SamCart is an advanced shopping cart with built-in LMS and upsell tools, while Sellfy offers a full storefront for digital products and print-on-demand merch. Both charge monthly fees and hold your subscription revenue hostage if you leave.
The Customer Cash Hostage Scenario
Then you decide to switch platforms.
With SamCart, your recurring customers are gone. Stripe fixed-term subscriptions, all PayPal billing, every non-Stripe payment processing setup you built. Gone. Even if you connected your own Stripe account.
The same story plays out with Sellfy. Your subscription income vanishes the moment you leave.
This is the part nobody talks about when comparing these e-commerce platforms. You think you own your business. You think those customers belong to you. But real users discover the truth only when they try to migrate. The platform holds the keys to your recurring revenue. And if you want to walk away? You start from zero.
I find this arrangement hard to accept. You did the content creation. You earned those customers. Why should a cart platform keep them?
How to Escape the Subscription Lock-In
When you compare SamCart vs Sellfy vs other options, here is what to look for:
- No subscription hostage. Your recurring payments stay yours if you leave.
Also look out for these:
- Protected download links. If someone shares your PDF or audio files, those links should not work.
- Responsive support. When something breaks, you need actual help, not chatbots.
- Transparent pricing. Know exactly what you pay before you commit.
CartMango checks every box. Your customers pay through your Stripe or PayPal. If you leave CartMango tomorrow, those subscriptions keep running. The payments still hit your account. No ransom. No lock-in.
CartMango is free until 2027 with zero transaction fees and no monthly cost. Founder-led support responds in about 2 hours on average. You get upsell and downsell funnels, order bumps, subscription trials, and protected digital downloads. All included.
SamCart vs Sellfy vs CartMango
| Feature | SamCart | Sellfy | CartMango |
|---|---|---|---|
| Do your subscription customers vanish when you switch platforms? | ❌ Your subscriptions disappear if you go: – Stripe time-limited plans – All PayPal & non-Stripe memberships – Gone even when using your personal Stripe / PayPal | ❌ Subscription revenue vanishes if you depart | ✅ Your recurring revenue stays with you |
| Completely free to use? (note: Stripe / PayPal charges apply on every cart system) | ❌ $79/mo supporting up to $3,000/mo sales $219/mo supporting up to $10,000/mo sales $849/mo supporting up to $100,000/mo sales | ❌ $29/mo supporting up to $833/mo sales $79/mo supporting up to $4,166/mo sales $159/mo supporting up to $16,666/mo sales | ✅ Yes, $0 monthly cost, 0% cut. Every feature accessible (through 2027). |
| Course hosting system (LMS) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ Planned |
| Post-purchase funnels (upsells & downsells) ONCE buyers complete their initial order | ✅ Yes | ❌ No upsell / downsell capability | ✅ Yes |
| Help desk & support | $19/mo add-on for live assistance: Mon-Fri, 9-5 CT | Usually quick & helpful for basic questions, but no live chat. Uneven feedback when issues become complex or time-sensitive. | Direct founder support, zero chatbots, zero live chat. Typical reply time runs 1hr+ |
| Installment payment options (BNPL) for buyers (grow your revenue) | ✅ | ⚠️ Just through PayPal Pay Later. No major BNPL providers such as Klarna, Affirm, Afterpay. | ✅ |
| Checkout add-ons to increase revenue | ✅ | ⚠️ Available on Business & Premium tiers only. | ✅ |
| Recurring billing (includes trial periods & setup charges) | ✅ | ⚠️ No trial periods & setup charges, just standard subscriptions. | ✅ |
| Flexible promo codes & price reductions | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Streamlined & speedy purchase flows | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Buyers skip account creation during purchase (faster checkout) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Immediate funds transfer to your Stripe / PayPal (zero payment holding) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| When file URLs get shared by dishonest buyers, do they still function? | ✅ URLs are secured | ✅ URLs are secured | ✅ URLs are secured |
| App connections | ✅ Links directly with HighLevel, iContact, Shopify, Slack, Digital Access Pass, plus others. Reaches thousands of additional apps through Zapier. | ⚠️ Few native connections: primarily tracking & ad pixel (Google Analytics, Facebook/X ads, Google Merchant Center). Though its Zapier connection opens thousands of third-party apps. | ⚠️ Few native connections, though its Make.com connection opens 3,000+ apps. Present native connections: Kit, ActiveCampaign, Beehiiv, and BirdSend, with more arriving shortly. |
| Partner/referral tracking | ✅ Yes | ✅ | ❌ Arriving soon |
| Ideal users | Well-funded creators comfortable spending premium prices for complete feature access, even when they tap into just a portion of them. | Creators seeking a unified shop for digital goods, memberships, and on-demand merch printing, who accept lacking true sales funnel features like post-checkout upsells & downsells. | Independent digital sellers who refuse to have their subscription income trapped, plus quick setup, personal support, and $0 platform charges (free through 2027). |
| Complimentary data transfer | ❌ No complimentary transfer | ⚠️ Complete transfer only on the priciest Premium tier. Lower plans receive partial transfer. | ✅ Complimentary transfer provided |
These are the links for each platform: SamCart, Sellfy, CartMango.
CartMango Is Not for Everyone. Here’s Who It Fits.
CartMango works best for solo digital creators selling ebooks, courses, templates, and similar digital goods. If you are a coach or consultant selling digital products in one place without complexity, this is your platform.
You will not find a built-in LMS yet. If you need to host full courses with lesson tracking, look at Teachable or SamCart instead. Affiliate management is coming soon but not ready yet.
