Gone are the days when affiliate marketing used to be as simple. With skyrocketing competition, affiliate marketing has evolved into fine art.
That being said, Affiliate Marketing is still is the best way to sell more products.
As affiliates find more ways to sell products, affiliate networks seek ways to keep tabs on their affiliates.
We know that affiliate marketing is a complex commingling of factors.
For this reason, we won’t just throw information at you.
We shall try to explain everything as best as we can.
What are Affiliate Marketing Trackers?
First off, What is Affiliate Tracking?
It is a system by which you can track, analyze, and manage your affiliate marketing activities.
As more affiliates apply to sell your products, you require a system that can:
- Receive new applications
- Produce coded links
- Grant affiliates access to the products’ marketplace
Additionally, your affiliates should view their traffic, sales, and commissions.
On the other hand, you as the affiliate program owner should see:
- Results for each affiliate
- New applications and approve them
- Commissions due and pay them
Essentially, all these activities should be automatically tracked by an Affiliate Tracker.
PRO TIP: Here is How to Find Top PPV Offers? Also, There are many ways to spy successful affiliate offers which are run by Top Affiliates. Use Tools like Adspy
, Adplexity to find those successful campaigns.
What to Expect from Affiliate Marketing Trackers
Affiliate marketing trackers are typically Software or Special Plugins.
You have two options when it comes to tracking your marketing activities:
a) In-house tracking involves the use of an independent tracking system typically Software. This is great for keeping your Affiliate Programs activities private.
Special Plugin is usually a Plugin offered by the Affiliate Network. For some, this is better because it means no extra cost. Additionally, it is an All-In-One Affiliate Network Experience.
Before choosing an Affiliate Marketing Tracker, remember there are two types. Self-hosted Affiliate Trackers and Cloud-based Affiliate Trackers.
Self-Hosted Affiliate Trackers are hosted on your server. The main advantage of this affiliate tracker is Data Retention. Your data will always remain with you. This way, you can retrieve it any time.
Cloud-Based Affiliate Trackers are hosted by the affiliate Network. Their best attribute is that you never have to worry about Software Updates.
However, you do have to worry about your data. This is because Data Retention is for a set period of time.
How to Choose the best Affiliate Marketing Tracker
These are the main things to consider before choosing an Affiliate Tracker.
1. Installation and Configuration
If you go for a self-hosted affiliate tracker, you need to know how to correctly install it.
Or at least know a guy, am I right?
This is because affiliate tracker needs:
- Specific server necessities
- Installation know-how
- Tweaking to adhere to your rules
If you cannot do all this, you have to choose a cloud-based affiliate tracker.
2. Data Privacy
If you to keep your conversion data private, choose a self-hosted affiliate tracker.
So the process of setting up maybe a lot of work. However, ultimately being in control of everything makes it worth the effort.
Moreover, you get to retain all your data for as long as you want.
3. Pricing
Both self-hosted and cloud-based affiliate trackers have different pricing criteria.
Self-hosted affiliate trackers tend to be cheaper. You have unlimited clicks and don’t get charged per click.
But there’s the pesky issue of the time investment. You will spend quite some time configuring it and tweaking it to your liking.
Cloud-based affiliate trackers may charge subscriptions. These subscriptions are based on the number of affiliates, traffic, and conversions. Others charge an additional percentage on monthly sales. These charges add up to quite a hefty amount.
4. Speed
This is a crucial aspect to consider.
Cloud-based affiliate trackers are usually faster. This is because they have multiple servers across the world.
Self-hosted affiliate trackers can be slow. It all depends on how you manage yours to ensure redirecting speed is optimal. So keep in mind the slower the server, the higher the click loss.
Bottom Line: If you are not tech-savvy, choose a cloud-based affiliate tracker. It is easier to manage and you can focus on other issues.
If you are a beginner and are yet to learn the ropes, choose a cloud-based affiliate tracker.
Provided that you have audiences from multiple continents, go for a cloud-based affiliate tracker.
The Best Affiliate Marketing Trackers
Now to the best part.
The market is brimming with options for affiliate marketing trackers.
Which are the best Affiliate Marketing Trackers in 2021?
1. Voluum Affiliate Tracker
Voluum was the first affiliate marketing tracker to revolutionise affiliate tracking.
