If you are looking for a shopping cart solution and are confused about SamCart Vs ThriveCart, you’ve landed at the right post.
In this blog post, I will discuss these two shopping cart solutions, their best features, pricing, and the quality of service they provide. I will also provide enough comparative information so you can make an informed decision.
I have used SamCart and am familiar with its features and functionalities. I have also reviewed ThriveCart while looking for a shopping cart solution for selling my eBooks and online courses.
To write this comparison post, I reviewed both platforms again to find their latest features and offerings and provide you with the latest and most updated information. This post is updated as of May 2024.
Before I proceed, understand that SamCart and ThriveCart are both robust platforms that offer nearly the same features, and you can use any of them for your business.
These platforms will allow you to do the following:
- Create checkout pages
- Create embeddable checkout
- Create pop-up checkout
- Sell digital and physical products
- Sell online courses
- Create membership sites
- Enable subscription savers
- Enable abandoned cart recovery
- Enable payment plans
- Enable tax collection
- Perform affiliate management
You have seen the similarities between both eCommerce platforms; now let me show you their differences.
Before I start their comparison, it is necessary that you understand your requirements well so you can make the right decision. Often, the right choice for one business is not the best for another; it depends on individual requirements and preferences.
I. Background Information
Before I compare both platforms, I will share some background info on each.
What is SamCart?
SamCart was founded in 2014 as a shopping cart solution for creators to sell their products or services online. It is the brainchild of Brian and Scott Moran, brothers and co-founders of this popular cart platform.
This eCommerce platform is designed to simplify selling products and services online. It focuses on creating high-converting checkout pages and offers features like order bumps, one-click upselling, and subscription options to boost sales and customer retention.
Many creators have benefited from SamCart. Since its launch, SamCart has powered over 77,000 businesses and helped them sell over 10 million products, generating over 4.0 billion dollars in revenue.
What is ThriveCart?
ThriveCart was founded by Josh Bartlett in 2016. ThriveCart also provides checkout services to sell products and services. It provides tools for creating shopping carts, managing affiliates, and setting up automated sales funnels. ThriveCart is famous for offering a lifetime pricing model.
ThriveCart has helped its customers convert their carts and sell over 16 million products, bringing in 2.6 billion in revenues.
II. Features and Functionality Comparison
Checkout Pages
SamCart lets you create optimized checkout pages with little effort.
It provides dozens of done-for-you templates that you can edit and customize according to your needs using a drag-and-drop editor. You can create multiple versions of a checkout page, run AB to know which performs best, and select the top-performing checkout page.
ThriveCart also lets you create unlimited checkout pages, but their templates are mediocre, and the page builder is obsolete and slow.
Unlimited Products
SamCart and ThriveCart will let you create unlimited checkout pages and sell unlimited products. Regardless of your pricing plan, they don’t charge a transaction fee.
Digital Wallets
SamCart allows your customers to pay through digital wallets like Google Pay, Microsoft Pay, and Apple Pay, along with traditional payments like credit cards and PayPal.
They also auto-apply tax based on your customer’s location and add it to their checkout page. They provide different language and currency support to improve conversion, so your cart looks native to the customers according to their language and region.
ThriveCart provides the same but has more currency and language selection choices.
Upselling, Cross-Selling, and Order Bumping
If you have multiple products, you can offer upselling, cross-selling, and order bumps during the checkout process, which can help you increase the sale’s value and provide the customer with better value for their purchase.
ThriveCart provides the same features, but using them is more tedious than using SamCart. ThriveCart provides a feature to clone the funnel. You can clone the funnel for other products; SamCart does not offer this cloning feature.
Pay-What-You-Want
This feature lets customers decide how much they pay for your product or service. Non-profit organizations usually use this feature for donations. Both platforms offer this feature.
Subscription Saver
When the payment due date is near, and the system detects that the payment information has expired or cannot process the transaction for any reason, SamCart and ThriveCart will email customers and ask them to take necessary actions to renew the subscription without any issues.
Course Creation
Both platforms allow you to create courses. They provide course-creation features (e.g., auto-enrollment, easy checkout pages, content tier-plan bundling, and more). You can also create a simple membership site and sell your courses to your audience.
The course-creation feature for both platforms is basic, and if you want to launch an online school, I recommend that you use online course management software.
Integrations
SamCart and ThriveCart integrate with dozens of applications, so you can use any third-party service you may require, such as email marketing. It also supports Zapier, which allows you to integrate SamCart with over 5,000 applications. You can connect SamCart with your favorite tools like HubSpot, MailChimp, WordPress, etc.
Native Payment Processor
SamCart offers a native payment processor, “SamPay.” With it, you won’t need to integrate third-party payment processors such as Stripe to collect the payment. Creating an account with SamCart is enough; you can start selling products immediately and receiving payments without hassle.
