Top 20 Affiliate Marketing Programs in India 2026

Some people are quietly making ₹25,000… ₹50,000… even ₹1 lakh+ per month just by sharing links online.

What if you could, too?

This blog reveals the Top 20 Affiliate Apps in 2026 and how affiliate marketing has become the new-age formula for earning more with less effort. If you are ready to start your side earnings, then read it till the end.

What is Affiliate Marketing?

Affiliate marketing means you earn money by promoting someone else’s product. You share a special link → someone buys → you earn a commission.

You don’t need to:

• create a product
• package anything
• manage customer service
• or handle refunds

Your only job? Share the link.

Anyone can start earning with:

• a phone
• Instagram/YouTube
• a blog
• or even a WhatsApp group

If your goal is to maximise earnings, you should focus on high-paying affiliate programs in India - especially in niches like finance, SaaS, web hosting, digital tools, and investment products.

These categories offer higher commission rates compared to standard e-commerce affiliate programs, making them ideal for creators who want to scale their income faster.

Affiliate marketing has become one of the easiest ways to earn money without investment because there’s no barrier to entry and unlimited potential to scale. Affiliate marketing is now a top choice for bloggers, creators, influencers, freelancers, students, and working professionals looking for a second income or an alternate income stream.

Why Affiliate Marketing Has Become a Popular Side-Income Model

The following are some of the reasons why affiliate marketing has become a popular side income model:

• Minimal to zero investment required: No need to buy inventory or manage logistics. A website, blog, or social media profile and content and links are enough.
• Flexible & scalable: You can promote multiple products/services in different niches - from e-commerce to SaaS, education, web-hosting, digital tools, finance, etc. As your audience grows, your potential earnings grow.
• Passive (or semi-passive) income potential: Once links are placed in content (blogs, posts, videos), they can keep generating commissions over time, even while you sleep.
• Suitable for full-time job-holders: Since effort can be scaled depending on time, from a few hours a week to full-time content creation.
• Massive market & internet reach: With rising internet penetration, smartphones, and online shopping (especially in countries like India), affiliate marketing addresses a large audience - giving better odds for conversions.

One of the biggest reasons affiliate marketing exploded in India is the ability to earn money online without investment. You don’t need inventory, capital, or product development - just an affiliate link and consistent content.

Top Affiliate Apps & Programs in 2026 - Best Picks for Side Income

The following are some of the highest-earning affiliate apps that you can use if you are planning to increase your income.

If you’re new to the industry, start with affiliate programs for beginners like Amazon Associates, Flipkart Affiliate, EarnKaro, or the InvestKraft Partner Program. These require no prior experience or existing audience, making them perfect for first-time affiliates. Now, let us understand each affiliate program in detail.

InvestKraft Partner Program

What if you could earn money just by helping people choose better financial products? And what if one single app let you sell insurance, loans, and investments - all together?

The InvestKraft Partner Program lets you earn by recommending financial products to your network. You get your own free website, a personalised QR code, lead-tracking tools, and a dedicated support team. No product knowledge? No problem, the app guides you through everything. Earn by simply sharing and selling from your phone.

Be a Digital Entrepreneur - Grow Your Business with IK Partner #IKPartner

The following table shows the IK Partner affiliate program:

Amazon Affiliate Program

Imagine earning money every time someone buys anything - from a mobile cover to a microwave - just because they clicked your link. What if your late-night product searches could actually earn you income?

Amazon Associates is one of the world’s largest affiliate programs. You promote any product from Amazon, share your unique link, and earn a commission when people buy. No approvals for each product, no minimum traffic required - anyone can start immediately. 

The following table shows the summary of the Amazon affiliate program:

Since these programs have zero investment and flexible work hours, they are also among the best affiliate apps for students who want to earn while studying without taking a full-time job.

Flipkart Affiliate Program

What if every Diwali sale, Big Billion Day offer, and daily discount could secretly grow your bank balance? All by just sharing product links?

