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HostGator vs Surfshark Affiliate Program

HostGator pays a higher commission at $65 per sale vs Surfshark's 40% recurring. HostGator has the longer cookie at 60 days compared to Surfshark's 30 days. Community affiliates rate HostGator 4.0/5 from 1 review and Surfshark 5.0/5 from 1 review.

Verdict

HostGator wins on higher commission ($65 per sale), longer cookie (60 days). If your audience is a strong fit, it's the better program to apply for first. That said, both programs are worth testing: promote whichever you can write about authentically.

CategorySaasSaas
Networkimpactimpact
Commission TypeCPA (per sale)Recurring
Commission Rate$65 per saleBetter40% recurring
Cookie Duration60 daysBetter30 days
Community Rating4.0 / 5 (1 reviews)5.0 / 5 (1 reviews)Better
Tags
hostingbeginner-friendlyhigh-converting
recurringtechprivacyvpn

Frequently Asked Questions

Which pays more: HostGator or Surfshark affiliate program?

HostGator pays a higher commission at $65 per sale compared to Surfshark at 40% recurring.

What is the cookie duration for HostGator vs Surfshark?

HostGator offers a 60 days cookie window, while Surfshark offers 30 days.

Which is better for affiliates: HostGator or Surfshark?

Based on community reviews, Surfshark is rated higher at 5.0/5 vs HostGator at 4.0.

Does cookie duration matter when choosing between HostGator and Surfshark?

Cookie duration matters a lot for content that drives research-phase traffic. HostGator's 60 days cookie gives more time to capture readers who browse before buying, while Surfshark's 30 days window suits higher-intent traffic that converts faster. If your content attracts readers early in the decision process, the longer cookie has a meaningful advantage.

Is a CPA (per sale) or Recurring commission better for affiliates?

Recurring commissions like Surfshark's compound over time — a single referral pays every month the customer stays subscribed. HostGator's CPA (per sale) pays once but can be larger upfront. Recurring wins for affiliates with sticky software audiences; flat CPA wins for high-traffic funnels where volume matters more than lifetime value.

HostGator: Best for

  • Content targeting buyers with clear purchase intent
  • Evergreen content with a 60-day attribution window
  • Software comparison blogs, tool roundups, and productivity content

Surfshark: Best for

  • Affiliates building recurring income from an engaged software or SaaS audience
  • Evergreen content with a 30-day attribution window
  • Software comparison blogs, tool roundups, and productivity content

HostGator Affiliate Program

HostGator is one of the most recognized web hosting brands with 2+ million hosted domains. Affiliates earn $65–$125 per referral based on monthly volume. A longstanding favorite for hosting affiliate programs with reliable payouts.

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Surfshark Affiliate Program

Surfshark is a fast-growing VPN with aggressive pricing: often under $2.50/month on long-term plans, which drives high conversion rates on value-focused content. Their affiliate program pays 40% recurring commission via Impact, one of the stronger recurring rates in the VPN category.

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Compare any programs side by side

This page compares HostGator and Surfshark. With Affiliate Pro you can compare any combination of up to 4 programs — commissions, cookie windows, ratings, and more — using the full interactive compare tool.