About AppSumo
AppSumo is a daily deals website founded by Noah Kagan in 2010, specifically tailored for entrepreneurs, digital marketers, and small business owners. The brand focuses on partnering with software companies (SaaS) and digital product creators to offer “lifetime deals” (LTDs) at significantly discounted prices. Instead of paying monthly subscriptions, customers pay a one-time fee for software, making it a highly attractive marketplace for startups looking to scale their user base and professionals seeking affordable tools.
AppSumo Affiliate Program Overview
The AppSumo affiliate program is designed to reward content creators who drive new customers to their platform. It is particularly known for its high upfront commission for bringing in fresh users.
| Feature | Details |
| Industry | Software / SaaS / Digital Marketing Tools |
| Product Type | Lifetime Software Deals, Online Courses, Templates, E-books |
| Affiliate Program Type | CPS (Cost Per Sale) |
AppSumo Affiliate Program Offers
AppSumo provides a range of materials to help affiliates promote their deals, though they have specific restrictions to maintain brand quality.
| Feature | Details |
| Promotional Materials | Banners, Text Links, Custom Creatives, Product Data Feed (via Impact) |
| Affiliate Cookie Duration | 7 Days |
| Accepted Traffic Sources | Blogs, Social Media, Email Marketing, YouTube, Podcasts (No brand bidding) |
| Accepted Countries | Worldwide (Global) |
| Explicit Content | Not Allowed |
| Religious or Political Content | Restricted / Not a good fit (Products or content considered divisive are prohibited) |
AppSumo Affiliate Commissions & Payments
The commission structure is unique: it heavily incentivizes bringing in new customers (first-time buyers) with a high commission rate, while commissions for existing customers are significantly lower.
| Feature | Details |
| MLM | No (Single-tier program) |
| Commission Rate | 100% for new customer’s first order (capped at $50) <br> Up to 5% for returning customers (capped at $50) |
| Commission Structure | Flat cap per transaction ($50 max per order) |
| Payout Frequency | Monthly (payments are processed ~60 days after the end of the month) |
| Payout Methods | PayPal, ACH (Direct Deposit), Wire Transfer, eCheck |
| Minimum Payout | $50 (Standard Impact Radius threshold) |
Suitable Affiliates for AppSumo Affiliate
This program is best suited for content creators who have an audience of entrepreneurs, freelancers, or tech enthusiasts looking for business tools.
- Bloggers: Specifically those in niches like “Make Money Online,” “Digital Marketing,” “SaaS Reviews,” or “Small Business Tips.”
- YouTubers: Tech reviewers and tutorial creators who can demonstrate how a specific software works.
- Influencers: Business coaches or startup mentors on platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter/X.
- Video Editors / Livestreamers: Content creators who use and review creative tools (many AppSumo deals are for video/design software).
- KOL / KOC: Key Opinion Leaders in the startup and marketing space.
AppSumo Affiliate Software
Does this brand use affiliate management software?
Yes, AppSumo uses Impact Radius (Impact) to manage their affiliate program. This third-party platform handles tracking, reporting, asset management, and payouts.
3 Alternatives for AppSumo Affiliate Program
If you are looking for similar programs that sell software deals or tech products, here are three strong competitors compared against AppSumo.
| Comparison Factor | AppSumo | StackSocial | PitchGround | Dealify |
| Average Bill (AOV) | ~$40 – $100 | ~$20 – $50 | ~$50 – $100 | ~$50 – $80 |
| Entry Fees | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Withdrawal Threshold | $50 | ~$50 | ~$50 | $25 |
| Payment Frequency | Monthly (Net 60) | Monthly | Monthly | Every 60 Days |
| Commission | 100% New (capped $50)<br>5% Returning | ~8% – 15% | Varies (RevShare/CPA) | 20% Standard |
| Cookie Duration | 7 Days | 30 Days | Varies (often 30-60) | 7 Days |
| Marketing Materials | Banners, Links | Banners, Deep Links | Banners, Links | Links, Banners |
