Affiliate marketing doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, some of the best tools to plan, create, promote, and track your affiliate campaigns are completely free — especially when you’re just starting out.
Whether you’re building a blog, creating YouTube videos, growing an email list, or managing content, the right tools can save you time, improve your strategy, and help you earn more.
In this guide, you’ll discover the top free tools every affiliate marketer should consider — organized by category for easy access.
✅ Keyword Research & SEO Tools
1. Ubersuggest (Free version)
- Helps you find keywords with search volume and competition data
- Great for blog topics, YouTube titles, and SEO optimization
- Shows content ideas and backlink suggestions
💡 Use it to target long-tail keywords like “best free video editing software for beginners.”
2. Google Keyword Planner
- Part of Google Ads, but free to use
- Find search volume and keyword suggestions
- Perfect for planning blog content and paid ad campaigns later on
3. AnswerThePublic
- Visual tool that shows real questions people are asking
- Type a topic and get question-based keyword ideas
- Great for FAQs, how-to articles, and YouTube ideas
✅ Content Creation & Writing Tools
4. Canva
- Drag-and-drop design tool
- Create YouTube thumbnails, blog graphics, Pinterest pins, lead magnet covers, etc.
- Thousands of templates — no design skills needed
💡 Use it for product mockups or social media visuals that include your affiliate links.
5. Grammarly (Free version)
- Grammar and spelling checker
- Helps polish blog posts, emails, and video scripts
- Works directly in Chrome, Google Docs, and WordPress
6. Hemingway App
- Improves readability by simplifying complex sentences
- Highlights passive voice and unnecessary adverbs
- Perfect for affiliate blogs and emails where clarity boosts conversions
✅ Link Tracking & Shortening Tools
7. Bitly
- Free link shortener
- Track clicks and customize your URLs
- Makes affiliate links look cleaner and more clickable
8. Pretty Links (Free WordPress Plugin)
- Best for bloggers using WordPress
- Lets you create branded short links (like yourdomain.com/toolname)
- Tracks affiliate link clicks right in your dashboard
💡 Essential for tracking performance and building trust in your links.
✅ Email Marketing Tools
9. MailerLite (Free up to 1,000 subscribers)
- Beginner-friendly email platform
- Automate welcome sequences and send newsletters
- Great for lead magnets and affiliate offers
10. Systeme.io (Free forever plan)
- All-in-one platform with email marketing, landing pages, and funnels
- Perfect for creating affiliate sales funnels with no coding or design skills
- Includes automation and affiliate tracking features
💡 A powerful free tool to run your entire affiliate system.
✅ Website & Landing Page Builders
11. WordPress.com (Free plan)
- The most flexible blog platform
- Great for publishing affiliate articles and reviews
- Tons of free plugins for SEO, speed, and design
12. Carrd
- Super simple landing page builder
- Free version allows one responsive page — perfect for email opt-ins
- Great for beginners who want to collect leads without setting up a full blog
✅ Video & Screen Recording Tools
13. OBS Studio
- Free, open-source screen recording and livestreaming software
- Record product demos, tutorials, or explainer videos with ease
- Used by YouTubers and streamers worldwide
14. Loom (Free plan)
- Record your screen and webcam
- Great for tutorials, product walkthroughs, and affiliate how-to videos
- Share via link — no upload required
💡 Use Loom to walk through a tool you’re promoting and explain why it’s useful.
✅ Analytics & Performance Monitoring
15. Google Analytics
- Track website visitors, top pages, and traffic sources
- See which content drives the most affiliate clicks
- Essential for improving performance and knowing what works
16. Google Search Console
- Monitors your SEO performance and index status
- Tells you which keywords you’re ranking for
- Identifies content issues and shows click-through rates
✅ Research & Competitor Analysis
17. SimilarWeb (Free version)
- Research competitors’ traffic sources, top pages, and keywords
- Find out where your audience hangs out and what works for others
18. BuzzSumo (Free plan)
- Find trending content ideas in your niche
- Discover what type of posts go viral — and why
- Great for planning content that gets shares and clicks
✅ Bonus Tools for Productivity
19. Trello
- Visual project management board
- Organize blog ideas, email sequences, affiliate launches, etc.
- Collaborate with others or stay on track solo
20. Google Drive
- Store your content, spreadsheets, lead magnets, and scripts
- Use Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides to stay organized
- Syncs with your email and accessible from any device
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need Expensive Tools to Succeed
Affiliate marketing is about strategy and consistency, not shiny objects. These free tools help you take action, stay organized, and optimize results — without spending a dollar.
Start simple. Pick the tools that fit your current stage. As your business grows, you can always upgrade — but for now, these are more than enough to get you moving and making money.
