ChatGPT answers, unedited

Yes. If you need one system to attribute affiliate/referral clicks across a website → iOS/Android app → purchase, there are a few good options.

The main options

• Branch — probably the first one I'd investigate for an indie app. It supports web-to-app attribution, deep links, iOS/Android, and a Web SDK. Branch also integrates with affiliate networks such as Partnerize and Awin, including passing conversion events back via postbacks. Branch Help Center Branch Help Center Branch Help Center
• AppsFlyer — more mature/enterprise-oriented MMP. Its OneLink system provides a single link across platforms and supports deep linking and attribution, while its SDK tracks installs and in-app events. AppsFlyer Support AppsFlyer Support
• Adjust — another serious MMP, particularly if you eventually need sophisticated mobile attribution. It can pass app events and attribution information into affiliate platforms such as CJ. CJ's Developer Portal
• Tapp — an interesting newer option specifically aimed at smaller teams. It combines attribution, deferred deep linking, and automated creator/referral payouts rather than making you assemble several systems. Tapp

What I'd choose for an indie dev

If your situation is something like:

affiliate link → website → signup/download → mobile app → subscription/purchase → affiliate gets commission

I'd look at Branch or Tapp first, rather than immediately adopting a heavyweight MMP.

The important distinction is that affiliate tracking and mobile attribution aren't quite the same problem. You need to preserve an identifier from the affiliate click and then connect it to the eventual app install/account/purchase. On iOS especially, you shouldn't expect every click → install association to be perfectly deterministic; Branch explicitly distinguishes guaranteed deep-link matches from probabilistic attribution. Branch Help Center

A robust architecture would look roughly like:

Affiliate
   ↓
affiliate.example.com/abc123
   ↓
tracking ID / referral ID
   ↓
Your website
   ↓
 ┌───────────────┐
 │               │
Web signup    App install
 │               │
 └───────┬───────┘
         ↓
   Your user/account
         ↓
    Purchase/sub
         ↓
 "affiliate abc123 gets $X"

The key is making the affiliate ID an attribute of your user/account in your own backend, rather than relying exclusively on the attribution vendor's dashboard. That gives you a durable source of truth for commissions.

If you tell me what you're selling (subscription, one-time purchase, SaaS, app IAP, etc.), your stack (e.g. Next.js + Stripe + React Native), and roughly how many affiliates you expect, I can narrow this down to the simplest setup and estimated cost.

Yes. For an indie dev, there are a few options, but the “reliably track web → app install → in-app purchase/subscription” problem is harder than normal affiliate tracking. A lot of affiliate platforms are web-first and rely on cookies, which break when users move through app stores, mobile browsers, and privacy restrictions.

The tools I’d look at:

For an indie app, I’d generally choose based on your stack:

If you have a subscription app

A common setup is:

Affiliate link → landing page → app install → subscription event → affiliate payout

Look for:

• deferred deep links (install later, still remember affiliate)
• server-side conversion events
• RevenueCat/Stripe/Paddle integration
• fraud controls
• recurring commission support

Tools like Insert Affiliate and AffRef are aimed directly at this workflow. AffRef Insert Affiliate

If you have a web app + mobile app

Something like Tapfiliate or a more API-driven affiliate system can work, but I would avoid relying only on cookies. You want:

1. Affiliate click creates a unique ID.
2. Store that ID on your backend.
3. App receives the ID through a deep link/install attribution flow.
4. Your backend reports purchases/subscriptions back to the affiliate platform.

Server-to-server tracking is the important piece because it avoids losing attribution when browsers or apps block cookies. Post Affiliate Pro

My shortlist for a solo developer

• Fastest to launch: Insert Affiliate Insert Affiliate
• Subscription SaaS/app hybrid: AffRef AffRef
• Most control / custom backend: Post Affiliate Pro with your own event pipeline Post Affiliate Pro

A few questions would narrow it down:

1. Is your app iOS/Android native, React Native, Flutter, or web-only?
2. Are conversions one-time purchases, subscriptions, or both?
3. Do you already use RevenueCat, Stripe, Paddle, Lemon Squeezy, or something else?

Yes. For an indie dev, you generally want something that handles web clicks → app install → signup → subscription/purchase → affiliate payout without relying only on browser cookies. The hard part is the web-to-app handoff (especially iOS), not generating affiliate links.

A few options worth looking at:

For an indie app, I’d look for these specific capabilities:

• Deferred deep links

Example: user clicks an influencer link → lands in App Store → installs → opens app → affiliate is still credited.

• Server-side conversion events

Don’t rely only on pixels/cookies. Your backend should tell the affiliate system: “this user subscribed,” “this user paid,” etc.

• RevenueCat / App Store / Google Play support

If you use subscriptions, this saves a lot of custom work.

• Fraud controls

Otherwise affiliates can generate fake installs or self-referrals.

• Affiliate payout management

Stripe Connect, PayPal, Wise exports, etc., so you are not manually calculating commissions.

My practical shortlist:

• Solo dev + iOS/Android subscription app: GoMarketMe or AffRef. GoMarketMe AffRef
• SaaS with web checkout plus mobile app: AffRef or Refgrow. AffRef Refgrow
• Large/custom setup: combine a mobile attribution platform with an affiliate platform.

One important caveat: no tool can make attribution 100% perfect on iOS because Apple’s privacy changes limit deterministic tracking. The best systems reduce lost attribution by using deep links, first-party data, and server-side events rather than cookies alone. affisemmp.com

If you tell me your stack (iOS/Android/web, React Native/Flutter/native, RevenueCat vs Stripe, subscription vs one-time purchase), I can narrow this to the 2–3 tools that actually fit.

Yes. For an indie dev, I’d avoid stitching together a traditional web affiliate platform + a separate mobile attribution system unless you really need enterprise-scale attribution.

My shortlist

• affiliateo.com — probably the most interesting all-in-one option for your use case. It supports a shared affiliate program across web + iOS + Android, with web SDK/referral links and mobile SDK/store attribution. It can connect web payments and mobile providers such as RevenueCat/Adapty. Affiliateo Affiliateo
• appfiliate.io — particularly interesting if mobile app attribution is the hard part. It has iOS/Android/Flutter/React Native SDKs, tracks installs and purchases, and provides a REST API. Appfiliate Docs
• tapfiliate.com — established affiliate software with a workable mobile setup, but its mobile approach involves connecting its click ID with an install-tracking service, so there's more plumbing. Tapfiliate Help Center
• affref.com — worth looking at if you're building a subscription app. It specifically offers iOS/Android SDKs, Universal Links/App Links, RevenueCat integration, and adapters for Adapty/Qonversion. AffRef

What I'd pick

If your stack looks something like:

affiliate link → website OR App Store/Play Store → signup/purchase → recurring subscription

I'd start with Affiliateo or AffRef.

