SamCart vs ThriveCart – A Comprehensive Comparison

Ever wondered whether SamCart or ThriveCart is the better platform to sell your digital products? Both tools help entrepreneurs streamline online sales, offering high-converting checkout experiences, upsells, and affiliate management. However, they serve different types of users—one follows a monthly subscription model with funnel-building features, while the other is a one-time payment platform that prioritizes flexibility and long-term value.

Having tested both platforms thoroughly, I’ll walk you through a detailed comparison to help you choose the one that fits your business goals best.

Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information as of April 2025. Please verify pricing and features on the official websites, as updates may occur.

SamCart vs ThriveCart: Quick & Simple Comparison

Feature	SamCart	ThriveCart
Ease of Use	✅ Clean UI with drag-and-drop features	✅ User-friendly and fast setup
Checkout Optimization	✅ Advanced tools like A/B testing and one-click upsells	✅ Upsells, bump offers, and cart abandonment recovery
Sales Funnels	✅ Built-in sales funnel builder	❌ No native funnel builder (requires integrations)
Affiliate Management	✅ Affiliate dashboard included	✅ Robust affiliate tracking system
Subscription Management	✅ Auto-retry, dunning, and upsell flows	✅ Advanced subscription and dunning tools
Course Hosting	✅ Integrated course platform	✅ Learn+ add-on for course hosting
Integrations	✅ Connects with top tools (email, CRMs, payment)	✅ Extensive integrations with Zapier, CRMs, and email tools
Customer Support	✅ Live chat and email support	✅ Email support and documentation
Pricing	Starts at $79/month	One-time $495 (Standard) or $690 (Pro)
Free Trial	7-day trial available	No trial, but 30-day money-back guarantee
Best For	Creators needing sales funnels & checkout tools	Digital sellers looking for lifetime access and flexibility

What Is SamCart?

SamCart is a sales platform designed to optimize checkout and boost conversions. It lets you create high-performing product pages, manage digital and physical products, and upsell customers with a single click. Over time, it has grown to include features like A/B testing, course hosting, and affiliate tracking, all aimed at improving customer lifetime value.

Originally focused on checkout optimization, SamCart has evolved into a full-service platform that now supports subscription businesses, digital product sellers, and educators with robust tools.

Who Should Use SamCart?

SamCart is a strong choice for:

• Entrepreneurs who sell digital or physical products online.
• Course creators and membership site owners looking for a native hosting option.
• Businesses focused on maximizing revenue per customer with upsells and order bumps.
• Brands that want built-in funnel features without stitching together third-party tools.

If you’re looking for an all-in-one checkout-focused tool with advanced revenue-boosting features, SamCart has everything you need—though it comes with a recurring cost.

What Is ThriveCart?

ThriveCart is a one-time-payment shopping cart platform that makes selling digital products, physical goods, subscriptions, and services simple and profitable. It stands out for its strong affiliate system, upsell functionality, and lifetime access pricing model, which appeals to bootstrapped entrepreneurs and established sellers alike.

In addition to the core cart features, ThriveCart also offers Learn and Learn+, its course-hosting platforms that eliminate the need for an external LMS—though Learn+ comes at an additional fee.

Who Should Use ThriveCart?

ThriveCart is great for:

• Digital product sellers who want a high-converting cart without monthly fees.
• Entrepreneurs who prioritize long-term cost savings and value-rich tools.
• Businesses that already use external funnel builders like ClickFunnels or Leadpages.
• Course creators who want to host and sell content using ThriveCart Learn+.

If you’re looking for a powerful sales and affiliate tool without a monthly subscription, ThriveCart delivers great ROI, especially over time.

SamCart vs ThriveCart – Key Similarities and Differences

While both platforms help users optimize the checkout process and sell digital products effectively, they take different approaches in terms of features and pricing. Here’s a breakdown of where they align and where they differ.

Similarities

✅ Both offer customizable checkout pages with built-in features like order bumps and upsells.
✅ Each includes affiliate management systems to help users launch and manage their referral programs.
✅ Both support one-time payments, recurring subscriptions, and offer dunning tools to recover failed payments.
✅ Each integrates with major email platforms, CRMs, and payment processors.
✅ Both provide tools to boost customer value, including coupon codes, A/B testing, and customer analytics.

Differences

Feature	SamCart	ThriveCart
Funnel Builder	✅ Built-in funnel editor	❌ Requires external tools like ClickFunnels
Course Hosting	✅ Native course platform (included)	✅ Learn+ (paid upgrade for advanced features)
A/B Testing	✅ Available on higher-tier plans	✅ Available across all accounts
Payment Structure	Monthly fees starting at $79	One-time fee of $495–$690
Support Channels	Live chat + email	Email support only
Refund Policy	7-day trial	No trial but 30-day refund window
Feature Expansion	Frequently updated with new features	Slower updates, but stable feature set

Pricing

When selecting a sales platform, understanding the pricing structure is crucial. SamCart and ThriveCart offer distinct pricing models tailored to different business needs.

