ClickFunnels is one of the most recognised names in sales funnel software — but it is also one of the most expensive. At $97/month for the basic plan and $297/month for the Pro plan, it is simply out of reach for most beginners who are just getting started building their online business.
I have tested and compared the top funnel-building platforms available to USA and UK beginners in 2026. In this guide, I will walk you through the seven best ClickFunnels alternatives — what each one does well, where it falls short, who it is best for, and exactly how much it costs. No fluff, no sponsored rankings — just honest, tested advice.
Why Are Beginners Looking for ClickFunnels Alternatives?
The answer is almost always price — but it is not only price. Here are the four main reasons beginners walk away from ClickFunnels:
1. The cost is hard to justify when starting out. The Starter plan is $97/month. The Pro plan is $297/month. For a beginner who has not yet made a single sale, paying nearly $1,200 per year just for funnel software is a serious commitment. Most alternatives on this list offer the same core features for $30–$50/month — or even for free.
2. Email marketing is not included in the base plan. You need to connect a separate email service provider, which adds another $20–$50/month to your bill. Competitors like Systeme.io include email automation in every plan, including the free one.
3. The design templates look dated and salesy. The aggressive, high-pressure style of ClickFunnels templates works for certain markets, but many beginners — especially those building personal brands, coaching businesses, or service businesses — find the look off-putting and hard to customise.
4. Customer support is inconsistent. This is one of the most common complaints from real users. For beginners who are learning as they go, slow or unhelpful support can cost time and sales.
None of this means ClickFunnels is a bad tool. For the right business at the right stage, it remains powerful. But for beginners in 2026, there are genuinely better starting points.
What Does a ClickFunnels Alternative Actually Need?
Before I list the tools, it is worth being clear about what a proper ClickFunnels replacement must include. A funnel builder that only builds landing pages is not a true alternative. Here is the minimum feature set you need:
Sales funnel builder — multi-step funnels with upsells, downsells, and order bumps. Landing page builder — drag-and-drop editor with conversion-focused templates. Email marketing and automation — send sequences, tag subscribers, trigger automations. Payment processing — collect payments directly inside the funnel. Custom domain support — so your funnel runs on your own URL. Analytics — conversion tracking so you know what is working.
Every tool in this list meets these criteria. I have noted where any of them fall short of the full ClickFunnels feature set so you can make an informed decision.
The 7 Best ClickFunnels Alternatives for Beginners in 2026
1. Systeme.io — Best Free ClickFunnels Alternative Overall
Systeme.io is the most complete free alternative to ClickFunnels available in 2026. It includes sales funnels, email marketing, course hosting, a website builder, an affiliate programme manager, and automation — all in one platform, all available on the free plan.
Where Systeme.io beats ClickFunnels: The free plan alone gives you 3 sales funnels, 2,000 contacts, unlimited emails, and 1 online course. No credit card required. For a beginner testing the waters, this is an extraordinary starting point that costs absolutely nothing. When you are ready to scale, paid plans start at just $27/month — less than a third of ClickFunnels' entry price.
Where ClickFunnels wins: ClickFunnels has a larger community, more training events, and a more established reputation in certain niches like info products and network marketing. The funnel templates are more plentiful and battle-tested in aggressive direct-response markets. If you are in one of those specific niches and value that ecosystem, ClickFunnels may still be the better fit.
Pricing:
- Free — 3 funnels, 2,000 contacts, 1 course, unlimited emails
- Startup ($27/month) — 10 funnels, 5,000 contacts, 10 courses
- Webinar ($47/month) — 50 funnels, 10,000 contacts, 50 courses, evergreen webinars
- Unlimited ($97/month) — unlimited everything, 1-on-1 coaching session
Best for: Beginners who want a full funnel system without upfront cost. Also ideal for course creators, coaches, and bloggers building their first email list.
I have written a detailed breakdown of how these two platforms compare head-to-head — see my Systeme.io vs ClickFunnels comparison and my full Systeme.io review for 2026 for more detail.
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you sign up through my links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I have genuinely tested.
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2. GoHighLevel — Best for Agencies and Service Businesses
GoHighLevel is an all-in-one marketing platform built primarily for marketing agencies and local service businesses. It includes CRM, sales funnels, email marketing, SMS marketing, pipeline management, appointment booking, and white-label capabilities under one roof.
