Systeme.io and Kartra are both all-in-one platforms for funnels, email, courses, checkouts and affiliates, but they sit at very different price points. Systeme.io starts with a free plan (2,000 contacts) and flat paid plans at $17, $47 and $97 a month, with unlimited email sends and 0% transaction fees. Kartra has no free plan; its plans run from $59 to $549 a month, with contact limits from 500 to 25,000, a 14-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The quick answer: choose Systeme.io if you are starting out or want the most features per dollar. Choose Kartra if you run an established business that will use its video hosting, helpdesk, surveys, team seats and real-time funnel analytics.
Systeme.io vs Kartra at a Glance
| Systeme.io | Kartra | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes, 2,000 contacts | No |
| Free trial | Not needed | 14 days on any plan |
| Money-back guarantee | Subscriptions not refundable | 30 days |
| Entry paid plan | $17/mo, 5,000 contacts | $59/mo, 500 contacts |
| Top self-serve plan | $97/mo, unlimited contacts | $549/mo, 25,000 contacts |
| Email sends | Unlimited on all plans | 10,000 on Essentials; unlimited from Starter |
| Transaction fees | 0% | 5% on Essentials; 0% from Starter |
| Video hosting | Not listed | From Starter |
| Helpdesk | No | From Growth |
| Surveys and quizzes | Not listed | From Growth |
| Affiliate management | Every plan | Growth and Professional |
| Team members | Sub-accounts on every plan | 5 to 10 seats by plan |
| Support | Email, 7 days a week | AI assistant 24/7 plus success team |
In This Article
- Systeme.io vs Kartra at a Glance
- What Is Systeme.io?
- What Is Kartra?
- Pricing Compared
- Funnels and Page Building
- Email, SMS and Automation
- Courses and Memberships
- Video Hosting, Helpdesk and Surveys
- Analytics and Reporting
- Affiliate Programs
- Calendars and Booking
- Ease of Use
- Support, Security and Billing
- Best Fit by Business Type
- Pros and Cons
- Which Should You Choose?
- Switching From Kartra to Systeme.io
- Alternatives to Both
- Our Verdict
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Systeme.io?
Systeme.io is a low-cost all-in-one platform with sales funnels, email marketing, online courses, communities, a blog and website builder, affiliate management, a booking calendar, evergreen webinars and CRM pipelines. Its free plan never expires and needs no card. The company says it powers "500,000+ entrepreneurs," which is its own claim.
Read the full Systeme.io review for a feature-by-feature look.
What Is Kartra?
Kartra is an all-in-one marketing platform for coaches, experts and online businesses. Its pricing page lists landing pages and websites, funnels and campaigns, email and SMS marketing, checkouts, memberships and courses, video hosting, forms, calendars, surveys and quizzes, a helpdesk with live chat, affiliate management, a funnel mapper and simulator, real-time analytics and Kartra AI for writing copy.
Kartra says more than 60,000 coaches and business owners use it, which is its own figure. Its interface is in English only, though checkouts can display in many languages.
Pricing Compared
Systeme.io Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Annual (per year) | Contacts | Courses | Funnels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | 2,000 | 1 | 3 |
| Startup | $17 | $170 | 5,000 | 5 | 10 |
| Webinar | $47 | $470 | 10,000 | 20 | 50 |
| Unlimited | $97 | $970 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Every plan includes unlimited email sends, 0% transaction fees and unlimited sub-accounts. The free plan can process $10,000 in total sales before you must upgrade. See our Systeme.io pricing guide.
Kartra Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Annual (per month) | Contacts | Key Additions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essentials | $59 | $52 | 500 | 5 pages, 1 product, 1 course, 10,000 sends, 5% fee |
| Starter | $119 | $99 | 2,500 | Unlimited pages, products and courses, video hosting, calendars, 5 team members |
| Growth | $229 | $189 | 12,500 | Automations, affiliates, surveys, helpdesk, 3 domains, 10 team members |
| Professional | $549 | $429 | 25,000 | Real-time funnel analytics, helpdesk live chat, 5 domains |
Kartra says yearly billing saves "up to 22%." Its FAQ says plans are flat-rate with no add-ons; if you need more domains or seats, you move up a plan.
