ThriveCart vs CartFlows (2024): Which is the overall BEST?

In this post, we are going to put ThriveCart and CartFlows into test.

And we shall allow them to battle against each other to see who wins and who you should take home with you tonight. 😉

It’s very hard to make a decision on which to use for your business.

Especially when ThriveCart and CartFlows have some pretty sweet features for you to sell, market, and increase conversions in your online business.

I’m here to help out.

So, if you’re looking for an INSIGHTFUL comparison of these two carts and online sales boosting software, you’re lucky to have come to the right place today.

Because in today’s comparison, I’m going to compare CartFlows vs ThriveCart in terms of:

• Funnel building capabilities
• Checkout functionality
• Integrations
• User Friendliness
• Unique Features
• Pricing
• Flexibility
• And lots more

ThriveCart vs CartFlows summary: Thrivecart is better than CartFlows – due the fact that you can use it on any site without limitations (unlike Cartflows which runs only on WordPress) and ThriveCart it’s also a onetime priced software.

However, you can still read along for the complete comparison for the pros, cons, and pricing.

Let’s do it!

Introducing: The Two Competitors (ThriveCart vs CartFlows)

Starting With ThriveCart:

ThriveCart is a specialized tool for easily creating optimized checkout pages for online business owners and marketers with the aim of boosting conversions at the checkout phase of their sales funnel.

Or online store. Whichever 😊

ThriveCart is a shopping cart solution founded by Josh Bartlett back in 2016. Since then the tool has been constantly updated (304 updates in 2018 alone!) with incredible features which made it stand against shopping cart giants in this space.

Like Samcart, PayKickStart, and a few others.

Apart from the fact that ThriveCart’s main goal is to skyrocket your sales and maximize your overall sales funnel profit – it also comes with quite a lot of features.

You might be familiar with them though.

Maybe?

Okay, here are some of what ThriveCart features:

• Funnel building feature
• Affiliate management center
• 1-Click upsells
• A/B testing
• Bump offers
• Mighty integrations
• And lots more…

We shall take a very close look at the core features of ThriveCart later down this comparison and how they’re similar and differ from CartFlows.

But for now – let’s see the overview of CartFlows.

Then For CartFlows

CartFlows, on the other hand, is a WordPress-based sales funnel builder that allows you to build any type of sales page and sales processes inside of your WordPress site.

CartFlows is a software founded by Adam Preiser and Sujay Pawar.

According to my findings, it was created to help those who can’t really afford a pricey funnel-building tool like ClickFunnels to put up their marketing pages.

But only on WordPress.

CartFlows also comes with quite a lot of (mouthwatering) features as a sales funnel software for WordPress sites (I think might interest you), plus some other parts that make it a competitor to ThriveCart.

I just want you to read closely and pay attention to both features as we go in deeper in this comparison – you’ll find out which of them really suits your needs.

Before then…

Here are some of the feature of CartFlows:

• WordPress based
• Funnel builder
• Bump orders
• 1-Click upsells
• Works with WooCommerce
• Mighty integrations
• Cart abandonments
• And lots more

I will say the above CartFlows features are just a scratch on the surface of what you can accomplish with this software.

Don’t worry.

As you’ll get to see everything you can accomplish with CartFlows and how these functions match up with ThriveCart.

Next section…

The BIG picture – ThriveCart Vs CartFlows (Features)

Here is the part where we take look at the individual features of CartFlows and ThriveCart, analyze what each of them can do in your business one after the other.

I do think after you might have gone through this – the vision of which to use will become clearer a bit.

What Can ThriveCart Do for You? – Complete Features

An online marketing tool like ThriveCart which serves as a medium for promoting your business and taking payments for your digital product, physical product, subscription-based services to your customers goes way beyond being a shopping cart solution.

No. it features go way beyond processing payments.

Here we go with the bigger (Thrivecart) picture…

#1: It gives you checkout page templates

ThriveCart comes with prebuilt checkout templates you can choose from to easily customize and brand the way your page looks.

It’s a pity that there are only four templates inside of ThriveCart (when writing this), but I must say that they’re pretty solid and everything has been laid out for you to just put in your elements.

