Head to head · Best Affiliate Networks for Publishers
Awin vs PartnerStack (an AppDirect company)
Awin scores higher overall (3.7 vs 2.4), but the right pick depends on which dimension matters most to you.
| Criterion | AwinFair Fit | PartnerStack (an AppDirect company)Limited |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 3.7— higher score for Awin | 2.4 |
| Capability45% of composite | 4.3— higher score for Awin | 3.5 |
| Publisher fit40% of composite | 3.0— higher score for Awin | 1.0 |
| Total cost of ownership15% of composite | 3.8— higher score for Awin | 3.0 |
| Best for | Small, Mid-Market, Enterprise | Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| Pricing | Subscription-based tiers: Awin Access at $29/mo, Awin Accelerate at $149/mo, and Awin Advanced with custom pricing. | Custom pricing only; estimates for 2026 suggest base plans start around $1,500/month plus transaction fees (1.5%–3.5%) on partner payouts. |
Awin
- It has a clean and user-friendly interface. You can easily find products and campaigns, and create trackable referral links or images
- Track your affiliate marketing earnings, including sales and order value. All users converted from your page are tracked back to you and recorded within your dashboard, ensuring accurate commission evaluation
- With accelerated payments, you get rewards when customers purchase through your link
- Could provide faster responses to improve support
PartnerStack (an AppDirect company)
- Recurring commission model — earn monthly for each referral's subscription
- Access to 400+ B2B SaaS affiliate programmes
- Good for B2B content publishers reviewing software and tools
- B2B SaaS focus — limited value for consumer lifestyle publishers
- Lower volume of campaigns than consumer affiliate networks
- Requires B2B audience for meaningful conversion rates
Common questions
Is Awin or PartnerStack (an AppDirect company) better?
Awin scores higher overall (3.7 vs 2.4), but the right pick depends on which dimension matters most to you. Awin scores 3.7/5 and PartnerStack (an AppDirect company) scores 2.4/5 on Benchmark Grid's independent assessment. Scores are set editorially by SODP against published criteria and cannot be purchased.
Which is cheaper, Awin or PartnerStack (an AppDirect company)?
On total cost of ownership — which covers pricing transparency, entry cost, implementation, hidden-fee risk and ongoing cost — Awin scores 3.8/5 and PartnerStack (an AppDirect company) scores 3.0/5. A higher score means better value, not a lower sticker price.
How are these scores calculated?
Each tool is assessed across 12 criteria grouped into Capability (45% of the composite), Publisher Fit (40%) and Total Cost of Ownership (15%). Assessment is carried out by SODP's editorial team against a published methodology. Vendors cannot pay for inclusion, scores or rankings.
Still deciding?
Answer four questions about your publication and we'll recommend a full stack — with the reasoning for each pick and what it will cost.
Both tools are scored in Best Affiliate Networks for Publishers. See alternatives to Awin or alternatives to PartnerStack (an AppDirect company).
