Amazon vs ClickBank vs ShareASale – Which Pays You the Most?

Amazon vs ClickBank vs ShareASale – Which Pays You the Most?
Amazon vs ClickBank vs ShareASale – Which Pays You the Most?

Affiliate marketing has exploded into one of the most accessible ways to earn passive income online. By 2025, the global affiliate marketing industry is projected to surpass $15 billion, driven by e-commerce growth, digital content creation, and the rise of influencers.

At its core, affiliate marketing involves promoting products or services through unique links, earning a commission on sales or leads generated from your referrals.

It’s a performance-based model where your earnings depend on your ability to drive traffic and conversions.

But with thousands of programs available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. That’s where this comprehensive comparison comes in.

We’ll dive deep into three powerhouse platforms: Amazon Associates, ClickBank, and ShareASale. These aren’t just popular—they represent different facets of affiliate marketing.

Amazon Associates is the e-commerce giant’s program, focusing on physical and digital products from the world’s largest online retailer.

ClickBank specializes in digital products like e-books, courses, and software, often with sky-high commissions. ShareASale acts as a network connecting affiliates to thousands of merchants across various niches.

Why compare these three? They dominate discussions in affiliate forums and blogs for good reason. Amazon offers unparalleled product variety and brand trust, ClickBank boasts some of the highest commission rates (up to 75%), and ShareASale provides flexibility with diverse merchants and reliable payouts.

But the burning question is: which one pays you the most? The answer isn’t straightforward—it depends on your niche, audience, traffic sources, and marketing strategy.

In this post, we’ll break it down with data from 2025 sources, including commission structures, pros and cons, real success stories, and tips to get started.

Whether you’re a beginner blogger, a seasoned content creator, or an influencer looking to monetize, this guide will help you decide.

We’ll cover everything from signup processes to payment thresholds, cookie durations, and earning potential. By the end, you’ll have the insights to pick the platform (or platforms—many affiliates use multiple) that aligns with your goals. Let’s start by exploring each one in detail.

Affiliate marketing’s appeal lies in its low barrier to entry. You don’t need to create products or handle shipping; you just recommend and earn.

However, success requires strategy. According to recent surveys, top affiliates earn over $100,000 annually, but averages hover around $8,000-$10,000 per month for dedicated marketers.

Factors like niche selection (e.g., health and fitness often outperform others) and traffic methods (SEO, social media, email) play huge roles.

In 2025, trends like AI-driven personalization and voice search are reshaping how affiliates promote. Platforms are adapting with better analytics and mobile optimization.

Amazon, for instance, integrates seamlessly with Alexa and Prime Video, while ClickBank emphasizes recurring commissions from subscriptions. ShareASale shines in niche partnerships, from fashion to SaaS.

This comparison is based on up-to-date data from official sites and industry reviews. We’ll use tables for quick comparisons and cite sources for transparency. Ready to uncover which pays the most? Let’s dive into the overviews.

Overview of Amazon Associates

Amazon Associates, launched in 1996, is one of the oldest and most trusted affiliate programs. By 2025, it boasts over 900 million users worldwide, making it a staple for beginners and pros alike.

As part of Amazon’s ecosystem, it allows affiliates to promote millions of products—from books and electronics to groceries and digital downloads—earning commissions on sales.

How It Works

Signing up is straightforward: Create an Amazon account, apply via the Associates portal, and provide your website or social media details.

Approval typically takes 1-3 days, but you must make at least three sales within 180 days to stay active. Once approved, you generate affiliate links using SiteStripe (a toolbar for easy link creation) or APIs for advanced integration.

Amazon uses a 24-hour cookie duration for most products, meaning if a user clicks your link and buys within a day, you earn. For Amazon Games, it’s 89 days. Importantly, you earn on the entire purchase, not just the promoted item—if someone buys a TV after clicking your book link, you get credit.

Commission Structure in 2025

Commissions vary by category, ranging from 1% to 10%. From official rates:

  • Luxury Beauty, Amazon Coins: 10%
  • Fashion, Furniture: 4-8%
  • Electronics, Toys: 3-4%
  • Grocery, Health: 1-5%
  • Digital Music, Videos: 5%

Bounties (fixed fees) apply for promoting services like Prime ($3 per trial) or Audible ($5 per signup). Average earnings? Beginners might see $100-500/month, but top sites earn $10,000+ via high-traffic niches like tech reviews.