Not just that.

Each of the four ThriveCart templates serves a different purpose.

Like you have the:

• One-step checkout template
• Two-step checkout template
• Embeddable checkout template AND
• The Popup checkout template

#2: ThriveCart accepts different payments and methods

Out of all the shopping cart tools I’ve seen so far – I would say that it’s only ThriveCart that supports the highest number of payment integrations.

Let us take a look.

The payment processors that integrate with ThriveCart are Authorize.net, PayPal, Stripe and Apple Pay.

Maybe you don’t know yet – ThriveCart is the only platform supporting Apple Pay. Meaning higher conversions from mobile users.

There are some upcoming integrations like Braintree and even a direct bank transfer option in the works.

Hmmm, cool?

Another interesting stuff I’d love to bring to your notice is the payment model selection and types you have access to customize the way you want within ThriveCart.

Let’s break it down…

• Offer different payment types. Single price, or multiple pricing options
• You can choose to set up to 17 currencies.
• Billing frequency (weekly, monthly yearly, etc.)
• Set a monthly or recurring price, one-time, payment plans (called split-pay) payment options
• Free trial, paid trials & auto-billing
• Quantity of product

#3:ThriveCart does A/B testing

Split testing is not really a new golden feature nor a new practice for marketers in this century. Marketers that test win.

Care to debate that?

ThriveCart does have a robust A/B testing feature built into it that allows you to split test variations of your products against each other.

Like how a normal split testing works – ThriveCart A/B will rotate the variations of the products for a period of time. Then show the winner at the end.

And not just split testing for products. As these can be same products with variations in pricing, design, formats, order bumps, etc.

Or maybe test entirely different products or services to see the one that performs the best.

#4: Upsells, DownSells, Coupons & Discounts

The ability to take advantage of upsells and downsells on your checkout is something that NOT all funnel building tools and page builders can carry out.

These are conversion and sales-boosting features. ThriveCart shines in this area as well.

Then for Coupons and Discounts.

There is a section called ThriveCart creation and management. This feature of ThriveCart lets you set a coupon code that is to be used by your customers (usually offered by affiliates) and also a discount code.

This takes us to the next ThriveCart feature…

#5: ThriveCart affiliate management system

Long even before discovered ThriveCart as a cart software. I’ve been on the platform as an affiliate of other people’s products. And I must say that the affiliate center feature is nice and easy to understand.

Where should I even begin?

The sale notification, 2^nd tier, custom commissions or?

You’ll find it easy to assign, manage and track your affiliates inside ThriveCart.

The only thing I don’t really like about the ThriveCart affiliate management platform is the payment option for affiliates.

As of when writing this only PayPal is supported.

#6: ThriveCart Integrations

When it comes to how ThriveCart fits into other of your marketing tools and resources – I would say that it supports quite a lot that almost nothing is left.

You can integrate with your favorite email service, membership site, CRM and page builders.

Let’s get real:

• ActiveCampaign
• MailChimp
• InfusionSoft
• AWeber
• GetResponse
• Ontraport
• Digital Access Pass
• HubSpot
• Wishlist Member
• Kunaki
• LeadPages
• ConvertKit
• Member Mouse
• OptimizePress
• Teachable
• Stripe
• iPhone/ApplePay/GooglePay
• PayPal
• ConvertKit
• Member Mouse
• Zapier integration (hundreds of other apps)

And more integrations to be added.

What Can CartFlows Do for You? – Complete Features

From what you can see above – we broke into ThriveCart and tore everything about it apart, right?

Now is CartFlows turn.

Don’t be surprised if CartFlows comes with a greater range of features and overall flexibility than ThriveCart.

As both CartFlows and ThriveCart serve different purposes entirely. CartFlows is known to be sales funnel creator for WordPress sites while ThriveCart is a special cart software for maxing conversions.

Preaching aside…

Here we go with the bigger picture of CartFlows…

#1: Pre-built templates

CartFlows funnel builder also provides pre-designed templates for you to use without re-inventing the wheel from scratch.

