HighLevel vs ClickFunnels: Why Businesses Are Switching to HighLevel

What Is ClickFunnels?

ClickFunnels is a sales funnel platform founded in 2014 by Russell Brunson and Todd Dickerson and headquartered in Eagle, Idaho. It made the idea of the "sales funnel" mainstream for coaches, course creators, and online entrepreneurs through Russell Brunson's books and the Funnel Hacking Live event. The current version, ClickFunnels 2.0, launched in 2022 and added websites, courses, a basic CRM, email, and workflows to its core funnel builder. Even so, ClickFunnels remains primarily a funnel and checkout tool, without the native texting, phone system, or reputation tools that many businesses now rely on. Plans start at $97 per month for Launch, which caps you at 10,000 contacts, 50,000 emails per month, and a single workspace, and each step up in limits means a pricier plan. After more than a decade in business, ClickFunnels is still best known for direct response funnels rather than complete customer communication.

What Is HighLevel?

HighLevel is the all-in-one sales and marketing platform founded in 2018 in Dallas, Texas, by Shaun Clark, Varun Vairavan, and Robin Alex Panicker. It was built to replace the stack of disconnected tools most businesses pay for, combining funnels, websites, CRM, email, two-way SMS, calls, calendars, workflows, reputation management, courses, and AI in a single login. HighLevel has become one of the fastest growing platforms in marketing software, now powering tens of thousands of agencies and the businesses they serve. Plans start at $97 per month with unlimited contacts, and the $297 Unlimited plan lets you run as many businesses or brands as you need. Its AI employees can answer calls, reply to texts and chats, and book appointments around the clock. HighLevel ships new features constantly, which means your platform gets more powerful every month without adding another subscription.

Why You Might Stay With ClickFunnels

There are a few narrow situations where staying with ClickFunnels can make sense for now. If your business is a single digital product sold entirely through checkout pages, with no calls, texts, or appointments, ClickFunnels may cover what you need today. If you are in the middle of a major launch with funnels that are converting well, you may want to finish that launch before migrating. And if you depend heavily on ClickFunnels' community and training ecosystem, it may take time to get comfortable in a new platform. But for most businesses, these are reasons to plan the switch carefully, not reasons to stay long term. As your list grows and your sales rely more on follow-up conversations, the gap between ClickFunnels and HighLevel only gets wider.

Why You Should Switch to HighLevel Now

Switching to HighLevel gives you everything ClickFunnels does, plus the tools that turn funnel traffic into paying customers. For the same $97 starting price, HighLevel includes unlimited contacts instead of a 10,000 contact cap, plus a full CRM with unlimited pipelines. It also adds native two-way SMS, a phone system with call tracking, a unified inbox for text, email, Facebook, and Instagram, advanced calendars, reputation management, and a social media planner, features you would otherwise buy as separate apps. Its AI can answer calls and messages instantly and book appointments while you sleep, so leads from your funnels never go cold. Agencies and multi-brand businesses can manage unlimited accounts and even white label the platform as their own. Every month you wait is another month of paying for a funnel builder plus extra tools, so the best time to switch is now.

ClickFunnels vs HighLevel: Top 20 Features Compared

FeatureClickFunnelsHighLevel
Starting price$97/month (Launch)$97/month (Starter)
Contact limits10,000 on Launch, higher limits cost moreUnlimited contacts on all plans
Businesses or brands1 workspace on LaunchUnlimited sub-accounts on the Unlimited plan
Funnel builderYesYes, with templates and split testing
Order bumps and one-click upsellsYesYes
Website and blogIncludedIncluded
Email marketingIncluded, sends billed on usageIncluded, sends billed on usage
Marketing automationWorkflows includedAdvanced workflows across email, SMS, calls, tasks, and pipelines
Two-way SMSNot a core feature, usually via integrationsBuilt in natively
Phone system and call trackingNot includedBuilt in numbers, call tracking, and recording
AI that answers calls and books appointmentsNot includedVoice AI and Conversation AI included
Unified inboxNot includedSMS, email, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and more
CRM and sales pipelinesBasic CRMFull CRM with unlimited pipelines
Appointment schedulingBasic appointmentsAdvanced calendars with round robin and reminders
Courses and membershipsIncluded, course limits by planIncluded, plus communities
Affiliate program managementOptimize plan and higherAffiliate Manager included
Reputation managementNot includedBuilt in review requests and monitoring
Social media schedulingNot includedSocial Planner included
Mobile app for texting and callsNot a core featureLeadConnector app for texts, calls, and deals
White label and resaleNot availableAvailable on agency plans