Flipkart’s affiliate program lets you earn commissions when people shop using your link. It’s especially powerful for niches like electronics, appliances, and mobile accessories because Flipkart dominates Indian e-commerce. 

The following table shows the summary of the Flipkart affiliate program:

EarnKaro Affiliate Program

What if earning commission were as simple as sharing a link on WhatsApp? No website, no blog, no followers, just pure sharing?

EarnKaro lets you earn money by creating profit links for products across Amazon, Flipkart, Ajio, Myntra and more. You simply share the link, and when someone buys, you get a profit. It’s beginner-friendly and works great for students, homemakers, and anyone who loves sharing deals.

Meesho Affiliate Program

Can a simple reselling app become a full-time income source? Meesho makes it possible for anyone without a store or website.

Meesho lets you earn by promoting Meesho products to your network. Share catalogues, take orders, earn margins or commissions. Works amazingly well for lifestyle, clothing, home décor, and accessories niches - especially for WhatsApp/Instagram sellers.

Hostinger Affiliate Program

What if just recommending a hosting plan could earn you more than selling an actual gadget? Yes - hosting commissions can be surprisingly high.

Hostinger pays some of the highest affiliate commissions in the hosting industry. Ideal for creators in tech, blogging, freelancing, and online business niches. The following table shows the summary of  the Hostinger affiliate program:

Bluehost Affiliate Program

What if a single blog post recommending hosting could pay you for months, even years? Hosting affiliate programs is a goldmine for content creators.

Bluehost is popular among bloggers and small business owners. Its affiliate program offers high commissions per sale and works well with tutorials, blogs, and YouTube reviews. The following table shows the summary of the Bluehost affiliate program:

ClickBank Affiliate Program

What if you could earn in dollars instead of rupees, without any investment? ClickBank makes global commissions easy.

ClickBank is a global marketplace for digital products like ebooks, courses, tools, and software. Known for extremely high commissions (40%–75%), it’s perfect for bloggers, email marketers, and niche creators looking for passive USD income.

Etsy Affiliate Program

Love promoting unique, handmade, or aesthetic products? Etsy affiliates earn with every creative recommendation.

The Etsy affiliate program lets you earn by promoting handmade crafts, décor, digital prints, stickers, templates and more. Works great for lifestyle influencers, Pinterest creators, and aesthetics/DIY bloggers.

Impact Affiliate Network

What if you could work with global giants - Adidas, Airbnb, Lenovo - without sending a single cold email? Just apply, promote, and earn.

Impact is one of the most reputable affiliate marketplaces. It offers premium brands with higher payouts, detailed analytics, and long cookie durations. Perfect for creators who want to scale seriously. The following table shows the summary of the Impact affiliate program:

Awin Affiliate Network

What if one login opened the door to thousands of big brands - travel, fashion, tech, finance - all paying you to bring customers?

Awin is a global affiliate network where you can choose from top international brands. The platform is flexible for bloggers, influencers, and niche website owners. Once approved, you can promote multiple brands through a single dashboard. The following table shows the summary of the Awin affiliate program:

Coursera Affiliate Program

Imagine earning money every time someone learns a new skill, gets certified, or upgrades their career - all through your link.

Coursera partners with top universities. You earn a commission when users enrol in paid courses or degree programs through your link. Works beautifully for career, education, and upskilling content.

The following table shows the summary of the Coursera affiliate program:

Udemy Affiliate Program

What if your followers could learn anything - coding, cooking, marketing - and you got paid each time they did?

Udemy offers thousands of courses across every possible category. Since courses often sell at low prices during sales, conversions are high, making it great for beginners. The following table shows the summary of the Udemy affiliate program:

Canva Affiliate Program

What if recommending a simple design tool could give you passive income every time someone upgrades to Pro?

Canva’s affiliate program pays well for Canva Pro subscriptions. Ideal for creators, freelancers, students, marketers - basically anyone who designs online. 

