Cost-per-action (CPA) affiliate networks can provide tremendous monetization potential for publishers and affiliates. By joining the right CPA network, you gain access to top-converting offers across multiple verticals and receive competitive payouts when referred users take a specific "action" like making a purchase or filling out a lead form.
But with so many CPA networks out there, how do affiliates know which ones are the best for maximizing their earnings? This guide examines 10 leading CPA networks to reveal everything affiliates need to know to choose the right network and campaign offers that drive profits.
What to Look for in a Top CPA Network
When evaluating CPA affiliate networks, there are several key factors affiliates should consider:
Payout Thresholds: The minimum amount affiliates must earn before receiving payment. Lower thresholds allow for faster payouts.
Payment Frequency/Methods: How often affiliates get paid commissions, and available payment options. Faster and more flexible payment methods are ideal.
Commission Types Offered: Such as CPA, CPI, CPL, CPS, etc. More variety provides monetization flexibility.
Offer Quality & Variety: The number and relevance of offers across different verticals/markets. More offers in your niche increases earning potential.
Advertiser Vetting Process: How networks vet advertisers for legitimacy and reliable payouts. More rigorous vetting ensures affiliates get paid reliably.
Tools & Support: Tracking, optimization and support features provided to help affiliates maximize earnings. Better platform tools and dedicated support result in higher earnings.
Global Reach: Ability to run offers/campaigns and get paid globally. Wider reach increases earning opportunities.
With an understanding of these key evaluation criteria, let’s explore 10 of the best CPA affiliate networks for affiliates today.
1. Adsterra
Adsterra has one of the fastest affiliate payout cycles, with weekly payments available to top-tier partners. They have rigorous advertiser vetting and pay affiliates before advertisers approve conversions for trusted partners.
Highlights:
- Payout Threshold: $5
- Payment Frequency: Weekly
- Commission Types: CPA, CPI, CPL
- Top Verticals: Dating, Nutra, Finance
- Tools: Real-time stats, free hosting, API integrations
- Reach: Worldwide
Adsterra places partner success first with higher than average payouts, dedicated account managers, and strong product and technical support.
2. MaxBounty
MaxBounty, founded in 2004, is an industry-leading CPA network who won the 2019 Blue Book award for Best CPA Network based on advertiser value. They provide dedicated affiliate managers and a robust platform.
Highlights:
- Payout Threshold: $100
- Payment Frequency: Weekly
- Commission Types: CPA, CPL, CPS
- Top Verticals: Finance, Dating, Sweepstakes
- Tools: Custom landing pages, link tracking
- Reach: Worldwide
With over 2000 campaigns, MaxBounty tailors offers to each affiliate‘s geo/audience and provides stellar support, making them one of the best CPA networks for seasoned affiliates.
3. Clickbooth
Clickbooth leverages AI and machine learning to optimize campaigns for revenue growth. Part of the Perform[cb] network, Clickbooth provides a suite of tools to help affiliates scale earnings.
Highlights:
- Payout Threshold: $50
- Payment Frequency: Monthly
- Commission Types: CPA, CPL, CPS, CPI
- Top Verticals: Dating, Finance, Health
- Tools: Auto-optimization, link shortener, APIs
- Reach: Worldwide except sanctioned countries
Clickbooth is a top choice for affiliates prioritizing advanced optimization capabilities and support from dedicated account managers.
4. Admitad
Admitad stands out with their advertiser verification requiring document validation and sales volume analysis before campaigns run. This ensures reliable payouts.
Highlights:
- Payout Threshold: $20
- Payment Frequency: Weekly via wire transfer (upon request)
- Commission Types: CPA, CPL, CPS, CPI
- Top Verticals: Retail, Travel, Finance
- Tools: Dedicated AM support, auto-optimization
- Reach: Global
With robust advertiser vetting and pillar performance support teams, Admitad has a proven reputation for paying affiliates reliably.
5. CrakRevenue
CrakRevenue leverages deep advertiser relationships across key verticals to deliver offers with strong conversion potential, powered by their optimized SmartLink platform.
