Choosing between two large software platforms comes down to how you make money. Some sellers want fast checkout pages with order bumps. Other businesses need appointment calendars, video players, and help tickets to run each day.
The Short Version
- ClickFunnels focuses on fast checkouts, order bumps, and 1-click upsells with zero platform transaction fees.
- Kartra packages an entire business by bundling email marketing, video hosting, booking calendars, and customer helpdesks in one subscription.
- Pick ClickFunnels for digital products and courses, but choose Kartra if you run client services, coaching calls, or need an integrated support desk.
Jump to Section
- ClickFunnels vs Kartra: Two Ways to Run a Business
- Checkout Speed and Upsells: Where ClickFunnels Excels
- Calendars, Video, and Support: Where Kartra Wins
- The True Cost Comparison: Monthly Plans and Sales Fees
- The Decision Rule: Match the Tool to What You Sell
- Frequently Asked Questions About ClickFunnels vs Kartra
ClickFunnels vs Kartra: Two Ways to Run a Business
When you compare both tools, you see two completely different ways to make money online. ClickFunnels has always focused on one goal. It wants to turn a visitor into a paying customer right away. Its clean pages and simple forms remove friction so a buyer completes the sale.
Kartra takes a very different path. Instead of making you connect five outside apps, it puts your whole office in one spot. You get sales pages, plus a support desk, booking calendars, video hosting, and email tools.
This difference leads to two distinct daily routines. With ClickFunnels, you build a quick sales path and plug in outside apps only when you need extra tasks. With Kartra, you run your entire business from a single hub to save on software bills.
Checkout Speed and Upsells: Where ClickFunnels Excels
When your main goal is selling digital goods, checkout speed makes or breaks your profit. When I reviewed ClickFunnels, I pointed out how its new engine cuts down page delays to keep checkouts fast. The pages load quickly, and the checkout flow stays simple.
The checkout builder lets you add an order bump to the payment form with one click. A buyer enters their credit card details. Then they check a small box to add a workbook or audio file, and they pay for both items at once. After that sale, 1-click upsell pages let them add bigger offers without typing card details again.
Setting up bumps inside Kartra takes more steps across separate menus. ClickFunnels keeps the sales path visual and fast. You can set up a full checkout flow in a single afternoon.
If you sell digital files, clean pages win. Cutting out clutter keeps buyers focused on paying, which is why simple funnels beat complex funnels every time. You can test the checkout builder yourself with a free trial of ClickFunnels.
Calendars, Video, and Support: Where Kartra Wins
ClickFunnels focuses on the checkout form. In contrast, Kartra shines after the sale. If you run coaching calls or client tasks, you need tools that ClickFunnels lacks out of the box.
Built-in booking has four layout styles that link with Google Calendar and Zoom. You can charge for calls upfront or offer free chats on your pages. Automated emails and text reminders cut down on appointment no-show rates so your calendar stays full.
Beyond scheduling, Kartra includes a full customer helpdesk with ticket queues and live chat. When a client sends a question, the screen shows their past orders and email history right away. You don’t need to pay extra each month for an outside support desk.
You also get video hosting with smart tags. If a viewer watches most of your sales video, Kartra can tag them and send a follow-up email with a special discount. With ClickFunnels, you must pay an outside video host to track viewer actions like that.
The True Cost Comparison: Monthly Plans and Sales Fees
Software pricing looks simple on a sales page until you check the fee details. ClickFunnels 2.0 starts on the Launch plan at $97 a month. That plan gives you 10,000 email contacts, 20 funnels, and unlimited course students with zero platform sales fees.
An entry tier called Essentials costs $59 a month in Kartra, but it carries a hidden fee trap. That plan takes a 5% transaction fee on every sale and limits you to 500 contacts, 5 pages, and 1 product. If you sell $1,200 a month in products, the $60 fee on top of your plan brings your real cost to $119.
That $119 figure matches the price of Kartra Starter. The Starter plan drops the 5% fee and gives you 2,500 contacts. Any real business outgrows the entry tier fast, making the true price of Kartra $119 a month.
Review the table below to see how each tool stacks up on price and features.
| Feature or Capability | ClickFunnels 2.0 | Kartra |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Plan Price | $97/mo (Launch Plan) | $59/mo (Essentials Plan) |
| Platform Transaction Fees | 0% on all plans | 5% on Essentials (0% on Starter at $119/mo) |
| Contact Limit on Entry Tier | 10,000 contacts | 500 contacts (2,500 on Starter) |
| Page and Funnel Limits | 20 funnels, unlimited pages | 5 pages on Essentials (unlimited on Starter) |
| Built-In Client Calendars | No (requires outside tool) | Yes (4 booking models with sync) |
| Built-In Customer Helpdesk | No (requires outside tool) | Yes (ticket desk, chat, knowledge base) |
| Built-In Video Hosting | Basic video elements | Yes (with behavioral tagging) |
| Best Business Model Fit | Digital products, books, courses | Coaching, consulting, client agencies |
If you want to stop paying for software you don’t need, neither of these platforms comes cheap. ClickFunnels costs $97 a month flat. A fee-free Kartra setup costs $119 a month. Your choice comes down to which features you’ll use each week.
The Decision Rule: Match the Tool to What You Sell
You should pick ClickFunnels if you sell ebooks, guides, or courses. It gives you 10,000 contacts on day one. It takes zero cut from your sales, and its order bumps help raise your cart total.
On the other hand, Kartra makes sense if you run client calls or coaching. You get booking calendars, a helpdesk, and video hosting in one spot. Paying $119 a month for Kartra Starter costs less than buying four separate apps.
A clear checklist of your daily tasks will show you the best path. If you only need to take payments and send downloads, don’t buy a tool packed with helpdesks you’ll never use. Pick the simpler setup, keep your monthly software bills low, and spend your time making sales.
Frequently Asked Questions About ClickFunnels vs Kartra
Does ClickFunnels or Kartra have cheaper entry pricing?
Kartra has a $59 plan, but it takes a 5% fee on all sales. ClickFunnels costs $97 a month with zero platform fees, making it cheaper once you sell more than $760 in products.
Can Kartra replace my email marketing tool?
Yes, Kartra has full email tools with tags and broadcast sends. Its Starter plan includes unlimited sends for up to 2,500 contacts without an extra app.
Can ClickFunnels schedule client appointments?
No, ClickFunnels doesn’t have a built-in calendar tool. You need to connect an outside scheduler like Calendly to let clients book calls with you.
Does Kartra take a cut of your sales?
On its entry plan, Kartra takes a 5% fee on every sale. Upgrading to the $119 Starter plan removes that fee completely.
Which platform is easier for beginners to set up?
Most beginners find ClickFunnels faster to learn because it focuses on checkout flows. Kartra takes more time because you must set up calendars, helpdesks, and email lists across many menus.
Can I host online courses on both tools?
Both tools include member areas to host courses. ClickFunnels allows unlimited courses on its $97 plan. Kartra limits its entry plan to 1 course before you must upgrade.
Does ClickFunnels include video hosting?
While ClickFunnels lets you host course videos, it lacks marketing video tracking on sales pages. Kartra hosts video files directly and tracks how long each person watches.
Can I connect my own custom domain to both tools?
You can link your own domain to either tool using CNAME records. Both entry plans include 1 custom domain with free SSL security.