Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy vs AOD External Links Buttonfor Shopify (2026)
Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy and AOD External Links Button both operate within the affiliate programs category on Shopify, but they cater to vastly different merchant needs. ReferrLy is a comprehensive affiliate marketing platform designed to enable merchants to establish and manage their own in-house affiliate programs, targeting influencers and brand ambassadors. It provides tools for affiliate onboarding, commission structures, tracking, and performance monitoring. AOD External Links Button, conversely, focuses on adding external affiliate links to product pages, directing customers to other platforms like Amazon or eBay where the same products are sold, often at potentially lower prices, and allowing merchants to still gain affiliate revenue.
At a Glance
Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy
786 reviews
AOD External Links Button
34 reviews
Detailed Overview
Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy
Affiliate program & Referral marketing tool to drive sales via ambassadors and influencers marketing
Key Features
- Seamless Affiliate Onboarding. Custom signup domain & form fields.
- Set Commission rules by affiliates, products, collections & achievements & more
- Automatically creates Referral links & Coupon Codes for affiliates
- Post Purchase Pop-Ups. Ask your customers to join as affiliates on order pages
- Track referral sales using both referral links and coupon codes.
AOD External Links Button
Add Button to External links - Amazon, Walmart, Ebay | Affiliate links, Any custom links
Key Features
- The app installation process is extremely easy & it does not require manual code
- Add External links buttons for Unlimited Products. Replace & Hide Add to Cart.
- Show External links button on product, collection page & home page products.
- Increase Sales by adding affiliate link buttons. Boost your buyer confidence.
- You can customize the button style according to your theme design.
Feature Comparison
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.6/5 |
Rating Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy5/5 AOD External Links Button4.6/5 | ||
| Reviews | 786 | 34 |
Reviews Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy786 AOD External Links Button34 | ||
| Target Merchant | Merchants wanting to build their own affiliate program | Merchants wanting to capitalize on external affiliate opportunities |
Target Merchant Affiliate Marketing ReferrLyMerchants wanting to build their own affiliate program AOD External Links ButtonMerchants wanting to capitalize on external affiliate opportunities | ||
| Key Functionality | Affiliate onboarding, commission management, performance tracking | Adding external affiliate link buttons on product pages |
Key Functionality Affiliate Marketing ReferrLyAffiliate onboarding, commission management, performance tracking AOD External Links ButtonAdding external affiliate link buttons on product pages | ||
| Focus | Creating and managing an internal affiliate program | Leveraging external affiliate programs (e.g., Amazon, eBay) |
Focus Affiliate Marketing ReferrLyCreating and managing an internal affiliate program AOD External Links ButtonLeveraging external affiliate programs (e.g., Amazon, eBay) | ||
| Affiliate Management | Comprehensive affiliate dashboard and management tools | Limited affiliate management; focus on linking to external platforms |
Affiliate Management Affiliate Marketing ReferrLyComprehensive affiliate dashboard and management tools AOD External Links ButtonLimited affiliate management; focus on linking to external platforms | ||
| Main Goal | Drive sales through brand ambassadors and influencers | Avoid losing sales to competitors by earning commission on external sites |
Main Goal Affiliate Marketing ReferrLyDrive sales through brand ambassadors and influencers AOD External Links ButtonAvoid losing sales to competitors by earning commission on external sites | ||
| Customer Interaction | Post-purchase popups to recruit customers as affiliates | Redirecting customers to other platforms to complete purchases |
Customer Interaction Affiliate Marketing ReferrLyPost-purchase popups to recruit customers as affiliates AOD External Links ButtonRedirecting customers to other platforms to complete purchases | ||
Our Verdict
Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy is the clear choice for merchants seeking to create and manage a robust, internal affiliate marketing program. Its feature set is geared toward recruiting, managing, and tracking the performance of affiliates who promote your brand. AOD External Links Button, on the other hand, is best suited for merchants who are comfortable with customers potentially purchasing elsewhere but want to capture affiliate revenue in those cases. It serves as a defensive strategy to monetize sales that might otherwise be lost entirely. If you want to build your own brand ambassador network, choose ReferrLy. If you are comfortable with redirecting to external marketplaces and just want to get some affiliate fees, then choose AOD External Links Button.
Common Questions
Which app is easier to set up?
AOD External Links Button is likely easier to set up due to its more limited functionality. ReferrLy, while comprehensive, will require more configuration to establish commission rules, affiliate onboarding processes, and other program specifics.
Which app is better for long-term brand building?
Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy is better for long-term brand building as it focuses on creating a network of brand ambassadors who actively promote your products and brand. AOD External Links Button focuses on leveraging existing external marketplaces, not brand awareness.
Which app is more focused on driving sales on my own store?
Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy is explicitly focused on driving sales directly on your Shopify store via referral links and coupon codes. AOD External Links Button may decrease direct sales on your store as it encourages customers to purchase elsewhere.
Can I use both apps together?
Technically, you could use both, but it would be counterproductive. ReferrLy is designed to bring affiliates *to* your store, while AOD pushes customers *away* from your store. Choosing one or the other is more logical.
Which app requires more ongoing management?
Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy will require more ongoing management due to the need to onboard affiliates, monitor their performance, adjust commission rates, and provide marketing assets. AOD External Links Button requires less maintenance after the initial setup of the external links.
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