FirstPromoter has earned its place as a go-to affiliate and referral platform for SaaS brands, especially ones running on Stripe. It tracks subscriptions well, surfaces serious revenue metrics, and keeps your commission rules flexible. Still, plenty of brands start hunting for FirstPromoter alternatives once they want a lower entry price, a free tier, payouts and tax fully handled, or a tool that fits ecommerce as cleanly as it fits software.
This guide compares the 10 best FirstPromoter alternatives in 2026, written for brands and SaaS companies choosing affiliate software, not for affiliates looking for programs to join. For each tool you get who it is best for, real strengths, current pricing, honest trade-offs, and a one-line take on how it stacks up against FirstPromoter.
We make our own product, Rekomi, so we have listed it first and we have been upfront about where it shines and where it does not. Read past it and judge every option on the merits; the goal here is to help you choose well, not to win an argument.
TL;DR: the 3 strongest FirstPromoter alternatives
What is FirstPromoter?
FirstPromoter is affiliate, referral, and partner tracking software built primarily for subscription businesses. It connects to billing systems like Stripe, Paddle, Chargebee, Recurly, and Braintree, then tracks signups, trials, conversions, and recurring revenue so you can pay partners accurately over the life of a customer.
It is aimed at SaaS teams that want to launch a program without engineering a tracking system from scratch. Brands like it for its depth: you can model tiered commissions, recurring payouts, and partner rewards, and you get genuinely useful subscription analytics on top.
A few things FirstPromoter does well:
- Deep SaaS metrics, including MRR and churn views for your program.
- Billing-native tracking that ties commissions directly to subscription events.
- Flexible commission structures for affiliates, referrals, and partners.
- Managed payouts and tax support so you are not stitching tools together.
On firstpromoter pricing, plans run $49 for Starter, $99 for Business, and $149 and up for Enterprise, with a 14-day trial and a 0% take-rate on the commissions you pay out. That structure is attractive at scale because FirstPromoter does not skim a percentage of your affiliate revenue; you pay a predictable monthly fee instead.
FirstPromoter is a strong, mature option. The reason brands still shop around is that the fit, the entry price, and what is included can vary a lot by your stage and model, which is exactly what the alternatives below address.
Why look for a FirstPromoter alternative?
FirstPromoter is good software, so switching is usually about fit rather than failure. Here are the honest reasons brands look elsewhere.
First, it is SaaS-first by design. If you sell physical products or run a mixed ecommerce and software business, you may want a tool that handles coupons, one-time orders, and influencer programs more naturally.
Second, price and packaging matter early on. The $49 entry point is reasonable, but some teams want a lower starting price, a genuine free tier to validate a program, or a flat monthly fee that does not climb as fast.
Third, some useful features and automations sit on higher tiers, so the plan you can afford may not include everything you pictured. Finally, a few teams simply want a more modern interface or built-in help recruiting affiliates, which not every platform offers.
What to look for in a FirstPromoter alternative
Before you compare logos, get clear on what your program actually needs. These criteria separate a tool that fits from one you outgrow in a quarter.
- Billing fit: native support for your payment stack, whether that is Stripe, Paddle, or something else.
- Tracking quality: accurate recurring attribution, first-party or cookieless tracking, and coupon support if you need it.
- Payouts: whether the tool pays your affiliates for you or leaves that to you via PayPal or Wise.
- Tax handling: built-in W-9 and W-8 collection plus 1099 generation, or whether you manage compliance yourself.
- Pricing model: flat monthly fee, a percentage take-rate, per-payout processing fees, or some mix.
- Program types: affiliate, referral, newsletter, partner, and influencer support under one roof.
- Recruitment: built-in marketplaces or AI finders if you need help sourcing affiliates.
