# Lemon Squeezy alternatives · CheckoutScale

> Source: https://checkoutscale.com/alternatives/lemon-squeezy

## Lemon Squeezy alternatives

Alternatives [All alternatives →](/alternatives) 

By [Marcus Reyes](/authors/marcus-reyes), Editor. Updated 27 September 2026.

**Disclosure:**We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never affects our rankings. 

Lemon Squeezy is a merchant of record for software and digital products: it runs the checkout, the subscriptions and, above all, your sales tax, and Stripe now owns it. Its closest like-for-like alternatives are other merchant-of-record platforms such as Paddle and FastSpring, which sit outside what this site ranks. If you landed here because the roadmap has slowed since the acquisition, or because what you really need is a checkout and funnel that converts paid traffic to an offer, these are the platforms to look at. They do a different job from Lemon Squeezy, and for most sellers on this site it is the job that matters.

Quick answer

**ElasticFunnels** is our top pick for most people. ElasticFunnels is the pick if you run paid ads and need to split-test whole checkouts under one URL and route payments across processors. 

* **ElasticFunnels.** Best for Paid-traffic teams that need same-URL split testing and multi-MID checkout on one data layer. From $97/mo.
* **Checkout Champ.** Best for high-volume direct-response brands that have outgrown a single processor. From $300/mo.
* **SamCart.** Best for Creators and digital sellers who want a fast, high-converting standalone checkout. From $79/mo.
* **ClickFunnels.** Best for Beginners who want templates and fast, simple funnels in one familiar platform. From $97/mo.
* **ThriveCart.** Best for Creators who want a high-converting checkout without a recurring subscription. From $495/mo.
* **GoHighLevel.** Best for Agencies and lead-gen businesses that need CRM and follow-up behind the funnel. From $97/mo.
* **PayKickstart.** Best for subscription sellers and affiliate-driven launches that want checkout, recurring billing and a referral program in one account. From $79/mo.
* **Kartra.** Best for coaches and course creators who want one login instead of a stack of tools. From $59/mo.
* **Systeme.io.** Best for beginners and solo creators who want a truly free way to run funnels, email and courses in one place. Has a free tier.

### The shortlist

1. [ElasticFunnels](/reviews/elasticfunnels) Paid-traffic teams that need same-URL split testing and multi-MID checkout on one data layer
2. [Checkout Champ](/reviews/checkout-champ) high-volume direct-response brands that have outgrown a single processor
3. [SamCart](/reviews/samcart) Creators and digital sellers who want a fast, high-converting standalone checkout
4. [ClickFunnels](/reviews/clickfunnels) Beginners who want templates and fast, simple funnels in one familiar platform
5. [ThriveCart](/reviews/thrivecart) Creators who want a high-converting checkout without a recurring subscription
6. [GoHighLevel](/reviews/gohighlevel) Agencies and lead-gen businesses that need CRM and follow-up behind the funnel
7. [PayKickstart](/reviews/paykickstart) subscription sellers and affiliate-driven launches that want checkout, recurring billing and a referral program in one account
8. [Kartra](/reviews/kartra) coaches and course creators who want one login instead of a stack of tools
9. [Systeme.io](/reviews/systeme-io) beginners and solo creators who want a truly free way to run funnels, email and courses in one place

### How they line up against Lemon Squeezy

| Platform                                  | From      | Same-URL split test | Multi-MID routing |
| ----------------------------------------- | --------- | ------------------- | ----------------- |
| Lemon Squeezy (current)                   | 5% + 50c  | No                  | No                |
| [ElasticFunnels](/reviews/elasticfunnels) | $97/mo    | Yes                 | Yes               |
| [Checkout Champ](/reviews/checkout-champ) | $300/mo   | No                  | Yes               |
| [SamCart](/reviews/samcart)               | $79/mo    | No                  | No                |
| [ClickFunnels](/reviews/clickfunnels)     | $97/mo    | No                  | No                |
| [ThriveCart](/reviews/thrivecart)         | $495 once | No                  | No                |
| [GoHighLevel](/reviews/gohighlevel)       | $97/mo    | No                  | No                |
| [PayKickstart](/reviews/paykickstart)     | $79/mo    | No                  | No                |
| [Kartra](/reviews/kartra)                 | $59/mo    | No                  | No                |
| [Systeme.io](/reviews/systeme-io)         | $0/mo     | No                  | No                |

### The alternatives in detail

#### 1. ElasticFunnels

Funnel platform for teams running paid traffic: pages, same-URL split testing, checkout, CRM and attribution on one data layer.

**Our take:** ElasticFunnels is the pick if you run paid ads and need to split-test whole checkouts under one URL and route payments across processors. 