Top 10 Questions About Converting From ClickFunnels to HighLevel

  1. Can I move my ClickFunnels funnels into HighLevel?

    Yes. Rebuild them in the HighLevel funnel builder, which is a great chance to upgrade your best pages. HighLevel has also offered a tool for importing ClickFunnels share links, though imported pages usually need cleanup.

  2. Can I export my contacts from ClickFunnels?

    Yes. Export your contacts as a CSV file and import them into HighLevel, mapping each column to the right field.

  3. Will my tags transfer over?

    Yes. Include tags in your export and map them during the import so your segments stay intact.

  4. What happens to my products and checkout setup?

    Recreate your products, order forms, bumps, and upsells in HighLevel and connect the same Stripe account.

  5. Will my subscription customers keep getting billed?

    Subscriptions live in your payment processor, usually Stripe. Connect that account to HighLevel and plan the handoff so billing continues without interruption.

  6. Can I move my courses and members?

    Yes. Rebuild your course content in HighLevel Memberships, then import members and grant access to the matching offers.

  7. Will my ClickFunnels workflows and email sequences transfer?

    They are rebuilt as HighLevel workflows, where you can add SMS, calls, and AI follow-up that ClickFunnels could not include.

  8. Do I need to change my domain settings?

    Yes. Point your funnel domains to HighLevel and set up a dedicated sending domain with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records.

  9. How long does a migration take?

    Most businesses complete a ClickFunnels migration in two to six weeks, and simple accounts can move even faster.

  10. Can someone handle the migration for me?

    Yes. A HighLevel specialist can rebuild your funnels, move your members, and test every checkout so the switch is painless.

Top 20 "Should I" Questions About HighLevel

  1. Should I switch from ClickFunnels to HighLevel?

    Yes. You get funnels and checkout plus unlimited contacts, a full CRM, SMS, calls, and AI for the same starting price.

  2. Should I switch now or wait?

    Switch now. Every month you wait, leads from your funnels miss the follow-up that HighLevel automates.

  3. Should I switch if I run a service business?

    Absolutely. Service businesses rely on calls, texts, and appointments, which HighLevel handles natively.

  4. Should I switch if I sell digital products?

    Yes. HighLevel handles funnels, checkout, and courses, and its SMS and AI follow-up help you sell more.

  5. Should I switch if my contact list is growing?

    Yes. HighLevel does not cap contacts, so you never have to upgrade just because your list grew.

  6. Should I switch if I run multiple brands?

    Yes. The Unlimited plan gives you as many sub-accounts as you need for one flat price.

  7. Should I choose the Starter plan or the Unlimited plan?

    Starter works for a single business. Unlimited is best if you run multiple brands or need API access.

  8. Should I keep ClickFunnels active during the move?

    Yes, just long enough to rebuild and test your funnels and checkouts. Then cancel and stop paying for two platforms.

  9. Should I rebuild my funnels instead of importing them?

    Yes. Rebuilding gives you cleaner pages and a chance to improve your best converting funnels.

  10. Should I add SMS follow-up to my funnels?

    Yes, with proper consent. Text messages often get much faster responses than email alone.

  11. Should I use HighLevel's AI features?

    Yes. Conversation AI and Voice AI in HighLevel respond to leads instantly and book calls around the clock.

  12. Should I use HighLevel for appointment booking?

    Yes. Calendars include reminders, round robin assignment, and automatic follow-up.

  13. Should I move my courses into HighLevel?

    Yes. Courses, communities, and payments connect directly to your CRM.

  14. Should I use HighLevel for my affiliate program?

    Yes. The Affiliate Manager is included, so you do not need a higher tier to run affiliates.

  15. Should I clean my contact list before importing?

    Yes. Removing bounced and inactive contacts gives you a fresh start with better deliverability.

