Introduction
Email marketing and funnel automation remain the lifeline of modern digital businesses. Whether you’re generating leads, nurturing subscribers, onboarding clients, or scaling a digital agency, choosing the right platform matters. Two of the top tools marketers consider today are GoHighLevel and ConvertKit.
Table of Contents
Both are powerful in their own way:
- ConvertKit is one of the most trusted names in email marketing—simple, reliable, and built for creators.
- GoHighLevel is a full-stack platform—email marketing, funnels, CRM, automation, SMS, pipelines, scheduling, and white-label SaaS mode—designed for agencies and growth-focused businesses.
So the big question is:
Which one is better for email marketing and funnel building in 2025?
This in-depth comparison breaks down:
✔ Email marketing features
✔ Funnel builder comparison
✔ GoHighLevel CRM capabilities
✔ Automation workflows
✔ Pricing differences
✔ Pros & cons
✔ Real-world use cases
✔ Which platform is better for which audience
Let’s dive into the complete GoHighLevel vs ConvertKit: Email Marketing & Funnel Builder Comparison so you can make the best decision for your business.
GoHighLevel vs ConvertKit: Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | GoHighLevel | ConvertKit |
|---|---|---|
| Email Marketing | ✔ Advanced | ✔ Strong, creator-friendly |
| Funnel Builder | ✔ Full funnel builder | ✖ No funnel builder |
| Automation | ✔ Multi-step workflows | ✔ Basic to intermediate |
| CRM | ✔ Built-in CRM | ✖ No CRM |
| SMS Marketing | ✔ Yes | ✖ No |
| Landing Pages | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Memberships | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| White Label SaaS | ✔ Yes | ✖ No |
| Best For | Agencies & advanced marketers | Creators, bloggers, coaches |
ConvertKit: Overview & Strengths
ConvertKit is one of the most popular email marketing tools for creators. It focuses on simplicity, clean automation, and excellent deliverability. If you’re a blogger, influencer, coach, or digital creator who wants easy email marketing, ConvertKit is often the first choice.
What ConvertKit Does Best
- Email marketing
- Tag-based segmentation
- Simple automation
- Landing pages
- Forms
- Creator monetization tools
- Paid newsletters
- Basic funnels (visual sequences only)
ConvertKit Is Ideal For:
- Bloggers
- Influencers
- YouTubers
- Newsletter creators
- Coaches with small email lists
- Simple online businesses
ConvertKit is not designed for complex funnels, pipelines, multi-step automation, or agency-level features. This is where GoHighLevel stands out.
GoHighLevel: Overview & Strengths
GoHighLevel is an all-in-one business automation platform built to replace dozens of tools. It offers the complete ecosystem for agencies, marketers, and businesses that want to scale with automation.
What GoHighLevel Provides
- Funnel builder
- Unlimited landing pages
- Email + SMS marketing
- Complete CRM
- Automation workflows
- Call tracking
- Pipelines
- Membership sites
- AI appointment booking
- Reputation management
- White label & SaaS mode
GoHighLevel Is Ideal For:
- Digital marketing agencies
- Freelancers
- Business consultants
- Local businesses
- Service providers
- Small businesses wanting automation
- Anyone selling funnels or marketing services
- Entrepreneurs wanting to launch their own SaaS
In short: ConvertKit is for creators. GoHighLevel is for businesses with growth goals.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Below is the detailed breakdown of all major features so you can see how each platform performs.
1. Email Marketing Features
ConvertKit Email Marketing
- Clean user interface
- Strong email deliverability
- Visual sequence builder
- Broadcast emails
- Creator-friendly templates
- Tag-based segmentation
- Subscriber scoring
- A/B testing for subject lines
ConvertKit’s email system is designed to be simple and intuitive.
GoHighLevel Email Marketing
GoHighLevel provides a more advanced marketing engine:
- Full email campaign builder
- Drag-and-drop email creator
- Smart templates
- Unlimited email campaigns
- Automated workflows
- Time-based triggers
- Behavioral automation
- Event-based triggers
- Email + SMS combined automation
- AI-backed personalization
Winner:
ConvertKit for simplicity
GoHighLevel for power and advanced automation
2. Funnel Builder Comparison
ConvertKit Funnel Builder
ConvertKit does not offer true funnels. It provides:
- Visual “automations” that resemble funnels
- Basic email sequences
- Landing pages (but no upsells/downsells)
You cannot build:
- Sales funnels
- Webinar funnels
- Multi-step funnels
- Tripwire funnels
- High-converting VSL pages
GoHighLevel Funnel Builder
GoHighLevel offers a true funnel builder comparable to ClickFunnels:
- Multi-step funnels
- Upsell and downsell pages
- Order bumps
- Checkout pages
- Webinar funnels
- Lead funnels
- VSL funnels
- Membership onboarding funnels
You can visually map and manage every step of the customer journey.
Winner:
GoHighLevel, without question.
ConvertKit isn’t a funnel builder—GoHighLevel is.
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3. Automation Capabilities
ConvertKit Automations
ConvertKit includes:
- Visual workflow builder
- If/else conditions
- Trigger-based sequences
- Tag management
Automation is good for creators, but limited for agencies or businesses needing complexity.
GoHighLevel Automation
GoHighLevel automation is one of the most advanced systems available at its price point.
You get:
- Multi-step workflows
- Email automation
- SMS automation
- Calls & voicemails
- Multi-channel triggers
- Pipeline movement automation
- Review automation
- Internal tasks
- Appointment automation
- Form & funnel-based triggers
- AI automated responses
This level of automation can replace:
- ActiveCampaign
- HubSpot
- Mailchimp
- Zapier
- ManyCRM automations
Winner: GoHighLevel — best-in-class automation.