ThriveCart does not offer this feature.
JV Contract
This feature is helpful for joint-venture businesses. ThriveCart lets you create partner profiles, create contracts, and distribute revenue from the business. You can share your profit according to the agreed percentage.
This feature is not available in SamCart.
Cart Abandonment
ThriveCart and SamCart let you recover sales from customers who have abandoned the cart. You can set up automated follow-up emails to your customers and control and manage revised affiliate commissions when you offer customers a discount to complete the purchase.
Winner
Although both platforms offer similar features, SamCart is the winner because:
- SamCart has better, more professional checkout templates. ThriveCart’s templates are old and outdated.
- SamCart has a modern, user-friendly interface, while ThriveCart has an outdated interface and a steep learning curve.
- SamCart offers a native payment processor called “SamPay.” ThriveCart does not offer any native payment processor; you must integrate a third-party application to collect payments.
III. My Experience with SamCart and ThriveCart and the Key Differences Between Both Platforms
ThriveCart and SamCart offer similar features, but the difference lies in their usage and the interface’s simplicity.
SamCart is simple to use and requires no learning curve. Its interface is modern and clutter-free. I was able to use the platform immediately after creating the account. It is effortless to work with. You can create a checkout page and start selling your products quickly.
ThriveCart’s interface is outdated, and it seems they haven’t updated it in years. ThriveCart provides many features, and the dashboard is cluttered with many options, which confuses new users. I found their dashboard difficult, and I believe the learning curve for new users will be too steep.
Pricing is another key difference between SamCart and ThriveCart. ThriveCart offers a lifetime payment plan, where you pay once and use it for life. SamCart is based on a monthly subscription model, which you must pay monthly.
Both platforms provide similar features. You have subscription saver, cart abandonment, and auto sales tax calculator features. You can sell unlimited digital, physical, and course products and create unlimited checkout pages.
Both platforms provide affiliate management and conversion boosting features and integrate many popular third-party applications. You can have almost all payment processor integration.
[I see many comparison posts on SamCart vs. ThriveCart stating that ThriveCart offers more payment processors than SamCart and does not offer ApplePay or GooglePay. This is false information; SamCart provides a similar payment processor and offers support for digital wallets such as ApplePay and GooglePay.]
Although both platforms let you create unlimited checkout pages, SamCart provides beautiful, professional, and optimized templates that you can use quickly to start selling your product with a few modifications. With ThriveCart, you must build checkout pages manually or purchase them separately from a third party.
I am not a fan of the two-step checkout process, as it requires more steps and forms to complete the transaction, which may increase abandoned carts. However, you may need it to sell some physical products. SamCart does not offer this feature; only ThriveCart does.
Regarding courses, SamCart allows you to upload video courses on its platform, while ThriveCart does not. You must use a third-party service like YouTube to upload videos and embed them on your site.
The SamCart interface looks modern and professional, while ThriveCart looks old and outdated. Also, you can test SamCart with its free trial, while ThriveCart does not. You must purchase the software for 600 USD, and only then can you test its features. Note that ThriveCart offers a money-back guarantee.
Target Audience for SamCart and ThriveCart
Both SamCart and ThriveCart target entrepreneurs and businesses selling digital products online, but there can be some nuance depending on specific needs:
SamCart
- Ideal for: Small businesses, course creators, and solopreneurs who are new to selling online or want a user-friendly platform.
- Reasons: SamCart is known for its simplicity and ease of use. Its monthly pricing plans offer a free trial and a lower barrier to entry, making it attractive for those starting. Additionally, features like built-in membership sites cater well to course creators.
ThriveCart
- Ideal for: Established businesses, experienced entrepreneurs, and those prioritizing advanced features and customization.
- Reasons: ThriveCart offers a one-time fee, which can be cost-effective in the long run for those planning to use the platform consistently. Its strength lies in customization options and features like A/B testing for optimizing sales funnels. These features can benefit established businesses looking to refine their sales strategies.
Does ThriveCart Offer More Features than SamCart?
Yes, this is true. ThriveCart offers more customization options and features than SamCart.
- Checkout Page Customization: ThriveCart offers extensive customization options for checkout pages. You can use custom HTML and CSS for advanced customization. In SamCart, advanced customization options are limited. You don’t have custom HTML or CSS customization.
- Bump Offers: ThriveCart allows highly customizable bump offers on the checkout page. You can add multiple bump offers and choose specific conditions under which they appear. In SamCart, you can add a single bump offer but do not have the same degree of control over its conditions.
