Partner Management

Partner Onboarding Checklist: Everything You Need to Get It Right

Want to improve your SaaS company's partner program? Use this partner onboarding checklist to set partners up for success and drive more revenue.

5 min. read
18 Jun 2025
⚡ TL;DR

Partner onboarding is extremely important. Unfortunately, most SaaS companies fail to onboard partners effectively, which leads to poor relationships and subpar revenue numbers. The good news is, a channel partner onboarding checklist is all you need to improve your onboarding programs. In this article, we outline 10 steps to build a successful checklist for your SaaS brand.

Are you disappointed in your SaaS company's partner program?

You’re not alone. Most companies have confusing onboarding flows, scattered resources, and no clear path to a partner’s first deal. The result? Partners feel lost, engagement drops, and it takes far too long to see any real revenue from your partner program.

Good news: you can fix these problems with a channel partner onboarding process.

Keep reading to learn why B2B partner onboarding matters, how to onboard new partners successfully, and tools to dramatically improve partner performance.

Why B2B Partner Onboarding Matters More Than Ever

First impressions define relationships.

If a partner thinks your SaaS company is unorganized or unsupportive at the beginning of your partnership, they'll keep thinking it until the partnership ends.

An effective onboarding process will improve the partner journey from day one. How so? By ensuring each partner has the training, tools, and support they need.

Put simply, a strong onboarding process will increase partner engagement, boost deal velocity, and reduce churn—all of which will lead to higher revenue numbers.

A 10-Step Channel Partner Onboarding Checklist for 2025

How do you build a partner onboarding program that works?

While we can't make guarantees, the 10-step partner onboarding template below will give the best chance to succeed in this area. Let's dive in…

Step 1: Define Partner Types and Journeys

Every partner is different. This is especially true in regard to partner types.

Referral partners are not the same as reseller partners, who are not the same as tech partners. Each has different goals, and thus, needs different onboarding workflows.

Before you do anything else, understand the partner types your SaaS company works with. Then map out an effective, repeatable journey for each.

Tools like Introw make this easy. Our platform has a no-code flow builder that will help you quickly customize onboarding workflows based on partner types. Just as important, Introw includes automation features to streamline engagement.

Step 2: Share Clear Role Expectations & GTM Alignment

What do you want your partners to actually do?

Should they generate leads for your company's sales team? Should they work with your sales reps to walk prospects through the entire sales process? Should they sell independently via affiliate links? There are plenty of options.

Once you define partner roles, set timelines and key milestones. This will help you monitor partner progress and evaluate partner performance in an objective way.

Note: you don't have to set roles, timelines, and milestones for individual partners in your partner program. Instead, aim to define these things for each partner type.

Step 3: Provide Fast, Flexible Training Access

The best partner onboarding programs include effective training materials.

This begs the question, "What does effective partner training look like?" Simple: effective partner training is bite-sized, asynchronous, and easily trackable. 

  • Bite-Sized: Your partners don't have time for manuals or lengthy videos. Your training materials need to deliver quality information fast.
  • Asynchronous: Your partners have busy schedules. Asking them to attend training at specific times is unrealistic. Your training materials should be asynchronous so partners can consume content when they have time.
  • Trackable: Your partners are easily distracted. Your training materials should be trackable. That way you always know where they are in the training process and can keep them on track. This will ensure mutual success.

You might be wondering, "How do I deliver all these training materials?" There are multiple ways, but tools like Introw allow you to store and deliver content at scale. You can also invest in a full-fledged learning management system (LMS) if needed.

One more thing: Avoid gated content at all costs. Your partners aren't leads. Asking them for contact details in exchange for content will only lead to frustration.

Step 4: Set Up Deal Registration and Lead Sharing

Your partners are trained and ready to make sales. Now what?

Now you need to set up deal registration and lead sharing processes. If you don't, your partners won't be able to fill your pipeline with prospects or generate sales.

Every partner that goes through your SaaS company's onboarding process should know exactly how to submit leads, register deals, and receive feedback quickly.

With Introw, users can connect deal registration procedures directly with their Salesforce or HubSpot accounts, which will then provide them with real-time alerts. Introw is also equipped with AI to handle conflict resolution quickly and effectively.

Step 5: Assign Internal Partner Owners

Quick suggestion: take partner relationship management seriously.

How does this apply to the partner onboarding process? Ensure partners have clear points of contact within your SaaS company. Someone they can easily reach out to for advice, product information, and the occasional bit of encouragement

This will lead to better outcomes. Your partners will get the data they need to close deals. And your company will benefit from the revenue said partners generate.

Step 6: Establish Communication Channels

How will you communicate with your partners?

You could handle all partner questions via email. Or create a dedicated Slack channel to share updates. Or invest in some kind of company intranet tool.

As long as your chosen channel is easy for partners and channel managers to use - and allows for asynchronous communication—you should be good to go.

Introw was built with effective communication in mind. Our platform integrates with Slack and replies are auto-synced with Salesforce or HubSpot - no login required.

Step 7: Share Enablement Content

Make sure every partner has access to enablement content within their dedicated partner portal. We're talking about product docs, pitch decks, and case studies.

These materials will help your partners educate customers, make sales, and drive revenue for your SaaS company. As such, they're essential to partner performance.

In an ideal world, your enablement content will be tailored to specific use cases, regions, and/or products. This will make it easier for partners to use the right materials at the right times. The result? Greater business growth. Win!

Step 8: Introduce Mutual Action Plans (MAPs)

We asked you to consider goals and timelines in "Step 2" of this partner onboarding checklist. Now it's time to pursue those goals via mutual action plans.

A mutual action plan, sometimes referred to as a MAP, is a document that describes how you and your partners will achieve specific objectives in a systematic way.

Work with partners to determine goals, steps to accomplish them, and expected timelines. That way you're all on the same page and can pursue objectives together.

