What Are the 5 Best Sales Funnel Builders for WordPress?

Let me guess: you started looking for a sales funnel builder... and ended up buried under landing page plugins, email tools, quiz builders, checkout platforms, and a bunch of tabs you swore you’d close an hour ago.

I’ve been there.

When I first started building funnels inside WordPress, I thought the more tools I had, the better my results would be. But what I got instead was slow-loading pages, disconnected data, and chaotic marketing systems. 🤦‍♀️

Over the years, I’ve built dozens of funnels — some for my own products, some for clients, and plenty just to test what works. I’ve tried nearly every tool on this list: the hosted all-in-ones, the WordPress plugins, the “free forever” platforms that quietly charge you for every upgrade.

Some were great. Some… not so much.

This guide is the one I wish I had when I started — and the one I still reference when clients ask,

“Should I use Thrive, ClickFunnels, or something else?”

Here’s what we’ll cover:

If you’re ready to build a funnel that means business and start getting those sales you deserve... you’re in the right place.

Why Did I Choose These Top 5 Sales Funnel Builders? (Key Criteria)

There are a lot of funnel tools out there — from flashy SaaS platforms to under-the-radar WordPress plugins. But most either fall short in key areas or introduce unnecessary complexity as you grow.

The five tools in this guide weren’t chosen for popularity. They were chosen because they meet the criteria that actually matter when you're building a funnel that converts — especially inside a WordPress-based business.

Here’s the filter I used to narrow it down:

If a tool didn’t meet most of these, it didn’t make the cut.

What is the Right Funnel Builder for Your Business Stage? (Quick Breakdown)

If you’re still narrowing down your options, this quick comparison gives you the essentials: who each tool is best suited for, what it costs to get started, what it can actually do — and whether it works natively with WordPress.

These aren’t just feature lists. They reflect real-world use, pricing realities, and the level of control each platform offers.

Use this table as a snapshot to help you find the tool that aligns with how you work — and where you’re headed.

Choosing the right funnel builder isn’t about finding the flashiest tool — it’s about picking one that fits you.

If you’re building a business on WordPress and want control, flexibility, and tools that actually work together, there’s a reason Thrive Suite stands out. But if you’re just getting started or need a quick win? Some of the other options on this list can help you launch fast and learn as you go.

No matter where you are right now, the goal is the same: get your funnel working, get results, and grow from there.

The Top Sales Funnel Builders (and What They’re Really Good At)

As you’ve probably guessed by now — I love a good deep dive.

And after testing more sales funnel builders than I care to admit (some delightful, some… traumatic), I didn’t just walk away with a favorite. I uncovered patterns, pitfalls, and a few funnel-building truths that no one seems to talk about — and I’ll share those with you later.

But first, let’s talk tools.

I reviewed each funnel builder based on the stuff that actually matters when you’re building a real-life, conversion-focused funnel — not just tinkering for fun.

Here’s what I looked at:

• Ease of use – Can you launch something decent without needing a 3-hour tutorial?
• Marketing capability – Does it help you capture leads, follow up, and convert?
• Scalability – Can it grow with your business, or does it tap out early?
• Pricing/value – Are you getting solid functionality, or just fancy fluff?
• Strategic flexibility – Can you build the kind of funnel you need, not just what the templates assume?

With those in mind, let’s walk through what each tool is actually good for — the real use cases, not the marketing speak.

And if you’re wondering how to stack these tools up side by side? Don’t worry — I’ve included quick summary tables and scores so you don’t have to squint at every paragraph.

Let’s rate some funnels.

1. Thrive Suite – Best for WordPress Business Owners Obsessed With Conversions

Okay, full disclosure: this is the funnel builder I use. Not just because I know it inside and out — but because after trying nearly every major tool out there, this one made the most sense for how I work and what actually gets results.

And yep, I liked it so much I started writing for them. That’s how confident I am in what this tool can do — I’ve seen it work from both sides.

Thrive Suite was the first time I felt like everything finally clicked. No sketchy integrations, no “oh wait, that doesn’t work with this plugin” moments — just one beautifully connected ecosystem where every tool pulls its weight.

Here’s what’s in my stack:

• Thrive Architect for building landing pages that actually guide attention (instead of just sitting there looking pretty)
• Thrive Leads for creating high-converting opt-ins exactly where they need to be
• Thrive Quiz Builder for segmenting leads without making them feel like they’re being sold to

• Thrive Apprentice for delivering content, lead magnets, and full courses without needing Kajabi-level $$$

But the real win? It’s how seamlessly everything works together. I can tag someone based on a quiz result, send them to a custom sales page, and show them a unique offer — all without jumping between five different platforms or praying my Zap holds up.

