Affiliate software comparison · Reviewed 2026-07-16

Rakuten Advertising vs ShareASale

Rakuten Advertising and ShareASale both serve teams comparing affiliate networks, but they differ in pricing and operating fit. Choose Rakuten Advertising when advertisers looking for publisher distribution is the priority; choose ShareASale when you need advertisers looking for publisher distribution.

Quick answer

Choose Rakuten Advertising if

Terms vary matches your budget and buying model
You need connects programs with an existing partner base
Advertisers and publishers seeking network distribution is the closer fit for your program

Choose ShareASale if

Terms vary matches your budget and buying model
You need connects programs with an existing partner base
Advertisers and publishers seeking network distribution is the closer fit for your program

Side-by-side comparison

Best fit

Rakuten AdvertisingAdvertisers and publishers seeking network distribution

ShareASaleAdvertisers and publishers seeking network distribution

Public price

Rakuten AdvertisingTerms vary

ShareASaleTerms vary

Pricing model

Rakuten AdvertisingAdvertiser-set commissions

ShareASaleNetwork fees and advertiser commissions

Billing & commerce

Rakuten AdvertisingNetwork tracking, feeds, postbacks, and advertiser integrations

ShareASaleNetwork tracking, feeds, postbacks, and advertiser integrations

Partner discovery

Rakuten AdvertisingPublisher or advertiser network access

ShareASalePublisher or advertiser network access

Payouts

Rakuten AdvertisingNetwork-specific payment and settlement workflows

ShareASaleNetwork-specific payment and settlement workflows

Trial

Rakuten AdvertisingVerify with vendor

ShareASaleVerify with vendor

Rakuten Advertising

Rakuten Advertising is worth evaluating for teams comparing affiliate networks. Confirm its current integrations, attribution rules, pricing, and payout workflow against your program requirements.

Read full review Official site

ShareASale

ShareASale is worth evaluating for teams comparing affiliate networks. Confirm its current integrations, attribution rules, pricing, and payout workflow against your program requirements.

Read full review Official site

Capability check

Subscription attribution

Rakuten AdvertisingVerify — Confirm support for recurring events and subscription commissions.

ShareASaleVerify — Confirm support for recurring events and subscription commissions.

Affiliate portal

Rakuten AdvertisingStrong — Network dashboards commonly serve advertisers and publishers.

ShareASaleStrong — Network dashboards commonly serve advertisers and publishers.

Partner recruitment

Rakuten AdvertisingStrong — Network access is the central discovery and distribution advantage.

ShareASaleStrong — Network access is the central discovery and distribution advantage.

Automated payouts

Rakuten AdvertisingVerify — Review payment thresholds, schedules, methods, regions, and fees.

ShareASaleVerify — Review payment thresholds, schedules, methods, regions, and fees.

Multi-motion PRM

Rakuten AdvertisingLimited — Networks usually focus on performance partnerships rather than full PRM.

ShareASaleLimited — Networks usually focus on performance partnerships rather than full PRM.

After choosing the software, help affiliates find the program

Your tracking platform runs the program. AffiliList makes the offer discoverable by marketers comparing commission rates, payout models, cookie windows, and audience fit.

List your affiliate program

Sources

Rakuten Advertising website ShareASale website