GoHighLevel · Comparisons
GoHighLevel does a lot, but it is not the right fit for everyone. Here are five alternatives, what each one costs, and the kind of business each one suits.
I use GoHighLevel, and I like it. But I will be honest: it is a big tool. If you only need a course site, or a simple funnel, or a free CRM, it can be more than you need.
So I checked five popular alternatives on October 20, 2026, using each company's own pricing page. Here is what each one does well, what it costs, and when GoHighLevel is still the better pick.
Quick answer
The main GoHighLevel alternatives are HubSpot (free CRM for up to 2 users), ClickFunnels (Launch at $97 a month, or $81 billed yearly), Systeme.io (free plan, paid from $17 a month), Kajabi (Basic at $179 a month, or $143 billed yearly), and Keap (from $299 a month). Pick based on your main job: a CRM, funnels, courses, or low cost. GoHighLevel starts at $97 a month. All prices checked October 20, 2026.
First, what GoHighLevel costs
To compare fairly, here is the baseline. GoHighLevel's pricing page, checked October 20, 2026:
- Starter: $97 a month.
- Unlimited: $297 a month, with unlimited sub accounts.
- Agency Pro: $497 a month.
The pricing page offers a 14-day free trial. Through my partner page, new customers get a 30-day trial, also checked October 20, 2026.

GoHighLevel puts a CRM, funnels, email and text, calendars, automation, and AI tools in one place. New to it? Start with what GoHighLevel is, or read my full GoHighLevel review.
Here is my summary card of the five alternatives. Each one is covered below.

Why people look for an alternative
- Price. $97 a month is a lot when you are just starting.
- Learning curve. There are many features, and setup takes time.
- Fit. A course creator or a sales team may want a tool built just for them.
1. HubSpot: best free CRM to start
HubSpot is a big name in CRM software. Its free tools are free "for up to 2 users," with no credit card needed.
Paid plans are priced per seat. On October 20, 2026, Starter was listed at $20 per seat a month. HubSpot was also running a limited time offer for new customers: $10 per seat a month paying monthly, or $7 per seat a month paying yearly. Offers like this change, so check the page.
Pick HubSpot if you mainly need a CRM for a sales team and want to start free. GoHighLevel may fit better if you also want funnels, text messaging, and booking in the same tool. I compare the two in GoHighLevel vs HubSpot.
2. ClickFunnels: best for funnels first
ClickFunnels is built around sales funnels. Its plans, checked October 20, 2026:
- Launch: $97 a month billed monthly, or $81 a month billed yearly. It includes 1 workspace, 2 team members, and 10K contacts.
- Scale: $197 a month billed monthly, with 5 workspaces.
- Optimize: $297 a month billed monthly, with 10 workspaces.

Pick ClickFunnels if your business lives and dies by funnels and you like its builder. GoHighLevel may fit better if you need a full CRM, text messaging, and many client accounts. See HighLevel vs ClickFunnels for more.
3. Systeme.io: best low cost start
Systeme.io is the budget pick. It has a real free plan. Its pricing page on monthly billing, checked October 20, 2026:
- Free: $0, with 3 funnels, 1 automation rule, 1 custom domain, and up to 2,000 contacts.
- Startup: $17 a month, with up to 10 funnels and 5,000 contacts.
- Webinar: $47 a month, with evergreen webinars and 10,000 contacts.
- Unlimited: $97 a month.