Introw users can access MAPS directly inside their Salesforce or HubSpot accounts, which ensures visibility for all parties and promotes strong collaboration.

Step 9: Track Activation & Engagement Metrics

You have to track metrics to build an effective partner onboarding program. The question is, which metrics should you track. Here are the most important ones:

  • Content Engagement: Has the partner completed the necessary training courses? Have they viewed your enablement content? Top performing partners know these things lead to more sales and success.
  • Deal Registration: How many deals has the partner registered? At the end of the day, partner success is determined by revenue generated. The more each partner drives, the better—for them and your SaaS company.
  • Co-Selling Behavior: Are your partners open to co-selling opportunities? Co-selling is a proven way to close deals at a consistent clip. The best partners take advantage to hit their sales targets on a regular basis.

Also worth mentioning, logins do NOT equal success.

You want partners to consume training programs, engage with your enablement content, and register new deals. Simply logging in to your partner portal doesn't drive revenue. As such, the metric doesn't signal a successful partner.

Step 10: Schedule Checkins and Optimize

Finally, schedule ongoing meetings with every partner.

These regular checkins will give you the chance to evaluate partner pipeline, assess partner progress toward goals, and educate partners to ensure future success.

We suggest 30, 60, and 90 day checkins with new partners. That way you can address questions, offer advice, and otherwise make sure your partners have a solid foundation. After 90 days, schedule quarterly business reviews (QBRs) instead.

You should consider incentive programs as well. This will encourage partners to work harder, which will only help to improve your partner program.

The Tech Stack You Need to Automate and Scale Partner Onboarding

As you might expect, the right tech stack can make all the difference when building a strong partner onboarding process. But which platform should you choose for your SaaS company? Look for a tech stack that offers:

  • A CRM-Native Setup: Make sure your tech stack connects seamlessly to your CRM. That way you don't have to manually transfer data between systems.
  • Off-Portal Collaboration: Make sure your platform allows you to interact with partners outside of the portal. This will reduce frustration for partners.
  • No-Code Workflows: Make sure your tool is no-code. That way your team can build new partner workflows in a flash, even if they can't write code.
  • Partner Engagement Tracking: Make sure your tech stack allows you to track partner engagement metrics. This will help you evaluate and optimize performance.
  • Modular Partner Flows: Make sure your platform lets you easily customize partner workflows. That way you can tailor each one to a different partner type.

Introw was purpose-built for partner onboarding in 2025.

Our platform integrates perfectly with Salesforce and HubSpot, allows for off-portal collaboration, and includes important partner engagement metrics.

It's also no-code, so you can design custom workflows for every partner type. And you can do it in minutes, even if you've never coded before.

Sign up for a free demo today to see if Introw is right for your SaaS company.

Final Thoughts: Your Onboarding Checklist = Your Partner’s Launchpad

An effective channel partner onboarding process is essential in 2025.

Without one, your partners won't have the information and support they need to generate leads and close deals. This is why so many partner programs fail.

After reading this article, you know exactly how to build an effective partner onboarding process. Just as important, you know what to look for in a partner onboarding tool. Combined, this knowledge will help you grow profits via partners.

FAQs

Still curious? Here are some quick answers to help clear things up.

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What should a partner onboarding checklist include?

Your partner onboarding checklist should include 10 steps: 1. Define partner types and journeys 2. Share clear role expectations and GTM alignment 3. Provide fast, flexible training access 4. Setup deal registration and lead sharing 5. Assign internal partner owners 6. Establish communication channels 7. Share enablement content 8. Introduce mutual action plans (MAPs) 9. Track activation and engagement metrics 10. Schedule check-ins and optimize If you follow this 10-step onboarding process, you'll build a partner onboarding process that engages partners and gives them the knowledge they need to succeed.

How long should it take to onboard a partner?

It depends on how complex and expensive your products and/or services are. Partners generally need less onboarding to sell simple, inexpensive products and services. To sell complicated, high-ticket services, however, your partners will likely need to go through a longer onboarding process. Generally speaking, partner onboarding takes 30 to 90 days, though they can take as long as six months.

How do I measure partner onboarding success?

There are multiple ways to assess partner onboarding success. Do new partners enjoy the process? Do they feel equipped to sell your products or services? Do they make it through your training materials in a timely manner? Ultimately, a successful partner onboarding process prepares partners to sell. So, if you only track one metric, track revenue post-onboarding to properly evaluate your efforts.

Can I customize onboarding by partner type?

Yes, you can—and you should. Referral, reseller, and tech partners are different; so they require different onboarding processes. Fortunately, platform like Introw make it easy to customize onboarding experiences via a no-code flow builder.

What tech stack helps automate onboarding?

You could automate the onboarding process with Zapier (or a similar app.) But this is often complicated and costly. Instead, use a partner relationship management (PRM) tool with automation capabilities. Introw is a good example. Once you're set up with the platform, you can automate training protocols, communication with partners, CRM updates, and more to create streamlined and effective workflows.

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Partner Management

Partner Enablement Guide 2025: Best Practices to Empower Your Partners

Adèle Coolens
Marketing & Partnerships
5 min. read
24 Jun 2025
⚡ TL;DR

Partner enablement is essential in 2025. If you provide partners with the proper knowledge, resources, and tools, they'll make more sales and drive more revenue . This guide explains what partner enablement is, why it's important, and how to build an effective partner enablement strategy for your SaaS company.

If you want your partnership program to succeed, you must build a strong partner enablement strategy. Doing so will ensure your channel partners have the knowledge, resources, and support they need to close deals.

But what is partner enablement? How is it different from partner onboarding? And most importantly, how do you build a partner enablement plan that scales?

We'll answer these questions (and many more) in this article to help you build a better partner sales process for your SaaS company. Let's get started!

What Is Partner Enablement?

