As the global business news informs, affiliate marketing is among the most popular and cost-efficient ways of promotion. Recently cost per action (CPA) affiliate networks have also risen to prominence. As CPA marketing is performance-based, publishers get paid for the particular business results – sales, leads, conversions.
With cost-per-action affiliate networks, business owners can maintain high ROI while creating opportunities for affiliates. Unlike the other types of advertising that don’t guarantee a sale, CPA marketing allows businesses to pay affiliates at a set rate and only after a target action occurs. So, for business owners, CPA marketing may be the most cost-efficient form of promotion. And for influencers, media buyers, and other affiliates, it is an effective way to monetize their traffic.
This GBC Time article breaks down the cost-per-action marketing model. Keep reading to know how to select the best CPA network in the modern market.
What is CPA affiliate marketing?
CPA marketing is a type of affiliate marketing, where a publisher gets paid each time a customer completes a specific action on the advertiser’s website or app. Depending on the target action, CPA affiliate programs fall into several categories:
- pay per install (PPI) or cost per install (CPI), where an affiliate gets paid each time viewer downloads a piece of software;
- cost per lead (CPL) – an affiliate gets a commission for each submitted email;
- cost per sale (CPS) – one of the most difficult conversions to make.
Every CPA model has the following key elements:
- Advertiser, or the brand that wants to drive traffic to its website, boost sales, conversions, or generate leads;
- Affiliate (or publisher) is the marketing specialist that promotes the business of the advertiser for a commission;
- CPA network is a platform that connects an affiliate and an advertiser.
What about commission rates?
The most important questions for every advertiser and publisher are the payout rate. According to the Google AdWords research, the average cost per action rate is $59.18 on the search networks and $60.76 on the display networks. The education ($42.13), real estate ($41.14), and advocacy industries had the lowest CPA commission rates. Legal ($135.17) and health ($126.29) sectors, at the same time, are the highest-paid.
Affiliates can promote products on the CPA basis in two ways:
- Sign up for an affiliate program of a particular company;
- Join an affiliate network and partner with multiple brands across different GEOs and verticals.
While affiliate programs have some lucrative conditions, many affiliate marketers prefer to join CPA networks, as they can get access to renowned brands and work with multiple advertisers.
However, as affiliate marketing becomes more common, the number of CPA networks increases as well. There are also numerous scammers in the sector. So, it may be challenging for an affiliate to pick a trustworthy partnership network. That’s why Login Casino has selected the top-10 CPA networks for affiliates in 2024.
MaxBounty
This is one of the best-known affiliate networks that work on a cost-per-action basis. Launched back in 2004, MaxBounty is rated high by marketers. At the 2019 Blue Book Awards, the network was named the best CPA network. This program would suit best-experienced marketers, as MaxBouty connects affiliates with world-class brands like:
- NorthonLifeLock;
- Alibaba;
- Microsoft;
- Apple;
- American Express;
- GoDaddy;
- H&R Block;
- McAfee;
- Nutrisystem;
- Shutterstock;
- Square.
The network has over 20 000 affiliates, who are provided with more than 2 000 active campaigns, leads, and all necessary content. The website also features a dashboard with up-to-date campaigns and advanced reporting. Affiliate marketing specialists from all over the globe can sign up for the program.
With commissions starting at $100, MaxBounty makes weekly payments to its affiliates. On top of that, the program hands out performance-based rewards to the marketers.
The other perk of the program is the diversity of payment methods, which include:
- PayPal;
- Payoneer;
- direct deposit (ACH);
- bank wire;
- check.
FireAds
This Poland-based affiliate network has been in the market for ten years. In this decade, FireAds paid out over $10 million to more than 220k registered publishers. This is one of the best CPA networks for affiliates in Europe. In addition to cost-per-action, the network also pays out via the following models:
- cost per lead (the most popular);
- cost per sale;
- pay per install.
The main verticals, in which Fireads operates, include:
- dating;
- gaming;
- cryptocurrencies.
And among its advertisers are AliExpress, GearBest, Allegro, CashGroup, and Make-Cash.
The networks pay up to €350 per lead, which is a lot. Affiliates can withdraw their earnings as soon as the commission is verified. The main payout methods are:
- PayPal;
- bank transfer.
The main benefits of this program include:
- high commission rates;
- swift withdrawals, which only take up to a few hours.
