Quick Summary
Status: TubeBuddy's affiliate program is closed to new applications as of 2024/2025.
History: Was once one of the most generous SaaS affiliate programs (50% lifetime recurring), but commissions were reduced multiple times before closing.
Existing Affiliates: Can continue earning on current referrals but cannot refer new affiliates.
Best Alternative: OutlierKit Affiliate Program — 20% recurring on 12 payments, actively accepting new affiliates.
Key Takeaways: TubeBuddy Affiliate Program
- TubeBuddy's affiliate program is closed to new affiliates as of 2024/2025.
- Historical commission rates: 50% lifetime (2015-2020) → 30-50% tiered (2021-2023) → 15-30% (2024) → Closed.
- Existing affiliates can continue earning on their referrals but cannot refer new affiliates.
- Best alternative: OutlierKit — 20% recurring commission, 30-day cookie, no earnings cap, actively open.
What Was the TubeBuddy Affiliate Program?
TubeBuddy's affiliate program was legendary in the affiliate marketing world. At its peak, it offered 50% lifetime recurring commissions — meaning affiliates earned half of every payment their referrals made, for as long as those users remained subscribers.
With TubeBuddy's plans ranging from $4.99 to $49.99/month, successful affiliates built substantial passive income streams. A single referral on the Legend plan ($24.50/month annual) meant $12.25/month in perpetuity — for life.
Historical Program Details
- Commission Rate
- Was 15-50% (tiered)
- Cookie Duration
- Lifetime cookie
- Payout Threshold
- $10 minimum
- Payment Method
- PayPal
- Payout Schedule
- 1st of each month
- Recurring Commission
- Yes, lifetime (for existing affiliates)
Commission Rate History
The TubeBuddy affiliate program went through several changes before ultimately closing:
TubeBuddy offered one of the most generous affiliate programs in the SaaS space with 50% lifetime recurring commissions.
Commission became tiered based on performance. Top affiliates kept 50%, while new affiliates started at 30%.
Commission rates were significantly reduced. Many affiliates reported drops from 50% to 15-20%.
The affiliate program is now closed to new applicants. Existing affiliates can continue but cannot refer new affiliates.
Why TubeBuddy Closed Their Affiliate Program
TubeBuddy hasn't released an official statement, but based on industry analysis and affiliate community discussions, here are the likely factors:
Market Saturation
With 15M+ users, TubeBuddy reached a point where organic growth outpaced affiliate-driven growth, making the program less cost-effective.
Commission Costs
Lifetime recurring commissions at 50% became unsustainable as customer lifetime value increased. Existing affiliates were earning more than acquisition costs.
Quality Control
Reports suggest the program attracted low-quality promotion tactics, spam, and misleading marketing that hurt the brand.
Strategic Shift
TubeBuddy appears to be focusing on partnerships with major creators and educational platforms rather than individual affiliates.
What Affiliates Are Saying
Here's what we've gathered from Reddit and affiliate forums:
"Just got the email - my TubeBuddy affiliate commission dropped from 50% to 20%. After 3 years of promoting them. Pretty disappointing."
"Tried to sign up for TubeBuddy's affiliate program and got a message saying they're not accepting new affiliates. Guess I'll look elsewhere."
"The golden days of TubeBuddy affiliates are over. 50% lifetime recurring was insane while it lasted. Time to find alternatives."
Sources: r/Affiliatemarketing, r/juststart, r/Entrepreneur
The Best TubeBuddy Affiliate Program Alternative
If you're looking to promote YouTube creator tools and earn affiliate commissions, OutlierKit is the recommended alternative with an actively open program:
OutlierKit
RecommendedOpenEarn on 12 payments per referral with no cap on earnings. Unlike programs that reduce rates as you scale, OutlierKit pays the same 20% whether you refer 10 or 10,000 users.
- No cap on earnings
- Program actively open
- Unique product positioning
- Same rate at any scale
- Monthly payouts
- Marketing assets included
- Real-time dashboard
TubeBuddy vs OutlierKit Comparison
| Feature | TubeBuddy | OutlierKit |
|---|---|---|
| Program Status | Closed | Open |
| Commission Rate | Was 15-30% | 20% |
| Recurring Duration | Was lifetime | 12 months |
| Cookie Duration | Was lifetime | 30 days |
| Earnings Cap | — | No Cap |
| Payout Frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Marketing Assets | Yes | Yes |
| Real-time Dashboard | Yes | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the TubeBuddy affiliate program still available in 2026?
No, the TubeBuddy affiliate program is currently closed to new affiliates. While existing affiliates can continue earning commissions on their referrals, new applications are not being accepted. This has been the case since late 2024.
Why did TubeBuddy close their affiliate program?
TubeBuddy hasn't made an official statement, but industry analysis suggests several factors: market saturation (15M+ users), unsustainable commission costs from lifetime payouts, quality control issues with affiliate promotions, and a strategic shift toward creator partnerships over individual affiliates.
Can existing TubeBuddy affiliates still earn commissions?
Yes, existing affiliates who were accepted before the program closed can continue earning commissions on their existing referrals and any new conversions from their affiliate links. However, they cannot refer new affiliates to the program.
What was the TubeBuddy affiliate commission rate before it closed?
TubeBuddy's commission rates changed significantly over time. In its prime (2015-2020), it offered 50% lifetime recurring commissions. This dropped to a tiered 30-50% system, and most recently was reduced to 15-30% before closing entirely.
What's the best alternative to the TubeBuddy affiliate program?
OutlierKit is the recommended alternative for YouTube tool affiliates. It offers 20% recurring commissions on 12 payments per referral, with no cap on earnings, monthly payouts, and an actively open program. Unlike some programs that reduce rates as you scale, OutlierKit pays the same 20% whether you refer 10 or 10,000 users.
Will TubeBuddy reopen their affiliate program?
There's no official word on whether TubeBuddy will reopen their affiliate program. Given the trend of reducing commissions before closing, a reopening would likely come with significantly different terms than the original program. We'll update this page if the status changes.
How do I know if a YouTube tool affiliate program is worth joining?
Look for: 1) Program status (is it actually open?), 2) Commission rate and whether it's recurring, 3) Cookie duration, 4) Product-market fit with your audience, 5) Conversion rates and product quality, 6) Payout reliability and thresholds. A high commission rate means nothing if the product doesn't convert or the program isn't accepting new affiliates.
Can I still promote TubeBuddy without being an affiliate?
Yes, you can still create content about TubeBuddy, but you won't earn commissions. If you're creating YouTube tool content anyway, consider joining an open affiliate program like OutlierKit so you can monetize your recommendations.
Can I be an affiliate for multiple YouTube tools?
Yes, you can join multiple affiliate programs simultaneously. There's no exclusivity requirement with most programs including OutlierKit. Many affiliates promote several tools and let their audience choose what fits best. However, we'd encourage you to genuinely use and believe in the products you promote—authentic recommendations convert better and build trust with your audience.
Ready to Start Earning?
Don't let TubeBuddy's closed program stop you. Join OutlierKit's affiliate program and start earning 20% recurring commissions today.
