Make Money Online with Affiliate Programs: 12 Best Picks for 2025
Introduction: Your Shortcut to Passive Income
Imagine waking up, checking your phone, and seeing you made money—while you slept. No boss, no fixed hours, just commissions rolling in from links you shared online. Sounds too good to be true? It’s not. It’s affiliate marketing, and thousands of people are making serious money from it every day.
But here’s the catch: Not all affiliate programs are created equal. Some offer high commissions, while others barely pay cents per sale. Some are easy to join, while others require experience. So, if you’re wondering, “Which affiliate programs actually help me make money online?”, you’re in the right place.
Let’s break down the 12 best affiliate programs in 2024 to help you start earning ASAP.
1. Amazon Associates
Commission: Up to 10%
Best for: Beginners, bloggers, content creators
Amazon Associates is the OG of affiliate marketing. You can promote millions of products—from books to tech gadgets—and earn commissions when someone buys through your link. The best part? People trust Amazon, so conversions are high.
✅ Pros:
Easy to join—no approval process
Millions of products to promote
People often buy multiple items, boosting commissions
❌ Cons:
Low commission rates (1-10%)
24-hour cookie duration (sales must happen fast)
💡 Pro Tip: Promote high-ticket items (electronics, furniture) to maximize earnings.
2. Shopify Affiliate Program
Commission: $150 per sale
Best for: Entrepreneurs, e-commerce influencers
Shopify powers over 4 million online stores, and every new store owner who signs up through your link earns you a flat $150 commission. That’s one of the highest payouts in affiliate marketing.
✅ Pros:
High commission ($150 per referral)
Trusted e-commerce platform
30-day cookie duration
❌ Cons:
Requires an audience interested in starting an online store
💡 Pro Tip: Target entrepreneurs looking to start dropshipping or print-on-demand businesses.
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3. Bluehost Affiliate Program
Commission: Up to $65 per signup
Best for: Bloggers, YouTubers, digital marketers
Web hosting is in-demand, and Bluehost is a top choice for beginners starting a blog or website. Their one-time $65 payout per referral makes it easy to rack up commissions.
✅ Pros:
One of the highest paying hosting affiliates
High conversion rates
Recurring commissions for long-term partnerships
❌ Cons:
Some users report mixed experiences with Bluehost’s service
💡 Pro Tip: Create “How to Start a Blog” content and recommend Bluehost as the hosting provider.
4. ClickFunnels Affiliate Program
Commission: Up to 40% recurring
Best for: Marketers, funnel builders, business coaches
ClickFunnels helps businesses build high-converting sales funnels, and they offer 40% recurring commissions on subscriptions. That means passive income as long as your referrals stay subscribed.
✅ Pros:
Recurring monthly commissions
High-ticket potential
Training provided for affiliates
❌ Cons:
Competitive niche—requires solid marketing skills
💡 Pro Tip: Create content around lead generation, online business, and sales funnels.
5. Hostinger Affiliate Program
Commission: Up to 60% per sale
Best for: Website owners, digital entrepreneurs
If Bluehost isn’t your thing, Hostinger offers up to 60% commission per sale, making it one of the highest-paying hosting affiliate programs.
✅ Pros:
Very high commission rate
Affordable plans attract customers easily
30-day cookie duration
❌ Cons:
Lower brand recognition compared to Bluehost
💡 Pro Tip: Compare Hostinger vs. Bluehost in a blog post or video for higher conversions.
6. HubSpot Affiliate Program
Commission: Up to 100% on first-month revenue
Best for: B2B marketers, SaaS-focused affiliates
HubSpot is one of the biggest CRM and marketing software companies. Their huge commission rates make it an excellent pick if your audience is into digital marketing or sales automation.
✅ Pros:
High commission potential
Trusted brand in the business world
Ideal for B2B audiences
❌ Cons:
Not ideal for beginners
💡 Pro Tip: Target business owners, startups, and marketers needing CRM solutions.
7. CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction)
Commission: Varies by merchant
Best for: Experienced affiliates, niche marketers
CJ Affiliate is a marketplace with thousands of companies offering affiliate commissions. You can find high-ticket and recurring commission programs in almost every niche.
✅ Pros:
Access to premium brands
High-ticket and recurring commissions
Ideal for niche affiliate marketers
❌ Cons:
Requires approval from each brand
💡 Pro Tip: Look for brands with high commission rates and long cookie durations.
8. Rakuten Advertising
Commission: Varies by merchant
Best for: Online shoppers, lifestyle influencers
Rakuten partners with big-name brands like Walmart and Best Buy. If your audience loves shopping, you can earn commissions by promoting cashback deals and discounts.
✅ Pros:
Trusted brands and high conversion rates
Great for lifestyle and deal bloggers
Passive income through cashback referrals
❌ Cons:
Some merchants have low commission rates
💡 Pro Tip: Create shopping guides featuring Rakuten deals.
9. Semrush Affiliate Program
Commission: $200 per subscription
Best for: SEO experts, marketers, bloggers
Semrush is a top-tier SEO tool, and their affiliate program pays a massive $200 per sale. If you create content around SEO, blogging, or digital marketing, this is a goldmine.
✅ Pros:
High commission per referral
Long cookie duration (120 days)
Popular tool with a large audience
❌ Cons:
Requires a niche audience interested in SEO
💡 Pro Tip: Create SEO tutorials or keyword research guides featuring Semrush.
Does TikTok have an affiliate program?
Commission: Varies by brand
Best for: General affiliates, niche marketers
ShareASale is an affiliate network with thousands of brands in different industries. Whether you promote fashion, tech, or fitness, you’ll find a brand that fits.
✅ Pros:
Access to thousands of affiliate programs
High-ticket opportunities
Trusted by big brands
❌ Cons:
Requires approval for each merchant
💡 Pro Tip: Find brands that align with your niche for better conversions.
11. Teachable Affiliate Program
Commission: Up to 30% recurring
Best for: Educators, content creators, course marketers
Teachable lets people create and sell online courses. Their 30% recurring commission means you keep earning as long as your referrals keep using the platform.
✅ Pros:
Recurring commissions
Ideal for online educators
High-ticket sales potential
❌ Cons:
Works best for audiences interested in course creation
💡 Pro Tip: Create content on how to sell online courses and recommend Teachable.
12. Coursera Affiliate Program
Commission: Up to 45% per sale
Best for: Students, educators, career bloggers
Coursera offers top-tier online courses, and you earn up to 45% commission per sale. If your audience loves learning, this is a perfect fit.
✅ Pros:
High commission rates
Well-known brand
Great for education bloggers
❌ Cons:
Niche audience
💡 Pro Tip: Promote certifications and career advancement courses.
Final Thoughts: Pick Your Program & Start Earning!
Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to make money online, but success depends on choosing the right programs. Pick a few from this list, create content, and start earning commissions. 🚀
Which affiliate program are you excited to try? Let me know in the comments! 👇