The important distinction is that web affiliate tracking is relatively easy; web → app → App Store/Play Billing attribution is the difficult part. Cookies don't survive that journey reliably. You want something that supports deep/deferred links and ideally server-side/mobile SDK attribution. Affise Post Affiliate Pro

If you're already using RevenueCat, I'd lean particularly toward AffRef or Affiliateo, because they can use the subscription provider as the source of truth for the actual conversion rather than trying to infer purchases from clicks. Affiliateo AffRef

If you need very high-confidence mobile attribution—especially paid acquisition, cross-device journeys, SKAdNetwork/AdAttributionKit, etc.—then an MMP such as AppsFlyer, Adjust, or Branch is a different category. You'd typically pair that with an affiliate/partner platform rather than use the MMP itself as your affiliate-management system. Google Help Adjust Help Center

For an indie dev, my rough ranking would be:

1. Affiliateo — best single-platform approach
2. AffRef — especially strong for subscription apps + RevenueCat
3. Appfiliate — strongest if mobile attribution is your priority
4. Tapfiliate — good general affiliate platform, more integration work for mobile

If you tell me your stack (iOS/Android/web, Stripe vs RevenueCat vs App Store/Play Billing, and whether affiliates are influencers/creators or traditional publishers), I can narrow this down to the cheapest reliable architecture and estimate the monthly cost.

The important distinction is that web affiliate tracking is relatively easy; web → app → App Store/Play Billing attribution is the difficult part. Cookies don't survive that journey reliably. You want something that supports deep/deferred links and ideally server-side/mobile SDK attribution. Affise postaffiliatepro.com

If you're already using RevenueCat, I'd lean particularly toward AffRef or Affiliateo, because they can use the subscription provider as the source of truth for the actual conversion rather than trying to infer purchases from clicks. Affiliateo AffRef

Yes. For an indie dev, I’d look at Branch first, with AppsFlyer and Adjust as alternatives.

Best fit: Branch

Branch is particularly well suited if your funnel looks like:

affiliate link → website → signup/purchase OR app install → in-app conversion

Branch Links can handle web links, deep/deferred deep linking, and attribution across web and mobile app conversions. Branch Help Center Branch Help Center

The interesting part for an indie developer is that Branch currently has an Intro plan at $39/month, including 5,000 attribution-volume credits/month, 500 web links/QR codes, 25,000 clicks/month, one ad partner, and one app. Branch Help Center Branch Help Center

That makes it much more approachable than enterprise-oriented mobile measurement platforms.

Alternatives

• AppsFlyer — Very mature mobile attribution. Its OneLink system is designed specifically for a single link spanning platforms, including web → app journeys and deep linking. AppsFlyer Support I'd choose it if mobile attribution is the core of your business and you're expecting substantial scale.
• Adjust — Excellent attribution infrastructure and supports web + mobile, including web-to-app flows and partner integrations/postbacks. Adjust Help Center Adjust Help Center However, its Web Attribution offering is currently positioned as a Growth Solution, so I'd expect it to be less indie-friendly from a cost/setup perspective. Adjust Help Center

One important caveat

"Reliable" doesn't mean 100% attribution across web → iOS app. Privacy restrictions make that fundamentally difficult. For example, Adjust says deterministic click attribution is its most reliable method, while iOS web-to-app flows can require probabilistic modeling when device identifiers aren't available. Adjust Help Center Adjust Help Center

So I'd architect it roughly as:

Affiliate ID → tracking link → first-party web cookie/server event → app deep link → app SDK event → server-side conversion → affiliate payout

rather than relying exclusively on device fingerprinting.

My pick: Branch for an indie developer wanting one relatively simple system for web + iOS + Android. If you tell me your stack (e.g. Next.js + Stripe + React Native/Flutter + App Store/Google Play) and what the affiliate actually gets paid for, I can suggest the simplest implementation and data model.

Yes. If you need one affiliate/referral system that can reliably attribute both website conversions and mobile-app installs/purchases, I’d look at Branch and AppsFlyer first.

My picks

• branch.io — probably the best fit for an indie dev.

Branch is built around links that work across web + iOS + Android. Its links support web/app conversions, deferred deep linking, Universal Links/App Links, and referral tracking. Branch Help Center Branch Help Center
The nice part is that an affiliate can use one link and Branch can route the person appropriately: website, App Store/Google Play, or directly into the app.

• appsflyer.com — strongest attribution, but probably heavier than you need initially.

AppsFlyer's OneLink handles web → app journeys, deep links, installs, and cross-platform attribution. Its newer web-attribution product also explicitly connects web and mobile conversion measurement. AppsFlyer Support AppsFlyer
I'd choose it if you're expecting serious paid acquisition or need sophisticated attribution/reporting.

• rewardful.com — great if your main conversion is a web/Stripe sale, but not my first choice for app attribution.

It's very easy for affiliate programs: affiliate links → website → customer → Stripe commission. Rewardful Help Center Rewardful Help Center

What I'd do for an indie app

If your funnel looks like:

Affiliate link → landing page → App Store/Google Play → install → signup/purchase

I'd start with Branch.

For example:

affiliate.com/yourapp?affiliate=jane
             ↓
          Branch
       ↙           ↘
    Web          iOS/Android
                   ↓
                Install
                   ↓
             Signup/Purchase
                   ↓
          attributed to Jane

Branch specifically supports web and app conversions and deferred deep linking, which is the tricky part of app affiliate tracking. Branch Help Center

The important distinction is that affiliate-program software and mobile attribution software are not necessarily the same thing. You need both:

1. Link/referral attribution — who sent the user?
2. Mobile attribution — did that person actually install/open the app?
3. Conversion tracking — did they subscribe/buy?
4. Commission ledger — how much does the affiliate get paid?

Branch/AppsFlyer are particularly good at #1–3. You may still want a lightweight affiliate-management layer for #4, or build that part yourself.

