If you’re new to affiliate marketing or exploring different monetization strategies, chances are you’ve come across the terms CPA (Cost Per Action) and RevShare (Revenue Sharing). While both are popular affiliate commission models, they operate very differently — and choosing the right one can significantly impact your earnings.
In this guide, we break down CPA vs RevShare, highlight the pros and cons of each, and help you decide which model fits your goals and traffic type.
What Is CPA (Cost Per Action)?
CPA is a payout model where affiliates earn a fixed commission whenever a user completes a specific action. This could be:
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Filling out a form
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Signing up for a trial
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Making a purchase
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Installing an app
Example:
You promote a product with a $30 CPA payout. Once the user signs up through your link, you earn $30 — regardless of how much money the customer spends later.
Pros of CPA:
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Fast payouts: Earn immediately after the action.
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Low customer commitment: Often just a signup or install.
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Easier for cold traffic: Works well with paid ads and new audiences.
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More predictable earnings: Fixed rates simplify budgeting and forecasting.
Cons of CPA:
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One-time payment: You don’t benefit from long-term customer value.
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Strict rules: Networks may reject leads that don’t meet quality standards.
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Lower total lifetime value: Especially if the product has high retention or upsells.
What Is RevShare (Revenue Sharing)?
RevShare means you earn a percentage of the revenue generated by the customer you refer — often for the lifetime of that customer or for a defined period.
Example:
You refer a user who spends $200. If your RevShare is 30%, you earn $60. If they continue paying monthly, you keep earning a share as long as they stay.
Pros of RevShare:
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Recurring income: Earn as long as the customer stays active.
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High long-term value: Especially for SaaS, subscriptions, and finance products.
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Passive income potential: Great for content creators and SEO-based sites.
Cons of RevShare:
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Delayed earnings: You often have to wait weeks or months to see full value.
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Higher churn risk: If users cancel early, you earn less.
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Harder to scale with cold traffic: Best for warm or organic audiences.
Which Model Should You Choose?
Choose CPA if:
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You run paid ads and want fast ROI.
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You prefer predictable, fixed commissions.
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You promote low-ticket or one-time action offers (e.g., lead gen, app installs).
Choose RevShare if:
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You build long-term content (SEO, YouTube, blogging).
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You promote products with high retention (e.g., SaaS, subscriptions).
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You aim to build passive income over time.
Final Thoughts
Both CPA and RevShare have unique advantages, and the best model often depends on your traffic source, marketing strategy, and niche. Many top affiliates actually combine both models — using CPA for fast cash flow and RevShare for long-term revenue growth.
Want to test both models? Join hybrid affiliate networks like Admitad, Impact, or CJ Affiliate, which offer campaigns with flexible commission structures.