Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy vs Rakuten Affiliate Trackingfor Shopify (2026)
Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy and Rakuten Affiliate Tracking offer vastly different approaches to affiliate marketing on Shopify. ReferrLy is positioned as an all-in-one affiliate and referral marketing solution aimed at empowering merchants to manage their own affiliate programs, leveraging influencers and ambassadors. Its focus is on ease of use, customization, and providing comprehensive tools for affiliate management, including recruitment via post-purchase pop-ups, custom signup forms, and granular commission rules. In contrast, Rakuten Affiliate Tracking is solely designed to integrate with Rakuten Advertising's existing affiliate network, automating the initial tracking setup and data reporting for merchants already partnered with Rakuten Advertising.
At a Glance
Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy
786 reviews
Rakuten Affiliate Tracking
3 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.
Rakuten Affiliate Tracking
Quickly install Rakuten Advertising tracking to power your affiliate program and more.
Key Features
- Quickly install the Rakuten Advertising tracking without any coding
- Automated product feed generation (for the affiliate channel only)
- Automates cancellation reporting back to Rakuten Advertising
Feature Comparison
| Rating | 5/5 | 3.8/5 |
Rating Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy5/5 Rakuten Affiliate Tracking3.8/5 | ||
| Reviews | 786 | 3 |
Reviews Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy786 Rakuten Affiliate Tracking3 | ||
| Program Type | DIY Affiliate & Referral | Rakuten Advertising Network |
Program Type Affiliate Marketing ReferrLyDIY Affiliate & Referral Rakuten Affiliate TrackingRakuten Advertising Network | ||
| Ease of Use | Complete solution with affiliate dashboard | Streamlines Rakuten Advertising tracking setup |
Ease of Use Affiliate Marketing ReferrLyComplete solution with affiliate dashboard Rakuten Affiliate TrackingStreamlines Rakuten Advertising tracking setup | ||
| Primary Function | Full Affiliate Management | Rakuten Advertising Tracking Integration |
Primary Function Affiliate Marketing ReferrLyFull Affiliate Management Rakuten Affiliate TrackingRakuten Advertising Tracking Integration | ||
| Affiliate Recruitment | Post-purchase popups, custom forms | Managed within Rakuten Advertising |
Affiliate Recruitment Affiliate Marketing ReferrLyPost-purchase popups, custom forms Rakuten Affiliate TrackingManaged within Rakuten Advertising | ||
| Cost | Likely subscription-based (not stated) | Requires Rakuten Advertising contract |
Cost Affiliate Marketing ReferrLyLikely subscription-based (not stated) Rakuten Affiliate TrackingRequires Rakuten Advertising contract | ||
| Target Merchant | Businesses wanting full control of their affiliate program | Businesses already using Rakuten Advertising |
Target Merchant Affiliate Marketing ReferrLyBusinesses wanting full control of their affiliate program Rakuten Affiliate TrackingBusinesses already using Rakuten Advertising | ||
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Our Verdict
For merchants seeking complete control and customization over their affiliate marketing program, including affiliate recruitment and management tools, Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy is the clear choice. Its high rating and substantial review count suggest a positive user experience. However, merchants already invested in the Rakuten Advertising network and seeking a quick and easy way to integrate tracking should opt for Rakuten Affiliate Tracking. The key difference lies in whether the merchant desires a fully managed, in-house program (ReferrLy) or a pre-existing, large-scale network (Rakuten Advertising).
Common Questions
What is the main difference between the two apps?
Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy is a comprehensive tool for building and managing your own affiliate program, while Rakuten Affiliate Tracking is exclusively for integrating with the Rakuten Advertising network.
Do I need a Rakuten Advertising account to use Rakuten Affiliate Tracking?
Yes, the description explicitly states that you need a contract and account set up with Rakuten Advertising to use the Rakuten Affiliate Tracking app.
Which app is easier to use for someone new to affiliate marketing?
Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy appears to be more user-friendly for beginners, as it provides a complete suite of tools for building and managing an affiliate program from scratch. Rakuten Affiliate Tracking assumes familiarity with the Rakuten Advertising platform.
Can I use both apps at the same time?
It's unlikely you'd need both apps simultaneously. ReferrLy aims to provide its own complete affiliate marketing system whereas Rakuten Affiliate Tracking is an integration tool specifically for those already using Rakuten Advertising.
Which app offers more customization options?
Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy provides significantly more customization options as it allows you to customize signup forms, commission rules, and marketing assets. Rakuten Affiliate Tracking primarily focuses on tracking integration.
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