Backlog Review: How to Make Money as an Affiliate
Disclosure: some links in this post are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
What Is Backlog?
Backlog is a project management tool made by Nulab, the same company behind the diagramming app Cacoo. It combines task tracking, bug tracking, and version control in one place.
Think of it this way. Most teams use one tool for tasks, another for bugs, and a third for code. Backlog puts all three under one roof.
And here's what makes it different. Backlog's paid plans aren't priced per user. You pay one flat price for the whole team.
Here's what you get:
- Kanban boards to see work move from start to finish
- Task and issue tracking with subtasks and issue templates
- Gantt and burndown charts on higher plans
- Built-in Git and Subversion for development teams
- An AI Assistant that helps write tasks, summarize, and report progress (Premium plan)
- Integrations with Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Chat, Jira and Redmine importers, and more
- A free plan plus a 30-day free trial of paid plans, no credit card needed
If you've been looking for a team tool that won't get more expensive every time you add a person, Backlog is worth a look.
How Does Backlog Work?
For Users
- Sign up for the free plan or start a 30-day trial of a paid plan.
- Create a project and invite your team.
- Add tasks, assign them, and set due dates.
- Track progress on boards, Gantt charts, or burndown charts.
- Connect your code repository and chat tools if you need them.
- Upgrade when you need more projects, users, or storage.
For Affiliates
- Apply to the Nulab Affiliate Program (it runs on PartnerStack).
- Wait for approval. Nulab reviews every application.
- Grab your referral link and banners from the dashboard.
- Create helpful content for teams that need to organize their work.
- When a referral starts a valid paid subscription, you earn a flat commission.
- Track clicks, referrals, and commissions in real time in your dashboard.
Backlog Pricing
Backlog has a free plan, three paid plans, and a custom Enterprise plan.
| Plan | Monthly | Users / Projects / Storage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 10 users / 1 project / 100 MB | Trying it out with a small team |
| Starter | $35/mo | 30 users / 5 projects / 1 GB | Small teams with a few projects |
| Standard | $100/mo | Unlimited users / 100 projects / 30 GB | Growing teams that want Gantt and burndown charts |
| Premium | $175/mo | Unlimited users / unlimited projects / 100 GB | Teams that want AI, custom fields, and dedicated support |
| Enterprise | Custom | Unlimited | Larger companies that need SSO and advanced security |
Prices above are billed monthly. Nulab says annual billing saves 17%. Extra AI credit packs are available as add-ons.
Pricing changes often, so always check Backlog's own pricing page for current numbers before you buy or write about it.
Who Should Use Backlog?
Users
Backlog is a good fit for software teams, design and UX teams, marketing teams, and small businesses. It shines when developers and non-developers need to work in the same place.
If you're a solo freelancer who just needs a to-do list, it's probably more than you need. But if you're running a team, the flat pricing can save real money as you grow.
Affiliates
Backlog fits well if your audience includes developers, agencies, startup founders, or small business owners. It's also a natural match if you already write about productivity, remote work, or business software.
Pros and Cons of Backlog
Pros
- Flat team pricing, not per user
- Free plan plus a 30-day trial with no credit card
- Tasks, bug tracking, and Git in one tool
- Good fit for mixed teams of developers and non-developers
- Simple affiliate payouts: up to $150 per paid signup, with no earnings cap
Cons
- The Free and Starter plans are limited on projects and storage
- Gantt charts and burndown charts need the Standard plan or higher
- The AI Assistant is only included on Premium
- You can't downgrade from a paid plan back to Free
- Less well known than big names, so readers may need more convincing
Backlog vs Alternatives
Backlog isn't the only project management tool out there. Here's how it compares to some well-known names at a glance.
| Tool | Main Focus | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Backlog | Project management, bug tracking, and Git in one | Mixed teams who want flat pricing |
| Jira | Issue tracking for software teams | Larger engineering teams |
| Trello | Simple Kanban boards | Small teams with simple workflows |
| Asana | Work and task management | Non-technical teams and marketing |
I haven't reviewed these competitors yet, so do your own homework before comparing them in your content. The big talking point is pricing. Per-user tools get expensive as a team grows. Backlog doesn't.
If your readers care about saving time, Backlog also pairs well with automation tools. See my IFTTT review and my TaskMagic review for two options that fit into a productivity stack.
How to Make Money with Backlog as an Affiliate
Here's the part I like. Business software buyers spend more than consumers. And Backlog pays a flat amount based on the plan your referral picks.
- Commission: $40 for Starter, $100 for Standard, $150 for Premium, per paid subscription
- Duration: Nulab doesn't say it's recurring, so treat it as a one-time payout per subscription. No earnings cap.
- Cookie: Not listed on Nulab's page. Check your PartnerStack dashboard.
- Payout: Paid after transactions are validated under Nulab's Affiliate Terms, through PartnerStack. Check the terms for timing and minimums.
Free signups don't earn anything. Your referral has to start a valid paid subscription. If you're new to PartnerStack, my PartnerStack review explains how it works.
Angle 1: "Best Project Management Software for Small Teams"
Small business owners search for this all the time. Write an honest roundup and show Backlog as the pick for teams that want flat pricing. Do the math for them. Ten people on a per-user tool versus one flat price. That's a strong point.
Angle 2: Head-to-Head Comparisons
People close to buying compare tools. "Backlog vs Jira" and "Backlog vs Trello" are buyer-intent searches. Use a keyword tool like the one in my Ahrefs review to see which comparisons get the most searches.
Angle 3: Tools for Developers and Agencies
Backlog's built-in Git and bug tracking make it a natural fit for dev shops and agencies. Write a guide to managing client projects, and show how Backlog keeps tasks, bugs, and code in one place.
Content Ideas That Rank
- Backlog review
- Backlog by Nulab review
- Backlog pricing
- Backlog vs Jira
- Backlog vs Trello
- Jira alternatives
- Best project management software for small teams
- Project management tools without per-user pricing
Common Questions About Backlog
Is Backlog free?
Yes, there's a free plan for up to 10 users and 1 project. Paid plans also come with a 30-day free trial, no credit card required.
Who makes Backlog?
Backlog is made by Nulab, a software company with offices in Fukuoka and Tokyo. Nulab also makes Cacoo and Nulab Pass.
How much does the Backlog affiliate program pay?
A flat commission based on the plan: $40 for Starter, $100 for Standard, and $150 for Premium. There's no cap on what you can earn.
Do free signups earn a commission?
No. Your referral needs to start a valid paid subscription.
How do Backlog affiliates get paid?
Through PartnerStack, after Nulab validates the transaction. Check their affiliate terms for timing and payout details.
Do I need to use Backlog to promote it?
It isn't required, but the free plan makes it easy to try. Real screenshots and honest opinions are what build trust.
Final Thoughts
Backlog is a practical, no-fuss project management tool. It isn't the most famous name in the space. But its flat pricing is a real advantage for growing teams.
For affiliates, the flat payouts are easy to understand. Up to $150 per paid signup, no cap, and a free plan that makes the first step easy.
Start with one helpful article. Then another. That's how this works.
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