36 Affiliate Programs Like Amazon: Alternatives That Actually Pay

Amazon used to pay affiliates 10% or more on a wide range of product categories. Then the cuts started, and they kept coming. People who had built real income around Amazon links woke up one day to find they had lost more than half of what they were earning, with no warning and no recourse. If that happened to you, or if you just want to stop depending on a company that keeps changing the rules, this post walks through 36 affiliate programs that can replace what Amazon took.

Alston Godbolt broke the programs down by category so you can find the ones that match the audience you already have. You do not need to rebuild from scratch. In most cases you need to swap the link.

What You’ll Walk Out With

A full list of 36 affiliate programs organized by product category
Specific program names for beauty, books, music, tech, toys, home improvement, pets, and gaming
Real commission rate examples pulled from live affiliate network searches
How to use Commission Junction to find programs in any niche in minutes
Why going directly to the product owner often pays better than Amazon
A step-by-step framework for choosing the right program based on your content
How to reach out directly to brands and negotiate custom affiliate arrangements
A free tool to match you with the right income stream at finder.platformproof.com

Why Amazon Is No Longer Affiliate-Friendly

Amazon was once one of the best affiliate programs in existence. Commissions reached 10% or higher across many categories. The product selection was enormous. The brand trust was so strong that conversions came almost automatically. Affiliates built entire full-time incomes around those links.

Then Amazon started slashing. Rates dropped repeatedly across categories. Affiliates promoting furniture, groceries, and home improvement products saw their income fall by more than half without any meaningful notice. The program still exists, but it is no longer what it was, and there is no sign the trend will reverse.

One of the most useful insights in this entire video is that Amazon functions as the middleman between you and the product owners. A significant portion of what you promote on Amazon is manufactured or sold by brands that have their own affiliate programs. You can often go directly to those companies, apply for their programs, and earn better commissions because you cut out the intermediary. That shift alone can recover lost income without requiring you to change your content strategy at all.

Beauty: Madison Reed, BH Cosmetics, and Beauty Store Depot

For creators in the beauty space, three programs stand out as direct Amazon alternatives. Madison Reed is a hair color brand with strong online conversion and an affiliate program suited to beauty-focused creators on YouTube, Instagram, and blogs. BH Cosmetics offers a wide range of affordable makeup products and has worked with influencers across multiple platforms. Beauty Store Depot covers both professional and consumer beauty supplies, which broadens the product selection available to promote.

The beauty niche converts best when content is specific. A general beauty channel competes with thousands of creators. A channel focused on natural hair care, or affordable alternatives to high-end skincare products, speaks directly to a defined group of buyers who are already looking for what you recommend.

Handmade and Custom Goods: Etsy and Redbubble

Audiences that buy handmade, vintage, or custom-designed products have two solid affiliate options. Etsy runs an affiliate program across its entire marketplace, which includes handmade jewelry, vintage items, custom home decor, and print-on-demand products. Redbubble lets artists upload original designs that get printed on shirts, phone cases, wall art, and other products. Both programs convert well when the content is built around unique or gift-oriented products rather than commodity goods.

These are not direct replacements for Amazon’s electronics or household goods categories, but for audiences that value independent makers over mass retail, Etsy and Redbubble fill the gap cleanly.

Music Instruments: Guitar Center, Sam Ash, and Sweetwater

The music instrument niche has three well-established Amazon alternatives. Guitar Center is one of the largest instrument retailers in the United States and runs an affiliate program covering guitars, keyboards, drums, and live sound gear. Sam Ash is another major chain with a broad catalog that spans instruments, recording equipment, and accessories. Sweetwater is the strongest option for creators whose audience includes home recording, music production, or studio work. Their product detail pages are exceptionally thorough, which helps convert buyers who are already researching specific gear.

Alston noted he has separate blog posts covering each of these music affiliate programs in detail. If music is your niche, these three programs cover the majority of what your audience will buy. The average order value in music gear is typically high, so even moderate commission percentages translate into real money per sale.

Physical Books: Barnes and Noble, Indigo Books, and Textbook Solutions

Amazon still dominates book sales, but there are workable alternatives for creators who do book reviews, reading challenges, or recommend resources inside their content. Barnes and Noble has a long-running affiliate program with recognizable brand trust in the US market. Indigo Books serves primarily Canadian readers and is a strong option if a meaningful portion of your audience is in Canada. Textbook Solutions targets students specifically, which makes it relevant for creators producing content around academic topics, study strategies, or student life.

Book commissions are typically lower than physical goods, but books are low-friction purchases. A reader who trusts a specific recommendation will often buy after a single mention without extensive research. Volume matters more in this category than rate.

