ChatGPT answers, unedited

Yes. If you’re an indie dev and need one affiliate system spanning web + iOS/Android, there are a few options, but they differ substantially in complexity.

My shortlist

• affref.com — probably the closest fit. It specifically supports web + mobile app affiliate attribution, with iOS/Android SDKs, Universal Links/App Links, and conversion tracking through RevenueCat, Adapty, Qonversion, and StoreKit. It advertises a flat ~$49/mo / $99 Pro pricing model rather than an MAU-based MMP bill. AffRef
• insertaffiliate.com — worth looking at. It explicitly handles both web and in-app purchases from one affiliate dashboard, including Stripe, RevenueCat, and direct App Store/Play Store transactions. It also has SDKs for Swift, Kotlin, React Native, Flutter, Unity, and JavaScript. Insert Affiliate
• branch.io — the heavyweight/reliable option. Branch is much more of a full mobile attribution/deep-linking platform than a simple affiliate tool. It can track journeys across web → app → conversion and provides deferred deep linking. Its current Intro plan is $39/mo, with 1 app, 25k clicks/month, and 5k volume credits, although more serious usage can get expensive. Branch Branch Help Center
• tolt.com — excellent for web/SaaS, but I'd be cautious for native app purchases. It has very nice Stripe/Paddle/Chargebee integration and automatic affiliate/refund handling, but its core positioning is SaaS/web rather than App Store/Google Play attribution. Tolt Tolt Help Center

What I'd pick as an indie dev

If your setup is something like:

affiliate link → landing page → iOS/Android app → subscription via RevenueCat

I'd start with AffRef or Insert Affiliate.

That's fundamentally different from just putting an affiliate cookie on your website. You need to preserve the affiliate identity through:

affiliate click → mobile browser → App Store/Play Store → install → first launch → account creation → purchase

and then associate the eventual purchase with the affiliate. That's where Universal Links/App Links + deferred deep linking + server-side purchase events become important.

If you're already using RevenueCat, AffRef is particularly interesting because it claims native RevenueCat conversion handling, including trials, refunds, and trial-to-paid transitions. AffRef

If your priority is maximum attribution robustness rather than lowest cost, Branch is the safer established infrastructure choice; Google itself lists Branch alongside Adjust, AppsFlyer, Kochava, and Singular as app-attribution partners for mobile conversion tracking. Google Help

One caveat: I'd test any of these with your exact purchase flow before committing. The hardest cases are usually iOS deferred deep linking, reinstall/device changes, users who click on desktop but install on mobile, and subscription renewals/refunds—not simply recording the initial affiliate click.

If you tell me your stack (e.g. Next.js + Swift/Flutter/React Native + RevenueCat/Stripe) and whether you're selling subscriptions or one-time purchases, I can narrow this down to the best 1–2 choices and explain exactly how I'd wire the attribution.

Yes. For an indie dev, the key is finding something that handles deferred deep linking + mobile app events, not just web cookies. Traditional affiliate software often breaks when the journey is:

Creator link → App Store/Play Store → install → signup → subscription/IAP

The tools I’d look at:

For an indie dev, I’d usually narrow it down like this:

• You have a subscription app using RevenueCat: start with Insert Affiliate or AffRef. affref.cominsertaffiliate.com
• You mainly work with YouTubers, TikTok creators, newsletters, etc.: look at Ferry or similar deferred deep-link-focused tools. ferrylink.io
• You need a full marketing attribution stack (ads + affiliates + analytics): consider Branch/AppsFlyer/Adjust.

A few things I would require before trusting any affiliate platform:

1. Server-side conversion confirmation (not just a client-side “purchase happened” event).
2. Deferred deep links (install can happen after the click).
3. Subscription lifecycle tracking (trial → paid → renewal → refund).
4. Fraud controls (duplicate installs, self-referrals, fake clicks).
5. Export/API access so you are not locked into their dashboard.

If you’re a solo dev launching one app, I would avoid building this yourself unless you already have backend attribution infrastructure. The edge cases around iOS installs, privacy restrictions, and subscription attribution are where DIY systems tend to fail. www.tapp.so

If you tell me your stack (iOS/Android/web, RevenueCat vs Stripe, Flutter/React Native/native, and whether affiliates are influencers or traditional publishers), I can narrow it to 2–3 realistic choices.

Yes. If by “affiliate tracking” you mean a creator/affiliate sends someone to your site or app, and you want to reliably credit that affiliate when the person later installs, signs up, or pays, there are a few good options.

My pick for an indie dev: Branch

Branch is probably the closest match if you need one tracking system spanning web + iOS + Android.

It can:

• Generate unique links for each affiliate/creator.
• Track the initial web click.
• Deep-link users into the app when installed.
• Preserve attribution through the app-install process with deferred deep linking.
• Track downstream app events such as signup or purchase.
• Handle web → app journeys and cross-platform attribution.
• Send attribution data through APIs/webhooks rather than forcing everything into its dashboard. www.branch.io

Branch specifically documents affiliate/creator campaigns as a use case, and its Ad Links support both web and app conversions. help.branch.io

One important caveat: “reliable” doesn't mean every iOS install can be deterministically tied to a click. Apple's privacy restrictions make some install attribution probabilistic/limited. Branch has several attribution mechanisms and explicitly distinguishes guaranteed matches from lower-confidence matches. help.branch.io

AppsFlyer is the other serious option

AppsFlyer is traditionally an MMP (mobile measurement partner), but in 2026 it also offers web attribution, so it can unify web and mobile measurement. www.appsflyer.com

I'd lean toward:

There's an important distinction

Neither Branch nor AppsFlyer is really a complete “affiliate network” in the sense of handling:

affiliate signup → commission rules → affiliate dashboard → payouts → tax forms → fraud prevention → tracking

They're primarily the attribution layer.