If you tell me your stack (e.g. React/Next.js + Stripe + iOS/Android/Flutter/React Native) and whether the app's conversion is subscription, one-time purchase, or free signup, I can recommend the simplest setup and estimate what it would cost at ~1k, 10k, and 100k monthly users.

Branch specifically supports web and app conversions and deferred deep linking, which is the tricky part of app affiliate tracking.

Yes. For an indie dev, the hard part is not the affiliate dashboard — it’s reliably connecting a referral click → web visit/app install → signup → subscription or purchase across iOS, Android, and web. Many traditional affiliate tools are web-cookie-first and struggle with app installs.

A few options worth looking at:

For an indie dev, I’d generally avoid jumping straight to enterprise mobile attribution platforms unless you’re spending heavily on acquisition. Tools like Branch, AppsFlyer, or Adjust are powerful, but often designed around larger growth teams and ad budgets.

A practical indie setup usually looks like:

1. Affiliate link layer

• Generates links like yourapp.com/ref/alex
• Captures campaign/referrer IDs
• Deferred deep linking

• If someone clicks on iPhone before installing: - click → App Store → install → first launch still knows the affiliate
• This is the tricky part.
• Server-side conversion tracking

• When the user: - creates an account
• starts a trial
• subscribes
• buys something
• Your backend sends the conversion event.
• Affiliate payout system

• Calculates commission
• Handles refunds/cancellations
• Gives affiliates a dashboard

My shortlist for an indie subscription app would be:

• RevenueCat + AffRef if you already use RevenueCat. AffRef
• Appfiliate if you want a lightweight mobile SDK approach. Appfiliate Docs
• Ferry if your main problem is deep links and attribution reliability rather than affiliate management. Ferry

A couple questions would change the recommendation:

• Is your app iOS/Android subscription-based, one-time purchase, or SaaS with web checkout?
• Are affiliates mostly creators/influencers, or traditional SEO/content affiliates?
• Are you using RevenueCat, Stripe, Lemon Squeezy, Paddle, or App Store/Play billing directly?

Yes. If you mean one affiliate system that can reliably attribute both website purchases and native iOS/Android purchases, there are now a few options worth looking at.

My shortlist for an indie dev

• appfiliate.io — probably the most interesting mobile-first option. It has iOS, Android, Flutter, and React Native SDKs, tracks installs and in-app purchases, and doesn't require IDFA/ATT. Appfiliate Docs Appfiliate
• affref.com — particularly interesting if you're using RevenueCat. It explicitly supports web/SaaS plus App Store subscriptions, with Universal Links/App Links and RevenueCat-native conversion tracking. It advertises a flat pricing model rather than MAU-based pricing. AffRef
• ferrylink.io — designed specifically for indie/small app teams and handles the click → install → app revenue chain, with SDKs for iOS, Android, Flutter and React Native. Ferry
• trackdesk.com — stronger if your web/SaaS affiliate program is the main thing, with S2S tracking, coupons, deep links and recurring commissions. Its mobile story is less compelling than the mobile-native products above. Trackdesk Trackdesk
• firstpromoter.com — excellent for web/SaaS subscriptions, particularly Stripe-based products, but I wouldn't pick it as the sole system if a substantial percentage of your conversions happen inside App Store/Play Store apps. FirstPromoter FirstPromoter Docs

The important distinction

For web, affiliate tracking is relatively easy:

affiliate link → cookie/click ID → signup → payment

Mobile is fundamentally harder:

affiliate link → App Store/Play Store → install → first launch → in-app subscription

The browser cookie doesn't survive that journey reliably, so you need deep linking + install attribution + in-app event tracking. Appfiliate, for example, explicitly provides SDKs that match the install back to the original affiliate click and then attribute the purchase. Appfiliate Docs

If you're an indie dev, I'd avoid building this yourself unless attribution is a core part of your product. The edge cases around iOS, reinstallations, deferred deep links, refunds, subscription renewals, and attribution conflicts can get ugly.

If you tell me your stack (e.g. Next.js + Stripe + React Native + RevenueCat), I can narrow this down to the cheapest/reliablest setup and show exactly how I'd wire the affiliate → web/app → conversion flow.

Yes. For an indie dev, the main challenge is not affiliate links — it’s reliably attributing a user who:

1. clicks an affiliate link on the web,
2. installs a mobile app,
3. starts a trial,
4. converts later (possibly after reinstalling or switching devices).

You generally want deferred deep linking + server-side conversion tracking, not just cookies.

A few options worth looking at:

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

If you have a subscription mobile app

Look first at:

• Insert Affiliate — built around affiliate tracking for app purchases and supports SDK-based tracking across iOS/Android plus web conversions. Insert Affiliate
• AffRef — interesting if you have a mix of web SaaS + mobile subscriptions and want one affiliate system. AffRef

If you sell mostly through Stripe/web checkout

Use:

• Rewardful
• FirstPromoter
• Tolt

These are simpler because the conversion happens on your website.

The architecture I’d aim for

Affiliate link
      ↓
Tracking redirect
      ↓
Deferred deep link
      ↓
App install
      ↓
User signup
      ↓
Subscription event
      ↓
Server webhook credits affiliate

The important pieces:

• Universal Links / App Links (so the affiliate ID survives install)
• Server-side conversion events (don’t trust client-only tracking)
• Subscription provider webhook (RevenueCat, Stripe, App Store server notifications, etc.)
• A stable affiliate ID stored with the user/account

Avoid relying only on:

• browser cookies
• Facebook-style ad attribution
• device IDs/IDFA
• “last opened app” logic

Those are increasingly unreliable because of privacy restrictions.

If you tell me your stack (iOS/Android/web, Stripe vs RevenueCat vs App Store billing, React Native/Flutter/native, and whether you need influencers or just referral codes), I can narrow this to the best 1–2 choices.

Yes. The key is to distinguish affiliate-program management from mobile attribution—most simple affiliate tools are good at web conversions but get shaky once the journey goes:

affiliate link → mobile web → App Store/Google Play → app install → subscription/purchase.