Partner enablement is the act of enabling partners to sell on your behalf.

It's done by giving channel partners access to product details, marketing materials, and sales training to improve partner performance and ensure revenue growth.

Think about the sales enablement process you put your sales reps through. An effective partner enablement strategy is similar, but designed for external partners (like resellers, distributors, and affiliates) instead of internal teams.

It's important to note, partner enablement is different from partner onboarding

Partner enablement is an ongoing process. You must continually train and support your channel partners for them to be effective. Partner onboarding is a one-time event that introduces new partners to your company so they can start selling.

One more thing: There are different types of partner enablement.

There's product enablement, which teaches partners about the products and services you sell. There's marketing enablement, which teaches partners the best ways to promote your products and services. And there's sales enablement, which teaches partners specific sales techniques to close deals.

Successful partner enablement strategies include elements of all enablement types.

Why Partner Enablement Is Critical in 2025

Now that we know what partner enablement is, let's talk about why it's essential.

There are many reasons to invest in a channel partner enablement strategy. The most important ones are brand identity, customer satisfaction, and revenue growth.

  • Brand Identity: Your partners are brand ambassadors. If you don't enable them to market and sell your products effectively, they might misrepresent your brand. This could have a negative impact on your company's reputation.
  • Customer Satisfaction: Your partners interact with customers on your behalf. Effective partner training and sales resources - the things a strong partner enablement plan provides - will help your partners deliver better customer support that increases customer satisfaction and retention.
  • Revenue Growth: Your partners will sell more products and services when they're properly trained and supported. They'll retain existing customers for longer periods of time as well. These two things will lead to more revenue and success for your company - both now and in the future.

A large partner network isn't enough. You need to provide said partners with ongoing support if you want them to close deals and drive revenue. Fortunately, a proper channel partner program will enable partners to succeed.

Core Elements of a Scalable Partner Enablement Strategy

What does an effective, scalable partner enablement strategy look like? Let's dive into four core elements so you can build more successful partnerships in 2025:

1. Onboarding That Activates (Not Overwhelms)

As we alluded to, onboarding is a partner enablement best practice. 

The key is to welcome resellers, distributors, and affiliates into your partner ecosystem in a way that inspires them to take action - not overwhelms them. Progressive learning paths, tailored to specific partner types and available in your partner portal, let partners get up to speed at their own pace.

With Introw, building these onboarding flows is simple and requires zero code. And with our soon-to-launch LMS, you can go a step further by embedding short quizzes and enabling partner certification right in the portal. 

For many programs, certification is the final step - partners must complete it before they’re fully enabled and able to sell your solution. It’s a win-win: you know your partners are truly prepared, and they gain the confidence to succeed from day one.

2. Centralized, Always-On Content Access

Your partners should have 24/7 access to channel partner sales enablement content. This will help them learn about products or study sales techniques in their own time. 

If possible, co-brand all sales enablement content. Or better yet, work with each partner to create unique materials they can use to close deals.

When partners have exactly what they need to make sales, and customers trust said partners like they would your internal sales team, they'll generate more revenue.

We also suggest syncing content into partner workflows. That way your partners always have access to proper sales collateral. This is often the difference between a sale and a missed opportunity. Support your partners and they'll support you!

With Introw, your partners can always get the content they need via email or Slack. Off-portal access makes it incredibly easy to facilitate deals in real time. And with the Introw AI Agent, partners can interact with enablement materials and ask questions about your product or sales process - getting instant, AI-powered answers 24/7, right when they need them.

3. Real-Time Collaboration

The best partner enablement strategies account for co-selling workflows.

If you're unfamiliar with the term, co-selling is when two companies work together to position, promote, and sell complimentary solutions to the same target market.

Co-selling can be incredibly effective for SaaS companies - if it's done right. To make it work for your brand, design mutual action plans (MAPs) that outline responsibilities. Then give partners access to deal threads to track potential sales.

Also, asynchronous workflows are critical. Partners should be able to communicate with each other conveniently. This will reduce friction and increase sales.

Introw facilitates co-selling in multiple ways.

First, the platform lets you build structured co-sell motions and track them by CRM stage, partner type, and target account segment. Then, channel partners are easily onboarded and given off-portal access to the platform.

Once a partner is working on a deal, they can easily register it using simple forms in the partner portal. The deal is created automatically in your CRM and attributed to the right partner, so nothing slips through the cracks. From there, you can co-sell in real-time, collaborating on deals and moving faster together.

Finally, Introw provides you and your partners with shared dashboards to track partner enablement metrics like win rate, sales velocity, and total revenue.

4. Embedded Performance Insights

Last but not least, commit to tracking partner performance.

Which partners generate the most leads? Which close the most deals? Which drive the most revenue? Create scorecards for every partner and grade them regularly.

Why is this important? Because you can't improve what you don't measure.

When you know what your partners excel at, you can put them in positions to succeed. When you know what they struggle with, you can suggest training materials or sales techniques to increase success.

You're probably wondering, "Which metrics should I track?" We have a few ideas:

  • Activation Rate: The percentage of partners who reach a specific milestone in your partner onboarding process. Ideally, this number will be close to 100%.
  • Time-to-First-Deal: The time it takes a new partner to close their first deal. 
  • Content Engagement: The percentage of partners who use your sales collateral in the sales process. (Can also refer to the percentage of customers that consume sales content throughout the sales process.)
  • Partner-Sourced Revenue: The amount of revenue your partners generate for your company. Try to measure this on a partner-to-partner basis.

These metrics should be easily accessible in your partner relationship management (PRM) tool. And, if you use an app like Introw, automatically synced with your CRM.

Step-by-Step Framework to Launch a Partner Enablement Program

It doesn't matter if  your title is "partner sales manager," "partner development manager," or something else. You can use this simple, step-by-step partner enablement framework for your SaaS company. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Define Your Partner Personas

Start by categorizing your partner types. Said types might include resellers, referral partners, managed service providers (MSPs), and tech alliances - or all of the above.