For one, it is optimally Fast. Thanks to 4 Data Centers located across the world (Singapore, Ireland, USA, and Sydney).
Two, Voluum is AI-Powered. This means that Voluum has AI Algorithms. They automatically detect the best-performing Landers and funnel more traffic to them.
Three, Voluum allows you to do A/B and Split Testing. This way, you can determine which campaign paths are performing better.
Four, customize your audience targeting criteria. Wherefore, you can direct your ultra-targeted traffic to multiple landing pages and offers. This will inevitably increase conversion rates.
The founder of Voluum is Robert Gryn.
He has had years of experience dealing with affiliates. Thanks to his affiliate network, ZeroPark.
For this reason, Voluum is still arguably the Best Affiliate Marketing Tracker in the market.
Pricing
Voluum has an array of subscriptions to fit different needs.
a) Discover Subscription costs $69 per month. With this package, you will enjoy features like Basic Tracking.
You will also have 1 Custom Domain, 20 Active Campaigns, and Data Retention for 3 months.
b) Profit Subscription comes in at $149 monthly. You can expect perks like Automated Split testing. Additionally, enjoy 3 million events, Advanced targeting and reporting, and 3 Custom Domains.
c) Grow Subscription costs $449 per month. For this money, you can expect 10 million events, 5 Custom Domains, and Fraud Protection. What’s more, you will get 12 months of Data Retention and Unlimited Active Campaigns.
d) Custom Subscription is as customized as it can get. You are expected to pay $999 per month for services. They include Limitless traffic tracking, Custom features, and Custom events among others.
Billing starts after the 14-Day Free Trial.
However, you will be charged $1 Fee for the trial.
Pros
- Great tracker with lots of useful features
- Fast redirects
- Intuitive user interface
- Easy integration
Cons
- Pricey
- Lacks crucial granulated features like tracking cross-device
2. ThriveTracker Affiliate Tracker
ThriveTracker is a powerful affiliate tracker. It offers both Self-hosted and Cloud-based options.
ThriveTracker is loved for a couple of reasons.
One, it boasts a robust set of features. They include Extensive Reporting featuring Drill Down Reports. These reports lay out multiple group variables such as geography, devices, and creatives.
Two, ThriveTracker facilitates Auto-Scaling. This way, as you scale as your affiliate tracker keeps up the pace.
Three, ThriveTracker attests using their Click Tracking Pixel lets you avoid redirects.
How?
They say the Click Tracking Pixel allows them to track your data without redirecting your traffic.
And finally, ThriveTracker can route traffic through your own domain.
Pricing
ThriveTracker has an elaborate pricing system to accommodate a variety of customers.
Pricing
a) Cloud Lite costs $39 billed per month or $35 billed annually. For this subscription, you should get 100k clicks. Moreover, you will have Standard customer support, 1 Custom Domain, and other features for an extra premium.
b) Cloud Classic goes for $99 billed monthly or $79 billed yearly. This subscription affords you 1 million clicks, Regular customer support, and 1 Custom Domain. Additional features carry additional charges.
c) Cloud Pro sells for $249 a month. You should expect 5 million clicks and 5 Custom Domains. Further, you shall access Premium Customer care, Reporting API, Multi-User feature, and a Bot Filter. Just like the other packages, any advanced features will be charged A La Carte.
d) Cloud Entrepreneur is $375 monthly. For this subscription, you will receive 10 Million clicks. Moreover, enjoy 10 Custom Domains and all the features in the Cloud Pro Package.
e) Cloud Enterprise comes in at $799 monthly. You should expect 30 Million clicks and Priority Support. In addition, you will access Unlimited Domains, VIP Onboarding, and a Private account manager. All this exclusive of the features available in the Cloud Entrepreneur Package.
f) Cloud Elite is custom priced. You have a solution tailor-made for you. This means the price will be unique as well.
Cloud Elite features everything offered by the other packages included.
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Fast redirects
- Multiple currencies
Cons
- Defect tracking invites more bugs
3. Adsbridge Affiliate Tracker
Adsbridge is a cloud-based affiliate tracker. It boasts 7 Data Centres across the world as well as hundreds of affiliate networks.