##### What works

* One data layer for the whole funnel: the click, the order, the rebill and the refund are a single record, so you stop reconciling four exports to work out which ad angle actually made money.
* Same-URL split testing rotates variants server-side under one campaign link, so Meta, Google and TikTok keep their optimisation and a test never sends the ad back through review.
* Custom checkouts with order bumps, one-click upsells, subscriptions and multi-MID routing are on every plan; plans differ by traffic, not by the tier you buy.

##### What to watch

* It is newer than ClickFunnels or SamCart and there is still little independent third-party review coverage to check its claims against, so until you push real volume through it you are largely taking the vendor's word for it. That is what you would expect of a platform this recent, and the 14-day trial with no card lets you verify the parts you care about first.
* EF-hosted checkouts carry a 0.5% platform fee on processed revenue, on top of your processor's rate. It applies only to volume you route through EF: sales you run on external platforms and networks are not charged.

Price

$97/mo 

Best for

Paid-traffic teams that need same-URL split testing and multi-MID checkout on one data layer

[Read review ](/reviews/elasticfunnels) [Visit ElasticFunnels (opens in a new tab) ](https://elasticfunnels.io/?utm%5Fsource=checkoutscale.com&utm%5Fmedium=affiliate&utm%5Fcampaign=comparison) 

#### 2. Checkout Champ

Performance e-commerce platform for high-converting checkouts, funnels and subscriptions

4.3 

**Our take:** Checkout Champ is the pick if you run high-volume direct-response offers and have outgrown a single processor, as long as you can accept a demo-gated setup and a bill that scales with your sales. 

##### What works

* Payment routing is its standout. It integrates with 270-plus gateways and spreads volume across several merchant accounts, so one processor hold does not stop your revenue. Few tools on this list do this, and none more thoroughly.
* The checkout conversion kit is complete: on-page and pop-up order bumps, true one-click upsells that reuse the card on file, dynamic upsells by product, and continuity billing with a self-service customer portal.
* Support and onboarding are hands-on. Each account gets an assigned account manager, and long-term users repeatedly rate the live support the best they have used.

##### What to watch

* There is no self-serve free trial and no published money-back window. You book a demo and commit before you can test the platform yourself, which is a real barrier if you like to try before you buy.
* The real cost is base plan plus 1% of sales plus billable add-ons, so it climbs with your volume. It is priced and built for established high-volume brands, not first-time or low-volume sellers, who will find it more platform and more cost than they need.

Price

$300/mo 

Best for

high-volume direct-response brands that have outgrown a single processor

[Read review ](/reviews/checkout-champ) 

#### 3. SamCart

A checkout-first platform ("CheckoutOS") built to lift average order value with bumps and upsells.

**Our take:** SamCart is the pick if you want a fast, standalone checkout that raises revenue per sale without adopting a whole funnel platform. 

##### What works

* The checkout is quick to set up and genuinely fast for buyers, with stored cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay cutting the pay step to seconds.
* Order bumps and one-click upsells are the core of the product, and they are the cheapest reliable way to raise average order value on an offer you already run.
* It plugs into an existing site or funnel, so you can keep your pages and only swap the checkout.

##### What to watch

* It is priced above rivals, and the parts most people come for (1-click upsells, order bumps, A/B testing, third-party processors) sit on the $199/mo Pro plan, not the $79 Core plan.
* It runs a single processor by default, so it is not built for routing across several merchant accounts; that matters most if you spread volume across more than one.

Price

$79/mo 

Best for

Creators and digital sellers who want a fast, high-converting standalone checkout

[Read review ](/reviews/samcart) [Visit SamCart (opens in a new tab) ](https://www.samcart.com/?utm%5Fsource=checkoutscale.com&utm%5Fmedium=affiliate&utm%5Fcampaign=comparison) 

#### 4. ClickFunnels

The funnel builder that started it all: sales funnels, smart checkout, email and CRM in one.

**Our take:** ClickFunnels is the pick if you are starting out and want proven templates and a familiar platform that bundles pages, checkout and email. 

##### What works

* It is the fastest way to launch a simple opt-in or sales funnel, and the templates are nicer than most rivals ship.
* The training, books and community around it are unmatched, which shortens the learning curve for a first-time funnel builder.
* It takes no percentage of your sales; you only pay the monthly plan and your own processor fees.

##### What to watch

* Long-term users call it expensive and rigid once you need deep customization or complex flows, and the bill climbs faster than the value as you scale.
* The move from Classic to 2.0 was rough, with users reporting rebuilds rather than clean imports; its checkout is single-processor, so it is not for routing across several merchant accounts.

