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If you’re doing affiliate marketing without an email list, you’re leaving money on the table. Every visitor who leaves your site without subscribing is gone forever — no second chance to recommend a product, share a review, or build trust. The right email marketing platform turns one-time visitors into repeat buyers.
Here are the best email marketing platforms for affiliate marketers in 2026, compared on what actually matters: deliverability, automation, affiliate-friendliness, and price.
1. Kit (Formerly ConvertKit) — Best Overall for Creators
Why affiliates love it: Kit was built specifically for creators and online entrepreneurs. Unlike platforms that restrict affiliate content, Kit embraces it. You can send emails with affiliate links, build automated sequences that nurture subscribers toward purchases, and segment your audience based on what they’ve clicked.
Key features:
- Visual automation builder — create “if they click this, send that” sequences
- Landing pages and forms included (no separate tool needed)
- Subscriber tagging based on behavior
- Free plan up to 10,000 subscribers
- Commerce features for selling digital products
Pricing: Free up to 10K subscribers. Pro starts at $29/month for advanced automations and integrations.
Affiliate program: Kit offers 50% recurring commission for the customer’s first year through PartnerStack — one of the highest-paying email tool affiliate programs available.
2. Moosend — Best Budget Option
Why affiliates love it: Moosend is the affordable workhorse. Full automation, good deliverability, and a price point that makes sense when you’re starting out and every dollar matters.
Key features:
- Drag-and-drop email editor
- Pre-built automation workflows (abandoned cart, welcome series, re-engagement)
- Landing page builder
- Real-time analytics
- No restrictions on affiliate content
Pricing: Starts at $9/month for up to 500 subscribers. Significantly cheaper than Kit or Mailchimp at scale.
Affiliate program: Up to 40% recurring commission for life — meaning you earn as long as the customer stays subscribed. Available through PartnerStack.
3. GetResponse — Best for Automation + Funnels
Why affiliates love it: GetResponse goes beyond email with built-in funnel builder, webinar hosting, and landing pages. If you want an all-in-one marketing platform without paying for separate tools, this is it.
Key features:
- Conversion funnel builder (landing page → opt-in → email sequence → sale)
- Webinar hosting included in higher plans
- Advanced segmentation and scoring
- AI email generator
- Affiliate-friendly — they even have their own affiliate program
Pricing: Starts at $19/month for basic email marketing. Creator plan at $59/month adds funnels and webinars.
4. Mailchimp — Most Popular (But Not Always Best for Affiliates)
The honest truth: Mailchimp is the biggest name in email marketing, but they have a complicated relationship with affiliate marketers. Their terms of service technically restrict “affiliate marketing” as a primary business model, and accounts have been suspended for heavy affiliate content.
When it works: If email is one part of your business (not the whole thing), and your content is valuable beyond just product pitches, Mailchimp is fine. Their free tier (up to 500 contacts) is great for testing.
When to avoid it: If your emails are primarily product recommendations with affiliate links, you’re at risk. Choose Kit or Moosend instead.
Which One Should You Choose?
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Want the best creator-focused platform | Kit — built for you |
| Need to keep costs minimal | Moosend — best value per dollar |
| Want funnels + webinars in one tool | GetResponse — all-in-one |
| Already have a non-affiliate business | Mailchimp — if affiliate is secondary |
Our Recommendation
Start with Kit’s free plan. It handles up to 10,000 subscribers, is explicitly affiliate-friendly, and the automation tools will save you hours. Once your list is generating revenue, the $29/month Pro plan pays for itself many times over.
Pair your email platform with a solid website on Hostinger (the most affordable quality hosting for affiliate sites), and you have the two most important tools for building a sustainable affiliate business.
Start Building Your Email List Today
Kit’s free plan supports up to 10,000 subscribers — no credit card required.
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