What you get: no recurring payment hostage, checkout page customization, subscription billing with trial periods, order bumps, and upsell funnels. All at zero platform fees through 2027.
If you sell physical products, need print-on-demand merch, or want WordPress or Wix or Squarespace integration, CartMango is not the right fit today. But for the creator who wants simplicity, ownership of their customers, and an intuitive interface, this is worth checking out.
SamCart: The Feature-Rich Cart for Affluent Creators
SamCart positions itself as a premium shopping cart and e-commerce platform for serious digital sellers. The interface is polished. The checkout experience converts well.
What SamCart offers
- Built-in learning management system for course hosting
- Complete upsell and downsell funnels
- Order bumps at checkout
- Subscription management with free trial support
- BNPL (Buy now pay later) options including Klarna, Affirm, Afterpay
- Affiliate program builder
- Native integration with HighLevel, Shopify, Slack, Zapier, and more
SamCart pricing structure
The pricing tiers run steep. Launch starts at $79/mo for up to $3,000 in monthly revenue. Grow costs $219/mo up to $10,000. Scale hits $849/mo for up to $100,000. Live support adds another $19/mo on top.
This is not a samcart alternative for budget-conscious creators. You pay whether you sell or not.
The limitations
Your recurring payments disappear if you leave. Even with your own Stripe connected. That subscription revenue you built? The platform keeps it.
No free migration either. And the monthly fees add up fast. At $5,000/mo revenue, you are paying $219/mo just for the platform.
Best for
SamCart fits affluent creators who want every feature in one place and do not mind the premium pricing. If you need an LMS and full funnel tools and have the budget, SamCart delivers. This is the link for SamCart.
Sellfy: The All-in-One Digital Storefront
Sellfy markets itself as a complete ecommerce solution. You can sell digital downloads, subscriptions, and print-on-demand merch from a single storefront. Setup is relatively quick. The product page builder is straightforward.
What Sellfy offers
- Full storefront with customization options
- Digital download delivery for PDFs, ebooks, audio files
- Subscription and membership billing
- Print-on-demand merch integration
- Built-in email marketing tools
- Affiliate management
- Ad pixel integration for Facebook, Google, and more
Sellfy pricing structure
Starter tier costs $29/mo supporting up to $833/mo in sales. Business runs $79/mo up to $4,166/mo. Premium hits $159/mo for up to $16,666/mo. Each tier comes with revenue caps that limit your growth unless you upgrade.
The limitations
No upsell or downsell capability. No landing page funnels. BNPL is limited to PayPal Pay Later only. Subscriptions lack trial period support and setup fee options. Order bumps only work on Business and Premium plans.
And just like SamCart, your recurring payments vanish if you leave. Full migration requires the Premium plan. Lower tiers get limited help.
Best for
Sellfy suits creators wanting a unified storefront for digital goods and merch who can live without funnel tools. If you compare samcart and need something cheaper, Sellfy is a SamCart alternative worth considering. This is the link for Sellfy.
Pricing Breakdown: What You Actually Pay
This comparison chart shows real costs including Stripe processing fees (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction). Assuming $50 average order value:
| Monthly Revenue | SamCart Cost (per month) | Sellfy Cost (per month) | CartMango Cost (per month) | CartMango SAVINGS (per year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 (20 orders) | $79 + $35 = $114 | $29 + $35 = $64 | $0 + $35 = $35 | $948 vs SamCart, $348 vs Sellfy |
| $5,000 (100 orders) | $219 + $175 = $394 | $79 + $175 = $254 | $0 + $175 = $175 | $2,628 vs SamCart, $948 vs Sellfy |
| $10,000 (200 orders) | $219 + $350 = $569 | $159 + $350 = $509 | $0 + $350 = $350 | $2,628 vs SamCart, $1,908 vs Sellfy |
| $50,000 (1000 orders) | $849 + $1,750 = $2,599 | $159 + $1,750 = $1,909 | $0 + $1,750 = $1,750 | $10,188 vs SamCart, $1,908 vs Sellfy |
The savings add up. At $10,000/mo in revenue, CartMango saves you over $2,600/year compared to SamCart.
SamCart vs Sellfy vs CartMango: Which One Is Suitable For You?
These are the links for each platform: SamCart, Sellfy, CartMango.
Choose SamCart if:
- You need a built-in LMS for courses
- You want complete funnel capabilities with upsells and downsells
- Budget is not your primary concern
- You need extensive native integrations and an affiliate program
Choose Sellfy if:
- You want a full storefront with print-on-demand merch
- You can work without post-purchase funnels
- You need built-in email marketing features
- A lower starting price matters more than advanced funnel tools
Choose CartMango if:
- You refuse to let a platform hold your recurring revenue hostage
- You want zero platform fees (free until 2027)
- You need upsells, downsells, and order bumps without monthly or platform costs
- You value human support over chatbots
- You want to automate your sales with a simple, intuitive checkout
The sellfy vs samcart debate misses the bigger question: do you actually own your business? If your subscription customers disappear when you leave a platform, you are building on rented land. CartMango lets you keep what you earned.
Related Reading
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- Where to Buy Digital Products to Resell: 6 Top Places in 2026 (+ a glaring problem)
- SamCart vs Gumroad: who actually owns your customers? (2026)
- Is Gumroad Safe in 2026? Uncovering the Hidden Pros and Cons
- Payhip vs Podia: The Recurring Income Hostage (2026)
- Payhip vs SamCart: The Recurring Revenue Handcuffs (2026)
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