> ## Knowledge Base Index > Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.simplyprint.io/sitemap.xml > Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further. > Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash). # The affiliate program vs refer a friend: which one fits you # The affiliate program vs refer a friend: which one fits you SimplyPrint has two referral programs that share the same panel page but serve different audiences. The **affiliate program** is a curated tier for creators with an audience. **Refer a friend** is open to every account for personal recommendations. This article helps you pick the right one. This is the mirror of [Refer a friend vs the affiliate program: which one fits you](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/refer-a-friend-vs-the-affiliate-program-which-one-fits-you-1vkxt21/) on the refer-a-friend side, written for visitors who landed here first. ## Table of contents - The short version - Side-by-side comparison - When the affiliate program fits - When refer a friend fits better - Can you be in both - What happens if you apply and aren't approved - Related articles ## The short version - **Affiliate program** - approved creators only, cash commission per referral, multiple codes, regular payouts, full promotional asset pack. Apply through the panel. - **Refer a friend** - open to anyone, invoice credit at fixed tiers, one personal link, automatic enrolment after agreeing to terms. If your recommendation reaches an audience (channel, blog, podcast, follower base), the affiliate program is the right home. If you're recommending casually to people you know, refer a friend is the right home. ![The refer a friend page lightweight view](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/affiliate-vs-refer-a-friend-re_1r11p1c.png) ## Side-by-side comparison | Feature | Affiliate program | Refer a friend | | ------- | ----------------- | -------------- | | Who can join | Approved creators | Anyone with an account | | Application required | Yes (manual review) | No | | Approval time | 2-5 business days | Instant (just agree to terms) | | Reward type | Cash commission per referral | Invoice credit at fixed tiers | | First-month commission | 70% (40% yearly) | n/a | | Months 2-12 | 30% (40% yearly) | n/a | | Year 2+ | 15% recurring | n/a | | Reward tiers | n/a | $5-$50 credit + free GB + free printer slots at 1, 2, 6, 8, 10, 20, 25, 50 referrals | | Attribution window | 16 months | Standard tracking | | Number of referral codes | Multiple per affiliate | One personal link | | Custom landing pages | Yes (per code) | No | | Payout method | PayPal (Wise / bank transfer coming) | Invoice credit | | Payout schedule | Every 14 days (configurable) | Applied on next invoice | | Commission calculator | Yes | n/a | | Promotional asset pack | Banners + snippets + badges | Badges only | | Conversion stats shown | Full (link visits, conversions, time to signup, time to first value, money saved) | Basic (referrals, link visits, rewards, money saved) | | Both programs use the same tracking under the hood. Existing referrals stay attributed to you when you switch from one to the other. ## When the affiliate program fits Approval is curated and the application asks for proof of reach. The program fits if: - You run a **YouTube channel** with 1,000+ subscribers, especially 3D printing / maker / tech. - You write a **blog** with meaningful monthly traffic in the 3D printing space. - You publish a **podcast or newsletter** with a focused audience. - You're a **social media creator** (TikTok, Instagram, Twitter / X, Twitch) with engaged followers. - You're a **business owner** in the 3D printing industry whose customers benefit from SimplyPrint. The economics also fit better at scale. With a real audience, percentage commission compounds quickly. A single referred yearly subscriber on Print Farm pays you around $100 over their first year and keeps paying recurring after that. ![The full affiliate dashboard for an approved creator](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/f/f/2/2/ff22a914001c1000/affiliate-vs-refer-a-friend-af_ptshk7.png) ## When refer a friend fits better Refer a friend is the better fit if: - You're recommending SimplyPrint to **people you know personally**: friends, colleagues, classmates, your makerspace. - You're active in **small communities** (a private Discord, a hobby group, a class chat) where the audience is in the dozens. - You don't have a public-facing channel and aren't planning to start one. - You'd rather have **credit on your own SimplyPrint bill** than receive small cash payouts. - You want the **simplest possible setup**: agree to terms once, get your link, never think about it again. The fixed reward tiers cap out at 50 paying referrals, so refer a friend works best for casual referrers. Past that volume the affiliate program is structurally a better fit anyway. ## Can you be in both Sort of, but not at the same time: - **Before approval**, every account is in the refer a friend program by default (after agreeing to terms). - **After approval**, the affiliate program takes over your tracking. You don't earn refer a friend tier credit on new referrals; you earn affiliate commission instead. - **Existing refer a friend signups** stay attributed to you and any credit you already unlocked stays on your account. Future signups via your link earn commission instead. This avoids double-paying for the same referral. The two programs are structurally exclusive on a per-referral basis. ## What happens if you apply and aren't approved You stay in the refer a friend program with full access to invoice credit. Applying doesn't change your refer a friend status; it just doesn't grant the upgrade. You can reapply later if your audience grows. Many affiliates apply on their second or third try after their reach passes the bar. ## Related articles - [The affiliate program: get paid for promoting SimplyPrint](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/the-affiliate-program-get-paid-for-promoting-simplyprint-1r0kpe3/) - [How to apply for the affiliate program](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/how-to-apply-for-the-affiliate-program-1fgl3ot/) - [How affiliate commission works](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/how-affiliate-commission-works-1dtl3k1/) - [The refer a friend program: earn credit for every signup](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/the-refer-a-friend-program-earn-credit-for-every-signup-8k7i7j/) - [Tracking referrals and unlocking rewards](https://help.simplyprint.io/en/article/tracking-referrals-and-unlocking-rewards-18yqoyf/)