SamCart

SamCart operates on a subscription-based model with multiple tiers:​

• Launch Plan: Priced at $79 per month, this plan includes essential features like checkout templates and basic integrations.​
• Grow Plan: At $159 per month, it adds features such as advanced integrations, upsell capabilities, and more.​
• Scale Plan: Costing $319 per month, this tier offers comprehensive features including subscription saver, cart abandonment, and affiliate center.​

SamCart also provides a 30-day free trial, allowing users to explore the platform before committing.​

ThriveCart

ThriveCart offers a one-time payment model with lifetime access:​

• Standard Plan: A single payment of $495 grants access to core features like high-converting carts, upsells, and integrations.​
• Pro Plan: For an additional $195 (totaling $690), users receive advanced features including affiliate management, subscription saver, and custom domain functionality.​

ThriveCart does not offer a free trial but provides a 14-day money-back guarantee, ensuring a risk-free investment.​

Comparison Table: Pricing

Feature	SamCart	ThriveCart
Pricing Model	Monthly subscription	One-time payment
Entry-Level Plan	$79/month (Launch Plan)	$495 (Standard Plan)
Advanced Features Plan	$319/month (Scale Plan)	$690 (Pro Plan)
Free Trial	30-day free trial available	No free trial, 14-day refund policy
Long-Term Cost	Higher over time due to monthly fees	Cost-effective with one-time payment

🌟 Winner: ThriveCart – For businesses seeking a cost-effective solution with a one-time payment, ThriveCart offers substantial value over time.

User Experience & Ease of Use

Choosing a platform that feels natural to use makes the setup process faster and less frustrating—especially for beginners.

SamCart

SamCart offers a clean and visually appealing interface. Its drag-and-drop page builder allows users to customize checkout pages easily without needing any coding skills. The navigation is simple, and the platform provides a guided onboarding experience, making it friendly for first-time users.

ThriveCart

ThriveCart also delivers a streamlined experience, with fast load times and a well-organized dashboard. While the design isn’t as modern as SamCart’s, its simplicity works in its favor. The learning curve is minimal, and users can get a product up and running within minutes.

Comparison Table: User Experience

Feature	SamCart	ThriveCart
Ease of Use	Modern interface with builder ✅	Simple and intuitive ✅
Navigation	Clean layout with tabs ✅	Straightforward and minimal ✅
Page Customization	Drag-and-drop editor ✅	Simple customization options ✅
Onboarding	Guided walkthroughs ✅	Quick-start instructions ✅
Learning Curve	Low for most users ✅	Extremely low ✅

🌟 Winner: ThriveCart – Both platforms are easy to use, but ThriveCart edges ahead thanks to its lightning-fast setup and no-frills dashboard that gets the job done efficiently.

Checkout Optimization Features

Optimizing your checkout page can significantly increase conversions and average order value. Let’s see how these two stack up.

SamCart

SamCart shines in checkout optimization. It includes high-converting templates, one-click upsells, and real-time A/B testing. Features like cart abandonment recovery and coupon codes help maximize each transaction. It even supports digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

ThriveCart

ThriveCart also includes bump offers, upsells, and downsells to increase revenue per customer. Its real strength lies in its flexibility—offering a range of checkout templates and conversion tools like countdown timers. ThriveCart also offers behavior rules for conditional logic during the checkout process.

Comparison Table: Checkout Optimization

Feature	SamCart	ThriveCart
One-Click Upsells	Available on higher plans ✅	Included in all plans ✅
Order Bumps	Available ✅	Available ✅
A/B Testing	Real-time testing ✅	Included ✅
Cart Abandonment	Advanced recovery tools ✅	Email follow-up sequences ✅
Payment Wallets	Apple Pay, Google Pay ✅	Stripe, PayPal (limited wallets) ❌

🌟 Winner: SamCart – While both platforms offer strong checkout tools, SamCart leads with advanced payment options and refined A/B testing features that can help boost conversions further.

Affiliate Management

Affiliate marketing is a great way to scale sales. Here’s how each platform supports this function.

SamCart

SamCart includes an affiliate center in its Scale plan, allowing users to recruit, track, and manage affiliates. You can set commission rates, track sales, and approve or decline applications. However, these features are locked behind its highest-tier plan.