Where GoHighLevel beats ClickFunnels: GoHighLevel is genuinely more powerful than ClickFunnels for agencies. You get unlimited funnels, sub-accounts for clients, built-in CRM, and two-way SMS — none of which ClickFunnels includes. For someone managing multiple clients or running a local lead generation business, GoHighLevel offers far more functionality per dollar.
Where ClickFunnels wins: GoHighLevel has a steeper learning curve. It is not a tool you pick up in an afternoon. For a solo beginner selling a single digital product, it is more than you need. The interface can feel overwhelming compared to ClickFunnels' more focused funnel-first approach.
Pricing:
- Starter ($97/month) — 1 account, unlimited funnels, CRM, email + SMS
- Unlimited ($297/month) — unlimited sub-accounts, white-label
- SaaS Pro ($497/month) — resell GoHighLevel as your own branded software
Best for: Marketing agencies, local business owners, and intermediate-level marketers managing multiple clients. Not recommended for absolute beginners.
I have covered this matchup in detail in my ClickFunnels vs GoHighLevel comparison.
3. Kartra — Best All-in-One for Course Creators
Kartra is a premium all-in-one marketing platform that includes sales funnels, email marketing, membership sites, video hosting, helpdesk, and a built-in affiliate management system. It is particularly strong for coaches and course creators who want everything in one place without patching together multiple tools.
Where Kartra beats ClickFunnels: For approximately the same entry-level price, Kartra gives you email marketing, unlimited funnels, membership sites, and video hosting included — things ClickFunnels charges extra for or does not offer at all. The interface is cleaner and the templates are more modern. Kartra also includes a built-in helpdesk so you can manage customer support from the same platform.
Where ClickFunnels wins: ClickFunnels has a bigger community and more training resources, particularly if you follow Russell Brunson's frameworks. Kartra's onboarding has a steeper learning curve, and some users find the editor less intuitive than ClickFunnels' drag-and-drop builder.
Pricing:
- Starter ($99/month) — 2,500 contacts, 15,000 emails/month, 50 pages, 2 membership sites
- Growth ($189/month) — 12,500 contacts, 125,000 emails, unlimited pages
- Professional ($429/month) — 25,000 contacts, unlimited everything
Best for: Course creators, coaches, and consultants who want email marketing, membership sites, and funnels under one roof without paying separately for each tool.
4. GetResponse — Best Budget Option with Email Marketing Built In
GetResponse started as an email marketing platform and has evolved into a genuine all-in-one marketing solution. In 2026 it includes a funnel builder (called Conversion Funnels), landing pages, webinars, email automation, and paid ad management — all from a single dashboard.
Where GetResponse beats ClickFunnels: GetResponse's email marketing is genuinely world-class — far more powerful than what ClickFunnels includes in its plans. The automation workflows are visual, flexible, and easier to build. You can also host and sell webinars directly inside GetResponse, which is a significant advantage for educators and coaches. Pricing starts at $19/month for up to 1,000 contacts, making it one of the most affordable options on this list.
Where ClickFunnels wins: The sales funnel builder in GetResponse is less dedicated than ClickFunnels. If building multi-step funnels with upsells and order bumps is your primary need, ClickFunnels is more focused on that specific workflow. GetResponse's funnel feature feels like an add-on rather than the core product.
Pricing:
- Email Marketing ($19/month) — 1,000 contacts, email tools only
- Marketing Automation ($59/month) — 1,000 contacts, automation + landing pages
- Ecommerce Marketing ($119/month) — abandoned cart, promo codes, web push notifications
- GetResponse MAX (from $1,099/month) — enterprise features
Note: Prices scale up with contact list size. For 10,000 contacts, the Marketing Automation plan is approximately $79/month.
Best for: Beginners who plan to build their email list as their primary asset and want funnels as a secondary feature. Also strong for webinar-based businesses.
5. Leadpages — Best for Simple, High-Converting Landing Pages
Leadpages is a dedicated landing page and lead generation tool. It does not try to be everything — it focuses on building high-converting landing pages, pop-ups, alert bars, and simple opt-in funnels with exceptional ease of use.
Where Leadpages beats ClickFunnels: Leadpages is significantly cheaper than ClickFunnels and much easier for a complete beginner to learn. The templates are modern, clean, and conversion-optimised. Leadpages also integrates with virtually every major email marketing platform, CRM, and payment processor, making it very flexible. For a beginner whose main goal is collecting email leads, Leadpages does that job better and cheaper.
