The debate between ThriveCart vs. SamCart is one that many entrepreneurs face when choosing the best tool to optimize their checkout process. Both platforms excel at boosting conversions, simplifying sales funnels, and scaling your business—but which one is the right fit for you?
To help you decide, we’ll break down a detailed ThriveCart vs. SamCart comparison, covering key features, pricing, pros and cons, and use cases. By the end, you’ll know exactly which platform aligns with your business goals and budget
⚡ Overview
Feature
ThriveCart
SamCart
Type
Shopping Cart & Funnel Builder
Shopping Cart & Checkout System
Launched
2016
2014
Ideal For
Digital marketers, course creators, agencies
Creators selling digital products, services, and memberships
⭐ ThriveCart vs. SamCart: Core Features Comparison
Here’s a snapshot of how both platforms stack up in essential features. Use this table to quickly compare their strengths and limitations before we dive deeper into each.
Feature
ThriveCart
SamCart
One-time & subscription payments
✓
✓
Upsells & downsells
✓
✓
A/B Testing
✓
✓ (higher plans)
Checkout templates
✓ (limited but customizable)
✓ (modern and more polished)
Drag & Drop Builder
🟡 (basic)
✓ (advanced, more visual)
Affiliate Management
✓ (built-in)
✓ (only in Scale Plan)
Sales Tax/VAT
✓
✓
Integrations
✓ (wide range)
✓ (similar, slightly fewer native options)
Built-in LMS
✓ (via ThriveCart Learn)
✓ (via SamCart Courses – more visual)
Mobile Optimization
✓
✓
Support
Email support, Knowledgebase, Community
Email support, live chat (Scale plan), Knowledgebase
There are several deeper aspects worth diving into when comparing ThriveCart vs. SamCart, especially if you're serious about scaling your business or handling digital product delivery efficiently.
Here's a breakdown of six critical dimensions that deserve a closer look:
1. Course Delivery / LMS Capabilities
Not all checkout tools handle courses equally—here’s how both platforms support (or limit) your LMS needs.
ThriveCart Learn:
Included free (Learn Basic), or with Pro features (Learn+).
No monthly fees.
Basic, but clean and fast interface.
You can create modules, lessons, drip content, set prerequisites, and segment users.
No community/forum system built-in, but integrates well with Circle.so or Discourse.
SamCart Courses:
Built into all plans, but best on Grow and above.
Visually superior — drag-and-drop interface, video hosting, layout design.
Has progress tracking and certificates (Scale plan).
Better suited for creators focused on user experience and branding.
👉 Deep Insight:
If you’re looking for a visually polished course platform to impress students, SamCart wins. But if you prefer to keep costs down and need the basics to deliver content reliably, ThriveCart Learn+ is more than enough.
2. Affiliate Management System
If affiliates drive your sales, their built-in tracking and payout features could make or break your choice.
Set approval flows, auto-pay, affiliate T&Cs, and affiliate-specific bonuses.
SamCart
Only included in the Scale Plan ($299/month).
Very similar features — but no 2-tier system.
Has affiliate dashboard and tracking, but lacks ThriveCart's depth.
👉 Deep Insight:
ThriveCart’s affiliate system is on par with paid affiliate SaaS tools like PostAffiliatePro — and you get it with a one-time upgrade. SamCart is powerful too but costly.
3. Pricing Logic & Automation
Flexible pricing tiers, payment plans, and dunning management vary significantly between the two.
Both offer:
One-time, subscription, pay-what-you-want models.
Free trials, setup fees, discounts, and coupon logic.
But ThriveCart also allows:
“Pay your own price” offers.
Auto-resume subscriptions, retry logic, and dunning emails (recover failed payments).
More logic-based rules like: “If X coupon is used, show Y upsell.”
👉 If you're doing advanced marketing automation or custom funnel behavior, ThriveCart has more flexibility without requiring custom development.
4. Funnel Logic, Bumps & Upsells
Subtle differences in one-click upsells, order bumps, and post-purchase sequences can impact your revenue.
ThrivecartSamcart
Both have:
1-click upsells/downsells.
Order bumps.
Pre-purchase upsells.
Post-purchase thank you page editing.
But:
SamCart offers a drag-and-drop funnel builder and great design control.
ThriveCart has a funnel editor, but the UI is less modern (yet still powerful).
👉 Decision factor:
Want to map out and test full funnels with a drag-and-drop view? SamCart has better funnel visualization. Prefer functional, no-frills flows? ThriveCart works just fine.
5. Analytics, Reporting & A/B Testing
Data-driven sellers should compare how deeply each platform lets you track—and optimize—performance.
ThriveCart
Offers A/B testing on pages, bump offers, and upsells.
Has real-time data, export options, and integration with 3rd-party analytics tools.
SamCart
Cleaner and more visual dashboard.
Built-in revenue forecasts, average order value trends.
Better customer LTV and subscription analytics (Grow and Scale plans).
👉 If data visibility and dashboard aesthetics matter, SamCart has the edge — but ThriveCart gives you all the essential metrics, and you can extend it via integrations (e.g., with Google Analytics or Segment).
More native integrations for affiliate and LMS tools.
Supports webhook & API-level integrations.
SamCart
Simpler to connect.
Fewer native integrations, but very beginner-friendly Zapier support.
👉 If you need flexibility and long-term scalability, ThriveCart has more robust integration logic. If you're looking for plug-and-play simplicity, SamCart is better out of the box.
💵 Pricing
Cost structures differ beyond the surface—let’s break down plans, hidden fees, and long-term value.