ThriveCart

Affiliate management is a standout feature in ThriveCart—especially in the Pro version. It offers custom commission structures, automatic payments, tracking cookies, and in-depth performance reports. It’s known for being one of the most flexible and user-friendly affiliate systems around.

Comparison Table: Affiliate Management

Feature	SamCart	ThriveCart
Available Plans	Only on Scale Plan ❌	Available in Pro Plan ✅
Affiliate Tracking	Included ✅	Included ✅
Commission Customization	Limited ✅	Advanced control ✅
Payout Automation	Manual payouts ❌	Automated payments ✅
Affiliate Dashboard	Simple dashboard ✅	Robust affiliate portal ✅

🌟 Winner: ThriveCart – ThriveCart wins with its comprehensive affiliate center, even though it requires the Pro version. It offers more advanced features and automation than SamCart.

Subscription & Payment Management

Recurring billing is a must-have for SaaS, memberships, or subscription-based products. Let’s explore how both platforms handle it.

SamCart

SamCart provides a solid set of subscription tools, including automatic rebills, free trials, and dunning management (to recover failed payments). The subscription saver feature automatically reminds users of missed payments and attempts to recover them.

ThriveCart

ThriveCart offers powerful subscription management with trial periods, flexible pricing models, and robust dunning capabilities. You can set up multiple payment plans and automate follow-ups for failed charges. It also includes webhook support for deeper automation.

Comparison Table: Subscription Management

Feature	SamCart	ThriveCart
Free Trial Options	Yes ✅	Yes ✅
Dunning Tools	Available in Scale Plan ✅	Included in Pro ✅
Flexible Billing Models	Monthly, annual, one-time ✅	Full flexibility ✅
Automated Reminders	Yes ✅	Yes ✅
Webhooks & API Access	Limited to higher tiers ❌	Included ✅

🌟 Winner: ThriveCart – ThriveCart takes the lead with more accessible tools, powerful automation, and better flexibility across all pricing models.

Integrations

The right platform should play nicely with the tools you already use. Here’s how they compare on integration capabilities.

SamCart

SamCart integrates with major email platforms like ConvertKit, ActiveCampaign, and Mailchimp. It also works with Zapier to connect with hundreds of third-party tools. However, some integrations are locked behind the higher-tier plans.

ThriveCart

ThriveCart offers direct integrations with many email marketing services and CRMs. Plus, with its Zapier and webhook support, users can integrate it with virtually any tool. The API and behavior rules give it a slight edge in flexibility for developers and automation-heavy users.

Comparison Table: Integrations

Feature	SamCart	ThriveCart
Email Marketing Tools	Most major platforms ✅	Most major platforms ✅
Zapier Integration	Available ✅	Available ✅
Webhook Support	Higher-tier plans ❌	Available in Pro ✅
CRM Integrations	ActiveCampaign, Drip, etc. ✅	ConvertKit, Keap, Drip, etc. ✅
Developer-Friendly Tools	Limited API access ❌	Advanced API and behavior rules ✅

🌟 Winner: ThriveCart – ThriveCart wins here with more flexibility and broader access to advanced integrations, especially useful for tech-savvy users or larger businesses.

Pros and Cons of SamCart

Pros

✅ Simple and Easy-to-Use Interface
SamCart offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to quickly create high-converting checkout pages, manage orders, and set up upsells or cross-sells without any technical expertise. This makes it a great choice for entrepreneurs and small business owners who want a straightforward experience.

✅ Built-in Checkout Templates and Features
SamCart provides a variety of customizable checkout templates designed for different business models. It also includes built-in features like order bumps, upsells, and subscription management, which can significantly increase your revenue with little extra effort.

✅ Advanced Reporting and Analytics
SamCart offers detailed reports and analytics, so you can track the performance of your checkout pages and sales funnels. This is perfect for optimizing your sales process and identifying opportunities for improvement.

✅ One-Click Upsell and Downsell
SamCart’s one-click upsell feature allows you to boost your sales by offering additional products or services after the initial purchase. This seamless process leads to higher average order values without complicating the customer experience.

✅ Integrates with Multiple Payment Gateways
SamCart integrates with popular payment processors like Stripe, PayPal, and Authorize.net, making it easy to accept payments from customers worldwide.

✅ Affiliate Management System
SamCart includes an in-built affiliate program that allows you to easily recruit affiliates and track their performance. This helps you expand your reach and grow your business through affiliate marketing.

Cons

❌ No Built-in Email Marketing
Unlike some competitors, SamCart doesn’t include email marketing functionality. You’ll need to integrate with third-party email platforms like Mailchimp or ConvertKit to manage your email campaigns.

❌ Limited Customization Options
While SamCart’s checkout pages are customizable, they lack the level of flexibility seen in platforms like ThriveCart or Systeme.io. If you require highly detailed branding and page customizations, this might be a limitation.