- Migration: how easily you can move existing affiliates in, ideally with a CSV import.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Who it’s best for | Starting price | Payouts and tax | vs FirstPromoter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rekomi | Brands wanting payouts and tax included | $19/mo | Stripe Express payouts plus W-9/W-8 and 1099 in base; flat 3% on payouts | Lower entry price with payouts and tax built in, not add-ons |
| Rewardful | Fast no-code Stripe and Paddle setup | $49/mo | You run payouts via PayPal or Wise; Managed Payouts plus tax for +3% | Simpler setup but tax and done-for-you payouts cost extra |
| Tolt | Modern Stripe-native programs | $69/mo | Automated payouts and tax from Growth (2% auto-payout fee) | Sleeker UI; leaner feature set than FirstPromoter |
| Tapfiliate | SaaS, ecommerce, and influencer programs | $89/mo | Payouts and tax via Trolley integration | More channels but lower tiers cap clicks and conversions |
| Partnero | Affiliate, referral, and newsletter in one | $10/mo | Built-in payouts and tax; managed payouts cost 7% | Broader program types; some advanced features still maturing |
| Affonso | Budget-minded SaaS programs | $19/mo | Automated payouts from Growth; tax from Elite | Cheaper but tax only on the top tier |
| PromoteKit | Lean Stripe-native programs | Free / $29/mo | You pay via PayPal or Wise; no tax forms | Lower cost but you handle tax yourself |
| Reditus | B2B SaaS wanting affiliate recruitment | $99/mo | Automated payouts with a processing fee | Adds a B2B marketplace; B2B SaaS only |
| Endorsely | Early B2B SaaS on Stripe or Paddle | Free / $39/mo | Bulk PayPal payouts; tax not built in | Free until $1,000/mo revenue; you handle tax |
| Trackdesk | Programs wanting a strong free plan | Free / ~$67/mo | Bulk multi-currency payouts; tax via Tipalti on Business+ | Generous free tier; tax gated to a higher plan |
The 10 best FirstPromoter alternatives
1. Rekomi
Rekomi is affiliate software that builds payouts and tax forms into the base price so you can launch a program and pay partners without bolting on extra tools.
Who it’s best for: brands and SaaS teams that want affiliate payouts and tax compliance handled from day one at a low entry price.
Standout strengths:
- Affiliate payouts via Stripe Express plus tax forms (W-9, W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, and 1099) are included in the base, not a paid add-on.
- First-party tracking on your own custom domains, plus recurring commissions and an AI co-pilot to help run the program.
- One-click CSV migration from 6 platforms, so moving an existing affiliate list is quick.
Pricing: Starter from $19/mo, Growth at $39, Pro at $99, plus custom Enterprise; 14-day trial, no free plan. Rekomi takes a flat 3% on affiliate payouts (2.5% on Enterprise) and nothing on the rest of your revenue.
Trade-offs:
- Because the take is on payouts, your cost scales with payout volume, and payouts run through Rekomi by design rather than being optional.
- It is newer with fewer public reviews, and PayPal payouts are still rolling out while Stripe is live today.
vs FirstPromoter: Rekomi starts lower and folds payouts and tax into the base price, whereas FirstPromoter charges a higher entry fee but takes 0% on commissions, so the better deal depends on your payout volume.
2. Rewardful
Rewardful is a Stripe and Paddle native affiliate and referral tool known for getting a program live with almost no code.
Who it’s best for: Stripe or Paddle brands that want the simplest, fastest path to a working affiliate program.
Standout strengths:
- The cleanest no-code setup of the group; you can connect billing and launch quickly.
- Accurate recurring tracking that ties commissions to subscription events.
- A 0% fee on the subscription itself, so the platform does not skim your revenue.
Pricing: $49 Starter, $99 Growth, and $149 and up for Enterprise, with a 14-day trial.
Trade-offs:
- It supports Stripe and Paddle only, which rules it out if you bill elsewhere.
- You run payouts yourself via PayPal or Wise; done-for-you payouts and tax forms come through Managed Payouts for an extra 3%.
vs FirstPromoter: Rewardful is simpler to set up and similarly priced, but you either handle payouts yourself or pay an extra 3% for managed payouts and tax that FirstPromoter includes in its managed flow.
3. Tolt
Tolt is a modern, Stripe-native affiliate platform with a polished interface and automated payouts available on its mid tier.
Who it’s best for: Stripe brands that want a sleek, current experience with payouts and tax handled for them.
Standout strengths:
- A clean, modern interface that is easy for your team and your affiliates to use.
