Program Details
| Commission | 40% recurring (first 12 months) (Recurring) |
| Cookie Duration | 30 days |
| Network | PartnerStack |
| Payment Methods | PayPal, Stripe |
| Min. Payout | $100 |
| Payment Frequency | Monthly (Net 45-60) |
| Category | SaaS / Marketing Software |
| Countries | Global (W-8/W-9 tax forms required) |
| Website | www.kartra.com |
Kartra is an all-in-one business platform built for entrepreneurs who want to run their entire online business from a single dashboard. It combines funnel building, email marketing automation, video hosting, checkout pages, membership sites, and a helpdesk – replacing the need for multiple separate tool subscriptions. The platform has built a strong following among course creators, coaches, and digital product sellers worldwide.
Kartra Affiliate Program Overview
The Kartra affiliate program pays a 40% recurring commission on every paying customer you refer, for the first 12 months of their subscription. Plans range from $119 to $549+ per month, so a single conversion can generate $47 to $220 in monthly commissions for a year. The program runs through PartnerStack, Kartra’s dedicated partner management platform.
The cookie window is 30 days, and you also get access to a second-tier partner program: recruit other affiliates and earn 10% on their sales on top of your own. Payouts go via PayPal or Stripe on a monthly schedule, with a Net 45-60 hold period and a $100 minimum threshold.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- 40% commission rate is well above the typical 20-30% SaaS average
- Second-tier JV program adds 10% on sales made by affiliates you recruit
- The $1 trial offer converts cold traffic more effectively than a free trial alone
- Kartra’s all-in-one nature makes customers highly sticky; churn is low, so your 12-month window pays out reliably
- Pre-built marketing funnels and banner assets available from day one
Cons:
- Commissions cap out after 12 months; competitors like GoHighLevel and Kajabi offer lifetime recurring
- Net 45-60 payout hold is longer than most affiliate programs
- Approval is manual and moderately strict; affiliates without an existing audience often get rejected
- The SaaS marketing niche is competitive, with GoHighLevel, ClickFunnels, and Systeme.io all fighting for the same leads
How to Join
Applications go through PartnerStack. Create a free publisher account, then apply to the Kartra partner program from within the dashboard. You’ll need to describe how you plan to promote Kartra (blog, YouTube, email list, etc.) and provide links to your existing content or audience. The review is manual, typically taking 3-5 business days.
You don’t need to be an active Kartra customer to apply, but having real experience with the platform makes your promotional content more convincing and strengthens your application. Once approved, you get a unique referral link and access to the marketing asset library inside the PartnerStack dashboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kartra affiliate program free to join?
Yes, applying is free. The program runs on PartnerStack, and there’s no cost to create an account or submit an application. That said, applications are manually reviewed, so you’ll need to demonstrate a real marketing channel or audience to get approved.
What commission does Kartra pay affiliates?
Kartra pays 40% recurring commissions on the customer’s monthly plan for up to 12 months. On the Starter plan ($119/month), that works out to $47.60 per month per referral. On higher-tier plans, you earn proportionally more.
Do I earn commission on the $1 trial?
No. The $1 trial is a conversion tool, not a commissionable event. Your 40% recurring commission starts once the referred customer moves to a full-price subscription after the trial period ends.
What is the Kartra second-tier partner program?
If you recruit other affiliates to the Kartra program, you earn a 10% second-tier commission on sales those affiliates generate, on top of your own direct referral commissions. This is separate from your first-tier earnings and stacks with your main commissions.
How long do commissions last for each referral?
For affiliates who joined after the 2024 program update, commissions are paid for the first 12 months of the customer’s subscription. After that, the recurring payout for that specific referral stops. Kartra changed this policy in late 2024, moving away from the older lifetime commission model.
What traffic methods are banned under Kartra’s affiliate terms?
Kartra prohibits self-referrals, paid search ads bidding on Kartra brand keywords, email spam, and coupon/discount aggregator sites. Affiliates are also not allowed to make misleading claims about the product’s capabilities in their promotions.