❌ Higher Pricing Plans
SamCart’s pricing starts at $79/month, which may be too high for businesses just starting out or those with a limited budget. While it’s a great platform for serious entrepreneurs, it could be expensive for those just testing the waters.

Pros and Cons of ThriveCart

Pros

✅ Lifetime Access with One-Time Payment
One of the most attractive features of ThriveCart is its lifetime access option with a one-time payment. This can save you significant money in the long term compared to subscription-based models, making it ideal for long-term entrepreneurs and businesses.

✅ Customizable Checkout Pages
ThriveCart offers highly customizable checkout pages, allowing you to match them to your branding needs. This includes advanced design options that make your checkout experience feel more integrated with your brand.

✅ Built-in Affiliate Management
Like SamCart, ThriveCart includes an affiliate program. The platform makes it easy to recruit, manage, and track affiliate sales, which is a great way to increase your reach and boost your sales.

✅ Robust Integrations with Other Platforms
ThriveCart integrates seamlessly with popular platforms like Zapier, Stripe, PayPal, and more. Whether you need email marketing automation or CRM tools, ThriveCart supports your growing needs.

✅ No Transaction Fees
ThriveCart does not charge any transaction fees, which is a major advantage for businesses with high sales volumes. Unlike SamCart, where transaction fees can add up over time, ThriveCart keeps costs predictable.

✅ Advanced Reporting & Analytics
ThriveCart offers detailed analytics that helps you track and optimize your sales funnels and conversions. It also allows for split testing, so you can continually improve your checkout process.

Cons

❌ No Monthly Payment Plans
Although ThriveCart offers lifetime access, the upfront cost can be a barrier for some businesses. There are no monthly payment options, so users have to pay the entire cost upfront or choose the installment plan, which might be difficult for some businesses to manage.

❌ Limited Built-In Features Compared to SamCart
While ThriveCart offers a lot of functionality, it lacks some features that SamCart provides, such as subscription management and advanced order bumps. You may need to use additional integrations or third-party tools to fully optimize your sales processes.

❌ Limited Customer Support Options
ThriveCart’s customer support is limited to email support, with no live chat or phone support available. This can be frustrating if you run into issues that need immediate attention.

Which One Should You Choose?

💡 Go with ThriveCart if: ✅ You’re looking for a cost-effective, one-time payment option for lifetime access.
✅ You want full customization of your checkout pages with robust integration capabilities.
✅ You need an affiliate management system without additional fees.
✅ You’re comfortable with a higher upfront cost in exchange for long-term savings.

💡 Go with SamCart if: ✅ You need an easy-to-use checkout platform with advanced features like upsells and affiliate management.
✅ You’re looking for detailed analytics and reporting to track your sales performance.
✅ You want a straightforward, subscription-based pricing model with ongoing support.
✅ You prefer monthly payment plans and need a system that works right out of the box.

Final Thoughts

SamCart and ThriveCart are both excellent platforms for managing your online sales, but they cater to different needs. SamCart excels with its user-friendly interface, advanced checkout features, and monthly subscription model, making it ideal for businesses that prefer ongoing support and scaling opportunities. ThriveCart, on the other hand, offers incredible value with a one-time payment and advanced customization options, which is perfect for businesses looking for long-term solutions without worrying about recurring fees.

So, which one is best for you? It depends on your business model and preferences! 🚀 Both platforms offer robust features that can help you increase sales and streamline your checkout process—so take your pick based on what aligns best with your goals.

FAQs

1. Which platform offers better pricing options for small businesses?

SamCart offers a tiered pricing model, while ThriveCart provides a one-time payment option. Small businesses may find ThriveCart’s one-time payment more budget-friendly in the long run, but it’s essential to consider your specific needs and growth potential.

2. Can I migrate my existing online store to either SamCart or ThriveCart?

Yes, both platforms offer tools and support for migrating your existing online store. They aim to make the transition as smooth as possible to ensure minimal disruption to your business.

3. Do SamCart and ThriveCart support international sales and multiple currencies?

Yes, both platforms support international sales and offer the flexibility to accept payments in multiple currencies. This feature is valuable for businesses with a global customer base.

4. Are there any limitations on the number of products I can sell with SamCart and ThriveCart?

SamCart and ThriveCart do not impose strict limits on the number of products you can sell. However, it’s advisable to check the specific pricing plans to ensure they align with your product catalog size.

5. Do SamCart and ThriveCart provide data backup and security measures?

Yes, both platforms prioritize data security and offer regular data backups to protect your business information. They also implement industry-standard encryption and compliance with data protection regulations to ensure the safety of your customers’ data.