Every partner type has different needs, goals, and enablement touch points. By separating them, you'll be able to customize your onboarding flows, content, and metrics. The result? More prepared partners who drive more revenue.

For example, Introw users often build partner-type-specific experiences to boost sales. When this happens, their partners tend to close more deals in less time.

With other tools, this would be almost impossible. Our users would have to hire a team of developers to make it happen. Thanks to Intro's no-code flow builder, partner managers can quickly build individualized flows for every partner type.

Step 2: Align Enablement Goals With Revenue KPIs

If you judge partner success by "activity" you'll be disappointed in the outcome.

Your partner enablement strategy should map to specific pipeline, activation, and revenue goals. Think: time-to-first-deal, partner-sourced pipeline, or deal velocity.

  • Time-to-First-Deal: The time it takes a new partner to close their first deal
  • Partner-Sourced Pipeline: Leads and sales a partner generates for your brand
  • Deal Velocity: The speed at which a partner negotiates and finalizes a sale

Introw integrates seamlessly with Salesforce and HubSpot. As a result, the mutual action plans (MAPs) you create inside Introw, as well as the deal tracking tools you use to monitor partner performance, appear directly inside your CRM account. No manual data entry is needed, which saves time and reduces errors.

Step 3: Build an Always-On Enablement Hub

Next, create a centralized resource hub that partners can access at any time.

Your resource hub should include product details and training, sales playbooks and guides, deal registration links, and anything else your partners need to make sales.

This is important: Allow partners to view, download, and use resources without a login. The best partner enablement strategies meet partners where they work. Forcing them to remember another password creates unnecessary friction.

This is easy to do with Introw. Our platform standardizes off-portal access, which means users can speak, teach, and otherwise engage with their partners via email or Slack. These conversations are then synced to their CRM for future reference.

Step 4: Operationalize Key Workflows

Now you need to create and implement partner-oriented workflows.

What does this look like? It depends on your unique business and the objectives you want to achieve with your partner program. But here are a few ideas:

  • Automate lead and deal registration
  • Automatically send MAPs for timely review
  • Setup notifications to streamline co-selling activities
  • Receive notifications when partners contact your team

These things will help you and your partners stay aligned on goals. And because so much of it will be automated, the potential for human error is almost zero.

Take Introw, for example. Once you're set up with our platform, deal registrations, MAP approvals, and partner communication will happen natively inside your CRM, not in a disconnected portal. This will streamline your workflows and boost sales.

Step 5: Track Partner Engagement and Optimize

Remember, enablement doesn’t stop after onboarding.

Measure content engagement, response times, deal progression, and follow-up activity. Then use these insights to improve your materials and workflows.

Also, we suggest asking for partner feedback to learn what works and what doesn't. You can then use their advice to optimize processes and ensure mutual growth.

Introw simplifies performance tracking via built-in engagement metrics, Slack nudges, and CRM-linked reporting. In other words, Introw gives you the data you need, inside the platforms you already use. This makes it much easier to optimize partner enablement strategies and processes in real time.

Avoid These Partner Enablement Mistakes

We won't lie to you, implementing strong partner enablement tactics takes time and effort. But you can streamline the process by avoiding common mistakes.

  • Portal-Only Access: Partners should be able to access enablement content in multiple ways. Restricting them to a password-protected portal is not wise.
  • Generic Content: While you can't create custom content for every partner, you can tailor content to specific partner types. This is a realistic way to ensure partners have the knowledge and resources to close deals. 
  • Misalignment: Your partner enablement strategy should align with your SaaS company's overarching pipeline and revenue goals. Track metrics that support your objectives. Popular examples include time-to-first deal, partner-sourced revenue, and deal velocity.
  • No CRM Visibility: The data inside your partner portal, from simple conversations to deal registrations, should be visible in your CRM. That's why you should use a partner enablement tool with seamless integration options.

Final Thoughts: Partner Enablement Is a Revenue Lever, Not a “Nice to Have”

Partner enablement is essential in 2025 - and will continue to be for years to come.

If you support your partners via proper onboarding processes, relevant content, real-time collaboration, and consistent tracking, they'll drive more revenue.

Introw simplifies partner enablement. With our platform, you can build fresh experiences for every partner type, integrate with Salesforce or HubSpot to align on goals, create off-portal content hubs, and track essential metrics.

Sign up for a demo to see how Introw can improve your partner enablement efforts.

Partner Management

9 Powerful Kiflo Alternatives for Scaling SaaS Partner Programs in 2025

Adèle Coolens
Marketing & Partnerships
5 min. read
11 Jun 2025
⚡ TL;DR

Kiflo PRM isn't right for every SaaS company. In fact, many choose alternative platforms that include CRM-native integrations, better forecasting and reporting capabilities, and improved user experience features. But which alternative should you choose? Each of the nine PRMs in this article will help you to build better partner programs in 2025.

Kiflo is a popular partner relationship management (PRM) tool. But if you're reading this article, you've probably realized it's not the best option for every SaaS team.

This is especially true for scaling startups with growing partner programs.

Sure, Kiflo is easy to use, has valuable features, and is reasonably priced. But it does NOT include important RevOps features or allow users to create off-portal user experiences. It's not CRM-native either. These limitations make it a subpar option for scaling SaaS businesses.

Not to fear! In this article, we analyze nine Kiflo alternatives to help you choose the right PRM for your SaaS and grow partnership revenue ASAP. Let's dive in…

Why SaaS Teams Look for a Kiflo Alternative

Interested in a Kiflo alternative?

It's probably because Kiflo doesn't offer CRM-native integrations, has limited forecasting and reporting capabilities, and/or lacks important user experience features.

