ThriveCart vs Kajabi: which should you choose?
Quick answer: ThriveCart is built for high-converting checkouts, while Kajabi suits established creators and coaches. For most users Kajabi is the stronger default, but ThriveCart can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case. Kajabi has the lower entry price.
If you're weighing ThriveCart against Kajabi, the right answer depends on your priorities. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| ThriveCart | Kajabi | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | checkout + course platform | all-in-one course platform |
| What it's known for | High-converting checkout and cart platform with a built-in course tool (Learn / Learn+) and affiliate management, sold mostly as a one-time license. | Premium all-in-one platform combining courses, memberships, email marketing, funnels, website and payments in a single subscription. |
| Pricing | Typically a one-time lifetime license (~$495-690 depending on Standard vs Pro/Learn+), rather than a monthly subscription. | No free plan; Kickstarter from ~$89/mo, Basic from ~$149/mo, Growth and Pro tiers higher (annual billing discounts). |
| Best audience | Sellers who want a high-converting one-time-license cart, with courses bundled as a secondary feature. | Established creators and coaches running a real business who want everything in one platform without plugins. |
| Best for | High-converting checkouts, One-time license (no monthly fee), Courses bundled with carts | Established creators and coaches, All-in-one (no plugins), High-ticket course businesses |
| Entry price | $495 one-time | $179/mo ($143 annual) |
| Biggest strength | One-time lifetime license on Standard (no monthly fee). | Genuine all-in-one, replaces several separate subscriptions. |
| Main caveat | Learn and Learn+ course tools are being deprecated (no further updates); ThriveAcademy is the separate replacement. | Expensive: no plan under $179/mo monthly billing in 2026. |
Features compared
Where they really diverge is in the day-to-day feature set:
ThriveCart key features
- High-converting checkout and cart pages
- Order bumps, upsells and A/B testing
- Built-in affiliate management
- Learn course builder (being deprecated; ThriveAcademy replacing)
Kajabi key features
- All-in-one: courses, memberships, coaching and digital products
- Email marketing and marketing automations
- Sales funnels (Pipelines) and landing pages
- Website builder and blog
Pricing tiers side by side
ThriveCart plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $495 one-time | Genuine lifetime, no recurring |
| Pro+ | $790 one-time | Renews $295/yr from year 2 |
| Ultimate Bundle | $985 one-time | Includes Learn+, renews $295/yr |
Kajabi plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $179/mo ($143 annual) | Entry tier |
| Growth | $249/mo ($199 annual) | Adds advanced automations + affiliate program |
| Pro | $499/mo ($399 annual) | Adds API access |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where ThriveCart wins
A lifetime-license checkout platform with a built-in (but now sunsetting) course tool, bought once rather than monthly.
- One-time lifetime license on Standard (no monthly fee).
- Excellent high-converting checkout with bumps/upsells.
That makes it the stronger pick for sellers who want a high-converting one-time-license cart, with courses bundled as a secondary feature.
Where Kajabi wins
The premium all-in-one for creators who want courses, email, funnels and a site under one roof and will pay for it.
- Genuine all-in-one, replaces several separate subscriptions.
- 0% platform transaction fees (you only pay processing).
That makes it the stronger pick for established creators and coaches running a real business who want everything in one platform without plugins.
Verdict: choose by fit
Pick by fit rather than by an overall score.
- Choose ThriveCart if you fit its core audience — sellers who want a high-converting one-time-license cart, with courses bundled as a secondary feature.
- Choose Kajabi if you fit its core audience — established creators and coaches running a real business who want everything in one platform without plugins.
FAQ
Is ThriveCart better than Kajabi?
Kajabi is the stronger default for most users, but ThriveCart can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between ThriveCart and Kajabi?
ThriveCart is a lifetime-license checkout platform with a built-in (but now sunsetting) course tool, bought once rather than monthly. Kajabi is the premium all-in-one for creators who want courses, email, funnels and a site under one roof and will pay for it.
Which is cheaper, ThriveCart or Kajabi?
Entry pricing differs: ThriveCart starts at $495 one-time, while Kajabi starts at $179/mo ($143 annual). Compare the tiers above against your usage.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for ThriveCart and Kajabi: