About Awin

Awin is a global affiliate marketing network that acts as a middleman between advertisers (merchants) and publishers (affiliates). Originally formed from the merger of two major European networks, Affiliate Window and Zanox, Awin is headquartered in Berlin, Germany.

It is one of the largest and most trusted networks in the world, hosting over 25,000 advertisers and 270,000+ active publishers. The platform is known for its user-friendly interface, robust reporting tools, and diverse range of merchants, from huge international brands (like Etsy, Under Armour, and HP) to smaller niche businesses.

Awin Affiliate Program Overview

Awin is not a single store but a network that houses thousands of individual affiliate programs.

Feature Details
Industry Affiliate Marketing Network / SaaS
Product Type Physical Goods, Digital Products, Services, Travel, Finance, Telco (Varies by Merchant)
Affiliate Program Type Mostly CPA (Cost Per Action/Sale), some CPL (Cost Per Lead)

Awin Affiliate Program Offers

Awin provides a standardized platform, but specific offer terms (like cookie duration) are set by the individual merchants within the network.

Feature Details
Promotional Materials Banners, Text Links, Data Feeds, Deep Link Generator, API, Voucher Codes
Affiliate Cookie Duration 30 Days (Standard network default), but varies by merchant (can range from 7 to 90 days)
Accepted Traffic Sources Blogs, Social Media (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube), Email Marketing, Comparison Sites, Cashback Sites
Accepted Countries Global (180+ countries supported)
Explicit Content Prohibited (Sites promoting violence, sexually explicit material, or illegal activities are banned)
Religious or Political Content Restricted. Content must not be inflammatory, discriminatory, or hate speech. Some advertisers may individually reject political sites to protect brand neutrality.

Awin Affiliate Commissions & Payments

Awin is known for its consistent payment schedule and low payout threshold compared to other major networks.

Feature Details
MLM No (This is a standard direct affiliate marketing model)
Commission Rate Varies by Merchant (Typically 5% – 20% for retail; up to $100+ flat fee for finance/services)
Commission Structure Single-tier (You earn from your own sales).
Payout Frequency Bi-Monthly (Paid on the 1st and 15th of every month)
Payout Methods Bank Transfer (ACH/Wire/SEPA), International Wire, PayPal (varies by region)
Minimum Payout $20 / £20 / €20 (One of the lowest in the industry)

Suitable Affiliates for Awin Affiliate

Because Awin hosts merchants across every conceivable niche (Fashion, Tech, Travel, Finance, Home & Garden), it is highly suitable for a wide range of creators:

  • Bloggers: Excellent for finding niche-specific products to review.
  • TikTokers & Influencers: Good for “Link in Bio” monetization using Awin’s influencer-friendly tools.
  • YouTubers: Ideal for placing product links in video descriptions (Tech reviews, Hauls).
  • KOC (Key Opinion Consumers) & KOL (Key Opinion Leaders): High trust factor with audiences makes converting Awin’s recognizable brands easier.
  • Video Editors: Can use affiliate links for software or gear recommendations if relevant merchants are on the network.
  • Livestreamers: Can promote flash sales or voucher codes provided by Awin merchants in real-time.

Awin Affiliate Software

Does this brand use affiliate management software?
No (In-house).
Awin is the software. They use their own proprietary platform (which includes the “Awin MasterTag” technology) to track sales, clicks, and commissions. They do not use a third-party tool like Impact or Refersion; they are the technology provider.

3 Alternatives for Awin Affiliate Program

Here are three major competitors that operate similarly to Awin:

  1. ShareASale: Owned by Awin but operates as a separate network. It is very popular in the USA and known for having many small-to-medium business merchants.
  2. CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction): One of the oldest networks, catering to large enterprise brands (like Barnes & Noble, IHG, GoPro).
  3. Rakuten Advertising: A premium network that focuses on high-end fashion and major retail brands.

Comparison Table:

Comparison Factor Awin ShareASale CJ Affiliate Rakuten Advertising
Average Bill (AOV) ~$100 – $120 (Network avg) Varies (Lower on avg due to smaller merchants) High (Big box retailers & enterprise brands) High (Premium/Luxury brands)
Entry Fees $5 / £5 (Refundable after 1st sale) Free Free Free
Withdrawal Threshold $20 / £20 (Lowest) $50 $50 – $100 $50
Payment Frequency Bi-Monthly (1st & 15th) Monthly (20th) Monthly (20th) Weekly or Monthly (Depends on advertiser)
Commission Varies (Avg ~5-20%) Varies (Avg ~5-20%) Varies (often tiered) Varies (typically lower rates, high volume)
Conversion High (Trusted brands) High (Niche specific) High (Trusted brands) High (Premium traffic required)
Marketing Materials Excellent (Deep links, API) Good (Standard banners) Excellent (Deep links, widgets) Good (Rotating banners)