Catalog Maker by EasyCatalog vs Refersion: Affiliate Marketingfor Shopify (2026)
Catalog Maker by EasyCatalog and Refersion: Affiliate Marketing, while both categorized under 'Marketing - Other' on the Shopify App Store, serve fundamentally different purposes. Catalog Maker focuses on enabling merchants, particularly those in B2B or wholesale/retail, to create and distribute digital and PDF catalogs, line sheets, and price lists. Its strength lies in its automation capabilities, allowing for quick generation of visually appealing catalogs with features like QR codes, metafields, and Canva integration. It’s designed to streamline wholesale ordering and presentations at trade shows. Refersion, on the other hand, provides a platform for managing affiliate marketing programs, enabling merchants to track and reward affiliates for driving sales. Refersion is geared towards merchants looking to expand their reach and acquire new customers through a network of partners. Catalog Maker targets merchants needing to efficiently present their product information and facilitate wholesale or B2B transactions. The choice between the two hinges on the merchant's core business strategy: Catalog Maker for improving catalog-based sales processes, and Refersion for leveraging affiliate partnerships for customer acquisition. Consider that while both apps are listed in 'Marketing - Other', they address separate marketing functions (catalog marketing vs. affiliate marketing respectively).
At a Glance
Catalog Maker by EasyCatalog
171 reviews
Refersion: Affiliate Marketing
488 reviews
Detailed Overview
Catalog Maker by EasyCatalog
Catalog Maker for Digital/PDF Wholesale & Retail catalogs, Line sheets, Price lists with order form!
Key Features
- Automation first PDF wholesale/retail catalog maker, line sheets, inventory list
- Unique wholesale channel. Use catalog as wholesale order form & wholesale prices
- Show variants in atable or as separate product - A4/Letter Auto Table of content
- Metafeilds, QR/Barcodes, shapes... Import products from catalogs & price-lists
- *NEW CANVA integration & SYNC data, images & prices in PDF catalog in a few mins
Feature Comparison
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.7/5 |
Rating Catalog Maker by EasyCatalog4.6/5 Refersion: Affiliate Marketing4.7/5 | ||
| Reviews | 171 | 488 |
Reviews Catalog Maker by EasyCatalog171 Refersion: Affiliate Marketing488 | ||
| Core Function | Catalog Creation & Distribution (PDF, Digital) | Affiliate Marketing Management |
Core Function Catalog Maker by EasyCatalogCatalog Creation & Distribution (PDF, Digital) Refersion: Affiliate MarketingAffiliate Marketing Management | ||
| Target Merchant | B2B, Wholesale/Retail | Merchants seeking customer acquisition through affiliates |
Target Merchant Catalog Maker by EasyCatalogB2B, Wholesale/Retail Refersion: Affiliate MarketingMerchants seeking customer acquisition through affiliates | ||
| Key Feature 1 | Automated PDF Catalog Generation with Canva Integration | Affiliate Tracking and Commission Management |
Key Feature 1 Catalog Maker by EasyCatalogAutomated PDF Catalog Generation with Canva Integration Refersion: Affiliate MarketingAffiliate Tracking and Commission Management | ||
| Key Feature 2 | Wholesale Channel Order Form Integration | Performance Reporting and Analytics |
Key Feature 2 Catalog Maker by EasyCatalogWholesale Channel Order Form Integration Refersion: Affiliate MarketingPerformance Reporting and Analytics | ||
| Value Proposition | Streamline Catalog-Based Sales & Presentations | Expand Reach & Acquire New Customers via Affiliates |
Value Proposition Catalog Maker by EasyCatalogStreamline Catalog-Based Sales & Presentations Refersion: Affiliate MarketingExpand Reach & Acquire New Customers via Affiliates | ||
| Ease of Use (Inferred) | Potentially complex due to catalog customization options | Likely moderate complexity due to affiliate onboarding & management |
Ease of Use (Inferred) Catalog Maker by EasyCatalogPotentially complex due to catalog customization options Refersion: Affiliate MarketingLikely moderate complexity due to affiliate onboarding & management | ||
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Our Verdict
For merchants primarily focused on B2B or wholesale sales who frequently create catalogs, line sheets, or price lists, Catalog Maker by EasyCatalog is the clear choice. Its features cater specifically to this need, automating the catalog creation process and integrating with wholesale ordering systems. The Canva integration is particularly valuable for creating visually appealing catalogs.
Conversely, Refersion is the superior choice for merchants aiming to scale their customer base through affiliate marketing. The app provides the tools necessary to manage, track, and incentivize affiliates, making it ideal for businesses with products or services that can be effectively promoted through partnerships. Although Refersion has a slightly higher rating and significantly more reviews, this doesn't necessarily make it better for all merchants; the best app depends entirely on the specific marketing strategy and business model.
Common Questions
Which app is better for a dropshipping business?
Refersion would likely be more beneficial, as it facilitates customer acquisition through affiliate marketing, a common strategy for dropshipping businesses looking to expand their reach without significant upfront advertising costs. Catalog Maker isn't typically relevant for dropshipping.
Can I use both apps simultaneously?
Yes, it's possible to use both apps simultaneously, but only if your business has a need for both catalog-based sales and affiliate marketing. They address different aspects of marketing and don't directly compete with each other.
Which app requires more technical expertise?
Catalog Maker might require slightly more technical expertise initially, especially when setting up complex catalog layouts with metafields, QR codes, and custom designs using Canva. Refersion's setup is potentially simpler in terms of technical design, but requires more time investment for affiliate onboarding and nurturing.
Is either app suitable for a very small store with only a few products?
Refersion might be overkill for a very small store with limited products, as managing an affiliate program requires a certain scale to be effective. Catalog Maker could still be useful for presenting a concise product catalog, but its value depends on the merchant's specific sales channels (e.g., wholesale, trade shows).
Which app is better for a merchant selling customizable products?
Catalog Maker could be useful for showcasing the range of customization options available, particularly if the customizable elements can be visually represented in a catalog format. Refersion could still be beneficial for driving traffic to the store, but it doesn't directly address the presentation of customization options.
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