For an indie product, I'd actually consider a hybrid:

Affiliate link
→ yourdomain.com/r/alex
→ Branch attribution/deep link
→ web or App Store
→ signup/purchase event
→ your backend records affiliate_id
→ commission calculated in your DB

That gives you control over commissions while outsourcing the nastiest part—the web → App Store → install → app conversion attribution problem.

If you tell me your stack (e.g. Stripe + React/Next.js + iOS/Android, RevenueCat, etc.), I can recommend the cheapest practical setup and explain exactly how I'd wire the affiliate ID through the web and app.

Yes. If you want one system that can track affiliate/referral clicks → web conversion and affiliate/referral click → mobile-app install/purchase, I’d look at Branch first.

Branch is particularly suited to this because it combines:

• Web attribution — tracks clicks and web conversion events through its Web SDK. Branch Help Center
• Mobile attribution — iOS/Android SDKs can attribute installs, opens, and downstream events to the originating link. Branch Help Center Branch Help Center
• Web → app journeys — a referral link can take someone through your website, into the App Store/Google Play, and then attribute the eventual app conversion. Branch Help Center
• Deep/deferred deep linking — useful if an affiliate sends someone to your site but they need to install the app before completing the conversion.
• Attribution windows — you can define how long after a click a conversion can receive credit. Branch Help Center
• APIs/webhooks/exports if you want to feed commissions into your own backend. Branch

branch.io

The catch for an indie dev

Branch is more of an attribution/deep-linking infrastructure layer than a turnkey "affiliate program" product.

So if your goal is:

"Let 50 creators have unique links, pay them 20% of sales, and automatically reconcile commissions across my website + iOS + Android"

I'd probably not build the entire affiliate system around Branch alone.

A good architecture would be:

Affiliate platform → generates affiliate IDs/links
Branch → handles cross-platform click + web/app attribution
Your backend → records the authoritative purchase + calculates commission

That separation is much safer than trying to make a browser cookie or App Store referral parameter your source of truth.

Another serious option: AppsFlyer

AppsFlyer is worth considering if you're expecting the app to become a significant acquisition channel. It now has Web Performance Measurement, intended to unify web and mobile attribution. AppsFlyer AppsFlyer

appsflyer.com

For a small indie product, though, I'd generally lean Branch for simplicity, unless you already have sophisticated mobile UA/advertising requirements.

What I'd choose

One important caveat: "reliably" doesn't mean 100% user-level attribution on iOS. Apple's privacy mechanisms limit what any attribution provider can observe. Branch explicitly distinguishes deterministic attribution from probabilistic methods and notes that some iOS install attribution won't have a guaranteed match. Branch Help Center

If you tell me what you're building (SaaS, game, consumer app, etc.), your stack (e.g. Stripe + Next.js + React Native), and whether affiliates get paid per signup or purchase, I can narrow this down to 2–3 concrete setups that won't be overkill for an indie dev.

Yes. For an indie dev, there are a few options, but the “right” one depends on whether your money happens through web checkout (Stripe, Lemon Squeezy, etc.), native app purchases (App Store / Google Play), or both.

The hard part is that normal affiliate software is built around cookies. Mobile apps break that model because the user often goes:

affiliate link → App Store/Play Store → install → signup → subscription

The tracking ID can disappear unless you use deep links, SDKs, or server-side attribution.

A few tools worth looking at:

For a typical indie app, I’d narrow it down like this:

• Subscription app using RevenueCat + App Store/Play subscriptions: start with something mobile-native like Insert Affiliate or AffRef. affref.cominsertaffiliate.com
• Web SaaS + mobile app hybrid: AffRef is closer to the “one affiliate dashboard for everything” idea. affref.cominsertaffiliate.com
• You expect lots of paid acquisition and influencer campaigns: pair an affiliate tool with a mobile attribution platform rather than trying to make one tool do everything. support.google.com

For an indie dev, I would specifically look for these features before committing:

1. Deferred deep links

The affiliate link should survive an install from the App Store/Play Store.

2. Server-side conversion confirmation

The app or backend should report “this user subscribed” rather than trusting browser tracking.

3. RevenueCat / StoreKit / Play Billing support

Especially if your revenue is subscription-based.

4. Refund and cancellation handling

Otherwise you may pay affiliates for revenue you later lose.

5. Exportable data

Avoid being locked into a black-box attribution system.

If you tell me your stack (iOS/Android/web, Flutter/React Native/native, RevenueCat or Stripe, subscription vs one-time purchase), I can narrow it to the best 2–3 choices.

Yes. If you’re an indie dev and need one system that can track affiliate → web conversion and affiliate → mobile-app conversion, I’d look first at Branch.

Branch supports web + iOS + Android links, deep linking, deferred deep linking, and attribution. It specifically supports affiliate/partner campaigns and can send conversion data back via postbacks. www.branch.io

My shortlist

Branch is probably the best fit if your app is the important part. Its links can carry the affiliate/campaign identifier from the initial click through an install and into an in-app conversion. It also supports web conversions, so you don't need completely separate attribution infrastructure. www.branch.io

One important caveat: “reliable” doesn't mean 100% deterministic on mobile. iOS privacy restrictions make install attribution inherently less certain in some situations. Branch's current documentation explicitly distinguishes guaranteed matches from probabilistic/non-guaranteed attribution, particularly after iOS 14. help.branch.io

AppsFlyer is the other serious option. Its OneLink system provides a single multi-platform link with campaign/site/sub-site identifiers and supports iOS Universal Links and Android App Links. support.appsflyer.com I'd generally lean AppsFlyer if you expect sophisticated mobile acquisition/marketing; Branch feels more attractive when you're a small team wanting links + deep linking + attribution without building a giant marketing stack.