CPALead
This is a network for the novices in affiliate marketing. Launched in 2006, CPALeads offers the best CPA affiliate programs for:
- affiliate marketers;
- social media influencers;
- mobile app developers
- media buyers.
In 15 years of its work, the company has paid over $100 million to its affiliates and influencers. The publishers of CPALead are spread across 180 countries. There are seven different withdrawal options, including:
- Payoneer;
- PayPal;
- Bank Wire;
- ACH;
- Bitcoin;
- Check by courier.
This program pays its affiliates on the weekly basis via CPA or PPI models. The main target actions are app installation to taking a part in a survey. CPA rates start from $1 per app install. Although CPALead doesn’t have the best commission rates in the market, it is great for inexperienced marketers.
AdWork Media
AdWork Media is the other great network for newbies in affiliate marketing. With over 2.5k affiliate campaigns, it offers its services to publishers in more than 250 countries. Unlike many of its competitors, this network specializes in mobile-friendly offers that are also content-locked.
This program has multiple monetization tools, including:
- content locker;
- link locker;
- product locker;
- offer wall, and other.
AdWork Media provides all necessary for its affiliates, such as links, downloads, guides, credits, upgrades, digital products, etc. The company also has 24/7 customer support.
The payouts are monthly and the minimum limit is $35. Exact rates are calculated upon the registration on the AdWork Media site.
On top of that, the network awards performance bonuses to its top affiliates. The participants of AdWork Media can get up to seven bonuses each month, which can be up to 20% of the earned commission.
CrakRevenue
With over 11 years of experience, this affiliate program has received twenty awards in the last five years. CrackRevenue is a renowned affiliate program that has over 700 advertising offers. Most of the offers, however, are more oriented toward adult audiences. The main verticals include:
- dating;
- cam;
- heath;
- gaming.
Upon registration, each affiliate is assigned to a personal account manager. CrakRevenue also provides smart links and high-CTR ad tools to its publishers, including:
- high-conversion funnels;
- smart links;
- WordPress plugins.
The main payout models include PPI or CPL with minimum payment starting at $100. Main withdrawal methods include:
- direct deposit (ACH);
- Paxum;
- Wire;
- ePayService;
- PayPay (for Canada and USA).
The withdrawals are made via Net-7, Net-15, or Net-30 models.
There is also a deferral program, where a publisher gets 5% of all sales made by your sub-affiliates.
CrakRevenue affiliate network can be set apart from the other offers in the market, as it has high payout rates, timely payments, high-tech marketing tools, unique offers, and an innovative tracking system.
AdCombo
This affiliate network is perfect for marketers who want to work in 40+ tier-2 GEOs with lower competition. This also allows for higher ROI with a lower cost per click. AdCombo network expands to Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
AdCombo provides its publishers with exclusive campaigns and developed landing/pre-landing pages for every offer. The platform has offers in over 12 verticals and works with over 40 000 affiliates, generating nearly 200k leads every day. The platform also provides statistics, UTM metrics, and subaccounts. Besides, each affiliate is assigned a personal manager upon registration, who provides 24/7 support.
The network has a “cash on the delivery scheme”. Its main traffic sources include:
- FB;
- PPC;
- banner;
- popunder networks.
Affiliates get paid via CPA, CPI, CPS, and CPL schemes. The payouts are made twice a week via:
- Visa / Mastercard;
- PayPal;
- Wire transfer;
- Paxum;
- WebMoney;
- e-Payments;
- Payoneer;
- Tipalti.
The minimum payment threshold is $50.
CPATrend
CPATrend affiliate network highlights its top-notch customer support as its main benefit. Affiliates and advertisers can address their questions to the personal account manager via phone line, instant messages, email, Skype, and cell phone.
In 2018, CPATrend has been selected as one of the best CPA affiliate networks. As the platform value security, it has a strict anti-fraud system.
Affiliates get paid via the following methods:
- CPA;
- CPL;
- CPS;
- CPI;
- Cost per call.
The new publishers can withdraw their earnings on a monthly basis (Net-15). However, after affiliates present quality traffic, they can move to bi-weekly or weekly payouts. The payment threshold is $1k per week or $500 per week for bi-weekly payouts. For wire payment, the threshold is $2k per week or $40 (if under $2k).
The network has a diverse selection of withdrawal methods, including:
- PayPal;
- Wire Transfer;
- Check;
- Payoneer;
- ACH (only for the US affilaites).
CPATrend also provides real-time tracking of your campaigns and accurate reports to maximize the ROI.
