Which Payment Platform Do Coaches Really Need? Stripe vs HoneyBook vs ThriveCart

If you’re anything like me, a bit of a perfectionist, you’ve probably told yourself:

“Once I have everything set up perfectly, then I’ll start getting clients.”

I get it.

You want things to look professional, polished, and put-together before you open your virtual doors.

Perfectionism can quietly slow your progress. Especially when it comes to setting up the tech side of your coaching business…like accepting payments.

But if you can’t actually accept money when someone says “I’m in!” you don’t have a business yet.

Over the years, I’ve coached hundreds of coaches who’ve built their businesses from scratch to scalable success.

And one of the first questions that always comes up is:

“What’s the best way to accept payments from my clients?”

Great question…one I’ve personally tested over and over again.

I went from zero tech skills to managing multiple coaching programs and payment systems like a pro (after plenty of trial and error).

So today, I’m breaking down three payment platforms I’ve used and recommend — depending on where you are in your coaching journey.

Disclaimer: Affiliate links included below, I may earn a small commission if you choose to sign up, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I use and love.

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Stripe: The Classic, Reliable OG

If you’re at the beginning of your coaching business journey and just need a clean, simple way to accept payments, Stripe is your best starting point.

Stripe is a payment processing platform trusted by millions of businesses around the world.

It allows you to create a free business account, send invoices, and start accepting client payments almost immediately.

You can connect it to your website, link it with booking tools, or even integrate it with email platforms and CRMs once you’re ready to scale.

What makes Stripe stand out is its simplicity and reliability.

There’s no complicated setup process, no steep learning curve, and no unnecessary features you won’t use right away.

It’s a secure, globally recognized system that handles credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallet payments with ease.

Many coaching platforms like HoneyBook, ThriveCart, Kajabi, and Paperbell actually use Stripe as their payment backbone.

Even if you upgrade to one of those later, you’ll still need a Stripe account to connect payments. That’s why starting with Stripe now makes sense—it’s a foundational tool that grows with your business.

✅ Best for: New coaches who want to start accepting payments quickly without worrying about tech headaches.

✅ Pros:

• Simple and intuitive setup process.

• Accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and digital payments.

• Integrates easily with nearly every other business system you’ll use later.

• No upfront cost; you only pay small transaction fees per payment.

✅ Cons:

• It’s purely a payment processor, so it won’t manage your client relationships or automate emails.

• You’ll need a separate tool for contracts, scheduling, and onboarding.

If you’re still in the early stages and not quite ready to commit to a full client management system, Stripe is the simplest way to get started. It gets the job done, helps you look professional, and most importantly, lets you start receiving payments from your very first client.

HoneyBook — The All-in-One Client Experience

If you’re ready to elevate your coaching business and deliver a polished, professional experience to every client you work with, HoneyBook is an incredible platform to consider.

I’ve personally used HoneyBook for years, and it has become one of the most essential tools in my business. It’s not just a payment processor; it’s a complete Client Relationship Management (CRM) system built specifically for service-based entrepreneurs like coaches, consultants, and creatives.

HoneyBook allows you to manage your entire client journey from first contact to final payment—all in one place. It was designed to make you look professional while simplifying your back-end systems, saving you time, and helping you stay organized without hiring a full admin team.

Here’s what you can do inside HoneyBook:

• Communicate with clients through a private client portal, keeping all messages and updates in one place.

• Send invoices and accept payments directly through the platform.

• Create and send contracts for electronic signature within minutes.

• Schedule client sessions with built-in calendar tools that sync to your availability.

• Automate your onboarding and follow-up workflows, ensuring no detail slips through the cracks.

• Store and share documents like pre-session forms, assessments, and client worksheets securely.

In short, HoneyBook gives your clients a smooth, white-glove experience while keeping your business organized and efficient. Everything from contracts to payments to client communication happens under one roof, which makes your business look and feel professional—even if you’re a team of one.

Best for: Coaches who work primarily 1:1 and want to provide a premium, seamless onboarding experience.

Pros:

• Combines contracts, scheduling, invoicing, and communication into one system.

• Helps you automate repetitive admin tasks like reminders and follow-ups.

• Gives clients a beautiful, branded experience that builds trust and credibility.

• Easy to customize templates and workflows for different client packages.

Cons:

• Not built for group coaching programs or memberships where multiple clients need shared access.

