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Affiliate Marketing · head to head

PFL vs ShareASale

PFL logo

PFL

Affiliate Marketing

Tactile marketing automation platform

From
On request
Rated
-
ShareASale logo

ShareASale

Affiliate Marketing

Leading affiliate network connecting merchants with publishers

From
$550/one-time
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: PFL pFL's homepage describes its direct mail automation products in detail but every pricing action is a 'Talk To Us' or 'Book a Meeting' CTA, with no edition names or figures published; ShareASale platform shutting down at end of 2025 with mandatory migration to Awin
  • They diverge on capability: PFL covers Tactile marketing automation, ShareASale covers Real-time tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PFL and ShareASale actually diverge.

Attributes where PFL and ShareASale differ
AttributePFLShareASale
Starting priceOn request$550/one-time
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Founded19962000

Identical on both: free tier (No), platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Affiliate Marketing).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in PFL

  • Tactile marketing automation
  • Variable data printing
  • Dimensional mailers
  • Swag fulfillment
  • Intent-based triggers
  • Salesforce
  • Marketo
  • HubSpot

Only in ShareASale

  • Real-time tracking
  • Affiliate recruitment
  • Commission management
  • Payment processing
  • Fraud detection
  • Shopify
  • WooCommerce
  • Magento

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

PFL

  • affiliate marketing management
  • Workflow automation
  • Reporting

ShareASale

  • affiliate marketing management
  • Workflow automation
  • Reporting

Both are used for affiliate marketing management, workflow automation, reporting, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

PFL

  • PFL's homepage describes its direct mail automation products in detail but every pricing action is a 'Talk To Us' or 'Book a Meeting' CTA, with no edition names or figures published

ShareASale

  • Platform shutting down at end of 2025 with mandatory migration to Awin
  • High merchant entry cost at $550 sign-up fee plus $35 monthly
  • $50 minimum payout for publishers creates cash flow delay
  • Consolidation into Awin creates uncertainty for existing workflows and features

Pricing, plan by plan

PFL

On request
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Custom pricing
    • Full platform
    • Dedicated support

ShareASale

$550/one-time
  • Merchant Setup$550/one-time
    • One-time network sign-up fee
  • Merchant Monthly$35/month
    • Platform access
    • Affiliate management

Which should you pick?

Choose PFL if

  • You need tactile marketing automation.
  • You also want variable data printing.

Choose ShareASale if

  • You need real-time tracking.
  • You also want affiliate recruitment.

Questions people ask

Is PFL or ShareASale better?
Neither clearly leads. PFL starts at On request and ShareASale at $550/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PFL or ShareASale?
PFL starts at On request and ShareASale at $550/one-time.
Does PFL or ShareASale run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is PFL best used for?
PFL is most often used for affiliate marketing management, workflow automation, reporting.
What can PFL do that ShareASale cannot?
PFL covers Tactile marketing automation, Variable data printing, Dimensional mailers, Swag fulfillment. ShareASale covers Real-time tracking, Affiliate recruitment, Commission management, Payment processing. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

PFL: How is PFL's direct mail pricing structured?

PFL does not publish standardized pricing on their website. Pricing depends on specific campaign requirements including batch size, mail format, and volume. Batch sizes range from hundreds to millions.

Source
ShareASale: What is ShareASale's current status?

ShareASale is closing at the end of 2025. The platform was acquired by Awin in 2017, and all users are transitioning to Awin as the parent company consolidates services.

Source
PFL: What mail formats are available?

PFL offers 25+ mail formats to meet various campaign needs, with automation capabilities for CRM and marketing automation platform integration.

Source
ShareASale: What are the pricing fees for merchants on ShareASale?

Merchants pay a one-time network sign-up fee of $550 plus a recurring $35 monthly platform fee. Merchants must also maintain a minimum deposit in their account to cover affiliate commissions.

Source
PFL: Can I get a pricing estimate before committing?

PFL offers a free strategy audit at no obligation, which can help determine the right solution for specific needs. Interested parties can contact sales via phone (800) 930-5088, email ([email protected]), or through their website.

Source
ShareASale: How much do publishers earn on ShareASale?

Publishers join ShareASale for free. Minimum payout is $50, with monthly payments made on the 20th via ACH direct deposit, check, or Payoneer.

Source
ShareASale: How large is the ShareASale network?

ShareASale has over 25,000 merchants, 270,000 active publishers, and generated $200 million in sales in 2022, making it one of the fastest-growing affiliate platforms in North America.

Source
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