Let's explore each of these limitations in greater detail:

No Native Native CRM Integrations

Kiflo doesn't integrate directly with CRM platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot.

To make these connections happen, users have to invest in a tool like Zapier. But this solution falls short, as it often causes duplicated work and fragmented data, while preventing deal sync. 

Not to mention, it costs more money to implement and creates an extra level of complexity. As such, scaling SaaS brands should choose a PRM with native CRM integrations.

No Customizable Partner Portal

Kiflo doesn’t let you fully customize the partner portal experience. As your program grows, you’ll need to tailor onboarding, branding, and workflows to fit different partner types and tiers. 

With Kiflo’s one-size-fits-all approach, you can’t create a unique experience for your resellers, referral partners, or MSPs — which means less engagement and more friction for your partners.

No Off-Portal Collaboration

Kiflo requires partners to log in to the portal for every interaction - whether it’s registering a deal, accessing resources, or providing updates. 

There’s no support for frictionless, off-portal collaboration (like replying via email or Slack with automatic sync to your CRM). This creates extra steps, slows down partner engagement, and can result in missed updates or delayed deals. 

9 Best Kiflo Alternatives in 2025

Kiflo helped you build a new partner program.

Now that said program is up and running, you want to enhance productivity, facilitate seamless collaboration, and drive more sales. You know you need a new PRM to achieve these things.

Which PRM should you choose? One of the nine Kiflo alternatives below will fit the bill:

1. Introw — Best CRM-Native PRM for SaaS Teams

Introw is one of the few PRMs that was built with CRM integration in mind.

It connects seamlessly to Salesforce and HubSpot and allows SaaS companies to collaborate off-portal. Just as important, the platform is no-code, so integrations and other features can be set up in minutes.

In addition, Introw helps simplify partner onboarding and deal flows, automates engagement tracking for hundreds of partners at once, and powers co-selling - all directly inside your CRM.

Key Features:

  • CRM-first, so all data stays inside your CRM
  • Real-time deal registration, forecasting, and MAPs
  • Slack and email sync for timely notifications and reminders
  • Modular workflows for referral, co-sell, and reseller partners
  • No-code setup, so anyone can customize their PRM software

Request a demo to see if Introw is right for your SaaS brand!

2. PartnerStack — Best PRM for Growing Affiliate Sales

PartnerStack connects users to affiliates, resellers, and referral partners through a user-friendly interface. This simplifies the management process and leads to more sales.

The tool also includes advanced features and automation capabilities that can be used to improve marketing efforts and better recruit new partners.

Unfortunately, PartnerStack has limited CRM visibility, which creates friction for users.

Key Features:

  • Recruit new partners
  • Train partners effectively
  • Track every partner sourced lead
  • Issue partner commissions automatically

3. Partnero — Best for Influencer-Focused Growth Strategies

Partnero was specifically designed to help companies create affiliate and referral programs.

It enables users to track links and coupon codes, offer goal-based rewards, and use sophisticated commission structures. It also integrates seamlessly with popular tools.

It should be noted, however, Partnero was not designed for co-sell SaaS motions. If that's an important aspect of your company's sales approach, consider a different Kiflo alternative.

Key Features:

  • Create affiliate, loyalty, and email newsletter referral programs
  • Offer a variety of dynamic rewards and keep partners engaged
  • Track partner performance and make data-driven decisions
  • Integrate with popular tools like PayPal and WooCommerce

4. Channelscaler — Best for Large Enterprises

Channelscaler is the combination of two leading PRM tools: Allbound and Channel Mechanics. Together, the two tools create a capable solution for large companies.

Use Channelscaler to create partner portals, host content libraries, train new partners, offer a variety of incentives, close and track sales, integrate with other apps, and more.

As you can see, Channelscaler has a lot to offer, but you'll pay to use it. The platform is more expensive than other solutions. Sadly, you'll also have to deal with a rigid user experience.

Key Features:

  • Build and manage a content library
  • Develop learning tracks and certifications
  • Manage market development funds (MDF)
  • Easily distribute leads and register new deals
  • Access detailed channel insights and reports

5. Tolt — Best for New Affiliate Programs

Tolt is all about affiliate marketing for SaaS companies.

After registration, customers can use Tolt to create branded portals for their affiliates, analyze important metrics related to their affiliate programs, and streamline affiliate payments.

While Tolt is a strong option for new affiliate programs, it lacks advanced PRM features. For example, Tolt doesn't offer deal registration tools. Its forecasting features are also weak.

Key Features:

  • Easy setup
  • Quick affiliate onboarding
  • Intuitive interface and reporting tools
  • Integrations with multiple payment apps

6. Impartner — Best for Global Organizations

Impartner is an extremely robust platform for global enterprises.

Does that sound like your company? Then you'll likely enjoy Impartner's many features, from personalized partner onboarding to advanced performance tracking and incentive management.

Just know that these features are often difficult to implement. If you're looking for an intuitive, user-friendly solution to manage your partner program, look elsewhere.

Key Features:

  • Personalized partner onboarding
  • Partner training and certification
  • Advanced performance tracking
  • Incentives and rewards management
  • Integrations with other top tools

7. Impact.com — Best for Influencer-Focused Growth Strategies

Impact.com was made to accelerate growth via affiliates, social media influencers, media publishers, and pretty much every other partner type. (Though, it really shines with influencers.)

Use the platform to recruit partners, encourage engagement, track performance, automate payouts, and optimize results. In other words, manage partnerships through the entire lifecycle.

Impact.com is a strong PRM software, but it wasn't built specifically for SaaS brands. Software companies that want to drive results via partnerships might want a more tailor-made tool.

Key Features:

  • Discover and recruit potential partners
  • Track partner engagement and performance
  • Create contracts and pay partners automatically
  • Optimize partner programs based on in-depth analytics

8. Rewardful — Best for Small, Bootstrapped Teams

Rewardful offers "All-in-One Affiliate Management Software for SaaS".