For an indie dev, I'd shortlist these:

• affref.com — probably the most interesting indie-focused option I found. It specifically supports web + iOS/Android affiliate tracking, Universal Links/App Links, and integrations with RevenueCat, Adapty, Qonversion, and StoreKit. It advertises flat pricing rather than MAU-based MMP pricing. AffRef
• firstpromoter.com — excellent if your primary conversion is web/SaaS. It supports affiliate links, coupons, direct URLs, attribution windows, and automated commissions, but I'd pair it with a mobile attribution layer rather than rely on it alone for app installs. FirstPromoter
• appsflyer.com — the heavyweight choice. It handles web attribution, mobile attribution, deep/deferred linking, and web→app journeys. Its OneLink system is specifically designed to preserve attribution through the App Store/Google Play transition. AppsFlyer AppsFlyer AppsFlyer Support
• postaffiliatepro.com — supports server-to-server affiliate conversion tracking and can receive confirmed app-install conversions, but its own documentation notes that dedicated mobile attribution may still be needed for app-store/deep-link attribution. Post Affiliate Pro

What I'd choose as an indie dev

If you're building something like:

affiliate → landing page → app install → RevenueCat subscription

I'd look very closely at AffRef first. Its positioning is unusually close to this exact use case, including RevenueCat-native conversion handling. AffRef

If you expect to become a larger paid-acquisition operation, AppsFlyer is the safer long-term attribution infrastructure. It supports both web and mobile journeys and can use server-side integrations to reduce dependence on browser tracking. AppsFlyer AppsFlyer Support

One important caveat: “reliable” doesn't mean 100% deterministic on iOS. Apple's privacy restrictions mean some attribution is inherently probabilistic/aggregated unless you have an authenticated user identity or another deterministic signal. AppsFlyer, for example, uses different mechanisms including SKAN, deep links, install referrers, device matching, and probabilistic modeling depending on platform and consent. AppsFlyer Support

If you tell me your stack (e.g. Stripe/RevenueCat + React/Next.js + Swift/Flutter/React Native) and roughly how many affiliates/conversions you expect, I can narrow this down to the cheapest architecture I'd actually use.

Yes. For an indie dev who needs affiliate tracking across web + iOS/Android, I’d look at impact.com first, and Branch + an affiliate platform if mobile attribution is the harder problem.

My shortlist

• impact.com — probably the closest match to “one system for affiliates.” It supports web and app conversions, cross-device attribution, installs, subscriptions, and in-app events. It also has cookie and non-cookie tracking methods. impact.com impact.com

impact.com

• Branch — excellent if your biggest concern is reliably connecting an affiliate click → mobile website → App Store/Play Store → install → signup/purchase. Its links support web and app conversions, deferred deep linking, and web-to-app attribution. Branch Help Center Branch Help Center

branch.io

• AppsFlyer — very strong technically, particularly if you're already using an MMP. Its current product supports unified web + mobile attribution, and it integrates with affiliate/partner platforms such as TUNE. AppsFlyer AppsFlyer Support

appsflyer.com

What I'd choose as an indie

If you're building something like:

affiliate link → landing page → app install → subscription

I'd avoid stitching together a generic affiliate SaaS + your own mobile attribution unless you have a reason to. The tricky part isn't generating affiliate links; it's reliably preserving attribution across the browser → App Store/Play Store → newly installed app boundary, particularly on iOS.

A good architecture is:

Affiliate
   ↓
Tracked URL
   ↓
Your website
   ↓
Branch / attribution layer
   ↓
App Store / Google Play
   ↓
App SDK
   ↓
Signup / subscription / purchase
   ↓
Conversion attributed to affiliate

Branch specifically supports deferred deep linking and has mechanisms for determining the referring click when the app is subsequently installed. Branch Help Center

One caveat: “reliably” doesn't mean 100% user-level attribution in every mobile scenario. iOS privacy restrictions, consent, browsers, and platform rules can limit deterministic attribution. Branch itself distinguishes guaranteed deterministic cases from other attribution methods. Branch Help Center Branch Help Center

If you tell me what your app does, whether you charge subscriptions/IAP or one-time purchases, and roughly how many affiliates you expect, I can recommend the cheapest sensible stack (including whether you can get away with building the affiliate layer yourself).

Yes. For an indie dev, the main thing to know is that web affiliate tracking and mobile app attribution are different problems. A lot of classic affiliate tools are excellent for web checkout but become unreliable when the user clicks on a phone, installs an app, and later buys through Apple/Google billing. Mobile usually needs deep links + install attribution + server-side conversion verification. Post Affiliate Pro Google Help

A few options worth looking at:

Best fits for an indie app + web hybrid

GoMarketMe

Good if your product is primarily a mobile app with subscriptions or in-app purchases.

• Built around iOS/Android affiliate campaigns.
• Handles app installs, subscriptions, and IAP attribution.
• Supports creator-style affiliate programs with referral links/codes. GoMarketMe
• Less useful if your business is mostly web SaaS checkout.

AffRef

Interesting if you have a mix of SaaS/web payments and mobile.

• Targets SaaS, Shopify, and mobile apps.
• Supports integrations such as Stripe, Lemon Squeezy, RevenueCat, and custom setups.
• Designed around one affiliate system across different payment flows. AffRef

Insert Affiliate

A newer option focused on developers.

• Claims support for web plus iOS/Android conversions.
• Offers SDKs and integrations for mobile stacks.
• Tracks in-app purchases and subscriptions alongside web transactions. Insert Affiliate

Tapfiliate

Better known for web affiliate programs, but can work for mobile with engineering effort.

• Mobile tracking generally requires passing click IDs through install attribution and sending conversion events back. Tapfiliate Help Center
• Good if you already have a web affiliate program and don't need deep mobile-native tooling.

If you want the most reliable architecture

For a serious app, I would usually separate:

1. Affiliate management

• Who gets paid?
• Commission rules
• Affiliate dashboard
• Attribution

• Who caused the install?
• Did they buy later?
• Did the purchase happen in App Store / Play Billing?

A common indie-friendly stack:

• Affiliate platform: GoMarketMe / AffRef / Insert Affiliate
• Mobile subscription backend: RevenueCat
• Deep links: platform SDK or a mobile attribution provider
• Server-side events: your backend confirms purchases before commissions are paid

What I would avoid

I would be cautious with a pure cookie-based affiliate tool if:

• your app uses App Store subscriptions,
• users often click on social media,
• there is a delay between install and purchase,
• you need recurring commissions.

