Recurring SaaS affiliate commissions

Kit's affiliate page says it pays 50% commission for 12 months, plus 10% to 20% recurring commission after that once you reach Bronze, Silver or Gold status, which takes 10, 50 or 100 paying referrals. beehiiv publishes 50% to 60% by tier for one year per referral, and HubSpot publishes 30% monthly for up to one year.

Kit's own example (a provider claim): a customer on a $1,200 yearly plan earns you $600 in year one, then $120 to $240 a year with status.

It suits people who already publish for an audience that buys software.

How recurring commissions work

You earn a percentage of what each referred customer pays, for a period the vendor sets. Kit's affiliate page ties recurring commission to the customer staying, so a cancellation ends it.

Refunds: Kit's help center says commissions are generated 31 days after the sale, which is its refund period. beehiiv's partner page says commission adjusts when a customer changes plans, but doesn't say how refunds affect it. Rewardful says the vendor sets a refund hold window before affiliates are paid.

What recurring affiliates earn

No independent source measures typical earnings for recurring software affiliates. beehiiv's only earnings claim is an aggregate: over $2,000,000 paid to all partners, which says nothing about a single partner. HubSpot's per-sale figure is an advertised ceiling.

Where the hours go

The calculator covers only the commission on one customer. Writing, recording, building an audience and maintaining content are unpaid, and none of the programs publish how long that takes.

What it costs to start

Website, email tool and content costs vary by how you promote, and the programs don't publish them. PartnerStack deducts a processing fee on each PayPal or Stripe payout.

Where recurring programs are listed

Kit's program runs on PartnerStack, while beehiiv and HubSpot publish their own sign-up pages.

Vendors can also run programs through software such as Rewardful or FirstPromoter. FirstPromoter says vendors choose the payout method and that it collects W-9 or W-8BEN forms.

Disclosure, tax and program rules

Disclosure. The FTC says endorsements must make clear any material connection, including a financial relationship. The disclosure goes with the endorsement, not on a profile page or behind a collapsed link. It can't be buried among hashtags or links, vague wording isn't adequate, and the endorser is responsible for making it. Videos need the disclosure in the video itself.

Tax. The IRS says side income is taxable even if no information return is filed. Self-employment tax applies to net earnings of $400 or more, at 12.4% Social Security plus 2.9% Medicare on 92.35% of net earnings. The IRS estimated tax page sets a $1,000 expected-tax threshold. Impact requires a W-9 once U.S. earnings reach $2,000 in a tax year.

Program rules. beehiiv bans branded search ads and self-referral. Kit excludes paid-method referrals such as PPC ads from tier status, so paid promoters may not reach its recurring tiers. Kit's recurring commission applies to referrals on or after January 1, 2024.

Risks and red flags

On PartnerStack, the company running the program, not PartnerStack, approves or declines commissions, and commissions can be held for suspected fraud. PartnerStack's terms let it end access without notice.

Who this fits, and who should skip it

Fits you if:

• You already publish to an audience that uses or considers software tools, since the programs pay only on paying customers.
• You can wait for monthly payouts from PartnerStack or beehiiv rather than being paid per task.
• You can cover a product honestly with a clear disclosure beside each link.

Skip it if:

• You need cash soon. Commissions arrive after the refund period. Paid website and app user testing pays per test.
• You want pay for work done rather than for referrals. Rating AI responses is paid as contractor work on platforms.
• You plan to rely on lifetime income. Beyond year one Kit's depends on tier status, and beehiiv's commissions run one year.

How to start

1. Read the published terms for Kit, beehiiv and HubSpot, and pick a product you could honestly cover to your audience.
2. For Kit, create a free account via PartnerStack's intro page, then apply to the network and to the program. Approval times vary by company.
3. For beehiiv, connect a Dub.co account for payouts as the partner page requires.
4. Check each program's restrictions on paid ads, branded search ads and self-referral before you spend on promotion.
5. Put a clear disclosure beside each link, following the FTC's disclosure guidance.
6. Set aside part of each payout for tax, and review the IRS estimated tax rules.