education

ThriveCart Alternatives: 10 Best Tools for 2025 (Free & Paid)

If you’re here, chances are ThriveCart didn’t quite do it for you.

Maybe you loved the idea of a one-time payment... but got frustrated with the lack of updates. Or maybe it just doesn’t fit your growing business anymore. We get it — no tool is perfect.

So if you're wondering: "What’s better than ThriveCart in 2025?" — you’re in the right place.

This guide will walk you through the 10 best ThriveCart alternatives, both free and paid. Whether you're selling online courses, digital downloads, or running a SaaS business, there's an option here that'll fit your needs like a glove.

Why Look for a ThriveCart Alternative in 2025?

ThriveCart made waves a few years ago. A one-time payment for lifetime access? That was unheard of!

But here's the truth...

In 2025, many users feel left behind.

Here’s what people are saying:

  • "No major updates in years"

  • "The affiliate center feels outdated"

  • "I need better design options for checkout"

  • "Where’s the native subscription control?"

Plus, some users report slow support or missing integrations with newer platforms.

ThriveCart can still work for many businesses, especially if you're tight on budget. But if you're scaling and want more flexibility, it’s smart to explore your options.

What Should You Look For in a ThriveCart Alternative?

Before you jump to a new tool, let’s quickly look at what you actually need. This will save you time (and regret) later.

✅ Subscriptions & recurring billing
 ✅ Funnel building + upsells/downsells
 ✅ Affiliate tracking
 ✅ Clean checkout design
 ✅ Fast load speeds
 ✅ Good integrations (Stripe, PayPal, email tools)
 ✅ Support you can count on

Think about your business: Are you selling courses? A membership? A SaaS? Knowing your core needs helps you choose the right tool — not just the most popular one.

Top 10 ThriveCart Alternatives in 2025

Let’s dive in. Each of these tools offers something different — some are free, some are packed with features.

1. SamCart – Best for Selling Courses & Digital Products

  • Best for: Course creators, solopreneurs

  • Key features:

    • Drag-and-drop checkout builder

    • Order bumps and 1-click upsells

    • Built-in A/B testing

    • Supports Stripe & PayPal

  • Pricing: Starts at $59/month (14-day free trial)

  • Pros: Beautiful UI, easy to use

  • Cons: No native course platform (needs integration)

👉 Why it's a great ThriveCart alternative:
 SamCart is simple, modern, and built to convert. It’s everything ThriveCart is — just prettier and more user-friendly.

2. PayKickstart – Best for Recurring Payments & Affiliates

  • Best for: SaaS companies, subscription products

  • Key features:

    • Advanced subscription tools

    • Dunning management (failed payment recovery)

    • Affiliate center

    • 40+ integrations

  • Pricing: Starts at $99/month

  • Pros: Great analytics, subscription-first design

  • Cons: Slightly complex setup

👉 Why switch from ThriveCart:
 If subscriptions are your main game, PayKickstart gives you more power and control.

https://hackmd.io/@johniee123/integrating-thrivecart-to-spotify

3. Kajabi – Best for Course Creators Who Want It All

  • Best for: Coaches, course sellers

  • Key features:

    • Host courses, build websites, email marketing

    • Checkout + sales funnels

    • Mobile app for students

  • Pricing: Starts at $149/month

  • Pros: All-in-one platform

  • Cons: Higher price

👉 Why it beats ThriveCart for some:
 You don’t just get a checkout — you get the entire business suite. ThriveCart doesn’t offer course hosting.

https://hackmd.io/@johniee123/how-to-create-a-product-in-thrivecart

4. Podia – Simple All-in-One for Solopreneurs

👉 Why it’s better than ThriveCart for newbies:
 You can start free. Build and sell without touching code or needing 10 other tools.

5. ClickFunnels 2.0 – Funnels on Steroids

  • Best for: Marketers and funnel hackers

  • Key features:

    • Advanced funnel builder

    • Smart upsells, split testing

    • Email marketing built-in

  • Pricing: Starts at $127/month

  • Pros: Powerful and customizable

  • Cons: Learning curve

👉 Why you might switch from ThriveCart:
 ClickFunnels gives you the funnel experience ThriveCart never could. It's expensive but converts like crazy when done right.