Cookies alone are fragile because mobile browsers, in-app browsers, and privacy restrictions can break the chain. Server-to-server attribution is much more reliable. Post Affiliate Pro

For an indie dev, my shortlist would be:

• Mobile-first subscription app: GoMarketMe or Insert Affiliate
• SaaS + app + Stripe/Lemon Squeezy mix: AffRef
• Already using a web affiliate program: Tapfiliate + proper mobile attribution layer

If you tell me your stack (iOS/Android/web, RevenueCat or Stripe, subscription vs one-time purchase, React Native/Flutter/native), I can narrow it down.

Yes. If you need one system that can reliably connect affiliate clicks → website conversions → mobile-app installs/in-app purchases, I’d look at Branch first.

My shortlist

• branch.io — best fit for web + mobile

• Designed specifically around web-to-app journeys and deep links.
• Can attribute affiliate/partner clicks to app installs and in-app events, while also handling web conversions. Branch Branch
• Supports iOS Universal Links and Android App Links, deferred deep linking, attribution windows, and postbacks. Branch Branch Help Center
• Big caveat: iOS privacy restrictions mean not every install can be deterministically attributed. Branch itself distinguishes 100%-accurate direct deep links from probabilistic attribution. Branch Help Center
• appsflyer.com — strongest traditional mobile attribution option

• Very mature for app installs, subscriptions, purchases, and affiliate/network postbacks.
• It now also has web performance measurement, so it can cover web + app. AppsFlyer Support AppsFlyer Support
• More enterprise-oriented, so I'd expect more setup/complexity than an indie developer ideally wants.
• TUNE + AppsFlyer — worth considering if you're building a proper affiliate network/program, rather than simply giving creators referral links. TUNE can receive install and in-app-event attribution from AppsFlyer through postbacks. AppsFlyer Support

What I'd choose as an indie dev

If your setup is something like:

Affiliate sends user → yourapp.com/ref/john → user either buys on web or installs iOS/Android app → later subscribes/purchases

I'd lean Branch.

The important architectural decision is to make the affiliate click ID the common identifier, and have your backend receive conversion events from both your website and app. Don't rely solely on a browser cookie surviving the web → App Store → app journey.

Also, don't interpret "reliable" as "100% attribution." Apple's privacy model makes that impossible in some cases; even AppsFlyer uses a combination of deterministic, probabilistic, deep-link, and SKAdNetwork methods depending on platform and consent. AppsFlyer Support

If you tell me your stack (e.g. Stripe + Next.js + React Native/Expo + RevenueCat) and whether affiliates are creators/influencers or an affiliate network, I can recommend the simplest setup and what I'd actually implement.

Yes. For an indie dev, there are a few realistic options, but the “right” tool depends on whether you need affiliate payouts (creators get commissions) or just attribution (knowing which partner drove a user).

The hard part is mobile: a web cookie can’t reliably follow someone through the App Store/Google Play install and then into an in-app purchase. Good solutions usually use deep links, SDKs, server callbacks, or store-native purchase signals. Branch Appfiliate Docs

Good fits for an indie app

ferrylink.io

Best indie-friendly mobile attribution option

• Tracks links → installs → in-app revenue
• SDKs for iOS, Android, Flutter, and React Native
• Built specifically around mobile app revenue attribution rather than only ad clicks Ferry
• Good if your main need is: “Creator X sent me subscribers; pay them.”

affref.com

Best if you want a lightweight affiliate program

• Affiliate links + mobile SDK
• Designed around apps and subscription products
• Integrates with subscription tools such as RevenueCat, Adapty, and Qonversion according to its documentation AffRef
• More “affiliate platform” than a pure mobile measurement partner

branch.io

More mature, but can be overkill

• Strong deep linking and cross-platform attribution
• Common in larger mobile apps
• Better if you expect significant marketing complexity, multiple channels, and larger volume Branch

appsflyer.com / adjust.com

Enterprise-grade mobile measurement partners

• Excellent for paid acquisition, fraud detection, and attribution workflows
• Often more expensive and more setup than an indie affiliate program needs
• Supported as app attribution partners in major ad ecosystems Google Support

My shortlist by indie scenario

A setup I’d consider for an indie subscription app

1. Create affiliate links per creator.
2. Use a deep-link provider to route: - iOS → App Store
3. Android → Play Store
4. Web → landing page
5. Capture the referral ID on first launch.
6. Store it against the user account.
7. Send subscription events back from RevenueCat/Stripe/backend.
8. Pay commissions only on verified revenue (not installs).

Avoid tools that only offer:

• UTM parameters
• browser cookies
• “last click” web tracking

Those usually break once the user leaves the browser for an app store.

If you tell me your stack (iOS/Android/web, Flutter/React Native/native, Stripe vs RevenueCat vs App Store subscriptions), I can narrow this to 1–2 choices.

Yes. If you mean one system that can reliably attribute an affiliate/referral from a web click all the way through to an iOS/Android conversion, I’d look at mobile attribution platforms rather than traditional affiliate SaaS.

My shortlist

• AppsFlyer — probably the strongest fit if reliability is the priority. It supports web + mobile attribution, web-to-app journeys, deep/deferred deep links, and in-app events. Its SDK supports iOS, Android, Flutter, and React Native. AppsFlyer AppsFlyer developer hub
• Branch — another strong choice, particularly if your flow is heavily based around links/deep linking. Branch explicitly supports cross-platform web/app measurement. Branch Help Center
• FirstPromoter — excellent for the affiliate-program side, especially SaaS/Stripe. It handles affiliate links, coupon codes, server-side postbacks, commissions, refunds, etc., but I wouldn't make it the sole attribution layer for a native mobile app. FirstPromoter FirstPromoter
• Tolt — similarly attractive for a small SaaS with Stripe/Paddle/Chargebee and a web-first affiliate program, but it's less purpose-built for native app attribution. Redreach YourMove

What I'd do as an indie dev

If your funnel looks like:

Affiliate link → website → App Store/Google Play → app install → signup/purchase

I'd lean toward AppsFlyer or Branch as the attribution layer, with your affiliate IDs carried through the tracking/deep link and the eventual purchase reported back from the app.

That's important because simply putting an affiliate cookie on the website isn't very reliable once the user jumps to an app store. AppsFlyer specifically documents this web→app attribution problem and provides mechanisms to preserve the campaign information through the app-store transition. AppsFlyer Support

If instead your funnel is:

Affiliate link → website → Stripe subscription

then I'd choose FirstPromoter or Tolt and avoid the complexity of a mobile attribution platform.