Amazon Devices: Walmart as the Closest Alternative

For Amazon-branded products like Echo devices, Kindle readers, or Fire TV sticks, Amazon is obviously the only source. But for general electronics and devices, Walmart runs a broad affiliate program covering tech products, home goods, and groceries in a single platform. Commission rates are modest, but Walmart’s brand recognition is strong enough to produce consistent conversion across general audiences. For creators who need a reliable fallback for electronics recommendations, Walmart fills the role Amazon used to play.

Toys: Anova Toys, Lego, and eBay

The toy category is heavily seasonal, with the majority of purchases concentrated in the fourth quarter. Three programs stand out here. Anova Toys offers a direct affiliate option for toy-focused content. Lego runs its own affiliate program, which is notable because the Lego audience is intensely brand-loyal. Buyers who arrive on a Lego-specific recommendation have often already decided they want the product. The click-to-purchase rate for Lego content tends to be strong as a result. eBay has a partner network that works especially well for vintage toys, limited editions, and discontinued items that Amazon no longer carries or prices at a premium.

The eBay affiliate program is also worth considering for any niche that involves collectibles, retro items, or products with significant secondary market demand, not just toys.

Home Improvement: Wayfair, Harbor Freight, and ClickBank

Home improvement splits naturally into two directions. For interior design, furniture, and home decor, Wayfair is the strongest Amazon alternative. Their catalog covers sofas, lighting, rugs, and thousands of other home items, and their affiliate program reflects the broad product selection. Harbor Freight covers the hands-on side of home improvement: tools, woodworking gear, outdoor equipment, and lawn machinery. If your content is about DIY projects, home repairs, or building things, Harbor Freight speaks to that audience directly.

ClickBank enters this category as a digital marketplace with a dedicated home and garden section. ClickBank products are primarily digital guides, courses, and programs rather than physical goods. Commission rates on ClickBank are typically much higher than physical retail. If your content teaches home improvement skills rather than just recommending products, relevant ClickBank offers can complement your physical product recommendations and raise the overall commission earned per piece of content.

Lawn and Garden: Seeds Now, Succulents Box, Home Depot, and Harbor Freight

This category has a few niche-specific programs that Amazon cannot match. Seeds Now serves the gardening and homesteading audience with heirloom and organic seeds. The audience for this type of product tends to be passionate and purchase repeatedly, which helps affiliate earnings over time. Succulents Box runs a subscription model for succulent plants and has built a loyal repeat-purchase customer base. Because it is a subscription, customer lifetime value is higher than a one-time product purchase.

Home Depot has an affiliate program with commission rates that are lower than some alternatives, but the product range and brand recognition make it a consistent performer for home and garden content. Harbor Freight, already mentioned under home improvement, covers outdoor tools and lawn equipment as well, making it a natural cross-category recommendation for homeowners who work on both their property and their garden.

PC Parts: Newegg, Microsoft, and Nvidia

For tech creators covering computer builds, home office setups, or gaming rigs, three programs cover the core product categories. Newegg is the most focused platform for computer components. Someone who lands on Newegg is typically there to purchase a specific part they have already researched, which means purchase intent is high even if commission rates are not dramatically higher than Amazon. Microsoft runs an affiliate program covering software, subscriptions like Microsoft 365, and devices like Surface products. The application process can be somewhat involved, but Alston described the results as worth it once you work through the steps.

Nvidia manufactures graphics cards used in gaming, 3D rendering, and machine learning workloads. The period when this video was filmed saw extreme supply shortages for graphics cards driven by chip manufacturing constraints and demand from cryptocurrency mining. Supply conditions have normalized since 2021. For content covering PC building, gaming hardware, or AI computing, Nvidia’s affiliate program gives you access to one of the most widely recognized brands in the space.

Not sure which of these 36 programs fits your skills and your audience?

Answer a few short questions and get a personalized recommendation at finder.platformproof.com.

Televisions: Roku, B&H Photo, and Walmart

The television category has a few viable Amazon substitutes depending on what type of content you produce. Roku runs an affiliate program covering its streaming devices, Roku-branded TVs, and soundbars. Cord-cutting content, streaming service comparisons, and home theater setup guides are natural fits for Roku affiliate links. B&H Photo is a major electronics retailer with a particular strength in cameras, professional video, and consumer electronics including televisions. Their affiliate program works well for creators whose audience overlaps with photography or professional video production. Walmart again provides broad coverage for general electronics buyers.

A live search inside Commission Junction for “television” surfaced ABT Electronics, an Illinois-based retailer, paying up to 6% commission on home appliances and TVs. That rate is meaningful on large purchases. Four-Wheel Parts appeared in the same search paying between 4% and 7% for automotive and off-road parts. The lesson from this is that affiliate networks surface programs that most affiliates have never heard of, and some of those lesser-known programs pay better than the well-known ones.

