How is a SaaS affiliate commission calculated?
A recurring SaaS commission is a percentage of each payment a referred customer makes, for a set number of months or for the life of the account. The partner earns rate x price every month the customer stays, until the commission window ends. Churn shrinks that stream, so the expected commission per customer is always lower than rate x price x months.
This calculator models it month by month. Each month the partner refers a new group of customers. Each group pays your price, loses a share of customers to churn every month, and pays the partner until the commission window closes. The totals add up every group that is still paying.
What commission rate should you pay?
Rewardful reports an average commission of 24.16% across 2,847 SaaS affiliate programs in 2026. Most programs pay recurring commissions for 12 months, and some pay for the lifetime of the account. A higher rate for a shorter window often costs you the same as a lower rate paid forever, which is exactly what this calculator lets you compare.
Read the commission per referred customer as your acquisition cost through that partner. If it is below what you pay to acquire a customer through ads or sales, the program is paying for itself.
FAQ
What is a good affiliate commission rate for SaaS?
The average SaaS affiliate commission is 24.16%, according to Rewardful's 2026 study of 2,847 programs. Many programs pay 20% to 30% recurring for 12 months.
Should I pay recurring or one-time commissions?
Recurring commissions keep partners interested after the first sale and match how SaaS revenue arrives. One-time commissions are simpler and cap your cost per customer. Model both with the duration slider.
How does churn change the commission?
A customer who churns stops paying you and the partner. With 3% monthly churn, a 12-month commission pays out about 85% of the no-churn amount.
Sources
- State of SaaS Affiliate Programs, Rewardful, 2026