Affiliate networks (and affiliate programs) let you earn commissions by sending customers to a brand using a tracked link.
But which ones are actually worth applying to in 2026?

In this article, we will show you 9 proven options (from beginner-friendly to high-ticket).
Hopefully, after reading, you’ll know exactly which 2–3 to join first — and how to get approved faster.

Quick comparison (2026)

Scoring: 1 = easy/low, 5 = hard/high.

Network / Program	Best for	Approval difficulty	Ease of use	Earning potential	Notable payout detail
NordVPN Affiliate	Broad audiences (privacy, streaming, travel)	3	4	4	Up to 40% on 1–2 year plans; 100% on some 1-month offers; renewal revenue share mentioned by NordVPN
impact.com	Access to many big brands	4	5	4	Brand-by-brand approvals inside marketplace
Saily eSIM Affiliate	Travel + mobile/tech content	2	4	3	15% per new user
Amazon Associates	Beginners + product roundups	2	4	2	Standard cookie window is 24 hours
PartnerStack	SaaS + recurring commissions	3	4	3	Built around subscription + recurring payouts
CJ Affiliate	Huge, established network	3	3	3	Easy to create a publisher account
Expedia Travel Creator Program	Travel creators (flights/hotels/activities)	3	4	4	Commission varies by product type (e.g., packages/cars/activities)
Adobe Affiliate Program	Creators (design, video, docs)	3	4	4	85% of the first month on eligible subscriptions
Eight Sleep (high-ticket)	Health/wellness, sleep niche	4	3	5	Brand asks you to contact bizdev@eightsleep.com for affiliate

Additionally, commission rates can change, so always confirm on the program page before you build content.

Network 1: NordVPN Affiliate Program

NordVPN is a VPN service, so it fits “everyone” topics like privacy, travel, and streaming.
Interestingly, NordVPN publicly lists commission examples like 40% on 1–2 year plans and 100% on some 1-month offers.

How to join NordVPN (3 steps)

Step 1: Go to the NordVPN affiliate page.

• Click Sign up / Create an account
• Fill in your website or social profile
• Submit your application
  You should see an onboarding screen and a “Get started” flow.

Step 2: Get your links and creatives

• Choose banners or text links
• Copy your unique tracking link
• Save your dashboard login
  You should see your tracking link(s) ready to use.

Step 3: Publish one “buyer-intent” piece first

• “Best VPN for travel”
• “How to watch X in another country”
• “VPN for public Wi-Fi safety”
  You should see clicks in your dashboard once traffic starts.

Network 2: impact.com

impact.com is a partnership marketplace where you apply to brands inside the platform.
Moreover, you typically need to be approved to access the marketplace, then you apply to specific brand programs.

How to join impact.com (fast path)

Step 1: Go to the impact.com partner/affiliate marketplace pages.

• Click Get started
• Start your marketplace application
• Add your promotional method (site/social/email)
  You should see an application checklist.

Step 2: Apply to brands inside the marketplace

• Search by category (fashion, SaaS, finance, etc.)
• Click Apply on a brand
• Write a short pitch (audience + traffic source + content plan)
  You should see “Pending” then “Approved/Rejected” statuses per brand.

Network 3: Saily eSIM Affiliate Program

Saily is an eSIM app for travelers who want mobile data without roaming surprises.
Surprisingly, Saily states you can earn 15% with every new user.

How to join Saily

Step 1: Go to the Saily affiliate page.

• Click Join / Start today
• Submit your details
• Wait for approval
  You should see confirmation and next steps from their team/portal.

Step 2: Publish content that matches travel intent

• “Best eSIM for Europe”
• “How to install an eSIM on iPhone/Android”
• “Roaming vs eSIM cost breakdown”
  You should see higher conversion than random “top tools” lists.

Network 4: Amazon Associates

Amazon Associates is the classic beginner affiliate program.
Furthermore, Amazon’s standard commission window is 24 hours after a user arrives via your link.