- Recurring Billing and Subscription Management: ThriveCart provides detailed customization for subscription plans, including trial periods, payment intervals, and pricing. You can set up complex billing models and manage subscriptions easily. SamCart offers subscription billing but with fewer customization options.
- Conversion Boosting Elements: ThriveCart allows you to build two-step funnels, add video pop-ups, and have greater control over autoresponders. SamCart does not offer these features and provides less control over autoresponders.
How SamCart Interface is More User Friendly and Modern Than ThriveCart
SamCart has a clean and modern design. It uses a clean, minimalist aesthetic with clear menus and uncluttered layouts. This makes it feel more intuitive and easier on the eyes than ThriveCart’s interface, which has a slightly dated look. SamCart’s modern color palette feels fresh and inviting, while ThriveCart’s color scheme is less contemporary.
SamCart is designed for easy navigation. It has a straightforward layout, clear menus, and easy access to frequently used features This simplicity is beneficial for new users, allowing them to quickly get started and find what they need.
IV. Pros and Cons of ThriveCart and SamCart
SamCart Pros
- Professional Checkout Templates: SamCart’s checkout-page templates are professionally developed and top-notch. You can use them for your checkout pages with a few modifications. These templates have a proven record of improved conversion.
- Beginner Friendly: SamCart is a beginner-friendly platform with no learning curve. Even a newbie can open an account and start selling products. It has a modern, clean interface.
- Native Payment Processor: SamCart provides a native payment processor based on Stripe, so you won’t need a third-party payment processor. I like this feature, as payment processing is crucial in online selling, and no other shopping cart service provides it natively.
- CreatorU: SamCart provides CreatorU, which is an online university for using platforms and learning the best marketing strategies and practices for selling products. ThriveCart does not offer any such feature. SamCart provides free courses from many renowned marketers.
- Free Trial: This is not a key advantage of SamCart, but I am mentioning it because ThriveCart does not offer this feature. SamCart offers a seven-day free trial.
SamCart Cons
- High Price: SamCart is expensive. To get all its features, you must subscribe to the highest-paid plan, which costs around 300 USD per month.
- Restricted Features: SamCart’s basic plan has restricted features. Affiliate management and AB testing are unavailable in SamCart’s lower plans.
ThriveCart Pros
- One-Time Price: ThriveCart is much cheaper than SamCart. For a one-time fee, you can use it forever.
- Joint Venture: This feature allows you to automatically share revenue among instructors. I like this feature, and SamCart does not have it.
- Payment Processor: With ThriveCart, you can assign different payment processors to various products. With SamCart, you cannot.
ThriveCart Cons
- No Free Trial: ThriveCart does not offer a free trial, and you must buy the software to test the features. I did not like this policy.
- No Free Upgrades: Although you can buy ThriveCart’s software for life with a one-time payment, you won’t get free future upgrades. You are locked into the version you purchased. With SamCart, you will always get the latest, most updated software version. You can find the following information on the footer of ThriveCart’s website:
- Outdated Interface: ThriveCart’s interface is old and obsolete. It will take time to get used to it.
- Steep Learning Curve: ThriveCart has a steep learning curve, and you must invest time into learning and understanding the software.
- Outdated Template and Page Builder: ThriveCart’s templates are old and obsolete. You must design your checkout and landing pages professionally. ThriveCart’s page builder is old and slow.
- Training: Although ThriveCart offers in-depth documents, it lacks the high-quality training provided by SamCart.
V. Pricing and Plans
Honestly, I don’t like the pricing of either platform. SamCart is pricey, and ThriveCart locks you into the first-purchased version of the software. To use the latest features, you will always have to repurchase the most updated version.
Let’s start with the SamCart pricing.
SamCart
SamCart has three plans: launch, grow, and scale. Their monthly rates for the plans are 59, 119, and 299. If you subscribe to their yearly plans, the monthly rates will be reduced to 39, 79, and 199.
All plans include these core features:
- Drag-and-drop page builder
- Template library
- Unlimited products and pages
- Unlimited courses
- Unlimited memberships
- Unlimited video uploads
- Student quizzes
- No transaction fees
Visit the SamCart Pricing Page
SamCart’s paid plans are disappointing. The Launch and Grow plans don’t offer many conversion-boosting features. For example, affiliate management is only available in the Scale plan, which is the highest-paid plan. I believe this feature should be included in the Launch plan.
ThriveCart
ThriveCart offers a lifetime account, for which you pay just 495 USD to unlock all its features—except for the following:
- Custom domain function
- JV contracts
- Simple sales tax functionality
- Affiliate center
- Subscription saver functionality
- Business projections
- Client usage rights
To have all the features mentioned above, upgrade to the Pro plan, which will cost 195 USD more. ThriveCart also charges extra for Affiliate Center; it seems they took a hint from the SamCart pricing.