The following table shows the summary of the Canva affiliate program:

Shopify Affiliate Program

What if every new online store you inspired someone to start earned you a high-ticket commission? E-commerce is booming - and you can ride the wave.

Shopify pays high commissions when users sign up for paid store plans through your referral. Ideal for creators teaching business, dropshipping, marketing, or freelancing. 

The following table shows the summary of the Shopify affiliate program:

How to Use Affiliate Marketing Effectively (Tips & Best Practices)

Affiliate marketing isn’t just about pasting links everywhere. It works only when your content, audience, and product recommendations align. The following are some of the most effective tips and best practices to make affiliate marketing work - especially as a side income:

Pick Affiliate Programs That Match Your Content

Your niche decides your income.

• If you write about loans, finance, or investments, promote financial products, fintech apps, EMI calculators, insurance, or referral programs.
• If your content is lifestyle, gadgets, or general e-commerce, Amazon, Flipkart, and product-review programs work far better.

Right product + right audience = higher conversions.

Create Content That “Helps”, Not Sells

Users don’t click links. They click value. Focus on content formats that genuinely solve problems:

• Reviews
• Comparisons
• How-to guides
• Step-by-step tutorials
• Lists and recommendations

Your link should feel helpful, not pushy.

Use SEO to Bring Long-Term Passive Traffic

Search traffic = steady clicks without extra effort.

Target simple keywords like:

• “Best hosting for beginners”
• “Loan EMI calculator”
• “Top gadgets under ₹1000”
• “Best credit cards for travellers”

SEO brings visitors for months, sometimes years.

Be Transparent. It Builds Trust

People buy when they trust you.

• Clearly disclose that you use affiliate links.
• Give honest pros & cons.
• Suggest alternative options instead of forcing one product.

Authenticity increases conversions more than aggressive selling.

Don’t Depend on One Affiliate Program

If one brand changes its policy, your income shouldn’t collapse. Mix programs:

• E-commerce (Amazon, Flipkart)
• Services (hosting, SaaS tools)
• Courses (Udemy, Coursera)
• Finance/Fintech referrals

Diversification = stability.

Use Multiple Platforms to Promote

Don’t rely only on your blog. Spread your reach.

• Instagram/Reels: great for product tags, short reviews, lifestyle content
• YouTube: best for tutorials, comparisons, unboxings
• Blog/Website: ideal for SEO and evergreen content
• Email/Newsletter: perfect for deals, curated lists, and product picks

More platforms = more clicks.

Track What Works

Data tells you exactly what brings income. Always check:

• Which products convert
• Which pages get clicks
• Which posts bring sales
• What your audience is searching for

Update old content. Refresh links. Improve your top posts. Small changes often bring big improvements.

Prioritise User Value Over Commissions

The biggest mistake in affiliate marketing?Overselling. Instead:

• Recommend products you trust
• Share personal experiences when possible
• Focus on solving problems, not pushing links

When users benefit, your income grows naturally.

Why 2026 is an Especially Good Time to Start Affiliate Marketing

If there was ever a “perfect moment” to start affiliate marketing, it’s 2026. The industry is booming, the audience is ready, and the earning opportunities are bigger than ever. Here’s why this year can change your income game:

• India’s Internet Boom: Every month, millions of new users come online. And most of them are comfortable shopping digitally. More online shoppers means more clicks, more conversions, and more affiliate commissions.
• Small Creators are Finally Getting Big Results: You don’t need a huge following anymore. Micro-influencers, small bloggers, even niche Instagram accounts are seeing high conversions - because users now prefer relatable creators over big celebrities.
• More Niches, Higher Margins: Affiliate marketing is no longer limited to Amazon or Flipkart. 2026 brings high-commission niches like digital tools, edtech and courses, fintech apps, SaaS tools, subscription services
• Easier Onboarding: Most affiliate networks now accept new bloggers, small creators, fresh websites, and even people without a website. Starting no longer requires traffic, followers, or experience.
• Content Creation is Faster and Easier than Ever: Short-form video, AI-assisted tools, reels, YouTube Shorts. All help you reach thousands of users within minutes.

