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ESTAGE Platform Review 2025: The Ultimate Hub-Centric Business Solution That’s Revolutionizing Online Entrepreneurship

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by Carl Carvalho

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Last Update: July 2025

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Site / Hub Builder, Reviews

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Rating: 4.8/5 Stars

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Star_Ratings_4.8
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Are you tired of juggling multiple platforms to run your online business? Frustrated with paying for separate tools for your website, funnels, community, courses, and email marketing? If you’re nodding yes, then ESTAGE might be the game-changing solution you’ve been searching for.

After spending over six months testing this comprehensive platform and analyzing feedback from hundreds of users, I’m sharing everything you need to know about ESTAGE – from its revolutionary hub-centric approach to its pricing, features, and whether it lives up to the considerable hype surrounding it.

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What is ESTAGE? Understanding the Hub-Centric Revolution

ESTAGE (stylized as eSTAGE) is an all-in-one business platform that aims to replace the scattered tools most online entrepreneurs currently use. Instead of managing separate accounts for your website builder, funnel software, community platform, course hosting, email marketing, and analytics, ESTAGE consolidates everything into what they call a “hub-centric” business model.

The Hub-Centric Philosophy

The core concept is simple yet powerful: “A central hub is an all-in-one platform that serves as the core control center for everything your business needs to run, grow, and connect with your audience at the highest level. Instead of spreading tools and data across multiple platforms (like your main brand website, funnels, store, memberships, courses, community, social network, CRM, live events, affiliate center, support, etc.), ESTAGE consolidates all those functions in one central place!”

This approach directly addresses what many consider the biggest pain point in online business: platform fragmentation and the resulting complexity, costs, and integration headaches.

When Will ESTAGE Launch?

ESTAGE is officially scheduled to launch to the public in September 2025, though it has been in beta testing for over two years prior to the public release. This extended testing period has allowed the platform to mature significantly before its full market debut.

The Man Behind ESTAGE: Vick Strizheus

Understanding ESTAGE requires understanding its founder, Vick Strizheus. Vick is based in South Dakota, USA, and is the founder of FourPercent.com, a well-known e-learning platform in the internet marketing space.

Vick’s Background and Controversy

It’s important to address the elephant in the room: Vick Strizheus has a controversial past that potential users should be aware of. He was convicted of insurance fraud early in his career, apparently submitting fake policies to earn more commissions, with some sources indicating he spent time in prison because of this.

Additionally, he was heavily involved in Multi-Level Marketing, particularly as a leading promoter of Empower Network, which eventually went bankrupt.

While these issues occurred years ago, they’re worth considering as you evaluate whether to trust this platform with your business. However, it’s also worth noting that ESTAGE currently has a 4.8-star rating on Trustpilot with thousands of reviews, suggesting many current users are satisfied with the platform despite the founder’s past.

Current Focus and Vision

Today, Vick appears focused on solving real problems in the online business space. The creation of ESTAGE seems driven by his own frustrations with platform fragmentation and the risks of building businesses on “rented land” – platforms you don’t control.

Core Features: What Makes ESTAGE Different

ESTAGE’s feature set is genuinely impressive, offering capabilities that would typically require 8-12 different platforms. Let’s break down the key components:

1. Website Builder and Brand Hub

ESTAGE allows you to “create a stunning, fully branded website that serves as the core of your business hub - without writing a single line of code” with “100% ownership of your site and content - no plug-ins, no headaches, and no more relying on rented platforms."

Key Website Features:

__Drag-and-drop interface with zero coding required

__Mobile-responsive designs

__A four-layer structure (Blocks, Flex Wrappers, Columns, Elements) that enables intuitive website building

__Professional templates across various industries - Built-in SEO optimization tools.

2. Sales Funnels and Marketing

The platform lets you "create opt-in, sales, webinar, and product funnels with proven high-converting templates" and includes "built-in A/B testing, upsells, and automation."

