ClickFunnels vs Kartra: Which Funnel Builder Wins?

Choosing the right funnel builder can feel like navigating a maze of features, pricing tiers, and marketing jargon. In this guide we break down the two industry heavy‑weights—ClickFunnels and Kartra—so you can decide which platform aligns with your goals, budget, and skill level.

What Is a Funnel Builder?

A funnel builder is a drag‑and‑drop platform that lets you create landing pages, sales pages, checkout forms, and automated follow‑ups without writing code. The goal is to move a visitor from the first touchpoint to a purchase (or another desired action) as smoothly as possible.

Key Comparison Table

Feature	ClickFunnels	Kartra
Core Focus	Sales funnels & page building	All‑in‑one marketing suite
Ease of Use	Intuitive drag‑and‑drop, steep learning curve for advanced features	Clean UI, slightly steeper for automation workflows
Page Templates	200+ funnel templates	150+ landing & email templates
Membership Sites	Addon via "ClickFunnels Memberships" (extra cost)	Built‑in, no extra charge
Email Marketing	Basic email automation (Follow‑Ups Funnels)	Robust email builder, tagging, split testing
Affiliate Program	Integrated "Backpack" (requires higher plan)	Built‑in "Kartra Affiliate" on all paid plans
Pricing (as of 2024)	$97/mo (Starter) / $297/mo (Platinum) / $2,497/mo (Two‑Comma Club)	$99/mo (Starter) / $199/mo (Silver) / $299/mo (Gold) / $499/mo (Platinum)
Free Trial	14‑day trial (no credit card)	14‑day trial (credit card required)
Best For	Businesses focused on high‑ticket sales funnels & quick launch	Entrepreneurs who need a full marketing stack (email, membership, video hosting)

Deep Dive: Features That Matter

1. Funnel Creation Speed

• ClickFunnels: Pre‑built funnel sequences (e.g., "Lead Magnet → Webinar → Offer") let you launch in minutes.
• Kartra: Offers similar templates but includes more steps to configure email lists and tagging.

If you need a fast, plug‑and‑play solution, ClickFunnels usually feels quicker.

2. Email & Automation

• ClickFunnels: Follow‑Ups Funnels provide basic autoresponder functions, but you’ll often integrate with ConvertKit, MailerLite, etc., for advanced sequences.
• Kartra: Full‑featured email builder with visual automation canvas, split testing, and tagging out of the box.

Marketers who rely heavily on nurture campaigns often favor Kartra.

3. Membership & Course Delivery

ClickFunnels sells memberships through a separate add‑on (costly for small creators). Kartra includes unlimited membership sites in every paid plan, making it a better fit for course creators.

4. Affiliate Management

Both platforms have native affiliate systems, but ClickFunnels limits this to higher‑tier plans. Kartra gives you affiliate tracking on any paid plan, which is a plus for those who want to build a partner network early.

5. Integrations & Extensibility

Both support Zapier, Stripe, PayPal, and major CRMs. ClickFunnels has a larger ecosystem of third‑party apps (e.g., ThriveCart, ActiveCampaign). Kartra’s native toolbox reduces the need for external tools.

Pricing Breakdown & ROI Considerations

While the headline price looks similar—around $100/month—the value you get differs based on your use case.

1. Starter Plans: ClickFunnels $97 gives you one funnel and three pages; Kartra $99 includes unlimited pages, email sends, and memberships.
2. Growth Plans: If you need multiple funnels, ClickFunnels Platinum at $297 may become cheaper than Kartra Gold at $299, which adds video hosting and advanced analytics.
3. Enterprise: For high‑volume businesses, both have custom pricing. Consider the total cost of add‑ons (e.g., ClickFunnels Backpack) versus built‑in features in Kartra.

Calculate the cost per lead and cost per sale based on your expected traffic to decide which plan gives the best ROI.

Which Platform Should You Choose?

Choose ClickFunnels if:

• You want to launch high‑ticket sales funnels fast.
• You prefer a marketplace of pre‑made funnel scripts.
• You don’t need built‑in email automation or membership sites.

Choose Kartra if:

• You need an all‑in‑one solution (pages, email, membership, video hosting).
• You plan to run extensive nurture sequences.
• You value having affiliate tracking on any plan.

FAQ

1. Can I use both platforms together?

Yes. Some marketers run ClickFunnels for front‑end funnels and use Kartra for back‑end email and membership management via Zapier.

2. Is there a free version?

Both offer a 14‑day free trial. Neither has a permanent free tier, but the trial lets you test core features without a card (ClickFunnels) or with a card (Kartra).

3. Which platform has better support?

Both provide live chat and ticket systems. ClickFunnels’ community (Funnel Hacker) is larger, while Kartra offers a more focused knowledge base and weekly webinars.

4. Do I need technical skills?

No coding is required on either platform, though familiarity with email marketing concepts helps maximize Kartra’s automation.

5. How does performance (load speed) compare?

Both host pages on CDN networks. Independent speed tests show ClickFunnels pages load ~0.8 s, Kartra ~0.9 s—differences are negligible for most users.

Final Verdict

There is no one‑size‑fits‑all answer. For pure funnel speed and a vast template library, ClickFunnels takes the lead. For an integrated marketing stack that eliminates the need for multiple tools, Kartra wins. Evaluate your priorities—speed vs. all‑in‑one functionality—and pick the platform that aligns with your growth roadmap.

Ready to Build Your First Funnel?

Start your 14‑day trial today, test a lead‑magnet funnel, and see which interface feels more natural. The right funnel builder will accelerate conversions, not hold you back.

Call to Action: Try ClickFunnels Free Trial | Start Kartra 14‑Day Trial