"Affiliate network vs affiliate program" is a common point of confusion for anyone new to referral marketing. The two are related but not the same thing, and knowing the difference explains why some affiliate programs take weeks to join while others, like the one built into Bear Grips, are active the same day.
An affiliate network is a third-party marketplace, such as ShareASale, Rakuten, CJ, Impact, or Awin, that connects many different brands to a large pool of affiliates in one place. An affiliate signs up with the network first, then applies to individual brand programs listed inside it. The network usually takes a role in tracking, approval, and sometimes a cut of the commission structure.
A direct, or in-house, affiliate program is run by a single brand on its own systems, without a third-party network in between. The affiliate applies directly on the brand's own site, and terms, approval speed, and payout structure are entirely set by that one brand.
Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.Bear Grips runs a direct, in-house program. There is no separate network to join and no separate application: the affiliate link and terms come with every Pro Shop account automatically, whether the vendor is on the Free plan or a paid VIP plan. Full mechanics are in our affiliate program overview.
| Model | How you join | Who takes a cut | Approval | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Affiliate network | Apply to the network, then apply to individual brand programs inside it | Network fee or cut, plus brand commission | Can be slow, per-brand approval | ShareASale, Rakuten, CJ, Impact, Awin |
| Direct in-house program | Apply directly on the brand's own site | Brand only, no network middleman | Varies by brand, some instant, some reviewed | Individual brand-run programs |
| Bear Grips built-in program | Automatic the moment a Pro Shop account is created | No network, no fee to join | Instant, no approval queue | Every Bear Grips vendor |
There is no separate "join affiliate program" step. Signing up for a Pro Shop, free or paid, at shops.beargrips.com creates the affiliate link automatically. See our no-minimums guide for what that means for someone starting from zero audience.
No third-party network, no separate application. Sign up free and your affiliate link is live today.
Start FreeNo. It is a direct, in-house program built into every Bear Grips account, with no third-party network involved.
No. The affiliate link is created automatically at signup, with no separate application.
Joining a network itself is typically free for affiliates, though approval into specific brand programs listed inside it varies and can take time.
It depends on the brand. A direct program like Bear Grips is usually simpler since there is one set of terms and no separate approval step to clear.
Bear Grips Pro Shops