Saas question (with help of gpt, of course…)
Your question: We do SaaS products, our own and those of other dev companies. Which network platforms would you suggest we register our SaaS products with? Or at least, which affiliate program network(s) do you get your SaaS products from to promote?
That’s a VERY good question …
In the SaaS world, getting distribution and affiliate/reseller reach is as important as building the product itself. Below is a curated list of affiliate networks, partner platforms, and SaaS-marketplaces that you should seriously consider to register your (or third-party) SaaS offerings … along with tips/criteria and trade-offs. If you like, I will also filter that list to “Europe / Belgium friendly” ones.
What to look for / evaluation criteria
Before listing, it helps to be clear what you want from a partner / network:
* Recurring commission support (not just one-time leads)
* Attribution windows & tracking robustness
* Global payout / currency support
* Ease of onboarding / approval process
* Branding and control (co-brand, reseller, white-label, etc.)
* Access to suitable affiliates / channel partners (match your buyer persona)
* Marketplace visibility / traffic (i.e. how many potential buyers see your listing)
* Integration & onboarding cost (APIs, SDKs, billing integration, etc.)
You’ll often pick a mix: your own affiliate / partner program + leveraging external networks / marketplaces for additional reach.
Affiliate / Partner Networks (for SaaS)
Here are some networks and tools particularly well-suited for SaaS / B2B / subscription models:
| Platform / Network | Why it’s good / fit for SaaS | Key drawbacks or caveats |
| PartnerStack | Built specifically for B2B / SaaS partner / affiliate programs. Lets you run affiliate, referral, and partner programs from the same interface. partnerstack.com | Costs may scale; you’ll still need to recruit quality partners, not just rely on passive ones |
| Impact (formerly Impact Radius / Impact.com) | Strong partner management / attribution tools; good reputation in affiliate & partnership space. (They also have content on SaaS affiliate best practices) impact.com | Might be heavier / more enterprise in their setup; you’ll need to ensure their affiliate base overlaps your target |
| Rewardful | Designed for digital products / SaaS. Integrates with Stripe, handles recurring commission tracking etc. rewardful.com | More suitable when your billing is via Stripe (or compatible) and your customer base / volume justifies it |
| Tolt | Another SaaS-focused affiliate / referral launch tool. Works with Stripe, Paddle, Chargebee. tolt.io | As with all such tools, network reach is limited — you’ll need to drive traffic or recruit affiliates actively |
| Self-built / own affiliate program | Gives you full control over terms, margin, branding, etc. Many SaaS companies run hybrid strategies (in-house + external) | You need to invest in building tracking, compliance, fraud controls, payouts, affiliate acquisition, etc. |
You can use a combination: e.g. your own affiliate program via Rewardful or PartnerStack, but also share via external networks to get more affiliate reach.
SaaS Marketplaces / App Stores / Aggregators
Beyond “affiliate networks,” another channel is listing your product (especially if it’s an integration / app / plugin) on marketplaces or software directories. These help with visibility and discovery by users already in those ecosystems.
Here are good ones to consider:
| Marketplace / Ecosystem | When / why to list there | What to watch out for |
| AWS Marketplace | If your SaaS is cloud / infrastructure / enterprise oriented. You get exposure to enterprise buyers. Amazon Web Services, Inc. | Their compliance, security, procurement gates are stricter; fees or listing constraints may apply |
| Microsoft / Azure Marketplace | You can co-sell with Microsoft, or list SaaS offers via their marketplace. Microsoft Learn | You’ll need to satisfy Microsoft’s vendor / certification requirements |
| AppExchange (Salesforce) | If your SaaS integrates or enhances Salesforce / CRM workflows. | Strong vetting, but good access to enterprise contacts |
| HubSpot App Marketplace | Good for marketing / CRM / automation SaaS which complement HubSpot customers. | You’ll need a good integration and value add in that ecosystem |
| Atlassian Marketplace | Especially relevant if you build plugins / add ons for Jira, Confluence, etc. | Marketplace scrutiny and compatibility constraints |
| Zendesk, Freshdesk, Zoho, etc. Ecosystem Marketplaces | If your SaaS adds value in support, ticketing, CRM, analytics, etc. | You’ll need to match their extension/integration models |
| Product Hunt / SaaS launch aggregators | Great for initial visibility and early adopter traction | More for initial awareness than steady sales channel |
| Software / SaaS directories(e.g. DiscoverCloud, SaaSBoost’s directories) | Low friction way to get listed, build SEO / discovery. E.g. DiscoverCloud is a known B2B SaaS marketplace/directory. saasboost.io | Directories tend to bring low conversion volume unless you pair with marketing / content to push traffic |
Also, some “marketplaces” are more like aggregation / matching services (less transactional), but still valuable for top-of-funnel exposure.
