Best Affiliate Programs with Recurring Commissions

As an experienced marketer who’s been building income streams online well into my 60s, I’ve come to appreciate one core truth: recurring commissions are the secret to predictable, passive affiliate income.

Instead of chasing one-time payouts, imagine getting paid monthly for a single referral—automatically, for years.

In this article, we’ll explore the best affiliate programs with recurring commissions, weighing their pros and cons, and helping you decide if this model—and done-for-you promotional systems—is right for you.

What Are Recurring Commission Affiliate Programs?

Recurring commission affiliate programs pay you a percentage of a customer’s ongoing subscription, usually monthly or annually, for as long as they remain a paying customer. This means the more customers you refer, the more cumulative, snowballing income you generate over time.

This model works well for services with subscription-based pricing—think software (SaaS), email platforms, website hosting, and online courses.

Why Recurring Commissions Matter

• Compounding Income: Each new referral adds to your growing monthly base.
• Predictability: Easier to project future income based on past performance.
• Higher Lifetime Value (LTV): Even a small monthly commission adds up over time.

Example:

I once referred just five customers to a platform paying $25/month per referral. Two years later, I’m still earning $125/month—without any additional effort!

Top Affiliate Programs with Recurring Commissions

Program	Commission	Cookie Duration	Highlights
Shopify	20% Monthly	30 Days	Top e-commerce platform
GetResponse	33% Recurring / $100 One-Time	120 Days	Popular for email marketing
Semrush	40% Lifetime	120 Days	Powerful SEO platform
Kinsta	$50–$500 + Recurring	60 Days	Premium WordPress hosting
ActiveCampaign	20%–30% Monthly	90 Days	Email + CRM automation
HubSpot	30% for 12 Months	180 Days	All-in-one marketing hub
Leadpages	Up to 50%	30 Days	Landing page builder
ConvertKit	30% Lifetime	60 Days	Popular with creators
ClickFunnels	30% Lifetime	Sticky cookie	Sales funnel builder
AWeber	30% Monthly	365 Days	Legacy email platform

Pros and Cons of Recurring Commission Affiliate Programs

Pros:

• More stable long-term income
• Better alignment with subscription-based businesses
• Higher total earnings per customer

Cons:

• Initial commissions may be lower than one-time payouts
• You must refer high-retention customers for maximum gain
• Requires tracking and patience to see long-term results

Why “Done-for-You” Options Make Sense—Especially for Beginners

As someone who’s spent years testing, tweaking, and failing before succeeding in affiliate marketing, I know many people over 50 want simplicity and time freedom—not a second job.

This is why I recommend done-for-you affiliate programs with recurring commissions. These offer:

• Prebuilt funnels and email sequences
• Automatic product delivery and follow-ups
• Recurring commission products built in

One standout example is the Ambassador Program by John Thornhill, which helps you promote high-ticket, subscription-based offers without having to build your own system from scratch.

Who Are Recurring Commission Programs Best Suited For?

• Content creators and bloggers
• Email marketers with small but loyal lists
• New affiliates seeking stability over big one-time wins

Additional Information / FAQ

Which affiliate program pays the most commission?

Programs like ClickFunnels, Kinsta, and HubSpot offer high payouts—often hundreds per sale—plus recurring earnings. High-ticket coaching and SaaS platforms often pay the most.

What is the most profitable affiliate program?

It depends on your audience, but recurring commission programs like Semrush and GetResponse can become highly profitable due to long customer retention rates.

Can you make $100 a day with affiliate marketing?

Absolutely. With just 10 referrals paying you $10/month each, you’re already at $100/day. Mix in high-ticket recurring offers and you’ll get there faster.

What affiliate programs pay over $100?

Programs like Kinsta, ClickFunnels, and Teachable offer upfront payouts of $100+ and ongoing recurring commissions depending on the customer’s plan.