6. Kartra – The True All-in-One Machine

👉 Why Kartra over ThriveCart:
 Think of Kartra as ThriveCart + email + courses + automation — in one dashboard.

7. WooCommerce + FunnelKit – Best for WordPress Users

  • Best for: Bloggers, ecommerce stores on WordPress

  • Key features:

    • Full cart control

    • Funnel builder with FunnelKit

    • PayPal, Stripe, and 100+ plugins

  • Pricing: Free core, add-ons paid

  • Pros: Total control, affordable

  • Cons: Needs setup time

👉 When it wins over ThriveCart:
 If you’re already on WordPress, this combo gives you freedom and flexibility — no lifetime pricing needed.

https://integrating-thrivecart-to-shopify.mystrikingly.com/

8. SendOwl – Lightweight for Digital Products

  • Best for: Digital downloads, ebooks, software

  • Key features:

    • Fast checkout

    • Drip content delivery

    • License keys for software

  • Pricing: Starts at $15/month

  • Pros: Clean and simple

  • Cons: Lacks advanced features

👉 Why it’s a solid alternative:
 Sometimes, you don’t need bells and whistles. Just something that works and is easy.

9. Gumroad – Free Option for Creators

  • Best for: Artists, writers, small digital creators

  • Key features:

    • Free to start

    • Built-in audience features

    • Sell anything (ebooks, music, code)

  • Pricing: Free, 10% fee per sale

  • Pros: No upfront cost

  • Cons: Less control

👉 Who should choose this:
 If you're testing the waters and don’t want to spend upfront, Gumroad is a friendly way to start selling.

10. Paddle – Best for SaaS Businesses

  • Best for: Software sellers and global SaaS

  • Key features:

    • Handles taxes (VAT, GST)

    • Recurring payments, dunning

    • Developer-friendly

  • Pricing: Fee per transaction (no monthly cost)

  • Pros: Fully managed checkout for SaaS

  • Cons: Not ideal for non-software products

👉 Why SaaS folks love it:
 You don’t worry about global compliance — Paddle takes care of it all.

https://hackmd.io/@johniee123/thrivecart-free-trial

Comparison Table: ThriveCart vs Others (Quick Glance)

Tool

Starts At

Funnels

Subscriptions

Affiliates

Course Hosting

Free Plan

ThriveCart

$495 (lifetime)

✅

✅

✅

❌

❌

SamCart

$59/mo

✅

✅

✅

❌

❌

Kajabi

$149/mo

✅

✅

✅

✅

❌

Gumroad

Free

❌

✅

❌

✅

✅

Podia

$39/mo

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

Kartra

$129/mo

✅

✅

✅

✅

❌

Which One is Right For You?

https://wakelet.com/wake/3hHi0OI8HZbXAzfeNptIp

https://wakelet.com/wake/-Kyx9lETLKh8xXCSuwn8g

https://wakelet.com/wake/5aoBEGw3S-0a6wHpFcXFv

https://wakelet.com/wake/9Z2fCdrUcjRelcwTClspn

Still confused? Let me help.

🎯 Tight on budget? → Gumroad or Podia
 📚 Selling courses? → Kajabi, SamCart, Podia
 💻 SaaS business? → Paddle or PayKickstart
 🧠 Want everything in one place? → Kartra or Kajabi
 🌐 On WordPress? → WooCommerce + FunnelKit

The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all. Try a few free trials, see what clicks.

FAQs – ThriveCart Alternatives in 2025

Is there a free ThriveCart alternative?
 Yes! Gumroad and Podia both offer free plans to get you started.

Is ThriveCart still worth it in 2025?
 For some users, yes. If you already own it, it’s fine for basic sales. But for modern features, others are ahead now.

Can I move my funnels/products from ThriveCart?
 Most platforms allow manual import. Some like SamCart and Kartra have migration tools or onboarding help.

Final Thoughts

ThriveCart was amazing when it launched. But if you're building a serious business in 2025, you need something more modern, more flexible — and honestly, more supported.

👉 Whether you're selling courses, coaching, SaaS, or ebooks — the tools above offer better control, cleaner interfaces, and stronger results.

Don’t settle. Try something that actually grows with your business.

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