PartnerStack vs Impact vs ShareASale (Now Awin): The Best Affiliate Network for 2026
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If you make any real income from affiliate marketing, the network you join matters as much as the products you promote. Different networks host different brands. The interfaces are different. The payout terms are different.
Three names come up most for digital nomad and remote work products: PartnerStack, Impact and ShareASale. Here is PartnerStack vs Impact vs ShareASale, side by side. One important update first: ShareASale no longer runs as a separate network. The shareasale.com address now redirects to Awin with the message "ShareASale is now part of Awin", so in 2026 the real choice is PartnerStack, Impact or Awin. This comparison is based on what the networks publish themselves, checked in Sept 2026.
The Short Answer
PartnerStack is built around SaaS affiliate programs (tools, software, B2B platforms). Impact is a partnership platform used by many large consumer and travel brands. Awin, which absorbed ShareASale, covers a very wide range of brands, including many small and mid sized merchants in lifestyle and ecommerce.
Joining is free on all three, apart from a small refundable deposit that Awin asks publishers for. Most nomad affiliates join more than one network, because each hosts different brands.
Checked on 9 October 2026: the ShareASale move to Awin, the Awin deposit and payout minimum, and the Impact payout minimum against the networks' own pages.
For most nomad affiliates the right move is to join more than one. They host different brands, and joining is free apart from the small refundable deposit at Awin.
PartnerStack: The SaaS Network
PartnerStack focuses on software as a service (SaaS) partner programs. It says more than 600 companies use it to run their partner programs, and partners can browse them through the PartnerStack Marketplace for free. If you write about productivity tools, marketing software or anything tech, this is a natural first stop.
What to know:
- Many SaaS programs pay recurring commissions for as long as the customer pays, but the terms differ per program, so read each one
- One dashboard for all the programs you join
- If your niche is travel, lifestyle or physical products, the selection is thinner
Impact: The Partnership Platform
Impact (impact.com, formerly Impact Radius) is a partnership management platform that many large brands use to run their affiliate programs. The interface takes more time to learn than PartnerStack, and some programs approve new partners manually, which can take a while. Smaller sites sometimes get rejected from the bigger programs at first.
Awin (Formerly ShareASale): The Broad Long Tail
ShareASale is now part of Awin. Awin says creators can partner with more than 30,000 brands, across fashion, travel, finance and many other categories. This is where you find a lot of the small and mid sized merchants that used to be on ShareASale, and Awin also has a strong European footprint.
What to know: approval is decided per brand, so apply to the specific programs that fit your content, and check each program's commission and payout terms.
Side By Side
| Feature | PartnerStack | Impact | Awin (incl. former ShareASale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | SaaS, B2B tools | Large consumer and travel brands | Long tail, niche products, Europe |
| Size (their own figures, Sept 2026) | 600+ companies | Check impact.com | 30,000+ brands |
| Commission style | Often recurring | Per program | Mostly per sale, per program |
| Cost to join | Free | Free | Small refundable deposit |
How To Find The Right Programs
Commission rates and even which network a brand uses change often, so do not rely on old lists. Search each network's marketplace for the brands you already write about, read the program terms (commission, cookie length, payout threshold) and apply only where your content is a real fit.
The Networks Worth Knowing Beyond The Big Three
A few more networks worth knowing for nomad affiliates:
CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction): large network with strong consumer brand coverage.
Rakuten Advertising: another large network with broad coverage.
Amazon Associates: the easiest to join. Commission rates differ per product category, so check the current rate table. Still worth it for product based affiliate sites.
Travelpayouts: specifically for travel affiliates, with access to 100+ travel brands in one place.
Direct brand partnerships: many brands run their own affiliate or referral programs outside the networks. Check the brands you already use and recommend.
How To Actually Build Affiliate Income
The networks are just the plumbing. The real game is content plus distribution. Here is what works in 2026: Get paid in your own currency with Wise or Revolut.
- Build content around buyer intent keywords: "best X for Y," "X vs Y," "X review"
- Pick a few affiliate programs that fit your niche and dive deep into those products
- Disclose affiliate relationships clearly (required by the FTC and similar regulators worldwide)
- Drive traffic through SEO, YouTube, newsletters and social
- Track which programs convert best and double down on those
- Negotiate higher commissions once you produce real volume
Most affiliate income tends to come from a small number of programs that fit your audience perfectly, not from joining 100 programs. Taxes on affiliate income depend on where you live, see digital nomad tax residence explained.
Final Take
For nomad affiliates in 2026, the smart move is to apply to PartnerStack, Impact and Awin (which now includes ShareASale). Plus Travelpayouts if travel is part of your niche. Plus direct programs for the brands you trust most.
The networks are free to join, apart from the small refundable deposit at Awin. The opportunity cost of not having access to a good program when you write a great article about a product is much bigger than the cost of joining.
For the rest of the affiliate income stack, see our 15 ways to make money guide and our breakdowns of specific products in the VPN comparison and eSIM review.
FAQ
What is the best affiliate network for digital nomads?
PartnerStack for SaaS and software products. Impact for many large consumer and travel brands. Awin (which now includes ShareASale) for niche and long tail merchants. Travelpayouts for pure travel affiliates. Many serious nomad affiliates join all four.
How much can you make from affiliate marketing as a nomad?
The range is very wide. New sites often earn little in their first year, while established sites can earn a full income. Because SEO traffic compounds, income tends to grow year over year if you keep publishing.
Do these networks pay reliably?
Payout terms differ per network and per program (payment timing, minimum payout, payment methods). Check the terms of each program before you apply.
Can I join affiliate networks without a website?
Most networks prefer a website, YouTube channel, newsletter or other clear distribution channel. Some accept applications from social only creators. Start with at least one published platform before applying.
Which network has the best dashboard?
PartnerStack's dashboard is simple and focused on SaaS programs. Impact is powerful but takes more time to learn. Awin, which replaced the old ShareASale interface, covers the widest range of brands.
How much do I need to earn before I get paid?
Impact sets a minimum payout of 10 USD, and Awin's network minimum is 20 GBP, which you can set higher. Awin pays on the 1st or the 15th. PartnerStack thresholds depend on the program, so check your dashboard.
Does Awin charge a fee to join?
Awin asks publishers for a small deposit when they apply, for example 5 GBP on its UK page, which is refunded after you reach the first payout threshold. The amount can differ by region.
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