There are 4 free templates and 6 premium funnel templates to help you create your funnel process on WordPress.

The free CartFlows templates which you get in the free version comes with some limitation (more on this later) while the premium ones give you additional options to style your sales funnel to be awesome.

#2: Works with WordPress and WooCommerce

CartFlows integrates with WordPress and uses WooCommerce for the checkout and other stuff.

So, what this means is that for you to use CartFlows – you will need a hosting account and a domain (get it at bluehost.com) with WordPress and WooCommerce installed.

You can’t use CartFlows without WordPress and WooCommerce.

CartFlows does not support any payment gateways or payment model on its own. It makes use of any payment gateway supported by WooCommerce.

Payment gateways like:

• PayPal
• Stripe and
• Cash on delivery

CartFlows also works with existing WooCommerce extensions to take care of your other needs.

#3: Custom cart checkout fields

Custom cart checkout field option is a feature you won’t find on most checkout tools, including ThriveCart.

Let’s take for example you wish to add form fields like “country”, “gender”, “subscribe to our newsletter” or anything at all. CartFlows allows that.

But this feature is only available to PRO accounts of CartFlows only.

#4: Works with WordPress page builders

Let me also add that CartFlows templates can’t work without a WordPress page builder. But fortunately, it supports all the WordPress page-building tools. Elementor, Divi, Thrive Architect and Beaver builder.

Or should we say – CartFlows can’t function without WP page builders.

After choosing the templates, they will be imported to your (chosen) page builder where you can tidy and rearrange the elements to suit your branding.

#5: Order bump offers and Upsells

Bump orders and Upsells are both found inside of ThriveCart. And also found in CartFlows.

With an order bump, you’ll be able to offer related products on a discounted and one-time price. Something like a complimentary product, training or services.

For an upsell it’s always a high ticket or more expensive products or services. Sometimes it can be a one-time offer, a larger quantity of products, etc.

Just the way ThriveCart comes with templates for these sales boosting feature – CartFlows also includes upsells and downsells pages to import into your favorite WordPress page builder.

#6: CartFlows cart abandonment

This is the newest feature added to CartFlows.

The cart abandonment works by integrating CartFlows with your CRM to always trigger automatically whenever a prospect doesn’t complete a transaction at the checkout phase of your CartFlows sales funnel.

#6: CartFlows integration

Since CartFlows works on top of WordPress and WooCommerce on your acquired domain and hosting account – then we can say that almost all WordPress plugins and Woo extensions can be integrated into your CartFlows sales funnel.

So, anything software you wish to integrate must either be:

• WordPress feature
• WooCommerce feature
• WordPress plugin
• WooCommerce plugin/extension

Do you get the point?

CartFlows vs ThriveCart – Pricing

We are done talking about the key features and things inside CartFlows and ThriveCart. What about the cost of these tools?

Even though we haven’t compared them side-by-side (yet) – which we are going to do pretty soon.

No comparison is ever complete without putting the price and money value into consideration. Or are there any?

Starting with the pricing of ThriveCart:

Unlike the hundreds of software I’ve come across and over a dozen online marketing tools I use in my business – ThriveCart pricing differs from lots of them.

It’s not priced monthly nor yearly.

ThriveCart Lifetime deal is currently available at a one-time lifetime fee of $495 for all the standard shopping cart and checkout features and $690 for PRO features.

This checkout software is only available through the current pilot program at this heavily discounted price. With a 30days money-back guarantee.

From my research and the recent announcement in the ThriveCart community – the pilot program is supposed to end soon and ThriveCart will be priced starting from $95+/mo.

Click Here To See The Pilot Program Details.

As for CartFlows pricing:

The price of CartFlows is more favorable (at the initial stage) than that of ThriveCart.

I’m saying this because you can get a free plan of CartFlows to test the platform and build your first sales funnel without paying a dime. But this free plan is limited in lots of the cool features in CartFlows.

This is where you’ll need to upgrade to the PRO plan which costs $299 per year and $999 lifetime.

Both the yearly and lifetime cost of CartFlows includes premium templates, one-click upsells/downsells, support, custom checkout fields, bump offers, enhanced WooCommerce checkout and lots more.