Contact Limits and Overages
Kartra's FAQ says it never blocks new leads. If you pass your plan's contact limit, "you will be automatically upgraded to the next tier" and "charged a mid-cycle reconciliation fee."
Systeme.io's terms work in a similar direction for paid plans: if you exceed a limit, it emails you and gives you 3 days to reduce usage before an automatic upgrade. On the free plan, it does not charge you; instead, features stop working until you upgrade.
Monthly list prices from systeme.io/pricing and kartra.com/pricing, November 2026.
What You Would Pay: Three Examples
These examples use monthly list prices and simple arithmetic.
| Scenario | Systeme.io | Kartra |
|---|---|---|
| New creator, 400 contacts, one course | $0 (Free) | $59 (Essentials) + 5% of sales |
| Coach, 2,500 contacts, several courses | $17 (Startup) | $119 (Starter) |
| Business, 10,000 contacts, affiliates and automations | $47 (Webinar) | $229 (Growth) |
Over a year, the third example is $564 on Systeme.io and $2,748 on Kartra at monthly prices. The difference pays for a lot of separate software, so the real question is whether you will use Kartra's extra tools.
Key Takeaway
Kartra's Essentials plan is not a cheap way into Kartra for most sellers: 500 contacts, 5 pages, 1 product and a 5% fee are tighter than Systeme.io's free plan, except for the 10,000 monthly sends.
Funnels and Page Building
Both platforms build multi-step funnels with opt-in pages, sales pages, checkouts, order bumps and upsells, and both offer templates.
- Systeme.io: a simple drag-and-drop editor, funnel types for audience building, sales and evergreen webinars, and A/B tests (1 on Free, up to unlimited). It is quick to learn, with less layout freedom.
- Kartra: a drag-and-drop page builder with hundreds of templates, a funnel mapper to plan the journey, funnel simulation on Growth and real-time funnel analytics on Professional. Kartra also lists 100 pre-built campaigns.
Winner: Kartra for planning and analytics; Systeme.io for speed and price.
Email, SMS and Automation
Systeme.io includes unlimited email sends on every plan, with campaigns, tags, automation rules and visual workflows. SMS works through your own Twilio account, with no Systeme.io markup.
Kartra's Essentials plan includes 10,000 emails and text messages a month; Starter and higher plans list unlimited email and SMS. Automated sequences and tag-based automations sit on the Growth plan and above, according to its plan descriptions.
Winner: Systeme.io on cost and on automation at low tiers; Kartra if you want SMS included in the plan.
Courses and Memberships
Systeme.io includes courses on every plan, from 1 on Free to unlimited on Unlimited, plus communities and unlimited students on paid plans.
Kartra's membership portal builder supports courses and memberships: 1 on Essentials, unlimited from Starter. Its video hosting, from Starter up, means course videos can live inside Kartra rather than on a separate video service.
Winner: Kartra for built-in video; Systeme.io for value.
Video Hosting, Helpdesk and Surveys
These are the tools Systeme.io does not match.
- Video hosting: Kartra hosts and streams video from the Starter plan. Systeme.io does not list video hosting as a feature.
- Helpdesk: Kartra adds a customer support portal on Growth and helpdesk live chat on Professional. Systeme.io has no helpdesk.
- Surveys and quizzes: Kartra includes them from Growth. Systeme.io does not list a survey tool.
Winner: Kartra. If you would otherwise pay for a video host and a helpdesk, Kartra's higher price is easier to justify.
Analytics and Reporting
Kartra puts more weight on measurement. Its Essentials plan already lists advanced analytics with built-in visualizations, Growth adds funnel simulation to model a journey before you build it, and Professional adds real-time funnel analytics. For a business running paid traffic into several funnels, that reporting can show where buyers drop off.
