This post contains affiliate links.
If youโve been dabbling in affiliate marketing and juggling multiple products, tools, or blog posts, chances are your links areโฆ all over the place.
Maybe youโve tried Pretty Links. Maybe youโve heard of Thirsty Affiliates. Maybe youโre just tired of broken links and boring callouts that never convert.
Letโs talk about what actually works โ not whatโs popular or free โ but what helps you look polished, earn passively, and stay organized.
Hereโs the real rundown on Lasso vs. Pretty Links vs. Thirsty Affiliates.
๐ What Do These Plugins Actually Do?
In the affiliate world, plugins like these help you:
- Shorten and cloak affiliate links
- Track click performance
- Display your links inside blog posts
- Keep your content up-to-date without editing 100 posts manually
Each one promises to help you earn more from your blog, but they donโt all deliver equally.
โจ Feature Breakdown
1. Auto-Linking
| Feature | Lasso | Pretty Links | Thirsty Affiliates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keyword auto-linking | โ Yes, and smart | โ Yes | โ Yes |
| Customize which posts/pages it appears on | โ Yes | โ ๏ธ Limited | โ ๏ธ Limited |
| Easy override control | โ Super easy | โ Not intuitive | โ Not intuitive |
Verdict:
Lasso does auto-linking the right way. You can control exactly which keywords to target and where, without accidentally turning every sentence into a link mess.
2. Display Boxes
| Feature | Lasso | Pretty Links | Thirsty Affiliates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-designed display cards | โ Stunning | โ Not available | โ ๏ธ Some shortcode options |
| No-code customization | โ Drag-and-drop easy | โ None | โ ๏ธ Clunky HTML required |
| Mobile-optimized | โ Yes | โ N/A | โ ๏ธ Depends on theme/plugins |
Verdict:
This is where Lasso shines. If you’re posting reviews, roundups, or product comparisons, Lassoโs display boxes make your content look legit. Pretty Links and Thirsty Affiliates donโt offer this at all โ itโs DIY or nothing.
3. Performance Tracking
| Feature | Lasso | Pretty Links | Thirsty Affiliates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Click tracking | โ Clean reports | โ Yes | โ Yes |
| Sort by product/link/conversion | โ Very detailed | โ ๏ธ Basic | โ ๏ธ Basic |
| Easy-to-read dashboard | โ Intuitive | โ ๏ธ Okay | โ ๏ธ Okay |
Verdict:
If youโre making content decisions based on gut feelings, Lasso will change your life. Youโll see which links convert and which ones flop โ so you can stop wasting time.
4. Ease of Use
| Feature | Lasso | Pretty Links | Thirsty Affiliates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner-friendly | โ Yes | โ Yes | โ ๏ธ Learning curve |
| Dashboard design | โ Clean, modern | โ ๏ธ Outdated | โ ๏ธ Outdated |
| Customer support | โ Excellent | โ ๏ธ Limited | โ ๏ธ Varies |
Verdict:
If design and usability matter to you (and they should), Lasso feels sleek and intuitive. No need to Google every setting or pray that a shortcode works.
5. Pricing
| Plugin | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lasso | Starts at $29/month | Affiliate dashboard, keyword tools, pro display cards, 1-click Amazon switch |
| Pretty Links | Free (Pro $99/year) | Basic features, no displays |
| Thirsty Affiliates | Free (Pro $79+/year) | Some features hidden behind paid extensions |
Verdict:
Lasso is an investment โ but if you’re serious about income, it pays for itself. Pretty Links and Thirsty Affiliates are cheaper, but you get what you pay for.
๐ Pros & Cons Recap
โ Lasso Pros
- Gorgeous product displays (no code!)
- Auto-linking that doesnโt break your blog
- Keyword management that works with SEO
- Clean, click-tracking reports
- Saves massive time updating links
โ ๏ธ Lasso Cons
- Monthly price (but worth it if youโre earning)
- Slight learning curve at first, but easier than most once set up (I did not find it hard to use at all!)
โ ๏ธ Pretty Links & Thirsty Pros
- Great for beginners
- Free options available
- Okay for very basic link cloaking
โ Pretty Links & Thirsty Cons
- Outdated UI
- No visual display cards
- No intelligent keyword control
- Feels clunky at scale
๐ผ Why I Chose Lasso โ and Why You Might, Too
If your blog is more than a hobby, Lasso is the move. It’s not just about looking polished โ it’s about building a system that supports income, scale, and sanity.
Whether youโre publishing product reviews, tutorials, lifestyle posts, or niche roundups โ you need links that convert and donโt waste your time.
Lasso handles all that โ beautifully.
๐ Ready to Try It?
Lasso offers a free trial, so you can test-drive the features and see how much easier affiliate blogging can be. (just click here๐ link, scroll past plans and you will see “Still not sure?
Start with free“….
๐ Click here to try Lasso and start turning your links into income ๐
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