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In the ever-evolving world of online business and marketing, choosing the right tools and platforms can make all the difference.
For entrepreneurs, digital marketers, and e-commerce enthusiasts, the decision between ThriveCart and ClickFunnels is crucial.
Both platforms offer features designed to boost sales and streamline online operations. But in the year 2023, as the digital landscape continues to shift and grow, which platform emerges as the true winner?
Join us in this in-depth comparison of ThriveCart vs. ClickFunnels as we dissect their capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses to help you make an informed choice for your online endeavours.
A Quick Summary Table
| Features | ThriveCart | ClickFunnels |
| Pricing | $495 (One Time Payment) | $127/month |
| Best For | eCommerce Agencies | Best for those who want to build sales funnels for specific products |
| Ease of Use | Intuitive and user-friendly user interface | Creates sales funnels in minutes |
| Value for Money | The lifetime access to this platform offers incredible value for your investment. | If you are seeking to skyrocket your conversion rate, opting for ClickFunnels is the best option. |
| Transaction Fee | 0% | 0% |
| Native Builders | Sales Page and Funnels | Funnels, Landing Pages, and Websites |
| Email Marketing | No | Yes |
| Digital Products | Courses | Membership Sites and Courses |
| Automation | Yes | Yes |
Summary Table
ThriveCart vs ClickFunnels: A Quick Overview
ThriveCart Overview
ThriveCart is a super effective online shopping cart. It’s the best way to take payments, make more Money, and keep customers coming back.
While it doesn’t do everything, it’s so good at what it does that it’s beating other shopping carts in the market. Moreover, you can get a lifetime deal that’s way cheaper than other similar tools right now.
Think of ThriveCart as a tool to create pages where people can buy stuff from you. It also helps you set prices, keep track of sales, and see how your business is doing. It’s not just about selling; it also has cool features for getting others to help you sell and even create online courses.
If you run an online business, ThriveCart is here to make your life easier, save you time, and make more sales, all while using your favourite payment method.
Key Features
- ThriveCart enhances sales with effective upselling, cross-selling, and order bump features.
- ThriveCart handles sales tax calculations.
- It includes a “subscription saver” feature to maintain consistent recurring revenue.
- Setting up checkout pages is beginner-friendly and can be completed quickly.
- ThriveCart offers a wide range of payment options and accepts various payment forms, surpassing other shopping carts in this regard.
ThriveCart is an ideal choice for solopreneurs selling digital products. The digital products can be eBooks, online courses, or service packages. The platform suits well for those who are in the early stages of their entrepreneurial journey.
Moreover, ThriveCart also covers you if you want to maximize your return on investment. It does so by offering multiple upsells, order bumps, or cross-sells.
It offers a simple, speedy, and cost-effective solution for accepting payments. Also, it provides customers with various payment options. It includes payment plans and pay-what-you-want choices.
Moreover, if you’re into selling extensive courses or running membership sites, ThriveCart is a go-to option. It even integrates course creation seamlessly into its toolkit. This makes it a versatile asset for entrepreneurs of all levels.
ClickFunnels Overview
ClickFunnels is a versatile platform. It is designed for creating and tracking sales funnels. This makes it easy to lead customers through a buying journey.
It goes beyond that by offering various e-commerce store features. The features include embeddable carts, managing subscribers, and supporting affiliate marketing efforts.
With over 100,000 business owners using it, ClickFunnels has become a go-to tool for lead generation, customer follow-up, and marketing products across different platforms.
It’s also big on security, with a foundation built to protect funnels, subscribers, and member areas. It eliminates concerns about vulnerable plugins.
ClickFunnels offers a comprehensive solution to businesses enhancing their online sales and marketing strategies.
Key Features
- Manage your website and landing pages all in one place.
- Create advanced, multi-step funnels to drive conversions.
- Lets you create a high-converting checkout page, all with a drag-and-drop builder.
- Expand your reach with marketing capabilities, including email marketing and blogging.
- Build-out and split-test email automation.
- It offers subscription-based businesses the ability to generate recurring revenue without the stress of getting new customers.
- Access valuable educational resources to enhance your skills and propel your success to new heights.
ClickFunnels is the ultimate choice for high-level entrepreneurs seeking a comprehensive, all-in-one solution. It’s perfect for those aiming to build an entire ecosystem.
It includes websites, landing pages, sales pages, analytics, a mini CRM, and intricate sales funnels seamlessly integrated into one platform.
Moreover, successful businesses looking to elevate their performance to the next level can use ClickFunnels. Its top-notch funnel templates make it a unique choice for investors.
If you’re ready to go the extra mile and want a powerful toolkit to fuel your online success, ClickFunnels delivers on all fronts.