Once users are set up with the platform, they can build custom affiliate portals, set different commission structures for different partners, track and settle payments, and more.

While not as fully featured as other PRMs, Rewardful is easy to use and affordable, which makes it a solid option for small, bootstrapped teams in the SaaS space.

Key Features:

  • Build a user-friendly portal for affiliates
  • Track performance via links or coupon codes
  • Set up mass affiliate payouts through PayPal or Wise
  • Build no-code integrations with Stripe, Paddle, and more

9. Partnerize — Best for Enterprise Direct to Consumer Sales

Finally, Partnerize connects brands with retailers, influencers, affiliate marketers, and more. The goal? To build complete partner programs that increase sales and drive revenue.

Partnerize gives users the ability to find potential partners, collaborate with them on sales, track their performance with real-time analytics, and send commission payments at scale.

Partnerize can be used by any SaaS company with the means to pay for it. But it's best suited to large organizations that focus on ecommerce and/or direct to consumer sales strategies.

Key Features:

  • Tap into Partnerize's database of 1M+ potential partners
  • Analyze metrics to see which partner strategies work best
  • Build custom commission structures based on desired outcomes
  • Issue prompt payments to partners in their preferred currencies
  • Integrate with top commerce, content, and influencer solutions

How to Choose the Right Kiflo Alternative

We know what you're thinking, "All of the PRMs above sound great! How do I choose the best Kiflo alternative for my company?" We're glad you asked. Here are three suggestions:

Prioritize CRM Compatibility

A PRM will not replace your CRM. The tools should work together to boost revenue for your company. Look for Kiflo alternatives that prioritize CRM compatibility and connect to the CRM you already use. This will help you avoid information silos and make more sales.

Focus on Channel Revenue, Not Just Signups

Partner signups are great - but only if they produce revenue. Choose a Kiflo alternative that will support your company's specific partner journey, from onboarding to closed deals. Doing so will help you create better partner experiences that lead to more sales, revenue, and success.

Evaluate UX for Partners

Speaking of partner experiences, the best Kiflo alternatives support off-portal collaboration, so partners can close deals without logging in to a PRM. They also offer real-time visibility, so partners always know how many sales they've made and how much money they'll earn within a given time period. These things may sound simple, but they keep partners engaged. And engaged partners drive more revenue. As such, they're essential to a strong partner program.

Introw: The Best Partner Relationship Management Tool for SaaS Companies in 2025

There are plenty of good PRMs on the market. But Introw leads the pack because it's CRM-native, built for RevOps alignment, and helps users to create better partner experiences.

Put simply, Introw integrates directly with powerful CRMs like HubSpot and Salesforce, which means partners can use CRM data to increase sales. Just as important, the sales partners make via Introw portals are automatically logged in your CRM - no more manual data entry!

Introw also allows users to work off-portal, supports asynchronous workflows via Slack and/or email, enables modular and scalable partner flows, and includes real-time forecasting.

Plus, Introw offers transparent pricing that almost every scaling SaaS company can afford. Request a demo of Introw today to see if it's right for your company's partnership program.

Partner Management

Top 9 PartnerStack Alternatives to Consider in 2025

Andreas Geamanu
Co-founder & Growth
5 min. read
30 May 2025
⚡ TL;DR

Outgrowing PartnerStack? You're not alone. Many SaaS teams are seeking alternatives that offer deeper CRM integration, better automation, and real-time partner insights. This guide explores top alternatives like Introw, Partnero, and Allbound, and outlines what to look for in a modern PRM — including native Salesforce/HubSpot sync, customizable workflows, and co-selling alignment. Introw leads the pack with its CRM-first approach, no-code partner portal, Slack/email workflows, and AI-powered support — making it the top choice for revenue-focused SaaS partner programs in 2025.

While partner platform PartnerStack works well for some businesses, it can fall short for SaaS teams needing deep CRM integration, a custom partner portal, and more reporting and automation capabilities.

If you're struggling with data silos, limited automation, or partner portals that don't work with your needs, it's time for a change. 

Look for a solution built for RevOps, embedded in your CRM, and focused on revenue—not vanity metrics.

➡️ Explore why Introw is a top PartnerStack alternative — book your live demo today.

Why Look for a PartnerStack Alternative in 2025?

As the SaaS landscape evolves, businesses must continually re-evaluate their partnership management tools. 

While PartnerStack remains a strong contender, shifting needs around customization, reporting, automation, and integration options may prompt some SaaS brands to explore alternatives that better align with their growth strategies and tech demands.

Is it time for your business to consider PartnerStack alternatives? 

Read on to find out. 

Where PartnerStack Falls Short for Scaling SaaS Teams

PartnerStack can help launch a partner program — but once you're driving real revenue through partners, it often hits its limits. 

Here are three common friction points for SaaS companies trying to scale with PartnerStack:

1. CRM Disconnect

A lack of seamless integration with your CRM can lead to data silos, duplicated work, and missed opportunities for cross-team alignment. 

In short — a headache. 

After all, when your sales and partnership marketing platforms don't speak the same language, efficiency and visibility suffer.

Instead, look for partner management platforms that are fully embedded in your CRM. 

2. No Off-Portal Collaboration

If your partners have to log into a portal just to stay in the loop, you're already creating friction. PartnerStack requires portal access for updates or engagement — which often leads to drop-off and delays.

There’s no support for off-portal collaboration, like replying to deal updates via email or Slack and having it sync back to your CRM. That disconnect slows down momentum and makes it harder to keep partners engaged.

Modern partner teams need tools that meet partners where they are — with frictionless, off-portal collaboration baked in.

