The 5 best Partnership Relationship Management software of 2026

Looking for the right PRM software but unsure how to make the most of it?

PRM software helps businesses streamline partner onboarding, engagement, and performance tracking while allowing them to focus on core operations. However, choosing the right platform is key to maximizing its benefits.

In this blog post, we'll cover:

What you'll learn

• What PRM software is and how it can benefit your business,
• The top PRM solutions available today,
• Key features to consider when selecting a platform, and more.

What is PRM Software?

PRM software helps businesses manage affiliates, resellers, and referral programs, ensuring seamless collaboration between a company and its partners.

Key benefits include:

• Automation of partner onboarding and workflows
• Performance tracking to measure partner contributions
• Seamless integrations with sales, marketing, and CRM tools
• Custom commission structures for affiliates and resellers

Choosing the right PRM software depends on your business size, partner model, and integration needs. For partnership teams of 20-50 people, folk CRM provides an ideal balance of powerful features and intuitive usability without the complexity of enterprise solutions.

👉🏼 Try folk now to onboard partners faster with ready-made workflows and automated training

Why do businesses use PRM software?

Businesses leverage PRM software to optimize their partner programs, drive revenue growth, and enhance collaboration. Here are some common reasons companies adopt PRM solutions:

• Streamlined Partner Onboarding: Automate and simplify the onboarding process for affiliates, resellers, and referral partners.
• Centralized Communication: Maintain effective communication with partners through a single platform.
• Performance Analytics: Track and measure partner contributions with real-time data and reporting tools.
• Automated Commission Tracking: Easily manage payouts and incentives for partners.
• Scalability: PRM software allows businesses to grow their partner networks efficiently without overwhelming internal teams.
• Integration with Sales and Marketing Tools: Ensure seamless alignment between partner efforts and sales strategies.

Essential features to look for in PRM software

Selecting the right PRM software involves assessing its core capabilities. Here are the essential features to consider:

• Partner Onboarding Automation: Streamlines the process of adding and training new partners through self-service portals and automated workflows.
• Performance Tracking & Reporting: Helps measure partner contributions in real time, ensuring accountability and alignment with business goals.
• Incentive & Commission Management: Automates reward structures to keep partners motivated and ensure timely payouts.
• Integration with CRM & Sales Tools: Enhances collaboration between partners and internal teams by syncing data seamlessly.

Common challenges in Partner Relationship Management

Managing a partner program comes with its own set of challenges. Here are some of the most common obstacles businesses face when handling partnerships and some solutions. 

1. Partner Engagement

Challenge: Keeping partners actively involved and motivated can be difficult without the right communication and incentive structures.

Solution: PRM software offers automated engagement tools, such as real-time performance tracking, gamification, and automated rewards, to keep partners motivated and aligned with business goals. folk CRM excels in this area for medium-sized partnership teams by providing intuitive engagement features that require minimal setup time.

2. Onboarding Complexity

Challenge: Without a structured system, onboarding new partners can be time-consuming and inconsistent.

Solution: PRM software provides automated onboarding workflows, digital training modules, and customizable onboarding checklists to streamline the process and ensure consistency.

3. Performance Visibility

Challenge: Tracking and measuring partner contributions accurately can be challenging without robust analytics.

Solution: PRM platforms offer built-in analytics dashboards that provide real-time insights into partner performance, deal progress, and revenue impact.

4. Alignment with Business Goals

Challenge: Ensuring that partner efforts align with overall business objectives requires seamless collaboration and data sharing. This can be time consuming. 

Solution: PRM systems integrate with CRMs and marketing automation tools, ensuring that partner strategies are aligned with broader business initiatives through shared data and collaborative workflows.

As you can see, good PRM software helps mitigate these challenges by automating workflows, improving communication, and providing real-time performance insights.

Integration Capabilities of PRM Software

Effective PRM software seamlessly integrates with existing business systems to maximize efficiency. Key integration considerations include:

• CRM Integration: Ensures that partner activities align with customer relationship management data, providing a unified view of the sales pipeline.
• Payment Gateway Connectivity: Facilitates smooth commission payouts through integrations with Stripe, PayPal, or other payment processors.
• Marketing Automation: Connects PRM platforms with tools like HubSpot, Marketo, or Mailchimp to support co-branded campaigns and lead-sharing initiatives.
• Data Analytics & BI Tools: Integrates with platforms like Google Analytics or Tableau to provide deeper insights into partner performance.

Best PRM software for 2025 

1. folk

Best for: Partnership teams of 20-50 people needing an all-in-one PRM with short implementation time

folk is designed for businesses seeking an intuitive PRM that integrates seamlessly with contact and relationship management tools. For partnership teams of 20-50 people, folk CRM delivers the perfect combination of powerful functionality and user-friendly design, enabling quick deployment without overwhelming complexity.