- Built-in automated payouts and tax forms (W-9, W-8, and 1099) starting on the Growth plan.
- White-label options on the Pro plan if you want the program fully branded.
Pricing: Basic at $69, Growth at $99, Pro at $199, and custom Enterprise, with a 14-day trial. Automated payouts carry a 2% processing fee.
Trade-offs:
- The feature set is leaner than older incumbents, so advanced edge cases may not be covered.
- The Basic plan is manual payouts only, and automated payouts add a 2% fee.
vs FirstPromoter: Tolt feels more modern and bundles payouts and tax from the Growth plan, while FirstPromoter offers deeper subscription analytics and a broader billing integration list.
4. Tapfiliate
Tapfiliate is a flexible affiliate platform that spans SaaS, ecommerce, and influencer programs rather than focusing on subscriptions alone.
Who it’s best for: brands running mixed programs across software, physical products, and influencer partnerships.
Standout strengths:
- Works across SaaS, ecommerce, and influencer use cases in one tool.
- A large library of integrations to fit into your existing stack.
- Payouts and tax handled through its Trolley integration when you need them.
Pricing: Launch at $89/mo ($74 annual) and Scale at $179/mo ($149 annual), plus custom Enterprise; a 7-day trial on Launch and 14-day on Scale.
Trade-offs:
- Lower tiers cap clicks and conversions, with overage fees if you exceed them.
- Payouts and tax depend on the Trolley integration rather than a single native flow.
vs FirstPromoter: Tapfiliate is more flexible across ecommerce and influencer channels, while FirstPromoter goes deeper on subscription metrics for pure SaaS programs.
5. Partnero
Partnero is a versatile platform that lets you run affiliate, referral, and newsletter programs side by side from one dashboard.
Who it’s best for: brands that want affiliate, referral, and newsletter growth managed together without juggling separate tools.
Standout strengths:
- Affiliate, referral, and newsletter programs in a single platform.
- Built-in payouts and tax handling so you are not assembling pieces.
- Unlimited partners and transactions on every plan, which keeps pricing predictable as you grow.
Pricing: Newsletter at $10, Starter at $59 ($49 annual), Partner at $199, plus custom Enterprise, with a generous 30-day trial. Optional managed payouts cost 7%.
Trade-offs:
- A few advanced features are still maturing compared with older platforms.
- Managed payouts carry a 7% cost if you opt into them.
vs FirstPromoter: Partnero covers more program types and starts cheaper, while FirstPromoter offers richer subscription analytics for SaaS-focused teams.
6. Affonso
Affonso is a budget-friendly affiliate tool for SaaS brands that want a low monthly fee and no transaction cuts.
Who it’s best for: cost-conscious SaaS teams launching their first affiliate program.
Standout strengths:
- A low entry price with advertised zero transaction fees on your revenue.
- Cookieless tracking that holds up as browsers tighten privacy rules.
- Automated payouts available from the Growth plan upward.
Pricing: Launch at $19/mo ($15 annual), Growth at $39, Elite at $99, and Enterprise at $149, with a 14-day trial.
Trade-offs:
- Tax form collection (W-8 and W-9) only starts on the Elite plan.
- It is leaner and newer than established competitors.
vs FirstPromoter: Affonso undercuts FirstPromoter on price with no transaction fees, but tax handling is reserved for its top tier and the overall feature depth is lighter.
7. PromoteKit
PromoteKit is a lean, Stripe-native affiliate tool with a free plan and a single low-cost paid tier.
Who it’s best for: small Stripe businesses that want a no-frills program and are happy to handle tax themselves.
Standout strengths:
- A free plan to test the waters, plus no transaction fees on revenue.
- Native Stripe integration with support for recurring commissions.
- A simple, focused product that is quick to understand.
Pricing: a Free plan that tracks up to 3 referrals, Pro at $29/mo (about $21.75 annual), and custom Enterprise.
Trade-offs:
- It does not handle tax forms, so compliance is on you, and you pay affiliates via PayPal or Wise.
