- ThriveCart alternatives side by side
- Ten ThriveCart alternatives to consider
- You might not need a cart tool at all
- What to look for in cart software
- How to move products to a new cart
- Cart switching mistakes to avoid
- Questions to ask before you swap cart tools
- Three setups that work for creators
- My take on ThriveCart alternatives
- Frequently asked questions
ThriveCart alternatives are other cart and checkout tools for selling courses, coaching, downloads and memberships online. All-in-one platforms suit creators who want funnels, email and courses together, while simple shops suit people selling a few products. Before you switch, check whether you even need a cart tool, because a payment link may be enough.
ThriveCart is popular with course creators for its checkout pages and upsells. But depending on what you sell, a lighter shop or an all-in-one platform might suit you better.
Here are ten ThriveCart alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, from simple digital shops to all-in-one creator platforms. Each description comes from the vendor's own website, re-checked today. If you're building a funnel around your offer, my lead magnet funnel build checklist covers the steps before checkout.
Think about how many products you sell. One product needs a simple page, while a catalogue of courses needs a full store.
And think about the rest of your stack. Some tools include email and courses, while others connect to the tools you already use.
ThriveCart alternatives side by side
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a free version, free plan or open-source download, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated. Free versions tend to have limits, so check what's included before you build around one.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fungies | Digital commerce platform | Games and software | Trial only |
| Paddle | Merchant of record platform | Software subscriptions | Yes |
| Payhip | Digital product shop | Simple creator stores | Yes |
| PayKickstart | Checkout and subscription platform | Upsells and subscriptions | Trial only |
| Polar | Developer selling platform | Developer products | Yes |
| SamCart | Checkout platform | Polished checkout pages | Trial only |
| Selar | Creator commerce platform | Selling to many countries | Yes |
| Sellfy | Creator store builder | Digital and print products | Trial only |
| SendOwl | Digital delivery platform | Adding checkout to any site | Trial only |
| Systeme.io | All-in-one marketing platform | Funnels, email and courses | Yes |
Ten ThriveCart alternatives to consider
Fungies
Best for: Game and software makers who want a storefront for digital goods.
Paddle
Best for: Software companies who want subscriptions with tax and compliance handled.
Payhip
Best for: Creators who want a simple shop for downloads, courses and memberships.
PayKickstart
Best for: Businesses who want subscriptions, upsells and partner tracking in one checkout.
Polar
Best for: Developers who want to sell software and subscriptions with little setup.
SamCart
Best for: Coaches and creators who want polished checkout pages with upsells.
Selar
Best for: Creators who want to sell digital products to buyers across many countries.
Sellfy
Best for: Creators who want a store for digital products and print-on-demand items.
SendOwl
Best for: Sellers who want secure delivery and checkout added to their current site.
Systeme.io
Best for: Solo business owners who want funnels, email, courses and checkout together.
You might not need a cart tool at all
Here's an option people overlook. Stripe's own documentation describes Payment Links as a way to accept payments online without writing code, on a Stripe-hosted page you can share as a link.
If you sell one product or a simple service, a payment link plus a delivery email might be all you need. Cart tools earn their keep when you want upsells, bundles, partner tracking or many products, so be honest about which camp you're in.
What to look for in cart software
- Upsells: order bumps and one-click offers.
- Delivery: courses, downloads and access emails.
- Subscriptions: recurring products and trials.
- Tax: who handles it for international buyers.
- Integrations: email and course tools.
How to move products to a new cart
- List every product and every link you've shared.
- Rebuild your best-selling product first.
- Test a purchase and a refund.
- Redirect or update old links.
- Move the rest of your products.
Cart switching mistakes to avoid
- Breaking old links. Redirect or update them.
- Forgetting access. Existing buyers must keep their content.
- Skipping refund tests. Know how it works first.
- Overbuilding. Start with what sells.
If ads feed your offers, my retargeting funnel mini-guide shows how to bring visitors back to checkout.
Questions to ask before you swap cart tools
Changing cart software affects every product link you've ever shared, so plan it.
- Can old product links redirect to new ones?
- How are partner referrals tracked?
- Does it connect to your email tool?
- Can you sell courses, downloads and subscriptions?
- Who handles tax for international customers?
Move one product first, test it, then update the rest.
Three setups that work for creators
Starting out with one offer? A simple shop or a payment link gets you selling today, and you can add more later.
Building a product range? A store with bundles, coupons and delivery emails saves you stitching tools together.
Running everything yourself? An all-in-one platform with funnels, email and courses means fewer logins and fewer things to break.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Do you make creator selling tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My take on ThriveCart alternatives
Match the tool to your offer, not to what other creators use. A single course and a growing product range need very different setups, and it's fine to start small.
And protect your old links. Every link in an old email or video should still lead somewhere useful after you move, because you'll never find them all.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a cart tool to sell a course?
Not always. A payment link can work for one simple product.
What's the difference between a cart and a course platform?
A cart handles checkout. A course platform hosts lessons.
Can I sell subscriptions?
Most cart tools support recurring products.
Who handles tax with these tools?
It depends. Merchant of record platforms handle it for you.
Can I add upsells?
Many tools include order bumps and one-click upsells.
Can I use my own domain?
Some tools let you use your own domain for checkout.
Can partners promote my products?
Several tools include partner or referral tracking.
How do I move existing customers?
Export customer lists and set up access in the new tool.
Can I sell physical products?
Some tools support physical goods. Check first.
Should I choose an all-in-one platform?
It suits solo owners who want fewer tools.
Can I offer instalments?
Several cart tools support instalments and subscriptions.
Do cart tools host my course?
Some include course hosting, and others connect to a separate platform.
Can I bundle several products?
Many cart tools support bundles at checkout.
Can I run a free trial for a membership?
Several tools support trials before a subscription starts.
Do cart tools integrate with email marketing?
Most connect to popular email tools to tag buyers.
Can I sell in more than one language?
Some checkout pages can be translated. Check before you rely on it.
What happens to customers if I switch?
Plan access carefully so existing buyers keep their content.
Do I need a separate course platform?
Not if your cart tool includes course hosting.