So you get the entire ThriveCart platform for 690 USD, and you won’t need to pay again.
Though I see on the site that you will get the current version of the software and no grade will be given, I contacted ThriveCart customer care to understand the meaning of a lifetime offer.
Below is their response.
They told me that I must pay again to use the most upgraded software version. This means that you can only use the same software version for life. This is weird, and surprisingly, no other SamCart vs. ThriveCart post mentions this condition. They all recommend ThriveCart because of the lifetime offer, but they do not provide any details on the cost of updated versions.
Winner
In my opinion, the winner is SamCart.
Though you get lifetime access to ThriveCart for a one-time payment, note that you are locked with the same version of the software you have purchased. You won’t get any future upgrades.
You must use the old and outdated software for the rest of your life.
With SamCart, you will always have access to the latest version of the platform.
I have also noticed that customer support is poor for a platform offering a lifetime plan because they don’t have the incentive to serve you. Initially, they will respond to you, but later, they may not care about your concerns.
I have experienced it. I have purchased a lifetime plan for Groove.cm, and now they don’t respond to my support emails. They also don’t allow me to post my concerns on the Facebook group.
However, the opposite is true with the subscription-based system. They must keep their users happy so they can continue paying for the service.
So, SamCart is the winner for this section.
VI. Customer Support, Documentation, and Training
SamCart
SamCart provides basic knowledge and many video tutorials to help you understand the platform and its features. SamCart offers CreatorU University, in which you can find free courses from renowned marketers to improve your product creation and marketing skills.
Their support team is available Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM CT time. You can email their customer-support address at [email protected], and they will respond within 24 hours.
They also have live chat support.
ThriveCart
ThriveCart also provides an in-depth knowledge base and tutorials on understanding its platform and using its features.
For customer support, you can email [email protected], and they will get back to you. ThriveCart does not offer live chat.
Winner
SamCart wins as they provide live chat support and CreatorU University.
VII. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How do SamCart and ThriveCart compare in terms of features?
Both platforms offer similar features. SamCart provides more detailed analytics and reporting, while ThriveCart has limited reporting capabilities. SamCart offers a native payment gateway, while ThriveCart does not.
Q2: Which platform is more user-friendly?
SamCart has a more user-friendly interface, making setting up and managing your online store easier. ThriveCart’s interface can be overwhelming for some users, especially those unfamiliar with eCommerce platforms.
Q3: Can I use SamCart and ThriveCart for physical and digital products?
Both platforms allow you to sell physical and digital products. You can also create subscription products and payment plans.
Q4: Can I use SamCart and ThriveCart with my existing website?
Both platforms will allow you to integrate their checkout pages with your existing website. You can also use them as standalone platforms if you don’t have a website.
Q5: Which is better: SamCart or ThriveCart?
SamCart and ThriveCart provide similar features; however, SamCart is modern and constantly updated software that offers better and more responsive support.
VIII. Conclusion: Which Platform is Better Platform? My Honest Opinion!
Until a few years ago, it was right to say that ThriveCart provides many more features than SamCart, but that’s not true now. SamCart has updated its platform and is now as feature-rich as ThriveCart. SaaS moves fast.
I still see many comparison posts saying that ThriveCart offers many more features than SamCart, which is invalid. Now, both software has nearly similar features, and for an average user, it makes no difference.
However, I believe SamCart is better than ThriveCart for two main reasons:
- It has a better, more modern interface; it provides high-quality professional templates, and it has no learning curve. The platform is straightforward to use.
- You will always have the latest, most updated software version, which is impossible with ThriveCart. Once you purchase ThriveCart, you will be locked into the same version with the same features and will not receive any upgrades.
ThriveCart has only one positive, which is its pricing strategy.
You might be wondering why many bloggers recommend ThriveCart. It is because of the high commission they get from selling ThriveCart. I have reviewed many SamCart vs. ThriveCart comparison posts, and no one is saying that you will be locked into the version you buy and you won’t get any free upgrades, but they praise the one-time fee and recommend the software solely based on this feature.
I also don’t like SamCart’s pricing strategy. They don’t provide many essential features in the basic plan, such as Affiliate Management, whereas almost all similar software platforms offer this feature in the basic plan.
SamCart should show more generosity in providing features in low-end plans.
However, in terms of overall comparison, I find SamCart to be better than ThriveCart.
Click here to open an account with SamCart
Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase after clicking. Please understand that I recommend these resources because they are useful, not just because of my commissions. Please do not purchase unless you need the materials to achieve your goals. Read the disclaimer.
I am Mohammad Fahad Usmani, B.E. PMP, PMI-RMP. I have been blogging on project management topics since 2011. To date, thousands of professionals have passed the PMP exam using my resources.
