If you’ve ever tried affiliate marketing and enjoyed it, there’s a whole forex niche out there as well. You might have come across two payout types: CPA and revenue share.
They’re both popular payout models in a typical affiliate program, but they work very differently. And depending on your strategy, audience, and patience level, one might suit you way more than the other.
If you’re trying to figure out which model pays off better, let’s break it down.
What are Forex Affiliate Payout Models?
Before we talk about CPA and revenue share to compare them against each other, here’s a quick rundown of the two:
- CPA (Cost Per Acquisition) is where you get a one-time payment for every new trader you refer. This trader must sign up and meet certain requirements.
- Revenue share is where you earn a percentage of what the broker makes from your referred traders over time. This can be ongoing for months or even years.
Both options come with pros and cons, and your ideal pick when signing up for a forex affiliate program depends on how you work and how your audience behaves.
Cost Per Acquisition (CPA)
CPA is the fast and prediction one of the two payout models. You promote the platform, someone signs up and completes the required action, and you get paid. Quick and simple. You don’t have to wait to see how they perform in the long run.
CPA is preferred because of its:
- Quick returns, which are perfect if you need cash flow and can bring in a high volume of signups fast.
- Low maintenance. Once someone qualifies, your job is done. You don’t need to worry about their trading activity.
- Predictable income. You know exactly how much you’re earning per qualified user, which makes planning easier.
Revenue Share
Revenue share, on the other hand, is more like playing the long game. You get a portion of whatever the broker earns from your referred trader’s activity for as long as they keep trading.
It is appealing for the:
- Long-term income. If your referred traders are active, you could be earning commissions for years from a single referral.
- Higher earning potential. One engaged trader might earn you more than a flat CPA payout.
- Passive income potential. It builds up over time and can stack, especially if you consistently refer quality traders.
Which Is Better?
There is no single “right” answer to this. The better affiliate program payout depends on your style, audience, preference, and end goal.
Go with CPA if you:
- Want fast and predictable payouts.
- Are running paid ads and need ROI quickly.
- Have a short attention span.
Go with revenue share if you:
- Are building a long-term content platform or audience.
- Don’t mind waiting for bigger payouts.
- Like the idea of stacking income over time with less ongoing effort.
Some forex affiliate programs even offer hybrid models, where you get a smaller CPA upfront and a share of the revenue over time. It’s not a bad deal if you want to balance speed and sustainability.