Price

$97/mo 

Best for

Beginners who want templates and fast, simple funnels in one familiar platform

[Read review ](/reviews/clickfunnels) [Visit ClickFunnels (opens in a new tab) ](https://www.clickfunnels.com/?utm%5Fsource=checkoutscale.com&utm%5Fmedium=affiliate&utm%5Fcampaign=comparison) 

#### 5. ThriveCart

A checkout and cart platform known for a one-time lifetime license, now positioned as a creator stack.

**Our take:** ThriveCart is the pick if you would rather pay once than subscribe, and your checkout needs fit the Standard plan. 

##### What works

* A one-time lifetime license (Standard, $495) replaces a monthly bill, which pays for itself quickly on an offer with any volume.
* The revenue features are strong: order bumps, one-click upsells and downsells, A/B testing on checkouts and funnels, and subscription billing.
* It charges 0% platform fees on your sales, so you only pay your payment processor.

##### What to watch

* The lifetime price is Standard only. The affiliate center, dunning, custom domains, multiple order bumps and advanced reports sit on Pro+ at $295 a year, so budget it as $495 upfront plus that annual fee if you need those.
* It is a checkout and funnel tool, not a browse-and-cart storefront, and it routes a single processor rather than several; a seller needing to spread volume across merchant accounts will look elsewhere.

Price

$495/mo 

Best for

Creators who want a high-converting checkout without a recurring subscription

[Read review ](/reviews/thrivecart) [Visit ThriveCart (opens in a new tab) ](https://thrivecart.com/?utm%5Fsource=checkoutscale.com&utm%5Fmedium=affiliate&utm%5Fcampaign=comparison) 

#### 6. GoHighLevel

The AI-powered business operating system for agencies: CRM, funnels, email and SMS in one place.

**Our take:** GoHighLevel is the pick if you are an agency running many client accounts and want one platform for pipelines, funnels and white-label. 

##### What works

* Unlimited sub-accounts and contacts mean adding another small client costs almost nothing once your setup is built.
* It consolidates CRM, funnels, email, SMS, calendars and reputation into one platform, replacing several subscriptions.
* SaaS mode lets an agency resell the platform to clients as its own product.

##### What to watch

* The sticker price hides the real cost: SMS, email, AI and white-label are usage-based add-ons that push the bill well past $97 to $497 a month for active accounts.
* Long-term users report bugs, slow loads and support that is hard to reach, plus a steep learning curve; its checkout is basic, so it is not for routing payments across several processors.

Price

$97/mo 

Best for

Agencies and lead-gen businesses that need CRM and follow-up behind the funnel

[Read review ](/reviews/gohighlevel) [Visit GoHighLevel (opens in a new tab) ](https://www.gohighlevel.com/?utm%5Fsource=checkoutscale.com&utm%5Fmedium=affiliate&utm%5Fcampaign=comparison) 

#### 7. PayKickstart

Checkout, recurring billing, and affiliate management in one platform.

4.1 

**Our take:** PayKickstart is the pick if you sell subscriptions or run affiliate launches and want checkout, recurring billing, dunning and a full affiliate program under one login, and you can invest the setup time it asks for. It is not a page builder, so it is the checkout at the end of a funnel you build elsewhere. 

##### What works

* The built-in affiliate center is the standout: sale and lead tracking, first and second-tier commissions, instant or delayed payouts, and a marketplace PayKickstart says is 100,000 affiliates strong, all next to the cart instead of in a separate tool.
* The checkout ships the levers that raise order value, order bumps, true one-click upsells, coupons, exit-intent offers and cart recovery, plus a library of 50-plus templates and embeddable widgets.
* Subscription depth goes past a plain cart: dunning by email, SMS, voicemail and in-app message, smart retries, cancellation-saver flows and a self-serve billing portal that keep recurring revenue from leaking.
* You keep your own gateway. Connect Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net, Braintree or Easy Pay Direct, or apply for Connect, its in-house processor from 2.3% plus $0.20, rather than being locked to one.

##### What to watch

* It takes real setup time. Reviewers describe a learning curve, one calling it plainly a bear to configure, and reporting is named as a weak spot. It is not a cart you get live in ten minutes.
* There is no page or funnel builder and no same-URL split testing, so you bring your own pages and cannot A/B a whole checkout under one link, which is what a media buyer on cold traffic leans on.
* Pricing is now revenue-based and less transparent: the $79 headline only covers up to $3,000 a month in revenue, then it scales with your sales, so model your real cost at your volume before committing.
* It is not the merchant of record, so refunds, tax and affiliate payouts stay your job, and buyer-side disputes get bounced back to the vendor, which is why its buyer-facing Trustpilot score runs low while seller reviews run high.