Highlights:
- Payout Threshold: $100 (wire transfer)
- Payment Frequency: Weekly or Bi-Monthly
- Commission Types: CPL, CPS, CPI, RevShare
- Top Verticals: Dating, Health, Adult, Finance
- Tools: Smartlinks, OfferVault performance marketplace
- Reach: Worldwide
For affiliates who qualify, CrakRevenue provides VIP perks like a dedicated account strategist, higher rates, and priority support to boost earnings.
6. Mobidea
Founded by super-affiliates, Mobidea is one of the leading mobile CPA affiliate networks focused specifically on the mobile channel.
Highlights:
- Payout Threshold: €50
- Payment Frequency: Monthly
- Commission Types: CPA
- Top Verticals: Dating, Nutra, Adult, Games
- Tools: Automator tool, smart links, offer feed
- Reach: Worldwide
Mobidea curates top-converting mobile offers across verticals, provides tailored support, and owns the technical mobile optimization space amongst CPA networks.
7. CPAlead
CPAlead leverages direct advertiser integrations to optimize conversions across mobile and desktop. Their laser focus on optimizing advertiser relationships yields strong converting offers.
Highlights:
- Payout Threshold: $50
- Payment Frequency: Weekly
- Commission Types: CPA, CPC, CPI
- Top Verticals: Entertainment, Gaming, Shopping
- Tools: Free hosting, Britain’s Got Talent case study
- Reach: Worldwide
CPAlead provides dedicated account managers and prioritizes communication with affiliates to maximize opportunities on both sides.
8. AdsMain
AdsMain focuses heavily on compliance and preventative tools to ensure adherences to policies and strong advertiser relationships. They also own their own anti-fraud tech.
Highlights:
- Payout Threshold: $100
- Payment Frequency: Net 15
- Commission Types: CPA, CPI, CPL
- Top Verticals: Finance, Crypto, Dating, Casino, Nutra
- Tools: Anti-fraud protection, compliance assistance
- Reach: Worldwide
For affiliates wanting an extra layer of protection and transparency on compliance, AdsMain has established procedures that foster sustainable partnerships.
9. EveAffiliate
Australia-based EveAffiliate vets all advertisers for 12+ months before onboarding them. Coupled with hands-on service, this patient approach proves valuable for affiliates.
Highlights:
- Payout Threshold: $50
- Payment Frequency: Bi-weekly
- Commission Types: CPA, CPI
- Top Verticals: Dating, Health, Crypto
- Tools: DISC assessments, dedicated managers
- Reach: Worldwide
EveAffiliate takes relationship-building with affiliates seriously to maximize mutual success backed by rigorous advertiser policies.
10. AdCombinate
AdCombinate leverages proprietary AI matching technology to optimize campaigns between exclusive advertisers and affiliates using custom business rules.
Highlights:
- Payout Threshold: $100
- Payment Frequency: Net 30
- Commission Types: CPA
- Top Verticals: Dating, Finance, Casino, Crypto
- Tools: AI matching engine, anti-fraud
- Reach: Worldwide
For large affiliates wanting high-value enterprise advertisers across top verticals, AdCombinate provides a unique value proposition backed by AI optimization.
Key Takeaways for Choosing the Best CPA Network
The CPA networks profiled here have proven their ability to deliver reliable advertiser payouts on quality offers that convert. By showcasing their notable strengths around technology, support, and global scope, affiliates can identify the right CPA partner for their specific business needs.
Beyond choosing a reputable network, affiliates should also consider researching top offers within their chosen verticals and promoting them through dedicated landing pages and creatives that align to the offer targeting requirements. This helps maximize approval and conversion rates.
The best CPA networks allow affiliates to monetize traffic through multiple online and offline channels, from email marketing to search to social media ads. Diversifying promotion methods combined with testing high-value offers facilitates revenue growth as an affiliate.
In closing, reputable CPA networks lower risk and increase monetization for publishers by providing acclaimed advertisers across industries. The networks examined here exemplify options that can catapult affiliate earnings by matching them with the ideal offers for their audiences.
