Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy vs Mega External Linksfor Shopify (2026)
Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy and Mega External Links both aim to boost sales through affiliate programs, but they cater to vastly different needs and operate on different scales. ReferrLy focuses on building an internal affiliate program, empowering merchants to recruit influencers and loyal customers as referral partners. It provides comprehensive tools for affiliate onboarding, commission management, and performance tracking. In contrast, Mega External Links is designed for merchants looking to leverage existing external platforms like Amazon or eBay by redirecting customers to those sites, often for affiliate sales on those platforms or facilitating sales on other channels. It excels at customizing external links and integrating them seamlessly into the Shopify store experience. Essentially, ReferrLy helps create an affiliate network while Mega External Links connects to existing ones.
At a Glance
Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy
786 reviews
Mega External Links
6 reviews
Detailed Overview
Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy
Affiliate program & Referral marketing tool to drive sales via ambassadors and influencers marketing
Key Features
- Seamless Affiliate Onboarding. Custom signup domain & form fields.
- Set Commission rules by affiliates, products, collections & achievements & more
- Automatically creates Referral links & Coupon Codes for affiliates
- Post Purchase Pop-Ups. Ask your customers to join as affiliates on order pages
- Track referral sales using both referral links and coupon codes.
Mega External Links
Unleash Your Product! Seamlessly and Instantly Link to External Affiliate or Payment Sales Channels.
Key Features
- Customize Buttons: Craft unique button text for seamless integration.
- Link Redirection: Effortlessly redirect users for improved engagement.
- Universal Display: Display buttons on any page or product.
- Ready to boost links for Black Friday, Cyber Monday (BFCM) & Christmas Sales!
- Cart Enhancement: Swap Add to Cart with external links for seamless experience.
Feature Comparison
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Rating Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy5/5 Mega External Links5/5 | ||
| Reviews | 786 | 6 |
Reviews Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy786 Mega External Links6 | ||
| Core Functionality | Internal Affiliate Program Builder | External Link Redirection |
Core Functionality Affiliate Marketing ReferrLyInternal Affiliate Program Builder Mega External LinksExternal Link Redirection | ||
| Target Merchant | Businesses Seeking to Create & Manage their own Affiliate Network | Businesses Leveraging External Marketplaces (e.g., Amazon, eBay) and Affiliate Programs on those platforms |
Target Merchant Affiliate Marketing ReferrLyBusinesses Seeking to Create & Manage their own Affiliate Network Mega External LinksBusinesses Leveraging External Marketplaces (e.g., Amazon, eBay) and Affiliate Programs on those platforms | ||
| Key Features | Affiliate Onboarding, Commission Rules, Referral Link/Coupon Generation, Post-Purchase Popups | Customizable Buttons, Link Redirection, Universal Display, Cart Enhancement (Replace Add to Cart) |
Key Features Affiliate Marketing ReferrLyAffiliate Onboarding, Commission Rules, Referral Link/Coupon Generation, Post-Purchase Popups Mega External LinksCustomizable Buttons, Link Redirection, Universal Display, Cart Enhancement (Replace Add to Cart) | ||
| Value Proposition | Build brand advocacy, drive targeted traffic, increase sales through referral partnerships | Expand reach, leverage existing platforms, boost affiliate revenue (external), offer alternative sales channels |
Value Proposition Affiliate Marketing ReferrLyBuild brand advocacy, drive targeted traffic, increase sales through referral partnerships Mega External LinksExpand reach, leverage existing platforms, boost affiliate revenue (external), offer alternative sales channels | ||
| Ease of Use Focus | Streamlined affiliate program management | Quick integration with external links and customized button creation |
Ease of Use Focus Affiliate Marketing ReferrLyStreamlined affiliate program management Mega External LinksQuick integration with external links and customized button creation | ||
Our Verdict
For merchants wanting to establish and control their own affiliate network from within their Shopify store, Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy is the clear choice. Its comprehensive feature set streamlines affiliate onboarding, commission management, and performance tracking. However, if a merchant primarily relies on external platforms like Amazon or eBay and wants to seamlessly direct Shopify store visitors to those listings, Mega External Links is the better option. Its focus on customizable link redirection provides a user-friendly experience for leveraging external affiliate programs. The low review count of Mega External Links compared to ReferrLy is a significant factor to consider, even with the same rating.
Common Questions
Can I use both apps together?
Potentially, but their core functionalities overlap slightly. ReferrLy handles internal affiliate programs, while Mega External Links focuses on redirecting to external ones. Using both would require careful planning to avoid confusing customers.
Which app is better for a brand new Shopify store?
If your primary strategy involves driving sales through external marketplaces and affiliate links on those platforms, Mega External Links can provide an immediate boost. If you are building your brand and want to cultivate loyal customers as brand ambassadors, consider Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy, understanding it may take longer to build a strong affiliate base.
Which app is easier to set up?
Mega External Links likely has a faster setup process due to its focus on simple link redirection. Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy requires more configuration to establish the affiliate program rules, onboarding process, and commission structures.
Which app provides more detailed analytics?
Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy offers more detailed analytics related to affiliate performance, conversion rates, and revenue generated by specific affiliates. Mega External Links will primarily track clicks and redirections to external platforms; further analytics depends on the tracking capabilities of the external sites.
Is either app suitable for dropshipping?
Mega External Links is potentially more relevant for dropshipping if you're directing customers to AliExpress or similar platforms. Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy might not be as directly applicable, as it focuses on creating an affiliate network promoting your store and its specific products.
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