Price

$79/mo 

Best for

subscription sellers and affiliate-driven launches that want checkout, recurring billing and a referral program in one account

[Read review ](/reviews/paykickstart) 

#### 8. Kartra

Pages, funnels, email, checkout, memberships and courses for coaches and creators, on one platform.

**Our take:** Kartra is the pick if you are a coach or creator who wants pages, email, checkout, courses and memberships on one login, and you can live with a slow builder. It is not built for paid-traffic direct response, where same-URL split testing and payment routing matter more. 

##### What works

* One login for pages, email, checkout, courses and a membership site, which for a solo coach replaces five separate subscriptions and the work of wiring them together.
* The checkout is genuinely capable: order bumps, one-click upsells, coupons and subscription billing, with no platform fee on your sales from the Starter plan up.
* Deep control over the details, like discount-code rules and pricing options, plus a large library of templates and done-for-you campaigns so you are not starting from a blank page.

##### What to watch

* The page builder is the top long-term complaint: users report it as slow and laggy, with simple edits taking longer than they should.
* Support can be slow. Long-term customers report responses that take days and some issues left open for weeks.
* It is built for coaches and creators, not paid-traffic direct response: there is no same-URL split testing and the checkout runs a single processor, so it will not rotate whole checkouts under one URL or route volume across merchant accounts.

Price

$59/mo 

Best for

coaches and course creators who want one login instead of a stack of tools

[Read review ](/reviews/kartra) 

#### 9. Systeme.io

The only tool you need to launch your online business

3.9 

**Our take:** Systeme.io is the pick if you are starting lean and want a genuinely free way to run funnels, email and courses on one login. It is not built for paid-traffic direct response, where same-URL split testing and payment routing matter more. 

##### What works

* A free plan that is not a trial in disguise: 2,000 contacts, three sales funnels, unlimited email sends and no credit card, and it never expires. You can validate an offer end to end before paying a cent.
* One login replaces a stack. Funnels, email, courses, an affiliate program and a checkout come already connected, which for a solo founder cuts both the monthly bill and the wiring work.
* It takes 0% on your sales on every plan, including the free one, so beyond your payment processor's own fees the platform adds nothing per transaction.
* The checkout ships the two levers that raise revenue per sale, order bumps and one-click upsells, plus built-in A/B testing, even on the cheap tiers.

##### What to watch

* It is not built for cold paid traffic. There is no same-URL split testing, so its A/B test splits visitors across separate URLs and can reset an ad platform's optimisation, and the checkout runs a single processor with no routing across several merchant accounts.
* Design flexibility is basic. The builder is quick to learn but limited, so a premium brand look or a complex layout is where long-term users say it breaks down.
* Automation has no conditional branching. Simple trigger-action rules and tags are fine, but buyers who need if/then email logic or lead scoring tend to outgrow it and move their email to a dedicated tool.
* Email sends run through shared sender pools, so new accounts and cold or imported lists need domain authentication and warm-up, and users report sends being delayed or held when copy trips the spam checks.

Price

Free tier 

Best for

beginners and solo creators who want a truly free way to run funnels, email and courses in one place

[Read review ](/reviews/systeme-io) 

### How we ranked these

We do not run these platforms on live campaigns. We read each vendor's documentation and pricing pages, verified the numbers, and weighed them against long-term user reports. The order reflects fit for a paid-traffic seller leaving Lemon Squeezy: checkout conversion, split testing that respects ad platforms, payment routing, and cost at real volume. [Full methodology](/methodology).

### Frequently asked questions

What is the closest alternative to Lemon Squeezy? 

For the same job, a merchant of record that handles tax for digital products, the closest peers are Paddle and FastSpring, and the simpler Gumroad. The platforms below answer a different question: what to use when you sell to paid traffic and need a checkout and funnel you can split-test and route across processors.

Why would I leave Lemon Squeezy? 

Two common reasons. Either the roadmap and support have slowed since Stripe acquired it and you want a platform investing more heavily, or what you actually need is a checkout and funnel for paid traffic, which is a different category from a tax-and-billing layer.

### What we read

#### From ElasticFunnels

* <https://elasticfunnels.io>

### Related reading

* [Lemon Squeezy review](/reviews/lemon-squeezy)
* [Best checkout & funnel software for paid traffic](/best)

---

Price

$97/mo 

Best for

Paid-traffic teams that need same-URL split testing and multi-MID checkout on one data layer

[Read review ](/reviews/elasticfunnels) [Visit ElasticFunnels (opens in a new tab) ](https://elasticfunnels.io/?utm%5Fsource=checkoutscale.com&utm%5Fmedium=affiliate&utm%5Fcampaign=comparison)