Unlike standalone funnel builders, these funnels integrate seamlessly with your hub, meaning visitors can flow naturally between your funnels, content, and community without leaving your ecosystem.

3. Community and Social Network

One of ESTAGE’s most unique features is its ability to create your own private social network. This allows “users to connect, post, like, DM, and follow - just like a mainstream social platform, but fully yours” with “no algorithms, no distractions - your content always reaches your audience."

This feature essentially gives you your own Facebook-like environment within your business hub, which is particularly valuable for building engaged communities around your brand.

4. Course Creation and Delivery

ESTAGE enables you to "launch a world-class course experience and deliver it natively on your hub with built-in learning management tools - no extra software or platforms needed."

Course features include:

__Video hosting and delivery

__Structured modules and lessons

__Quizzes and assessments

__Progress tracking

__Members-only access controls

5. Live Streaming and Video Hosting

The platform provides "enterprise-grade video live streaming directly to your hub with no limits! Whether you have 30 attendees or 30,000, your live streams will always be delivered perfectly across the world on all devices in real-time!"

This eliminates the need for external platforms like Zoom or YouTube for live events, keeping everything within your branded environment.

6. E-commerce and Membership Sites

You can "sell physical or digital products without needing Shopify, WooCommerce, or plugins” and “set up recurring memberships in minutes with customizable access levels."

7. CRM and Analytics

The platform includes tools to "track every lead, transaction, customer, and conversation in one smart, visual dashboard" and "manage products, bundles, tags, and create discount coupons" with ease.

8. Affiliate Center

ESTAGE includes a "built-in Affiliate Center" that lets you "launch and manage your own affiliate program fast without extra software" with features to "set commissions, automate payouts, and track performance in real time."

9. Blogging Platform

The blogging system helps you "publish SEO-optimized content that attracts traffic, builds trust, and turns readers into buyers right from your hub" with seamless integration to "your funnels, email, and offers to maximize conversions."

10. The Whole Platform Lives On AWS (Amazon Web Services)

The entire ESTAGE platform and ecosystem are built on AWS, the world's leading cloud computing platform by Amazon. This means your ESTAGE hub-centric business is super fast, safe, and secure. Reliability, stability, and cutting-edge technology are all built in.

Pricing Structure: What You’ll Actually Pay

ESTAGE’s pricing has been one of the most discussed aspects of the platform. Here’s what you need to know:

Current Pricing Tiers

ESTAGE offers "two-tier pricing with Business ($197/month) and Business Plus ($297/month) plans, both offering annual discounts."

Business Plan - $197/month

__Access to core hub-building features

__Website, funnel, and basic community tools

__Standard support

Business Plus Plan - $297/month

__All Business Plan features

__Unlimited video hosting

__Advanced community features

__Priority support

__Enhanced analytics

The True Cost Calculation

While $197–$297 per month might seem expensive at first glance, consider what you’re replacing:

Typical Tool Stack Costs:

  • Website builder (WordPress hosting + premium themes + plugins): $50–$150/month

  • Funnel builder (ClickFunnels, Kartra): $147–$297/month

  • Community platform (Circle, Skool): $99–$199/month

  • Course platform (Teachable, Kajabi): $119–$399/month

  • Email marketing (ConvertKit, ActiveCampaign): $79–$159/month

  • Video hosting (Vimeo Pro, Wistia): $75–$399/month

  • CRM system: $50–$150/month

  • Live streaming tools: $50–$200/month

Total typical costs: $669–$1,953/month

When viewed this way, ESTAGE users report "cutting costs and frustrations in half" after "spending over $400 monthly on separate digital business tools."