For an indie SaaS/app, I'd architect it like this

Affiliate link → Branch → web OR App Store/Play Store → signup/install → purchase → Branch event → affiliate payout

Give each affiliate a unique affiliate_id, and record your own first-party conversion record as well. Don't make the affiliate platform your sole source of truth.

If you tell me what you're building (iOS/Android/web), what the conversion is (subscription, purchase, signup, etc.), and roughly how many affiliates you expect, I can narrow this down to the cheapest practical setup and tell you whether Branch is actually worth paying for versus rolling a lightweight system yourself.

Yes. There are now a few tools that can cover both web and mobile-app affiliate attribution, but the right choice depends heavily on whether you're selling subscriptions through Stripe, App Store/Google Play, or both.

My shortlist for an indie dev

1. I'd look closely at AffRef

AffRef

It's specifically positioning itself around both SaaS/web and mobile apps, with iOS/Android SDKs, Universal Links/App Links, and integrations with RevenueCat, Adapty, Qonversion, and StoreKit. It also claims first-party web tracking and a flat pricing model rather than MAU-based pricing. affref.com

That combination is unusually attractive for an indie developer because you can have:

Affiliate link → website → signup/purchase

and

Affiliate link → App Store/Google Play → install → subscription/purchase

feeding into the same affiliate program.

If you're already using RevenueCat, I'd put this near the top of the list.

2. Appfiliate is another one worth evaluating

Appfiliate documentation

Appfiliate now has a mobile SDK for iOS, Android, Flutter and React Native. Their model is straightforward: affiliate link → install → SDK records install → purchase gets attributed to the affiliate. They explicitly say it doesn't require IDFA or an ATT prompt. docs.appfiliate.io

I'd consider it particularly if your product is mobile-first and you want a relatively small SDK rather than a huge mobile measurement platform.

3. Branch is the serious/professional option

Branch

Branch is much more of a full attribution/deep-linking platform. Its links can handle web → app journeys, deferred deep linking, iOS Universal Links, Android App Links, and app conversions. help.branch.io

The downside for an indie dev is complexity and likely cost. I'd use Branch if attribution is becoming a major part of your growth operation, rather than simply because you need an affiliate program.

What I wouldn't do

I wouldn't use something like Rewardful alone if your requirement is genuinely web + native app.

Rewardful

Rewardful is excellent for Stripe-based web/SaaS affiliate programs: it tracks referrals and commissions and syncs billing events such as upgrades, downgrades, cancellations and refunds. help.rewardful.com

But that's fundamentally different from solving "affiliate clicked on web → installed my iOS app → bought an in-app subscription."

You'd end up bolting a mobile attribution system onto it.

The architecture I'd aim for

If I were building an indie app today, I'd want:

Affiliate
→ unique affiliate URL
→ first-party web tracking
→ landing page
→ either Stripe checkout or App Store / Google Play
→ mobile SDK/deep link attribution
→ purchase event
→ affiliate commission

And importantly, I'd make your backend/user ID the source of truth for the eventual conversion, rather than trusting a browser cookie alone.

That's especially important with iOS. Modern app attribution isn't simply "cookie follows user into app"; platform privacy restrictions mean you want deterministic mechanisms such as Universal Links/App Links and SDK-supported attribution where possible. Branch, for example, explicitly distinguishes deterministic deep-link attribution from lower-confidence methods and supports server-side/user-ID augmentation. help.branch.io

If you tell me your stack (e.g. Next.js + Stripe + React Native + RevenueCat), I can narrow this down to the cheapest/reliable setup I'd actually choose for an indie app, including what I'd use for the affiliate link, mobile attribution, and commission calculation.

Yes. For an indie dev, I’d look at Branch + an affiliate platform, or Insert Affiliate if you specifically want affiliate/referral tracking without assembling a larger attribution stack.

My shortlist

1. Branch — best general-purpose foundation

Branch is particularly good if your funnel is:

affiliate link → web landing page → app install → in-app purchase/subscription

Branch handles deep links and cross-device/app attribution, and its affiliate integrations can pass conversion events back via postbacks. For example, its current Partnerize integration supports affiliate attribution across web and app, including clicks, installs, conversion events, and deep linking. help.branch.io

The downside: Branch can be more infrastructure than an indie app actually needs.

2. Insert Affiliate — probably the most interesting indie-friendly option

Insert Affiliate is explicitly built around affiliate attribution for apps. It can use its own deep links or integrate with Branch/AppsFlyer, and its docs describe tracking the affiliate through the app install and ultimately attributing the purchase. docs.insertaffiliate.comdocs.insertaffiliate.com

Their documented simplest setup is essentially:

Insert Affiliate → deep link → app → purchase verification

They also support web transactions, including Stripe and RevenueCat-based setups. docs.insertaffiliate.comdocs.insertaffiliate.com

That is much closer to what I'd want as an indie developer than deploying a full enterprise marketing stack.

3. AppsFlyer + RevenueCat — best if mobile subscriptions are the core business

AppsFlyer is a serious mobile attribution platform. It tracks installs and post-install events, and can send conversion events to partners via postbacks. support.appsflyer.com

If you're using RevenueCat for subscriptions, the integration gets particularly compelling: RevenueCat can send purchases, trials, renewals, etc. to AppsFlyer, and can also send web subscription events through AppsFlyer's web API. www.revenuecat.com

RevenueCat itself also supports attribution providers including AppsFlyer, Branch, Adjust, Singular, and others. www.revenuecat.com

What I'd choose

One important distinction: affiliate management and mobile attribution aren't necessarily the same product. You want something that can preserve the affiliate ID from the initial web click all the way through install → account creation → purchase, then ideally send a server-side conversion/postback. That's substantially more reliable than just putting ?ref=123 on a website URL.