We love Adsbridge and here is why:
For starters, you can optimize multiple campaigns simultaneously by creating a custom targeting flow.
Second, Adsbridge offers a Traffic Distribution System (TDS). This feature allows you to flawlessly drive traffic to your top landers.
Third, set Automatic Conversion Caps. Sometimes you may lose traffic because of too many offers per day. This feature allows you to set a maximum number of offers per day.
Fourth, track Ads, PPC, links, pixel, and conversions using cutting edge technology. You can also Split Test the best performing offers and landing pages.
Pricing
Adsbridge offers an array of pricing options.
a) Starter Package goes for $29 monthly. It offers 100 thousand visits, Free Clicks and Conversions. In addition to Core tracking functions and $0.07 over the limit by a thousand visits.
b) Professional Package charges $89 per month. It has features including Smart Link and Free Clicks. Also, $0.04 over the limit by a thousand visits, and a Personal Account manager among others.
c) Advanced Package is priced at $199 monthly. It carries all the attributes of the Professional Package. Plus 4 million visits and $0.038 over the limit by a thousand visits.
d) Business Package goes for $379 per month. It offers all the bells and whistles of the Advanced Package. With the addition of 10 Million visits and $0.036 over the limit by a thousand visits.
Pros
- Top-notch customer support
- An all-in-one product
- Free trial
Cons
- Landing Page builder has limited functionality
4. Funnel Flux Affiliate Tracker
Funnel Flux is by far the simplest Affiliate Tracker to use if you are a beginner.
For one, it offers both self-hosting and cloud-based options.
Two, it allows you to create any type of funnelling you want. And you don’t even have to be tech-savvy.
Three, enjoy Advanced Drilldown and Advanced Tracking. This feature allows you to utilise redirects or even track without redirecting.
And finally, Funnel Flux is fast. It rocks Automated EPV Optimization vertexes that drive traffic based on performance.
Pricing
FunnelFlux offers a variety of pricing options to suit different needs.
a) Flux Micro Package sells for $179 monthly. You will enjoy features including 5 Million visits.
Additionally, enjoy Unlimited Custom Domains, 80 GB Data stored, and 1 Server Location among others.
b) Flux Starter Package goes for $249 per month. It includes up to 10 Million visits and Free SSL+ on Custom Domains. You will also have 160 GB Data Storage and 1 Server Location among others.
c) Flux Pro Package is $449 every month. For this money, you will get 25 million clicks a month, 320 GB storage.
Also, there are no overage charges and 2 Server Locations among others.
You can also go for the Managed LP Server for $30 per month. This is for the customers who choose not to set up their own host. FunnelFlux will provide a reliable, high-performance system, and loads of technical support.
Pros
- Unlimited Custom Domains
- No overage charges
- Free SSL+ on custom domains
- Simple to use for beginners
Cons
- Pricey
5. RedTrack Affiliate Tracker
RedTrack is relatively new. However, it’s emerging as a formidable player in the Affiliate Tracker market.
RedTrack is simple enough for beginners to grasp and complex enough for seasoned affiliate marketers.
Beginners love RedTrack because it has a User-Friendly SaaS. So this ultimately means they never have to fumble with servers or learn how to manage them.
Among RedTrack’s most outstanding features include Unique Visitor Cap, Custom Dashboards and Domains, AI Smart Links, and Smart Streams.
RedTrack allows you to limit the number of times an offer appears to your audience. This feature is crucial in preventing Ad-saturation and subsequent Spamming. Instead, your audience will be shown a different offer within the same campaign.
Additionally, you can Split Test and Rotate the best performing Landing Pages and Offers.
RedTrack releases at least 2 upgrades every month. This way new features are quickly integrated to improve performance.
Pricing
RedTrack offers an array of pricing options.
a) 14-Day Free Trial. The Free Trial offers 100k clicks, Email support, a Tracking Domain, and Basic Tracking Features. Also, you will pay $0.06/k overcharge.
I must say the best feature about RedTrack is the Free Trial. Free stuff, am I right?
