Up to 4 at once.
| Criteria |  Amazon Associates | Rakuten |
|---|---|---|
| Weighted Score | 4.0/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Pricing | Free to join; performance-based commission model with rates typically between 1% and 20% depending on product category. | Free for publishers to join; advertisers pay custom pricing (performance commissions plus negotiated monthly platform and setup fees). |
| Platform Type | Affiliate network | Affiliate network |
| Commission rates & payout terms | 2.2/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Merchant & programme coverage | 4.9/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Tracking accuracy & attribution | 4.2/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Link automation & commerce content tools | 4.5/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Reporting & API | 4.4/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Payment reliability & thresholds | 3.8/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Product feeds & price comparison | 4.3/5 | 3.6/5 |
| Disclosure & compliance tools | 3.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Integration | 3.8/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Publisher approval & programme access | 3.0/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Strengths | ✓ Diverse product range to promote to your audience ✓ Access to Amazon's advertising features and tools | ✓ Premium advertiser base including luxury retail and top travel brands ✓ Curated advertiser marketplace maintains quality |
| Limitations | ✗ Could offer faster payouts like other affiliate platforms ✗ Their affiliate cookie lasts for only 24 hours, which may reduce the payouts from your affiliate marketing efforts | ✗ Higher approval standards than open networks ✗ Interface and reporting less intuitive than Impact or CJ |
Amazon Associates
4.0
Rating
★ 4.0/5
Pricing
Free to join; performance-based commission model with rates typically between 1% and 20% depending on product category.
Platform
Affiliate network
Scores
Commission rates & payout terms
2.2
Merchant & programme coverage
4.9
Tracking accuracy & attribution
4.2
Link automation & commerce content tools
4.5
Reporting & API
4.4
Payment reliability & thresholds
3.8
Product feeds & price comparison
4.3
Disclosure & compliance tools
3.5
Integration
3.8
Publisher approval & programme access
3.0
Strengths
✓ Diverse product range to promote to your audience
✓ Access to Amazon's advertising features and tools
Limitations
✗ Could offer faster payouts like other affiliate platforms
✗ Their affiliate cookie lasts for only 24 hours, which may reduce the payouts from your affiliate marketing efforts
Rakuten
3.8
Rating
★ 3.5/5
Pricing
Free for publishers to join; advertisers pay custom pricing (performance commissions plus negotiated monthly platform and setup fees).
Platform
Affiliate network
Scores
Commission rates & payout terms
3.8
Merchant & programme coverage
4.2
Tracking accuracy & attribution
3.5
Link automation & commerce content tools
3.8
Reporting & API
3.5
Payment reliability & thresholds
4.5
Product feeds & price comparison
3.6
Disclosure & compliance tools
3.0
Integration
3.0
Publisher approval & programme access
2.5
Strengths
✓ Premium advertiser base including luxury retail and top travel brands
✓ Curated advertiser marketplace maintains quality
Limitations
✗ Higher approval standards than open networks
✗ Interface and reporting less intuitive than Impact or CJ