If you tell me your stack (e.g. iOS/Android + Stripe/RevenueCat + web framework) and whether affiliates will be individual creators or an affiliate network, I can narrow this down to the simplest/cheapest architecture.

Yes. If you need one system that can reliably attribute affiliate/referral conversions across both your website and iOS/Android app, I’d look at AppsFlyer first.

AppsFlyer supports web + mobile attribution, deep links, deferred deep links, and in-app events. Its OneLink system can send an affiliate click to your website, App Store/Google Play, or directly into the app, while preserving the referral context through installation. support.appsflyer.com

My shortlist

Google currently lists AppsFlyer, Adjust, Branch, Kochava and Singular as supported mobile attribution partners for deferred deep linking. support.google.com

The important distinction: FirstPromoter/Tolt are much easier if your "app" is essentially a web/SaaS product. If you have a genuine native iOS/Android app where the affiliate sends someone through an app-store install and you need to know which affiliate ultimately caused the signup/purchase, I'd favor a mobile attribution platform.

For example:

Affiliate link → landing page → App Store → install → signup → $20 purchase

AppsFlyer can carry the attribution through that journey and report the resulting in-app event. It also has SDKs/plugins for native apps, React Native, Flutter, Unity, etc. dev.appsflyer.com

One caveat for an indie dev

Don't assume "reliable" means 100% deterministic user-level attribution, particularly on iOS. Apple's privacy restrictions can limit attribution signals. AppsFlyer itself notes differences in what attribution data is available for non-consenting iOS users, while Branch similarly distinguishes guaranteed matches from less-certain attribution. support.appsflyer.com

So I'd architect it as:

affiliate ID → attribution provider → your backend → conversion/payout ledger

rather than letting the affiliate platform itself be the sole source of truth.

If you tell me (1) your app stack (native/React Native/Flutter/etc.), (2) Stripe/App Store/Google Play billing, and (3) whether affiliates earn recurring commissions, I can narrow this down to the cheapest 1–2 options that actually fit an indie app.

Yes. For an indie dev, I’d look at an attribution platform + affiliate tracker, rather than trying to stitch cookies, App Store/Play Store data, and deep links together yourself.

Best fits

1. AppsFlyer + an affiliate platform — my strongest choice for reliability

AppsFlyer handles the hard mobile-attribution part: web → app-store → install → in-app event. Its OneLink system supports a single link across iOS/Android, deep linking, and deferred deep linking. www.appsflyer.com

For affiliates specifically, you can pair it with something like Everflow. Everflow has an AppsFlyer integration that lets you combine web/affiliate acquisition with app installs, purchases, subscriptions, and other in-app events. www.everflow.io

The architecture would look roughly like:

Affiliate link → your website → App Store/Google Play → app install → purchase/subscription → AppsFlyer → Everflow/postback → affiliate gets credit

That's much more robust than trying to identify an affiliate from a browser cookie after the user moves into an app.

2. Branch — potentially simpler if you want one system

Branch is particularly focused on cross-platform journeys. It supports web and app measurement, deep links, configurable attribution windows, and postbacks. www.branch.io Branch also explicitly supports affiliate/partner attribution and sending in-app conversions back to affiliate networks. www.branch.io

I'd investigate Branch first if your main requirement is "affiliate clicks can start on the web but the money might be made inside the app."

One important caveat

"Reliable" doesn't mean perfect attribution—especially on iOS. Privacy restrictions mean some attribution is probabilistic or dependent on Apple's measurement mechanisms. AppsFlyer, for example, documents different attribution methods for Android vs. iOS and notes that device matching on iOS is subject to ATT consent. support.appsflyer.com

So I'd avoid building your business around a model like:

affiliate cookie = guaranteed app conversion

Instead, have the affiliate ID travel through the attribution link and let the MMP (AppsFlyer/Branch) establish the app-side attribution.

What I'd choose as an indie

If you tell me what your app does, whether the conversion is a subscription/IAP/physical purchase, and roughly how many affiliate conversions you expect per month, I can narrow this down to the cheapest setup that I'd actually recommend for an indie.

Yes. For an indie dev, the tricky part is that web affiliate tracking and mobile app attribution are fundamentally different problems:

• Web: cookies, referral IDs, Stripe checkout events, server webhooks.
• Mobile: app store handoff, deferred deep links, iOS privacy restrictions, subscriptions/in-app purchases, refunds.

A reliable setup usually uses either an affiliate platform built for apps or a mobile attribution provider + affiliate layer. Some options:

For an indie developer, I’d usually avoid starting with a heavy enterprise MMP unless you already have meaningful acquisition spend. A practical stack is often:

Option A — subscription app

Affiliate links
      ↓
Deep link / referral tracker
      ↓
App install
      ↓
RevenueCat subscription event
      ↓
Affiliate commission payout

Option B — SaaS/web + mobile app

Affiliate platform
      ↓
Web conversion webhook (Stripe/Lemon Squeezy/etc.)
      ↓
Mobile SDK/deferred deep link
      ↓
In-app purchase/subscription event

Things I would insist the tool supports before trusting it with payouts:

• ✅ Deferred deep links (click → install → credit affiliate later)
• ✅ Server-side conversion confirmation (not just client events)
• ✅ Subscription renewals
• ✅ Refund/chargeback clawbacks
• ✅ iOS + Android support
• ✅ Exportable conversion ledger
• ✅ Fraud controls

One caution: no tool can perfectly attribute every iOS install because Apple limits tracking. The most reliable systems use a combination of deep links, account-level referral IDs, and server-side purchase verification rather than relying only on cookies or device fingerprinting. docs.appfiliate.io

If you’re a solo indie dev, I’d narrow it down by your monetization:

1. iOS/Android subscription app?
2. One-time purchase app?
3. Web SaaS + mobile companion?
4. Selling through Stripe, App Store subscriptions, Google Play Billing, or something else?