There are so many ways to structure funnels inside Thrive — quizzes, lead magnets, micro-courses, evergreen series — and because it's all in one system, you're not guessing whether it’ll work. It just does.

I genuinely wish I had found this setup three years ago. Would’ve saved me a lot of “why is my funnel broken again” moments.

2. SeedProd – Best for WordPress Users Who Want Simplicity First, Funnels Later

I have a soft spot for SeedProd. It’s one of those tools I recommend to friends who are just starting their websites and don’t want to spiral into tech overwhelm.

I’ve used SeedProd for simple, time-sensitive launches where the goal was clear: publish a clean opt-in page, connect it to an email list, and move forward. It’s especially helpful when you’re just getting started and want to focus on your offer — not your tech stack.

Everything about SeedProd is geared toward ease. From the drag-and-drop interface to the growing library of templates (including new AI-generated options), it’s designed to help non-technical users build fast, functional pages with confidence.

It’s especially great for those early-stage funnels — Opt-in → Thank You Page → Email follow-up. No extra bells, no scary integrations, just a solid, visual way to get your offer out there.

Great for:

• Solopreneurs launching lead magnets, waitlists, or one-product offers
• WordPress users who want to build branded pages without writing a line of code
• Creators who value simplicity and speed over deep customization
• Businesses that already have an email provider and just need clean, conversion-ready pages
• Anyone looking to launch quickly — without investing in a complex system upfront

While SeedProd isn’t a full-featured funnel builder, that’s not necessarily a downside. It’s built to be lean, focused, and refreshingly straightforward. For more advanced funnel strategies — like quizzes, A/B testing, or evergreen offers — you might eventually pair it with other tools or upgrade to something more integrated.

But if your goal is to start lean, launch fast, and stay focused on your audience — SeedProd makes it easy to move from idea to published page in record time.

3. CartFlows – Best for WooCommerce Users Who Want Optimized Checkout Funnels

If you’re selling products through WooCommerce and you’ve ever looked at the default checkout page and thought, “This could be better,” — you’re right. And CartFlows is how you fix it.

This tool doesn’t try to do everything. But what it does — customizing and optimizing your checkout experience — it does surprisingly well. It’s like giving WooCommerce the sales funnel features it should’ve had from the beginning.

I first used CartFlows on a client project that needed post-purchase upsells and smoother checkout flows, but didn’t want to rebuild the store or commit to a $100/month SaaS. With CartFlows, we added a multi-step checkout, clean thank-you pages, and tested order bumps — all without touching a line of code.

It worked. And it’s still working for a lot of WooCommerce store owners who just want better conversions without leaving WordPress.

Great for:

• WooCommerce store owners who want to control the customer journey without switching platforms
• Creators selling physical or digital products directly from their WordPress site
• Businesses that need to increase average order value with upsells and order bumps
• Site owners who already use a page builder (like Thrive Architect or Elementor) and want branded, on-brand checkout flows
• Anyone who’s outgrown the default WooCommerce checkout but doesn’t want to commit to ClickFunnels-level pricing

That said, CartFlows isn’t a full funnel builder. It doesn’t handle lead gen, list segmentation, or automated email logic. If your funnel starts with an opt-in or a quiz — or if you’re offering a course or membership instead of products — you’ll need to pair CartFlows with other tools or consider an all-in-one solution like Thrive Suite.

4. ClickFunnels – Best for Fast-Launching Marketers Who Want Hosted Convenience

ClickFunnels is one of the most well-known names in the sales funnel space — and for good reason. It’s built for speed, simplicity, and done-for-you structure. If you want to launch fast, skip the WordPress setup, and get everything in one place, ClickFunnels is designed to do exactly that.

When I first tried ClickFunnels, it was during a sprint to launch a product in under two weeks. I didn’t want to piece together plugins, worry about hosting, or spend hours on design. With ClickFunnels, I had a working opt-in → email → sales page → checkout flow live in a couple of days. And for that use case, it delivered.

ClickFunnels is especially helpful when you just need the funnel — not the full website.

But it comes with trade-offs. The design flexibility is limited. The editor can be a bit clunky. And while everything is in one place, you’re also locked into their system. You don’t own the infrastructure — and you pay for that convenience.