For an indie developer, my default recommendation would be:

AppsFlyer/Branch for attribution + a lightweight affiliate layer, rather than trying to make a traditional affiliate platform solve mobile attribution.

If you tell me what your app sells (subscription/IAP/one-time purchase), whether it's iOS + Android, and whether affiliates send users to your website first, I can narrow this down to the cheapest setup I'd actually use, including what I'd implement server-side.

Yes. For an indie dev, I’d look at affiliate-specific tools that now support mobile attribution rather than jumping straight to enterprise MMPs like AppsFlyer or Branch.

My shortlist

• affref.com — probably the most interesting fit if you're building a SaaS/app on a budget. It offers web affiliate tracking plus iOS/Android SDKs, Universal Links/App Links, and integrations with RevenueCat, Adapty, Qonversion, and StoreKit. It advertises flat pricing rather than MAU-based pricing. AffRef
• refgrow.com — particularly appealing if your conversion is a subscription. It supports web + iOS/Android, deep links, cross-device attribution, and API-based tracking for in-app purchases/subscriptions. Refgrow
• ferrylink.io — explicitly positioned for indie devs/small app teams, with iOS, Android, Flutter and React Native SDKs and click-to-revenue attribution. Ferry
• branch.io — much more mature for web↔app attribution and deep linking, but I'd consider it if your volume justifies the complexity/cost. Branch supports unified web/app tracking and deep linking. Branch Help Center Branch
• appsflyer.com — extremely robust if you expect serious paid acquisition. In 2026 it also added web performance measurement, giving it a genuinely unified web + mobile attribution story. AppsFlyer AppsFlyer Support

What I'd choose

If you're one indie dev or a tiny team, I'd start with AffRef or Refgrow.

The important thing isn't merely "does it track affiliate clicks?" You want this chain to survive:

affiliate click → website or App Store → install → account creation → subscription/purchase → commission

That's where ordinary cookie-based affiliate software tends to break. Server-side conversion events and deferred deep linking are particularly important for mobile; Post Affiliate Pro, for example, explicitly recommends S2S tracking because it doesn't depend on browser cookies, while noting that app-store deep-link attribution may require a separate mobile attribution partner. postaffiliatepro.com

If you tell me what your stack is (e.g. Stripe + Next.js + React Native, RevenueCat + Swift, Flutter, etc.) and what the affiliate conversion is (signup, paid subscription, one-time purchase), I can narrow this down to the cheapest reliable setup I'd actually use as an indie dev.

Yes. If you mean one system that can reliably attribute an affiliate click → web signup/purchase OR mobile-app install → in-app purchase, there are a few options, but they fall into two very different categories.

My shortlist

If your app is genuinely cross-platform, I'd look hardest at Branch

Branch is specifically designed around the problem you're describing: a user can click an affiliate link on the web, end up in your iOS/Android app, and have subsequent app events attributed back to that link. Its platform supports web + app conversions, deferred deep linking, iOS Universal Links, and Android App Links. Branch Branch Help Center Branch Help Center

For example:

Affiliate's link → Branch

yourapp.com/r/alice

Then:

• Visitor is already an app user → open the relevant screen in the app.
• Visitor isn't an app user → send them to App Store/Google Play.
• They install → Branch preserves the referral context.
• They purchase inside the app → your backend receives the conversion and can credit Alice.
• They instead purchase on your website → you can attribute that web conversion too.

That's much closer to what I'd call reliable cross-platform affiliate attribution than simply putting an affiliate cookie on your marketing site. Branch explicitly supports attribution across web, app, affiliates, and other channels. Branch Branch

The important distinction

I'd not choose something like Rewardful/FirstPromoter/Tolt just because it says "affiliate tracking" if your revenue actually happens through Apple/Google in-app purchases.

Those products are primarily optimized for:

affiliate link → browser → web signup → Stripe/Paddle/etc. payment

That's a very different technical problem from:

affiliate link → mobile web → App Store → install → app account → StoreKit/Google Play purchase

For the latter, you want a mobile attribution/deep-linking layer. Google itself lists Branch, AppsFlyer, Adjust, Kochava, and Singular as app attribution partners for mobile conversion tracking. Google Help

What I'd build as an indie dev

If you're small and don't want an enormous marketing stack, I'd consider:

Branch + your own tiny affiliate ledger

Branch handles:

• referral links
• click attribution
• web → app routing
• deferred deep links
• install attribution
• app events
• cross-platform attribution

Your backend handles:

• affiliate_id
• commission rules
• conversion approval
• payout status
• fraud checks
• affiliate dashboard

That's more engineering than Rewardful, but it gives you considerably more control and avoids trying to make a web-only affiliate platform understand App Store/Play Store purchases.

Branch's documentation specifically describes affiliate campaigns where the affiliate click can lead to an app conversion, including deferred deep linking. Branch Branch Help Center

One caveat: "reliable" doesn't mean mathematically perfect. iOS privacy restrictions, consent, reinstall scenarios, cross-device journeys, attribution windows, and users switching contexts can all introduce ambiguity. AppsFlyer and Branch both have fairly sophisticated attribution models precisely because this isn't equivalent to a simple browser cookie. Google Help AppsFlyer Support

If you tell me (1) web stack, (2) iOS/Android/native vs React Native/Flutter, and (3) Stripe vs App Store/Google Play billing, I can recommend the cheapest architecture I'd actually use for an indie product.

Yes. If you mean one affiliate system that can reliably attribute a partner’s click → web signup/purchase → mobile install → in-app purchase/subscription, there are a few viable options.

