Refferq

Refferq is an open-source affiliate platform for businesses that want to manage partners on infrastructure they control. It best suits teams able to run a Node.js and PostgreSQL application; its broad tracking and reporting capabilities come without usage caps or transaction fees, but require deployment and email configuration.

Overview

Refferq brings affiliate approvals, referral tracking, commission rules, analytics, and a partner portal into one self-hosted platform. Registration includes OTP email verification, and administrators can review and approve applicants. Group-based commission rates pass to affiliates assigned to each group, which can reduce repetitive setup when partners share terms.

A JavaScript tracker captures referral clicks, while conversions are recorded through the API. Real-time dashboards and a Reports API cover clicks, conversions, revenue, commissions, and top affiliates. That combination suits teams that want an operational view and programmatic access to performance data, though conversion tracking calls for API integration.

Key features

Tracking, rules, and reporting

Refferq covers the core affiliate workflow from verified registration through referral attribution and commission reporting. Its 38+ API endpoints provide a broad integration surface, while the Reports API makes key performance measures accessible outside the dashboards. This will matter most to teams able to connect their conversion events and reporting processes to the API.

Webhooks and customization

Twelve webhook event types, HMAC-SHA256 signatures, and exponential-backoff retries give integrations both event coverage and delivery safeguards. The interface, branding, commission rules, and tracking logic can be customized, and the pricing page includes white-label branding. These options make the platform more adaptable than a fixed partner workflow, but also put more responsibility on the business operating it.

Pricing

The Self-Hosted plan has no published price. It includes unlimited affiliates, referrals, and conversions, 38+ API endpoints, 12 webhook event types, complete source code, and no usage limits or per-transaction charges. Refferq is open source under the MIT License. This is the clearest fit for teams that can host and maintain the software and want uncapped program activity; community support is through GitHub Discussions and Issues.

Managed Cloud is $29 a month, billed monthly, and is described as including everything in Self-Hosted. It is marked Coming Soon, so it is not a current option. Its listed email support has a 24-hour response, which may suit teams seeking a managed service, once available.

The lower-cost trade-off is not a metered feature tier: Self-Hosted avoids usage and transaction charges, but requires the customer to run the application. There is no published free trial or separate capped free tier to compare.

Platforms

Refferq supports web, API, and self-hosted deployment. Its documented requirements are Node.js 18+ and PostgreSQL 12+, with deployment options covering Docker, Vercel, and VPS. Email notifications use Resend and require a Resend API key in the configuration. Those dependencies are important operational considerations for teams choosing to host it themselves.

Who it's for

Refferq is strongest for businesses that want control over affiliate data and infrastructure, need API-connected conversion tracking, and expect partner volume that makes usage caps or transaction fees unattractive. Group-level commissions and customizable tracking logic also suit programs with shared partner terms but tailored attribution needs.

It is a weaker fit for teams seeking a ready-to-run hosted service today, or those without the capacity to manage a Node.js and PostgreSQL deployment and configure Resend. Its current support route is community-based rather than the email support described for the future cloud plan.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Unlimited affiliates, referrals, and conversions without usage limits or per-transaction charges make costs independent of program activity.
• Pros: API access, a Reports API, and signed, retrying webhooks support integration and reporting workflows.
• Pros: MIT licensing, full source code, and customization of branding, rules, and tracking give operators control over the product.
• Cons: Self-hosting requires Node.js 18+, PostgreSQL 12+, deployment work, and a Resend API key for email.
• Cons: Conversions are recorded through the API, adding integration work for teams that need conversion attribution.
• Cons: The managed plan is still Coming Soon, leaving self-hosting as the available route.

Alternatives

For a usage-based alternative, OpenPartner has a $3 a month Revshare plan billed at 3% of GMV with no monthly fee, plus unlimited partners, links, and campaigns; consider it if that transaction-based model fits better than operating Refferq yourself.

UpPromote offers a free plan with one affiliate program and $3,000 referral review per month, making it a possible fit for a smaller program that can work within those caps. CAKE is a paid option for readers considering affiliate analytics software across Android, API, iOS, and web.

Affilimate has creator and brand/agency offerings, including an affiliate revenue dashboard and centralized link management for creators; consider it when those needs take priority. Partnerize uses customized pricing based on program structure and service needs, with fixed-license or performance-based pricing options.

SliceWP has a free plan and paid annual options, including Pro at $229 a year for one site; it may suit a site owner looking for that annual plan structure. Numok offers a free open-source option with unlimited affiliates and no per-seat fees. Refersion offers marketplace listings and affiliate offers for programs seeking that kind of marketplace presence.

Browse Affiliate Analytics Software or Affiliate Marketing Software for more options.

Verdict

Choose Refferq if your business wants an open-source affiliate system with uncapped activity, flexible commission rules, and API-centered tracking on infrastructure it controls. Its strongest reason to choose is the combination of broad integration and reporting with no usage or transaction fees; its strongest reason to look elsewhere is the deployment and configuration burden, especially if you need managed hosting now.