Where ClickFunnels wins: Leadpages is a landing page tool, not a full funnel builder. It does not include native email marketing, course hosting, or the complex multi-step funnel sequences that ClickFunnels excels at. If you need a true end-to-end funnel system with upsells and order bumps, Leadpages alone will not be enough.
Pricing:
- Standard ($49/month or $37/month annually) — unlimited landing pages, 1 site, email support
- Pro ($99/month or $74/month annually) — 3 sites, chat + email support, A/B testing
Best for: Beginners who are primarily focused on building an email list or promoting a single offer and want a tool that is quick to learn and affordable.
6. Thrive Suite — Best for WordPress Users
Thrive Suite is a bundle of WordPress plugins built specifically for conversion-focused websites. It includes Thrive Architect (page builder), Thrive Leads (opt-in forms), Thrive Quiz Builder, Thrive Apprentice (online courses), and more — all designed to work seamlessly with WordPress.
Where Thrive Suite beats ClickFunnels: If you already have a WordPress website, Thrive Suite is dramatically more affordable. You pay one price for access to an entire suite of conversion tools that sit directly on your existing site. There is no monthly per-funnel fee. The templates are modern and professional without looking salesy. You also own all your data and are not locked into a closed platform.
Where ClickFunnels wins: Thrive Suite requires a WordPress site and some technical comfort. It is not a standalone funnel builder — you need hosting, a domain, and WordPress set up before you start. It also does not include email marketing. ClickFunnels is genuinely simpler to get your first funnel live if you are starting from scratch with no existing website.
Pricing:
- Thrive Suite Quarterly ($149/quarter) — all plugins, up to 5 sites
- Thrive Suite Annual ($299/year) — all plugins, up to 5 sites, best value
Best for: Bloggers and online business owners who already run a WordPress site and want powerful conversion tools without paying monthly fees for a separate funnel platform.
7. Builderall — Best Budget All-in-One for Beginners on a Tight Budget
Builderall is an all-in-one digital marketing platform that packs an enormous number of tools into a single subscription — website builder, funnel builder, email marketing, chatbot builder, video hosting, webinar platform, and even a design suite similar to Canva. For the price, no other platform comes close on sheer feature count.
Where Builderall beats ClickFunnels: The sheer number of tools included at a fraction of the price is Builderall's headline advantage. The Core plan starts at $17/month and includes funnel building, email marketing, and a website builder. For a beginner who wants to experiment with many different marketing approaches, Builderall gives you a playground to explore without a large upfront commitment.
Where ClickFunnels wins: Builderall's interface is not as polished or intuitive as ClickFunnels. Having 40+ tools in one platform sounds great until you realise many of them are average rather than excellent. ClickFunnels does fewer things but does them better. Builderall also has less reliable customer support and a smaller, less active community.
Pricing:
- Core ($17/month) — 1 domain, 3 sub-domains, unlimited subscribers, basic tools
- Essentials ($47/month) — 3 domains, all tools included
- Advanced ($97/month) — unlimited domains, priority support
Best for: Beginners on a very tight budget who want to explore multiple marketing tools before committing to a specialist platform. Not recommended if you are serious about scaling quickly — invest in a more focused tool as soon as budget allows.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Tool | Starting Price | Free Plan | Email Marketing | Course Hosting | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systeme.io | Free / $27/mo | ✅ Yes | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | All beginners |
| GoHighLevel | $97/mo | ❌ No | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | Agencies |
| Kartra | $99/mo | ❌ No (trial only) | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | Course creators |
| GetResponse | $19/mo | ✅ Yes (limited) | ✅ Best-in-class | ❌ No | Email-first marketers |
| Leadpages | $37/mo (annual) | ❌ No (trial only) | ❌ Via integration | ❌ No | Lead generation |
| Thrive Suite | $299/year | ❌ No | ❌ Via integration | ✅ Thrive Apprentice | WordPress users |
| Builderall | $17/mo | ❌ No | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | Tight budget |
| ClickFunnels | $97/mo | ❌ No (trial only) | ✅ Pro plan only | ✅ Yes | Established marketers |
Which ClickFunnels Alternatives Have a Free Plan?
If you are not yet ready to commit to a paid plan, here is what you can actually get for free in 2026:
Systeme.io (best free option): The free plan is genuinely useful — not a crippled demo. You get 3 sales funnels, 2,000 contacts, unlimited email sends, 1 online course, 1 membership site, and 1 custom domain. This is enough to run a real online business from day one. Most beginners can stay on the free plan for months before needing to upgrade.
