Side-by-side comparison · 24 data points
Affiliate program & Referral marketing tool to drive sales via ambassadors and influencers marketing
| Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy | Microsoft Channel | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | ||
| Description | ||
| Screenshots | images | images |
| Languages | ||
| Platforms | ||
| Developer | ||
| Listed | ||
| Last updated | — | — |
Easily reach millions of new consumers and grow your business with Microsoft Advertising.
| Metric | Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy | Microsoft Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 ★ | 3.2 ★ |
| Total reviews | ★ 985 | 317 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing | Free plan available | Free to install |
| Built for Shopify | ★ Yes | — |
| Pricing tiers | ★ 4 tiers | 1 tier |
| Listed features | ★ 5 | 3 |
| Featured placements | 1 | 1 |
| Languages | 1 supported | 1 supported |
| Listed since | Dec 2020 | Sep 2019 |
Based on the data on this page, Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy is the stronger choice for most Shopify App Store merchants — 5.0★ vs Microsoft Channel's 3.2★ is a meaningful gap that usually reflects real product or support quality differences across the user base. Pricing entry tiers: Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy at Free plan available, Microsoft Channel at Free to install. Check each app's tier structure for the capacity limits you actually need before deciding — the headline number is the same shape, but the gating shape per tier (apps, orders, integrations) varies. Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy has the larger user base (985 reviews vs 317), which usually maps to broader integration coverage, faster bug-fix cadence, and a deeper bench of community workflow patterns. Microsoft Channel's smaller cohort can be an advantage for niche workflows where the bigger app has accumulated bloat. Recommended by store size: small/early-stage merchants who need fast install and low risk should default to Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy; mid-market and enterprise merchants with specific feature requirements should evaluate both — Microsoft Channel's 317-review base may include the workflow context that matches your specific use case better than Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy's broader-but-shallower coverage. This verdict is generated from the live marketplace data on this page — rating, review count, pricing tier, and category position all refresh from the canonical Shopify App Store listing every 24 hours. AppRanks does not accept payment to influence comparison outcomes; the methodology is documented on the About page and applies identically to every pair on the site.
Read each app's audit: Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy audit • Microsoft Channel audit
| Keyword | Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy | Microsoft Channel |
|---|---|---|
| affiliate programs | #2 | Not ranked |
| programs | #2 | Not ranked |
| affiliate program | #3 | Not ranked |
| chat channels | Not ranked | #5 |
| network | Not ranked | #5 |
Both Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy and Microsoft Channel offer paid plans only. Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy starts at Free plan available; Microsoft Channel starts at Free to install. Compare the per-tier features in the Pricing section above before committing.
Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy has the higher average rating (5.0★ from 985 reviews) compared to Microsoft Channel (3.2★ from 317 reviews). Both are tracked daily by AppRanks, so the figures here update each refresh cycle.
It depends on what you're optimizing for. Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy fits better if you prioritize rating consistency; Microsoft Channel is the call if you need the larger user base. Read both apps' detail pages on AppRanks for the full feature breakdown, install counts, and recent listing changes.
Both apps are one-click installs from the Shopify App Store marketplace. Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy has more onboarding documentation maturity (985 reviews vs 317), which usually translates to better-tested setup wizards and quicker time-to-value. AppRanks doesn't measure setup time directly — read the recent reviews on each app's detail page for merchant-reported install experience.
Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy typically suits early-stage and growth-mode stores based on its review-base composition (985 reviews). Microsoft Channel aligns more with early-stage and growth-mode stores (317 reviews). Larger review bases generally mean the app has been load-tested at scale — relevant if you're processing high order volume or handling enterprise compliance requirements.
Migration support varies by app and category. Affiliate Marketing ReferrLy and Microsoft Channel both publish their export options on their marketplace listing pages (or in their support docs); some apps offer one-click import from competitors, others require CSV. The fastest check: search "import from Microsoft Channel" in each app's help center. AppRanks does not track migration tooling directly — this is a category-specific capability worth verifying before commitment.