Conclusion

In most affiliate links India programs, your unique tracking link records every click, sign-up, or purchase made by your audience. If the user completes the action within the cookie period, you automatically receive a commission.

Affiliate marketing isn’t a get-rich-quick trick, but in 2026, it is one of the simplest, most scalable ways to build a second income. And the best part? Anyone can start.

Whether you’re a blogger, social media creator, freelancer, or someone who simply wants to monetise their daily online activity, affiliate programs give you a real chance to earn.

From evergreen giants like Amazon Associates and Flipkart to high-earning programs like IK Partner, Hostinger, BigRock, SaaS tools, and more, the opportunities are bigger than ever.

The secret is simple:

• Pick the right programs.
• Create honest, helpful content.
• Diversify your affiliate sources.
• Stay consistent.

Do these, and your affiliate income won’t just “add up”; it can become a dependable earning stream. For many creators, affiliate income eventually grows bigger than their main salary. And in 2026, that possibility is more real than ever.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Affiliate Marketing

Q. What is affiliate marketing exactly?

Affiliate marketing is a performance-based marketing model where you, as an affiliate, promote someone else’s products/services via a unique link. When a purchase or desired action happens through that link, you earn a commission.

Q. Do I need investment to start affiliate marketing?

Not necessarily. One of the biggest advantages of affiliate marketing is that you can start with little to no investment. All you need is a blog, social media account, or some digital presence + content creation.

Q. How much can I earn per month from affiliate marketing?

Earnings vary widely: beginners may earn from a few thousand rupees a month; with consistency and traffic, many earn ₹25,000–₹1,00,000/month (or even more), depending on niche, effort, and conversions.

Q. Which affiliate programs are best for beginners in India?

Programs like Amazon Associates, Flipkart Affiliate, and networks like EarnKaro or Admitad (with multiple brand options) are among the best for beginners due to ease of joining, wide product range, and trusted platforms.

Q. Can I do affiliate marketing via Instagram or social media (e.g. Affiliate marketing Instagram)?

Yes - many affiliates use social media platforms (Instagram, YouTube, etc.) to share affiliate links. This can work especially well for product reviews, unboxing, lifestyle, fashion, tech gadgets, and similar niches - provided the audience finds value.

Q. Is affiliate marketing only for product sales (e-commerce)?

No. Affiliate marketing includes not only physical product sales but also digital products, SaaS tools, courses, subscriptions, services (like hosting, financial products), and any merchant that offers an affiliate/referral program.

Q. How soon can I start earning after joining an affiliate program?

It depends on traffic, content quality, and niche. Some may start seeing small earnings within a few weeks or months; significant income typically requires consistent content creation and promotion over several months.

Q. Is there any proof that affiliate marketing really works / people earn from it (Affiliate marketing earning proof)?

Yes. Many affiliate marketers publish case studies, earnings screenshots, or share monthly income reports. While results vary, there are enough real examples - from small-time bloggers to full-time affiliate marketers - to prove it works if done properly.

Q. Do I need a website/blog to do affiliate marketing?

Not strictly - you can use social media platforms (Instagram, YouTube, etc.), email newsletters, or other content channels. However, having a website/blog gives more control, better SEO, and helps build long-term evergreen content.

Q. How do I ensure I don’t get penalised or lose credibility while doing affiliate marketing?

Transparency and value are key. Always disclose that the links are affiliate links. Promote only products you trust and which add value to your audience. Avoid over-selling, and focus on honest reviews and helpful content.

Author: Diwakar Kumar Singh

Diwakar Kumar Singh is an accomplished content creator with over 6 years of experience in crafting both long-form and short-form content.

 

A gold medalist in MBA (Marketing) from IMT and a qualified petroleum engineer, Diwakar brings a results-driven mindset to his work. His passion for writing enables him to produce compelling and engaging content that resonates with diverse audiences.