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Payhip vs SamCart: which one should you choose?

Last updated November 14, 2026

Quick answer: Choose Payhip if you want low upfront cost: it has a free plan with every feature and a 5% fee per sale, and paid plans at US$29 and US$99 a month. Choose SamCart if you want checkout tools that raise revenue per sale, such as one-click upsells, order bumps and A/B testing on its $199 Pro plan; SamCart starts at $79 a month after a 7-day free trial.

Payhip vs SamCart at a glance

PayhipSamCart
Starting priceFree (5% transaction fee)$79/month (Core)
Free plan / trialFree forever plan, no card neededNo free plan; 7-day free trial
Platform fee on sales5% on Free, 2% on Plus, none on ProNot listed; SamPay processing 2.9% + 30ยข
Top listed planUS$99/month (Pro)$199/month (Pro); Done For You is custom
Feature gatingAll features on every planUpsells, order bumps, A/B tests and affiliate center need Pro
Products and pagesUnlimited products and revenue on all plansUnlimited pages, products and checkouts on every plan
What you can sellDigital downloads, courses, memberships, coaching, physical productsDigital products, courses and subscriptions
Best forCreators selling digital products who want low upfront costCreators selling courses and digital products

From each official site, checked November 14, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you buy.

Key differences

  • Payhip can be used for US$0 a month with a 5% fee per sale, while SamCart's lowest plan is $79 a month.
  • SamCart focuses on the checkout: cart abandonment follow-up on Core, and one-click upsells, order bumps and A/B testing on Pro.
  • Payhip gives every feature on every plan and the plans differ only by transaction fee; SamCart keeps its main revenue tools for the $199 Pro plan.
  • SamCart's Core plan includes one team seat and Pro includes 10 seats.
  • Payhip is a store builder that also handles memberships, coaching and physical products.

In one line each

Payhip

Online store builder for selling digital downloads, courses, memberships and physical items, with a free plan. Starting price: Free (5% transaction fee). Free plan / trial: Free forever plan, no card needed. Best for: Creators selling digital products who want low upfront cost.

Read the full Payhip summary →

SamCart

Checkout pages and selling tools for digital products, courses and subscriptions. Starting price: $79/month (Core). Free plan / trial: 7-day free trial. Best for: Creators selling courses and digital products.

Read the full SamCart summary →

Frequently asked questions

Is Payhip cheaper than SamCart?

Yes on monthly price. Payhip is free with a 5% fee per sale, or US$29 and US$99 a month on paid plans, while SamCart costs $79 or $199 a month. Payment processing fees apply on both.

Does Payhip or SamCart have a free plan?

Payhip has a free forever plan with all features. SamCart has no free plan, but it offers a 7-day free trial.

Which has upsells and order bumps, Payhip or SamCart?

SamCart lists one-click upsells, order bumps and A/B testing of checkout pages on its Pro plan at $199 a month. Payhip's listed features do not name these tools.

Can I sell online courses with Payhip and SamCart?

Yes, both. Payhip sells online courses alongside downloads and memberships from one store. SamCart has a built-in course app on every plan.

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We summarise each product from its official website, pricing page and documentation. We don't run hands-on tests or give star ratings. Some links on this site may be affiliate links. See our affiliate disclosure.