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After testing 20+ funnel builders and investing $10,000, I found that Systeme.io and ClickFunnels are the best sales funnel builders for affiliate marketing.
Let me show you exactly why these tools outperform the rest and help you choose the perfect funnel builder for your specific affiliate marketing goals.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Systeme.io is the best overall choice, offering everything you need with the most competitive pricing
- ClickFunnels remains a solid premium option with its new AI features
- OptimizePress is perfect if you’re running your affiliate business on WordPress
- Kartra excels with its powerful behavior-based automation features
- GoHighLevel shines for advanced marketers needing multi-channel campaigns
Let’s dive deeper into each tool so you can make the best choice for your affiliate business.
Contents
My Top 5 Funnel Builders for Affiliate Marketing (After Testing 20+ Tools)
Look:
Finding the right funnel builder for affiliate marketing isn’t as simple as picking the most popular option.
In fact, choosing the wrong tool can cost you thousands in lost commissions (not to mention countless hours of headaches).
That’s why I spent over 100 hours testing and building real funnels with the top tools on the market.
And in this comparison, I’ll reveal exactly what I learned after spending almost $10,000 on funnel builder subscriptions and click-testing over 50 different funnels.
1. Systeme.io
The best overall funnel builder that won’t break the bank.
Think building high-converting affiliate funnels requires expensive software?
Think again.
I’ve tested dozens of funnel builders over the past 5 years.
And I can say with confidence: Systeme.io offers the most value for your money.
Why?
Because it includes EVERYTHING you need to run your affiliate business under one roof.
Let me show you exactly how it works:
First, pop into their funnel builder:
Then, choose from one of their 50+ pre-built funnel templates:
Finally, customize your funnel using their visual editor:
Pretty simple, right?
But here’s where Systeme.io gets REALLY interesting…
Unlike other funnel builders that nickel-and-dime you for every feature, Systeme.io gives you access to:
- Email marketing automation
- Built-in affiliate program management
- Course and digital product hosting
- Blog creation tools
- Custom domain connection
- Membership site functionality
And the best part?
You can test drive ALL of these features without paying a dime.
That’s because Systeme.io offers a VERY generous free plan that includes:
- Up to 3 sales funnels
- 2,000 email contacts
- Unlimited emails
- Sales & affiliate tracking
- File hosting
- Custom domain connection
My Favorite Feature: Automated Email Campaigns
Unlike many other funnel builders that charge extra for advanced email marketing features, Systeme.io includes a powerful email automation suite in every plan.
Their built-in email marketing suite lets you create sophisticated follow-up sequences that look like this:
You can trigger emails based on:
- Page visits
- Button clicks
- Purchase history
- Tag assignments
- And lots more
With other tools, this type of automation usually costs at least $97/month. But with Systeme.io, it’s included in every plan.
You can grab Systeme.io through this secret link, and you’ll get 40% OFF their annual Startup plan (that’s just $16.40/month instead of $27). They’ll even migrate your entire business for free.
The Bottom Line
As a free funnel builder, Systeme.io is essential for anyone looking to start or scale their affiliate marketing business.
While it may lack some advanced features found in ClickFunnels or GoHighLevel, it offers everything 99% of affiliate marketers need to succeed.
2. ClickFunnels
The original sales funnel builder that still leads the market.
Here’s the truth:
When people think of “sales funnels,” they think of ClickFunnels.
And there’s a good reason for that.
ClickFunnels basically invented the whole “funnel builder” category back in 2014.
And while many new tools have popped up since then, they’re still the most popular option.
But is popularity the same as being the best choice for affiliate marketers?
Let me break it down:
First things first: ClickFunnels isn’t just about building pretty pages.
They’ve crafted one of the most comprehensive collections of affiliate marketing templates I’ve ever seen.
This includes:
- Affiliate bridge pages
- Product comparison funnels
- Review page templates
- Bonus delivery pages
- Webinar funnels
- And lots more
Each template is specifically designed to convert affiliate traffic into commissions.
But here’s what makes ClickFunnels different:
Every template is based on REAL data from successful affiliate campaigns.
My Favorite Feature: Smart Funnel Builder
Here’s something really cool:
ClickFunnels recently rolled out their AI-powered Smart Funnel Builder.
And it’s a game-changer for affiliate marketers.
Instead of starting from scratch or tweaking templates, you can create custom-tailored funnels in minutes.