Great for:

• Digital marketers and coaches who want to launch a funnel without touching WordPress
• Course creators or service providers who need a fast way to collect leads and sell offers
• Anyone running a live launch, challenge, or webinar funnel that doesn’t require long-term site infrastructure
• Business owners who prefer done-for-you templates and hosted tools over plugin-based flexibility
• Teams that want built-in email, checkout, and upsell features with minimal setup

ClickFunnels works best for fast-moving marketers who value convenience and speed over ownership and customization. But if you’re building a long-term business on WordPress, the monthly cost and closed ecosystem might catch up with you.

5. Systeme.io – Best Free Option for Absolute Beginners

If you’re brand new to funnels and your budget is basically “vibes and determination,” Systeme.io is shockingly generous for a free tool.

I’ve tested it on a few mini-projects, and honestly? It does a lot more than I expected for something that costs zero dollars to get started. You can build basic funnels, send emails, sell digital products, even whip up a simple course — all from one dashboard. It’s like a scrappy little all-in-one that actually tries to help you win.

This tool is perfect if you're in MVP mode — testing an idea, validating an offer, or just getting your first online business funnel up and running without a huge tech learning curve. And it doesn’t throw 19 upsell popups at you every time you log in, which I respect.

Would I use it for a long-term, conversion-optimized business? Probably not. The design options are limited, the email tools are basic, and once you start needing things like advanced automation or more polished branding control, you’ll start to feel the walls close in.

But as a free place to learn, experiment, and build momentum? Systeme.io punches way above its weight.

Stop Blaming the Tool. Your Funnel Needs Strategy.

Let’s have a moment of truth: it’s not always the funnel builder’s fault.

Even with the right tools, I’ve had funnels flop. Yup — even now. You test an idea, launch with excitement… and then? Crickets.

But here’s the thing — those flops are where the gold is. Every failed funnel teaches you something that helps you build the next one smarter, cleaner, and more efficient.

Because while the tool helps you execute, it’s the strategy that drives results.

Yes, the tech matters. But even the best sales funnel software in the world can’t fix a weak offer, fuzzy messaging, or a funnel that’s trying to do too much at once.

Here’s what I’ve learned (the hard way):

The right funnel builder makes things easier, yes — but you still need a strategy behind it. Otherwise, you're just putting lipstick on a landing page.

Unconventional Funnel Ideas (That Actually Work)

Let’s step outside the basic “opt-in → email → offer” formula. These ideas aren’t just clever — they convert.

• Use a quiz as your top-of-funnel filter Segment leads while warming them up. It's more fun than a form and 10x more useful. → How to Use Quiz Funnels to Increase Conversions

• Try a hybrid funnel: Thrive Suite + Checkout Page Quiz → Segmented sales page → Stripe checkout → Upsell. Simple, clean, super effective.

• Build a micro-course funnel Lead magnet → Email series → Free mini-course → Pitch the full program. → Free Course Funnel Tutorial

• Re-engage with push notifications Use PushEngage to send timely nudges even after someone leaves your site. Flash sale? Reminder. Abandoned cart? Nudge. New content? Ping.

Sometimes your best-performing funnel isn’t the one you planned. It’s the one you dared to test.

FAQs About Choosing the Best Sales Funnel Builder

The Best Funnel Builder Is the One That Fits You

After testing more tools than I care to count, here’s what I’ve learned:

There’s no single “perfect” funnel builder — only the one that matches how you work, what you’re selling, and where you want your business to go. Some platforms prioritize speed. Others offer deep customization. A few do both (with varying degrees of success). But at the end of the day, the best tool is the one you’ll actually use — and stick with.

Here’s a simple breakdown to guide your decision:

• New to funnels and working with a tight budget?
  Start with Systeme.io — it’s free, generous, and a solid way to learn the basics.

• Running your business on WordPress?
  Thrive Suite is built for you. It gives you full control, smart conversion tools, and a stack that grows as you do — without the duct tape.

• Managing multiple client funnels or reselling services?
  GoHighLevel is designed for agencies that need volume, automation, and white-label capabilities.

• Want a fast, done-for-you system that’s hosted and ready to go?
  ClickFunnels delivers a solid experience — especially if you’re launching fast and don’t need deep customization yet.

Choosing your funnel builder is more than a technical decision — it’s a strategic one. Pick the tool that fits your goals today, with enough room to grow tomorrow.

→ Try Thrive Suite and build the kind of funnel that finally feels like it fits you — not someone else’s strategy, not someone else’s tool stack. Yours.