Skimlinks vs Stay22
Skimlinks
The leading commerce content platform that automatically monetizes editorial content through affiliate link automation. (Now: Acquired by Connexity in 2020, which was then acquired by Taboola in 2021; it continues to operate under the Skimlinks brand.)
Publishers using it: 24 · incl. BuzzFeed, CBS News, Condé Nast
Stay22
AI-powered monetization platform helping publishers and creators turn travel intent into booking revenue.
Publishers using it: 12 · incl. Liverpool Echo, Lonely Planet, Daily Mirror
Last verified Oct 19, 2026
At a glance
- Skimlinks scores 4.3/5 and Stay22 scores 3.8/5 in Benchmark Grid's independent affiliate networks benchmark, both assessed on the same 10 criteria.
- The widest gaps are reporting & api (Skimlinks 4.3, Stay22 2.4) and merchant & programme coverage (Skimlinks 4.8, Stay22 3.8); they are within 0.3 on 3 of 10 criteria.
- Skimlinks is built for small, mid-market and enterprise publishers; Stay22 for small and mid-market.
- On total cost of ownership Skimlinks scores 4.0 and Stay22 4.6 (higher means better value, not a lower price).
- In our tracking 24 publishers use Skimlinks and 12 use Stay22.
- Scores last verified 19 Oct 2026. Vendors cannot pay for a score or a position.
Where they differ
Skimlinks is stronger on reporting & API (4.3 vs 2.4), integration (4.5 vs 3.5), merchant & programme coverage (4.8 vs 3.8) and tracking accuracy & attribution (4.2 vs 3.2).
Which one fits
Choose Skimlinks if…
- You publish at small, mid-market and enterprise scale.
- You weight reporting & API, merchant & programme coverage and tracking accuracy & attribution heavily — Skimlinks leads on those in this benchmark.
Choose Stay22 if…
- You publish at small and mid-market scale.
- You weight payment reliability & thresholds and commission rates & payout terms heavily — Stay22 leads on those in this benchmark.
Also weighing these
The nearest-scored tools to Skimlinks and Stay22 in this benchmark, listed A to Z.
- 4.0Amazon AssociatesThe world's largest affiliate marketing program providing creators and publishers global product monetizationRead review
- 3.8AwinA global affiliate marketing platform connecting publishers with diverse advertisers to drive performanceRead review
- 3.9ImpactComprehensive partnership management platform for automating affiliate, influencer, and creator growthRead review
- 3.8RakutenA global performance marketing network connecting brands with premium publishers via affiliate and media solutions, in a strategic alliance with impact.com (April 2026).Read review
All 12 scored tools are in Best Affiliate Networks for Publishers.
Who uses them
Publishers we have detected running each tool, from ads.txt, site code and published case studies. Agencies, brands and vendors are excluded.
Head to head
| Criterion | Skimlinks | Stay22 |
|---|---|---|
| Commission rates & payout terms14% of capability | 3.2 | 3.4 |
| Merchant & programme coverage14% of capability | 4.8 | 3.8 |
| Tracking accuracy & attribution14% of capability | 4.2 | 3.2 |
| Link automation & commerce content tools12% of capability | 4.8 | 4.6 |
| Payment reliability & thresholds10% of capability | 3.0 | 3.9 |
| Reporting & API10% of capability | 4.3 | 2.4 |
| Product feeds & price comparison8% of capability | 3.7 | 3.5 |
| Disclosure & compliance tools6% of capability | 2.5 | 1.8 |
| Integration6% of capability | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Publisher approval & programme access6% of capability | 3.5 | 3.0 |
| Capability45% of composite | 3.9 | 3.4 |
| Publisher fit40% of composite | 4.9 | 4.0 |
| Total cost of ownership15% of composite | 4.0 | 4.6 |
Cost of ownership
| Sub-score | Skimlinks | Stay22 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing transparency | 4.1 | 4.5 |
| Entry cost | 4.5 | 4.8 |
| Implementation cost | 4.2 | 4.6 |
| Hidden-fee risk | 4.3 | 4.7 |
| Ongoing cost | 3.0 | 4.6 |
Skimlinks pricing
Free for publishers to join; operates on a 75/25 revenue share model where the publisher retains 75% of earned commissions.
Stay22 pricing
Free to use for publishers; operates on a performance-based revenue-share model where creators earn a commission on completed bookings.
What users say
Skimlinks
14 positive · 13 neutral · 7 negative
Stay22
20 positive · 8 neutral · 5 negative
Mentions we could not tie to a real user, and those flagged as promotional, are excluded. Sentiment is opinion, and is independent of the verified publisher adoptions above.
Skimlinks scores 4.3 and Stay22 scores 3.8 in Benchmark Grid's independent Best Affiliate Networks for Publishers benchmark (benchmarkgrid.com/vs/skimlinks/stay22, verified Oct 19, 2026)
Common questions
How do Skimlinks and Stay22 differ?
Skimlinks is stronger on reporting & API (4.3 vs 2.4), integration (4.5 vs 3.5), merchant & programme coverage (4.8 vs 3.8) and tracking accuracy & attribution (4.2 vs 3.2). Neither is better in the abstract — which one suits you depends on which of those dimensions carries the most weight in your operation.
Which is cheaper, Skimlinks or Stay22?
On total cost of ownership — pricing transparency, entry cost, implementation, hidden-fee risk and ongoing cost — Skimlinks scores 4.0/5 and Stay22 scores 4.6/5. A higher score means better value, not a lower sticker price.
How are these scores calculated?
Each tool is assessed against its category's published criteria (10 in this benchmark), which make up 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 positions.
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Both tools are scored in Best Affiliate Networks for Publishers. See alternatives to Skimlinks or alternatives to Stay22.
Weighing a third option? Add a tool to this comparison.
Where to next
Four questions, and a scored stack across every benchmark — not just Best Affiliate Networks for Publishers
Every scored tool in Best Affiliate Networks for Publishers, with the criteria behind each number
Every category, independently scored
Related comparisons
Other head-to-heads publishers look at in Best Affiliate Networks for Publishers.