Video Games: GameStop, Twitch, and Logitech

Gaming is one of the highest-activity affiliate categories online. GameStop has an affiliate program covering new games, used games, consoles, and accessories. The breadth of the catalog makes it useful for general gaming content. Twitch has an affiliate program designed specifically for streamers who have met the platform’s threshold requirements for hours streamed and concurrent viewers. This is a different model than traditional product referral programs, built around subscription revenue from your own audience rather than sending traffic to a retailer.

Logitech manufactures gaming peripherals including mice, keyboards, headsets, and controllers. Applying directly to Logitech’s affiliate program means working with the product owner rather than through Amazon as the intermediary. Alston highlighted this point throughout the video: when you promote a product on Amazon, Amazon takes a cut between you and the brand. Going directly to Logitech, or any manufacturer with a direct affiliate program, cuts out that layer. Some brands pay better rates precisely because they are not splitting revenue with a marketplace.

The gaming niche also has significant micro-niche potential. Controller accessories, capture cards for streaming setups, retro gaming hardware, specific game genres, and speedrunning all represent sub-niches with their own dedicated audiences and affiliate programs. Niching down inside gaming follows the same logic as niching down inside pets: the more specific your content, the more your audience trusts your recommendations.

Pets: Chewy, Petco, and Paw.com

Pets is one of the largest and most consistent consumer categories online. People spend on their animals regardless of economic conditions, and repeat purchases are built into the category because food, treats, and supplies run out. Chewy is Amazon’s most direct competitor in the pet space and has a well-established affiliate program. They are known for fast shipping and strong customer loyalty, which drives repeat purchase behavior that benefits affiliates over time. Petco has both physical retail locations and an online presence, and their affiliate program covers food, accessories, and veterinary services. Paw.com is a smaller premium retailer focused on higher-end pet products.

Alston’s guidance for the pet niche applies broadly: do not create general pet content. Niche down to a specific animal, then niche down further to a breed or a specific problem. A reader looking for guidance on feeding a senior Doberman Pinscher will trust recommendations from a channel built around that specific dog far more than from a general pet website. That trust is the conversion driver.

Instruments (Again): Guitar Center, Sam Ash, and Sweetwater

Alston closed the category list by returning to Guitar Center, Sam Ash, and Sweetwater, reinforcing that instruments represent one of the stronger affiliate opportunities outside Amazon. If your content touches music at any level, these three programs are where to start. The average transaction in music retail is large, the audience is passionate, and the programs are well-established enough that tracking and payment are reliable.

How to Find Affiliate Programs Beyond This List

The 36 programs above cover specific categories, but the method for finding programs matters more than the list itself. Alston showed three approaches that work in any niche.

The first is a direct Google search. Take any brand you already mention in your content and search for that brand name plus the word “affiliate.” If Sharpie has an affiliate program, searching “Sharpie affiliate” will surface it. Most brands that run affiliate programs have a dedicated page describing the terms and how to apply. This works for any company you already write or talk about.

The second approach is affiliate networks. Commission Junction at cj.com is one of the oldest and largest. Once you are logged in, you can search by brand name or by keyword. Alston ran a live search for “dog” inside the CJ advertiser panel and pulled up dozens of pet-related programs that most affiliates have never found through browsing alone. The same search for “television” surfaced ABT Electronics at 6% and a range of other programs across adjacent categories. Other networks worth joining include ShareASale and FlexOffers. There is some overlap between them, but each network includes brands that the others do not, so joining multiple platforms increases your coverage.

The third approach is direct outreach. Identify a company you want to work with and contact them to propose an arrangement. The message is simple: you are an affiliate marketer with a specific audience, and you would like to explore a commission arrangement for traffic you send that converts. Include your page views or subscriber count so the brand can assess the value of the partnership. If a company says no, move to the next one. The yes responses are where custom arrangements are built, sometimes with higher rates than any public affiliate network would offer.

Dish Network appeared during the CJ search as a subscriber referral program paying $100 per new subscriber. Per-lead payouts like this can outperform percentage-based commission programs, especially when the underlying service has high customer lifetime value. They are worth looking for inside any affiliate network you join.

