TinyAffiliate Tools
Affiliate Commission Calculator for SaaS
This page supports your affiliate program management setup for SaaS. Find a commission rate that keeps affiliates motivated without breaking your margins. Adjust price, costs, and refund rates to see the safe maximum instantly.
Last updated: 2024-11-10
Inputs
Adjust your pricing, costs, and target profit to see the maximum safe commission.
Results
Based on your inputs, here is the highest commission you can safely offer.
Max commission per month
$14.00
Max commission rate
48.3%
Commission cap for N months
$168.00
Preset commission rates
All calculations happen in your browser.
How to use this calculator
Start with your current monthly price, then enter the costs you carry per customer. Add the profit you want to keep each month, and decide how many months you plan to pay commissions. The calculator shows the maximum safe monthly commission and rate you can afford.
If you offer a discount or expect refunds, enable the advanced refunds toggle. The calculator automatically reduces the effective price so you do not overpay affiliates.
Use the preset buttons to compare common commission rates against your maximum. The suggested commission per month never exceeds your safe max.
Good commission benchmarks
Many SaaS programs start around 25-30% recurring commission. If your max rate is lower, consider a higher price, lower costs, or a shorter commission window.
Safe: 20% is common for mature products with strong retention.
Growth: 30% is popular for expanding distribution quickly.
Aggressive: 40% can make sense for new launches with wide margins.
Why recurring commissions work
Recurring commissions align affiliates with retention. When you pay each month, partners stay engaged and keep sending better-fit customers. Use the monthly max commission to protect margins, then scale by adjusting the number of months you pay out.
FAQs
What commission should I offer?
Most SaaS programs start around 25-30% recurring commission, then adjust as you learn your margins.
What is a safe maximum commission?
A safe maximum commission is your price minus monthly costs and your target profit per customer.
Should I pay recurring or one-time?
Recurring commissions are often better aligned for long-term SaaS growth and retention.
Can I change the commission later?
Yes. You can adjust your commission rate at any time as your unit economics evolve.