Amway Review for 2026

Is Amway, A Long-Running MLM, Still a Good Way To Make Money Online?

If you’ve been researching ways to earn extra income from home, it’s almost impossible not to come across Amway. It’s one of the most recognized names in the MLM industry, backed by decades of history, millions of distributors worldwide, and a huge catalog of supplements, skincare, and home products.

But the real question beginners want answered hasn’t changed: Is Amway actually a good way to make money, or are there better options for building a reliable online income in 2026?

This review breaks it all down in a clear and simple way, so you can make an informed decision without the hype.

What Is Amway?

Amway is one of the most well-known and longest-running multi-level marketing (MLM) companies in the world. Founded in 1959 by Rich DeVos and Jay Van Andel, the company built its name on selling health, wellness, beauty, and home products through independent distributors rather than traditional retail stores.

Today, Amway operates in more than 100 countries and offers hundreds of products under well-known brands like:

• Nutrilite — supplements and vitamins
• Artistry — skincare and beauty
• XS — energy drinks and sports nutrition
• Home Care — cleaning and household essentials

Instead of storefronts, Amway relies on individuals, called Amway Business Owners (ABOs), to sell products and share the business opportunity. ABOs earn income by selling Amway products directly to customers and by recruiting others to join their team.

Amway positions itself as a way for everyday people to start a business with low overhead. You don’t need inventory, and you’re given your own online shop. However, like most MLMs, the income structure rewards recruitment heavily, and much of the marketing centers on building a team rather than selling the products alone.

The company itself is legitimate, has a strong global presence, and continues to grow, but the business model requires a very specific type of person to succeed.

How the Amway Business Model Works

Joining Amway means starting your own “business” under their brand. Here’s how it works step-by-step:

1. You Purchase a Starter Kit

Getting started usually costs between $100 and $150, which gives you:

• Access to your online Amway storefront
• Product samples (varies by region)
• Training and marketing materials

This fee is just the entry point. Events, travel, and additional materials add up over time.

2. You Earn Money by Selling Products

Distributors buy products at wholesale prices and sell them at retail prices. The profit margin is usually 20–30%, depending on the product.

To earn consistent income, you need steady customers and strong sales skills, and because Amway products are often pricier than alternatives at stores like Walmart or Amazon, this can be tough.

3. You Earn Bonuses by Recruiting Others

This is where the MLM structure really shows. As you recruit new members into your “downline,” you earn more through:

• Commissions from their sales
• Bonuses for team volume
• Leadership rewards

This model heavily favors people who can build and manage a team. Without recruitment, earnings are limited.

4. Your Rank and Bonuses Depend on Team Sales

Amway uses a point system (PV/BV) that tracks sales volume. To climb the income ladder, you and your downline must hit monthly volume targets.

This is why income can fluctuate and why many distributors feel pressure to keep recruiting.

5. The Income Is Not Passive

Your results depend on ongoing sales, meetings, recruiting, and team management.
If you stop working, the income stops which is the opposite of what most beginners expect from an online business.

Pros of Amway

• Long history and global presence
• Respected product lines like Nutrilite and Artistry
• Strong company support & training materials
• Helpful for extroverts and natural salespeople

Cons of Amway

• Very low earning potential for most beginners
• Heavy emphasis on recruiting, not just selling
• Products are more expensive than competitors
• Compensation plan is complex
• High sales pressure in many teams

These cons don’t make Amway a scam but they are things that make it a difficult business model for the average person to succeed in.

Is Amway a Scam?

No, Amway is not a scam. It sells real products and pays commissions as promised.

However, like most MLMs, the structure is stacked in favor of those who recruit large teams. Most participants earn little or break even once expenses are counted.

It’s a legitimate company, but not the most beginner-friendly business opportunity.

Realistic Expectations

If you join Amway, expect:

• Regular product promotion
• Recruit-focused activities
• Monthly volume goals
• Non-passive income
• Profit that depends on constant activity

This doesn’t mean nobody succeeds but success requires skills and time most beginners don’t have on day one.

