Single Level vs Multi Level Affiliate Programs Explained (With Examples)

Starting an affiliate marketing program sounds simple and easy – until you bump into terms like “single level affiliate program” and “multi level affiliate programs”. 

And honestly, with so many marketers and platforms tossing these terms around like everyone’s supposed to already know what they mean. You’re left wondering, “Are they just buzzwords or something I actually need to understand?”

Yes, they matter a lot.

At its core, an affiliate program lets you reward people (affiliates) for promoting your product and bringing in new sales or signups. But how far that reward structure goes, that’s where the levels matter.

In this guide, we’ll see the difference between single level and multi level affiliate programs in simple language and show you which model fits your business growth strategy the best.

What Is a Single Level Affiliate Program?

Want the simplest affiliate setup possible? That’s exactly what a single level program gives you. No teams, no recruiting, just direct commissions. 

Single level affiliate program is a marketing strategy where affiliates earn a commission (reward) for every direct sale or promotion. Thus, we can say it is a core affiliate marketing strategy.

Affiliates are rewarded for each direct sale they make with no obligation to build a sales team or hire someone else to promote. That way, they get a commission completely based on their own performance. 

There’s no extra layer of earnings from sub-affiliates or “downlines.” You reward only the person who drives the actual conversion. Think of it like a straightforward “you promote, you earn” system.

For example, let’s take a look at the Amazon Associate affiliate program. An affiliate joins their program and promotes it by posting blogs and YouTube videos with unique affiliate links. When someone clicks on their affiliate links and buys a product, they earn the commission on that sale. 

That’s all. That’s the end of the chain.

What Is a Multi Level Affiliate Program?

A multi level affiliate program is like a leveled-up version of core affiliate marketing. In this model of affiliate program, affiliates not only earn commissions from their own sales but also from the sales made by other affiliates they recruited. 

These recruited affiliates are often known as their sub-affiliates or downline. In this type of affiliate program setup, commissions can be earned in levels. 

• Level 1: Affiliates earn a commission for the sales they bring in directly.
• Level 2: Affiliates also earn a smaller percentage from the sales their sub-affiliate makes (Extra Commission).
• Level 3: Some programs go even deeper, offering smaller rewards for additional tiers.

If you are a business owner, you can reward multiple affiliates across different levels instead of paying commissions to just one person per sale. 

It is important because this affiliate program model actually encourages your affiliates to build a network of promoters to grow your brand reach with zero workload of your own.

Key Differences: Single Level vs. Multi Level at a Glance

Here’s a main key difference between single level and multi tier programs at a glance: 

Factors	Single-Level Affiliate Program	Multi-Level Affiliate Program
Commission Source	Only from direct sales	From direct sales + downline/sub-affiliate sales
Structure	Simple and easy with no layers or teams	Level-based commission structure. It allows 2, 3, or more levels of earning potential
Affiliate Type	Solo promoters	Promoters + recruiters (who build teams)
Management Effort	Easy to track and payout	Needs layered tracking and commission management
Best For	Beginners, small businesses, bloggers	Established brands, SaaS, influencers, recurring or high-ticket offers
Growth Potential	Steady and predictable	Bigger reach and exponential scaling via networks
Tools Required	Basic affiliate software	Advanced affiliate tracking systems capable of multi-level support
Industry Examples	Amazon Associates, Shopify Affiliates	Builderall, ClickFunnels, high-ticket SaaS affiliate programs

Quick Tip: Both models can work perfectly. What matters the most is your business goals. But tools like AffiliatePress support both, so you’re never locked into just one type of affiliate marketing model.

How Do Commission Levels Work in Single vs Multi Level Affiliate Models?

Now let’s talk about money (Commission), because that’s where the real difference lies between single level and multi level affiliate programs.

1. In a Single-Level Affiliate Program

You only have to pay affiliates for the sales they directly bring in. So there’s only one commission level, which is simple and easy to track as well. 

