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Rewardful vs. Cello: Which Affiliate Software is Best for Your SaaS Business?

Svetlana Gryaznova
December 4, 2024
Updated:
December 11, 2024
Rewardful vs. Cello: Which Affiliate Software is Best for Your SaaS Business?

Choosing affiliate software for your SaaS business isn't just about features—it's about finding a solution that aligns with your growth strategy and operational needs.

While both Rewardful and Cello offer affiliate management capabilities, they serve different needs and scales.

In this Rewardful and Cello comparison blog, we’ll explore their features, integration options, user reviews, and pricing to help you determine the best affiliate tool for your SaaS business needs. Here's how the affiliate platforms compare.

Rewardful vs. Cello: Quick Overview

Before we go into the details, let's start with a quick look at what each affiliate platform brings to the table.

What is Rewardful?

Rewardful is an affiliate management platform created for SaaS and subscription-based businesses, such as AI, financial services, and health and wellness businesses.

Rewardful prioritizes simplicity and efficiency, allowing you to set up your affiliate program in minutes (some do it in just 15 minutes!), not days.

They offer quick and seamless integrations with popular payment processors like Stripe and Paddle Classic, requiring only three simple steps. Additionally, Rewardful supports a wide range of integrations with other third-party applications like Customer.io and Memberstack, often without any coding required.

The flexible API also allows you to integrate Rewardful directly into your SaaS product interface.

Despite the user-friendly interface, Rewardful packs a punch with powerful features.

These include campaign segmentation, mass affiliate payments, customizable commission structures, and coupon code tracking.

By transforming complex affiliate management tasks into intuitive workflows, Rewardful saves you time and fuels your business growth.

What is Cello?

Cello positions itself as a referral marketing platform for B2B and B2C companies.

Their approach emphasizes friction-free management, focusing on in-product experience, flexible automated rewards, and compliant referral platforms.

They also offer multi-language support and currencies, perfect for those who have multiple international affiliate campaigns.

Rewardful vs. Cello: How Do They Compare?

Here's a detailed breakdown of how these affiliate platforms stack up against each other:

Feature Rewardful Cello
Starting price $49/month
for up to $7,500/month from affiliates
€350/month
for up to €50,000 referral ARR
Key features
  • Unlimited affiliates and visitors
  • In-product affiliate program (via flexible API)
  • Customizable commissions and cookies
  • Self-referral fraud detection
  • PayPal and Wise mass payouts
  • Real-time reporting
  • Automatic refunds
  • Two-way Stripe sync
  • Unlimited referrals
  • In-product referral program
  • Auto-generated landing pages
  • Multiple language and currency support
  • Tax guidance for various countries
  • Daily data batch reporting
Integrations 30+, including major payment processors, membership platforms, and marketing tools Integrates with tools like Typeform, HubSpot, AWS, Salesforce, Paddle, Stripe and more
Customer reviews G2: 4.5/5 (20+ reviews)
Capterra: 5/5 (4 reviews)
G2: 4.9/5 (32 reviews)
Capterra: 4.9/5 (20 reviews)
Support 24/7 customer chat and email support AI chatbot and team support

Rewardful vs. Cello: Feature Comparison

Rewardful Features

Rewardful provides a comprehensive suite of features designed to make SaaS affiliate management efficient and effective.

Affiliate Management

  • Customize cookie durations to align with your business model and sales cycle.
  • Protect your program with advanced fraud detection that automatically flags suspicious activities.
  • Build a professional, branded affiliate portal that mirrors your company's identity.
  • Simplify refunds with automatic adjustments to commissions and payments, eliminating manual effort.
  • Flexible API lets you integrate your affiliate program directly into your SaaS product. Get the details of Rewardful’s API application.

See how beehiiv leverages Rewardful’s API to add their affiliate program into their app, allowing users to easily discover and join their partnership program.

Affiliate Campaign Segmentation

  • Segment affiliates by performance, location, or other criteria to drive program growth effectively.
  • Customize commission structures per campaign to reward top performers or test incentive models.
  • Launch exclusive, invite-only campaigns for VIP affiliates or specific initiatives.
  • Tailor terms and conditions for different affiliate groups, ensuring clarity and compliance.

Affiliate Payment Processing

  • Sync effortlessly with Stripe for precise tracking and commission calculations.
  • Simplify mass payments using PayPal and Wise, saving valuable time on processing.
  • Automate commission calculations for accuracy, factoring in refunds and recurring payments.