My Perspective

To be honest, I’ve tried MLMs before, and even though I hate to admit it but I never earned much. The products weren’t the problem. It was everything that came with the business model that just didn’t sit right.

The constant recruiting can get uncomfortable, fast, and even when you believe in the products, people still get annoyed with you. It can put tension on friendships, and after a while, you start to notice the subtle distance people create when they think you’re going to “pitch” them.

The other thing that hit me early on was how non-passive the whole model really is. MLMs are often sold as “be your own boss” or “work when you want,” but the reality is different.

If you take time off, even for good reasons like sickness, family responsibilities, or life simply happening, your income slows down just as fast. You’re constantly training your downline, motivating them, and replacing team members who quit. It’s emotionally draining, and it ties your income to people you can’t control.

That’s not the foundation most of us are trying to build. The goal is to create something solid that can carry us through the ups and downs of life, something that still works when you need to step back.

MLMs don’t offer that kind of stability, especially in the beginning when you’re trying to grow. And for anyone juggling kids, pets, aging parents, or simply a full schedule, a business that collapses the moment you rest is not a long-term plan.

This is why I’m so particular now about the business models I review and recommend. I want safety, ownership, and something that grows with you, not something that drains you or your relationships.

Is There a More Stable Way To Build Income Online?

After looking closely at how Amway works, and thinking back on my own experience with MLMs, it becomes clear why so many beginners feel stuck. The work is constant, the income depends heavily on other people, and the pressure to recruit never truly goes away.

It’s understandable to want a path that feels steadier, something you can build at your own pace without risking relationships or watching your income collapse the moment life gets busy.

That’s where a different business model comes in. Instead of relying on recruiting or monthly volume requirements, you can build something you fully own, something that keeps growing even when you need to rest or step back for a bit. And if you’re new to making money online, finding a system that supports you while you learn makes all the difference.

Amway vs. Wealthy Affiliate (2025 Comparison)

Now that you’ve seen how Amway works in real-world practice, it’s helpful to compare it with a more stable beginner-friendly option. Wealthy Affiliate is one of the longest-running online business education platforms available today, and it’s built around skills, ownership, and support rather than recruiting.

This comparison isn’t about pushing you into anything, it’s simply here to give you a clear, honest look at how a traditional MLM model stacks up against a platform designed for beginners who want to build income online without relying on downlines or sales pressure.

The table below breaks down the key differences in cost, stability, training, and long-term potential so you can see exactly what each path offers before you make any decisions.

Amway vs. Wealthy Affiliate 2025 Comparison Table

Feature	Amway	Wealthy Affiliate
Business Type	MLM / Direct Sales	Affiliate Marketing & Content Business
Startup Cost	$100–$150	Free starter → $49–$99/mo
Income Model	Sales + recruitment	Content + affiliate commissions
Ownership	You own nothing	You own your website and brand
Product Control	Sell Amway only	Promote any product or niche
Training	Upline-led	Step-by-step training + tools
Pressure	High (selling/recruiting)	Low (learn at your own pace)

Amway relies on constant sales and team-building. Wealthy Affiliate helps you build an online business that grows through content, not recruiting.

Final Thoughts

Amway is one of the more established MLM companies, and its products are well-known. But the business model requires persistent selling and recruiting, and for most people, that leads to frustration rather than income.

If you’re looking for a flexible, modern, online business you can build from home, affiliate marketing through Wealthy Affiliate is a far more realistic path. It teaches real skills, doesn’t require inventory, and lets you build something that continues to grow over time.

This is your turning point. This is your time to take action on your dreams, both wants and needs.

If you’re tired of feeling stuck, tired of business models that collapse the moment you take a breath, tired of chasing people who don’t want to be pitched then choose the path that actually puts you in control. It starts with one decision.

Hit the button below and step into the future you’ve been searching for.