For example, you offer 20% commission on each sale from your WooCommerce online store. An affiliate joins your affiliate program, promotes your $100 products, and makes a sale. Now then, you have to pay only $20 for that sale. That’s all.

So, single level affiliate programs are perfect if you want a small and hassle-free affiliate setup.

2. In a Multi-Level Affiliate Program

You have to pay out commissions to multiple affiliates at multiple levels for the same sale. You might have level 2, level 3, or even more commission structures, where the affiliate who referred the sale earns. AND the affiliate who recruited that affiliate also earns a cut.

For example, one affiliate named Sanaya joins an affiliate program that offers 10% commission and 2% commission from a sub-affiliate. She refers another affiliate named Mina to join in. So when Mina makes a sale, she earns 10% commission, but Sanaya also earns 2% commission.

And that’s how you reward both:

• The person who did the direct promotion, and
• The person who recruited the promoter.

This type of multi-level affiliate program is perfect for brands who want word-of-mouth publicity, growth, and are willing to spend more for it. 

Single vs Multi Level: How Do You Choose the Right Program?

We’ve already walked you through the key difference between both single level and multi-level affiliate programs; it’s decision time.

To help you make the right decision, let’s discuss the pros and cons of both types of affiliate marketing programs. 

Single Level Affiliate Programs: Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Easy to manage (one commission level).	Limited scalability.
Direct and predictable payouts.	May require higher commissions to attract top performers.
Great for beginners and small brands.	Growth depends only on individual effort of affiliates.
No recruiting or network building is needed.

Multi Level Affiliate Program: Pros & Cons 

Pros	Cons
Scales quickly through affiliate networks.	More complex to track and manage.
Encourages sales team building.	You have to pay a higher overall commission.
Multiple earning streams without constant promotion.	Requires advanced affiliate software.
	Risk of unethical “recruit-first” behavior.

So, when it comes down to single level vs. multi level affiliate programs, which one actually makes more sense for you? The answer is simple. It all depends on your business goals, type, management capacity, and growth vision. 

You can go with a single level affiliate program if you want to keep things simple and easy. Single level affiliate program works best when you:

• Just starting your own affiliate marketing program.
• Want to track and manage commissions with ease.
• Run any eCommerce store, blog website, or any kind of small business.
• Prefer direct and performance based payouts without complications.

It’s a great entry point for businesses who want to grow through affiliate marketing.

However, if you are ready to build a fast growing affiliate network without adding more workload, multi level affiliate program might be exactly what you’re looking for. Multi level affiliate program model fits best when you:

• Run a SaaS, membership, or digital product business.
• Have affiliates who can recruit other affiliates.
• Want to encourage team growth and word-of-mouth marketing.
• Can handle multi-tier tracking and commission setups.

It’s a smarter long-term play that results in higher reach, more automation, and a community building approach.

Final Thoughts: Build an Affiliate Program That Fits You

Why choose between single level or multi level when you can build an affiliate program that grows with your business? Creating single level, multi level or even other types is super easy with AffiliatePress.

With AffiliatePress, you never have to limit your business’s growth potential. You can set up a simple single level affiliate program to start small and later expand into a multi level structure as your brand grows. 

The best part? AffiliatePress is the affiliate plugin that grows side by side with your business. That way, whether you’re rewarding direct promoters or building a network of sub-affiliates, AffiliatePress gives you full control over commission levels, tracking, and payouts, all from one WordPress dashboard.

AffiliatePress comes with smart multiple commission structures, such as: 

• Product Wise Custom Commission
• Multi Level Commission Structure
• Tiered Based Commission
• Performance Bonus
• Recurring Commissions
• Lifetime Commission and more 

So, instead of asking which affiliate program model is better, ask which model fits your business stage right now. Start lean, grow wide, and let your affiliate system grow with you using AffiliatePress.

You May Also Like:

• How to Create a Winning Affiliate Marketing Business Plan?
• 11 Affiliate Marketing Tips to Boost Affiliate Sales
• 8 Types of Affiliate Partners to Grow Your Business Fast