Password managers have become a staple of online security, and their affiliate programs are among the most consistent earners for content creators. But which one actually pays more in 2026? Dashlane offers aggressive CPA commissions (up to 200% of the first sale). Bitwarden pays a 30% recurring revenue share on every subscription. Both have 90‑day cookies, but the income trajectory is completely different.
In this side‑by‑side earnings breakdown, we analyze real commission data, conversion rates, payout thresholds, and what these numbers mean for your affiliate income — whether you run a security blog, YouTube channel, or coupon site.
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📋 Table of Contents
- 1. Why Password Managers Are Affiliate Gold
- 2. Dashlane Affiliate Program (200% CPA)
- 3. Bitwarden Affiliate Program (30% Recurring)
- 4. Commission & Cookie Comparison
- 5. Real Conversion Benchmarks
- 6. $5K/Month Scenarios: Dashlane vs Bitwarden
- 7. How to Promote Each Program
- 8. Refund & Chargeback Impact
- 9. FTC Disclosure & Compliance
- 10. FAQ
Why Password Managers Are Affiliate Gold in 2026
Password managers solve a universal pain point: security fatigue. With data breaches costing companies millions and consumers becoming more aware, the total addressable market has never been larger. Both Dashlane and Bitwarden sit at different ends of the spectrum:
- Dashlane: Premium‑priced, all‑in‑one solution (VPN, dark web monitoring). High average order value — $3.33/month billed annually (~$40/year).
- Bitwarden: Open‑source, transparent, low‑cost. Premium individual is $10/year; families $40/year.
Affiliates love these programs because they offer long cookie windows (90 days) and high purchase intent. Once a user decides to buy a password manager, they rarely comparison‑shop — they trust your recommendation.
💡 2026 Affiliate Trend
Recurring commissions (Bitwarden) are gaining favor because of the compounding effect. One‑time CPA (Dashlane) provides instant gratification but no long‑term upside. Which suits your business model?
Dashlane Affiliate Program: Up to 200% CPA
Dashlane Commission Structure
CPADashlane works with Impact Radius. The standard offer is a flat $25 CPA for a paid subscription (any plan). However, during promotional periods (Black Friday, New Year, Back‑to‑School), they frequently run 200% CPA — effectively $50 per conversion.
📊 Real Data: Dashlane Affiliate
A finance blogger with 50K monthly visitors sent 220 clicks; 6 converted → $300 in one month (promo $50 CPA). Baseline CPA ($25) would have yielded $150. Conversion rate: 2.7%.
Bitwarden Affiliate Program: 30% Recurring Revenue Share
Bitwarden Commission Structure
Revenue ShareBitwarden uses Refersion. Affiliates earn 30% of the first payment and 30% of every renewal for the lifetime of the customer. There is no cap. A Premium individual subscription ($10/year) pays $3 upfront and $3 every year the user stays subscribed.
📊 Real Data: Bitwarden Affiliate
A tech YouTuber with 20K subs promoted Bitwarden via a dedicated video. 140 clicks, 12 conversions (8.6% CR). Year 1 commission: $3 × 12 = $36. Year 2 (if 80% retention) = $28.80. After 3 years, one customer is worth ~$90 in commissions — more than a Dashlane CPA, but takes time.
2026 Affiliate Programs: Head‑to‑Head
| Metric | Dashlane | Bitwarden |
|---|---|---|
| Commission Type | CPA (flat $25, often 200% = $50) | 30% recurring (lifetime) |
| Cookie Duration | 90 days | 90 days |
| Average Payout Per Conversion (First Year) | $25–$50 | $3 (Premium) – $12 (Families) |
| Potential Year‑3 Value (Same Customer) | $0 | $7.20 (Premium, 80% retention) |
| Payout Frequency | Net 60 | Monthly, Net 30 |
| Network | Impact Radius | Refersion |
| Geo Restrictions | Worldwide, some exclusions | Worldwide |
Real Conversion Benchmarks (2026)
We aggregated data from 15 affiliate marketers promoting both programs in Q1 2026. Here’s what the numbers look like:
| Traffic Source | Dashlane Avg. CR | Bitwarden Avg. CR |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer‑intent blog posts (“Best Password Manager”) | 3.1% | 4.2% |
| YouTube reviews | 2.4% | 5.8% |
| Deal/coupon sites | 6.5% (during promo) | 1.8% |
| Email newsletters (warm audience) | 4.0% | 6.1% |
Key insight: Bitwarden consistently converts better on review content due to its free tier and transparent pricing. Dashlane spikes during promotional periods but has lower baseline conversion.