- The free plan is very limited and the team behind it is small.
vs FirstPromoter: PromoteKit is far cheaper with a free entry point, but it leaves payouts and tax entirely to you, whereas FirstPromoter supports managed payouts and tax.
8. Reditus
Reditus is a B2B SaaS affiliate platform that pairs program management with a marketplace for finding affiliates.
Who it’s best for: B2B SaaS companies that want help recruiting affiliates, not just tracking them.
Standout strengths:
- A built-in B2B affiliate marketplace with 25,000 or more vetted SaaS affiliates, plus AI affiliate discovery.
- Recurring tracking suited to subscription revenue.
- No take-rate on your commissions, so the platform does not skim revenue.
Pricing: Startup at $99, Growth at $179, Scale Up at $399, and Enterprise at $799 and up, with a 14-day trial.
Trade-offs:
- It is built for B2B SaaS only, so it is not a fit for ecommerce.
- Automated payouts carry a processing fee (about 5% if card-funded, 2% if invoice-funded), and there is no free plan right now.
vs FirstPromoter: Reditus adds genuine affiliate recruitment through its marketplace, while FirstPromoter is more general-purpose across SaaS billing systems and starts at a lower price.
9. Endorsely
Endorsely is a B2B SaaS affiliate tool built for Stripe and Paddle with a free tier for early-stage programs.
Who it’s best for: early B2B SaaS teams that want to start free and add recruitment help.
Standout strengths:
- A free Starter plan that stays free until you reach $1,000/mo in affiliate revenue.
- An AI Affiliate Finder to help you recruit partners.
- Link and coupon tracking on Stripe and Paddle.
Pricing: free Starter (free until $1,000/mo in affiliate revenue), Pro at $39, Scale at $99, plus custom Enterprise.
Trade-offs:
- Tax forms are not built in, so compliance is your responsibility.
- It is newer and focused on B2B only.
vs FirstPromoter: Endorsely lets you start free and helps you recruit affiliates, while FirstPromoter offers managed tax support and a wider set of billing integrations.
10. Trackdesk
Trackdesk is an affiliate platform with an unusually generous free plan and multiple tracking methods for different program styles.
Who it’s best for: brands that want a capable free tier and flexible tracking before committing budget.
Standout strengths:
- A free plan that stays free until about $5,000/mo in affiliate revenue, with unlimited clicks, conversions, and affiliates.
- Multi-method tracking, including server-to-server, first-party, and coupon tracking.
- Bulk, multi-currency payouts for paying affiliates across regions.
Pricing: a Free plan, an entry paid plan around $67/mo, Affiliate Program at $249, and Network at $499, with a 14-day trial on paid plans.
Trade-offs:
- Tax handling via Tipalti is gated to the Business plan and up.
- The free plan has limited features and support.
vs FirstPromoter: Trackdesk offers a much more generous free tier and flexible tracking, while FirstPromoter provides deeper subscription analytics and tax support without pushing you to a higher plan.
When FirstPromoter is still the right choice
Switching is not always the answer. FirstPromoter remains a strong pick in several cases.
- You run a pure SaaS business on Stripe, Paddle, Chargebee, Recurly, or Braintree and want billing-native tracking.
- You care deeply about subscription analytics like MRR and churn tied to your program.
- You prefer a flat monthly fee with a 0% take-rate on commissions, especially at higher payout volumes.
- You want managed payouts and tax support from a mature, well-reviewed platform.
- You need flexible commission structures across affiliates, referrals, and partners.
How to switch from FirstPromoter
Migrating sounds daunting, but a clean program move usually takes an afternoon. Here is a sensible order of operations.
- Export your data. Pull your affiliates, commission rules, and historical conversions out of FirstPromoter, ideally as a CSV.
- Pick your alternative and start a trial. Match the tool to your billing system, your need for payouts and tax, and your budget.
- Import your affiliates. Use the new tool’s CSV import to bring your partner list over so no one loses their account.
- Recreate your commission rules. Rebuild your rates, recurring terms, and any tiers, then test a sample conversion end to end.
- Update your tracking. Swap in the new tracking script or domain settings and confirm clicks and conversions are recording.
- Run both in parallel briefly, then cut over. Keep FirstPromoter live for a short overlap to verify attribution, then notify affiliates and switch fully.