Essential Differences Between ThriveCart and ClickFunnels
ThriveCart and ClickFunnels are two different tools with distinct purposes:
- Major Focus: ClickFunnels is an all-in-one platform. It is primarily focused on selling various services, digital and physical products. But ThriveCart is mainly for selling online products.
- Pricing: ClickFunnels provides monthly or annual subscription options. However, ThriveCart offers a lifetime subscription with a one-time payment.
- Drag-and-Drop Builders: ClickFunnels includes builders for landing pages, funnels, and websites. But ThriveCart focuses on sales pages and funnels.
- Brick-and-Mortar Stores: ClickFunnels can be used by offline businesses for lead generation and advertising. But ThriveCart doesn’t support these features.
- Membership Sites: ClickFunnels supports creating, hosting, and delivering membership sites. However, ThriveCart integrates with membership platforms but doesn’t host them.
- Smart Automation: ClickFunnels offers inbuilt automation with its Follow-up Funnels. It reduces the need for third-party autoresponders (available in the Platinum plan). ThriveCart relies on integrations for email automation.
- Checkout Flexibility: ClickFunnels checkout pages can only be used within ClickFunnels-created pages. While ThriveCart provides advanced shopping cart features and allows embedding checkout on any website.
Additionally, ThriveCart allows sharing cart pages, similar to ClickFunnels’ Share Funnels feature. These differences highlight that ClickFunnels is a comprehensive funnel-building tool, while ThriveCart specializes in creating checkout pages.
Key Features Comparison: ThriveCart vs. ClickFunnels
1. Click Upsells
Both of these platforms offer upselling. It implies that you can suggest more stuff for customers to buy based on what they’ve already bought. This is great for your marketing because it can make people buy more than one thing. Now, let’s see how each platform does this.
ThriveCart
ThriveCart makes special upsell pages for your products depending on how you’re selling them. If you sell a product differently, ThriveCart customizes the upsell pages for each way you sell it.
You can even use the same upsells for other products. So, you can offer more things for customers to buy and easily use this strategy for all your different sales methods.
In simple words, you can add multiple upsells to a single product. Also, you can use it for other funnels, too. Hence, if you want to add such a feature to increase conversion rates, use ThriveCart.
ClickFunnels
Like ThriveCart, ClickFunnels also lets you offer upsells in your sales funnels. However, there’s a difference. With ClickFunnels, you have to choose a specific landing page design for each upsell in every funnel you create. It means more work.
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Who Wins?
ThriveCart is a better platform in this respect. ThriveCart makes creating and customizing your upsell pages simpler and faster than ClickFunnels. So, if you want an easier way to set up upsells and add products to them, ThriveCart seems like a smart choice.
2. Templates Designing & Creation
Templates play a crucial role in driving visitors to the checkout page and making them call back customers. Businesses spend a lot of time designing and creating templates. But do these platforms offer such features? Let us have a look.
ThriveCart
When it comes to creating templates for marketing campaigns, it’s a big deal because they need to look perfect to attract customers. ThriveCart does a great job here.
ThriveCart gives you templates that are already made and ready to use. These templates are tested to ensure they work well on all devices like tablets and laptops.
So you don’t have to spend ages making a template from scratch or testing it out. ThriveCart makes it easy and saves you a ton of time.
ClickFunnels
ClickFunnels is also great when it comes to templates. They offer various ready-made templates, and they have many of them for different purposes, more than many other competitors.
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What’s cool is they test these templates to ensure they work well. Additionally, they have a drag-and-drop editor. This implies you can easily customize your templates. This makes it super simple to make your template unique. Moreover, if you have one that’s not working well, you can fix it in no time.
Who Wins?
Regarding what customers say, both platforms offer tested templates, but ClickFunnels has more options for different things you might want to do, and its drag-and-drop editor is user-friendly.
3. A/B Testing
A/B testing is a crucial part of online marketing. It’s like a practice round before showing your landing pages or sales funnels to everyone. You test them with a small group and different SEO methods to see how well they’ll do in the real market.
Now, let’s see how good the A/B testing is on these platforms.
ThriveCart
ThriveCart offers a split testing feature that’s super handy. It lets you test your marketing ideas step by step in your campaign.
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The best part is that ThriveCart makes it really fast to set up these tests. It automates most of the process. So you save time and don’t have to deal with a long setup.
ClickFunnels
ClickFunnels also has a split testing feature for your landing pages to improve your campaign’s success. What’s cool is that it shows you the results right in your funnel dashboard. This makes it easy to see and manage the test results.
Who Wins?
Both platforms offer a similar A/B testing experience. Yet, ClickFunnels has the edge because it displays the test results in your dashboard, whereas ThriveCart doesn’t. So, if you’re into A/B testing, ClickFunnels might be the better choice.
4. Affiliate Management Program
Affiliates are big players in marketing because getting product suggestions from other customers is really effective. That’s why having an affiliate program is a must in marketing campaigns.