Systeme.io keeps reporting simpler. Its plans include A/B split tests, from 1 on Free to unlimited on the $97 plan, but it does not advertise funnel simulation or real-time funnel analytics. That is enough to improve a small funnel, but marketers who live in their numbers often add a separate tracking tool. If attribution matters to you, see our ClickMagick review for a tracker that works alongside either platform.
Winner: Kartra.
Affiliate Programs
Systeme.io includes affiliate management on every plan, even Free. Kartra includes affiliate management on Growth ($229 a month) and Professional.
Winner: Systeme.io.
Calendars and Booking
Systeme.io lists a booking calendar, with booking events from 1 on Free to unlimited on the $97 plan. Kartra includes calendars from its Starter plan.
Winner: Even.
Ease of Use
Systeme.io has fewer modules and simpler limits, so most beginners can launch a funnel, email sequence and course quickly.
Kartra says it needs no code, and its templates and pre-built campaigns help. But more modules mean more to learn, and its interface is in English only.
Winner: Systeme.io.
Support, Security and Billing
| Systeme.io | Kartra | |
|---|---|---|
| Support | Email only, 7 days a week; average reply about 2 hours | AI assistant KAI 24/7 plus Customer Success Team |
| Phone support | No | Not listed |
| Refunds | Subscriptions not refundable | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Company and compliance | Operated by an Irish company, ITACWT Limited | Says it is HIPAA compliant at no extra cost |
| Subscription payment | Card or PayPal | Card only; PayPal not accepted for subscriptions |
Kartra's HIPAA statement may matter to health and wellness coaches. Check the details with Kartra before handling health data on any platform.
Best Fit by Business Type
Beginners and Side Projects
Systeme.io. Its free plan covers more contacts, pages and products than Kartra's $59 Essentials plan, with no transaction fees.
Established Coaches and Experts
Kartra, if you will use video hosting, a helpdesk, surveys and team seats. Those tools replace separate subscriptions.
Course Creators on a Budget
Systeme.io. Courses, communities and affiliates are included at every tier.
Teams
Kartra includes 5 team members from Starter and 10 on Growth. Systeme.io's model relies on sub-accounts with the same limits as your plan, which suits separate brands better than shared team logins.
Health and Wellness Coaches
Kartra's HIPAA claim may tip the decision, but confirm what is covered before you collect health information.
Pros and Cons
Systeme.io
Pros
- Free plan for 2,000 contacts
- Flat plans from $17 a month
- Unlimited email sends
- 0% fees on every plan
- Affiliate program even on Free
- Easy to learn
Cons
- No built-in video hosting
- No helpdesk or surveys
- Email-only support
- Simpler page designs
- Subscriptions not refundable
Kartra
Pros
- Video hosting from Starter
- Helpdesk, surveys and quizzes
- Funnel mapper, simulation and analytics
- Email and SMS sends included
- 14-day trial and 30-day guarantee
Cons
- No free plan
- Starts at $59 with a 5% fee
- Low contact limits for the price
- Affiliates and automations need Growth
- Auto-upgrade with a reconciliation fee on lead overages
Which Should You Choose?
| Choose Systeme.io If You | Choose Kartra If You |
|---|---|
| Are starting out or testing an offer | Already make consistent sales |
| Want the lowest monthly cost | Will use video hosting and a helpdesk |
| Want affiliates on a low budget | Need surveys, quizzes and funnel analytics |
| Have a growing list and want unlimited sends | Have a team that needs shared logins |
| Prefer a simpler tool | Want SMS included in the plan |
Switching From Kartra to Systeme.io
- 1Export leads with tags and lists from Kartra
- 2Download or re-host course videos, since Systeme.io does not host video
- 3List every product, funnel and email sequence
- 4Set up Systeme.io with your domain and Stripe or PayPal
- 5Import contacts and rebuild tags
- 6Rebuild funnels, courses and email campaigns
- 7Test purchases and course access before cancelling Kartra
Systeme.io offers free migration with its Unlimited monthly plan or any annual plan. Plan the move before a Kartra renewal date, and keep Kartra active until every student can log in to the new course area.
