Kajabi vs. Thinkific vs. Teachable: Why Kajabi Is My Top Choice

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Three platforms that each perform similar functions—which one should you choose?

The answer lies in the quality and quantity of features, and that’s why I’ll always place Kajabi as my top choice.

Key Takeaways:

  • Choose Kajabi if you want a complete business solution
  • Choose Thinkific if you are on a budget and want a free plan
  • I don’t recommend Teachable over Kajabi or Thinkific

Kajabi vs. Thinkific vs. Teachable at a Glance

FeatureKajabiThinkificTeachable
SupplyGem platform rankingNo. 2No. 6No. 8
SupplyGem score9.58.77.9
Trustpilot score4.43.72.7
Costs from$69/month$49/month$59/month + 5% transaction fee
Free trialGet a Growth plan 30-day free trialFree plan availableFree plan available
Money-back guarantee30 daysNo30 days
Platform pros– Best-in-class platform
– Excellent features for a good price
– Top-notch user experience
– True all-in-one platform
– Recently modernized platform
– Good user experience
– Now includes marketing features
– Genuine free plan
– Integrated payment gateway
Platform Cons– All plans have feature limits
– No free plan available
– Features are basic
– Templates aren’t high quality
– You must subscribe to more expensive plans to access all features
– Outdated platform
– No marketing features
– Expensive plans and high transaction fees
– No live support

Kajabi vs. Thinkific vs. Teachable: Aren’t They the Same?

Kajabi vs. Thinkific vs. Teachable: Aren’t They the Same?

In principle, yes. Kajabi, Thinkific, and Teachable are all platforms designed to help you create and sell learning content such as courses, communities, and coaching products.

But, the differences between platform quality and their features are quite vast. 

Kajabi is a true all-in-one platform

Kajabi is a true all-in-one platform with everything you need to set up and run your business. Teachable is at the other end of the spectrum with dated and limited features, while Thinkific sits somewhere in the middle.

Ultimately, I would hands down choose Kajabi because I believe it provides exceptional value and a best-in-class user experience. Thinkific is a perfectly good second choice, though.

hands down choose Kajabi

And, out of the three platforms, there’s no scenario where I would ever pick Teachable over the others because the quality of the features doesn’t justify the high price point.

Pricing vs. Value: Which Platform Offers the Best Bang for Your Buck?

Pricing vs. Value: Which Platform Offers the Best Bang for Your Buck?

Cost will always be a deciding factor for which platform you choose. But, the decision shouldn’t come down to price alone.

You have to also consider the number of features you get and whether or not there are any hidden costs.

First, let’s look at a pricing overview for the three platforms:

KajabiThinkificTeachable
Free planNoYesYes
Cheapest plan monthly cost$69$49$59 + 5% transaction fee
Cheapest plan annual cost$55/month ($660 total)$36 ($432 total)$39 + 5% transaction fee
Top-tier plan monthly cost$399$499$249
Top-tier plan annual cost$319/month ($3,828 total)$374 ($4,488 total)$199 ($2,388)
consider the number of features you get

At first, Thinkific and Teachable look to be the best value because they both have free plans, right?

But wait! Take a closer look at the transaction fees Teachable applies. You pay a whopping $1 + 10% transaction fee on every sale. So, the reality is that its free plan isn’t actually free at all.

Thinkific and Teachable look to be the best value

On the other hand, Thinkific does have a genuinely free plan (with zero transaction fees). If you’re a bargain-hunter, you’re in the right place!

So, if Thinkific is cheaper, why do I still rate Kajabi higher? 

The answer lies in the feature set. 

For me, Kajabi has it all, while Thinkific is still catching up. And, let’s not forget the quality of the features too. For example, Kajabi’s community feature is light years ahead of Teachable’s community offering.

Essentially, I’d rather pay a smidge more and get the best of the best than pay less for a platform I might eventually outgrow.

Kajabi Is Better than Thinkific and Teachable: Here’s Why

It’s Enjoyable to Use

It’s Enjoyable to Use

I think running a business should be fun. After all, how can you put your passion into something you don’t enjoy? 

The thing is, technology can make or break our enjoyment of a task. If the tool doesn’t work intuitively or well, it will become something you dread using.

It sounds silly, but I think it’s an essential aspect of a platform.

I’ve used Kajabi, Teachable, and Thinkific extensively, and, for me, Kajabi has by far the best user experience. Its features run smoothly, are easy to pick up, and are fun. And I’ve never experienced even a hint of a glitch on the platform.

The features are intuitive and have hardly any learning curve. The platform has enough to satisfy seasoned users while remaining simplistic enough for beginners. 

All Marketing Features Included

All Marketing Features Included

Kajabi wouldn’t be an all-in-one platform if it didn’t include any marketing features. But it does and has everything you’ll likely need to run effective campaigns.

You get a sophisticated funnel builder with great templates and automation and an external emailing tool that can send unlimited emails. Plus, you can create unlimited landing pages for your products.

This feature suite has been invaluable to me because it has allowed me to reach new audiences without ever having to use or pay for additional third-party apps.

funnel builder with great templates

In contrast, Teachable has virtually zero marketing tools (it says it has emails, but in reality, you can only email existing students). Thinkific has a marketing suite, but it’s a lot more basic than what Kajabi provides.