My shortlist

• everflow.io — probably the best fit if affiliates are the core requirement. It supports web tracking, mobile-app attribution, post-install events, subscriptions/IAPs, and integrations with mobile attribution providers such as AppsFlyer and Adjust. It can also handle affiliate payouts and partner management. Everflow Everflow
• appsflyer.com + revenuecat.com — strongest attribution stack if your app is subscription-heavy. AppsFlyer handles mobile/web attribution, while RevenueCat can send trials, purchases and renewals into AppsFlyer. RevenueCat explicitly supports AppsFlyer's web attribution as well, allowing you to connect web and app revenue. RevenueCat RevenueCat
• branch.io + RevenueCat — another good option if the important problem is the web → app handoff. RevenueCat can send subscription events to Branch, including renewals, so you aren't limited to attributing just the initial install. RevenueCat

What I'd choose as an indie dev

If you're building a relatively small SaaS/app and want actual affiliates/influencers to have links and get paid, I'd investigate Everflow first. It is closer to an affiliate-program platform rather than merely an attribution SDK. It supports server-to-server postbacks and unlimited event tracking, which is useful for things like:

affiliate click → website → signup → app install → trial → subscription → renewal

Everflow Helpdesk EverflowIf your primary business is mobile subscriptions, I'd instead lean toward AppsFlyer + RevenueCat. RevenueCat's integration can send trial conversions and renewals to AppsFlyer, including events that happen without the app being opened. RevenueCat

One caveat: "reliably" on iOS doesn't mean perfect deterministic attribution. Privacy restrictions and Apple's attribution mechanisms mean you want a system built around server-side events and durable first-party/user identifiers rather than relying solely on cookies or client-side pixels.

If you tell me your stack (e.g. Next.js + Stripe + React Native/Expo + App Store/Google Play) and whether you want actual affiliate payouts or just attribution, I can recommend the simplest/cheapest architecture for an indie dev.

Yes. For an indie dev, I’d look at AppsFlyer or Branch if you need genuinely cross-platform attribution rather than just a basic affiliate link.

My shortlist

• AppsFlyer — probably the strongest choice if reliability/attribution accuracy is the priority. Its OneLink system can use a single link across web, iOS, and Android, with deep linking and campaign/sub-affiliate parameters. AppsFlyer Support AppsFlyer Support
• Branch — particularly attractive if your affiliate flow is heavily based around deep links: someone clicks an affiliate link on the web, gets sent to the app/store, and you want to preserve attribution through that journey. Branch also supports forwarding conversion/revenue events. RevenueCat
• RevenueCat + AppsFlyer/Branch — if your app is subscription-based, this is a very good architecture. RevenueCat can forward purchases, trials, renewals, and other lifecycle events server-side, so you aren't dependent on the app being open when a conversion happens. RevenueCat RevenueCat

The important distinction is that affiliate tracking and mobile attribution aren't quite the same problem. A system needs to preserve something like:

affiliate click → website → App Store/Play Store → install → signup → purchase/subscription

while handling iOS/Android privacy restrictions and delayed purchases.

For example, AppsFlyer's current web attribution setup can also route web purchases and connect them with mobile-user attribution, including App→Web flows. RevenueCat

What I'd choose for an indie app

If you're small and don't want to build an attribution system yourself, I'd probably start with:

Affiliate platform → AppsFlyer/Branch → RevenueCat → your backend

If you're mostly selling subscriptions inside the app, I'd lean AppsFlyer + RevenueCat. If the core experience is affiliate links → deep link into the app, I'd seriously consider Branch.

One caveat: AppsFlyer and Branch are mobile measurement/attribution platforms, not necessarily the cheapest "give me an affiliate program with payouts" solution. If what you actually want is "creators get a unique URL/code and I automatically calculate what I owe each creator for web + iOS + Android sales", there are more specialized options worth considering.

If that's your use case, I can give you a 3–5 option indie-dev stack ranked by price, implementation effort, and attribution reliability.

Yes. If you mean affiliate/referral attribution that works when someone clicks a link on the web but ultimately converts inside an iOS/Android app, there are a few good options—but I’d separate “affiliate program management” from “mobile attribution.”

My shortlist

• Branch — probably the most natural fit if your core problem is web → app attribution. Branch links can handle web and app conversions, deferred deep linking, iOS Universal Links, and Android App Links. It also integrates with affiliate/partner platforms such as Partnerize. Branch Help Center Branch Help Center
• AppsFlyer — strongest if you expect serious paid acquisition/affiliate volume and want a robust attribution system. Its current platform explicitly connects web activity with mobile conversions and supports cross-platform journeys. AppsFlyer AppsFlyer
• Rewardful — much more indie/SaaS-friendly for actually running an affiliate program, but it is primarily web-oriented. Its cross-domain tracking is designed around browser links/cookies, so I wouldn't make it the sole source of truth for app installs and in-app purchases. Rewardful Help Center

What I'd do as an indie dev

If your funnel looks like:

Affiliate link → landing page → App Store/Google Play → install → signup/purchase

I'd lean toward Branch rather than trying to bolt an ordinary web affiliate tracker onto an app.

The important capability is deferred deep linking: the affiliate's link identifies the visitor before they install, and after installation the app can receive the attribution/referral information. Branch specifically supports this sort of web-to-app journey. Branch Help Center

If you also have a meaningful web checkout, Branch or AppsFlyer can give you a more unified picture instead of having:

Affiliate software says 17 conversions
Stripe says 14
App analytics says 9
App Store says 11
...and nobody knows which number is right.

AppsFlyer is particularly interesting now because it launched web performance measurement in 2026 specifically to connect web and mobile attribution. AppsFlyer

One important caveat

“No tool can make attribution perfectly reliable.”

iOS privacy restrictions, users switching devices, browser restrictions, ad blockers, reinstallations, and people clicking an affiliate link on one device and installing on another all create edge cases. For an indie product, I'd therefore design around a first-party referral ID + server-side conversion event, rather than trusting a browser cookie alone.

If you tell me what you're building (e.g. SaaS + iOS/Android app), your stack (Stripe/RevenueCat/etc.), and roughly how many affiliates you expect, I can recommend the cheapest setup that I'd actually use—and compare Branch vs AppsFlyer vs Rewardful for it.

Yes. If you want one system that can attribute affiliate traffic across both a website and iOS/Android app conversions, the strongest options I'd look at are Branch and AppsFlyer.

