Choosing the right marketing automation tool is crucial for agencies. GoHighLevel and SharpSpring are two popular options, each with unique strengths. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- GoHighLevel is an all-in-one platform with tools like CRM, two-way SMS, funnel builders, and white-label options. It’s designed for scalability with unlimited sub-accounts starting at $97/month.
- SharpSpring focuses on email automation, behavior-based triggers, and analytics, offering robust reporting tools but fewer built-in features like SMS or webinar funnels.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | GoHighLevel | SharpSpring |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Starts at $97/month | Custom pricing (varies by need) |
| White-Label Options | Full branding, mobile app available | Limited to login portals |
| Communication Tools | Email, two-way SMS, social messaging | Email only |
| Client Management | Unlimited sub-accounts | Limited |
| Analytics | Real-time dashboards | Advanced ROI reporting |
| Setup Support | Guided tutorials, concierge service | Standard onboarding |
Which is better?
- For agencies needing scalability, white-labeling, and multi-channel communication, GoHighLevel is a great choice.
- For detailed analytics and email-focused automation, SharpSpring may be a better fit.
Start with your agency’s needs to decide which platform aligns best.
What Each Platform Offers
GoHighLevel Platform Features
GoHighLevel is tailored specifically for agencies, supporting 53,100 customers and managing over 808,300 messages each month [3]. It combines various marketing tools into a single, streamlined solution.
Here’s a breakdown of its main features:
| Feature Category | Key Functionalities |
|---|---|
| Lead Generation | Landing pages, surveys, forms, calendars, inbound phone system |
| Communication | Two-way SMS/MMS, email automation, Facebook Messenger, voicemail drops |
| Sales Tools | Pipeline management, payment collection via Stripe, appointment scheduling |
| Client Management | Unlimited sub-accounts, white-label options, custom domain integration |
| Content Creation | Website builder, funnel creation, membership areas, course management |
Next, we’ll take a closer look at SharpSpring’s features to better understand how it caters to agencies.
GoHighLevel Review 2025 – Is It Really Worth It?
Head-to-Head Feature Comparison
Here’s how GoHighLevel and SharpSpring stack up when it comes to features tailored for agency use.
Marketing Tools and CRM Functions
GoHighLevel combines automation workflows with multi-channel communication tools like email, two-way SMS, webinar funnels, and social media messaging. This creates an all-in-one marketing and CRM platform for agencies [1].
SharpSpring, on the other hand, offers email automation, dynamic forms, behavior-based triggers, and a unified CRM. However, it lacks built-in two-way SMS and webinar funnels, requiring agencies to rely on external tools for these capabilities.
White-Label Options
GoHighLevel stands out with its white-label branding options, including:
- Branding for desktop applications
- Custom domains and UI controls for full platform branding
- The ability to publish a branded mobile app (available for an extra fee)
- Tools for agencies to resell access under their own pricing structure [2]
SharpSpring allows rebranding of login portals and custom domains but doesn’t support branded mobile apps or full white-labeling for desktop applications.
Third-Party Tools and API
GoHighLevel provides native integrations with email services, SMS gateways, webinar platforms, and social media channels. While useful, its integration library is smaller compared to larger CRM platforms.
SharpSpring connects through Zapier and offers a RESTful API, covering most standard agency workflows.
Data and Client Reports
GoHighLevel includes built-in dashboards that show real-time metrics for campaigns and client accounts. These tools help agencies track performance and engagement directly within the platform.
SharpSpring offers a custom report builder, revenue attribution, and lifecycle analytics, which allow agencies to measure ROI and map user journeys effectively.
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Cost Analysis
Let’s break down the pricing and features of GoHighLevel.
Price Plans and Features
GoHighLevel offers three subscription tiers:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $97 | – Online booking system – Website builder – Up to 3 sub-accounts – Basic API access – 2-way SMS & email – Pipeline management |
| Unlimited | $297 | – Includes all Starter features – Unlimited sub-accounts – Branded desktop app – White-label options – Membership tools |
| SaaS Pro | $497 | – Includes all Unlimited features – Automated sub-account creation – Custom markup billing – Full API access – AI conversation billing |
Optional Add-Ons (per month):
- Email services with templates and automation: $10
- SMS messaging with tracking: $10
- Advanced automation triggers: $20
- Content AI generation: $50
- Reviews AI automation: $50
Cost vs Growth Potential
- Starter ($97/month): Ideal for capturing leads, building websites, and basic automations.
- Unlimited ($297/month): Adds unlimited sub-accounts, a branded app, and white-labeling.
- SaaS Pro ($497/month): Includes automated sub-account creation, custom billing options, full API access, and AI-powered billing tools.
Opting for annual billing reduces the cost by 17%, making it a more budget-friendly option for long-term users.
Next, we’ll dive into setup time, learning curve, and managing client accounts.
Platform Setup and Management
When choosing a platform, agencies need to think about how quickly they can get started and the kind of ongoing support they’ll receive to ensure a strong return on investment (ROI).
Setup Time and Learning Curve
GoHighLevel simplifies the onboarding process with:
- Guided video tutorials and pre-built funnels tailored to specific industries.
- Concierge migrations and on-demand Zoom support to make transitioning hassle-free.
Client Account Management
Managing client accounts efficiently is key to scaling an agency. GoHighLevel makes this easier by offering:
- A snapshot system to replicate successful campaigns effortlessly.
- Custom branding options for client-facing interfaces.
- Automated follow-up sequences to save time and boost engagement.
- Industry-specific templates and funnels for quick and effective campaign launches.
Support Resources
Based in Dallas, Texas, GoHighLevel offers robust support options, including:
- 24/7 live chat and Zoom sessions for immediate assistance.
- Concierge migration services to handle complex transitions.
- A 4,000-member community for peer advice and networking.
- A detailed knowledge base for troubleshooting and self-help.
Up next, we’ll dive into the criteria for selecting the right platform, building on these insights about setup and support.
Platform Selection Guide
Choosing the right platform depends on your revenue level and priorities. Here’s how the features stack up.
GoHighLevel stands out with unlimited sub-accounts, white-label control, two-way SMS, snapshot cloning, and built-in funnel builders.
Platform Strengths and Limits
While GoHighLevel offers fewer native integrations compared to SharpSpring’s Zapier-supported library, it shines in areas like:
- Unlimited sub-accounts for managing multiple clients
- Complete white-label customization
- Integration for two-way SMS and messaging
- Snapshot tool for cloning campaigns with a single click
- Built-in marketing automation and funnel-building tools
Consider these features in the context of your agency’s size and focus.
Best Choice for US Agencies
Small to Mid-Size Agencies ($100K–$500K annual revenue)
The Starter plan ($97/month) includes core CRM tools, automation, and email/SMS functionality (details in the table below).
Growing Agencies ($500K+ annual revenue)
The Agency Unlimited plan ($297/month) adds more advanced features and scalability (see table for details).
As one founder explained, agencies need cost-effective tools to scale efficiently – GoHighLevel checks that box.
For agencies prioritizing advanced email automation or detailed behavior-based reporting, SharpSpring might be a better fit with its analytics-focused features.
| Agency Size | Plan | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Startup (<$100K) | Starter ($97/mo) | Core tools and basic automation |
| Growing ($100K–$500K) | Agency Unlimited ($297/mo) | Unlimited accounts and white-label control |
| Enterprise (>$500K) | Agency Pro SaaS ($497/mo) | Custom mobile app and full branding |
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