ClickFunnels vs. Systeme.io vs. Kartra: Which One is Best for Affiliate Marketing?

If you’re serious about affiliate marketing, you already know that having the right tools can make or break your success.

A good sales funnel builder helps you capture leads, drive conversions, and automate your marketing—all without needing to be a tech genius.

I’ve personally tested ClickFunnels, Systeme.io, and Kartra—three of the most popular funnel-building platforms out there.

Each has its strengths, but which one is truly the best for affiliate marketing?

Let’s break it down, step by step, and see which one fits your needs best.

Before we dive deep into the comparison, let me make one thing clear—there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to funnel builders.

Your choice depends on your goals, budget, and how hands-on you want to be with your marketing.

In this breakdown, I’ll walk you through ClickFunnels, Systeme.io, and Kartra, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and which one is best suited for affiliate marketers like you. Let’s get started!

Understanding Sales Funnel Builders for Affiliate Marketing

Before we dive into the comparisons, let’s make sure we’re on the same page about why you need a funnel builder as an affiliate marketer.

When promoting affiliate products, you don’t just send people straight to the product’s sales page and hope for the best.

That’s a rookie mistake. Instead, you want to:

Capture leads (so you can follow up with them)

Educate potential buyers (to warm them up before sending them to the affiliate offer)

Increase conversions (by building trust with your audience)

Automate the process (so you don’t have to manually follow up with every lead)

ClickFunnels: The OG of Sales Funnels

What is ClickFunnels?

ClickFunnels is probably the most well-known funnel builder in the game.

It was created by Russell Brunson and has been around since 2014.

It’s designed to help entrepreneurs, coaches, and affiliate marketers build sales funnels easily—even without tech skills.

Pros of ClickFunnels for Affiliate Marketing

Easy to use – ClickFunnels has a drag-and-drop builder that makes it simple to set up high-converting landing pages.

Proven funnel templates – You get access to tons of ready-made funnels that you can customize.

Great for upsells & down-sells – Helps you increase affiliate commissions by promoting additional products.

Strong community & training – ClickFunnels has a huge community and offers lots of training on how to make money with funnels.

Cons of ClickFunnels

Expensive – The basic plan starts at $97/month, which can be steep for beginners.

Limited free plan – Unlike Systeme.io, ClickFunnels doesn’t offer a free plan.

Not ideal for email marketing – You’d need to integrate it with an email marketing tool like GetResponse or ActiveCampaign.

Who Should Use ClickFunnels?

If you’re an affiliate marketer who wants a simple, proven system to generate leads and drive sales—and you don’t mind paying a higher price—ClickFunnels is a solid option.

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Systeme.io: The Budget-Friendly Alternative

What is Systeme.io?

Systeme.io is like ClickFunnels, but cheaper.

It’s an all-in-one marketing platform that includes funnels, email marketing, membership sites, and automation tools—all in one place.

Pros of Systeme.io for Affiliate Marketing

Free plan available – You can start for free and build up to 3 funnels without paying a dime.

Built-in email marketing – Unlike ClickFunnels, Systeme.io comes with email automation included.

Affordable pricing – Even the paid plans are much cheaper than ClickFunnels (starting at just $27/month).

Good affiliate management – If you plan to recruit affiliates to promote your own products, Systeme.io has built-in affiliate tracking.

Cons of Systeme.io

Fewer templates – Doesn’t have as many fancy funnel templates as ClickFunnels.

Limited third-party integrations – Unlike ClickFunnels and Kartra, Systeme.io doesn’t integrate with as many external tools.

Not as advanced as Kartra – If you need super-detailed automation, Systeme.io might feel a bit basic.

Who Should Use Systeme.io?

If you’re on a budget and want an all-in-one system that includes email marketing and automation, Systeme.io is a fantastic choice.

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Kartra: The All-in-One Powerhouse

What is Kartra?

Kartra is the most feature-packed platform on this list.

It does everything—funnels, email marketing, membership sites, video hosting, scheduling, and even a helpdesk system.

It’s like a full-blown business in a box.

Pros of Kartra for Affiliate Marketing

All-in-one platform – You get funnels, email marketing, automation, and even video hosting in one place.

Best automation tools – Kartra’s automation system is more advanced than ClickFunnels and Systeme.io.

Great for selling digital products – If you ever want to sell your own course, Kartra makes it easy.

Built-in affiliate tracking – Just like Systeme.io, Kartra lets you create your own affiliate program if needed.

Cons of Kartra

Steeper learning curve – Since Kartra has so many features, it can feel overwhelming at first.

No free plan – Unlike Systeme.io, Kartra doesn’t offer a free option.

Higher price point – Starts at $99/month, making it pricier than Systeme.io but slightly cheaper than ClickFunnels.

Who Should Use Kartra?

If you’re serious about scaling your affiliate marketing business and want a platform that does everything, Kartra is the best long-term investment.

Red Button Start Using Kartra at a Discount

Side-by-Side Comparison

ClickFunnels vs. Systeme.io vs. Kartra - Full Responsive Table

Feature	ClickFunnels	Systeme.io	Kartra
Ease of Use	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Pricing	❌ Expensive	✅ Affordable	❌ Mid-High
Free Plan?	❌ No	✅ Yes	❌ No
Email Marketing Included?	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Automation Features	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Affiliate Program Management	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Best For	Simple, high-converting funnels	Budget-conscious beginners	Advanced users who want an all-in-one solution

Final Verdict: Which One is Best for You?

Here’s my honest recommendation based on your needs:

Choose ClickFunnels if you want a proven but expensive funnel builder that’s easy to use and great for beginners.

Choose Systeme.io if you want a free or low-cost option with built-in email marketing and automation.

Choose Kartra if you need an all-in-one platform with advanced automation, email marketing, and more features.

My Personal Pick?

If you’re just starting and want to keep costs low, Systeme.io is the best choice. It gives you funnels, email marketing, and automation—all for free.

However, if you’re scaling up and want the most powerful all-in-one solution, then Kartra is the winner.

Whichever you choose, the most important thing is taking action.

Pick a platform, build your funnel, and start growing your affiliate income!

👉 Which one do you prefer? Let me know in the comments!

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