Strategy / Recommended Stack
Given what you’re doing (own SaaS + third-party SaaS), here’s a typical stack I’d advise:
- Own affiliate / partner program
Use a SaaS-friendly tool (e.g. Rewardful, PartnerStack, Tolt) to run your own affiliate/referral program. This gives you full control. - Join 1–2 external affiliate networks
For extra reach, especially when launching new products. Use Impact or other established affiliate networks so your product shows up in affiliate marketplaces. - List in relevant ecosystems / app stores
For each SaaS product, identify the ecosystems where your ideal users already are (Salesforce, HubSpot, Atlassian, etc.) and build integrations to list there. - Directories & content marketing
Get your product listed in SaaS directories, write content, guest posts, webinars, etc. The listings help SEO and legitimacy. - Recruit / handhold top affiliates
Don’t just rely on passive affiliates. Identify influencers, blogs, agencies in your niche and pitch them directly. Give them dedicated support, custom creatives, early access, etc. - Track & optimize
Tie everything back to ROI: which affiliates / networks / marketplaces are giving actual revenue, and double down there.
A curated list of 10–20 affiliate networks / SaaS marketplaces that are strong in Europe / DACH / Benelux,
Good idea. Below is a curated, Europe-/Benelux-friendly list of affiliate networks, SaaS / software directories, and SaaS marketplaces that you should evaluate (plus some local Belgium/DACH ones). After the list, I’ll also suggest which ones tend to be highest leverage, and pitfalls to watch out for.
European / Benelux-Friendly Affiliate Networks & Platforms
These are affiliate / performance networks that operate (or have strong reach) in Europe / Benelux, or are well suited for SaaS:
| Name | Why It’s Interesting / Strengths | Things to Check / Caveats |
| Awin | Strong European footprint (many advertisers, publishers) — commonly used by EU-based merchants. Admitad+2feedonomics.com+2 | The commission model / vertical acceptance may vary by country; screening process for digital / SaaS offers. |
| Tradedoubler | One of the earlier European networks; wide publisher base in EU. Wikipedia | The network is more retail / consumer oriented in some markets — digital / SaaS offers may have competition for attention. |
| Admitad | Listed among “best SaaS affiliate networks” in comparisons. Admitad | Ensure they support recurring commission models and that their EU operations (e.g. GDPR, VAT handling) meet your needs. |
| Impact | Strong enterprise / partnership features; good attribution / partner management tools (often used globally, including in EU) Admitad+1 | Setup can be more complex; costs may scale. |
| PartnerStack | Built for SaaS / B2B partner programs; many SaaS companies use it to run their affiliate / partner layer. Adam Connell | May require you to recruit your own affiliates (less of a “marketplace” effect in some geographies). |
| Rewardful | Very SaaS-friendly, integrates with Stripe, handles recurring payments etc. rewardful.com | Best fit when your billing / subscription engine is compatible; may have less built-in affiliate reach in certain European countries. |
| Reditus (B2B SaaS affiliate network) | Specifically built for SaaS / B2B programs; has a marketplace for SaaS affiliate programs. Reditus | Relatively newer / more niche; the pool of affiliates might be smaller (but more specialized). |
| Local / Regional Networks (Belgium / DACH / NL / DE) | These can offer more targeted reach, lower competition, and better alignment to local markets. For example:• Belgium / Benelux networks (e.g. Affindex on Belgium) affindex.net• German networks like Adcell, Belboon, Adtraction (mentioned in German affiliate context) E-commerce Germany News | Local networks often have lower scale and less robust tools. Check their support for recurring SaaS / subscription commissions. Also ensure cross-border affiliate reach. |
SaaS / Software Directories & Marketplaces (Europe-friendly)
These aren’t always full transactional marketplaces (where users check out directly), but are important for visibility, lead generation, SEO, and trust. Listing in them helps prospects discover you.
