Deriv’s partnership programme gives you access to three commission models from the start: revenue share, turnover-based, and cost-per-acquisition (CPA). This flexibility means you can grow your income in more than one way, depending on your promotional approach and your clients’ trading behaviour.

Quick summary of commission types

• Revenue share – Earn up to 45% of your clients’ net trading revenu
  
• Turnover-based – Earn based on trading volume, with daily payouts for products like CFDs.
  
• Cost-per-acquisition (CPA) – Earn a fixed payment for each qualified client who signs up and meets deposit requirements.

Each model suits different partner strategies. The good news is that Deriv gives you access to all three from day one, so you can build your earnings in more than one way.

This article helps you understand each commission structure's mechanics, choose the right approach for your situation, and set realistic expectations for your partnership journey.

Revenue share

Revenue share means you earn a percentage of the net revenue Deriv generates from clients you refer. This commission type rewards quality over quantity, making it ideal for partners who focus on education and relationship building.

How revenue share calculations work

When your referred client trades, Deriv calculates the net revenue from that activity (after operational costs and regulatory requirements). You then receive a percentage of this net revenue as your commission.

Why net revenue matters: This calculation method ensures sustainable payments while maintaining platform stability. You benefit when Deriv benefits, creating aligned incentives for quality client referrals.

Who should choose revenue share

Best fit for partners who:

• Create educational content about trading concepts and risk management
• Build long-term relationships with their audience through consistent, valuable content
• Prefer steady, recurring income over one-time payments
• Want earnings that grow automatically as their referred clients become more active

Content strategies that work with revenue share:

• In-depth trading tutorials that take time to consume but build trust
• Regular market analysis or educational newsletters
• Community building where you guide members through their trading journey
• Platform walkthroughs that emphasise learning over quick conversion

Revenue share performance expectations

Most partners see revenue share commissions grow gradually over 3-6 months as their referred clients develop trading habits and confidence. Your earnings compound as you refer more quality clients and your existing referrals increase their activity levels.

Monthly payout schedule: Revenue share commissions are typically paid monthly, giving you predictable income timing for business planning.

Turnover-based commissions

Turnover commissions pay you based on your referred clients' total trading volume, regardless of whether they profit or lose on individual trades. This structure rewards partners who attract active, frequent traders.

How turnover calculations differ from revenue share

Instead of waiting to see if trades are profitable for Deriv, turnover commissions trigger immediately when your referrals place trades. The commission amount depends on the total value of positions opened, not their outcomes.

Why this matters for your strategy: You earn consistently from active traders, even during volatile markets when client profitability fluctuates. Your income becomes more predictable based on trading frequency rather than trading success.

Who should choose turnover-based commissions

Best fit for partners who:

• Attract experienced traders who trade frequently
• Create content focused on active trading strategies and techniques
• Prefer more immediate feedback on their promotional efforts
• Have audiences interested in short-term trading approaches

Content strategies that align with turnover commissions:

• Technical analysis tutorials that encourage regular chart monitoring
• Day trading or scalping strategy content
• Platform feature guides for active traders (advanced order types, mobile trading, etc.)
• Market timing and opportunity identification content

Understanding turnover commission variations across Deriv platforms

Different Deriv platforms generate varying commission structures based on their trading mechanisms and user engagement patterns:

Options platforms (Deriv Trader, Deriv Bot, Deriv GO, SmartTrader): Generate commissions through stake-based calculations, with rates varying by contract type. Mobile platforms like Deriv GO often produce higher engagement rates due to their accessibility and convenience for active traders.

CFD platforms (Deriv MT5, Deriv cTrader): Operate through volume-based commission structures with daily settlement schedules. Professional trading platforms typically attract higher-volume clients who generate more substantial turnover-based earnings.

Payment flexibility: CFD commissions can be credited daily directly to your Deriv MT5 Standard account, enabling immediate access to commissions from high-volume client trading. This real-time settlement particularly benefits partners with active CFD trading clients.

Cost-per-acquisition (CPA)

CPA commissions pay you a fixed amount when referred clients meet specific qualification criteria, typically involving account creation, initial deposit, and basic trading activity. This commission type suits partners who excel at conversion-focused content.

Note: CPA availability varies by region and current programme terms. Check your partner dashboard for availability in your target markets.