Pick Systeme.io if you are just starting and want funnels, email, and courses for little or no money. GoHighLevel may fit better if you need text messaging, a phone system, or client sub accounts.
4. Kajabi: best for courses and communities
Kajabi is built for people who sell courses, coaching, and memberships. Its page says "No hidden fees. No revenue sharing." Processing fees still apply. I break down every plan in my Kajabi pricing guide.
- Basic: $179 a month billed monthly, or $143 a month billed yearly.
- Growth: $249 a month billed monthly, or $199 a month billed yearly.
- Pro: $499 a month billed monthly, or $399 a month billed yearly.
Pick Kajabi if courses are your main product and you want a polished student experience. GoHighLevel may fit better if you serve clients or local businesses and need a CRM first.
5. Keap: best for done for you setup
Keap is a CRM and automation tool for small businesses. Its pricing page says it starts at $299 a month, billed monthly. The page also lists "Required implementation services," which means you pay for setup help too.
Pick Keap if you want a team to set things up for you and you have the budget. GoHighLevel may fit better if you want to set things up yourself for less.
Quick comparison table
| Tool | Free option | Entry paid price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| GoHighLevel | 14-day trial (30 days via partner page) | $97/mo | All in one for agencies and local businesses |
| HubSpot | Free tools for up to 2 users | Starter $20/seat/mo list | CRM for sales teams |
| ClickFunnels | Free trial | $97/mo monthly, $81/mo yearly | Funnels first |
| Systeme.io | Free plan | $17/mo monthly | Low cost start |
| Kajabi | Free trial | $179/mo monthly, $143/mo yearly | Courses and communities |
| Keap | Ask Keap | From $299/mo monthly | Done for you setup |
Hidden costs to compare
The plan price is only the start. Here are the extra costs I look for with each tool:
- GoHighLevel: usage fees for phone, text, email, and AI. Its help center says an Agency Wallet "is used to pay for usage-based services in HighLevel."
- HubSpot: paid plans are priced per seat. Each new team member adds to the bill.
- Kajabi: no revenue sharing, but processing fees apply on each sale.
- Keap: required setup services on top of the monthly price.
- All of them: payment processing fees when your customers pay you.
So add up the full monthly cost for your real use, not just the plan price. A cheap plan with lots of add ons can cost more than a bigger plan.
If you are leaving GoHighLevel
Already on GoHighLevel and thinking of moving? Plan these before you cancel:
- Export your contacts. Save a full copy with tags and notes.
- List your automations. Write down each workflow so you can rebuild it.
- Plan your phone numbers. If you text customers, check how your numbers and text approvals move.
- Move your pages. Funnels and websites will need to be rebuilt in the new tool.
- Run both for a short time. Keep the old tool live until the new one works.
When GoHighLevel is still the better pick
After looking at all five, here is when I would still choose GoHighLevel:
- You run an agency and need a separate account for each client.
- You want text messaging, calls, email, and booking in one inbox.
- You want to sell software to clients under your own brand.
- You want one bill instead of three or four tools tied together.
If that sounds like you, you can test it with my link: start a 30-day GoHighLevel trial (I earn a commission if you buy through this link). The standard trial on the pricing page is 14 days. Billing starts when the trial ends unless you cancel. For plan help, see which GoHighLevel plan you need.
How to choose in three steps
- Name your main job. CRM, funnels, courses, or all of it?
- Set a budget. Include extras like texting, email, and payment fees.
- Test two tools. Build one real funnel or pipeline in each during the trial.
Before I pick a GoHighLevel alternative
Nothing you check here is sent or saved. Download it if you want to keep it.
Want to test GoHighLevel side by side?
Start a trial and build one real funnel or pipeline. Through my link, new customers get a 30-day trial instead of the standard 14 days, checked October 20, 2026.
Start my 30-day GoHighLevel trialI earn a commission if you buy through this link. Billing starts when the trial ends unless you cancel. Usage fees for phone, email, and AI can apply during the trial.
Want help using AI in your business? Join my free AI workshop.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best GoHighLevel alternative?
It depends on your main job. HubSpot is great for a free CRM, ClickFunnels for funnels, Systeme.io for a low cost start, Kajabi for courses, and Keap for done for you setup.
Is there a free alternative to GoHighLevel?
Yes. HubSpot has free tools for up to 2 users, and Systeme.io has a free plan with up to 2,000 contacts, checked October 20, 2026.
Is GoHighLevel cheaper than ClickFunnels?
Both start at $97 a month billed monthly. ClickFunnels Launch drops to $81 a month billed yearly. Check what each plan includes before you compare.
Is GoHighLevel better than HubSpot?
For agencies and local businesses that want funnels, texting, and booking in one tool, often yes. For a sales team that mainly needs a CRM, HubSpot's free tools are a strong start.
How long is the GoHighLevel free trial?
The pricing page offers 14 days. My partner page offers new customers 30 days, checked October 20, 2026. Billing starts when the trial ends unless you cancel.
Does Kajabi take a cut of my sales?
Kajabi's page says no revenue sharing. Processing fees still apply, and rates vary by country and payment provider.
Sources
Checked October 20, 2026. Plans, prices, and rules can change.
- GoHighLevel pricing
- My GoHighLevel trial page (affiliate): gohighlevel.com/montoya
- HubSpot CRM pricing
- ClickFunnels pricing
- Systeme.io pricing
- Kajabi pricing
- Keap pricing