From “list of SaaS directories” resources and curated sources:
- G2 (one of the top product review / software directories) redline.digital+1
- Capterra / GetApp / Software Advice (Gartner / software directories cluster) redline.digital+1
- AppSumo (for certain SaaS / digital product deals) (often used in launches) redline.digital
- “Awesome SaaS Directories” (GitHub curated list) – good for discovering niche directories to list in. GitHub
- Cloud28+ (cloud / SaaS services marketplace in Europe) Wikipedia
- Techimply (software / SaaS discovery / marketplace) way2smile.com
- SaaSAdviser (SaaS marketplace / advisory listing) way2smile.com
- Directories and aggregator sites (170+ SaaS directories) from LeadWave / other lists. getleadwave.io+1
Additionally, for your Belgium / local market, you should also review local B2B / software listing directories in Belgium / Benelux (e.g. business listings, Belgian tech directories) to get more local discovery.
Recommended Priorities & Strategy (for Benelux / EU context)
Given that you’re in Liège / Belgium and doing SaaS, here’s how I would prioritize:
- Register your program in one strong pan-European network
- Awin is a logical pick because of its established presence in Europe and broad publisher base.
- Combine that with a SaaS-friendly partner platform (PartnerStack, Impact) so you can handle B2B/subscription features comfortably.
- Use a SaaS-native affiliate tool for your own program
- Tools like Rewardful or Reditus (if supported in your region) let you ownyour affiliate program while still tapping into a marketplace.
- This gives you more control, better margins, and flexibility in commission structures.
- List your product in the key SaaS / software directories
- G2, Capterra, GetApp, Software Advice — these are high visibility and often trusted by B2B buyers.
- Use the “170+ SaaS directories” list (LeadWave, etc.) to find niche directories relevant to your vertical (e.g. marketing tools, HR tools, analytics, etc.).
- Also ensure local Belgian / EU software directories / tech directories include you.
- Tap local / regional affiliate networks for specific geos
- For Belgium / Netherlands / Germany, consider networks like Belboon, Adcell, Adtraction, etc. Especially if you have editions / pricing / marketing localized for those geographies.
- In Belgium, look at affiliate networks listed in Affindex and similar lists.
- Recruit targeted affiliates / partners directly
- Don’t solely rely on the passive affiliate network traffic. Reach out to niche content sites, blogs, agencies in your vertical, local SaaS / tech bloggers, consultancies, etc.
- Offer exclusive deals, co-marketing, etc. Use the networks + directories as discovery tools, but the top converting affiliates often come through direct outreach.
- Measure, iterate, cull underperformers
- Use robust attribution (multi-touch, cohort tracking) to see which networks, affiliates, geos are generating real revenue, not just leads.
- Gradually double down on what works, drop what doesn’t.
A short actionable stack you can start with for your SaaS (both your own and third-party ones), tailored for Europe / Benelux reach
🔑 Step 1: Core Affiliate Network(s)
- Awin → Strong European base, lots of publishers.
- Impact → Enterprise-level, good tracking & SaaS-friendly.
- PartnerStack or Reditus → Built for SaaS/B2B recurring commissions.
- Rewardful → If you’re using Stripe, super easy SaaS affiliate setup.
