AmzLinkr vs AAWP: Which Amazon Affiliate Plugin Should You Choose?
Two powerful Amazon affiliate plugins, two different philosophies. We break down the features, pricing, and trade-offs so you can pick the right tool for your site.
If you run an Amazon affiliate site on WordPress, chances are you have heard of AAWP. For years, AAWP (Amazon Affiliate WordPress Plugin) has been the go-to solution for creating product boxes, comparison tables, and bestseller lists. It built its reputation on reliability, a rich template system, and a proprietary API that works even without official PA API credentials.
AmzLinkr is a newer entrant designed from the ground up for the modern WordPress block editor. Instead of relying on shortcodes, AmzLinkr provides five native Gutenberg blocks that integrate seamlessly with the editing experience WordPress users already know. It also offers a generous free tier, making it accessible to beginners and small publishers who are just getting started with Amazon affiliate marketing.
Both plugins solve the same core problem: displaying Amazon products on your WordPress site in a way that drives clicks and conversions. But they take fundamentally different technical approaches. This comparison will help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of each so you can make an informed choice.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | AmzLinkr | AAWP |
|---|---|---|
| Gutenberg Blocks | Native blocks | Shortcode-based |
| Price | Free / $49 per year Pro | From 49 EUR per year |
| Free Version | ||
| Price Sync | Daily automatic | Automatic |
| Geotargeting | Built-in (Pro) | Built-in |
| Comparison Tables | Native block | Shortcode |
| Click Tracking | Built-in analytics | Basic |
| Proprietary API | ||
| Setup Time | 2 minutes | 5-10 minutes |
| Block Editor Integration | Native | Via shortcodes |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes, no cookies | Requires configuration |
Why Choose AmzLinkr Over AAWP
Native Gutenberg Experience
The biggest differentiator is the editing experience. AAWP was built in the shortcode era and still relies heavily on shortcodes to insert product displays. While this works, it means you are typing code-like syntax into your posts and cannot see a live preview until you switch to the front end. AmzLinkr takes a completely different approach with five native Gutenberg blocks. You see exactly what your readers will see, right inside the editor. You can drag and drop product boxes, resize images, and build comparison tables using the same interface you use for paragraphs and headings. For anyone who has fully embraced the block editor, this is a significant workflow improvement.
Free Version Available
AAWP does not offer a free tier. You need to purchase a license before you can even try the plugin. AmzLinkr, on the other hand, has a fully functional free version that includes the Product Box, Text Link, and Image blocks. This lets you evaluate the plugin on your own site, with your own content, before deciding whether the Pro upgrade is worth it. For new affiliate sites that are not yet generating revenue, this can be a decisive factor.
Simpler Setup
AmzLinkr is designed to get you up and running in about two minutes. Install the plugin, enter your PA API credentials, and start inserting product blocks. There are no complex template configurations or styling options to wade through before you can publish your first product display. The defaults are carefully chosen to look good on any theme.
Privacy-First Approach
AmzLinkr does not set any cookies or collect personal data from your visitors. Click tracking is fully anonymized and stored exclusively in your WordPress database. There is nothing to configure for GDPR compliance because the plugin is compliant by design. AAWP can be made GDPR-compliant, but it requires manual configuration and attention to its tracking settings.
Modern Codebase
AmzLinkr was built recently with modern WordPress development practices: React-based block editor components, the WordPress REST API for all data operations, and a clean database schema. This means fewer compatibility issues with current and future versions of WordPress, and a solid foundation for new features.
When AAWP Might Be the Better Choice
We believe in being transparent about where AAWP has genuine advantages. No plugin is perfect for every situation, and there are scenarios where AAWP may serve you better.
Proprietary API Access
AAWP offers its own proprietary API that can fetch product data even if you do not have Amazon PA API credentials. This is a real advantage for new affiliates who have not yet met Amazon's sales threshold for API access. AmzLinkr requires PA API 5.0 credentials, which means you need an active Amazon Associates account with qualifying sales.
Larger Community and Ecosystem
AAWP has been on the market for years and has built a substantial community of users. You will find more tutorials, forum discussions, and third-party resources for AAWP than for AmzLinkr. If you value having a large ecosystem of community support, AAWP has the edge here.
More Templates and Designs
AAWP ships with a wider variety of pre-built templates and design variations for product boxes. If you need highly customized layouts or want to match a very specific visual style, AAWP's template system gives you more options out of the box. AmzLinkr focuses on a smaller set of well-designed, conversion-optimized defaults.
Classic Editor Users
If you are still using the WordPress Classic Editor and have no plans to switch to Gutenberg, AAWP's shortcode approach will feel more natural. AmzLinkr is built specifically for the block editor, and its core value proposition is diminished if you are not using it.
Pricing Comparison
AmzLinkr offers a completely free tier that includes the three most-used blocks (Product Box, Text Link, and Image). The Pro plan is $49 per year for a single site, with multi-site discounts available: $99 per year for 3 sites (a 33% saving per site) and $199 per year for 10 sites (a 59% saving per site).
AAWP does not offer a free version. Its pricing starts at 49 EUR per year (approximately $53 USD at current exchange rates) for a personal license. Multi-site and agency licenses are available at higher price points. All AAWP plans are paid from day one, with no trial period.
Over a three-year period, the cost difference becomes more pronounced. With AmzLinkr, you can start for free and only upgrade when your site generates enough affiliate revenue to justify the expense. With AAWP, you are investing upfront before you know whether your affiliate strategy will be profitable. For budget-conscious creators, AmzLinkr's free tier is a meaningful advantage.
Migration from AAWP to AmzLinkr
Switching from AAWP to AmzLinkr is straightforward, though it does require manual work since the two plugins use completely different systems (shortcodes vs. Gutenberg blocks). Here is the recommended process:
- Install and activate AmzLinkr alongside AAWP. Both plugins can coexist without conflict.
- Use AmzLinkr's built-in product search to re-import your products into its local database. This takes just a few seconds per product.
- Edit each post and replace AAWP shortcodes with the corresponding AmzLinkr Gutenberg blocks. The live preview in the editor lets you verify the result immediately.
- Once all content has been migrated, deactivate and uninstall AAWP.
Most users with 20-50 product pages complete the migration in a single afternoon. Your product data (prices, images, features) is fetched fresh from Amazon during import, so you start with fully up-to-date information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use AmzLinkr and AAWP together?
Does AmzLinkr have an equivalent to AAWP's proprietary API?
Is AmzLinkr compatible with my theme?
How does pricing compare long-term?
Can I migrate my existing AAWP product displays?
Ready to try the modern alternative?
Download AmzLinkr for free and experience native Gutenberg blocks for Amazon affiliates.