ThriveCart vs SamCart – The Subscription Hostage Trap (2025)

Warning: You might be building a business you don’t actually own.

Before you compare features or pricing, you need to know the dirty secret of this industry: The Subscription Hostage Trap.

If you build a subscription business on SamCart and ever decide to leave, they delete your recurring revenue. You cannot take your customers with you. You are effectively held hostage by your own success.

ThriveCart solves this (you continue to receive recurring payments if leaving), but they force you into a different trap: non-existent support and a high upfront “lifetime” fee that locks you in.

You shouldn’t have to choose between losing your income (SamCart) or losing your support (ThriveCart).

That is why we built CartMango…

In this guide, we’ll compare ThriveCart and SamCart, and show you why solo digital creators are increasingly skipping both for CartMango – the only checkout platform that combines “freedom to leave” with 0 monthly fee + 0% commission.

Quick Comparison

Picking a checkout platform isn’t just about price. You want to keep your recurring payments, avoid surprises, and get decent support.

These are the links for each platform: ThriveCart, SamCart, CartMango.

ThriveCart

• One-time base fee of $495, plus $295/year for pro features, and $195 extra for LMS tools.
• You keep your recurring payments even if you ever leave.
• Support gets low marks. There are many reports of deleted feedback in their main Facebook group.
• Feature set leans toward advanced sellers who don’t mind sub-par support from a big company.

SamCart

• Starts at $79/mo (up to $3k revenue), $219/mo (up to $10k), or $849/mo (up to $100k). Go above $100k/month and you contact sales for a custom quote.
• If you leave, you lose all recurring payments. Ouch.
• Live support costs $19/mo extra, and is only available during office hours.
• SamCart is suited for affluent, experienced creators or businesses that can handle premium monthly fees and want polished templates.

CartMango

• Totally free until 2027. No monthly fees, 0% commission, and all features included.
• Recurring payments stay yours, no matter what.
• Support is founder-led and personal. No chatbots, just real humans, quick help, and a “family-vibe.”
• Built for solo digital creators (new or experienced) who want simplicity, a fast checkout, advanced cart logic and automation, plus built-in piracy protection.

Are you a solo digital creator, coach, consultant, or course creator? Next, I’ll show how CartMango – the 0-fee option – compares to these established platforms.

CartMango: The Zero-Fee, Minimum-Viable Alternative

Quick disclaimer: I’m the co-founder of CartMango. As with any comparison content, I might be biased, but I aim to give you the full picture… including what CartMango doesn’t do yet. This way you can make up your own mind about which shopping cart platform best fits your needs.

You probably don’t want to waste cash on endless software subscriptions, especially if you’re working solo. CartMango was built with independent digital creators in mind: those who sell courses, downloads, consulting, or coaching… and need a lean, solid checkout system.

Pros

• CartMango is totally free until 2027. There are no platform fees, no commission, and all available features are unlocked. You only pay Stripe or PayPal processing fees just like with the other platforms.
• You keep your recurring payments. No hostage tactics. When you leave CartMango, your payment streams stay yours.
• Support actually feels human. If you have questions or hit a snag, you get help from a real person. No AI chatbots, no waiting in endless ticket queues.
• The migration process is included free. If you’re switching from another platform, you get personal assistance every step of the way.

Let’s break down what you get:

• 1-minute product setup. Set up your digital offer and start collecting payments instantly.
• Simple, fast checkout experience for your customers. Buyers don’t need to create accounts, which means less friction and better completion rates.
• Instant payouts to your Stripe or PayPal account. No holding periods, no platform bottlenecks.
• Advanced cart logic and automation. Set up conditional discounts, targeted order bumps, and deliver products automatically. You don’t need to hire anyone technical for this, either.
• Built-in piracy protection. Every download link is protected, so your digital products aren’t vulnerable to link-sharing or rogue customers.
• Order bumps and subscriptions are ready to go. You can offer trials, recurring payments, single-pay products, and more.

Cons

Some features are still “coming soon,” like upsells/downsells or full affiliate management. If you want a huge range of fancy templates, those aren’t part of CartMango (at least, not now). Integrations are ok, but if your stack is ultra-niche, you may need to wait.

CartMango works for:

• Solo digital sellers selling templates, downloadables, printables, or graphics.
• Coaches or consultants running paid sessions, downloads, or courses.
• Course creators who don’t need bells or whistles, only checkout that converts.