4. CRM & Contact Management
ConvertKit CRM
ConvertKit does not have a true CRM.
Only email subscriber data is available.
GoHighLevel CRM
GoHighLevel includes a full CRM:
- Pipelines
- Opportunities
- Contact profiles
- Lead scoring
- Custom fields
- Tasks
- Notes
- AI-powered workflows
Agencies can manage multiple clients inside one dashboard.
Winner: GoHighLevel, by a landslide.
5. SMS & Multi-Channel Marketing
ConvertKit
✖ No SMS
✖ No phone tracking
✖ No call automation
✖ No multi-channel workflows
GoHighLevel
✔ SMS campaigns
✔ Missed call text-back
✔ Ringless voicemail
✔ WhatsApp integration
✔ AI inbound responses
✔ Multi-channel automation
Winner: GoHighLevel
This is marketing on a whole new level.
6. Landing Pages
ConvertKit
ConvertKit has:
- Clean landing page templates
- Mobile-responsive designs
- Easy-to-edit fields
But the customization options are minimal.
GoHighLevel
GoHighLevel landing pages include:
- Drag-and-drop builder
- Full design control
- Global sections
- Dynamic content
- Funnel A/B testing
- Custom HTML/CSS
Winner: GoHighLevel for customization
ConvertKit for simplicity
7. Membership Sites
Both platforms offer membership capabilities, but:
ConvertKit
- Basic membership pages
- Email-based access
- Creator-friendly
GoHighLevel
- Full membership portal
- Drip content
- Multiple courses
- Advanced user control
Winner: GoHighLevel
8. White Label & SaaS Mode
ConvertKit
✖ No white labeling
✖ No SaaS mode
✖ Not for agencies
GoHighLevel
✔ Completely white-labeled
✔ Custom domain
✔ Agency branding
✔ Create your own SaaS product
✔ Automated client billing
✔ Stripe integration
✔ Subscription management
Winner: GoHighLevel (Exclusive feature)
This is a major revenue opportunity for agencies.
GoHighLevel vs ConvertKit Pricing
ConvertKit Pricing
ConvertKit is priced based on subscriber count:
- Free plan: up to 1,000 subscribers
- Creator plan: starts at $15/month
- Creator Pro: starts at $29/month
As your list grows… so does your bill.
GoHighLevel Pricing
GoHighLevel offers three plans:
- Starter: $97/month
- Pro: $297/month
- SaaS Mode: $497/month
This includes:
✔ CRM
✔ Unlimited landing pages
✔ Unlimited funnels
✔ Email + SMS marketing
✔ Automation
✔ Memberships
✔ Client accounts
✔ White label
Free Trial (Affiliate):
👉 https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=vinoth-62
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Pros & Cons
GoHighLevel Pros
- All-in-one platform
- CRM built-in
- Full automation workflows
- SMS + email integration
- Funnel builder included
- White label SaaS mode
- Unlimited funnels & contacts
- Replaces 8–12 marketing tools
GoHighLevel Cons
- Steeper learning curve
- Higher starting price
- Overkill for simple email lists
ConvertKit Pros
- Beginner-friendly
- Clean UI
- Excellent deliverability
- Great for creators
- Simple automations
ConvertKit Cons
- No CRM
- No funnels
- No SMS automation
- Limited customization
- Costs increase significantly as the list grows
Which Platform Should You Choose?
Choose ConvertKit If You Are:
- A blogger
- A newsletter creator
- A coach with a simple business
- A creator wanting simplicity
- Someone who needs only email marketing
Choose GoHighLevel If You Are:
- A digital marketing agency
- A freelancer offering marketing services
- A small business wanting automation
- A business needing CRM + emails + SMS
- A marketer building funnels
- Someone wanting to sell SaaS
- A scaling business
If your goal is just email marketing, ConvertKit is enough.
If your goal is to automate your entire business, GoHighLevel wins by far.
FAQs
1. Is GoHighLevel better than ConvertKit?
Yes, for funnels, CRM, and automation. ConvertKit is better for simple email marketing.
2. Can ConvertKit replace GoHighLevel?
No. ConvertKit cannot replace CRM, funnels, automation, or white label features.
3. Does GoHighLevel include email marketing?
Yes, with advanced workflows and templates.
4. Does GoHighLevel offer SMS marketing?
Yes. ConvertKit does not.
5. Which platform is best for agencies?
GoHighLevel, because of CRM, pipelines, workflows, and SaaS mode.
6. Does GoHighLevel have a free trial?
Yes.
👉 https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=vinoth-62
Get 30 Days Free Trial + Free Live Bootcamp to Launch HighLevel Together
Conclusion: Final Verdict
When comparing GoHighLevel vs ConvertKit: Email Marketing & Funnel Builder Comparison, the winner depends on your needs.
Choose ConvertKit if you want:
- Simple email marketing
- Clean automation
- Creator-friendly tools
Choose GoHighLevel if you want:
- Automation
- Funnels
- CRM
- SMS
- White label
- SaaS mode
- A complete business system
For agencies, freelancers, and growing businesses, GoHighLevel is the clear winner.
For creators focused only on email, ConvertKit does a great job.
Call to Action
Ready to build funnels, automate your business, and scale with an all-in-one platform?
👉 Start Your GoHighLevel Free Trial
https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=vinoth-62
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