  16. Should I set up a dedicated sending domain?

    Yes. It protects your main domain and improves deliverability from day one.

  17. Should I use HighLevel for review management?

    Yes. Automated review requests can quickly grow your Google reviews and bring in more leads.

  18. Should I hire an expert to help me switch?

    If you want it done fast and right, yes. A professional migration protects your funnels and your sales.

  19. Should I build multiple pipelines?

    Yes, if you sell different offers. HighLevel allows unlimited pipelines.

  20. Should I use HighLevel's mobile app?

    Yes. The LeadConnector app lets you text, call, and manage leads from anywhere.

Top 20 "How Do I... With HighLevel" Questions

  1. How do I import my ClickFunnels contacts with HighLevel?

    Go to Contacts, click Import, upload your ClickFunnels CSV, and map each column to a HighLevel field.

  2. How do I build a sales funnel with HighLevel?

    Go to Sites, choose Funnels, and start from a template or a blank page.

  3. How do I add an order bump with HighLevel?

    Edit your order form step in the funnel builder and turn on the order bump option.

  4. How do I add a one-click upsell with HighLevel?

    Add an upsell step after your order form and attach the product you want to offer.

  5. How do I accept payments with HighLevel?

    Go to Payments, then Integrations, and connect your Stripe account.

  6. How do I create a product with HighLevel?

    Go to Payments, then Products, and add a product with one-time or recurring pricing.

  7. How do I split test a funnel with HighLevel?

    Open the funnel step, create a variation, and set how traffic is divided between versions.

  8. How do I connect my domain with HighLevel?

    Go to Settings, then Domains, add your domain, update your DNS, and assign it to your funnel.

  9. How do I build an online course with HighLevel?

    Go to Memberships, create a new offer, and add your products, categories, and lessons.

  10. How do I automate follow-up with HighLevel?

    Create a workflow, choose a trigger, and add emails, texts, calls, tasks, or wait steps.

  11. How do I rebuild a ClickFunnels email sequence with HighLevel?

    Create a workflow, add your trigger, and recreate each email with wait steps, then add SMS for better results.

  12. How do I set up email deliverability with HighLevel?

    Go to Settings, then Email Services, add a dedicated sending domain, and add the DNS records it provides.

  13. How do I send an email broadcast with HighLevel?

    Go to Marketing, then Emails, build your message, choose your audience, and send or schedule it.

  14. How do I send text messages with HighLevel?

    Send one-to-one texts from Conversations or add SMS actions to your workflows.

  15. How do I get a business phone number with HighLevel?

    Go to Settings, then Phone Numbers, and purchase a local or toll-free number.

  16. How do I book appointments with HighLevel?

    Create a calendar, set your availability, and add the booking widget to your funnel.

  17. How do I run an affiliate program with HighLevel?

    Go to Marketing, then Affiliate Manager, create a campaign, and set your commission rules.

  18. How do I track deals with HighLevel?

    Go to Opportunities, create a pipeline, and move each lead through your sales stages.

  19. How do I get more Google reviews with HighLevel?

    Go to Reputation, connect your Google Business Profile, and set up automated review requests.

  20. How do I see where my sales come from with HighLevel?

    Open the attribution reports to see the source, campaign, and page behind each lead and sale.

Top 20 "Where Do I... in HighLevel" Questions

  1. Where do I find my contacts in HighLevel?

    All contacts live in the Contacts section of the left menu.

  2. Where do I see all my messages in HighLevel?

    The Conversations tab shows SMS, email, chat, and social messages in one inbox.

  3. Where do I build funnels in HighLevel?

    Funnels are under Sites, then Funnels.

  4. Where do I build websites in HighLevel?

    Websites are under Sites, then Websites.

  5. Where do I manage products in HighLevel?

    Products are under Payments, then Products.

  6. Where do I see orders and transactions in HighLevel?

    Orders and transactions are listed under Payments.

  7. Where do I build courses in HighLevel?

    Courses and memberships are managed in the Memberships section.

  8. Where do I create email campaigns in HighLevel?

    Email campaigns are under Marketing, then Emails.

  9. Where do I build automations in HighLevel?

    Workflows are under Automation.