If you want a totally free platform (until 2027) that’s focused on solo digital creators, CartMango can be a perfect fit.

Pricing Breakdown: Lifetime vs Subscription vs Free

Money matters, especially when you run your own digital business. You want to know what you’re really paying, not just day one, but years from now.

ThriveCart costs:

• $495 for the base package, paid once.
• $295/year extra for Pro features like affiliate management or advanced automation.
• $195 additional for their LMS add-on if you sell courses.
• No ongoing platform commission.
• Stripe and PayPal payment processors take their usual cut (about 2.9% + a small transaction fee per sale).
• Your total bill adds up if you want all premium features. Many buyers assume it’s one and done, but there are annual extras if you want full access.

SamCart charges:

• Starts at $79/mo for under $3,000/mo revenue; $219/mo for up to $10,000/mo; $849/mo tops out at $100,000/mo.
• Businesses making more than $100k/mo have to talk to sales and negotiate higher pricing.
• All plans charge Stripe and PayPal processing fees, just like the others.
• Live support is not included; it’s $19/mo extra if you want help during business hours.
• No commission, but the monthly platform fee is steep. The more revenue, the more you pay.

CartMango’s pricing:

• $0 monthly fee, $0 commission, totally free until 2027.
• All features included.
• The only cost is Stripe and PayPal payment processing (same as everyone else).
• You keep all your revenue, no surprise platform bills.
• After 2027, CartMango will introduce a subscription, but it’s meant to remain accessible and affordable for solo creators – far less than most other platforms.

Some creators underestimate how fast software costs pile up. Over 3 years, SamCart can easily exceed $10,000 for businesses with steady revenue, plus whatever Stripe/PayPal charge per transaction. ThriveCart’s “lifetime” deal is only for the entry plan; if you want pro features, count roughly $790 in year one, then $295/year after that.

A few quick questions to help you decide:

• Will you be processing a large number of sales every month? If so, the ongoing monthly fees with SamCart might weigh down your profits.
• Do you prefer paying upfront, or spreading costs monthly?
• How important is full access to all features versus just the essentials?
• Are you planning to use the same platform beyond 2027? If yes, check CartMango’s future pricing before committing.

CartMango is a strong option for solo creators who want 0 platform costs at least until 2027. If you’re planning for a long-term business beyond that, compare ongoing costs across all three platforms.

Ease of Use & Customer Support

Simplicity makes a difference, especially if you’re focused on selling, not learning more tech. Customer support matters too, especially when things break right before a big launch.

ThriveCart’s experience

• The dashboard is packed with options, but you need time to get comfortable.
• New users spend hours finding settings and workflows. It’s powerful, but feels clunky if you want to move quickly.
• Support happens via email only. Many users have reported slow responses, and there’s a lot of frustration over support threads being deleted from their Facebook community.

From Reddit:

From Trustpilot:

SamCart’s workflow

• The interface is clean. You get drag-and-drop tools to build checkout pages and sales flows fast.
• Templates are flashy and visual. Easy for those who want branded, conversion-driven designs without tinkering.
• Live support is available, but only if you pay an additional $19/mo. Otherwise, most help happens via documentation or email. It’s better than ThriveCart’s, but not automatic.

CartMango’s approach

• You set up a product in one minute. The onboarding is direct, the dashboard is minimal, and you’ll never have to hunt for settings.
• Human support is built in. When you message for help, you get a real answer from a real person. No bots, no scripted replies.
• If you switch platforms, CartMango offers hand-holding “done-for-you” all the way, making migration part of the experience without hidden costs or delays.

Questions to ask yourself

• Do you want to get up and running in under an hour? ThriveCart might feel clunky; CartMango is fast; SamCart sits somewhere in the middle.
• Do templates and branding matter to your audience? SamCart’s visuals help, if you’re selling at scale.
• Do you need live help or is email support enough? CartMango keeps it personal, SamCart charges extra, ThriveCart is hit-or-miss.

When your business is solo or independent, the ease of use and support often trump a long list of features. Which is why CartMango can be a better choice for your needs.

Sales Tools, Funnels & Automation

Solo digital creators need more than just a way to collect payments. Automation and advanced cart logic help you work smarter, not harder, especially as sales grow.