The best choice changes a lot based on that.

Yes. If you mean one system that can attribute an affiliate click on the web → app install → in-app purchase, there are a few viable options.

Best fits for an indie developer

1. Branch — probably the most natural fit

Branch is built around links/deep linking and can connect web and app journeys. Its links support web conversions, app conversions, deferred deep linking, iOS Universal Links, and Android App Links. www.branch.io

A typical flow would be:

affiliate link → your website → App Store/Google Play → install → app opens → signup/purchase → affiliate gets credit

Branch can also associate downstream events with the original link and lets you define attribution windows. help.branch.io

2. AppsFlyer — stronger MMP/attribution platform

AppsFlyer's OneLink is specifically designed for a single link spanning platforms, including web → app journeys and deep linking. Their links can carry a media source, campaign, and site/sub-site ID, which maps nicely to affiliate IDs. support.appsflyer.com

I'd consider this if you expect your attribution requirements to become sophisticated, but it can be more infrastructure than an indie project needs.

3. Affiliate platform + attribution/deep-linking layer

If your primary goal is actually running an affiliate program—recruiting affiliates, commission rules, payouts, fraud controls, etc.—rather than merely attribution, I'd separate the concerns:

• affiliate platform → manages affiliates/commissions
• Branch or AppsFlyer → handles web → app attribution
• your backend → records the authoritative purchase/conversion

That's generally a better architecture than trying to make a generic web affiliate tracker understand iOS/Android attribution.

One important caveat

There isn't really a solution that can promise 100% user-level attribution on iOS in every circumstance. Apple's privacy mechanisms limit what attribution systems can know. Branch, for example, explicitly distinguishes guaranteed matches from less-certain install attribution and uses mechanisms such as SKAdNetwork where appropriate. help.branch.io

For an indie app, I'd therefore make your own backend the source of truth for commissions, with the attribution provider supplying the referral identity.

If your app uses Stripe for web + RevenueCat/App Store/Google Play for mobile subscriptions, I can also lay out a concrete, relatively inexpensive architecture for tracking affiliate → web/app → subscription → commission without building a giant attribution system yourself.

Yes. But there’s an important distinction: affiliate management and mobile attribution are usually separate problems.

For an indie dev wanting one reasonably reliable system across web + iOS + Android, I’d shortlist:

1. Branch — probably the best indie-friendly starting point

Branch is particularly good if your affiliate flow looks like:

affiliate link → website / App Store → install → signup/purchase inside app

It supports trackable affiliate/creator links, deferred deep linking, web-to-app journeys, and attribution of installs and downstream events. Branch explicitly supports affiliate/creator campaigns and says its links work across iOS, Android, web and desktop. www.branch.io

The interesting part for an indie dev is that Branch currently has an Intro plan with 1 app, 25k monthly click tracking, 5k volume credits, and basic attribution/deep linking. help.branch.io

I'd look at this first if keeping costs and implementation complexity low is important.

2. AppsFlyer — strongest attribution, but more heavyweight

AppsFlyer is the more serious MMP choice. It handles mobile installs, in-app events and revenue attribution, and as of 2026 it also has web attribution, giving you a unified web/mobile measurement layer. support.appsflyer.com

It also supports cross-platform links, including journeys where someone interacts on web and subsequently installs the app. support.appsflyer.com

I'd choose this if affiliate payouts are going to become meaningful money and you really care about having defensible attribution data.

The catch: neither is necessarily a complete affiliate program

If by "affiliate tracking" you mean:

Give Alice a link → Alice sends 100 users → 8 subscribe → calculate her commission → show Alice her earnings → handle refunds → pay Alice

then Branch/AppsFlyer are primarily the attribution layer, not the entire affiliate-program layer.

A sensible architecture is:

Affiliate platform / your backend
↓
Branch or AppsFlyer attribution
↓
Web + iOS + Android
↓
Stripe / App Store / Google Play / RevenueCat events
↓
Commission calculation + affiliate payout

That's substantially more reliable than trying to make a traditional cookie-based web affiliate system survive an App Store install.

What I'd do as an indie

If you're early-stage, I'd avoid building a giant affiliate stack.

I'd start with:

Branch + your own tiny affiliate ledger + RevenueCat/Stripe webhooks

For each affiliate, generate a Branch link containing something like affiliate_id=abc123. When the user installs, signs up, or purchases, your backend records the attributed affiliate and the conversion. Then your backend handles commission rules and payouts.

That gives you control without having to build your own iOS/Android attribution machinery.

One caveat: "reliable" doesn't mean perfect, particularly on iOS. Apple's privacy mechanisms can limit deterministic user-level attribution, so no vendor can guarantee that every web click will be perfectly tied to an eventual App Store purchase. AppsFlyer and Branch are solving this with the platform's available attribution mechanisms rather than bypassing those restrictions. support.appsflyer.com

If you tell me what your app sells (subscription vs one-time purchase), whether you use Stripe/RevenueCat, and roughly how many affiliate conversions/month you expect, I can recommend the cheapest architecture I'd actually use for an indie product.

Yes. The important distinction is that ordinary affiliate software is usually good at web conversions, while mobile-app attribution is a different problem—especially when the conversion happens after an App Store/Google Play install.