Important Pricing Considerations

  • No Free Plan: Unlike some competitors, ESTAGE doesn’t offer a free tier; however, a free trial seems to be available

  • Annual Discounts Available: Both plans offer savings when paid annually

  • No Hidden Fees: The monthly price includes hosting, support, and all features

  • Migration Support: ESTAGE will have “a dedicated migration team in mid-2025” to help transfer existing content and data

Real User Experiences: The Good and Bad

To provide a balanced perspective, I’ve analyzed hundreds of user reviews and testimonials. Here’s what real users are saying:

Positive Feedback

Ease of Use: "The user interface of Estage Website Builder is simple, making it easy for novices to navigate. Users may construct pages using the platform’s drag-and-drop editor without writing any code."

Support Quality: Users consistently praise the support team, with one stating: "I had a problem and requested help, Jay responded quickly within 5 minutes. I implemented his suggestions and within 10 minutes of my initial request, my problem was completely solved."

Comprehensive Solution: One beta user reported: "For over two years, I’ve used ESTAGE as a beta version for some of my clients and my own websites. Having all the modules self-hosted gives stability and 100% online time."

Challenges and Limitations

Learning Curve: While "the platform’s visual builder and intuitive interface mean you don’t need any coding knowledge," users report that “mastering its FULL potential takes time" as "the platform introduces some unique concepts that might feel different from traditional website builders."

Missing Features: Some users note limitations like "the lack of secondary login accounts," which affects "agencies" who "have made some websites for clients," but "clients can’t log in to their own websites because it is on my account."

Additionally, "the platform lacks team member accounts and has some image handling restrictions, but these features are already on the development roadmap for mid-2025."

ESTAGE vs. Competitors: How It Stacks Up

ESTAGE vs. ClickFunnels

ClickFunnels Strengths:

__Established market presence

__Extensive template library - Strong affiliate program

ESTAGE Advantages:

__True all-in-one solution (ClickFunnels lacks community, courses, CRM)

__Hub-centric approach vs. funnel-only focus

__Ownership of your complete ecosystem

__Comparable pricing, but "ESTAGE matches Skool’s community feel and usability but adds native live streaming, integrated funnels, website/blog, and platform ownership on your domain."

ESTAGE vs. Kajabi

Kajabi Strengths:

__Mature platform with a proven track record

__Strong course creation tools

__Established user base

ESTAGE Advantages:

__More comprehensive community features

__Native live streaming

__Lower total cost for comparable features

__True social network capabilities

ESTAGE vs. WordPress + Plugins

WordPress Strengths:

__Ultimate customization flexibility

__Massive plugin ecosystem

__Lower entry cost

ESTAGE Advantages:

__"Being free of Plugins, constant updates, and security issues is one less thing to worry about when you run your Hub-centric business model online."

__Integrated solution vs. "duct-taped" approach - Professional support included

__No technical maintenance required

ESTAGE vs. Skool

According to detailed comparisons, "Skool’s Strength: Extreme simplicity, laser focus on community + courses, strong gamification, affordable single price point ($99/mo)" while "ESTAGE matches Skool’s community feel and usability (the interface is similar) but adds native live streaming, integrated funnels, website/blog, and platform ownership on your domain."

Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Use ESTAGE

Ideal ESTAGE Users

1. Course Creators and Coaches If you’re currently juggling Teachable for courses, Circle for community, Zoom for live calls, and a separate website, ESTAGE could significantly simplify your tech stack.

2. Affiliate Marketers Building Brands ESTAGE is particularly well-suited for “affiliate marketers, online entrepreneurs, agencies, small enterprises, and people wishing to establish an online presence” who want to move beyond simple funnel-based approaches.

3. Agencies and Consultants The platform’s comprehensive nature makes it excellent for agencies building complete solutions for clients, though the current lack of multi-user accounts is a temporary limitation.

4. Community-Focused Businesses If building and engaging a community is central to your business model, ESTAGE’s social network features provide capabilities that most competitors lack.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

1. Large Enterprises The platform is clearly designed for small to medium-sized businesses. Large enterprises with complex needs may find it limiting.

2. E-commerce Heavy Businesses While ESTAGE includes e-commerce capabilities, businesses that primarily sell physical products might find dedicated e-commerce platforms more suitable.

