SamCart vs ThriveCart
SamCart edges it for most people — course and digital-product sellers optimizing conversion — but ThriveCart is the better pick if you're creators wanting to own their cart outright.
SamCart
Conversion-focused checkout pages with 1-click upsells and zero platform fees.
$59/mo
- No platform fee — keep your revenue minus processing
- Strong upsell/bump tooling that lifts AOV
- Purpose-built for high-converting checkouts
- Pricier entry point than pay-per-sale carts
- No free tier and only a 7-day trial
ThriveCart
Pay-once lifetime checkout with upsells, affiliates and zero platform fees.
$495/mo
- One-time price — no recurring platform cost ever
- No fee taken on your sales
- Powerful upsell and bump funnels
- High upfront cost vs. monthly carts
- No free trial — pay to access
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Side by side
| SamCart | ThriveCart | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $59/mo | $495/mo |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | 7 days | — |
| Transaction fees | 0% platform fee (only Stripe/PayPal processing) | 0% platform fee (only Stripe/PayPal processing) |
| User rating | 4.4/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Founded | 2014 | 2016 |
Best for…
Choose SamCart if
- Course and digital-product sellers optimizing conversion
- Creators who want upsells without a revenue cut
Choose ThriveCart if
- Creators wanting to own their cart outright
- Sellers optimizing for upsells and AOV
What you'll pay
SamCart vs ThriveCart — monthly cost
These plans are flat-rate — the price doesn't change with your audience size. Here's the monthly cost, cheapest first.
Frequently asked questions
Is SamCart or ThriveCart better?
SamCart scores higher on our composite (4.0 vs 3.8), mainly on value and features. But ThriveCart wins for specific cases — creators wanting to own their cart outright and sellers optimizing for upsells and aov. Neither is "best" universally; it depends on your situation.
Which is cheaper, SamCart or ThriveCart?
SamCart has the lower entry price ($59/mo). Watch transaction fees too — SamCart keep more of each sale. Use the calculator below for your real cost.
More: all checkout & carts · SamCart alternatives · ThriveCart alternatives