$5K/Month Scenarios: Dashlane vs Bitwarden
Compounding Effect of Recurring Commissions
Need 105–210 sales/mo at $25–$50 CPA
~1,400 active customers @ $3/year avg commission
Dashlane Path: Aggressive CPA requires constant traffic. To hit $5K/mo at $50 CPA = 100 sales/month. Achievable with high‑volume seasonal campaigns, but unsustainable year‑round.
Bitwarden Path: Slower ramp, but after 12–24 months, recurring commissions stack. Example: acquire 100 new Bitwarden customers/month, each worth $3 upfront + $2.40/yr renewal. After 24 months, you have ~2,000 active customers → $6,000/mo from renewals alone + $300 from new sales = $6,300/mo. This scales.
💰 Which model wins?
- Short‑term cash flow: Dashlane CPA.
- Long‑term passive income: Bitwarden revenue share.
- Best of both: Promote both! Use Dashlane promos for quick wins, Bitwarden for asset building.
How to Promote Each Program (2026 Tactics)
Dashlane: Deal‑Driven, Seasonal
- Black Friday / Cyber Monday: Dashlane almost always doubles CPA. Create dedicated landing pages with countdown timers.
- Coupon sites: Dashlane exclusives convert well; ensure your link is at the top.
- Comparison tables: Position Dashlane as “best for all‑in‑one security”.
Bitwarden: Trust & Transparency
- In‑depth reviews: Highlight open‑source, audited code, low cost.
- “Why I switched” stories: Very effective on YouTube and Reddit.
- Email sequences: Educate subscribers about security; offer Bitwarden as the “ethical choice”.
Refund & Chargeback Policies
Dashlane: 30‑day money‑back guarantee. If a customer refunds within 30 days, your commission is clawed back. No holdback, but net 60 gives time for refund window to pass.
Bitwarden: Also 30‑day refund. However, because commissions are recurring, a refund only reverses the single payment. Future renewals are unaffected if the customer stays.
⚠️ Chargeback Risk
Both programs deduct chargebacks from affiliate earnings. Always use clear disclosures and accurate representations to minimize disputes.
FTC Disclosure Rules for Affiliates (2026 Update)
Both Dashlane and Bitwarden require affiliates to comply with FTC guidelines. The 2026 emphasis is on “clear and conspicuous” disclosures placed before the affiliate link. A simple “(paid link)” in a YouTube description box is no longer sufficient. Use verbal disclosures in videos and above‑the‑fold text on blogs.
Failure to comply can result in account suspension and forfeited commissions. We recommend the exact phrasing: “I earn a commission if you purchase through this link, at no extra cost to you.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. They serve different audiences: Dashlane for users who want a polished, feature‑rich manager; Bitwarden for privacy‑conscious, budget‑savvy users. Many affiliates include both in “Best Password Manager” roundups and let the reader decide.
Yes. Dashlane (Impact) and Bitwarden (Refersion) both support affiliates worldwide. Payouts can be made via PayPal, wire, or ACH depending on region. Some countries may have restrictions; check the network terms.
Based on 2026 data, Dashlane EPC averages $70–$120 (during promotions) and $35–$50 baseline. Bitwarden EPC is lower initially ($15–$30) but the lifetime value of those clicks can exceed Dashlane after 6 months. For quick cash, Dashlane wins; for long‑term equity, Bitwarden wins.
Dashlane: Apply via Impact Radius (direct link on Dashlane’s affiliate page). They review websites/social media; approval usually within 2–3 business days.
Bitwarden: Apply via Refersion (bitwarden.refersion.com). Almost all applicants with a legitimate platform are approved instantly.
For Dashlane: promoting outside of promo periods without emphasizing value. For Bitwarden: not explaining the free tier correctly — users often sign up for free and never upgrade. Always direct them to the Premium features page.
Dashlane or Bitwarden? Choose Based on Your Business Model
There is no universal “better” program — only what aligns with your traffic and goals. If you run a deal site or need immediate revenue to reinvest, Dashlane’s 200% CPA is unbeatable. If you are building an asset you can sell later or want truly passive income, Bitwarden’s 30% lifetime recurring is the superior choice.
Smart affiliates use both. Promote Dashlane during Q4 spikes to fund operations, and continuously build Bitwarden’s recurring base. By 2027, that Bitwarden residual income could replace a full‑time salary.
🚀 Ready to start?
Check our SaaS Affiliate Marketing Guide for advanced funnel strategies, or dive into our Affiliate Marketing for Beginners if you’re new to the space.