Key features

• Capture contacts: Import leads from LinkedIn, Instagram, and X using folkX extension
• Sales research: Find emails in 1 click, identify a lead's strongest connection, and import data from your prospect's website with AI
• Personal outreach, at scale: Schedule emails and automate sequences
• 6,000+ Integrations: Connect your emails, calendar, social platforms, and thousands of other tools
• AI follow-ups: Know the best leads to follow-up with based on your past conversations using AI

2. PartnerStack

Best for: Companies that want to scale affiliate, referral, and reseller programs.

PartnerStack is a robust PRM solution tailored for businesses looking to scale their affiliate, referral, and reseller programs efficiently.

Key features

• Partner recruitment: Access a marketplace to connect with top-performing partners.
• Automated commissions: Track referrals and manage payouts in real time.
• Seamless CRM integration: Sync with sales and marketing platforms for streamlined workflows.
• Multi-tiered partner programs: Build and manage different levels of partnerships.
• Performance analytics: Monitor partner engagement and optimize strategies.

3. Rewardful

Best for: Affiliate tracking system.

Rewardful is a straightforward PRM option ideal for SaaS companies that need simple referral and affiliate tracking capabilities.

Key features

• Affiliate and referral tracking: Manage partner-generated leads and conversions effortlessly.
• Easy payment processing: Automate commissions through Stripe and Paddle integrations.
• Simple onboarding: Set up and launch referral programs in minutes.
• Custom reward structures: Tailor commission plans to match business goals.
• Real-time insights: Monitor partner performance with built-in reporting.

4. Impartner

Best for: Enterprises and agencies managing complex partner networks.

Impartner is a feature-rich PRM designed for enterprises and agencies managing large-scale, complex partner networks.

Key features

• Advanced commission structures: Create multi-tiered, customizable payment models.
• White-label branding: Customize portals and dashboards to align with your brand.
• API integrations: Connect seamlessly with internal business tools and workflows.
• Partner lifecycle automation: Manage onboarding, engagement, and retention through automated processes.
• Detailed analytics: Gain deeper insights into partner contributions and optimize strategies.

5. HubSpot

Best for: Companies already using HubSpot's CRM and marketing tools.

HubSpot is best suited for companies already using HubSpot's ecosystem, offering deep integrations with its sales and marketing tools.

Key features

• Partner pipeline tracking: Manage partner relationships within HubSpot's CRM.
• Automated onboarding: Use workflows to streamline partner enrollment.
• Integrated marketing tools: Enable co-branded campaigns and lead-sharing.
• Seamless sales collaboration: Align sales and partner teams within one ecosystem.
• Comprehensive reporting: Track partner performance through HubSpot's analytics suite.

Conclusion

Choosing the right PRM software is about aligning your technology with your business goals, ensuring that your partnerships remain productive, scalable, and profitable over time. Companies managing large affiliate networks may benefit from PartnerStack's extensive marketplace, while SaaS businesses with straightforward referral programs might find Rewardful more suitable. Enterprises with complex partnership structures can leverage InPartners' customization capabilities, whereas businesses already using HubSpot's ecosystem will appreciate its seamless integration. For those looking for a PRM that balances user-friendly features with strong contact management, folk stands out as a flexible and modern choice. With its intuitive design, automation capabilities, and deep integration options, it provides a comprehensive solution for managing partner programs effectively.

👉🏼 Try folk now to sync partner and CRM data so your partner pipelines stay aligned and actionable

Try folk today, free. 

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FAQ

What is the difference between PRM and CRM?

CRM manages customer relationships and sales pipelines. PRM manages partners—onboarding, deal registration, co-selling, commissions, and partner analytics. Many teams use both, or a CRM with built-in PRM features.

How do you choose PRM software?

Evaluate partner model (affiliate, reseller, referral), required integrations (CRM, payments, marketing), onboarding automation, deal registration, commission rules, analytics, and scalability. Pilot the tool and confirm support and implementation time.

How much does PRM software cost?

Pricing ranges from low-cost affiliate tools (~$49–$200/month) to enterprise PRMs ($1,000+/month) plus implementation. Costs depend on partner volume, modules, and payouts. Expect tiered pricing per user, per partner, or per transaction.

How long does PRM implementation take?

Simple affiliate tools can launch in days. Full PRMs with custom workflows and integrations take 4–12 weeks. Timelines depend on data migration, training, and partner onboarding. CRMs with PRM features, such as folk, can shorten setup for mid-sized teams.