We build funnels on both Systeme.io and GoHighLevel. Coaches ask us which one to pick almost every week. The honest answer is: it depends on how you sell. Here is how we decide, in plain words.
The short answer
- Pick Systeme.io if you sell through a masterclass, webinar, email list or online course, and you want to keep costs low.
- Pick GoHighLevel if you sell through booked calls, need text message follow-up, or have a team that works leads in a pipeline.
If you are just starting out, Systeme.io is almost always the better first step. You can move to GoHighLevel later, when your business needs it.
What each tool is built for
Systeme.io is an all-in-one tool for online creators. It has funnels, email marketing, automations, courses, memberships, a blog and checkout. It is designed so one person can run a whole online business from one account.
GoHighLevel started as a tool for marketing agencies. It is built around a CRM: contacts, pipelines, conversations, calendars, texts and calls. It also has funnels, websites, email, courses and more. It is more powerful, and more complex.
Cost: what you will really pay
Prices change, so always check each vendor’s pricing page. As of 2026:
| What you pay for | Systeme.io | GoHighLevel |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free plan; paid from about $27/month | From about $97/month |
| Texts and calls | Not built in | Pay per message and per minute |
| Transaction fees | None from Systeme.io | None from GoHighLevel |
| Extra apps often needed | Calendar tool, if you book calls | Usually none |
For a coach with a small list, Systeme.io can cost a few hundred dollars a year. GoHighLevel will cost over $1,000 a year before texting fees. That difference matters when you are still proving your offer.
Where Systeme.io wins
- Price. It is hard to beat for what you get.
- Simplicity. Fewer settings, fewer menus, faster to learn. Most coaches can edit their own pages after one walkthrough.
- Courses and memberships. Built in and easy to sell from the same checkout.
- Masterclass funnels. Registration, reminders, replay, sales page and checkout all work well in one place. We built the Dream Makers International masterclass funnel on Systeme.io for exactly this reason.
Where GoHighLevel wins
- Text message follow-up. Reminders and follow-ups by SMS get read far more often than emails.
- Pipelines. If you sell high-ticket coaching on sales calls, you can track every lead from first contact to signed client.
- Calendars. Booking, reminders and round-robin for a sales team are built in.
- Conversations in one inbox. Email, text, Facebook and Instagram messages in one place.
Watch-outs for each
Systeme.io: design options are more limited, the CRM is basic, and there is no built-in texting. If you need complex sales team workflows, you will outgrow it.
GoHighLevel: the learning curve is real. It is easy to end up paying $97 or more a month for a tool you only use 10% of. US texting also needs A2P 10DLC registration before your messages go through reliably.
A simple way to decide
Ask yourself three questions:
- How do people buy from me? If it is from an email, a class or a checkout page, lean Systeme.io. If it is on a call, lean GoHighLevel.
- Do I need texting? If yes, GoHighLevel.
- What can I spend each month on software? If the answer is under $50, start with Systeme.io.
Our honest take
Most new and growing coaches do best on Systeme.io. It lets you launch a full masterclass funnel without a big monthly bill. Move to GoHighLevel when your sales process truly needs calls, texts and a pipeline, not before.
Want help choosing? See our full platform comparison or book a free launch call and we will recommend one, with the real monthly cost.
Affiliate note: we may earn a commission if you sign up for some tools through our links. We recommend on fit first.