GetResponse (free plan available): GetResponse offers a free plan for up to 500 contacts with email newsletter tools and a website builder. The funnel builder is not included on the free tier, so this is primarily useful for building your email list before committing to a paid plan.
All other tools on this list — GoHighLevel, Kartra, Leadpages, Thrive Suite, and Builderall — offer free trials (typically 14 days) but no ongoing free plan. ClickFunnels itself offers a 14-day free trial.
Who Should Pick Which Tool?
Complete beginner, zero budget: Start with Systeme.io free. Get your first funnel live, grow your email list to 1,000+ subscribers, then decide if you need to upgrade or switch.
Beginner with $20–$50/month budget: Systeme.io Startup ($27/month) gives you everything you need to scale. GetResponse is also strong if email marketing is your core channel.
Blogger or content creator on WordPress: Thrive Suite at $299/year ($25/month) is the smartest investment if you already have a WordPress site. You own your platform and never pay per-funnel fees.
Course creator or coach: Kartra at $99/month is worth it once you have paying customers. The all-in-one nature saves you from paying separately for course hosting, email, and funnels.
Agency owner managing multiple clients: GoHighLevel at $97/month is the clear choice. The sub-account system alone makes it worth the price compared to running separate tools for each client.
Already using ClickFunnels and happy with it: Stay. The switching cost — rebuilding funnels, migrating contacts, relearning a new tool — is real. Only switch if you are genuinely overpaying for features you do not use.
Honest Limitations of Switching from ClickFunnels
I want to be clear about what you give up when you move away from ClickFunnels, because no alternative is perfect:
Community and training: ClickFunnels has one of the largest and most active communities in the online marketing world. The FunnelHacker community, the annual Funnel Hacking Live event, and Russell Brunson's books (DotCom Secrets, Expert Secrets) create a complete learning ecosystem. No alternative comes close to this. If you are someone who learns best through community, this matters.
Template ecosystem: ClickFunnels has thousands of proven funnel templates built specifically for direct-response marketing. While competitors have templates too, the sheer volume and track record of ClickFunnels' library is hard to match.
Funnel sharing: ClickFunnels allows users to share entire funnel setups with a single link — a feature that makes it very easy to deploy proven funnel frameworks quickly. Most alternatives do not have an equivalent feature.
Migration effort: Moving your existing funnels, automation sequences, and contact lists from ClickFunnels to a new platform takes time. Do not underestimate this. Budget at least a weekend to migrate even a simple funnel setup properly.
A/B testing on lower plans: ClickFunnels includes A/B split testing on its standard plan. Some alternatives — particularly Leadpages and Builderall at entry price — restrict this to higher tiers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GoHighLevel better than ClickFunnels?
For agencies and service businesses, yes — GoHighLevel is significantly more powerful than ClickFunnels. It includes a full CRM, two-way SMS, sub-accounts for managing multiple clients, and a white-label option. For a solo beginner selling a digital product, ClickFunnels or Systeme.io is a simpler starting point. The tools serve different markets, so "better" depends entirely on your business model.
Is ClickFunnels still worth it in 2026?
ClickFunnels 2.0 is still a solid platform — but it is harder to justify for beginners in 2026 than it was five years ago. The gap between ClickFunnels and its competitors has narrowed significantly. Tools like Systeme.io now offer 80–90% of ClickFunnels' core functionality for free or at a fraction of the price. If you are established and already profitable using ClickFunnels, staying makes sense. If you are just starting, there are better entry points.
What is the best funnel software for a complete beginner?
Systeme.io is the best starting point for a complete beginner in 2026. It is free to start, includes everything you need (funnels, email marketing, course hosting), and is genuinely easy to learn. You can have your first funnel live within a few hours without any technical knowledge.
Is ClickFunnels a CRM?
Not in the traditional sense. ClickFunnels 2.0 has added some basic contact management features, but it is primarily a sales funnel and landing page builder, not a CRM. For full CRM functionality — pipeline management, lead scoring, sales tracking — you would need a dedicated tool like GoHighLevel or HubSpot. Most beginners do not need a CRM at the start; a good email marketing tool is enough.
What is the cheapest ClickFunnels alternative?