ThriveCart

• You get advanced cart logic for triggering specific discounts, order bumps, and post-purchase flows based on what your buyer does.
• Instant digital delivery is standard, so buyers get their products immediately after payment.
• Embeddable checkout lets you add forms to your own site, keeping your branding consistent.
• ThriveCart’s integrations cover Kit, ActiveCampaign, Beehiiv, Make.com, and others.
• Funnels (upsells & downsells) and affiliate management are built-in, but only on the Pro plan.

SamCart

• Also provides advanced cart logic and automation. You can set up conditional offers, targeted discounts, and specific upsell flows with ease.
• Instant delivery is native, and download links for products are protected—buyers have less chance to pirate your content compared to open links.
• The visual builder gives you more control over what the customer sees, while limiting friction at checkout.
• It works well with ActiveCampaign, Kit, Beehiiv, Make.com, and similar tools.
• Funnels and affiliate management are available, but you pay for access.

CartMango

• Advanced cart logic for solo sellers is front and center: offer order bumps, trigger automation, apply targeted discounts, and deliver products automatically without needing custom code.
• Every digital product is delivered instantly once payment clears, minimizing delays and maximizing customer satisfaction.
• Download links come with built-in piracy protection, protecting files from being shared or scraped online.
• CartMango integrates natively with popular tools. ActiveCampaign, Beehiiv, Make.com, BirdSend. More integrations are planned, delivered free.
• Funnels (upsells/downsells) and affiliate management are “coming soon,” but current users can run core sales strategies right now.

Why does advanced logic matter?

• You avoid repetitive manual work. The system handles offers and communication for you.
• CartMango does not require you to be technical. The goal is fewer steps, fewer headaches.
• Piracy protection and instant delivery are built-in, not add-ons.

Choosing a platform with flexible logic, automation, and reliable delivery means smoother sales and better conversions. Consider if you need just the basics, or if you want to play with higher-level automation. CartMango focuses on the minimum viable approach, so you spend more time selling, less time fighting your sales software.

Comparing SamCart, ThriveCart, and CartMango: Answering Common FAQs for Online Business Owners

Some of the things below might have already been covered in earlier sections, but that’s ok. Repetition can be helpful when you want key concepts to stick.

SamCart and ThriveCart: Online Shopping Cart Software for Online Businesses

SamCart is an ecommerce solution best known for flexible payment options, pricing tiers, and advanced sales funnel features. You can create custom sales pages, take payments with Stripe/PayPal, and track conversion rate analytics. The platform makes it straightforward for more established creators to sell digital products and access affiliate program tools, but at a premium price.

ThriveCart offers a one-time payment option, so you avoid monthly platform fees. ThriveCart pro adds affiliate management, automation options, and ThriveCart Learn for running a membership site. Payment gateway support, instant digital delivery, and reliable conversion tracking are built in. ThriveCart’s themes online look simple but get results for both digital and physical products. The platform integrates with email marketing services, lets you set up affiliate link campaigns, and gives you control over flexible payment plans.

Why CartMango Is Different Than SamCart or ThriveCart for Solo  Digital Creators

CartMango gives solo digital creators a direct way to sell digital products without platform fees until 2027. All advanced cart logic and automation features work out of the box. You get built-in piracy protection and instant digital delivery. Flexible payment options and support for Stripe and PayPal are included. Unlike SamCart and ThriveCart, CartMango focuses on keeping things simple: no complex “stores” or heavy templates.

Compared to ThriveCart and SamCart, CartMango stands out for hassle-free entry, 0 cost to access all features, and keeping your recurring payments if you ever leave. It’s ideal for solopreneurs who want to focus on selling, not managing storefronts or learning new builders.

SamCart vs ThriveCart vs CartMango: How Do They Stack Up?

ThriveCart and SamCart don’t offer completely free trial usage, though ThriveCart includes a one-time pricing model for pro features. CartMango keeps pricing options simple, with no commission or hidden costs. If you want higher conversion rates, reliable automation, and no monthly or annual fees, CartMango can be the better option for solo creators.

Which Platform Should You Choose?

Ask yourself:

• How much are you willing to spend now or each month?
• Does your business need advanced logic or just core checkout?
• Do you want to keep your payment streams if you leave?

Build your business with what fits your needs, not the platform’s hype.

These are the links for each platform: ThriveCart, SamCart, CartMango.

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