PMPro – Affiliates Lightweight Affiliate Tracking is a basic membership site affiliate tracking addon that allows site owners to create affiliates and track checkout referrals through unique affiliate URLs. This plugin is specifically designed to work within the WordPress admin to manage referral programs without third-party services. High-growth membership sites use it to incentivize members for sharing content and increasing revenue.
WPExclusive members get access to PMPro – Affiliates as part of a full plugin and theme library — plans from $9.99/month. See the full Paid Memberships Pro collection →
What Is PMPro – Affiliates Lightweight Affiliate Tracking?
PMPro – Affiliates Lightweight Affiliate Tracking is developed by Paid Memberships Pro and is an affiliates plugin for WordPress. It belongs to the affiliates category on WPExclusive, alongside other tools for membership site growth and referral management.
The plugin solves the problem of needing external, expensive affiliate platforms by providing a direct way to track referrals inside the membership dashboard. It is for membership site owners who want a simple solution to reward users for bringing in new signups.
PMPro – Affiliates Lightweight Affiliate Tracking Features
The feature set is built around providing a streamlined way to connect WordPress users to referral data.
Referral Tracking and Management
The plugin generates custom-coded affiliate links that allow you to track referrals and conversions directly from your WordPress admin. When someone visits your site using an affiliate URL, PMPro – Affiliates sets a cookie for a specified number of days. If the cookie is present at checkout, the order is logged in the affiliate’s account. This creates a reliable tracking environment for membership sales.
Commission and Payout Controls
Admins can set specific commission percentages from 0% to 100% for each affiliate to better incentivize top performers. You can configure commissions to apply only to the first order or to continue crediting the affiliate for recurring subscription orders. While PMPro – Affiliates does not handle the actual money transfer, it allows you to mark referrals as paid once you process them manually via PayPal or other processors.
Automated Affiliate Onboarding
You can optionally generate affiliate codes automatically at membership checkout for specific levels. This allows you to offer a referral bonus to new members without any administrative overhead. This feature is managed within the “Other Settings” box of each membership level configuration, enabling an open referral program where every member becomes an advocate.
Pricing
Check current pricing on the PMPro – Affiliates sales page — WPExclusive members access it as part of their plan.
| Plan | Price | Sites | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard/Plus Plans | Varies | 1-5 Sites | Developer Support |
| WPExclusive Membership | From $9.99/month | Unlimited | PMPro – Affiliates + full library |
For developers managing multiple sites, a WPExclusive membership covers PMPro – Affiliates plus hundreds of other plugins and themes — usually less than one premium license.
Latest Version
The current version is v0.8. The plugin receives regular updates to ensure compatibility with the core membership suite. WPExclusive updates plugin files promptly after each release.
How to Install
- Download the PMPro – Affiliates .zip from your WPExclusive member account
- In WordPress: Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin
- Select the .zip and click Install Now → Activate
- Navigate to Memberships → Affiliates to add your first affiliate code.
- Optionally, go to Memberships → Page Settings to generate the Affiliate Report frontend page.
Use Cases
Member Referral Programs
Turn your existing member base into a sales force by automatically granting referral links to anyone who joins a specific tier. This is a common strategy in membership sites to lower acquisition costs.
Direct Affiliate Marketing
Create specific, high-commission accounts for influencers or partners who want to promote your content. You can manually manage their codes, contact details, and custom tracking scripts for confirmation pages.
Agencies and Developers Managing Multiple Client Sites
Use PMPro – Affiliates across various client projects to satisfy basic tracking requirements without adding complex third-party subscriptions to the client’s monthly bills. A WPExclusive membership makes this cost-effective.
vs Alternatives
| Feature | PMPro – Affiliates | AffiliateWP |
|---|---|---|
| Native Integration | Yes (PMPro) | Addon Required |
| Payout Automation | Manual Only | Automated Available |
| Cookie Duration | Customizable | Customizable |
| Starting Price | Premium Addon | $149+ |
| Available on WPExclusive | ✅ Yes | ❌ |
Browse the full affiliates plugins on WPExclusive →
Pros and Cons
✅ Strengths
- Internal tracking that does not require third-party platforms or extra costs.
- Deeply integrated with membership levels for automatic referral code generation.
- Includes frontend reports for affiliates to view their own performance.
⚠️ Limitations
- No built-in automated payout processing; payments must be handled manually.
- Does not automatically deduct commissions if a member cancels their subscription.
- Developer auto-updates require an active license key. WPExclusive publishes updates manually when new versions are released.
Is PMPro – Affiliates Lightweight Affiliate Tracking GPL Licensed?
Yes. PMPro – Affiliates Lightweight Affiliate Tracking is distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), the same license that governs WordPress itself. GPL gives any user the legal right to use, study, share, and redistribute the software. This is the legal framework that makes WPExclusive’s membership model possible.
WPExclusive distributes 100% original, unmodified files — the same release the developer publishes. No injected code, no alterations, no security risks.
Get PMPro – Affiliates Lightweight Affiliate Tracking on WPExclusive
WPExclusive membership starts at $9.99/month, $87/year, or $149 lifetime — giving you PMPro – Affiliates Lightweight Affiliate Tracking plus every plugin and theme in the library, on unlimited sites.
Explore the full Paid Memberships Pro collection → or browse all WordPress plugins →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does PMPro – Affiliates Lightweight Affiliate Tracking do?
PMPro – Affiliates Lightweight Affiliate Tracking is an extension for Paid Memberships Pro that enables site owners to track referrals. PMPro – Affiliates creates unique URLs for users and credits their accounts when those links lead to membership checkouts.
Is PMPro – Affiliates Lightweight Affiliate Tracking free?
It is a premium addon generally included in Paid Memberships Pro paid plans. However, you can access it via WPExclusive from $9.99/month.
What is the latest version of PMPro – Affiliates Lightweight Affiliate Tracking?
The current version is v0.8. The plugin is actively maintained — WPExclusive members always receive the most current release.
How much does PMPro – Affiliates Lightweight Affiliate Tracking cost?
Retail pricing varies as it is bundled with Paid Memberships Pro premium plans. Via WPExclusive, it is included in plans from $9.99/month.
Is it legal to use PMPro – Affiliates Lightweight Affiliate Tracking via WPExclusive?
The plugin is GPL licensed, which explicitly permits redistribution. WPExclusive provides original, unmodified files — fully within GPL terms.
Can I use PMPro – Affiliates to automatically pay my partners?
PMPro – Affiliates does not handle automated payouts. It tracks the earned commissions which you then view in a report and pay manually via external platforms like PayPal.
