Program Details
| Commission | 30% recurring lifetime (Recurring) |
| Cookie Duration | 45 days |
| Network | Direct (Trackdesk) |
| Payment Methods | PayPal, Bank Transfer (SEPA/Wire) |
| Min. Payout | $100 |
| Payment Frequency | Weekly (Fridays), 30-day hold |
| Category | Email Marketing |
| Countries | Worldwide (excluding U.S.-sanctioned countries) |
| Website | www.mailerlite.com |
MailerLite is an email marketing platform built for small businesses, bloggers, and creators who want powerful tools without the enterprise price tag. It covers email campaigns, automation workflows, landing pages, and website building – all under one roof. With a generous free plan and competitive paid tiers, it has built a loyal user base across more than 150 countries.
MailerLite Affiliate Program Overview
The MailerLite affiliate program pays a 30% recurring commission for the lifetime of every customer you refer. That means as long as your referral keeps paying for a MailerLite plan, you keep earning – month after month or year after year. The program runs directly through Trackdesk, with no third-party affiliate network required.
The cookie window is 45 days – above the typical 30-day SaaS standard – and attribution works on a last-click basis. Payments are processed weekly (every Friday) via PayPal or bank transfer (SEPA/wire), once your balance clears the $100 minimum and a 30-day holding period. You also need at least two unique paying referrals before your first withdrawal.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- 30% recurring lifetime commission – one referral compounds over years
- 45-day cookie duration beats most SaaS affiliate programs
- Free Forever plan makes it easy to refer users who later upgrade
- High retention product – switching email platforms is painful, so referred customers tend to stay
- Weekly payouts once threshold is met (faster than most competitors)
- Solid creative assets, affiliate dashboard via Trackdesk, and dedicated support
Cons:
- $100 minimum payout plus the 2-referral requirement makes first withdrawal slow for new affiliates
- 30-day commission holding period on all earnings
- No PPC bidding on branded keywords – limits paid promotion strategies
- Program runs on Trackdesk (direct), not major networks like Awin or CJ
Commission Details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Commission rate | 30% recurring (lifetime) |
| Cookie duration | 45 days |
| Attribution model | Last click |
| Payment threshold | $100 minimum + 2 paid referrals |
| Payment frequency | Weekly (Fridays), 30-day hold |
| Payment methods | PayPal, Bank Transfer (SEPA/Wire) |
| Program platform | Trackdesk (direct) |
How to Join
The MailerLite affiliate program is managed directly through their own platform at mailerlite.com/affiliate. Apply by creating a Trackdesk account and submitting your application – approval is manual and typically takes a few business days.
MailerLite looks for affiliates with relevant audiences: email marketing blogs, tool review sites, online business content, or newsletters in the creator/small business space. Coupon-only sites and PPC bidders on branded terms are not accepted. Once approved, you get a unique referral link and access to banners, copy assets, and a live dashboard to track clicks, conversions, and earnings.
How MailerLite Compares
| Program | Commission | Cookie | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| MailerLite | 30% recurring | 45 days | Direct (Trackdesk) |
| ConvertKit | 30% recurring | 30 days | LinkMink |
| GetResponse | 33% recurring or $100 bounty | 120 days | Direct |
| AWeber | 30-50% recurring | 365 days | Direct |
| Moosend | 30-40% recurring | 90 days | PartnerStack |
MailerLite’s 30% recurring rate is standard for the email marketing niche. GetResponse edges it out on cookie duration (120 days) and offers a flat bounty option. AWeber stands out with a 365-day cookie and up to 50% commission, though its platform is aging. For affiliates targeting beginners and budget-conscious creators, MailerLite’s free plan gives a clear conversion angle that the others can’t match as easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I earn commissions on a referred customer?
You earn 30% on every payment that referred customer makes – monthly renewals, annual upgrades, plan changes – for as long as they stay subscribed. There’s no cap or time limit on recurring earnings.
What do I need before I can request my first payout?
You need a minimum balance of $100 and at least two unique paying referrals in your account. Once both conditions are met and commissions have cleared the 30-day holding period, you can request payment any Friday via PayPal or bank transfer.
Can I run paid ads to promote MailerLite?
You can run paid ads, but bidding on MailerLite’s trademarked brand keywords in search campaigns is explicitly prohibited. Violating this rule can get your affiliate account terminated. Display ads, social ads targeting interest-based audiences, and content promotion are generally fine.
Does MailerLite’s free plan affect my commission?
You don’t earn anything when a referral stays on the free plan. Commissions only trigger when they upgrade to a paid subscription. That said, MailerLite’s free tier is a strong conversion tool – referred users who start free often convert later, and your 45-day cookie window stays active through that period.
What content works best for promoting MailerLite?
Comparison articles (MailerLite vs. Mailchimp, MailerLite vs. ConvertKit), “best email marketing tools” roundups, and tutorial content tend to convert well. Audiences who are actively choosing an email platform have high purchase intent. Review posts with clear pricing breakdowns also perform strongly.
When does MailerLite process affiliate payments?
Payments run every Friday through Tipalti (via the Trackdesk platform) for balances that have passed the 30-day holding period. You can choose PayPal or bank transfer (SEPA/wire) as your payout method in your Trackdesk account settings.
Final Verdict
The MailerLite affiliate program is a solid pick for affiliates in the email marketing, online business, or creator economy space. The 30% lifetime recurring commission is the main draw – it builds passive income over time rather than paying a one-off bounty. The 45-day cookie is a small but meaningful edge over most competitors.
The downside is the $100 threshold plus the two-referral requirement, which means new affiliates won’t see a payment quickly. If your audience is actively evaluating email tools, MailerLite’s free plan gives you a natural funnel. If you’re looking for a quick commission, this isn’t it – but for long-term recurring revenue, it’s worth adding to your stack.