Here’s how it works:
You tell the AI about your:
- Affiliate offer
- Target audience
- Brand style
- Marketing goals
And it builds a complete, conversion-optimized funnel for you.
The best part?
Each funnel is unique and specifically optimized for affiliate marketing. No more generic templates or endless customization.
The only catch?
ClickFunnels isn’t cheap. Its basic plan starts at $97/month, and if you want all the advanced features, you’ll pay $297/month.
If you want to test drive ClickFunnels without committing to their full price, check out their One Funnel Away Challenge. For $100, you get 90 days of ClickFunnels access plus their complete funnel-building training.
It’s a great way to see if it’s right for you before going all-in.
The Bottom Line
While ClickFunnels has a steeper price tag than most of the tools on this list, it’s still a solid choice for affiliate marketing.
Their new AI features and proven templates make funnel building much easier than before.
And with the One Funnel Away Challenge offer, you can give it a proper test run without breaking the bank.
3. OptimizePress
The ultimate funnel builder for WordPress affiliate marketers.
Ever tried creating high-converting affiliate funnels in WordPress?
It’s not exactly fun.
I know what you’re thinking:
“Why use WordPress when there are so many cloud-based funnel builders?”
Here’s why:
Most WordPress affiliate marketers already have successful blogs bringing in organic traffic.
And OptimizePress lets you seamlessly integrate high-converting funnels into your EXISTING WordPress site.
This means you can turn your blog visitors into affiliate leads without sending them to external funnel pages (which often kills conversions).
Let me show you exactly how it works:
Unlike other WordPress page builders, OptimizePress is specifically designed for conversion.
In fact, their template library is packed with funnel pages that are proven to convert affiliate traffic.
Here’s what you get:
- Landing page templates
- Bridge page designs
- Comparison page layouts
- Review page templates
- Thank you page designs
- And lots more
But here’s where OptimizePress gets REALLY interesting…
It works perfectly alongside all your favorite WordPress plugins. Whether you’re using SEO plugins, affiliate link managers, or any other WordPress tools – everything keeps working exactly as it should.
This means you don’t have to change your existing WordPress setup or sacrifice any existing functionality.
My Favorite Feature: Smart Funnel Builder
Most WordPress page builders make you create every funnel page from scratch.
Not OptimizePress.
Their Smart Funnel Builder lets you map out your entire affiliate funnel visually:
You can see exactly how your pages connect, track conversion rates between steps, and quickly change any page in your funnel.
Plus, you can:
- Split test different designs
- Track affiliate link clicks
- Create mobile-responsive funnels
- Host everything on your own domain
- Integrate with any WordPress theme
The best part?
OptimizePress costs a fraction of what you’d pay for cloud-based funnel builders. You can get started for just $129/year (that’s only $8.25/month).
(By the way, if you’re new to WordPress funnels, here’s my step-by-step guide to building your first sales funnel)
The Bottom Line
If you’re already using WordPress for affiliate marketing, OptimizePress is a no-brainer.
While it may not have all the fancy features of ClickFunnels, it offers everything WordPress affiliate marketers need to succeed.
4. Kartra
The feature-packed funnel builder that converts.
Here’s something interesting:
When I first started testing Kartra, I expected just another funnel builder.
But I was wrong.
What makes Kartra different is how it handles the entire affiliate marketing journey – from the first click to the final commission.
Let me show you what I mean:
Most funnel builders force you to create each piece of your campaign separately.
Kartra lets you visualize and build your entire affiliate marketing campaign in one view.
And I’m not just talking about pages. I mean:
- Email sequences
- Product recommendations
- Follow-up campaigns
- Behavior triggers
- Commission tracking
Let me show you exactly how it works:
First, let me show you how Kartra handles funnel building:
Unlike most drag-and-drop builders that feel clunky, Kartra’s editor is surprisingly smooth.
You can build professional-looking affiliate pages in minutes.
But here’s where Kartra gets REALLY interesting…
Their behavioral adaptive engine learns from your visitors’ actions.
This means your funnels automatically adjust based on how people interact with them.
For example:
- If someone watches your affiliate review video
- Clicks on your comparison chart
- But doesn’t click your affiliate link…
Kartra can automatically:
- Send them a targeted email
- Show them a different offer
- Adjust the funnel’s content
- Present a special bonus
My Favorite Feature: Behavioral Link Actions
This is something unique about Kartra.
