If you manage affiliate links on WordPress, you have almost certainly come across Pretty Links and ThirstyAffiliates. Both are well-established, actively maintained, and trusted by thousands of affiliate marketers.
This post is not here to crown a winner. Instead, we will walk through pricing, features, integrations, and user experience so you can decide which plugin fits your workflow best. At the end, we will also mention a newer alternative worth keeping on your radar.
At a Glance
Pretty Links
By Caseproof, LLC
ThirstyAffiliates
By Jeremias Jesteadt / Caseproof
Pricing Comparison
Both plugins start at the same price point, but their tiers offer different value at each level.
Pretty Links Pricing
Free version available on WordPress.org with basic link shortening and redirect management.
ThirstyAffiliates Pricing
Free version available on WordPress.org with core link cloaking and basic management.
Verdict: Pricing is nearly identical at entry level. ThirstyAffiliates offers more sites per tier (5 sites at $149.60 vs 2 for Pretty Links), which gives it an edge if you run multiple sites.
UI and Ease of Use
Standard WordPress admin tables. Functional but dated. Link creation uses a familiar post-editor style form.
Also WordPress-native UI, but uses a custom post type with categories and tags, making organization feel natural.
Slightly steeper. More settings and options upfront, which can be overwhelming for first-time users.
Gentler onboarding with a setup wizard. The category-based organization is intuitive for most users.
Verdict: Both use traditional WordPress admin interfaces. ThirstyAffiliates has a slight edge for beginners thanks to its setup wizard and familiar category taxonomy. Pretty Links offers more granular control for power users.
Link Management Features
301, 302, 307, JavaScript, Meta-refresh, Cloaked
301, 302, 307, Cloaked (via iframe)
Yes (Pro) - automatic keyword replacement in posts
Yes (Pro) - autolinker with frequency controls
Groups and tags
Full WordPress taxonomy (categories + tags)
No built-in feature
No built-in feature
Not available
Yes (Pro) - checks for broken destination URLs
Yes (Pro) - geo-targeted link destinations
Yes (Pro) - via geo-location add-on
Verdict: Pretty Links offers more redirect types, while ThirstyAffiliates has a useful link health checker. Both support auto-linking and geolocation in their Pro tiers. This category is close to a draw.
Analytics and Reporting
Pretty Links
ThirstyAffiliates
Verdict: Pretty Links has stronger built-in analytics with split testing. ThirstyAffiliates compensates with its MonsterInsights integration, which lets you pipe click data directly into Google Analytics. Choose based on your analytics workflow.
Integrations
Pretty Links Ecosystem
As part of the Caseproof family, Pretty Links integrates seamlessly with MemberPress, making it a natural choice if you run a membership site.
ThirstyAffiliates Ecosystem
ThirstyAffiliates is tightly integrated with the MonsterInsights analytics platform, making it ideal if Google Analytics is central to your reporting.
Amazon Affiliate Compliance
Amazon Associates has strict rules about link cloaking, and violating them can get your account terminated. This is an area where the two plugins differ significantly.
Pretty Links
No Amazon-specific features. You need to manually ensure your Amazon links are not cloaked (Amazon prohibits link cloaking). It works, but requires discipline.
ThirstyAffiliates
Offers an Amazon API Importing add-on that automatically imports product data and images. Includes an option to selectively disable cloaking for Amazon links to stay compliant.
Verdict: ThirstyAffiliates is the clear winner here for Amazon affiliates. Its dedicated tooling reduces compliance risk significantly.
Who Should Choose Pretty Links?
MemberPress users who want seamless integration between membership content and affiliate links.
A/B testers who want built-in split testing to optimize link performance without a third-party tool.
Content publishers who need advanced redirect types (JavaScript, meta-refresh) beyond standard 301/302.
Solo site operators who only need one site and want robust free-version features to start.
Who Should Choose ThirstyAffiliates?
Amazon affiliates who need API importing, product data sync, and compliance-safe link handling.
Google Analytics power users who rely on MonsterInsights and want affiliate clicks tracked as GA events automatically.
Multi-site operators who need 5+ site licenses at a reasonable price point.
Beginners who prefer a guided setup wizard and category-based link organization out of the box.
Consider LegendLinks as an Alternative
If neither plugin checks every box, there is a newer option worth a look.
LegendLinks is a modern WordPress link management plugin that takes a different approach. It ships with a free tier that includes unlimited sites and advanced redirect types, so you can evaluate it without spending anything.
Geo-Targeting
Route visitors to different destinations based on their country automatically.
Device Targeting
Send mobile and desktop users to different landing pages.
Stealth Redirects
Bypass ad blockers that strip standard affiliate redirects.
Bio Pages
Built-in link-in-bio pages included in the Pro tier at no extra cost.
Pro plans start at $89/year for a single site, making it more affordable than both Pretty Links and ThirstyAffiliates at the entry tier. It is worth trying the free version to see if it fits your workflow.
LegendPlugins Team
The LegendPlugins team builds high-performance WordPress plugins for affiliate marketers and content creators. With deep expertise in WordPress development, database optimization, and affiliate marketing workflows, we create tools that help publishers maximize their revenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pretty Links or ThirstyAffiliates better for beginners?
Both plugins are beginner-friendly, but ThirstyAffiliates is often considered slightly easier to get started with thanks to its streamlined setup wizard and intuitive link categorization. Pretty Links offers more power in its free version, which can appeal to users who want to explore features before committing.
Can I use Pretty Links and ThirstyAffiliates together?
Technically you can install both, but it is not recommended. Running two affiliate link management plugins can cause redirect conflicts, duplicate analytics, and unnecessary database overhead. Pick one and commit to it.
Which plugin is better for Amazon affiliates?
ThirstyAffiliates has a dedicated Amazon compliance feature (via its Amazon API Importing add-on) that automatically imports product data and ensures your links stay compliant with Amazon's operating agreement. Pretty Links does not have a built-in Amazon-specific feature.
Do Pretty Links and ThirstyAffiliates both support nofollow links?
Yes. Both plugins allow you to set nofollow, sponsored, and UGC rel attributes on your affiliate links, which is important for SEO compliance.
Are there any free alternatives to Pretty Links and ThirstyAffiliates?
Yes. LegendLinks offers a generous free tier that includes unlimited sites, advanced redirect types, link scheduling, and a modern React-based interface. It is worth considering if budget is a concern.
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