Other Affiliate Trackers may offer a Free Trial but as a prelude to a subscription. This free trial is just that, a free trial.
b) Starter Package is $29 per month. For this money, you can expect 300k clicks, Personal onboarding, 3 Custom domains, Data storage for a year, and Basic Tracking features.
c) Pro Package is the most popular choice for affiliate marketers. It goes for $79 monthly. This package includes all the Starter Package features plus Impression Tracking. Additionally, you will get Multi-user, Auto Optimization, Post-Events monitoring, and Full-Access API. You can also expect 3 million clicks and $0.04 per 1K overcharge.
d) Business Package goes for $339 per month. In addition to all the Pro Package features, you will get 15 million clicks, 0.034/k overcharge, a Dedicated manager, and 2-years Data retention.
And that’s not all. You will also get a Publisher Panel, 3 more users, and Unlimited Domains.
Pros
- Cheaper compared to other premium trackers
- User-friendly and easy for beginners
- Custom Domains to suit your requirements
- Fast redirects
- Real-time reports
Cons
- We could not find any.
6. Mobidea Affiliate Tracker
Mobidea is already a giant in the Affiliate business. So, it feels natural for them to release a remarkable Affiliate marketing tracker.
Wanna know the best news you will hear all day?
The Mobidea Affiliate marketing tracker is absolutely Free!
That’s right!
So, what do you get for free?
First off, they will provide reliable hyper-detailed data. Browse through thousands of CPA offers.
Next, their traffic is integrated by default. You will never have to manually integrate traffic. Also, Mobidea comes preconfigured with upwards of 100 traffic sources.
You can easily integrate your Mobidea affiliate tracker with other tools as well as perform A/B testing.
Afterwards, select the best offers or SmartLink and watch Live Feeds of your CPA Offers and Conversions.
Mobidea has dedicated several data centres to its affiliate tracker.
Pros
- Free
- Straightforward service with no hidden charges
- Lifetime data retention
- Bulk Prelander uploads
- Simple user interface; no clutter
Cons
- Various Upsells
- Database Limitations
7. Pixelk Affiliate Tracker
PixelK dubbed itself the Ultimate Self-Hosted Tracking Solution for Mobile and Web Marketing. It is still relatively new but it has some powerful features.
The features include 1 click installation, multi-user support, and Landing Page Anti-Spy.
Also, in this era of formidable Spy Tools, Pixelk can keep your Landing Page private. Even if the snooper knows your URL, they will be greeted with a 404 Error.
Again, your Traffic is Redirected based on more than 16 Metrics. You can conduct Multi-Variant Testing and enforce Frequency Capping.
And finally, everyone would like to know if their Landers are taking too long to load. Slow speeds lead to click loss. Pixelk can detect how long your Landing Pages take to load.
Pricing
Pixelk offers only one pricing option for its Affiliate Marketing Tracker.
The monthly subscription is $49.
For this, you will get Unlimited Clicks, Premium Support, and Lifetime Software Upgrades.
If you don’t like the Pixelk service, request for your money back. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Landing Page Anti-Spy feature
- Multivariate Testing
- Affordable
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Support takes a bit long
8. BeMob Affiliate Tracker
BeMob is a cloud-hosted Tracking Software for Traffic Management with a formidable following.
We love it because it is a simple to use Affiliate Tracker which walks with you every step of the way.
Additionally, it rocks outstanding features like Custom Redirect Domains and Manual Bot Blocking. You will love the Real-Time Data and High Quality and Timely Software Updates.
BeMob is fast thanks to its layout of 11 Amazon Data Centres. Enjoy the terrific Traffic Tracking and Distribution System as well as Live Data Reporting and Statistics.
BeMob recently introduced the Sixth Sense Technology. Essentially, it simplifies targeting by sorting the most profitable campaigns. This, in turn, allows you to optimize your campaigns and increase ROI.
Pricing
BeMob has an array of pricing options.
a) The Basic Package is Free. you will have 100k events and 3-months Data Retention. If your visits exceed the limit, you will pay $0.06 for every extra 1k
b) Starter Package is $25 per month. Enjoy 3-months Data Retention, 250k events, and 5 campaigns per month. Also, you will be charged $0.03 for over-limit per 1k events.
c) The Professional Package goes for $49 monthly. For this money, you will access 1 million events, 6 months Data Storage, and 25 campaigns. Additionally, you will be billed $0.025 for every 1k over-limit events.
d) Business Package costs $249 per month. With this package, you can expect Data Storage for 9 months. Moreover, you are allowed 10 million events and 100 campaigns per month. You will be expected to pay $0.013 for every 1k extra events a month.
e) Enterprise Package is $499 every month. This package offers Data Retention for a year as well as 30 million events a month. Furthermore, you will have Unlimited Campaigns and a petite $0.01 for every extra 1k events monthly.
