Simple Affiliate vs Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax Automationfor Shopify (2026)
Simple Affiliate and Tax Rex - Sales Tax Automation, while both rated 5/5 on the Shopify app store, cater to vastly different needs. Simple Affiliate focuses on boosting sales through affiliate and influencer marketing programs. It provides tools to manage affiliates, track performance, and automate commission payouts. The app aims to simplify the creation and management of an affiliate program, empowering merchants to leverage external partnerships for revenue generation. Tax Rex, on the other hand, directly addresses the complexities of US state sales tax compliance. It automates sales tax reporting, filing, and economic nexus monitoring, helping merchants navigate the intricate world of tax regulations and avoid penalties. Simple Affiliate is a revenue-generating tool focused on top-of-funnel activities, helping businesses attract new customers through affiliate partnerships. It gives the affiliate partner tools to track sales and payouts, and flexibility in commission structures. Tax Rex is a risk-mitigation and compliance tool aimed at back-end financial management, ensuring businesses remain compliant with state tax laws. It will also alert the merchant if they have passed a threshold into a new state which may require them to collect taxes. Thus, the choice depends entirely on the merchant's priority: growing sales via affiliate marketing or ensuring tax compliance.
At a Glance
Simple Affiliate
82 reviews
Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax Automation
91 reviews
Detailed Overview
Simple Affiliate
Drive Sales With an Automated Affiliate Platform to Manage Influencer & Referral Marketing Programs
Key Features
- New Customer Accounts: Register & sign in directly from your store
- Track Sales & Payouts: Affiliates can track commission rates & total sales
- Flexible Reward Structures: Based on products, variants, categories, codes, etc.
- Manage Taxes: All 1099 tax forms are easily handled, automated & consolidated
- Reward Payout: Manually or auto-pay sales commissions based on your preferences
Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax Automation
US State Sales Tax return Reports & Automated Filing for your store. Easy, Accurate & Time Saving!!!
Key Features
- Timely Autofile: Ensure on-time tax return filings while you focus on business
- Accurate Tax Reports: Precise sales tax reports tailored to state's requirements
- Economic Nexus Alerts: Stay informed on new state nexus thresholds
- Effortless State Registration: Simplified new state registration for compliance
- Ability to Ignore orders imported from Marketplaces like Amazon, Ebay, etc
Feature Comparison
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Rating Simple Affiliate5/5 Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax Automation5/5 | ||
| Reviews | 82 | 91 |
Reviews Simple Affiliate82 Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax Automation91 | ||
| Core Function | Affiliate Marketing Management | Sales Tax Automation |
Core Function Simple AffiliateAffiliate Marketing Management Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax AutomationSales Tax Automation | ||
| Target Merchant | Merchants seeking to grow sales through affiliate programs | Merchants needing help with US sales tax compliance |
Target Merchant Simple AffiliateMerchants seeking to grow sales through affiliate programs Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax AutomationMerchants needing help with US sales tax compliance | ||
| Value Proposition | Drive sales, build loyalty, manage affiliate programs efficiently | Save time, ensure accuracy, avoid tax penalties |
Value Proposition Simple AffiliateDrive sales, build loyalty, manage affiliate programs efficiently Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax AutomationSave time, ensure accuracy, avoid tax penalties | ||
| Key Benefit | Automated affiliate management | Automated tax reporting & filing |
Key Benefit Simple AffiliateAutomated affiliate management Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax AutomationAutomated tax reporting & filing | ||
| Ease of Setup | Easy and customized setup | Seamless all-in-one sales tax solution |
Ease of Setup Simple AffiliateEasy and customized setup Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax AutomationSeamless all-in-one sales tax solution | ||
| Revenue Impact | Increase sales and revenue | Avoid penalties and fines |
Revenue Impact Simple AffiliateIncrease sales and revenue Tax Rex ‑ Sales Tax AutomationAvoid penalties and fines | ||
Our Verdict
The ideal choice between Simple Affiliate and Tax Rex depends heavily on a merchant's specific needs. If the primary goal is to expand market reach and increase sales through partnerships, Simple Affiliate is the clear winner. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools to manage and optimize affiliate programs, making it suitable for businesses actively investing in influencer and referral marketing. However, for merchants struggling with the complexities of US sales tax, particularly those operating in multiple states, Tax Rex is indispensable. It automates crucial tax-related tasks, ensuring compliance and minimizing the risk of costly errors.
For a new store with a single location and modest sales, Simple Affiliate may be more immediately impactful for revenue growth. As that same store scales and faces multi-state tax complexities, Tax Rex becomes a far more critical investment. Ultimately, both apps solve different problems and can even be used in conjunction to cover a broader range of business needs.
Common Questions
Which app helps me increase sales?
Simple Affiliate is designed to help you increase sales by managing affiliate marketing programs and turning customers into revenue-generating affiliates.
Which app helps me comply with US sales tax regulations?
Tax Rex helps you comply with US sales tax regulations by automating sales tax reporting, filing, and economic nexus monitoring.
Can I use both apps together?
Yes, Simple Affiliate focuses on revenue generation through affiliate marketing, while Tax Rex focuses on tax compliance. They address different aspects of your business and can be used together.
Which app is easier to set up?
Simple Affiliate boasts an easy and customized setup tailored to your brand. Tax Rex is a seamless all-in-one sales tax solution designed for effortless integration.
Which app manages 1099 tax forms?
Simple Affiliate provides features to manage 1099 tax forms, automating and consolidating the process.
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