Affiliate Performance Analytics and Reporting

  • Access real-time performance metrics to inform data-driven decisions.
  • Track conversions across multiple touchpoints and attribution models for accuracy.
  • Export detailed reports for deeper analysis or stakeholder presentations.
  • Optimize strategies with campaign-specific performance insights.

Learn more about Rewardful’s features here.

Cello Features

Here's what you can expect from Cello when using it for your referral program.

Integrated User Referrals

  • Embed referral programs directly into your product with minimal coding.
  • Enable users to share referral links effortlessly via mobile, email, or social media.
  • Keep users informed about their referral progress through timely notifications.

Affiliate Referral Management

  • Provide affiliates with a dedicated portal to access your program and monitor their performance.
  • Create multiple affiliate campaigns with tailored reward structures.
  • Comprehensive compliance, including KYC handling and GDPR alignment. 

Rewardful vs. Cello: Integration Capabilities

Rewardful Integrations

Rewardful stands out with a carefully curated ecosystem of third-party app integrations designed to meet the needs of SaaS businesses.

Payment Platforms

  • Effortless Stripe integration for precise revenue tracking and automatic commission calculations
  • Paddle Classic integration to support global software sales and license management
  • Built-in compatibility with multiple payment methods (PayPal, Wise, and bank transfer) and currencies

Membership Platforms

  • LaunchPass integration for managing subscription-based communities
  • MemberStack connection for streamlined member management and access control
  • MemberSpace integration for content gating and membership functionality

Marketing and Automation Tools

  • Mailchimp integration for automated affiliate communication
  • ConvertKit connection to simplify email marketing campaigns
  • Customer.io integration for advanced marketing automation
  • Zapier integration through Webhooks to enable custom workflow automation

Explore additional applications that integrate seamlessly with Rewardful.

Cello Integrations

Cello supports key integrations to simplify referral program management:

Payment and Subscription Tools

  • Stripe webhook and Paddle to track payment events
  • Chargebee to manage subscription billing workflows
  • Recurly to support recurring billing processes

Customer Engagement, CRM, and more

  • Typeform
  • HubSpot and Salesforce
  • AWS

Rewardful vs. Cello: Customer Reviews and Satisfaction

Rewardful Affiliate Reviews

Rewardful consistently receives high marks from users, with a Capterra rating of 5/5 and a G2 score of 4.5/5 based on 20+ verified reviews.

Users particularly praise the following attributes of Rewardful:

  • Ease of setup and implementation
  • Quality of customer support
  • Reliability of tracking
  • Flexibility of commission structures

Take this review from a Rewardful customer, for instance:

''Rewardful made it incredibly easy to set up an affiliate program for my service in just a few hours. The signup page is both professional and customizable, providing a seamless experience for affiliates. I particularly appreciate the Stripe integration, which works flawlessly and enables me to track performance and payouts without hassle. The ability to use coupon codes and create custom affiliate links adds a lot of flexibility and value to my program.''

Cello Affiliate Reviews

Cello's B2B customers are generally happy with their ease of use, support during onboarding and beyond, and proactive approach to collecting customer feedback.

However, some customers have noted that Cello, being a relatively new player in the affiliate industry, is still developing certain features.

One reviewer commented:

''Tracking and attribution for sales-led campaigns can be tricky, but Cello is on the right track with its current model. Excited to see even more features designed to empower sales teams, like including them directly in the workflow.''

Rewardful vs. Cello: Pricing Comparison

Understanding the cost structure is crucial for making an informed decision. Here is the pricing structure of Rewardful and Cello monthly subscriptions.

Pricing Aspect Rewardful Cello
Starting price $49/month
(up to $7,500/month from affiliates)
€350/month
(up to $50,000/month from affiliates)
Mid-tier $99/month
(up to $15,000/month from affiliates)
€750/month
(up to €100,000 referral ARR)
Enterprise $149+
(over $15,000/month from affiliates)
Custom pricing
Pricing model Based on affiliate revenue Based on referral ARR
Free trial 14-day comprehensive trial Limited free plan available
(up to €5,000 referral ARR)
Additional fees No hidden costs and 0% commission fees A 'partner add-on' package for influencer partnership option
Annual discount Two months free No

Rewardful and Cello have distinct pricing models. Rewardful's pricing is based on monthly affiliate revenue, with a base plan of $49 per month for up to $7,500 in monthly affiliate revenue.