For an indie dev, I’d shortlist these:

My recommendation

If your product is web + mobile app and affiliates are important, I'd use a two-layer setup:

Affiliate platform → mobile attribution → your backend

For example:

Impact → AppsFlyer → your app/backend

AppsFlyer can attribute installs and subsequent in-app events, including revenue, and supports web-to-app flows with deep links and deferred deep linking. support.appsflyer.com

That gives you something like:

Affiliate clicks link → lands on website → signs up / buys on web OR installs app → subscribes in app → commission gets attributed to affiliate.

The catch is that “reliably” has an asterisk on iOS. ATT/privacy restrictions mean you can't expect deterministic attribution for every user. AppsFlyer explicitly uses deterministic signals where available and probabilistic modeling when they're not. support.appsflyer.com

If you're really trying to keep costs low

I'd actually consider Branch first if your primary challenge is web → app → conversion. Its core strength is cross-platform attribution and deep linking, whereas traditional affiliate products aren't designed around App Store/Play Store installation flows. www.branch.io

Then put a lightweight affiliate/rewards layer around it rather than paying for a giant affiliate network.

If you tell me (1) iOS/Android/both, (2) Stripe vs App Store/Play subscriptions, and (3) roughly how many affiliate conversions/month you expect, I can recommend the cheapest setup that still gives you reliable attribution.

Yes. For an indie dev, I’d look at an attribution platform + a lightweight affiliate layer, rather than trying to make a traditional web affiliate platform handle mobile installs itself.

My shortlist

Branch is probably the first one I'd test. Its current $39/month Intro plan includes attribution, deep linking, web links/QR codes, 5,000 attribution credits/month, 25,000 clicks/month, and one ad partner. help.branch.io

The important part is that Branch can handle the awkward flow:

affiliate link → website → App Store/Google Play → install → first open → signup/purchase

including deferred deep linking, so you can retain the affiliate/source context after the app is installed. www.branch.io

AppsFlyer is the other one I'd seriously consider

AppsFlyer is stronger if your main concern is precise mobile attribution and eventually running a serious affiliate/paid-acquisition program. It supports configurable in-app events, attribution windows, web-to-app journeys, and deferred deep linking. www.appsflyer.com

The catch for an indie is cost/complexity. Its current paid Starter/Growth offering gives 12,000 measured conversions free for the first year, then charges $0.07 per additional conversion; the free tier isn't intended for paid attribution. www.appsflyer.com

One architectural detail I'd strongly recommend

Don't make the affiliate platform the source of truth for purchases.

I'd structure it:

Affiliate
   ↓
Tracking link
   ↓
Branch / AppsFlyer
   ↓
Web landing page ───────→ Web purchase
   ↓
App Store / Play Store
   ↓
Mobile app
   ↓
Your backend
   ↓
Purchase/subscription event
   ↓
Attribution platform
   ↓
Affiliate commission

That way, your backend ultimately says "user X purchased $29.99", while the attribution system says "affiliate Y deserves credit for acquiring user X."

This becomes particularly important with iOS, where attribution isn't going to be perfectly deterministic for every user because of Apple's privacy mechanisms.

If you're genuinely small/indie, my pick would be Branch first. If you're already expecting substantial affiliate volume or paid acquisition, I'd evaluate AppsFlyer too.

If you tell me (1) iOS/Android/both, (2) subscription vs one-time purchase, and (3) roughly how many affiliate conversions/month you expect, I can narrow this down to the cheapest setup that I'd actually trust in production.

Yes. There are now a few tools aimed specifically at the “indie app + web + affiliate” problem, and I’d avoid jumping straight to enterprise MMPs like AppsFlyer/Branch unless you have significant volume.

My shortlist:

My first look: AffRef

AffRef

It is unusually close to what you're describing: one affiliate system spanning web and mobile, with iOS/Android SDKs, Universal Links/App Links, and conversion integrations for RevenueCat, Adapty, Qonversion and StoreKit. It advertises a flat-price model rather than an MAU-based MMP bill. affref.com

The architecture I'd want for an indie app is essentially:

Affiliate link → web/app landing → install → signup → subscription/purchase → affiliate commission

rather than trying to infer the relationship from analytics after the fact.

Another interesting option: Attribloom

Attribloom

If you're iOS-first, this is worth investigating. It uses StoreKit 2 for Apple-verified transactions and supports web/Shopify checkout as well. It also advertises refund-aware attribution and automatic clawbacks. attribloom.com

Why this is harder than ordinary web affiliate tracking

The tricky part isn't generating an affiliate URL. It's preserving attribution across:

creator link → Safari/Chrome → App Store → installation → first app launch → subscription

iOS and Android don't simply carry the original browser URL through the app-store installation. That's why proper Universal Links/App Links + deferred attribution + server-side purchase events matter. Google specifically describes Universal Links/App Links as the standard mechanism for connecting web URLs to installed apps. support.google.com

And I'd strongly prefer a system that receives server-side purchase/subscription events, rather than trusting a client-side “purchase happened” callback.

What I'd choose

If you're an indie developer with, say, one app, a few dozen affiliates, and web + App Store/Google Play conversions, I'd start by evaluating AffRef and Attribloom rather than building an AppsFlyer/Branch + affiliate-network stack.

If you're using RevenueCat, AffRef becomes particularly interesting because its documentation says it handles subscription/trial/refund events through RevenueCat webhooks. affref.com

One caveat: “reliable” needs to mean tested against the actual flows you care about, especially iOS. Mobile attribution has privacy-related limitations that don't exist to the same degree on the web, so no vendor can promise perfect deterministic attribution for every user. www.reddit.com

If you tell me your stack (iOS/Android/web, Stripe vs RevenueCat, and whether you're selling subscriptions or one-time purchases), I can narrow this down to the cheapest architecture I'd actually use.