A Framework for Choosing the Right Program

With 36 programs listed and hundreds more inside any affiliate network, the question is not which programs exist. The question is which program fits your content, your audience, and where you are right now. Work through these steps:

Start with your existing content. If you already write about woodworking, Harbor Freight fits immediately. Do not switch niches to chase a higher commission rate. Your audience is already built around what you know.
Check for a direct program before defaulting to Amazon. For every product you recommend, search the brand name plus “affiliate” to see if they run their own program with better terms.
Join at least one affiliate network. Commission Junction, ShareASale, and FlexOffers each give you searchable access to programs in any niche. Spend an hour searching your topic area and you will surface programs you did not know existed.
Evaluate rate and average order value together. A 1% commission on a $2,000 television is $20. A 10% commission on a $20 book is $2. The highest rate does not always mean the most money.
Consider recurring commissions. Programs where customers pay monthly, like Dish Network subscriptions or software tools, can outperform one-time product commissions over time because the commission compounds with each billing cycle.
Test more than one program on your top pages. Replace the Amazon link on your best-performing content and measure what the alternative converts at. Real data from your specific audience is always more useful than general averages.

Find Your X

Knowing which affiliate programs exist is one thing. Knowing which one actually fits your skills, your audience, and your starting point right now is a different question. If you want a clear, personalized answer, use the free tool at finder.platformproof.com. Answer a few short questions and get a recommendation that matches your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Amazon cut affiliate commissions so dramatically?

Amazon reduced commission rates multiple times, with the most significant cuts coming in 2020 when categories like furniture, home improvement, and grocery dropped sharply. As Amazon grew, it became less dependent on affiliates to drive traffic. The company generates enough organic and paid traffic through its own channels that the affiliate program shifted from being a growth tool to a cost management item. Affiliates who built businesses on those rates had no vote in the decision.

Are Amazon alternatives harder to get approved for?

Some are and some are not. Smaller brands are often easier to get approved by because they actively want affiliates and do not receive the volume of applications that Amazon does. Affiliate networks like Commission Junction and ShareASale require standard applications, and having an established site with some existing content helps. Brand-new sites with no audience will face friction across every program, including Amazon’s. Building audience before applying to programs is the more reliable path.

Can I run multiple affiliate programs at the same time?

Yes, and most affiliates do. The practical limit is not how many programs you join but how many you can integrate naturally into your content without overwhelming your readers. Stacking five competing links on a single page tends to lower conversion rather than raise it. Pick the best match for each product recommendation rather than inserting every available option.

What is Commission Junction and how do I use it?

Commission Junction, now formally branded as CJ Affiliate, is one of the oldest and largest affiliate networks in operation. Brands list their programs on the platform and set their own commission terms. Affiliates apply to individual programs through the CJ dashboard. When approved, you receive tracking links to use in your content, and CJ handles commission tracking, reporting, and payment. You can search the advertiser directory by brand name or by keyword to find programs relevant to any niche.

Is it worth reaching out directly to companies for affiliate deals?

Yes, particularly once you have a defined audience with measurable traffic. Companies without formal affiliate programs sometimes create custom arrangements for creators who bring genuine value. Direct relationships can also grow into sponsored content opportunities, product samples, and higher commissions over time. The downside is that you manage tracking and payment independently rather than through a network, which requires more administrative effort. Starting with networks and moving to direct deals as your audience grows is a reasonable progression.

How do I know which program will actually pay the most?

The only way to know for certain is to test with your specific audience. General estimates come from multiplying commission rate by average order value to get expected revenue per sale, then factoring in how well the program converts your readers. A program paying 8% that your audience rarely clicks through to will earn less than a program paying 4% that converts on a meaningful percentage of visits. Replace your existing links on high-traffic pages and measure results over 30 to 60 days before drawing conclusions.

What niches work best for affiliate marketing outside of Amazon?

Pets, home improvement, music gear, gaming, and software tools all have well-established programs with competitive commissions. Software and subscription-based products often pay recurring commissions, which compound over time in ways that one-time physical product sales do not. The most reliable approach is to start with the niche where you already have knowledge and an audience rather than entering a new space because of the commission rate. Matching programs to audience intent consistently outperforms chasing numbers.

Is the Twitch affiliate program the same as a regular product affiliate program?

No. The Twitch affiliate program is for streamers who meet specific thresholds for followers, hours streamed, and average concurrent viewers. It allows qualified streamers to earn from subscriptions, cheers (Twitch’s virtual currency), and game sales to their own audience. It is not a referral program where you earn by sending outside traffic to Twitch. The model is fundamentally different from the other 35 programs in this list, though the income category is the same: affiliate-style earnings from your content and audience.

Sources

Alston Godbolt, “Other Affiliate Programs Like Amazon 2021 – 36 Amazon Alternatives To Try,” YouTube, https://youtu.be/nMWYMAa6014
Commission Junction affiliate network: cj.com
ShareASale affiliate network: shareasale.com
FlexOffers affiliate network: flexoffers.com
Sweetwater music affiliate program: sweetwater.com
Chewy affiliate program: chewy.com
Wayfair affiliate program: wayfair.com
Newegg affiliate program: newegg.com