If you're starting affiliate marketing in 2026, you've heard three names over and over: ClickBank, Digistore24, and ShareASale. They're the big three — but they serve very different purposes. Picking the wrong one can waste months of effort.
Here's the honest breakdown after promoting on all three platforms.
ClickBank — The Digital Product Giant
Best for: Info products, health supplements, make-money-online offers.
Commission: 50-75% typical (some up to 90%)
Cookie: 60 days standard
Payment: Weekly or bi-weekly, $10 minimum
ClickBank is the oldest and largest digital product marketplace. The commissions are massive — 50-75% is standard because digital products have near-zero marginal cost. The 60-day cookie means you get credit even if the customer buys weeks later.
The catch: Quality varies wildly. For every legitimate product, there are three overhyped garbage offers. You have to vet products carefully. Look at gravity (sales velocity), affiliate tools provided, and actual customer reviews — not just the sales page.
Best niches on ClickBank: Health & fitness supplements, survival/prepping, dating/relationships, spirituality, make-money-online courses.
Worst for: Physical products, mainstream brands, B2B software.
Digistore24 — The European Powerhouse (Now Global)
Best for: Health supplements, software/SaaS, online courses, German/European market.
Commission: 30-75% typical
Cookie: 60-180 days (varies by vendor)
Payment: Twice monthly, $50 minimum
Digistore24 started in Germany but has exploded globally. It's now the #2 digital marketplace behind ClickBank — and in some niches, it's better. The platform handles VAT, EU compliance, and multi-currency payments automatically, which ClickBank doesn't.
Why affiliates love it: The cookie durations are often longer (some vendors offer 180 days). The platform is more modern and transparent than ClickBank. Vendor quality is generally higher because Digistore24 is more selective. The built-in affiliate tools (banners, email swipes, product images) are better organized.
Best niches on Digistore24: Health supplements (Organifi, BioTrust-level brands), software/SaaS tools, online courses, German-language products (massive untapped market for English speakers who translate content).
Worst for: Physical products, mainstream retail brands.
ShareASale — The Physical Product & Mainstream Network
Best for: Physical products, established brands, fashion, home goods, B2B software.
Commission: 5-30% typical (lower because margins are thinner on physical goods)
Cookie: 30 days standard (some merchants offer less)
Payment: Monthly, $50 minimum
ShareASale is the go-to network for physical products and established brands. If you want to promote Reebok, Wayfair, Etsy, or WP Engine — they're on ShareASale. The commissions are lower (5-30%) because physical products have real costs, but the conversion rates are often higher because people already know and trust these brands.
Why affiliates love it: Brand recognition converts. Someone searching for 'best running shoes' is more likely to buy from a brand they know. The affiliate tools are professional — deep linking, product data feeds, and real-time reporting. Payouts are reliable and on time.
Best niches on ShareASale: Fashion/apparel, home & garden, B2B software/SaaS, web hosting, business services, pet supplies.
Worst for: High-commission digital products, health supplements with aggressive funnels.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | ClickBank | Digistore24 | ShareASale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Digital products | Digital + EU market | Physical products |
| Avg commission | 50-75% | 30-75% | 5-30% |
| Cookie duration | 60 days | 60-180 days | 30 days |
| Payment minimum | $10 | $50 | $50 |
| Product quality | Mixed — vet carefully | Generally good | High (established brands) |
| Beginner friendly | Yes, but easy to pick bad products | Yes, better curation | Yes, but lower commissions |
Which One Should You Start With?
Start with Digistore24 if: You want high commissions on digital products but with better quality control than ClickBank. The platform is more modern, the vendor quality is higher, and the cookie durations are often longer. It's the sweet spot for beginners in 2026.
Start with ClickBank if: You're in a niche where ClickBank dominates (survival, dating, specific health offers) and you're willing to vet products carefully. The $10 payment minimum is nice when you're starting out.
Start with ShareASale if: You're building a niche site around physical products (fashion, home goods, pets) or B2B software. The commissions are lower but the conversion rates on known brands can make up for it.
The real answer: Don't pick one. Sign up for all three (they're free). Promote the best offer for each piece of content you create. A health blog post might link to a Digistore24 supplement, while a home office setup guide links to ShareASale furniture. Use the network that has the best product for your reader — not the one you're most comfortable with.
What About Other Networks?
Impact, CJ Affiliate, Rakuten, and PartnerStack are also worth joining — but they're more selective and often require an established site with traffic. Start with the big three, prove you can drive sales, then expand.