👉 Suggestion: run your own program with Rewardful/Reditus for control, and also list in Awin + Impact to tap into wider affiliate pools.
🔑 Step 2: Software Directories (for discovery & SEO)
- G2
- Capterra / GetApp / Software Advice (Gartner cluster)
- AppSumo (for lifetime deal launches, buzz)
- Cloud28+ (EU-centric marketplace)
- Techimply, SaaSAdviser, LeadWave’s 170+ directories list
👉 These aren’t for affiliate payouts, but buyers actually search here. Having strong reviews builds trust.
🔑 Step 3: Ecosystem Marketplaces (if you integrate)
- HubSpot Marketplace (if CRM/marketing SaaS)
- Atlassian Marketplace (if dev/collaboration SaaS)
- Salesforce AppExchange (if CRM/enterprise SaaS)
- Microsoft Azure Marketplace / AWS Marketplace (for infra-/enterprise SaaS)
🔑 Step 4: Regional Networks (extra reach in EU)
- Adcell / Belboon / Adtraction → Strong in DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland)
- Affindex (Belgium) → Smaller but locally focused
✅ Recommended Launch Mix for Belgium/EU
- Run own affiliate program: Rewardful (Stripe-native) or Reditus (SaaS marketplace).
- Join 1–2 big networks: Awin (for EU scale), Impact (for SaaS tools).
- List in directories: G2 + Capterra + Cloud28+ + niche directories.
- Optional ecosystems: Pick if your SaaS integrates (HubSpot, Salesforce, etc.).
A Priority Checklist you can work through step-by-step to register and promote your SaaS products. I’ve grouped them in order of impact and ease, with direct links. You can treat it as a to-do roadmap ✅
🚀 SaaS Affiliate & Marketplace Checklist (EU / Benelux Focus)
🔹 Step 1: Set up your own SaaS affiliate program
☑️ Rewardful (best if billing via Stripe)
☑️ Reditus (B2B SaaS-only marketplace + affiliate tool)
👉 These give you control + recurring commissions. Even if you join external networks later, you own the base.
🔹 Step 2: Register with EU-friendly affiliate networks
☑️ Awin – strong in Europe, large publisher base
☑️ Impact – advanced tracking + partnerships
☑️ Optional: PartnerStack – SaaS/B2B focus
👉 Choose at least one “broad reach” (Awin or Impact) + one SaaS-focused (Reditus/PartnerStack).
🔹 Step 3: List in major SaaS directories (for discovery & trust)
☑️ G2
☑️ Capterra / GetApp / Software Advice (all Gartner network)
☑️ AppSumo (if you want a launch deal & early buzz)
☑️ Cloud28+ (EU-centric cloud marketplace)
👉 These boost SEO + buyer trust. Reviews here often rank in Google.
🔹 Step 4: Ecosystem marketplaces (only if you integrate)
☑️ HubSpot App Marketplace
☑️ Salesforce AppExchange
☑️ Atlassian Marketplace
☑️ AWS Marketplace / Azure Marketplace
👉 Optional but very powerful if your SaaS connects to these ecosystems.
🔹 Step 5: Regional affiliate networks (extra EU reach)
☑️ Adcell (Germany/Austria/Switzerland)
☑️ Belboon (DACH + EU)
☑️ Adtraction (Europe-wide)
☑️ Affindex (Belgium)
👉 Smaller but targeted. Good for local traction.
📌 Execution Order
- Launch own program (Rewardful / Reditus)
- Register on Awin or Impact (wider EU affiliate base)
- List product on G2 + Capterra (reviews build trust fast)
- Add AppSumo / Cloud28+ if you want more exposure
- Expand into ecosystem app stores (HubSpot, Salesforce, AWS) if relevant
- Bonus: Join regional networks for niche EU coverage
👉 Once these are live, you’ll have both active affiliates and passive discovery channels feeding into your SaaS pipeline.
Visual roadmap (infographic-style) you can share with your team or keep as a quick guide
