ClickFunnels vs ThriveCart: Complete Comparison Guide (2024)

ClickFunnels vs ThriveCart: Which Sales Platform Wins in 2024?

If you’re building an online business, you’ve likely heard of both ClickFunnels and ThriveCart. These are two of the most popular platforms for selling products and services online. But which one is right for you?

In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll break down everything you need to know about ClickFunnels vs ThriveCart—from pricing to features, ease of use, and real-world performance. By the end, you’ll have a clear answer on which platform deserves your investment.

What Is ClickFunnels?

ClickFunnels is an all-in-one sales funnel builder designed to help entrepreneurs create complete sales funnels—from landing pages to checkout pages, upsells, and follow-up emails. Founded by Russell Brunson in 2014, it has become one of the most recognized names in the funnel-building space.

The platform is particularly popular among digital marketers, course creators, and info-product sellers who want a complete solution without needing multiple tools.

What Is ThriveCart?

ThriveCart is a powerful shopping cart and checkout platform that focuses primarily on maximizing conversions through optimized checkout experiences. While it started as a simple cart solution, it has evolved to include features like course delivery, subscriptions, and even basic funnel building.

ThriveCart is known for its one-time payment model (no monthly fees after purchase) and high-converting checkout pages.

ClickFunnels vs ThriveCart: Feature Comparison

Funnel Building

ClickFunnels excels in this area. It offers a drag-and-drop funnel builder with dozens of pre-made templates for every type of funnel—opt-in, sales, webinar, membership, and more. You can build entire funnels without writing a single line of code.

ThriveCart offers more limited funnel capabilities. While it has improved its funnel features over time, it’s still primarily a checkout platform. You can create basic funnels, but it doesn’t match ClickFunnels’ depth in this category.

Checkout & Payments

This is where ThriveCart truly shines. Its checkout pages are specifically designed to convert. Features include:

• One-click upsells
• Order bumps
• Customizable checkout designs
• Built-in scarcity timers
• Apple Pay and Google Pay support
• Multiple payment gateway integrations

ClickFunnels also offers solid checkout functionality, but many users report that ThriveCart’s checkout pages convert better. ClickFunnels does integrate with ThriveCart if you want to use both together.

Course & Membership Delivery

ClickFunnels includes built-in course creation and membership site features. You can protect content, create modules, and deliver digital products directly within the platform.

ThriveCart offers ThriveCart Learn, which allows you to deliver courses and digital products. It’s a solid solution, though some users prefer dedicated course platforms like Teachable or Kajabi for more advanced needs.

Email Marketing & Automation

ClickFunnels includes Follow-Up Funnels (email marketing) as part of its ecosystem. You can create automated email sequences, set up triggers, and manage your email marketing without leaving the platform.

ThriveCart doesn’t include built-in email marketing. You’ll need to integrate with external tools like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or ActiveCampaign. This is actually a benefit for users who already have their preferred email provider.

ClickFunnels vs ThriveCart: Pricing Comparison

ClickFunnels Pricing

ClickFunnels operates on a monthly subscription model:

• Startup Plan: $97/month (basic features, 1 user, 3 funnels, 20 pages)
• Unlimited Plan: $297/month (unlimited funnels, pages, and users)
• Two Comma Club X: $497/month (advanced features, priority support)

ThriveCart Pricing

ThriveCart uses a one-time payment model, which is a major differentiator:

• Standard: One-time payment of $495 (lifetime access)
• Pro: One-time payment of $990 (includes ThriveCart Learn, advanced features)

Winner: For long-term use, ThriveCart’s one-time payment often proves more cost-effective. However, ClickFunnels includes more features in its monthly price.

ClickFunnels vs ThriveCart: Ease of Use

ClickFunnels has a steeper learning curve due to its extensive features. However, its drag-and-drop builder is intuitive once you get familiar with it. The platform provides plenty of training resources to help new users.

ThriveCart is generally easier to get started with, especially if you primarily need a checkout solution. Its interface is clean and straightforward. However, building complete funnels requires more workarounds compared to ClickFunnels.

Integrations

ClickFunnels integrates with numerous tools, including payment processors, email marketing platforms, webinar services, and more. It also has its own ecosystem of tools.

ThriveCart integrates with major payment gateways and email providers. It also works well with popular membership platforms and course tools.

Pros & Cons Summary

ClickFunnels Pros

• Complete all-in-one platform
• Powerful funnel building capabilities
• Built-in email marketing
• Course and membership features included
• Large community and training resources

ClickFunnels Cons

• Monthly subscription costs add up over time
• Steeper learning curve
• Checkout pages may not convert as well as ThriveCart

ThriveCart Pros

• One-time payment (no monthly fees)
• High-converting checkout pages
• Easy to use
• Excellent for digital product sales
• Works with your existing tools

ThriveCart Cons

• Limited funnel building compared to ClickFunnels
• No built-in email marketing
• Course features are less robust

Which Platform Should You Choose?

Choose ClickFunnels if:

• You want an all-in-one solution
• Building complex sales funnels is your priority
• You need built-in email marketing and course delivery
• You prefer paying monthly over a large one-time investment

Choose ThriveCart if:

• Your main focus is maximizing checkout conversions
• You want to avoid monthly subscription fees
• You already have your own email marketing and course tools
• You need a simple, effective cart solution

Many Users Use Both

Here’s a secret many successful entrepreneurs know: you don’t necessarily have to choose just one. Many marketers use ClickFunnels to build their funnels and landing pages, then integrate ThriveCart for the checkout process. This combination gives you the best of both worlds—the powerful funnel building of ClickFunnels with the high-converting checkout of ThriveCart.

FAQ: ClickFunnels vs ThriveCart

Can I use ClickFunnels and ThriveCart together?

Yes! Many users build funnels with ClickFunnels and use ThriveCart for checkout. They integrate seamlessly.

Which platform is better for selling online courses?

ClickFunnels has more built-in course features, but ThriveCart Learn is a solid option for simpler course delivery. For advanced course businesses, dedicated platforms like Kajabi might also be worth considering.

Is ThriveCart worth the one-time payment?

If you plan to sell products for more than 6-12 months, ThriveCart’s one-time payment often saves money compared to ClickFunnels’ monthly fees.

Which platform has better customer support?

Both offer support, but ClickFunnels has a larger community and more training resources. ThriveCart offers responsive support but with a smaller community.

Do I need technical skills to use these platforms?

Neither platform requires coding skills. Both offer drag-and-drop builders that are beginner-friendly, though ClickFunnels has more features to learn.

Final Verdict

Both ClickFunnels and ThriveCart are excellent platforms with different strengths. ClickFunnels is the better choice if you want an all-in-one solution with powerful funnel building, email marketing, and course delivery all in one place. ThriveCart is ideal if you prioritize high-converting checkouts, want to avoid monthly fees, and already have your other tools sorted.

The best choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and business model. Consider what features matter most to you, and don’t hesitate to try the free trials (ClickFunnels offers a 14-day free trial) before making your decision.

Ready to start building your sales funnel? Start your free trial with ClickFunnels today or get lifetime access to ThriveCart and take your conversions to the next level.