Last updated: September 2026 · Reviewed by the Partner Federation partnerships team, with two decades of combined experience in online trading and brokerage partnerships.
Which partnership model actually fits you?
There’s no single “best” partnership model — the right one depends on how involved you want to be with the people you refer, how you’d rather get paid, and where your traffic actually comes from. Answer three quick questions and this points you to the model that fits, plus the head-to-head comparisons worth reading before you commit to anything.
Prefer to scan a table instead of answering questions? See every model compared side by side.
How involved do you want to be with the people you refer?
How do you want to get paid?
What’s your main distribution channel?
FAQ
Is this a substitute for reading the full comparison pages?
No — treat it as a starting point, not a final answer. Once you have a direction, the linked pages walk through the real payout mechanics, worked examples, and trade-offs in full. For the channel side of the equation, not just the payout model, see the Marketing-Channels Playbook.
Can the right model change as I grow?
Yes. It’s common to start as a hands-off affiliate and move toward Introducing Broker or Influencer terms once an audience or client base is established — see Affiliate Program vs. Influencer Program for how that transition typically works.
What if I don’t fit neatly into one category?
Plenty of partners don’t. A Hybrid Partnership blends elements of more than one model — worth a look if your answers pointed in two directions at once.
Does this account for a specific broker’s actual terms?
No. This is a directional tool based on the general shape of each model, not any one broker’s published rates. Always confirm the specific terms on offer before signing anything — see Red Flags in a Partnership Contract first.