Systeme.io is completely free for up to 2,000 contacts and 3 funnels. If you need to pay, Builderall starts at $17/month and GetResponse at $19/month. Both are significantly cheaper than ClickFunnels' $97/month entry price. Be aware that cheaper does not always mean better — evaluate what features you actually need before choosing purely on price.
Can I use Systeme.io instead of ClickFunnels?
Yes, for most beginner use cases Systeme.io is a direct replacement for ClickFunnels. It covers sales funnels, email marketing, course hosting, membership sites, and affiliate management. The main things Systeme.io lacks are ClickFunnels' community and brand recognition in aggressive direct-response niches. For a beginner starting fresh, Systeme.io is the smarter first choice.
What is the difference between ClickFunnels and MailerLite?
ClickFunnels is primarily a sales funnel builder — it is designed to build multi-step sales sequences that move visitors from awareness to purchase. MailerLite is primarily an email marketing platform — it helps you send newsletters, build automations, and manage your subscriber list. MailerLite does include basic landing pages, but it is not a funnel builder in the same sense. Many businesses use both: an email platform like MailerLite for list management and a funnel tool for sales sequences.
What is the difference between Elementor and ClickFunnels?
Elementor is a WordPress page builder that lets you design any kind of web page — not just sales funnels. It is extremely flexible and used by millions of WordPress users worldwide. ClickFunnels is a standalone, hosted funnel builder with built-in payment processing and funnel logic. Elementor requires WordPress hosting and more technical setup, but it is far more flexible for building full websites. ClickFunnels is faster to deploy a funnel but locks you into its ecosystem. For a beginner on WordPress, Thrive Suite or Elementor Pro are both strong options.
Is ClickFunnels better than Shopify?
These tools serve different purposes. Shopify is an ecommerce platform designed for selling physical or digital products at scale — it excels at inventory management, product catalogues, and multi-channel selling. ClickFunnels is a funnel builder designed to optimise the sales process — it is particularly strong for upsells, order bumps, and lead generation. Many businesses use both together: Shopify for their product catalogue and ClickFunnels (or an alternative) for specific high-converting sales funnels.
Can you make money with ClickFunnels?
Yes — but ClickFunnels is a tool, not a business model. Whether you make money depends on your offer, your traffic, and your marketing skill, not the funnel software you use. Many successful online businesses have been built with ClickFunnels. Many have also failed despite using it. The platform does not generate sales for you — it helps you convert traffic you are already driving. If you do not have a proven offer and a traffic strategy, no funnel builder will fix that.
How expensive is ClickFunnels in 2026?
ClickFunnels 2.0 currently offers two main plans: the Startup plan at $97/month (20 funnels, 3 websites, 3 users) and the Pro plan at $297/month (100 funnels, 9 websites, 10 users). There is a 14-day free trial available but no permanent free plan. Compared to alternatives like Systeme.io (free) or GetResponse ($19/month), ClickFunnels is significantly more expensive — which is why so many beginners look for alternatives before committing. See my full ClickFunnels pricing breakdown for the complete picture.
Final Verdict: The Best ClickFunnels Alternative for You
After testing all seven alternatives against ClickFunnels, here is my honest bottom line:
For most beginners in 2026, Systeme.io is the clear winner. It is free to start, includes every core feature you need — funnels, email marketing, course hosting, and payment processing — and scales affordably as your business grows. There is no other tool on this list that gives you this much for this little.
If you are a WordPress user, Thrive Suite at $25/month (billed annually) is an excellent second choice — particularly if you are already running a blog and want to add conversion tools without building a separate funnel platform.
If you are running an agency or managing multiple clients, GoHighLevel at $97/month gives you a level of capability and client management that nothing else matches at that price.
ClickFunnels itself is not a bad tool — it is just an expensive starting point in a market where serious, capable alternatives now exist at a fraction of the cost. If you are already inside the ClickFunnels ecosystem and profitably using it, stay. If you are evaluating your options before committing, start with Systeme.io and upgrade only when the free plan genuinely holds you back.
For more on building your first sales funnel from scratch, see my complete guide on how to build a sales funnel for beginners in 2026. And if you want a deep dive on ClickFunnels itself before making your final decision, my full ClickFunnels review for 2026 covers everything you need to know.
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About the Author: Hi, I'm Tirupathi V. With hands-on experience testing SaaS tools for blogging, hosting, SEO, and online income, I share honest, tested advice to help USA and UK beginners avoid costly mistakes and choose the right tools with confidence.