All the pricing options come with a Free 30-day Sixth Sense Trial.
Pros
- Easy to understand User Interface
- Free lifetime package
- Manual Bot Blocking
- Sixth Sense Free Trial
Cons
- Relatively new and therefore still requires some seasoning.
9. TrackRevenue Affiliate Tracker
TrackRevenue is a Cloud-Hosted Marketing Analytics SaaS. It is designed by former media buyers.
TrackRevenue seeks to manage large volumes of data and optimize campaigns with ease. You can optimize CPA, CPI, and CPC campaigns for Mobile and Web audiences.
Additionally, you will love the Pre-built API connectivity plus the revolutionary Cortana Machine Learning algorithm. Make use of SmartLink functions to auto-optimize your campaigns.
Also, activate the Bot Filter as well as the LP Anti-Spy Tool to keep your activities private.
Pricing
TrackRevenue offers a variety of pricing options.
a) The Free Package offers 100k Clicks, 30 days Data Retention, and Smart Link Basic. You will also access SmartLink Enhanced for a 31-Day Free trial.
b) Pro Package is $99 per month. For this money, you get 2 Million Clicks, $0.00005 Overage, and 6 Month Data Retention. Further, you will enjoy Unlimited Users, Smart Link Basic, and a 31-Day Free Trial for Smart Link Enhanced.
c) Agency Package goes for $359 every month. With this package, you can expect 10,000,000+ Clicks, $0.00005 Overage, and 12 Month Data Retention. Additional features include Unlimited Users, Smart Link Basic, and Smart Link Enhanced Free 31 Day Trial.
d) Enterprise Package sells for $899 monthly. Perks include 30,000,000+ Clicks, $0.00004 Overage, and 24 Month Data Retention. Enjoy Unlimited Users, Smart Link Basic, and Smart Link Enhanced 31 Day Trial.
e) Custom Package varies in price. So you have to contact customer support to determine a customized package. Benefits of this package include 35,000,000+ Clicks, Competitive Pricing, and 24 Month Data Retention. Additionally, you will access Unlimited Users, Sub Affiliate Portal & Features, Enhanced Multi-level, and Data Pivoting. And finally experience Smart Link Enhanced Pro, Affiliate Network Integrations, and White Labelling.
Pros
- LP Anti-Spy feature
- Cortana Machine Learning
- Enhanced Smart Link
- Free Package
Cons
- The website could be more user-friendly.
Wrapping Up
Above are our top picks for the best affiliate marketing trackers. We are sure that you have had experiences with other affiliate trackers in the market.
So kindly share your experiences and opinions. We love to hear from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Does Tracking Work?
Usually, tracking begins as soon as a visitor appears on your page. If you get one visitor, the tracker logs in 1 visit. Suppose the same visitor clicks on the offer leading to the landing page. That is counted as 1 click.
Even if the client does not convert, the tracker will show 1 Visit and 1 Click.
2. What is the Process of Tracking an Affiliate?
Once an affiliate registers to promote a certain product, he/she is issued with a referral URL. The URL is in part the affiliate’s ID. This is the same URL that the affiliate promotes to his audience.
If a customer clicks on the URL, a cookie is stored in the customer’s browser. Even if the customer converts at a later date, the affiliate is awarded the commission.
3. How long Does the Cookie Stay in the Customer’s Browser?
Affiliates can set their own preferences regarding cookie expiration. For this reason, affiliates can leave the settings at the 1-day default. Alternatively, they can edit to any number they like.
Note that if a customer clears their cookies, you will not be able to track anymore.
4. What if a Customers Clicks on 2 different affiliate links from 2 different affiliates? Which cookie stays in their browser?
Suppose a customer clicks on two different affiliate links, the original cookie takes precedence.
The first cookie can only be debunked on two occasions.
One, if the customer clears cookies then clicks on the 2nd affiliate link.
Two, if the original cookie expires.