Payment Terms

Threshold: $10 for gift cards, $100 for checks/direct deposit. Payments are monthly, 60 days after the end of the month (Net-60). Methods: Direct deposit, check, or Amazon gift card. No fees, but international affiliates may face wire transfer costs.

Unique Features

  • Vast inventory: Over 353 million products.
  • Brand trust: High conversion rates (10-20% in some niches).
  • Tools: Native ads, product widgets, and reporting dashboard.
  • Global reach: Separate programs for different countries (e.g., US, UK, India).

However, commissions were cut in 2020 (e.g., groceries from 5% to 1%), and they remain low compared to rivals. Amazon prioritizes volume over high rates, ideal for broad audiences.

In 2025, Amazon integrates AI for personalized recommendations, boosting conversions. For example, affiliates can use Amazon Influencer Program for storefronts, earning on curated lists. This platform suits content creators in e-commerce, reviews, or deals sites, where sheer product variety drives earnings.

Overview of ClickBank

ClickBank, founded in 1998, is a leading marketplace for digital products. By 2025, it has paid over $7 billion in commissions to 100,000+ affiliates, with no missed payments since inception. It focuses on info-products like e-books, online courses, software, and supplements, but includes physical goods too.

How It Works

Signup is free and instant—no approval needed. Browse the marketplace (4,000+ products), filter by gravity score (popularity metric), and generate hoplinks (affiliate links). Vendors set terms, and ClickBank handles payments, tracking, and refunds.

Cookie duration: Up to 60 days, vendor-dependent. Tracking is device-level for accuracy. Products often include upsells and recurring billing, boosting earnings.

Commission Structure in 2025

Commissions are high: 50-75% on average, up to 90% for some. Revenue share (percentage per sale) or CPA (fixed amount). Top niches like health/fitness offer $100+ average payouts. Examples:

  • Supplements (e.g., Puravive): $140+ per sale.
  • Courses (e.g., business training): 50-70%.
  • Recurring: Ongoing commissions from subscriptions.

Earnings potential: Newbies $500-2,000/month; top affiliates $10,000+ via media buying or email lists.

Payment Terms

Threshold: $10-100 (configurable). Payments weekly or bi-weekly via check, direct deposit, wire, or Payoneer. No transaction fees from ClickBank.

Unique Features

  • High gravity products: Easy to find winners.
  • Spark education: Free training for beginners, updated for 2025.
  • Recurring revenue: Many products offer rebills.
  • Vendor flexibility: Promote without individual approvals.

Drawbacks include variable product quality and higher refund rates (up to 10-15% in digital niches). In 2025, ClickBank emphasizes health niches (e.g., weight loss, men’s health), with top products like Sugar Defender averaging triple-digit payouts. It’s perfect for email marketers or paid ad specialists in digital goods.

Overview of ShareASale

ShareASale, established in 2000, is an affiliate network connecting 4,500+ merchants to affiliates. Acquired by Awin in 2017, it focuses on both physical and digital products across niches like fashion, home, and SaaS. In 2025, it’s praised for user-friendliness and reliability.

How It Works

Free signup, quick approval. Apply to individual merchants (some auto-approve). Generate links via the dashboard. Cookie durations vary (1-120 days, average 30).

Commission Structure in 2025

Varies by merchant: 5-50%, averages 10-20%. Examples:

  • Fashion: 8-15%.
  • SaaS: $50-300 fixed.
  • Physical goods: 4-10%.

High-ticket items can yield $100+ per sale. Network fee: 20% on commissions. Earnings: $1,000-5,000/month for mid-level affiliates.

Payment Terms

Threshold: $50. Monthly payments (Net-20) via check, direct deposit, or wire.

Unique Features

  • Diverse merchants: From NBA Store to WP Engine.
  • Tools: Real-time tracking, PowerRank metric.
  • Support: Dedicated for top affiliates.

Cons: Merchant approvals can be time-consuming, interface feels dated. Ideal for niche bloggers seeking variety beyond Amazon.

Commission Rates Comparison

To determine who pays the most, let’s compare directly.

PlatformAverage CommissionMax CommissionProduct TypesAverage Payout per Sale
Amazon1-10%10%Physical/Digital$10-50
ClickBank50-75%90%Digital/Supplements$100+
ShareASale5-50%50%+Mixed$20-100

ClickBank leads in raw rates, especially for digital products with upsells. Amazon wins on volume—low rates but high conversions (trusted brand). ShareASale balances both, with flexible rates.

