CPA vs RevShare
CPA is a fixed payout for an action (deposit/registration): you get paid and move on. RevShare means you earn a % of what the player loses/spends as long as they keep playing — for months, sometimes years. There's also a hybrid: a small CPA upfront + RevShare afterward.
| CPA | RevShare | |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | one-off, fixed | % of turnover, ongoing |
| Cash now | yes | slower, builds up over time |
| Upside | capped | very high on “whales” |
| Risk | low | depends on player quality |
What LTV Is
LTV (Lifetime Value) is how much a single acquired player brings in over their entire lifetime. On RevShare it's LTV that drives your profit: one active “whale” can pay back dozens of dud leads. That's why on RevShare the name of the game is traffic quality, not a pile of cheap sign-ups.
When RevShare Wins
- Gambling/betting — the classic RevShare play: players stick around for the long haul (see the guide);
- Dating (revshare/PPS) — subscriptions that keep renewing;
- When you're confident in your traffic quality — tier-1/2 geos, the right audience.
When CPA Is Better
- For a beginner — cash right away, easier to do the math;
- Cheap/mass traffic of questionable quality;
- Short tests — fast feedback.
How to Do the Math
On CPA you go by ROI here and now. On RevShare you need a longer horizon: average LTV × number of players − costs. The first few weeks can run at a loss, and the profit only “unlocks” after a month or two. That's why RevShare calls for a cushion of working capital and patience.
Bottom Line
CPA is fast, predictable money; RevShare is bigger but delayed and riskier income that rides on quality traffic. Plenty of buyers go hybrid: CPA covers the ad spend, RevShare is pure profit on top. Pick your model when choosing an affiliate program. Grab quality landers for gambling/dating (where RevShare is strongest) from the pool or made to order.