Yes. If you mean “one affiliate system where a creator gets a link, and I can reliably credit them for web purchases and mobile-app subscriptions/in-app purchases”, there are a few options—but they differ a lot in complexity and price.

My shortlist for an indie dev

AffRef is particularly interesting for your use case. It advertises a mobile SDK for iOS/Android, Universal Links/App Links, affiliate-code capture, and integrations with RevenueCat, Adapty, Qonversion, and StoreKit. It also handles trials/refunds through its RevenueCat webhook integration. Its current advertised pricing is a flat $49/mo for the basic platform / $99/mo Pro, rather than an MAU-based MMP bill. affref.com

AffRef

Insert Affiliate is another purpose-built option if your primary concern is app subscriptions. It explicitly supports attributing affiliates to in-app purchases, verifying transactions, and calculating commissions. docs.insertaffiliate.com

Insert Affiliate documentation

The “serious” architecture

If you're expecting substantial affiliate volume, the more established architecture is:

Affiliate platform → MMP → app → subscription backend

For example:

Everflow + AppsFlyer + RevenueCat

Everflow handles affiliates, links, commissions, and payouts, while AppsFlyer handles mobile attribution. Everflow has a direct AppsFlyer integration that receives installs and in-app events through postbacks. support.appsflyer.com

Everflow
AppsFlyer

That's considerably more infrastructure than I'd want as a solo developer unless you're already doing meaningful affiliate revenue.

One important caveat

Web affiliate tracking is much easier than mobile affiliate attribution. On mobile, you need to preserve the affiliate identifier through something like:

affiliate link → mobile landing page → App Store/Google Play → install → first app open → subscription

Deep/deferred linking and post-install event attribution are the tricky parts. AppsFlyer, for example, explicitly supports web-to-app attribution and deferred deep linking. support.appsflyer.com

So I would not choose a normal SaaS affiliate tool just because it supports web referral links. Make sure it can prove:

affiliate X → click → app install → account → trial → paid subscription → renewal/refund

What I'd choose

If you're a solo/indie developer with a subscription app, I'd start by testing AffRef or Insert Affiliate rather than building an AppsFlyer/Everflow stack.

If you're already using RevenueCat, AffRef is especially compelling because the subscription events can flow through RevenueCat rather than you having to invent your own attribution/payment reconciliation system. affref.com

If you tell me what your app sells (subscription vs one-time purchase), whether you're using RevenueCat, and roughly how many affiliates/conversions you expect, I can narrow this down to the cheapest setup that I'd actually trust in production.

Yes. If you're an indie developer, there are a few good options depending on whether you primarily need affiliate management, mobile attribution, or both.

The biggest challenge is that web and mobile app attribution are fundamentally different. Browser cookies work well on the web, but app installs and in-app purchases require mobile attribution techniques (deep links, install attribution, SDKs, server-side events, etc.), especially on iOS due to privacy restrictions. docs.cj.com

Here's how I'd think about it:

For most indie developers:

• If you sell subscriptions through RevenueCat: AffRef is worth a look. It was designed around app subscriptions and supports web plus iOS/Android attribution without the cost of a traditional mobile measurement platform. docs.cj.comaffref.com
• If you need one affiliate dashboard for both Stripe web purchases and in-app purchases: Insert Affiliate specifically targets this use case with SDKs for common mobile frameworks and unified reporting. insertaffiliate.com
• If you're already at significant scale: consider pairing an affiliate platform with an MMP like Branch or AppsFlyer, but many indie developers find those platforms more complex and costly than they need. Community discussions often recommend MMPs only when mobile attribution requirements become more advanced. www.reddit.com

If you can share a bit about your stack, I can narrow it down further:

• iOS only, Android only, or both?
• Flutter, React Native, Swift, Kotlin, or something else?
• Do users pay via Stripe, App Store/Google Play, RevenueCat, Paddle, or another billing system?
• Are you paying affiliates for installs, purchases, subscriptions, or recurring revenue?

Yes. If you're an indie developer, there are a few tools that can reliably handle affiliate attribution across both websites and mobile apps, but the best choice depends on your setup.

Here's a comparison:

For most indie developers, these are the strongest options:

• Trackdesk is a good fit if you need both web and app attribution in one platform. It supports affiliate links, postbacks, API integrations, and mobile attribution without being as enterprise-focused as some competitors.
• Tolt is a great choice if your business is primarily web-based (for example, a SaaS with Stripe or Paddle billing) and you don't need sophisticated mobile install attribution.
• Rewardful is similarly well suited to subscription businesses and integrates smoothly with common payment providers.

If your app has a significant mobile acquisition funnel, consider pairing an affiliate platform with a mobile attribution SDK:

• Appsflyer or Adjust attribute installs and in-app events.
• Your affiliate platform receives conversion events via API or server-to-server postbacks.

A common architecture looks like this:

Affiliate Link
      ↓
Landing Page
      ↓
Website signup OR App Store
      ↓
Mobile Attribution SDK (if app)
      ↓
Backend verifies purchase
      ↓
Affiliate platform records commission

If you're building your own backend, look for a platform that supports:

• Server-to-server (S2S) conversion tracking
• Click IDs or sub IDs
• First-party cookies for web attribution
• API-based conversion reporting
• Deep links and deferred deep links (for app installs)
• Fraud detection and duplicate conversion prevention

If you share:

• whether your app is iOS, Android, or both,
• how users pay (Stripe, Apple In-App Purchase, Google Play Billing, Paddle, etc.),
• and whether you're trying to track app installs, subscriptions, or one-time purchases,

I can recommend the simplest and most reliable setup for your specific stack.

