When it comes to managing membership payments and adding members to your Circle community, you have multiple options. The primary choices are using Circle’s native Paywalls feature or opting for external payment tools like SureCart and HighLevel (Affiliates links that I am compensated by if you use them to make a purchase). Each approach has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. This article will compare these options, considering factors such as fees, integration complexity, customization, and overall user experience.
Circle Paywalls
Circle Paywalls is the native payment processing feature offered by Circle. It allows community owners to create paywalls for different membership levels, courses, or access to specific spaces within the community.
Pros:
- Ease of Use: Circle Paywalls are built into the platform, making it straightforward to set up and manage payments.
- Seamless Integration: Since it’s a native feature, the integration with Circle is seamless, ensuring smooth user onboarding. It takes seconds to add and remove what parts of your community are included in a paywall before AND after purchase.
- Quick Setup: Setting up a paywall is quick and doesn’t require additional tools or software.
- Direct Control: You have direct control over membership settings and access without needing to rely on third-party integrations.
Cons:
- Processing Fees: Circle charges additional processing fees (1-2%) for using their paywalls, which can add up, especially for high-volume transactions.
- Limited Customization: While Circle Paywalls are easy to use, they offer limited customization options compared to external payment tools.
- Basic Features: The functionality is somewhat basic, lacking advanced features like upsells, downsells, and detailed sales analytics.
SureCart
SureCart is an external payment tool designed for WordPress users. It allows you to create robust e-commerce solutions, including digital product sales and membership sites.
Pros:
- Advanced E-commerce Features: SureCart provides advanced features such as upsells, downsells, and customizable checkout processes.
- Flexibility: Highly flexible and customizable, allowing for a tailored user experience.
- No processing Fees & Lifetime Deal: SureCart has a Lifetime deal (pay once never again) option and does not charge any additional fees.
- Integration with WordPress: If you already use WordPress, SureCart integrates smoothly, providing a cohesive e-commerce solution right on your existing website.
Cons:
- Integration Complexity: Integrating SureCart with Circle requires using third-party automation tools like Zapier or SureTriggers, which can be complex and time-consuming.
- Learning Curve: Setting up SureCart and its integrations may require more time and technical knowledge.
- Dependence on External Tools and WordPress: You’ll need to rely on additional tools and plugins, increasing potential points of failure and maintenance.
HighLevel
HighLevel is a comprehensive marketing and sales platform that includes funnel creation, CRM, email marketing, and more. It can be used to manage payments and add members to your Circle community.
Pros:
- All-in-One Solution: HighLevel offers a wide range of marketing and sales tools, reducing the need for multiple software subscriptions.
- Advanced Automation: You can set up complex automations to handle customer journeys, email sequences, and more.
- Customization: HighLevel allows for significant customization of funnels and payment processes.
- Cost Efficiency: By consolidating multiple tools into HighLevel, you can save money compared to using separate tools for each function.
Cons:
- Integration Complexity: Similar to SureCart, integrating HighLevel with Circle requires third-party tools like Zapier, which can be complex.
- Learning Curve: HighLevel’s extensive features come with a steep learning curve.
- Initial Setup: Setting up HighLevel to work with Circle can be time-consuming and requires technical expertise.
ThriveCart
ThriveCart is another popular external payment tool that offers robust features for managing digital sales and memberships.
Pros:
- Lifetime Deal: ThriveCart offers a one-time payment option, making it a cost-effective solution over time.
- Advanced Checkout Features: ThriveCart includes upsells, downsells, and order bumps to increase sales.
- Integrations: ThriveCart integrates with numerous email marketing and CRM tools, providing flexibility in managing customer relationships.
- User-Friendly Interface: The platform is known for its intuitive interface, making it easy to set up and manage sales funnels.
Cons:
- Integration Complexity: Like other external tools, integrating ThriveCart with Circle requires using automation tools like Zapier, which can add complexity.
- Dependency on Third-Party Tools: You’ll need additional tools and plugins to manage integrations and workflows, which can increase maintenance efforts.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Circle Paywalls | SureCart | HighLevel | ThriveCart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | High | Moderate | Low | High |
| Integration Complexity | Low | High | High | Medium |
| Customization | Low | High | High | High |
| Processing Fees | 1-2% | None | None | None |
| Advanced E-commerce Features | Basic | Advanced | Advanced | Advanced |
| All-in-One Solution | Partial | No | Yes | No |
| Learning Curve | Low | Moderate | High | Low |
| Dependence on External Tools | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cost | Included in Circle. 1-2% fee + Stripe fees. | Lifetime Deal | Efficient Pricing | Lifetime Deal |
Cost Considerations
- Circle Paywalls: Included in Circle but with an additional 1-2% processing fee on top of Stripe’s fees.
- SureCart: Offers a lifetime deal ($999), making it a cost-effective option in the long run.
- HighLevel: Efficiently priced ($97/month), offering a comprehensive suite of tools that can replace multiple other subscriptions.
- ThriveCart: Also offers a lifetime deal ($690), eliminating ongoing subscription fees and making it a very cost-effective option over time.
Conclusion
Choosing between Circle Paywalls and external payment tools like SureCart, HighLevel, and ThriveCart depends on your specific needs and resources.
- Circle Paywalls is best for those seeking a simple, integrated solution with minimal setup that has the most built-in functionality with Circle. If wanting zero maintenance and the most control over your Circle community matters, choose Circle Paywalls even though it has an additional processing fee built in.
- SureCart is ideal for WordPress users looking for advanced e-commerce features and lower fees but willing to handle more complex integrations. SureCart’s dependence on WordPress requires additional setup and maintenance, which may be a hindrance to some. I have a comprehensive SureCart course available to streamline the process.
- HighLevel suits those who need a comprehensive marketing and sales solution, offering advanced automation and customization at the expense of a steeper learning curve and integration complexity. I have a comprehensive HighLevel course available to simplify this entire process.
- ThriveCart is an excellent choice for those who want a robust payment solution with a one-time fee, offering advanced features and a user-friendly interface. It’s also a SaaS solution, so you don’t need to worry about maintenance or WordPress.
Consider your priorities and technical capabilities when deciding which approach best fits your community management strategy.