When someone clicks your affiliate link, most funnel builders just send them to the offer and hope for the best.
But Kartra lets you create sophisticated actions based on how people interact with your affiliate links:
You can:
- Trigger specific email sequences
- Show custom thank you pages
- Present related offers
- Add leads to different segments
- Track conversion paths
- Deploy follow-up campaigns
Plus, you can see how people interact with your affiliate links across your entire funnel.
This kind of data is gold for optimizing your campaigns.
The downside?
Kartra starts at $119/month, and their most popular plan is $199/month.
Using “Markin20” at checkout gets you 20% OFF any Kartra plan. Plus, you can start with a 30-day free trial to test everything out.
This brings the monthly cost down to:
- Starter: $95/month (instead of $119)
- Growth: $183/month (instead of $229)
- Professional: $439/month (instead of $549)
And yes, you can cancel anytime during your trial if it’s not the right fit.
The Bottom Line
Kartra shines when it comes to creating sophisticated, behavior-driven affiliate campaigns.
While it might be pricier than some alternatives, its powerful automation features can help boost your conversion rates significantly.
5. GoHighLevel
The ultimate funnel builder for advanced affiliate marketers.
Here’s the deal:
Most funnel builders are built for selling your own products. But if you’re deep into affiliate marketing, you need something more powerful.
That’s where GoHighLevel shines.
Why?
Because it lets you create sophisticated multi-channel affiliate campaigns that most other tools simply can’t handle.
Let me show you what makes this tool special for affiliate marketers:
First, you can create advanced follow-up systems that combine:
- Email sequences
- SMS messages
- Voice broadcasts
- Custom notifications
This means you can follow up with your affiliate leads across MULTIPLE channels (which typically leads to higher conversion rates).
But here’s where it gets really interesting…
GoHighLevel lets you create unlimited sub-accounts. This means you can build separate funnels for EACH affiliate offer you promote.
Plus, you get access to:
- Advanced conversion tracking
- Split-testing capabilities
- Custom domain for each funnel
- Detailed analytics dashboard
- Smart automations
My Favorite Feature: Campaign Tracking Marketplace
Most funnel builders make you start from scratch.
Not GoHighLevel.
Their marketplace lets you import proven affiliate campaign templates with a single click.
Just customize the affiliate links, and you’ll be ready to go.
Plus, you can track EXACTLY where your affiliate commissions are coming from:
- Which traffic sources convert best
- What emails get the most clicks
- When people are most likely to buy
- Which offers perform better than others
This level of tracking usually requires 2-3 separate tools.
But with GoHighLevel?
It’s all under one roof.
The only downside?
GoHighLevel isn’t cheap. Plans start at $97/month.
But here’s the thing:
If you’re doing high-ticket affiliate marketing or promoting multiple offers, the advanced features more than pay for themselves.
The Bottom Line
GoHighLevel is overkill if you’re just getting started with affiliate marketing.
But it’s worth every penny if you’re already making consistent affiliate income and want to scale up your campaigns.
3 Reasons Why Other Funnel Builders Didn’t Make the Cut
1. Not Focused on Funnel Building
Here’s the truth:
Some tools started as email marketing platforms or website builders, then added funnel features as an afterthought.
Their core features might be great, but their funnel-building capabilities feel limited and poorly integrated.
2. Underdeveloped or Outdated Platforms
Many funnel builders are either stuck in the past or still in “perpetual beta.”
You can’t build a serious affiliate business on outdated technology or half-baked features that never get completed.
3. Not Tested Yet
Look:
The funnel builder market is constantly evolving.
New tools pop up regularly, and existing ones get major updates.
While there might be other good options out there, I only recommend tools I’ve thoroughly used and tested myself.
Ready to Build Your First Affiliate Marketing Funnel?
Look:
You’ve seen the detailed breakdown of each funnel builder.
You know which ones to consider and which ones to avoid.
Now it’s time to take action.
Here’s what I recommend:
- Start with Systeme.io’s free plan. It gives you everything you need to build your first affiliate funnel without risking a dime.
- If you’re already making consistent affiliate income and need more advanced features, give Kartra a try.
- And if you’re a WordPress user? OptimizePress is your best bet.
The most important thing is to just get started.
Because the sooner you build your first funnel, the sooner you can start turning your traffic into affiliate commissions.
And, if you’re ready to build your first funnel, here’s my complete guide to creating affiliate marketing funnels.
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