ThriveCart vs Kajabi which platform is best for coaches
If you're a coach or course creator building your first digital product—or rethinking your current tech stack—you’ve probably heard of both ThriveCart and Kajabi.
One promises sleek automation and all-in-one ease.
The other tempts you with a one-time payment and total customization.
But here's what I’ve learned helping therapists, coaches, and holistic leaders build out their websites and funnels: Both have pros and cons—but neither is the full answer.
Let me break it down honestly—and then show you why HighLevel (affiliate link) is what I actually use and recommend now.
What exactly is Kajabi?
Kajabi is an all-in-one course platform that offers:
- A website builder
- Email marketing tools
- Funnel creation
- Course and membership hosting
- Sales pages and automations
It’s built for people who want everything in one place—without stitching together tools.
But that convenience comes at a price: Kajabi starts at
$89-$149/month. It also lacks advanced customization, true flexibility over your tools, and its design options are often limiting (unless you want everything to look like… Kajabi).
What exactly is ThriveCart?
ThriveCart (affiliate link) is a checkout and course platform focused on helping you sell more effectively. It’s a one-time purchase that includes:
- Checkout pages, upsells, order bumps
- Affiliate management
- Course hosting via ThriveCart Learn
- Integrations with email, payment, and automation tools
It doesn’t replace your entire system—you’ll need to integrate your email platform, website, and possibly Zapier—but it gives you powerful tools at a flat cost, usually around
$495–$690 for life.
The main differences between Kajabi and ThriveCart
Now that we have a basic understanding of what Kajabi and ThriveCart are, let's explore the key differences between the two platforms:
1. Website front-end strategy
Kajabi offers a wide range of customizable templates and themes to create visually stunning websites that reflect your brand. ThriveCart, on the other hand, focuses more on optimizing the sales process with its conversion-focused checkout pages. You will need to have your website on another platform and use ThriveCart for everything else.
2. Website back-end strategy
Kajabi provides a complete content management system, allowing you to host your courses, create landing pages, and manage memberships all in one place. ThriveCart was originally built as a shopping cart platform that has now evolved with ThriveCart Learn so that you can have your online courses here. Unfortunately, while ThriveCart Learn dows allow you to have your courses there, it doesn’t mean ThriveCart provides hosting for your courses, so you will need to have all digital files or videos on Vimeo, Loom, Google Drive and similar and link/embed all your content. I personally didn’t mind this because if I can save the cost of a monthly subscription like Kajabi and do a little bit of tech setup, this allows me to spend my marketing budget on other things.
3. Monthly and annual costs
Kajabi operates on a subscription-based pricing model, offering different plans based on your business needs. For latest pricing
check here.
ThriveCart, on the other hand, requires a
one-time purchase
with optional add-ons available for an additional cost.
4. Your level of tech savviness
Kajabi is designed to be user-friendly and accessible even for those with limited technical knowledge. ThriveCart may require a bit more technical know-how but provides extensive documentation and support to help you navigate the platform effectively.
5. The level of automations and integrations you want to have
Kajabi offers robust automation capabilities, allowing you to set up email sequences, drip content, and automate various aspects of your coaching business. ThriveCart integrates seamlessly with popular email marketing platforms and payment gateways, giving you flexibility in setting up your desired automations. Essentially, they both do what they need to do the only difference is that when you choose ThriveCart vs Kajabi, you actually have more control over the tech stack of tools to use, and for example connect to more advance software for email marketing or integrating with Zapier for advanced analytics and extracting data of all of your transactions.
Now that we've covered some key differences between Kajabi and ThriveCart, let's dive deeper into what factors you should consider when choosing between the two platforms.
ThriveCart vs Kajabi comparison chart
How much does Kajabi cost?
Kajabi offers three pricing tiers: Basic at $149 per month, Growth at $199 per month, and Pro at $399 per month. Each tier comes with different features and limitations, so it's important to choose the one that aligns with your business needs. For updated
pricing reference this page
How much does ThriveCart cost?
Unlike Kajabi's monthly subscription model,
ThriveCart is available as a one-time purchase for $495. This means you can enjoy all the features without any recurring fees. It's a great option if you're looking to save money in the long run.
Which is better: ThriveCart or Kajabi?
The answer to this question depends on your unique needs and preferences. Both platforms offer distinct advantages and cater to different aspects of your coaching business.
If you prioritize simplicity and all in one platforms, Kajabi might be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you value efficient checkout processes, and a one-time purchase option,
ThriveCart could be the perfect fit.
But here’s the truth: HighLevel gives you the best of both worlds
When clients come to me overwhelmed with ThriveCart setups or stuck in Kajabi’s cookie-cutter ecosystem, here’s what I recommend instead:
HighLevel (affiliate link) is the true all-in-one that:
- Hosts your website and landing pages
- Replaces your email and text marketing tools
- Includes built-in funnels, automations, and forms
- Manages your appointments, clients, and CRM
- Supports courses, memberships, and digital products
- Costs just $97/month
You’re not stuck inside a box like Kajabi—and you’re not cobbling together 5 tools like with ThriveCart.
It’s fully customizable, scalable, and best of all? I set it up for you.
So… which should you choose?
Go with ThriveCart (affiliate link) if:
- You’re budget-conscious and tech-comfy
- You already have a website
- You want advanced checkout flexibility with no recurring fees
Choose Kajabi if:
- You want simplicity and don’t mind higher monthly costs
- You don’t need deep customization or integration freedom
But if you want one tool that runs your entire business—without design limitations or integration nightmares HighLevel (affiliate link) is where I send all my high-level clients.
Want it done for you?
I help ambitious therapists and coaches launch powerful websites and marketing systems on HighLevel designed to grow with you, not stress you out.
When you become a web design & funnel management client, I build your:
- Website
- Funnels
- Email automations
- SEO
- All-in-one system (on HighLevel)
So you can focus on your clients—not on your tech stack.
Related Reads
- What is ThriveCart and my honest review – A complete breakdown of ThriveCart’s features, pros, and who it’s best for.
- ThriveCart vs SamCart: Which is better? (In-depth comparison) – Compare these two top checkout platforms and see which one actually supports your long-term business growth.
- ThriveCart vs ClickFunnels: Which is best for coaches? – If you’re a coach or course creator, this review helps you choose the platform that fits your style and structure.
* AI Disclosure: This content may contain sections generated with AI with the purpose of providing you with condensed helpful and relevant content, however all personal opinions are 100% human made as well as the blog post structure, outline and key takeaways.
* Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on www.nataliamaganda.com may contain affiliate links meaning that I will get a commission for recommending products at no extra cost to you.
hello! i'm natalia
Latina, web design expert for mental health professionals.
I help ambitious life coaches, therapists and holistic leaders amplify their magic, gain visibility, and simplify their marketing efforts through strategic web design and content.
If you’re looking for an all-in-one system to manage your website, emails, funnels, and CRM, Go HighLevel (affiliate link) is the most powerful tool I’ve tested—and it’s built to grow with you.
On a tighter budget or just starting out? ThriveCart (affiliate link) offers a one-time payment option and easy checkout setups that still pack a punch for digital offers and automation. (Send me an email after your purchase and make sure to use my affiliate link)