3. No Customizable Portal Experience

As your partner program matures, a one-size-fits-all portal just doesn’t cut it. PartnerStack offers limited flexibility when it comes to customizing the partner experience — making it hard to support different partner types, tiers, or regional nuances.

If your team needs to tailor onboarding, branding, or workflows for referral partners vs. resellers vs. MSPs, PartnerStack likely falls short.

Look for platforms that offer fully customizable, white-labeled portals with CRM-driven logic — so every partner gets the right experience, at scale.

What to Look for Instead

If you've decided it's time to move on from PartnerStack, what should you be looking for from your partner management system? 

1. CRM-Native with Real-Time Sync

In 2025, your partner platform must live inside Salesforce or HubSpot. That means native CRM integration — not just pushing spreadsheets into a dashboard. Real-time deal sync, automated registration, and shared pipeline visibility help you eliminate silos and keep everyone on the same page.

2. Frictionless Off-Portal Collaboration 

Look for tools that make it easy for partners to engage without logging in — think Slack or email updates that sync directly to your CRM. Off-portal collaboration keeps momentum high and ensures reps and partners stay aligned in real time, not stuck chasing each other across platforms.

3. Custom-Branded, Flexible Partner Portal

Your partner portal should reflect how your business operates — not force you into a rigid template. Look for a PRM that lets you fully customize the portal layout, branding, and workflows to match your processes, partner model, and go-to-market motion. From content to deal reg flows, every part should feel like an extension of your company — not a bolt-on. 

If PartnerStack is starting to slow your momentum — whether due to collaboration friction, limited CRM alignment, or lack of customization — it’s worth evaluating purpose-built tools designed for scale.

Let’s see… 

Top PartnerStack Alternatives to Consider

When considering moving on from PartnerStack, it's essential to explore your options and identify the best fit for you. 

1. Introw — Best CRM-Native PRM for SaaS Teams

Introw is a sophisticated partnership relationship management (PRM) platform with deep Salesforce and HubSpot integrations. 

Its CRM-first approach ensures that partnership data — such as leads, deals, engagement, and pipeline metrics — flows automatically between Introw and your CRM, keeping Salesforce or HubSpot as your single source of truth.

Other Introw highlights include:

  • Real-time co-selling 
  • No-code partner portal builder
  • AI Agent, providing 24/7 support to your partners
  • No login needed for partners — off-portal experience
  • Real-time deal reg, forecasting, and MAPs
  • Modular workflows (referral, reseller, etc)
  • Slack sync for nudges, updates
  • Strong RevOps and CCO/CRO alignment
  • Transparent pricing

Who Is Introw Best For?

Introw is perfect for SaaS teams with two or more partner managers and who already use (or intend to use) Salesforce or HubSpot.

Pricing: Introw is free for one partner. Its basic tier starts at $329 per month for ten partners, Pro costs $579+ per month for ten partners, and Enterprise pricing is bespoke. Book a live demo here

2. Partnero

Partnero is an all-in-one partnership management platform designed for SaaS and e-commerce businesses to create, manage, and scale affiliate, referral, and newsletter referral programs.

Partnero supports automated payouts, offers fully customizable reward structures, white-label partner portals, and boasts seamless integrations with tools like Stripe, Shopify, PayPal, and WooCommerce.

Features include:

  • All-in-one program management
  • Customizable reward structures
  • White-label partner portals
  • Seamless integrations
  • Automated payouts
  • Real-time analytics
  • Custom referral marketing links and coupons
  • Partner enablement tools
  • Developer-friendly API

Who Is Partnero Best For?

Partnero works best for companies running affiliate and influencer programs. Its lighter feature set works well for early-stage companies, but it's less ideal for scaling SaaS with mature CRMs.

Pricing: Partnero's starter bundle costs $49 per month, its Partner tier is $149 per month, and the Advanced option for larger companies comes in at $479 per month. 

3. Kiflo

Kiflo is a PRM platform designed to help B2B companies grow and scale their partner programs. 

It enables users to track partner-sourced revenue, manage leads, onboard and enable partners, and foster long-term, profitable partner relationships.

Specific features include:

  • Partner onboarding and enablement
  • Lead and deal management
  • Revenue tracking and attribution

Who Is Kiflo Best For?

Kiflo is a great option for startups, with super easy onboarding. 

However, it lacks a native Salesforce integration, so companies that rely on this CRM may want to consider alternatives. 

Its analytics are also quite basic. 

Pricing: Kiflo's Core tier — for teams just launching their partner program — starts at $359 per month. The Plus and Premier tiers operate on bespoke pricing plans. 

4. Tolt

Tolt is an all-in-one affiliate marketing platform tailored for SaaS startups looking to swiftly launch and manage affiliate and referral programs. 

With a heavy focus on partner onboarding, real-time analytics, and customizable commission structures, Tolt streamlines affiliate management, enabling startups to scale efficiently and cost-effectively. 

Tolt's features include:

  • Branded affiliate portals
  • Real-time performance tracking
  • Customizable commission structures
  • Passwordless login for affiliates
  • Quick setup within 15 minutes

Who Is Tolt Best For?

Tolt's focus is on partner onboarding, so it works well for companies that expect to attract a high number of new partners or simply want to impress their partners from the outset.

However, this tool is still maturing when it comes to deal registrations and pipeline management, and it doesn't natively support MAPs or Slack workflows — all of which make it a better option for startups and smaller businesses rather than mature partner programs. 

Pricing: Tolt's Basic bundle starts at $49 per month, its Growth package is $99 per month, and the Pro option costs $199 per month. 

5. Allbound

PRM Allbound is designed to streamline and automate every aspect of partner programs for B2B organizations. 

It offers tools for onboarding, enablement, co-marketing, co-selling, and performance tracking, all within a unified interface.