How to join Amazon Associates

Step 1: Go to Amazon Associates signup

• Click Sign up
• Add your site/app/social channel
• Complete tax + payment settings
  You should see a dashboard with link tools.

Step 2: Build “shopping decision” content

• “Best X under $50”
• “X vs Y (which should you buy?)”
• “Top 10 accessories for…”
  You should see early wins, even with small traffic.

Network 5: PartnerStack

PartnerStack focuses heavily on SaaS, where recurring revenue is common.
Additionally, PartnerStack highlights recurring subscription payouts as a core feature.

How to join PartnerStack

Step 1: Go to PartnerStack partner/publisher pages

• Create an account
• Add your promotional channel
• Browse programs
  You should see a directory/marketplace of SaaS offers.

Step 2: Apply to individual programs

• Choose tools you already use
• Pitch the exact content you’ll publish
• Ask if recurring commissions apply
  You should see per-program approvals and tracking links.

Network 6: CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction)

CJ is one of the most established affiliate ecosystems, and it’s still widely used.
Moreover, CJ makes it straightforward to sign up as a Publisher.

How to join CJ (publisher)

Step 1: Go to CJ publisher signup.

• Verify your email
• Choose Publisher
• Complete profile details
  You should see your CJ account setup flow.

Step 2: Join advertisers

• Search advertisers in your niche
• Apply if required
• Generate links once approved
  You should see an advertiser list and link tools.

Network 7: Expedia Travel Creator Program

Expedia can work well if your audience is already planning trips.
Interestingly, Expedia lists different commission terms by product type (e.g., packages, cars, activities).

How to join Expedia (creator path)

Step 1: Go to Expedia Group’s affiliate/creator area

• Create your creator/publisher account
• Add your site or social profile
• Complete required disclosures
  You should see tracking + commission terms access.

Step 2: Promote with trip-intent content

• Destination guides with “book now” CTAs
• Hotel shortlists by budget
• “Best things to do” pages (activities)
  You should see higher EPC when content matches booking intent.

Network 8: Adobe Affiliate Program

Adobe is perfect for creative audiences (design, video, docs, students).
Additionally, Adobe states you can earn 85% of the first month on eligible subscriptions.

How to join Adobe

Step 1: Go to Adobe’s affiliate page.

• Click Join / Learn more
• Complete the affiliate application
• Get your referral links
  You should see an affiliate dashboard and unique tracking links.

Step 2: Create tutorial-driven promotions

• “How to remove background in minutes”
• “Premiere Pro shortcuts for beginners”
• “Student creative toolkit”
  You should see consistent conversions from evergreen tutorials.

Network 9: Eight Sleep (High-ticket, niche-specific)

Eight Sleep is a premium sleep product, so it’s a strong fit for health/wellness audiences.
Furthermore, Eight Sleep’s terms note you should contact bizdev@eightsleep.com if you’re interested in their affiliate program.

How to apply (without wasting time)

Step 1: Prepare your proof

• Your site/social links
• Audience demographics
• 2–3 content ideas you’ll publish
  You should have a one-page pitch ready.

Step 2: Email the affiliate contact

• Write a short intro
• Explain your traffic source
• Ask for current commission + cookie terms
  You should get a reply with onboarding steps (or eligibility requirements).

FAQs

Can I join multiple affiliate networks at the same time?
The answer is Yes. You can join multiple, but start with 2–3 so you don’t spread yourself too thin.

Is Amazon Associates still worth it in 2026?
The answer is Yes, for beginners and fast testing. Alternatively, if you want bigger payouts, focus on SaaS and high-ticket programs.

Do I need a website to start?
The answer is No. Alternatively, a simple website can improve approvals and conversions over time.

Is “recurring commission” really better?
The answer is Yes, when the product is subscription-based and retention is strong. Alternatively, high-ticket one-time payouts can still win if your traffic is buyer-ready.

Conclusion

To sum up: pick 2–3 programs that match your audience, then publish buyer-intent content before you chase more applications.

If you want, paste your niche + traffic source, and I’ll recommend the best 3 networks from this list and a simple first-week content plan. Read more on Blog Orichi