You can list a SaaS affiliate program in three kinds of places: independent affiliate program directories (free or low cost, work with any tracking tool, for example AffiDex), marketplaces built into affiliate software (Reditus, PartnerStack, Affonso: you must run your program on their platform), and communities where affiliates hang out (Reddit, Indie Hackers, LinkedIn, X). Most founders should use all three, in that order of effort.
In short
| Where | Type | Cost to list | Requirement | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AffiDex | Independent directory | Free (paid options to go live faster) | Any tracking tool | SaaS and AI programs that want creators to find them |
| Reditus Marketplace | Marketplace inside affiliate software | Paid Reditus plan | Run your program on Reditus, B2B SaaS only | B2B SaaS that wants a managed affiliate network |
| PartnerStack Marketplace | Marketplace inside partner software | Sales-led, custom pricing | Run your program on PartnerStack | Funded B2B SaaS with a partner budget |
| Affonso Marketplace | Marketplace inside affiliate software | Included with Affonso | Run your program on Affonso | Small SaaS already using Affonso |
| Reddit, Indie Hackers, LinkedIn, X | Communities | Free | Time and real participation | Recruiting your first affiliates by hand |
Prices and eligibility rules change often. Check each platform's own pricing page before you commit.
What is the difference between a directory and a marketplace?
A directory is a public list of programs that affiliates browse to compare commissions, cookie durations and payouts. It links to your own signup page, so it works whatever tracking software you use (Rewardful, FirstPromoter, Tolt, Affonso or an in-house system).
A marketplace is a network built into one affiliate platform. It can match you with affiliates already on that platform, but only if your program runs on it. Switching tools later usually means leaving the marketplace too.
That is the main trade-off: directories are open and cheap, marketplaces are closed but come with a network.
Where can I list my SaaS affiliate program for free?
AffiDex lists SaaS and AI affiliate programs for free. You submit the program with its commission, structure, cookie duration and payout methods, and it gets its own page with the terms, a FAQ and similar programs. Free listings go through a review queue. You can pay once to publish right away, or boost the listing to appear first across the site.
Each listing page is written for the questions affiliates ask before joining, such as "how much does [your tool] pay affiliates", so it can rank for your brand name plus "affiliate program".
Communities are free too, but they reward participation, not announcements. A post that only says "join my affiliate program" rarely works. What works: answering questions in your niche and mentioning the program where it genuinely helps.
Which affiliate marketplaces are worth it for SaaS?
Reditus is built for B2B SaaS only and promotes listed programs to its affiliate network. Listing requires running your program on Reditus and a paid plan. Good fit if you sell to businesses and want a network without recruiting everyone yourself.
PartnerStack is the large player for B2B partner programs. Its marketplace is part of the platform, and pricing is sales-led. It makes sense for funded companies with a partner team, much less for an early-stage SaaS.
Affonso lets programs that run on Affonso switch on a marketplace listing in their settings, with a tagline, a category and a logo. If you already use Affonso, turn it on: it costs nothing extra.
If your program already runs on one of these tools, list it in that tool's marketplace and in independent directories. They do not exclude each other.
How do I get affiliates to actually join after I list my program?
A listing gets you found. Your terms get you chosen. Affiliates compare programs side by side, so three things decide whether they click "join":
- Commission: recurring commissions beat one-time payouts for most creators. See typical SaaS affiliate commission rates.
- Cookie duration: 30 days is the floor, 60 to 90 days is competitive.
- Clarity: publish your payout methods, minimum payout and holding period. Unclear terms are the first reason affiliates skip a program.
Then recruit directly. Listings bring affiliates to you slowly; outreach brings the first ones fast. The affiliate recruitment guide and where to find affiliates for your SaaS cover who to contact and what to say.
What information do directories ask for?
Prepare these before you submit anywhere, so every listing says the same thing:
- Commission rate and structure (recurring, one-time, tiered)
- How long recurring commissions last (12 months, lifetime)
- Cookie duration
- Payout methods and minimum payout
- Your affiliate signup link
- Your pricing, so affiliates can estimate what one referral is worth
- Who your product is for, so the right creators recognise it
Consistent facts across listings also help AI assistants describe your program correctly when someone asks about it.
FAQ
Is it free to list an affiliate program on AffiDex? Yes. Listing is free. Paid options exist only to publish without waiting in the queue or to appear first.
Do I need a specific affiliate software to be listed in a directory? No. Independent directories link to your own signup page, whatever tool tracks your referrals. Marketplaces like Reditus, PartnerStack and Affonso only list programs that run on their platform.
How many places should I list my program? Start with one or two independent directories and the marketplace of the tool you already use, then spend the rest of your time on direct outreach. More listings with the same facts beat more listings with different facts.
Can I list a program that pays a one-time commission? Yes. Directories list one-time, recurring and tiered programs. Recurring programs tend to attract more creators, so if you offer recurring commissions, say how long they last.