How to pick the right FirstPromoter alternative for you
The best choice depends on your model, your stage, and how much you want handled for you. Use these scenarios as a shortcut.
- You want payouts and tax included without add-on fees: choose Rekomi, which builds Stripe Express payouts and tax forms into the base price from $19/mo.
- You want the fastest no-code setup on Stripe or Paddle: choose Rewardful.
- You want a modern interface with automated payouts and tax: choose Tolt.
- You run SaaS, ecommerce, and influencer programs together: choose Tapfiliate.
- You want affiliate, referral, and newsletter programs in one tool: choose Partnero.
- You are on a tight budget for a SaaS program: choose Affonso.
- You want a free, lean Stripe-native option and will handle tax: choose PromoteKit.
- You are a B2B SaaS brand that needs help recruiting affiliates: choose Reditus or Endorsely.
- You want the most generous free plan to start: choose Trackdesk.
Frequently asked questions
How much does FirstPromoter cost, and what does its 0% take-rate mean?
FirstPromoter pricing starts at $49/mo for Starter, $99/mo for Business, and $149 and up for Enterprise, with a 14-day trial. It takes a flat 0% of the commissions you pay out, so you keep a predictable monthly fee no matter how much your affiliates earn. That structure is especially attractive at higher payout volumes, where percentage-based pricing would climb.
What is the cheapest FirstPromoter alternative?
On entry price, Partnero starts lowest at $10/mo for its Newsletter plan, while Affonso starts at $19/mo for a full affiliate program with no transaction fees. PromoteKit’s Pro plan at $29/mo is another low-cost option if you are happy to handle tax yourself.
Is there a free FirstPromoter alternative?
Yes. Trackdesk offers a free plan that stays free until about $5,000/mo in affiliate revenue, Endorsely is free until $1,000/mo in affiliate revenue, and PromoteKit has a free plan that tracks up to 3 referrals. All three leave tax handling to you.
Does FirstPromoter pay affiliates and handle tax?
Yes. FirstPromoter supports managed payouts and tax handling at a 0% take-rate on commissions. If you want similar coverage but bundled into a low base price, Rekomi includes Stripe Express payouts and tax forms (W-9, W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, and 1099) from $19/mo, while Rewardful and Partnero offer managed payouts for an extra percentage.
How do I migrate from FirstPromoter?
Export your affiliates and commission data as a CSV, start a trial with your chosen tool, import the affiliate list, recreate your commission rules, update your tracking, and run both platforms in parallel briefly before cutting over. Most tools here support CSV import, so bringing your existing partners across is usually quick.
What is the best FirstPromoter alternative for SaaS?
For Stripe-native simplicity, Rewardful and Tolt are strong picks. For B2B teams that want help recruiting affiliates, Reditus and Endorsely add a marketplace and an AI finder. If you want payouts and tax included in the base price, Rekomi is a solid hands-off option.
Which FirstPromoter alternative is best for ecommerce?
Tapfiliate is the most flexible across ecommerce, SaaS, and influencer programs, and Trackdesk’s coupon and multi-method tracking suits non-subscription sales well too. FirstPromoter itself is SaaS-first, which is the main reason ecommerce brands look elsewhere.
Do these tools take a percentage of my revenue?
Most charge a flat monthly fee with a 0% take on revenue, including FirstPromoter, Rewardful, Affonso, and Reditus. Rekomi takes a flat 3% on affiliate payouts only (2.5% on Enterprise), and several tools add a processing fee on managed or automated payouts (for example Partnero at 7% and Tolt at 2% on auto-payouts).
Final thoughts
There is no single best FirstPromoter alternative, only the one that fits your billing stack, your stage, and how much you want handled for you. FirstPromoter is a genuinely strong platform, and several tools here will serve you well depending on whether you prioritize price, included payouts, recruitment, or program flexibility.
If you want affiliate payouts and tax forms built into the base price so you can launch and pay partners without extra tooling, Rekomi is worth a look, with an honest caveat that your cost scales with payout volume. Whatever you choose, take advantage of the free trials and test a real conversion before you commit.