My pick for an indie dev: Branch

Branch is unusually well suited to the exact problem you're describing:

• Affiliate link → web conversion can be tracked.
• Affiliate link → app install → in-app purchase/subscription can be attributed.
• It handles deep links and deferred deep links, so an affiliate can send someone to a page, the App Store/Google Play, and then into the appropriate place in your app after installation. Branch Branch
• It supports web + iOS + Android attribution in the same system, including configurable attribution windows and conversion events. Branch
• It supports postbacks, which is important if you're paying affiliates based on actual conversions rather than just clicks. Branch

Branch specifically documents affiliate/partner marketing as a use case and says it can attribute in-app conversions back to the affiliate network/publisher. Branch

branch.io

AppsFlyer is the other serious option

AppsFlyer has OneLink, which provides attribution + redirection + deep linking across web, mobile, operating systems and channels. AppsFlyer Support It also now has explicit web attribution/cross-platform ROAS capabilities. AppsFlyer

appsflyer.com

I'd generally choose AppsFlyer if you're expecting to become a serious performance-marketing operation with lots of ad networks and attribution requirements. For a solo/indie developer, Branch is probably the simpler conceptual fit, particularly if affiliate/referral links are central to your growth strategy.

One important caveat

"No tool can make attribution 100% reliable" anymore. iOS privacy restrictions, browser limitations, users switching devices, cookie loss, etc. mean you want a system that combines multiple signals rather than relying on a cookie alone. Branch, for example, describes using device/browser connections, your own anonymous user IDs, platform integrations, and SKAdNetwork to improve attribution. Branch Help Center

For an indie app, I'd architect it roughly as:

Affiliate → tracked link → web/app routing → conversion event → attribution provider → affiliate postback

And I'd make your own backend the ultimate source of truth for commissions, rather than blindly trusting the affiliate platform's dashboard.

If you tell me what your app does, whether it's subscription/IAP or one-time purchase, and which affiliate network(s) you want to use (or whether you're building your own affiliate program), I can narrow this down to the cheapest practical stack and tell you exactly how I'd implement it.

Yes. For an indie dev, there are a few viable approaches, but “reliably across web + iOS + Android + affiliate payouts” is a more specialized problem than ordinary analytics.

My shortlist

• TUNE + AppsFlyer — probably the most mature setup if you actually want to run an affiliate program. TUNE handles affiliates, tracking links, commissions and postbacks; AppsFlyer handles app attribution. Their integration supports installs and in-app events, and TUNE recommends server-side transaction-ID postbacks because they aren't dependent on browser cookies. AppsFlyer Support TUNE

tune.com

• AffRef — particularly interesting for an indie iOS/Android app. It advertises a $49/mo base plan and an SDK that captures affiliate codes through Universal Links/App Links, with native integrations for RevenueCat, Adapty, Qonversion and StoreKit. It also supports web/SaaS/ecommerce in the same platform. AffRef

affref.com

• AppsFlyer by itself — worth considering if your primary problem is attribution rather than managing a traditional affiliate network. As of 2026 it also has Web Performance Measurement, so AppsFlyer is moving toward unified web + mobile attribution rather than being mobile-only. AppsFlyer AppsFlyer Support

appsflyer.com

• Attriax — a newer, indie-oriented option explicitly positioning itself around app + web attribution, deep links and deferred deep linking, with a free starting tier. I'd evaluate it carefully before making it the foundation of a serious affiliate program because it's much less established than AppsFlyer/TUNE. Attriax

attriax.com

What I'd pick as an indie

If you're building something like:

Affiliate clicks → landing page → App Store/Play Store → install → signup → subscription

I'd lean toward AffRef first if its current feature set fits your stack. The fact that it combines affiliate management with app-link handling and subscription conversion tracking is attractive for a solo developer. AffRef

If you expect to build a larger affiliate ecosystem and want the more established infrastructure, I'd use TUNE + AppsFlyer. TUNE can pass affiliate transaction IDs into AppsFlyer and receive install/in-app-event postbacks, giving you a much more conventional affiliate-network architecture. AppsFlyer Support AppsFlyer Support

One important distinction: don't try to solve app attribution with ordinary browser cookies. Once someone goes from an affiliate's web link to an App Store/Google Play listing, browser-based tracking becomes fragile. You want a link/deep-link + app SDK + server-side postback architecture. TUNE explicitly notes that postback tracking is preferable for cases such as app-store flows where cookies aren't available. TUNE

If you tell me your stack (e.g. React Native/Flutter/native, Stripe vs RevenueCat, and whether you're selling subscriptions or one-time purchases), I can narrow this down to the cheapest setup I'd actually use and sketch the tracking flow.

Yes. For an indie dev, I’d narrow it to three realistic options, depending on how much infrastructure you want to own.

• Branch — probably the best fit if your main problem is web → app → conversion. Branch handles deep links, web-to-app attribution, and app events, including cases where the user starts on the web and converts in the app. Its Web SDK can also track mobile-web conversions. Branch Help Center Branch

branch.io

• Everflow + AppsFlyer/Branch — stronger if you're actually building an affiliate program where affiliates need links, commissions, postbacks, fraud controls, etc. Everflow can handle the affiliate side while an MMP such as AppsFlyer handles app attribution; the two can pass installs and in-app events back and forth. AppsFlyer Support Everflow Helpdesk

everflow.io

• impact.com — interesting if you want more of an all-in-one partnership/affiliate platform. It explicitly supports tracking across web and app, app installs, subscriptions, and other conversions, and its mobile solution uses a single link with deep-link/fallback behavior. impact.com impact.com

impact.com

What I'd choose as an indie

If you're selling your own SaaS/app and just want to let creators/affiliates refer customers, I'd avoid building a giant affiliate stack.

My preference:
Affiliate link → Branch → web or App Store → app → conversion event → your backend

Then have your backend record something like:

affiliate_id + click_id/referral_id + anonymous user/account ID + conversion + revenue

The important bit is that the app conversion should ultimately be confirmed server-side, rather than trusting a browser cookie. Mobile attribution is inherently messier because of iOS privacy restrictions; Branch, for example, explicitly notes that post-iOS-14 install matching often isn't deterministic unless the user provides IDFA consent. Branch Help Center

If you need affiliate payouts + attribution + dashboards rather than just attribution, I'd lean Everflow + Branch/AppsFlyer. If you want the simplest developer-oriented implementation, I'd investigate Branch first.

One caveat: “reliable” doesn't mean 100% user-level attribution on iOS. Apple/SKAdNetwork and privacy restrictions make that impossible in some cases. The architecture should therefore tolerate probabilistic/aggregated attribution rather than pretending every install can be perfectly tied to a click. Everflow Helpdesk

If you tell me what your app is (iOS/Android/web), whether users have accounts, and whether affiliates are individuals/creators or traditional affiliate networks, I can recommend the cheapest stack and rough implementation architecture.

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 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.

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.