At the same time, this network isn’t the best fit for beginners in affiliate marketing, as CPATrend accepts only 1-2% of applicants.
GlobalWire Media
Previously known as NeverBlue, GlobalWire Media has been in the advertising market for over a decade. This network provides premium marketing solutions to world-class brands like Groupon, AliExpress, Hotels com, MindSpark, etc. GlobalWire Media generates around $3 billion in sales annually. The company has offices in the UK (London), the US (Los Angeles), and Canada (Victoria). Affiliates can get customer support both locally and globally in over 10 languages.
The network works with publishers, agencies, media buyers, and content creators. Affiliates can choose to promote brands in travel, finance, e-commerce, and other verticals. Currently, there are over 500 offers on the platform.
A wide range of payout modes is the other benefit of the GlobalWire Media network. The pricing models include:
- CPA;
- CPL;
- CPC;
- CPI;
- CPM.
Payouts are made on a Net-15 basis and the minimum withdrawal limit is $100. Payment methods include:
- PayPal;
- Wire;
- Direct deposit;
- and Check.
Affiliates are also provided with exclusive ad campaigns, multiple GEOs, and 24/7 reports. The personal account manager also helps to maximize the earnings of the publisher and the brand. This network is a great fit for more experienced CPA marketers or publishers with a site that has good traffic statistics.
A4D
A4D, or Ads 4 Dough, was founded back in 2008 and has worked with over 20k affiliates.
Although the platform doesn’t have the best UX, it has over 200 offers for affiliate marketers in the niches like:
- e-commerce;
- health;
- beauty;
- finance;
- business;
- gaming.
A4D prides itself on utilizing modern technology to create the best online marketing campaigns. In particular, it uses proprietary algorithms. Innovative programs and video split testing to increase user acquisition and traffic conversion.
The payment methods are somewhat limited for such a network and include:
- wire;
- check;
- direct deposit (ACH).
Affiliates can withdraw their earnings weekly or monthly. And the payment threshold is $50. There is also a referral program in place, that allows increasing the affiliate’s commission.
AdsTerra
This is one of the most secure CPA affiliate networks in the global market. Founded in 2013, AdTerra is praised for its protection and fraud detection system. The platform also has great automation as affiliates can sign up in a few minutes and start working with the network.
With over 30 000 partners, AdsTerra is considered the top gamer in the marketing niche. One of the unique pros of this network is a diversity of ad formats, including:
- popunders;
- social bar;
- push ads;
- native advertising;
- video ads;
- banners.
This helps brands and affiliates plan the most cost-efficient marketing campaigns. AdTerra provides custom mobile and desktop banners to its affiliates as well. There are also tons of educational material on the website, such as FAQs, a blog section, guides, and case studies for the affiliates.
The network provides access to brands across 248 GEOs in the following sectors of the economy:
- gaming;
- e-commerce;
- binary and crypto;
- VPN and utility;
- Apps and software.
- sweepstakes.
It should be noted that some of these categories are 18+ (or even 21+ in some regions).
As for the pricing models, AdsTerra offers CPM, CPA, CPL, CPC, and CPI methods. Affiliates can withdraw their earnings via:
- PayPal;
- Bitcoin;
- WebMoney;
- Paxum, etc.
The payment threshold is unusually low as is just $5 for PayPal and Paxum. Affiliates can make withdrawals weekly on every Monday.
How to choose the best CPA affiliate network in 2024?
Picking the most suitable CPA network maybe not be as easy as it seems at the beginning. The first thing to consider is vertical in which vertical the network operates. While some CPA programs have offers in multiple niches, other focus on one sector of the economy. Experts usually suggest choosing a network that focuses on one or two verticals. This way, an affiliate has a higher chance of getting high-experienced account manager. Besides, products in some niches, like gambling, can only be advertised to the adult audience.
It is also important to have clear communication with the network. The offers presented by an account manager must be prompt and transparent. Usually, the network taker about 20-30% of the publisher’s earnings. However, if the manager offers a lower rate, it most often means that it is a scam.
The other factors to think about before joining a CPA network are:
- reliability and brand image of a network;
- payout model;
- reliability of advertisers and their offers;
- provision of marketing materials;
- dashboard and statistics;
- commission rates;
- payout methods and frequency.
CPA affiliate marketing is a huge market with unlimited growth potential, which can create many earning opportunities for both advertisers and publishers. And finding a suitable CPA network is just the first step to success in this field.
Read more: Top CPA networks