  10. Where do I create custom fields in HighLevel?

    Go to Settings, then Custom Fields.

  11. Where do I find reporting in HighLevel?

    The Dashboard and Reporting sections show leads, sales, appointments, and attribution.

  12. Where do I manage my calendars in HighLevel?

    Calendars are in the main menu, with setup options under Settings, then Calendars.

  13. Where do I build forms and surveys in HighLevel?

    Go to Sites, then Forms or Surveys.

  14. Where do I set up AI agents in HighLevel?

    Open the AI Agents section in HighLevel to configure Conversation AI and Voice AI.

  15. Where do I connect my domains in HighLevel?

    Go to Settings, then Domains.

  16. Where do I manage affiliates in HighLevel?

    Affiliates are managed under Marketing, then Affiliate Manager.

  17. Where do I schedule social media posts in HighLevel?

    Go to Marketing, then Social Planner.

  18. Where do I manage reviews in HighLevel?

    Reviews are in the Reputation section.

  19. Where do I find integrations in HighLevel?

    Visit the App Marketplace or Settings, then Integrations.

  20. Where do I get help and training in HighLevel?

    Use the help center, the HighLevel YouTube channel, or HighLevel University inside the platform.

Top 20 "Can HighLevel" Questions

  1. Can HighLevel replace ClickFunnels completely?

    Yes, for most businesses. HighLevel covers funnels, websites, checkout, courses, email, and automation, and adds SMS, calls, and AI.

  2. Can HighLevel do order bumps and upsells?

    Yes. Funnels support order bumps, one-click upsells, and downsells.

  3. Can HighLevel import my ClickFunnels pages?

    It has offered an import tool for ClickFunnels share links, and most businesses rebuild their best pages for cleaner results.

  4. Can HighLevel host my online courses?

    Yes. You can host courses, memberships, and communities.

  5. Can HighLevel take payments?

    Yes. It connects to Stripe and other processors for one-time and recurring payments.

  6. Can HighLevel handle subscriptions?

    Yes. You can sell recurring subscriptions and payment plans.

  7. Can HighLevel split test pages?

    Yes. You can split test funnel steps to find the best converting version.

  8. Can HighLevel host my website and blog?

    Yes. You can build and host full websites and blogs on your own domain.

  9. Can HighLevel send text messages?

    Yes. Two-way SMS is built in and can be automated in workflows.

  10. Can HighLevel answer my phone with AI?

    Yes. Voice AI can answer calls, collect information, and book appointments.

  11. Can HighLevel reply to leads automatically?

    Yes. Conversation AI can respond to texts, chats, and social messages instantly.

  12. Can HighLevel run an affiliate program?

    Yes. The Affiliate Manager tracks affiliates, referrals, and commissions.

  13. Can HighLevel run webinar funnels?

    Yes. You can build registration and replay funnels and connect live webinar tools like Zoom.

  14. Can HighLevel send email broadcasts?

    Yes. You can send one-time broadcasts and automated email sequences.

  15. Can HighLevel integrate with Zapier?

    Yes. Zapier and webhooks connect HighLevel to thousands of other apps.

  16. Can HighLevel track my ad performance?

    Yes. It tracks lead sources and attribution from Facebook and Google Ads.

  17. Can HighLevel manage my Google reviews?

    Yes. It can request, monitor, and reply to reviews from one place.

  18. Can HighLevel create pages with AI?

    Yes. AI tools help generate page copy and content to speed up building.

  19. Can HighLevel manage multiple businesses?

    Yes. Each business gets its own sub-account in HighLevel, all managed from one agency view.

  20. Can HighLevel work on my phone?

    Yes. The LeadConnector mobile app lets you manage conversations, contacts, and appointments on the go.

Ready to Switch From ClickFunnels to HighLevel?

Every month you stay on ClickFunnels, your funnels bring in leads that need texts, calls, and follow-up that ClickFunnels was never built to handle. HighLevel gives you funnels, checkout, courses, email, SMS, calls, calendars, reviews, and AI in one platform with unlimited contacts. Our team can help you rebuild your funnels, move your products and members, and test every checkout so you can switch quickly and without losing sales. Get started with HighLevel today.