3. Budget-Conscious Beginners At $197+ per month, ESTAGE represents a significant investment for someone just starting out, especially compared to lower-cost alternatives.

4. Businesses Requiring Extensive Customization If you need highly specific customizations or integrations, ESTAGE’s all-in-one approach might feel restrictive compared to more flexible solutions.

Pros and Cons: The Unfiltered Truth

Pros ✅

1. True All-in-One Solution ESTAGE genuinely "combines website building, community management, live streaming, and course delivery in one comprehensive platform" without compromising on quality.

2. Ownership and Control Unlike building on Facebook Groups or other platforms, ESTAGE gives you complete ownership of your digital presence.

3. Excellent Support The platform offers "world-class support, 24/7/365" that is "available 24/7 to help you solve problems fast, answer questions clearly, and keep your business moving forward without friction."

4. Cost Efficiency Despite the seemingly high price, most users save money compared to maintaining multiple separate tools.

5. Integrated Data Flow "Your data flows seamlessly between features without manual transfers or integrations", eliminating common integration headaches.

6. Hub-Centric Philosophy The approach aligns with how successful online businesses actually operate, rather than forcing them into artificial constraints.

Cons ❌

1. High Entry Cost $197-$297 per month is a significant investment, especially for new businesses.

2. Platform Lock-in Moving your entire business to ESTAGE means depending on their continued success and stability.

3. Limited Customization Compared to WordPress or custom development, ESTAGE offers less flexibility for unique requirements.

4. Missing Features Currently lacks “team member accounts and has some image handling restrictions,” though these are planned for 2025, as well as many other features.

5. Relatively New Despite beta testing, the platform is still young compared to established competitors.

6. Founder’s History Vick Strizheus’s past legal issues may be a concern for some potential users.

Final Verdict: Is ESTAGE Worth It?

After extensive testing and analysis, ESTAGE represents a genuinely innovative approach to online business platforms. The hub-centric philosophy addresses real problems that most entrepreneurs face, and the execution is generally solid.

When ESTAGE Makes Sense

ESTAGE is worth the investment if you:

  • Currently pay $300+ monthly for multiple tools

  • Want to build a community-focused business

  • Need live streaming and course capabilities

  • Value simplicity over maximum customization

  • Can afford the monthly investment

  • Don’t mind being an early adopter

When to Look Elsewhere

Consider alternatives if you:

  • Are just starting out with a tight budget

  • Need extensive customization capabilities

  • Primarily sell physical products

  • Are uncomfortable with the founder’s background

  • Require team member access immediately

The Bottom Line

"If you’re building a serious online business, Estage delivers extraordinary value at its price point. The $297 monthly investment for the Business Plus plan becomes insignificant when you consider the cost of cobbling together similar functionality through multiple platforms."

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Rating: 4.8/5 Stars

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Star_Ratings_4.8

ESTAGE successfully delivers on its promise of being a comprehensive hub-centric platform. While it’s not perfect and may not suit everyone, it represents the future of how online businesses should be built and managed.

The combination of features, integration, and the hub-centric approach makes it a compelling choice for the right user. Just ensure you understand the investment and commitment required before making the switch.

Disclaimer: This review is based on extensive research and testing, but it represents my personal opinions and experiences. Your results may vary. Always do your own due diligence before making any business decisions.

Have you tried ESTAGE? Share your experience in the comments below.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carl Carvalho

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Carl Carvalho has been building businesses for 30 years. He specializes in helping entrepreneurs and business owners build their dreams, accelerate results, and create richer, more fulfilling lives. For over 20 years, Carl has studied and implemented transformational success principles. As a sought-after speaker, teacher, Certified Coach, and Certified Senior Trainer, his workshops and coaching programs help people break through limitations and achieve greater results than they have known before. If you want to increase your clarity, amplify your confidence, and achieve your next level of success, Carl's training programs can help get you there.

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