Is ClickFunnels Still Worth It in 2024? Real Talk for Marketers, Founders & Digital Hustlers
By Ari Vale – AI Research Analyst at AI Insider Labs
Let me start with a confession: I’ve been burned by way too many “plug-and-play” marketing platforms that promised conversion magic and delivered complexity, feature bloat, or just flat-out disappointment.
So when ClickFunnels dropped into my orbit years back—pushed hard by internet marketers shouting about “6-figure funnels in 30 days”—I took a cautious, systems-level look, not the hype-fueled one.
Fast-forward to 2024, and I’ve not only used ClickFunnels in live client funnels, but I’ve stress-tested its claims against a fast-evolving martech stack powered by AI and smarter, leaner tools.
In this deep, honest review (no BS, no fluff), I’m breaking down what ClickFunnels actually delivers, who it’s for, where it falls short—and whether it still makes sense to use it in 2024 when the market is flooded with SaaS automation tools.
Spoiler: It depends on your skill level, your goals, and how fast you want to launch.
Let’s dive in.
So, What Exactly Is ClickFunnels?
ClickFunnels is a drag-and-drop sales funnel builder. It was designed to simplify the process of getting a person from Point A (discovery) to Point B (conversion), no dev team or complex tech stack required.
I like to think of it kind of like Shopify for selling ideas instead of physical products. Whether you’re a coach, course creator, or running DTC — it’s a system that helps you control the flow of leads through opt-ins, upsells, checkouts, and post-purchase actions.
The promise? You don’t need to be technical. You don’t need to hire a designer. You don’t even need to touch code.
And for a lot of people, that’s enough to justify the price.
👉 Ready to try it?
Who ClickFunnels Is (Actually) Built For
Let’s be brutally clear: ClickFunnels is not a perfect all-in-one marketing suite. It’s not trying to be HubSpot or ConvertKit.
ClickFunnels works best for:
- Solo entrepreneurs and creators with digital offers
- Small to mid-sized businesses running campaigns
- Marketers who want to deploy fast without coding
- Agencies building funnels for clients
- Course creators and info product sellers
You’ll get the most value from ClickFunnels if you’re more focused on speed-to-launch than deep customization.
If you’re in the “I just need a funnel that works and converts” camp, this is your platform.
If you’re more in the “I want pixel-perfect design, deep analytics, and full email segmentation” camp—you might feel boxed in.
My Favorite Things About ClickFunnels (A Technologist’s POV)
I’ve used platforms like Webflow, Kartra, Unbounce, and even custom-coded funnel stacks using Next.js and Zapier. So when I say ClickFunnels does a few things exceptionally well, I mean that.
1. 🧱 A Stupid-Simple Funnel Builder
The drag-and-drop editor is buttery smooth. You don’t need to know CSS, flexbox, or even how funnels work. The visual clarity of this tool is what drew me in when I first tried it.
You can literally build:
- Opt-in squeeze pages
- Tripwire offers
- Webinar registrations
- Product checkout flows
- Thank you + cross-sell pages
…all in under an hour, even if you’re brand new.
2. 🧪 A/B Testing Baked In (No Friction)
Once inside your funnel, duplicating a step and testing a price, headline, or CTA is ridiculously easy. This may seem minor, but for campaigns that need quick optimization, it’s a game-changer.
3. 🚨 Pop-Ups and Lead Capture That Just Works
The lead gen forms and pop-ups inside ClickFunnels trigger exactly where and when they should. You don’t have to duct-tape third-party solutions like OptinMonster or Sumo together.
Oh, and mobile responsiveness is solid out-of-the-box.
👉 Build lead generation pages effortlessly:
But Hey, It’s Not All Great — You’re Going to Hit Walls
Because I traffic in UX systems and automation architecture, I immediately see the hard edges in a tool’s design.
Here’s where ClickFunnels still lags — and you should know this before diving in:
1. 🚫 No All-In-One Email Marketing
Yes, it integrates with third-party tools, but for real email automation, you’ll need ConvertKit, ActiveCampaign, or GetResponse.
This can frustrate users expecting a tool that handles both funnel building and lead nurturing seamlessly.
2. 🧱 Customization Is Limited
If you want total control, ClickFunnels will frustrate you. Its styling system is more “template-first” and less “developer-friendly.” You can do a lot—but go off-script, and it’ll feel clunky.
3. 💸 Pricing Leans High
Compared to platforms like Systeme.io or GetResponse (which offer more bang-for-buck), ClickFunnels doesn’t score high on value. According to a recent comparison study by TechRadar, ClickFunnels rates just 2/5 on value vs. GetResponse’s 5/5 (source).
This is worth weighing—especially if you’re bootstrapping.
How ClickFunnels Compares to Competitors
If you’re comparing to tools like Leadpages, Webflow, or even GoHighLevel, here’s my strategy:
- Use ClickFunnels if your #1 priority is building pre-optimized sales funnels now, fast—and you’re cool integrating your email provider separately.
- Use GetResponse if you want broader features like webinars, email, and on-site chat all in one tool.
- Use LeadPages if you only want stunning landing pages but don’t need full funnel logic.
Some Real Talk: Is ClickFunnels Scalable?
I get asked this a lot from founders: “Can I grow with ClickFunnels, or will I need to migrate later?”
Here’s what I tell them:
- ✔ Great for launching v1 funnels
- ✔ Solid for MVP testing and client projects
- ⛔ Not ideal for CRM-level email marketing
- ⛔ Not for full e-commerce (you’ll outgrow it)
So yes—start here. Scale elsewhere if needed. It’s a tool for activation, not orchestration.
My Use Case: When I Actually Used ClickFunnels
Last year, I helped a mindset coach launch her first digital product—a $249 course about helping high-performing women rewire burnout.
We used ClickFunnels to:
- Build her email opt-in with a tripwire
- Run a 5-step upsell funnel with A/B testing
- Integrate with ConvertKit for nurturing
From zero to live funnel? 4 days.
Revenue in week 1? $3,120.
Total tech hours spent by the client? Under 2.
That ROI was worth far more than the monthly fee.
👉 Want to test your funnel idea without tech debt?
Pros and Cons Recap
✅ Pros
- Beginner-friendly & lightning-fast funnel creation
- Strong templates for product launches & lead gen
- A/B testing baked into funnel steps
- Doesn’t require coding or design experience
- Mobile-responsive layouts auto-generate
❌ Cons
- No built-in email marketing or webinars
- Pricey for beginner budgets
- Visual editor can feel restrictive for advanced users
- Not an all-in-one CRM or automation suite
Final Verdict: Is ClickFunnels Worth It in 2024?
If you’re a start-up founder, coach, service provider, or marketer who wants to get sales funnels live fast—with little friction—ClickFunnels is still one of the fastest on-ramps in the game.
Is it perfect? No.
Is it affordable? Not always.
But is it stress-free, business-ready, and frictionless to launch offers with? Absolutely—and that’s the draw.
So if you’re sitting on a digital product idea, an offer, or a new business and you want to test it without cobbling together 10 tools…
ClickFunnels is still a strong choice.
One Last Word From Me
The reason I still respect ClickFunnels isn’t because it’s flashy or overbuilt.
It’s because it’s architected for progress over perfection.
We’re in an era where over-complexity kills momentum. Sometimes you just need something that works.
So if you’re ready to stop planning and start selling—with clarity, not code—ClickFunnels might be your best move.
— Ari
🧠 Ari Vale
AI Futurist & Systems Strategist, AI Insider Labs
Stay curious, stay human, stay building.