To me, I don’t see much value in getting a free CartFlows account as a serious online business owner.

Maybe I just want to test the waters of creating a sales funnel with CartFlows or I need to put a simple thank you page.

The PRO version the path to go. For you who wants to build an established online business or eCommerce store for profits and revenue.

The winner?

In terms of CartFlows vs ThriveCart pricing – I would give it to ThriveCart as you get to commit once and forget about paying for another solution. I mean this is a lifetime deal!

ThriveCart is the WINNER here.

ThriveCart vs CartFlows – Customer Support

One of the critical things I look for in any SaaS product is: how good the customer is. For sure they should always have my back at all times, right?

Any roadblocks that may arise, whether it has to do with understanding how to use the software, potential technical challenges or even unscheduled software downtime…

We all deserve to have the appropriate support persons in place.

For ThriveCart support:

Being a part of the ThriveCart community myself – I would say it one of the most helpful support teams in the cart and sales funnel world, generally.

Let’s start with the documentation part which is filled with support articles on how-to’s of how to get your way around Thrivcart.

Then the Facebook community (over 10k members) is also active for any difficulty you might encounter with the platform.

If you’d like to speak to a one-on-one ThriveCart support person, then you just have to submit a ticket that (unfortunately) takes up to 24 hours to be attended to.

There are also tons of Thrivecart templates and examples to make your life easier.

For CartFlows support:

CartFlows also have a Facebook with about 4k members as to when writing this comparison article. There is also a helpful knowledgebase/documentation where you can search or look for anything related to CartFlows.

If you need to speak to a CartFlow customer representative – then you can raise and submit a ticket.

The winner?

When it comes to the customer support of both CartFlows and ThriveCart I give them a draw and none of them has a LiveChat feature.

Verdict? = Draw

Which Is The Better Option?

Now is the time for us to draw the final conclusion.

Please read this part carefully!

First of all, I will start by saying that ThriveCart can be used or embedded on pretty much any site of your choice. While CartFlows works inside the WordPress ecosystem, combined with WooCommerce.

That’s a BIG difference.

If you are in search of a shopping cart solution to use on pages, funnels or marketing platforms of your choice, CartFlows is NOT your guy here!

Secondly, when it comes to checkout design flexibility, CartFlows has more power here.

Due to the fact that CartFlows is based on WordPress – you can design and brand anything you need (using a page builder and all its elements) within WordPress.

But for ThriveCart:

Although you have some templates to work with and also customize them the way you want but NOT as flexible as CartFlows. In fact, there are more plugins and extensions (backed by developers) to work with on CartFlows.

But if I’m to be honest – using and getting the best from CartFlows requires the need for more plugins and extensions which could lead to potential glitches and slow-loading of my pages.

From my experience as a WP user myself, I know:

More plugins = Slower site

What Else Should I Know?

As you’ll definitely need a WordPress plugin or a WooCommerce feature to accomplish the following on CartFlows:

• Autoresponder integration
• Affiliate Center
• Webhooks
• Automatic receipts
• Digital Sales Tax
• Subscription management
• Retargeting
• Membership integrations
• Secure URLs
• Dunning functionality
• Apple Pay (not available)
• Quantity adjustments (not available)
• A/B testing (not available yet)
• Kunaki integration (not available)

From the above list – it’s clear that ThriveCart saves you a lot of duct-taping. And I also discovered that some of the WooCommerce extensions needed to make your funnel and checkout pages BOOM are paid.

Which means extra $$$ added to your CartFlows yearly payment. ☹

Hey!

Mind you that ThriveCart can NEVER do the Custom and Global Checkout thing. That’s a PLUS for CartFlows.

At the end of the day, it’s all left for you to settle with a solution that suits your business needs.

As I have done my part to analyze ThriveCart vs CartFlows pricing, features, and weaknesses for you in this in-depth piece.

Clearly, ThriveCart WINS!

You can access the private pilot program at https://thrivecart.com/private-pilotprogram/

Let me know your chosen option in the comment below.