraud prevention features.

• The user interface feels outdated.

• Limited marketing tools and resources.

• Customer support can be slow.

• Less flexible pricing structure.

2. Post Affiliate Pro

A feature-rich self-hosted solution.

Pros:

1. Highly customizable

2. Supports multiple commission types

3. Advanced tracking tools

4. One-time license fee option

5. Good for large enterprises

Cons:

• Expensive setup

• Can be complex to set up initially.

• Lacks advanced integration with some e-commerce platforms.

• Reporting tools might be overwhelming for beginners.

• Some features are locked behind higher pricing tiers.

• Limited customer support on lower plans.

3. OSI Affiliate

Good for businesses wanting self-hosted control.

Pros:

1. One-time payment

2. Custom branding

3. Social media sharing tools

4. Lifetime access

5. No subscription fees

Cons:

• Requires in-house technical team

• Limited customizability of the user interface.

• Fewer payment options for affiliates.

• No built-in social sharing tools.

• Basic reporting and analytics.

• Some integrations are not as seamless.

4. AffiliateWP

A self-hosted solution for WordPress users.

Pros:

1. WordPress integration

2. One-time purchase

3. Supports WooCommerce

4. Developer-friendly API

5. No recurring fees

Cons:

• Limited to WordPress sites

• Only works with WordPress sites.

• Lacks advanced fraud detection and prevention.

• Basic reporting features compared to competitors.

• Limited affiliate management options.

• Customer support can be slow at times.

5. Everflow

A self-hosted option with advanced tracking.

Pros:

1. Supports multi-channel tracking

2. Custom integrations

3. High-end security features

4. Scalable for enterprise use

5. White-label options

Cons:

• Requires technical expertise

• Steeper learning curve for new users.

• Pricing structure can be expensive for small businesses.

• Limited customization of reporting.

• Some integrations are difficult to set up.

• No native tools for tracking social media or influencer campaigns.

Conclusion

For most businesses, SaaS affiliate software is the best choice. It offers a fully managed solution without requiring an in-house IT team. Unless your company operates at the scale of Amazon or AliExpress, the cost and complexity of self-hosted solutions are not worth it.

FAQ

1. How do I choose between SaaS and self-hosted solutions?

If you have a full IT team with experience in affiliate software, self-hosted could be an option. Otherwise, SaaS solutions like Tracknow are the better choice for quick and efficient setup.

2. What are the downsides of self-hosted affiliate software?

Self-hosted software requires technical expertise, ongoing maintenance, and higher upfront costs.

3. What’s the easiest affiliate software for WooCommerce?

Tracknow, thanks to its seamless WooCommerce(Wordpress) integration.