Common Mistakes When Choosing
- Starting on Kartra Essentials to save money. Its 500-contact limit and 5% fee often cost more than moving straight to Starter, and far more than Systeme.io's free or $17 plan.
- Paying for tools you will not set up. Kartra's value is in video hosting, the helpdesk, surveys and analytics. If you will not use them in the first few months, the extra cost buys little.
- Forgetting video hosting when leaving Kartra. Course videos hosted in Kartra need a new home before you switch.
- Ignoring contact overages. Both platforms move paid accounts up a tier when you pass a limit, so clean inactive contacts regularly.
- Choosing on price alone. Systeme.io's email-only support suits self-starters. If you want a success team and a 30-day guarantee, weigh that too.
Annual Billing Compared
Systeme.io's annual plans cost $170, $470 and $970 a year, which its pricing page presents as two months free. Kartra's annual prices work out to $624 a year on Essentials, $1,188 on Starter, $2,268 on Growth and $5,148 on Professional, using its listed per-month annual rates. Kartra advertises a 30-day money-back guarantee; Systeme.io says its subscriptions are not refundable, so test on the free plan before paying for a year.
Alternatives to Both
If neither fits, compare ClickFunnels vs Systeme.io for a funnel-first option, Systeme.io vs Kajabi for a premium course platform, or Systeme.io vs GoHighLevel for a CRM with two-way SMS. Our Systeme.io alternatives list covers more.
Our Verdict
Systeme.io is the better choice for most creators, beginners and budget-conscious businesses. It covers funnels, email, courses, communities and affiliates for $0 to $97 a month, with unlimited sends and no transaction fees.
Kartra is the better choice for established businesses that will use its extra tools: video hosting, a helpdesk, surveys, team seats and real-time analytics. Its 30-day money-back guarantee lowers the risk of finding out.
Start Free With Systeme.io
Funnels, email, courses and a blog with a free plan for up to 2,000 contacts. Paid plans start at $17 a month with 0% transaction fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Systeme.io Better than Kartra?
Systeme.io is better for beginners and budget-conscious creators, with a free plan and paid plans from $17 a month. Kartra is better for established businesses that will use its built-in video hosting, helpdesk, surveys, team seats and funnel analytics.
How Much Does Kartra Cost?
Kartra's pricing page lists Essentials at $59 a month, Starter at $119, Growth at $229 and Professional at $549, or $52, $99, $189 and $429 a month billed annually. Each plan has a contact limit, from 500 to 25,000.
Does Kartra Have a Free Plan or Free Trial?
Kartra has no free plan. Its pricing page leads with a 30-day money-back guarantee rather than a free trial; trial offers appear only in occasional promotions. Systeme.io has a free plan with no end date for up to 2,000 contacts.
Does Kartra Charge Transaction Fees?
Kartra charges 5% on sales on its Essentials plan and 0% on Starter and higher plans. Systeme.io advertises 0% transaction fees on every plan, including Free. Payment processors charge their own fees on both.
What Happens If I Go Over My Kartra Contact Limit?
Kartra says it never blocks new leads. Instead, it automatically upgrades you to the next tier and charges a mid-cycle reconciliation fee. Systeme.io paid plans also move you up after a 3-day notice if you stay over your limits.
Does Systeme.io Have Video Hosting Like Kartra?
Systeme.io does not list built-in video hosting as a feature. Kartra includes video hosting from its Starter plan. Many Systeme.io users host course videos on a separate video service and embed them.
Which Is Easier for Beginners?
Systeme.io is generally easier to start with because it has fewer modules, a free plan and simpler limits. Kartra's interface is drag-and-drop and needs no code, but its larger toolset takes longer to learn.
Start on Systeme.io's Free Plan
Build your first funnel, email sequence and course for $0. If you later need Kartra's video hosting, helpdesk or advanced analytics, you will know exactly what you are paying for.
Start Free With Systeme.io
