As an affiliate marketer, you have a million tasks to deal with on a daily basis. Can you imagine doing everything manually? Coding your own landing pages. Manually crawling the web for competitor ads. Communicating by phone. Screw that!
Thankfully, it seems that for every problem out there, someone’s come up with a solution in the form of a tool, app, plugin or program. But finding them can be another challenge entirely… which is why this article aims to serve as an ever-growing bank of all the tools affiliates use.
This list has been curated via submissions, recommendations and our own research. We won’t recommend any over the other (at least in this article) and we welcome your submissions.
The only requirements are that the tool:
- Helps affiliate marketers perform more efficiently and/or effectively.
- Is relatively well-established and trustworthy.
If a tool starts receiving a lot of negative feedback, we will remove it from this list.
To submit a tool you love, please comment below or contact us directly. Thank you!
The Tools
Communication
Skype
Along with Facebook Messenger, Skype has long been the industry standard for communication. Main features are video calls, screen-sharing and international phone plans.
Slack
Private channel-based communication platform for organizations. A modern version of IRC. Great for remote teams, especially those who hold various project-based discussions.
Telegram
Secure end-to-end encrypted messaging app. Popular in some markets, still growing in others. Many large affiliate marketing group discussions take place on Telegram.
Competitor Analysis
Adplexity
Comprehensive affiliate-oriented spy tool. Divided into six categories: Mobile, Desktop, Native, Ecommerce, Carriers and API.
Adbeat
Visual spy tool that shows traffic sources for large campaigns. More mainstream with focus on Desktop, Mobile, Native and Video.
Adsector
Affiliate and Ecommerce-focused spy tool that offers a simple interface.
AmaSuite
Analyzes Amazon’s top-selling products to help you find profitable niches.
Flippa
Marketplace for buying and selling websites and online shops (named after the term “flipping”). Also great for coming up with business ideas.
MagicAdz
A newer spy tool that caters exclusively to affiliates. Features include one-click search, large database and the option to download landing pages.
NerdyData
Competitor website analysis and search tool with emphasis on prospecting, generating leads and competitive research.
Oberlo
Ecommerce discovery platform designed specifically for finding ideal products for dropshippers.
Swiped.co
One of the most comprehensive swipe files currently available online. Includes annotations and everything from old-school classics to modern day funnels.
SimilarWeb
One of the most complete website and app analysis tools, with primary focus on marketing insights, market research, increased sales performance and investor tools.
HardToFindAds
A collection of rare and valuable swipes, classic ads and other direct response resources.
WhatRunsWhere
Competitive intelligence tool with extensive coverage in the USA, Australia, Canada, the UK and Germany.
Content Planning & Discovery
Buffer
Content planning, social media scheduling and content discovery app. Ideal for teams with large content publishing schedules.
Buzzsumo
Content discovery search platform with focus on identifying key influencers.
Hootsuite
Comprehensive social media dashboard that supports finding, scheduling, managing, and reporting on social media content.
SproutSocial
Suite of scheduling and discovery tools, including sub-programs for community management and employee advocacy.
Creating Affiliate Links
Pretty Links
Plugin for cleaning up affiliate links and tracking clicks from emails, social media and other sources.
Bitly
Leading URL shortening service. Includes some advanced options including customized vanity links.
GeniusLink
Comprehensive tool for managing, localizing, and tracking smart links. Automatically localizes links and finds ways to earn extra revenue from traffic.
Creatives – Optimization & Production
Canva
Multi-use drag-and-drop graphic design tool with a simple interface. Gives you access to millions of images, graphics, and fonts.
CoSchedule Headline Analyzer
Analyzes word usage, sentiment, keywords, skimmability and other data-driven factors that can determine the potential potency of your headlines.
Grammarly
Chrome extension and app that checks your grammar, word choice and spelling as you write; essentially, a spell checker that follows you around the web.
Hotjar
Visual heatmap tool that records user sessions on your landing pages and presents insights into clicks, scrolling, time on site and more. Ideal for optimizing landing pages for performance.
Instapage
Landing page builder and optimization tool with advanced team collaboration capabilities. Integrates with clear overview for Facebook pixel, Google Analytics and more.
Last Modified Timestamp
WordPress plugin that removes the default timestamp from your articles, allowing you to revamp content without facing ranking penalties from being outdated.
Email Marketing
Aweber
Email marketing platform that offers autoresponder, email capture, tagging and more.
BananaTag
Email tracker for sales teams and internal communications. Includes tracking, scheduling, email templates, attachment tracking and analytics.
ConvertKit
Visual email sequence automation tool – “Email marketing made by creators, for creators.”
Drip
Ecommerce CRM that offers email automation (“drip sequences”) and personalization using content to segment audiences.
GetResponse
Email marketing software aimed at small businesses and agencies.
Keap (Infusionsoft)
One of the largest automation platforms, featuring a large suite of capabilities and integrations. Typically for advanced users.
Mailchimp
Email marketing platform for small businesses that offers tracking, automation and creative tools.
OptinMonster
Advanced conversion optimization tool specifically designed for opt-ins.