Factors: Niche matters. Health on ClickBank pays big; broad e-commerce favors Amazon. Refunds hurt ClickBank more. In 2025, recurring models boost ClickBank and ShareASale.

Overall, ClickBank pays the most per sale, but Amazon for consistent, low-effort earnings.

Pros and Cons of Each Platform

Amazon Associates

Pros:

  • Huge product selection.
  • High trust and conversions.
  • Easy signup, global reach.
  • Earn on entire carts.

Cons:

  • Low commissions.
  • Short cookie (24 hours).
  • Strict policies (e.g., no email links).
  • Commission cuts in past.

ClickBank

Pros:

  • High commissions/recurring.
  • Instant access, no approvals.
  • Strong in digital niches.
  • Weekly payments.

Cons:

  • Variable quality/refunds.
  • Competitive niches.
  • Limited physical products.
  • Higher learning curve for beginners.

ShareASale

Pros:

  • Diverse merchants.
  • Reliable tracking.
  • User-friendly for niches.
  • Good support.

Cons:

  • Merchant approvals needed.
  • 20% network fee.
  • Dated interface.
  • Variable cookie durations.

Which One Pays You the Most?

It depends on your strategy. ClickBank often pays the most per conversion ($100+ averages in top niches like supplements). For volume, Amazon’s 47% market share means more sales, potentially netting $20,000+/year for high-traffic sites. ShareASale excels in balanced earnings, up to $50,000/year for diversified affiliates.

If you’re in digital/health, ClickBank. Broad audiences: Amazon. Niches: ShareASale. Many combine them—e.g., Amazon for physical, ClickBank for courses.

In 2025, ClickBank edges out for “most” in high-ticket, but Amazon for sustainability.

Success Stories and Case Studies

Real earnings inspire. One Amazon affiliate reported $150,000/year via niche sites, focusing on SEO and reviews. A seven-figure Amazon marketer built sites earning millions over years.

For ClickBank, a beginner hit $2,000/month promoting supplements via ads. Top affiliates like Pat Flynn earn six figures blending ClickBank with others.

ShareASale success: A blogger made $10,000/month via fashion partnerships. Matt Diggity’s sites leverage ShareASale for diversified income.

Common threads: Niche focus, quality content, traffic building. One case: Amazon site grew to $20k/month via Pinterest; ClickBank via email lists.

Tips to Succeed on Each Platform

General Tips: Build an audience via blog/YouTube, use SEO, disclose affiliations, track analytics.

Amazon: Create review content, use widgets, target holidays. Avoid violations.

ClickBank: Vet products (high gravity, low refunds), use funnels, leverage rebills.

ShareASale: Apply to multiple merchants, use PowerRank, diversify promotions.

Scale with tools like Ahrefs for SEO, email software for lists.

Conclusion

Choosing between Amazon Associates, ClickBank, and ShareASale isn’t just about picking the platform with the highest commission rates—it’s about aligning the program with your unique strengths, audience, and goals as an affiliate marketer in 2025.

Each platform offers distinct advantages, and the question of “which pays the most” depends on how you leverage their ecosystems.

Let’s recap the core findings and provide actionable guidance to help you decide which platform (or combination) is your best bet for maximizing earnings, along with a forward-looking perspective on succeeding in the evolving affiliate marketing landscape.

Recapping the Strengths

  • Amazon Associates is the go-to for affiliates who thrive on volume and trust. With its massive product catalog (over 353 million products) and unmatched brand recognition, Amazon converts well—often at 10-20% in popular niches like electronics or home goods. Its low commissions (1-10%) are offset by the potential to earn on entire shopping carts, making it ideal for broad-appeal content like review blogs, deal sites, or social media influencers with diverse audiences. In 2025, features like AI-driven recommendations and the Influencer Program enhance its appeal for creators who can tap into Amazon’s ecosystem, including Prime Video or Alexa integrations.
  • ClickBank shines for those chasing high-ticket payouts. With commissions averaging 50-75% (and up to 90% in some cases), it’s the leader for per-sale earnings, especially in digital niches like health, fitness, or online courses. The platform’s recurring revenue model, particularly for subscription-based products, can create passive income streams that scale significantly—top affiliates report $10,000+ monthly through email funnels or paid ads. However, success requires careful product selection to avoid high refund rates and competitive markets. ClickBank’s Spark education and 60-day cookies make it beginner-friendly yet powerful for seasoned marketers.
  • ShareASale offers unmatched flexibility through its network of 4,500+ merchants, spanning fashion, SaaS, home goods, and more. With commissions ranging from 5-50% and an average of 10-20%, it strikes a balance between Amazon’s volume and ClickBank’s high rates. Its PowerRank metric and real-time tracking empower affiliates to optimize campaigns, while the variety of merchants lets you target specific niches with precision. ShareASale is perfect for bloggers or content creators who want to diversify beyond a single retailer or product type, though the 20% network fee and merchant approval process can be hurdles.