Highlights include:

  • Partner journey automation
  • Content library and management
  • Learning tracks and certifications
  • Deal registration and playbooks
  • Multi-tier distribution support
  • Gamification and incentive dashboards
  • Channel insights and reporting
  • CRM integrations with real-time updates

Who Is Allbound Best For?

Allbound is a great option for mid-market to enterprise-level B2B tech businesses with mature or scaling partner ecosystems. 

Pricing: Allbound's pricing is bespoke. 

6. Impartner

Comprehensive PRM platform Impartner is designed to help B2B companies manage and scale their partner ecosystems effectively.

It supports all types of partners, including reseller partners, distributors, affiliates, ISVs, and more. 

Impartner offers comprehensive tools designed to help businesses enhance partner engagement, streamline operations, and drive revenue growth through indirect sales channels. 

Highlights include:

  • Automated partner onboarding and training
  • Centralized partner portals with role-based access
  • Deal registration and lead management
  • Performance tracking and analytics dashboards
  • Co-branded marketing asset creation
  • Partner business planning and goal-setting
  • Tiering and compliance automation
  • CRM integrations with real-time data sync
  • Referral and affiliate program support

Who Is Impartner Best For?

Impartner is a comprehensive PRM solution that works best for mid-sized to enterprise-level B2B companies with complex, global, or high-growth partner ecosystems. 

Pricing: Impartner offers tailored pricing. 

7. Impact.com

Impact.com is a comprehensive partnership management platform that enables businesses to manage and optimize various types of partnerships — including affiliates, influencers, creators, B2B partners, and referrals — within a single system. 

Its features include:

  • Partner discovery and recruitment automation
  • Automated payments and contracts
  • Real-time tracking and performance analytics
  • Fraud detection and prevention
  • Customizable attribution modeling
  • CRM and e-commerce platform integrations
  • Role-based access and permissions
  • Automated partner onboarding workflows
  • Benchmarking reports against industry peers

Who Is Impact.com Best For?

Impact.com is best for companies that want to build, manage, and scale diverse, performance-based partnerships in a unified platform.

It's particularly well-suited for large companies, e-commerce and DTC brands, and agencies and networks that are running partnership programs for multiple clients. 

Pricing: Impact pricing is bespoke.

8. Rewardful

Rewardful is an all-in-one affiliate and referral management platform tailored for SaaS companies and subscription-based businesses. 

It enables users to launch affiliate programs in under 15 minutes through seamless integrations with Stripe and Paddle.

Here are its top features:

  • Easy Stripe and Paddle integrations
  • Customizable commission structures
  • User-friendly affiliate portal with branded customization
  • Automated payouts via PayPal and Wise
  • Real-time tracking of referrals and conversions
  • Coupon code and link-based referral partners tracking
  • Fraud detection and prevention mechanisms
  • Affiliate finder tool 
  • White-label capabilities 
  • Analytics dashboard 

Who Is Rewardful Best For?

Rewardful is best for bootstrapped to mid-sized SaaS companies that use Stripe or Paddle for billing and want fast, no-code affiliate setup.

It's also great for subscription businesses that need recurring or one-time commission models.

Pricing: Rewardful's Starter package costs $49 per month, and its Growth bundle is $99 per month, while Enterprise pricing starts at $149 per month.  

9. Partnerize

Partnerize is a comprehensive end-to-end partnership management platform designed to help brands discover, manage, and optimize diverse partner relationships at scale.

It supports various partner types, including affiliates, influencers, and content creators. 

Its key features are as follows: 

  • Automated partner discovery and recruitment
  • Dynamic commissioning based on performance metrics
  • Real-time tracking and analytics dashboards
  • Brand safety and fraud prevention tools
  • Customizable reporting and attribution models
  • Integration with major e-commerce and CRM platforms
  • Role-based access controls and user permissions
  • Dedicated partner portals 

Who Is Partnerize Best For?

Partnerize is ideal for mid-sized to enterprise-level businesses seeking to scale their partnership programs efficiently. 

It's especially beneficial for companies that manage a diverse range of partners and/or operate in multiple regions.

Pricing: Fees vary depending on your requirements. 

How to Choose the Right PartnerStack Alternative

Ready to find the very best partner management platform for your business?

Here are three major points to consider. 

1. Prioritize CRM Compatibility

It's vital that your PRM integrates seamlessly with your CRM — such as Salesforce or HubSpot. 

A partner management platform that doesn't sync in real time can create data silos, duplicate efforts, and missed opportunities. 

So, look for a solution that supports native, two-way CRM integration to ensure accurate reporting, streamlined workflows, and a single source of truth. 

2. Focus on Channel Revenue, Not Just Signups

It's easy to get caught up in growing partner signups — but quantity doesn't equal quality. 

The right PRM should help you measure what really matters: channel revenue

Prioritize tools that track partner-sourced and influenced deals, connect activity to pipeline stages, and surface performance metrics. 

3. Evaluate User Experience for Partners

A great partner experience drives engagement and results. 

If your PRM requires complex logins or clunky portals, partners simply won't use it. 

It's crucial to find tools that offer frictionless interaction — like replying to deal threads via email or Slack without logging in. 

The right platform should also provide visibility into partner activity (opens, clicks, replies), allowing you to track engagement and follow up effectively without requiring constant manual check-ins.

Why Introw Leads the Pack in 2025

Introw stands out as the leading PartnerStack alternative by delivering a modern, revenue-focused approach to partner management with deep CRM integration. 

This user-friendly PRM platform delivers a fully embedded experience in platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot and offers real-time co-selling capabilities, keeping your partners and pipeline in sync. 

Meanwhile, its no-code portal builder enables tailored partner experiences, and its Slack and email integration makes communication easy, while a built-in AI Agent offers 24/7 support. 

Purpose-built for SaaS, RevOps, and scale, Introw prioritizes actual revenue over vanity metrics.

➡️ Ready to experience the future of partner management? Request a live Introw demo here.