Yes. If you're an indie developer, there are a few tools that can reliably attribute affiliate traffic across both websites and mobile apps, but the best choice depends on whether you need a full mobile measurement partner (MMP), a simple affiliate platform, or both.

Here's a practical breakdown:

If you have both a website and an app

The most reliable architecture is usually:

• Affiliate platform (Trackdesk, Tolt, Rewardful)
  • Generates affiliate links
  • Manages payouts
  • Tracks web purchases

• Mobile attribution platform (AppsFlyer, Adjust, or Branch)
  • Tracks app installs
  • Attributes in-app purchases
  • Handles deferred deep linking
  • Measures reinstall and re-engagement

You connect the two so affiliate IDs are passed into the mobile attribution flow.

If you're an indie developer

I'd narrow it down to these options:

Option 1: Trackdesk (my top recommendation)

• Supports affiliates and referral programs.
• Can track both web and app conversions.
• Offers postbacks and APIs to connect attribution.
• More affordable than enterprise platforms.

Option 2: Branch + Tolt

• Branch handles smart links and app attribution.
• Tolt manages affiliates and commissions.
• A nice combination if you're primarily selling software.

Option 3: AppsFlyer

• Best if most conversions happen inside your mobile app.
• Industry standard for mobile attribution.
• More setup effort and potentially higher cost than indie-focused tools.

Things to look for

Whatever you choose, make sure it supports:

• First-party tracking (more resilient than third-party cookies)
• Deferred deep linking
• iOS attribution (including Apple's privacy framework)
• Android install attribution
• Server-to-server postbacks
• API/webhooks
• Coupon or promo code attribution as a backup
• Cross-device attribution where possible

My recommendation

If you're a solo founder or small team building both a website and a mobile app:

• Trackdesk is probably the best balance of features, price, and simplicity.
• If your app is the primary product and install attribution accuracy is critical, pair Trackdesk with AppsFlyer or Branch rather than relying on affiliate software alone.

If you can share your stack—for example:

• iOS, Android, or both?
• Stripe, RevenueCat, Paddle, or another payment provider?
• React Native, Flutter, or native?

I can recommend a setup that minimizes attribution gaps and avoids paying for enterprise features you may not need.

Yes. If you're an indie developer and you need one affiliate system that tracks both website and mobile app conversions, there are several good options. The right choice depends on whether you're promoting a web SaaS, a mobile app, or both.

Here's a comparison:

If you have both a website and a mobile app

A common architecture is:

• Use Branch or AppsFlyer for attribution and deep links.
• Use an affiliate platform (such as Rewardful or Trackier) to manage affiliates, payouts, and commissions.
• Connect them via webhooks or your backend.

This gives reliable attribution across:

• Website signups
• App installs
• In-app purchases
• Cross-device journeys (within platform limitations)

If you're an indie developer on a budget

I'd consider these options:

1. Mostly web SaaS: Rewardful or Tolt.
2. Mobile app with affiliate marketing: Branch + a lightweight affiliate system.
3. Need one platform for both web and mobile: Trackier is one of the more approachable all-in-one options, though it's more complex than tools built solely for SaaS.

If you're building your own backend

You can also implement affiliate tracking yourself using:

• Unique referral IDs or links
• Branch or AppsFlyer for attribution
• Stripe webhooks (for web purchases)
• App Store Server Notifications and Google Play Real-time Developer Notifications (for subscriptions)
• A simple commission table in your database

This approach can be surprisingly manageable if you have only a few hundred affiliates, and it avoids paying significant recurring fees to affiliate platforms.

If you share:

• whether your app is iOS, Android, or both,
• whether purchases happen on the web, in-app, or both, and
• approximately how many affiliates you expect,

I can suggest the setup that best balances reliability, complexity, and cost.

Yes. If you're an indie developer and you want one affiliate system that tracks referrals across both your website and your mobile app, there are a few solid options. The right choice depends on whether you need attribution for app installs, web purchases, subscriptions, or all of the above.

Here's a comparison:

If you're selling a SaaS

If users:

1. Click an affiliate link on your website
2. Sign up on the web
3. Later install your app
4. Buy a subscription

then Rewardful or Tolt are usually the simplest choices because they integrate directly with billing providers like Stripe, Paddle, or Lemon Squeezy and automatically calculate affiliate commissions.

The limitation is that they aren't designed to solve complex mobile install attribution.

If most users start in your mobile app

If affiliates are sending users directly to the App Store or Google Play, you generally want:

• Branch for deep linking and attribution
• Your affiliate platform (or custom backend) to associate the Branch attribution with the eventual purchase

Branch is particularly good at:

• deferred deep linking
• preserving attribution through app install
• handling users who move between web and app

Many startups pair Branch + Rewardful (or another affiliate platform).

If you need enterprise-grade attribution

Apps like ride-sharing, fintech, or consumer apps often use:

• AppsFlyer
• Adjust
• Singular

These provide sophisticated attribution across ad networks and installs, but they're often more than an indie developer needs and can be relatively expensive.

My recommendation for an indie developer

I'd lean toward one of these setups:

• Mostly web SaaS: Rewardful or Tolt.
• Mobile app with web onboarding: Branch + Rewardful (or Branch + a custom affiliate database).
• Subscription app with significant mobile acquisition: Branch for attribution, then award affiliate commissions from your backend when the subscription is created.

That combination tends to give reliable cross-platform attribution without the cost and complexity of enterprise mobile measurement platforms.

If you can share:

• your payment provider (Stripe, Paddle, RevenueCat, etc.),
• whether users buy on the web, in-app, or both,
• and whether your app is iOS, Android, or both,

I can recommend the simplest architecture that reliably tracks affiliates end to end.