Cello, on the other hand, offers a free plan for up to €5,000 in annual recurring revenue (ARR). However, for higher ARR, Cello's paid plan starts at €350 per month. This pricing difference can make Rewardful a more cost-effective SaaS affiliate management software for smaller to medium-sized affiliate programs, especially those with lower revenue levels.

See the details of Rewardful’s pricing plans and the features they include.

5 Reasons Why Rewardful is the Best Cello Alternative

If you’re searching for an affiliate marketing solution that excels for both B2B and B2C SaaS businesses, Rewardful stands out as the superior choice.

Whether you’re managing recurring subscriptions for wellness apps or incentivizing partnerships for AI-based SaaS products, Rewardful delivers unmatched value, versatility, and reliability compared to Cello.

Here’s why:

1. Affordable Affiliate Software That Delivers More

  • Rewardful starts at just $49/month, significantly more budget-friendly than Cello.
  • Transparent pricing with no hidden costs.
  • Key affiliate management features are included in the base plan, offering exceptional value no matter which plan you choose.

2. Rewardful is Perfect for Both B2B and B2C SaaS

  • Designed for B2C companies like subscription-based health and wellness services and online communities.
  • Equally powerful for B2B businesses looking to incentivize high-value affiliates or strategic partners.
  • Flexible reward structures to suit both flat-fee and recurring commission models, catering to diverse business needs.

3. Advanced Affiliate Management Tools to Scale Efficiently

  • Real-time reporting for data-driven decisions instead of daily-based data updates.
  • Automated refund handling and two-way Stripe sync to streamline operations.
  • Robust fraud detection to safeguard your affiliate program.
  • Unlimited campaign segmentation, including private campaigns.
  • Support multiple affiliate programs and currencies, allowing you to grow across borders.

4. Industry-Leading Support

  • Rewardful’s team brings years of expertise in affiliate management, offering hands-on migration assistance and personalized onboarding.
  • Comprehensive documentation to guide you through setup and troubleshooting.
  • Friendly, responsive customer support team that is loved by our users. See Rewardful’s user testimonials.

5. Proven Track Record of Success

  • With years of experience, Rewardful has built a solid reputation as a trusted solution for SaaS businesses.
  • While Cello’s newer reviews may be a bit higher, Rewardful’s longevity demonstrates reliability and consistent improvement over time.
  • Consistent high user ratings on platforms like G2 and Capterra confirm its success across both B2B and B2C use cases.
"If you're looking for affiliate software that can scale with your business—whether you have an existing program or you're just looking to start a new program—Rewardful is extremely flexible and simple, offering exactly what you need without unnecessary extras."
Tyler Gillespie
Head of Partnerships & SEO

Start Driving Affiliate Revenue With Rewardful Today

Rewardful isn't just an alternative to Cello—it's a more powerful and cost-effective choice for B2B and B2C SaaS companies. With its flexible features, affordable pricing, and proven reliability, Rewardful empowers businesses to scale their affiliate programs effortlessly.

Experience the difference for yourself with a 14-day free trial of Rewardful.

Want to see how Rewardful compares to other affiliate marketing software?

These comparison blogs can help:

FAQ - Rewardful and Cello Comparison

Get the answers to your questions about Rewardful and Cello comparison and affiliate marketing for SaaS.

1. How Do Rewardul and Cello Pricing Plans Compare?

Rewardful's pricing is based on monthly affiliate revenue, while Cello's is based on referral annual recurring revenue (ARR).

Rewardful's base plan starts at $49 per month for up to $7,500 in monthly affiliate revenue. Cello offers a free plan for up to €5,000 in referral ARR. For higher revenue, you'll need to upgrade to a paid Cello plan, starting at €350 per month.

Get the details of Rewardful’s cost-friendly pricing here.

2. Can I Migrate From Cello to Rewardful?

Yes, you can. Migrating from Cello to Rewardful is quick and straightforward.

Rewardful's support team provides comprehensive assistance to ensure a smooth transition. This guide covers everything you need to know about importing data into Rewardful and navigating the affiliate tool switching process.

3. How Do the Integration of Rewardful and Cellos Compare?

Rewardful offers significantly more integrations (30+) covering payment processors (like Stripe and Paddle Classic), membership platforms, and marketing tools (like Mailchimp and Customer.io).

Cello provides a more limited selection of integrations focused on essential functions.

Learn more about Rewardful’s integration options.

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