ThriveCart vs Kajabi: The One-Time Fee That’s Beating the All-in-One Giant

Are you tired of paying high monthly fees just to run your online business? You’re not alone. Many creators are ditching their Kajabi subscriptions and switching to ThriveCart — a one-time payment tool that’s quietly outpacing the all-in-one giant. But is it really better for your business?

In this guide, we break down the features, pricing, and use cases of ThriveCart vs Kajabi so you can make the smartest decision for your digital business.

1. Core Purpose & Audience

• ThriveCart is built for one thing: making you more money at the checkout. It’s a high-converting shopping cart system perfect for selling physical and digital products, complete with affiliate management. Best for creators who already have a content platform or email service and want a plug-and-play cart that converts.
• Kajabi is a do-it-all platform designed for creators who want everything in one dashboard: course hosting, email marketing, websites, automation, and sales funnels. It’s ideal for those starting from scratch or who want to minimize tech stack complexity.

2. Side-by-Side Feature Comparison

3. Pricing Breakdown

ThriveCart:

• One-time fee: ~$495
• Learn+ (course hosting): +$195
• Total = $690 max, forever access

Kajabi:

• Starts at $149/month (Basic)
• Up to $399/month (Pro)
• No one-time option

Savings Insight: Over 3 years, ThriveCart could save you over $4,000 compared to Kajabi.

4. Flexibility vs Simplicity

• ThriveCart gives you flexibility and freedom. Choose your own email platform, course host, CRM, and content stack.
• Kajabi keeps it simple. Everything is in one place—no integrations needed, but you lose some control.

5. Real-World Use Cases

• ThriveCart: A creator selling planners used ThriveCart + ConvertKit + Podia and saved $3,200/year by dropping Kajabi.
• Kajabi: A mindset coach used Kajabi to launch a full online course with website, funnels, and email all in one weekend.

6. Strengths & Weaknesses

ThriveCart Pros:

• Powerful checkout flow tools
• Best-in-class affiliate management
• No recurring fees
• Sell both physical and digital products

ThriveCart Cons:

• No native blog or full site builder
• Requires other tools for email, hosting, etc.

Kajabi Pros:

• All-in-one business hub
• Visual automation builder
• Easy for non-tech users
• Professional course delivery

Kajabi Cons:

• Monthly costs add up fast
• Checkout and affiliate features are limited
• Less flexibility for advanced users

7. Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?

Choose ThriveCart if:

• You value flexibility, own other tools, and want to keep more profit
• You want a lifetime deal that pays for itself quickly
• You’re focused on conversions and sales optimization

Choose Kajabi if:

• You want a simple, no-code experience
• You need hosting, email, and marketing tools bundled in
• You’re launching courses, coaching, or memberships from scratch

FAQ

Can ThriveCart host courses?

Yes, with the Learn or Learn+ add-on.

Is Kajabi good for beginners?

Absolutely. Its UI and built-in tools make launching easy.

Can I use ThriveCart with WordPress?

Yes. Many creators embed ThriveCart checkout pages directly into WordPress.

Do they offer refunds or trials?

ThriveCart: 30-day refund guarantee. Kajabi: 14-day free trial.