But, here, we have to check who wins in the affiliate management program.
ThriveCart
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ThriveCart values its affiliate management program a lot. The platform offers various services for affiliates, so you can choose what works best for them. This includes:
- Creating a special signup page for your affiliates,
- Deciding which products each affiliate will promote,
- Customizing commission types for certain affiliates.
ThriveCart gives you a dedicated dashboard for managing affiliates. Hence, you don’t have to worry about handling all this data. It saves you time and stress.
ClickFunnels
ClickFunnels also offers an affiliate program and provides services similar to ThriveCart. Its services include:
- Creating different types of affiliates,
- Keeping leaderboards to encourage competition,
- Manually adding or removing affiliates.
Who Wins?
ThriveCart outperforms ClickFunnels in tracking affiliate performance. ClickFunnels may need some improvement in dashboard management and tracking. So, regarding affiliate management, ThriveCart comes out as the winner.
5. CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
CRM is a system that enables businesses to manage and nurture their interactions and relationships with customers to improve satisfaction and drive growth. Let us check which of these offers a better CRM solution.
ThriveCart
ThriveCart doesn’t have its own complete CRM solution. But you can add one by integrating ThriveCart with some external tool or using Zapier.
ClickFunnels
ClickFunnels comes with a contact section that’s like a hub for businesses. Here, they can see all their leads and customers. They can do many things like tagging customers, creating groups, sorting, and making lists. Also, they can check out what products customers bought and how they interacted with the business.
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Who Wins?
In this comparison, ClickFunnels clearly wins, as it has built-in features and powerful tools for managing customer relationships. In contrast, ThriveCart relies on external integrations for CRM capabilities.
6. Landing Pages and Funnels
Do these platforms offer landing pages and sales funnels? Let us check out quickly.
ThriveCart
ThriveCart does not have a dedicated website builder, but you can use its sales and funnel pages as a workaround.
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You can design your checkout pages and even use a custom domain. Moreover, you can link them to another website you host or embed them.
With ThriveCart’s drag-and-drop editor, you can also create funnel pages, upsells, and downsells.
ClickFunnels
ClickFunnels offers a bunch of tools to help enterprises create an online presence and sell their products effectively. They have a website and landing page builder with features like drag-and-drop editing, templates, product listings, blogs, login areas, and forms.
On top of that, they have a powerful funnel builder designed to boost conversion rates and sales.
Who Wins?
So, in this comparison, ClickFunnels wins because it has its own website, landing page builder, and more advanced tools.
7. Automation and Email Marketing
Email marketing automation enhances customer engagement and increases conversions. Moreover, it also saves time by delivering personalized messages and recovering abandoned carts. It’s a powerful tool for driving sales and nurturing customer relationships.
ThriveCart
ThriveCart only has its autoresponder and doesn’t offer email marketing and workflows. It does have a feature for setting rules to send follow-up messages and change affiliate offers.
ClickFunnels
ClickFunnels comes with email marketing tools and an automation tool called Workflows. With their email marketing, you get a drag-and-drop builder, templates, sequences, broadcasts, scheduling, segments, tags, and analytics.
The Workflow tool in ClickFunnels lets you combine all sorts of things. It includes opt-in forms, emails, and sales pages in one flow. You can even integrate stuff from other platforms like SMS messaging.
Who Wins?
So, after checking out both email marketing and automation tools, ClickFunnels seems to have better tools.
8. Integrations
Platforms often require integrations to expand their functionality. It helps you connect with other tools and services that businesses use.
These integrations allow users to access a wider range of features and capabilities. It streamlines workflow and enhances the overall experience with the platform.
Integrations also enable businesses to customize their tech stack to meet their specific needs and preferences. This makes their operations more efficient and effective.
ThriveCart
ThriveCart offers a variety of plugins and direct connections to services. Some of the integration options are:
- For payment processors (Stripe, PayPal, etc.)
- For fulfilment services (Google Sheets, Kunaki)
- For membership platforms (LifterLMS, MemberPress, etc.)
- For webinar platforms (Demio).
Moreover, it has a direct link to Zapier, giving users the ability to connect with many other platforms.
ClickFunnels
ClickFunnels is an all-in-one platform that doesn’t rely on many outside tools. It has direct links with services like ClickFunnels Classic payments through Stripe, PayPal, and NMI.
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Even though it doesn’t have many direct connections, it offers API access for Zapier, which lets you link up with various other third-party services.
Who Wins?
Clearly, ThriveCart wins over ClickFunnels as it has dozens of integration options.
9. Membership Sites
Membership sites provide recurring revenue, foster community engagement, and offer content monetization and upselling opportunities. It makes them valuable for businesses seeking financial stability and customer loyalty.
ThriveCart
ThriveCart relies on external integrations for membership site sales. It redirects customers to third-party platforms for content delivery.