Which Pays the Most? It’s Contextual

If your goal is maximizing per-sale earnings, ClickBank often comes out on top, especially in high-demand niches like health supplements or digital education, where payouts can exceed $100 per conversion.

For example, promoting a product like Sugar Defender could net $140+ per sale, and recurring subscriptions amplify this over time. However, its digital focus and variable product quality demand strategic promotion, like email marketing or paid ads, to see significant returns.

For affiliates with broad, high-traffic platforms, Amazon Associates can outperform due to its sheer conversion potential.

Amazon’s 47% e-commerce market share in 2025 translates to consistent sales, and top affiliates report $20,000+ annually by targeting holiday seasons or evergreen niches like tech reviews.

The catch? You need substantial traffic to offset the lower commissions (e.g., 3% on electronics vs. 50% on ClickBank courses).

ShareASale is the middle ground, ideal for niche marketers who want diversified income. Earnings of $10,000-$50,000 per year are achievable for mid-level affiliates promoting high-ticket SaaS or fashion merchants. Its strength lies in allowing you to mix and match merchants to suit your audience, but it requires more effort to manage multiple partnerships compared to Amazon’s one-stop shop or ClickBank’s streamlined marketplace.

The Power of Combining Platforms

Many successful affiliates don’t choose one—they combine them. For instance, a fitness blogger might use Amazon for gym equipment (3-5% commissions), ClickBank for supplement programs ($100+ per sale), and ShareASale for fitness apparel (10-15%).

This diversification mitigates risks like Amazon’s commission cuts or ClickBank’s refund challenges while maximizing revenue streams.

In 2025, data shows that top earners often blend platforms, with 60% of affiliates using multiple programs to balance volume and high payouts.

The affiliate marketing landscape is evolving, and 2025 brings new opportunities:

  • AI and Personalization: Amazon’s AI-driven ads and ClickBank’s analytics tools help affiliates target audiences with precision. ShareASale’s reporting is also improving with AI insights.
  • Mobile and Voice Search: With 70% of online traffic now mobile-driven, optimizing for mobile UX and voice queries (e.g., Alexa for Amazon links) is critical.
  • Social Commerce: Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are key for Amazon and ShareASale affiliates, while ClickBank thrives on email and YouTube funnels.
  • Sustainability and Ethics: Consumers increasingly favor brands with ethical practices, giving ShareASale an edge with eco-friendly merchants.

Actionable Steps to Get Started

  1. Assess Your Niche and Audience: If you’re in health or digital education, start with ClickBank for high commissions. For broad e-commerce or reviews, Amazon is easier. For specific niches like fashion or tech, explore ShareASale’s merchants.
  2. Build a Platform: A blog, YouTube channel, or social media presence is essential. Focus on SEO or paid ads for ClickBank, Pinterest for Amazon, or Instagram for ShareASale.
  3. Start Small, Scale Smart: Begin with one platform to learn its tools (e.g., Amazon’s SiteStripe, ClickBank’s Spark). Once comfortable, add another to diversify.
  4. Track and Optimize: Use analytics (all platforms offer dashboards) to monitor clicks, conversions, and EPC (earnings per click). Tools like Ahrefs or ConvertKit can boost performance.
  5. Stay Compliant: Disclose affiliate links per FTC guidelines, especially on Amazon, which has strict rules (e.g., no email links).

Final Thoughts

No single platform universally “pays the most”—it’s about fit. ClickBank leads for high-ticket digital products, Amazon for reliable volume, and ShareASale for niche versatility.

Your success hinges on understanding your audience, choosing quality products, and driving targeted traffic. In 2025, the affiliate marketing industry is more accessible than ever, with tools and trends making it easier to scale.

Whether you’re a beginner aiming for $500/month or a pro targeting six figures, these platforms offer proven paths to profit.

Experiment with one, or blend them for maximum impact. Share your choice or progress in the comments below—let’s build a community of affiliate success!

For more resources, check out Amazon’s Associates portal, ClickBank’s Spark training, or ShareASale’s merchant directory. Which platform will you start with, and why? Your journey to affiliate earnings begins now!