Partner management software, also called PRM for partner relationship management, is where a company signs up its partners, gives them a portal, records the clients they bring and works out what it owes them. Well-known PRM platforms such as PartnerStack and Kiflo are built for software companies that work with resellers, affiliates and technology partners. A small business that wins clients through referral partners, such as estate agents, brokers, accountants or past clients, needs a lighter set of tools: an agreement with each partner, a quick way to pass on a lead, tracking through to the sale, and the commission.
Key point: start from who your partners are. Resellers and technology partners of a software company call for a full PRM. Referral partners who introduce one client at a time and earn a commission call for referral partner software, built around the referral agreement and the commission.
What partner management software does
Whatever its size, partner management software covers the same six jobs.
- Recruiting partners. An invitation link, a sign-up page, sometimes a directory or a marketplace where you find new partners.
- The agreement. The terms each partner accepts: what they do, what they earn and when it is paid.
- Lead or deal registration. The partner passes on a client, and the software records who brought them and when.
- Tracking. Each lead moves through stages up to the sale, and the partner can see where it stands.
- Commissions and payouts. The software works out what is owed from the agreement, then makes or records the payment.
- Reporting. Which partners bring clients, how many of those clients buy, and what the channel earns you.
PRM for software companies, partner management for service businesses
The same name covers two kinds of tools. The table sets out what changes between them.
| PRM for software companies | Partner management for referral partners | |
|---|---|---|
| Partners | Resellers, affiliates, technology and co-selling partners | Other professionals, past clients and individuals who introduce clients |
| What a partner does | Resells, co-sells or promotes with a tracking link | Introduces one client at a time |
| How the partner is paid | A share of the revenue from subscriptions or deals | A commission set in a referral agreement: a percentage, a fixed amount or nothing |
| Partner access | A web partner portal | A mobile app or a web form, with nothing to install |
| Price, examples | PartnerStack: set during a demo. Kiflo: $399 a month for 25 partners, 12-month contracts | Referaly: €49.90 excl. VAT a month after a 30-day free trial, no commitment |
PartnerStack and Kiflo prices from their pricing pages, as of October 26, 2026. Referaly prices from our pricing page.
How Referaly manages referral partners
Referaly is partner management software for businesses that pay referral partners a commission, in every sector. Each point below is described on its feature page.
- A referral agreement for each partner. You set the commission once. Referaly writes the agreement in each partner's name, the partner accepts it online before their first lead, and the date, time and version are recorded. See automated agreements.
- Invitations by QR code or link. Each agreement has its own QR code and link. A partner joins from their phone, without installing the app if they prefer. See QR code and invitation link.
- Three ways to send a lead. From the iOS and Android app, through a web form, or entered by you on the partner's behalf.
- Tracking by stage. You tick the steps you chose, and the partner sees them move, with a notification at each step. See instant notifications.
- Commissions calculated and paid. When you mark a sale as won, the commission is calculated from the agreement. You pay it by card through Stripe, with a 5% fee shown before you pay, or your own way and mark it as paid (paid plans). See commission payments.
- Two-level referrals. A partner sponsors someone they know and earns a share of that partner's commission (paid plans). See two-level referrals.
- Statistics per partner. What each partner brings in and how many of their leads turn into sales (paid plans). See advanced statistics.
- New partners. Referaly Finder, a directory of professionals who send each other clients, with credits included in paid plans. See Referaly Finder.
- Your team and your tools. The Agency plan adds accounts for your team at €9.99 a month each, and API access to connect your CRM.
What Referaly costs
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Referrer account | Free, no card | For your partners: join an agreement, send leads and follow commissions, on iOS, Android and the web |
| Independent | €49.90 excl. VAT a month, or €480 a year | Unlimited leads and agreements, your own agreement template, statistics, two-level referrals, 2 Referaly Finder credits a month |
| Agency | €79.90 excl. VAT a month plus €9.99 per extra account, or €770 a year | Everything in Independent, accounts for your team, API access, 5 Referaly Finder credits a month |
| White Label | €490 excl. VAT setup, then €149 excl. VAT a month | Your own app, under your name, on the App Store and Google Play, 5 Referaly Finder credits a month |
The Independent and Agency plans start with a 30-day free trial: card required, €0 today, and we email you 3 days before it ends. Monthly plans and White Label have no commitment. Yearly plans are paid for 12 months, and you can cancel the renewal at any time. If you cancel, your account switches back to the free plan (1 agreement, 5 leads received): it is never blocked.
Other partner management tools and their prices
If your partners are resellers or affiliates of a software product, a full PRM will fit you better. Published prices, as of October 26, 2026:
- PartnerStack: Launch, Growth and Enterprise plans, with the price confirmed during a demo.
- Kiflo: Core at $399 a month for 25 partners, up to 50. Plus and Premier on request. 12-month contracts, paid yearly.
- Referral Rock: Operator at $250 a month, month to month, for customer, partner, ambassador and affiliate programs.
We compare them in more detail in PartnerStack alternatives and in our referral software buyer's guide.
How to choose in 4 steps
- Name your partners. Write down who sent you your last ten clients. Professionals and past clients point to referral partner software, resellers and affiliates to a PRM.
- Write down what you pay. A percentage, a fixed amount, a different rate per type of client: the software has to handle your rule.
- Test the partner's side. Send yourself a lead from a phone, the way a partner would, and time it.
- Work out the cost over twelve months. Subscription, setup fees, extra seats, contract length and any fee on payouts.
Frequently asked questions
What is partner management software?
Software that manages a company's partners in one place: recruiting them, the agreement, the leads they bring, tracking to the sale and their commission. It is also called PRM, for partner relationship management.
What is the difference between PRM and referral partner software?
A PRM such as PartnerStack or Kiflo is built for software companies and their resellers, affiliates and technology partners. Referral partner software such as Referaly manages people who introduce clients one at a time and earn a commission under a referral agreement.
How much does partner management software cost?
As of October 26, 2026: Referaly costs €49.90 excl. VAT a month after a 30-day free trial, Referral Rock $250 a month and Kiflo $399 a month for 25 partners. PartnerStack confirms its price during a demo.
Do my partners pay to use Referaly?
No. The partner account is free, with no card, on iOS, Android and the web. Only the business that receives the contacts subscribes.
Does partner management software replace a CRM?
It works alongside it: it handles the partner, the agreement and the commission, while your CRM handles the client. On Referaly, the Agency plan includes API access to connect your CRM.
Sources
- PartnerStack: pricing.
- Kiflo: pricing.
- Referral Rock: pricing.
- Referaly: pricing, automated agreements, commission payments, two-level referrals, QR code and invitation link.
Pages checked as of October 26, 2026. If something has changed, write to us and we will correct the page.