ClickFunnels
ClickFunnels offers a built-in tool to create membership sites. It makes it easy to sell access to courses and content on a subscription basis. Thus, ClickFunnels ensures stable recurring revenue.
Who Wins?
Out of the two, ClickFunnels is a better choice for managing membership sites.
10. Reporting Tools
Analytics and reporting tools help businesses track and analyze their performance data. It lets them make informed decisions, identify trends, and improve their strategies for better results.
ThriveCart
ThriveCart provides reports and insights. It includes details on product sales, page views, conversion rates, and refund rates. You can see how your sales are doing over different periods and even predict future sales.
ClickFunnels
ClickFunnels provides tools to track how well your website, landing pages, and funnels are doing. It includes details like how many people visit, how many actually make a purchase and more.
It also tracks email performance, like how many people open your emails and click on the links inside. These tools help you see how your business is doing and where you can improve.
Who Wins?
While ClickFunnels offers more analytics tools, ThriveCart allows for more customization in its dashboards. Overall, they are equal in terms of analytics and reporting tools.
11. Customer Support
Customer support is really required when you trigger a new platform. This support serves you the better way to use the platform effectively.
Let us figure out whose customer support offers better options.
ThriveCart
ThriveCart provides support and assistance through its FAQ section, email support, and training documentation. However, it doesn’t offer live chat support, and customers need to send inquiries via email and wait for a response.
ClickFunnels
ClickFunnels offers various ways to get help and support, such as live chat, email, ClickFunnels Academy, guides, and live training sessions. They are effective in resolving issues and even provide video instructions for problem-solving.
Who Wins?
While checking out both platforms, it is understood that ClickFunnels offers more customer support tools.
Pricing Comparison: ClickFunnels vs. ThriveCart
ThriveCart Pricing Plan
ThriveCart operates differently, as it doesn’t offer subscription-based access. Users are required to make a one-time payment for lifetime access to the platform.
The initial cost for a ThriveCart Lifetime Account is $495. Moreover, it offers an optional ThriveCart Pro upgrade for an additional $195 as a one-time payment.
ClickFunnels Pricing Plan
ClickFunnels offers three subscription plans:
The Basic Plan – priced at $127 per month.
The Pro Plan – is available for $157 per month.
The Funnel Hacker Plan – is offered at $208 per month.
All these plans provide access to multiple features. It includes websites, funnels, pages, courses, students, workflows, email marketing, and automation.
Upgrading to higher plans mainly increases the number of assets businesses can create and the limits on enrolled students.
ClickFunnels also offers annual discounts, which can result in savings ranging from $240 to $3,468 per year.
Who wins?
At first glance, ThriveCart may seem more expensive than ClickFunnels due to the upfront payment. However, considering ThriveCart provides lifetime access, it can be a more cost-effective choice in the long run.
To determine which platform offers better value for Money, users should tally up the expenses of third-party subscriptions they might require with ThriveCart before comparing.
In many cases, ClickFunnels could potentially save users Money as it operates as an all-in-one platform.
ClickFunnels vs. ThriveCart: Pros and Cons
ThriveCart Pros:
- Simplified affiliate management program.
- Quick creation of Upsell pages for all products.
- Link tracking and auto follow-up features for high conversion rates.
ThriveCart Cons:
- Basic pre-built templates with limited variation.
- Inability to create a membership site within the platform itself.
ClickFunnels Pros:
- Easy and fast template construction.
- A wide variety of business tools to enhance website functionality.
- Membership site creation for exclusive members.
- User-friendly drag-and-drop editor.
ClickFunnels Cons:
- Inadequate tracking of affiliate performance.
- Requires further development in Upsell page creation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which One Would You Choose Between ClickFunnels and ThriveCart?
Choosing between ClickFunnels and ThriveCart ultimately depends on your specific business needs and priorities. Both platforms offer valuable features, but they excel in different areas.
If you prioritize having an all-in-one platform with:
- extensive funnel-building capabilities,
- a native website builder,
- comprehensive automation tools,
ClickFunnels could be the right choice for you. It’s especially suitable for businesses creating complete ecosystems and boosting online sales.
On the other hand, if you value a simplified:
- affiliate management program,
- quick Upsell page creation,
- cost-effective lifetime access,
ThriveCart may be the better fit. It works well for businesses that want a streamlined solution for selling online products and doesn’t require an extensive website builder.
Ultimately, assess your specific business requirements, budget, and long-term goals to make an informed decision. Both ClickFunnels and ThriveCart have their strengths, so the choice comes down to which platform aligns best with your unique needs.
Keep reading the article at Blog – SaaS Ultra. The article was originally written by Kulwant Nagi on 2023-10-07 00:48:00.
The article was hand-picked and curated for you by the Editorial Team of WP Archives.