# Understanding the difference: Affiliate tiers vs. Commission tiers

## Affiliate tiers

Affiliate tiers allow you to move an affiliate from one entire program to another. Because each program is completely independent, moving an affiliate to a new tier means you can change their commission rules, give them different customer discount codes, and offer unique bonuses.

## Commission tiers

Commission tiers are a simpler way to reward success. Affiliates stay inside the same program but move up through different levels based on their sales. When they reach a new level, only their commission rate changes. All other program settings, such as customer discounts, remain the same.

👉 Learn more about [**Commission tiers**](https://docs.bixgrow.com/motivate-affiliates/affiliate-tiers/pages/-Md1Uyg_qbAwgOGphq72#id-2.-set-up-a-default-commission).

<table><thead><tr><th>Features</th><th>Affiliate tiers</th><th width="250">Commission tiers</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>How it works</strong></td><td>Moves affiliates between different programs.</td><td>Moves affiliates between different commission levels within the same program.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>What changes</strong></td><td>Changes everything (Commission rates, discount codes, bonuses, and program rules).</td><td>Changes only the commission rate.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Structure</strong></td><td>Multi-program setup.</td><td>Single-program progression.</td></tr></tbody></table>


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