Landing Page Creation & Optimization
Clickfunnels
Funnel creation tool with large community of dedicated users; an all-in-one solution for building and analyzing campaigns.
Drift
Bot-based lead qualification tool that allows you to identify your best leads and contact them within minutes.
LeadPages
Straightforward WYSIWYG landing page builder with built-in optimization tools.
Proof
Conversion optimization plugin that feeds updates to potential customers as they browse your site, encouraging more conversions via social proof.
Shopify
Leading Ecommerce website builder and shop management platform.
SquareSpace
All-in-one website builder that requires minimal technical knowledge. Ideal for simpler sites.
Unbounce
Full conversion optimization suite, allowing you to optimize your landing pages, website popups and sticky bars.
Unsplash
Free stock photos without requiring a license, even for commercial use.
Wix
Simple website builder, ideal for beginners or those with limited technical knowledge. Has some advanced capabilities as well.
WordPress
The world’s largest website development platform, with thousands of themes, plugins and integrations. Ideal for those looking for a flexible, custom solution.
Payment processing
Stripe
Payment processor for online businesses. Supports subscriptions, Ecommerce shops and crowdfunding with advanced APIs.
PayPal
The world’s largest online payment processor. Large base of users, but fees continue to rise.
Productivity, Organization & Wellness
1Password
Stores all your passwords in one place, requiring only one master password to unlock the rest.
Alfred
Overall efficiency-boosting app featuring advanced search, clipboard history, text expansion and more.
Bear
Note-taking app that lets you take control of your notes with smart data recognition, hashtags, focus mode and other advanced tools.
Evernote
Note-taking and organization app; create to-do lists, manage your notes from multiple devices and more.
F.lux
Adjusts the amount of blue light coming from your computer, making it easier on the eyes (especially during long sessions); the color of your screen will constantly adapt.
Fantastical
Clean, easily searchable calendar app for Mac that allows for multi-calendar management.
Franz
Combines all your messaging apps into one easy interface. Chat on FB, Skype, WhatsApp and more from the same device. Multiple accounts are possible as well.
Google Suite
G-Suite covers all the cloud computing, productivity and collaboration tools, software and products developed by Google. This goes far beyond Docs and Sheets!
Hazel
Hazel watches whatever folders you tell it to, automatically organizing your files according to the rules you create.
JiTouch
Jitouch is a Mac application that expands the set of multi-touch gestures for the new MacBook, the Magic Mouse, and the Magic Trackpad.
MindManager
MindManager is like a virtual whiteboard; it helps you quickly capture ideas and information, then organize and contextualize everything in one place.
Self-Control
Blocks websites for a set period of time to keep you focused and on task.
Project Management
Note: Find an in-depth comparison of these tools here.
Asana
Work management platform that helps remote teams stay focused on the goals, projects, and daily tasks.
Basecamp
Full-featured task management tool that’s designed to increase accountability and give a clear overview of projects, tasks and team members.
Monday.com
Visual project management tool that offers a simple, intuitive interface for managing projects, deadlines, and building a culture of transparency.
Trello
Collaboration and project management tool that organizes projects into boards. Great for personal use or with teams – integrates well with other tools.
Wrike
Cloud-based collaboration and project management software that scales across teams. Ideal for medium- to large-sized companies.
SEO & Keyword Research
Ahrefs
SEO suite with features including keyword research, backlink research, competitive analysis, content research, rank tracking and web monitoring.
Answer The Public
Long-tail keyword and general inspiration tool. Also great for coming up with angles and researching customer questions and objections.
SEMRush
Advanced website analysis and keyword research tool. Useful for paid search and analyzing social media traffic.
Long Tail Pro
Niche keyword research tool that identifies long-tail keywords with high potential.
Yoast
Free WordPress plugin with basic SEO tools. Useful for those with minimal SEO needs and/or as backup.
Tracking & CRMs
Binom
Self-hosted tracking platform with focus on speed, featuring fast click processing and report building.
CAKE
Real-time tracking, attribution, and optimization platform for affiliate marketers, advertisers and networks.
Funnelflux
Visual tracker with support for cross-selling, upsells and advanced funnels.
HasOffers
Customizable performance marketing platform that helps advertisers, affiliates, and networks manage their offers and relationships.
Konnective
CRM specialized for the affiliate marketing industry, with advanced capacity to integrate all your data sources into one overview.
Limelight
End-to-end Ecommerce platform with flexible billing, supporting all billing models including straight sales, recurring billing, variable billing periods, subscription packages, upsells and more.
ThriveTracker
Campaign management and tracking system for mobile and desktop traffic. Offers integrations, landing page pixel, funnel support and more.
Voluum
One of the largest ad tracking platforms. Tracks actions and clicks, segments data, and offers built-in optimization tools.
ZeusTrak
All-in-one niche-focused tracking tool with built-in filtering and obscuring features for affiliate marketers in specific verticals.
VPNs
HideMyAss
Popular VPN for accessing sites in different GEOs and across restrictions, plus preventing tracking of your own activity.