How CPA qualification works

Rather than ongoing performance tracking, CPA commissions trigger when new clients complete predefined actions within a specific timeframe. These actions typically include:

• Account registration through your referral link
• Completion of required verification processes
• Minimum deposit threshold achievement
• Basic trading activity demonstration

Who should choose CPA commissions

Best fit for partners who:

• Create conversion-focused content with clear calls-to-action
• Prefer fixed, predictable payments over variable income
• Excel at guiding audiences through specific processes step-by-step
• Want to focus on acquisition rather than long-term client relationship management

Content strategies that work with CPA:

• Getting started guides that walk through account setup processes
• "First trade" tutorials that help overcome initial barriers
• Platform comparison content that helps audiences make decisions
• Demo account promotion that reduces perceived risk for new traders

CPA success factors

CPA conversion depends heavily on content quality and timing. Your guides need to be comprehensive enough to help nervous beginners but concise enough to maintain momentum through the sign-up process.

Compliance consideration: CPA-focused content requires careful attention to risk disclosure and educational balance. Avoid creating purely promotional content that prioritises conversion over client education.

Choosing your commission approach

Rather than picking one commission type permanently, consider your current situation and test different approaches as you develop your partnership strategy.

For your first 90 days as a partner

Start with revenue share if:

• You're building educational content that takes time to develop trust
• Your audience consists primarily of trading beginners who need guidance
• You prefer focusing on content quality over promotional tactics

Consider turnover-based commissions if:

• Your audience already includes active traders
• You create content about specific trading strategies and techniques
• You want more immediate feedback on your promotional effectiveness

Explore CPA opportunities if:

• You're comfortable creating conversion-focused content
• Your audience responds well to step-by-step guidance
• You want predictable income while building your referral base

Combining commission types strategically

Many successful partners use different commission structures for different content types and audience segments. For example:

• Educational blog content optimised for revenue share from long-term readers
• Conversion-focused getting started guides designed for CPA qualification
• Advanced strategy content targeting active traders for turnover commissions

Your partner dashboard analytics will show which approaches generate the best results for your specific situation.

Setting realistic expectations for commission income

Commission income from affiliate partnerships requires time, consistent effort, and strategic thinking. Understanding typical development patterns helps you maintain realistic expectations and make informed decisions about your partnership approach.

Timeline expectations for new partners

Months 1-3: Focus on content creation and audience building. Commission income typically remains minimal while you establish your promotional strategy and create valuable resources.

Months 3-6: Revenue share and turnover commissions usually begin showing consistent growth as referred clients develop trading habits. CPA commissions may provide earlier income if your content effectively guides conversions.

Months 6+: Successful partners typically see accelerating commission growth as their content library expands and their audience grows. Revenue share particularly benefits from this compounding effect.

Factors that influence your commission potential

Content quality and consistency: Partners who publish valuable, educational content regularly typically outperform those with sporadic or purely promotional approaches.

Audience alignment: Understanding your audience's experience level and interests helps you choose commission structures and create content that generates better referral quality.

Platform knowledge: Partners who understand Deriv's platforms and features can create more helpful content, leading to better client experiences and higher commission potential.

How commission payments work in practice

Understanding when and how you'll receive your commission payments helps you plan your partnership business and manage cash flow effectively.

Payment schedules and methods

Monthly payments: Most commission types follow monthly payment schedules around the 15th of each month, providing predictable timing for business planning. Automated payment processing ensures accuracy and reliability without manual intervention delays.

Daily CFD settlements: CFD commissions from platforms like Deriv MT5 and Deriv cTrader can be credited daily directly to your Deriv MT5 Standard account. This real-time settlement approach particularly benefits partners with active CFD trading clients who generate consistent volume.

Instant withdrawal access: Deriv's comprehensive cashier system provides 24/7 access to your earned commissions through multiple payment methods. You can withdraw your earnings without waiting periods or processing delays, accommodating global partner preferences and banking requirements.

Commission tracking and transparency

Your partner dashboard provides detailed earnings reports that break down commission sources, client activity levels, and payment schedules for complete transparency. Historical data analysis helps you identify successful approaches and areas requiring strategy adjustment.

Real-time tracking offers immediate feedback on campaign effectiveness and client engagement patterns, allowing you to optimise your promotional strategies based on actual conversion data rather than assumptions.

Next steps in your commission journey

Now that you understand the basic commission structures, your next priority is accessing your partner dashboard to see current rates and terms applicable to your account. Your dashboard provides the specific information needed to make informed decisions about your commission strategy.

In upcoming modules, you'll learn to interpret commission reports, track your performance effectively, and optimise your approach based on real data rather than assumptions.

Your account manager is available to discuss commission selection for your specific situation and provide guidance on implementing your chosen approach effectively.

Remember: successful partnership isn't about choosing the "best" commission type. It's about aligning your commission strategy with your content strengths, audience needs, and business goals while maintaining focus on providing genuine value to potential traders.