• Requires a small learning curve to set up automation and workflows effectively.

If you’re a 1:1 coach who’s ready to simplify your systems and deliver an exceptional client experience, HoneyBook is the platform I recommend first. Click here and get 30% off your first year of HoneyBook using my affiliate link

ThriveCart: The Scalable, Sales-Ready Powerhouse

If you’re at the point in your coaching business where you’re ready to scale—adding group programs, paid workshops, or digital products—ThriveCart is the tool that will help you do it with ease.

Unlike Stripe or HoneyBook, which are primarily designed for client payments and 1:1 services, ThriveCart focuses on sales and conversions. It’s an advanced checkout and funnel platform that gives you complete control over how your clients or customers buy from you.

Think of ThriveCart as your personal online storefront. Whether you’re selling a single coaching session, a paid masterclass, or an entire course bundle, ThriveCart makes it easy to create a professional, high-converting checkout page without needing to hire a web designer or pay monthly software fees.

Here’s what you can do inside ThriveCart:

• Build beautiful, high-converting checkout pages for your coaching services, workshops, or digital offers.

• Create customized payment plans, subscriptions, and one-time offers.

• Automate receipts, follow-up emails, and client onboarding workflows.

• Track sales and conversions in real-time with built-in analytics.

• Add upsells, downsells, or limited-time offers to increase your average order value.

• Host online courses or digital products using ThriveCart Learn, their built-in course delivery platform.

What makes ThriveCart so appealing for coaches is its one-time payment model. Unlike other platforms that charge monthly or yearly subscription fees, ThriveCart gives you lifetime access for a single flat fee (currently around $495). That means once you purchase it, you own it forever—no recurring costs, no extra surprises.

Best for: Coaches who are expanding beyond 1:1 sessions into workshops, group programs, or digital offers.

Pros:

• One-time lifetime access (no monthly fees).

• Highly customizable checkout pages that help you sell more effectively.

• Integrated course platform (ThriveCart Learn) to host and deliver your programs.

• Strong affiliate management system if you plan to run partnerships or referral programs.

• Works beautifully with Stripe, PayPal, and other major payment processors.

Cons:

• The design interface is more functional than flashy, so it may take a little tweaking to match your branding.

• There’s a short learning curve if you’ve never worked with checkout or funnel builders before.

If you’re planning to grow your coaching business beyond one-on-one sessions—or if you simply want more control over how clients buy from you—ThriveCart is one of the smartest long-term investments you can make.

It gives you professional checkout pages, built-in upsells, and a full learning platform all in one place, helping you create a more seamless client journey from discovery to payment. Get lifetime access to ThriveCart for a one-time payment using my affiliate link here

Choosing the Right Payment Tool for Your Coaching Business

There isn’t a single “best” platform for every coach.

The right tool depends on where you are in your business journey and what you’re building right now.

If you’re just starting out and need to keep things simple, Stripe is the perfect first step. It’s reliable, beginner-friendly, and gives you the foundation to start collecting payments without the overwhelm of a full system.

If you’re working 1:1 with clients and want to create a seamless, professional onboarding experience, HoneyBook is the clear winner. It helps you manage every part of your client relationship—from the first message to the signed contract to the final payment—all under one roof.

And if you’re ready to scale your business, add group programs, or sell digital products, ThriveCart will give you the flexibility to expand while keeping your systems simple. With lifetime access and powerful checkout features, it’s a one-time investment that keeps paying off.

No matter which tool you choose, the most important thing is that it fits your current goals—not your “someday” business. Start with what helps you take the next step now, and you can always upgrade as you grow.

If you’re not sure which system makes sense for you—or if you feel stuck trying to piece together the tech side of your business—I’ve got something that will help.

Before you subscribe to another tool, take a step back and find out if your business is truly ready for paying clients.

Take the Client Readiness Assessment — a free, 5-minute assessment that shows you exactly where you are in your coaching business and what to focus on next.

Inside, you’ll discover:

• Whether you’re still client-trained or ready to start attracting client-ready opportunities

• The exact areas holding you back from consistent, paying clients. Personalized next steps to help you grow with clarity and confidence

🎯 Take the Client Readiness Assessment here

And when you complete your assessment, I’ll send you a 7-day action plan and a personalized video feedback to help you move forward on what’s most important right now in your business.