Top-Notch Community Feature (With Native Livestreaming!)

Top-Notch Community Feature (With Native Livestreaming!)

Communities has got to be my favorite feature on the Kajabi platform. There’s just so much you can do with it!

It goes beyond the basic chat function (which is the extent of Teachable’s offering) and allows me to set up events, challenges, and different discussion circles. It also has a native live stream tool (no Zoom link necessary!) that I can use for my events.

All aspects of a community can be monetized if you wish, from charging for the community itself to introducing paid sections within the community. 

my favorite feature on the Kajabi platform

But, perhaps best of all, I can jump into a live session whenever I fancy. The “always-on” live room means I can click a button and go live in seconds. This has proved very popular with my audience because they get added value and surprise content.

Often Introduces New Features

Often Introduces New Features

Kajabi is certainly a platform that constantly evolves. In the past few years, it has leveled up its community feature, added a custom mobile app add-on, introduced a native payment gateway, and more.

The developers are also always tweaking the platform so it remains a modern and user-friendly experience.

I’m impressed with how Kajabi keeps up with user demands and technology improvements without increasing the price of its plans. 

Thinkific is also doing okay here, too. The platform has improved hugely in the past year, and lots of new features have been introduced. In comparison, Teachable seems like it’s stuck in the dark ages.

Stellar Support and Resources

Stellar Support and Resources

To be honest, I found I didn’t need much support when using Kajabi for the first time. The platform is that intuitive.

However, if you need a helping hand, you have a lot of choices:

  • The Kajabi University teaches you how to use the platform in depth and how to learn and use marketing techniques and strategies to sell your content.
  • The Help Center provides a wealth of useful how-to guides and walkthroughs for the platform’s features.
  • Kajabi regularly runs live webinars and podcasts hosted by seasoned experts in a variety of subjects.
webinars and podcasts

Then, of course, there’s live support. Kajabi has a chat facility, and I have to say, the team is really helpful. Perhaps more crucially, they respond quickly, which means my issue gets resolved promptly and I can get on with my day.

Teachable only provides live chat on its higher-paid plans. Otherwise, you’re stuck with email support only. I also can’t stand Teachable’s Help Center. It’s badly organized, and most of the articles consist of text.

Thinkific has email and live chat support on all but the free plan (email only), and its Resource Hub and Academy are decent with a good selection of free courses.

4 Reasons Why Thinkific Is a Great Runner-up Option

1. It’s Catching up with Kajabi

1. It’s Catching up with Kajabi

If you’d asked me a year ago how I thought Thinkific compared with Kajabi, I would have said there is no comparison. Yet, times have changed.

Thinkific has come on in leaps and bounds recently, revamped its platform, and introduced lots of new features. Now, it pretty much provides the same tools as Kajabi.

It’s also simple to navigate and find what you are looking for, and most features work intuitively.

That said, it’s still more simplistic than Kajabi, and the features could do with better functionality. For example, I find the website builder clunky, and the platform’s templates leave much to be desired.

2. The Free Plan Is Worth It

2. The Free Plan Is Worth It

As I already mentioned, if you’re looking for a low-cost option, you could do a lot worse than the Thinkfiic free plan.

There’s enough there to get your business up and running and start selling courses, etc. And, unlike Teachable, there are no transaction fees to worry about.

Of course, the features are limited, though, so that’s something to keep in mind. I will also add that the cheapest paid plan (Basic) isn’t much better than the free plan. If you want to unlock the majority of the features, you’ll need to upgrade to the Start plan, which costs from $99 per month.

3. Thinkific App Store

3. Thinkific App Store

The Thinkific App Store is a super useful feature for those who want to use third-party apps in tandem with a course builder.

The platform supports many direct integrations for all sorts of purposes. From Shopify to Facebook, Salesforce to Zoom, and everything in between, many things are available to enhance Thinkific’s functionality.

I think this is especially important for businesses that don’t just focus on creating and selling learning content. For example, a Shopify store that sells physical products can easily link to Thinkific to sell digital products too.

Who Should Use Teachable?

Who Should Use Teachable?

I’ve spoken at length about Kajabi and Thinkific, but I haven’t really mentioned Teachable much.

The thing is, there’s not a lot to say because I don’t feel there are any areas where Teachable outshines the other platforms.

not a lot to say

All I’ve seen from Teachable in the past couple of years is that the price has risen considerably, but no notable improvements have been made to the product.

Okay, so it has recently introduced a community feature, but it’s ultra-basic, especially compared with Kajabi.

I think the developers need to focus on getting the feel and function of the whole platform up to standard and modernized. Right now, it looks and feels like it hasn’t been updated for the past ten years.

Who should use Teachable?

Well, if you’ve been using it already and have all your content on there, it could be worth sticking with if you don’t want the hassle of changing.

Otherwise, I say give it a firm pass.

Kajabi vs. Thinkific vs. Teachable: Which One Should You Choose?

Kajabi vs. Thinkific vs. Teachable: Which One Should You Choose?

If you want a platform that works and will scale in line with your business growth, you need to choose Kajabi. Its features are of the highest quality, and you will not feel let down by anything on the platform.

If, however, you want a cheaper option, the Thinkific is a great second choice. The free plan will get you started, and you can upgrade once you reach its limitations. 

I will be watching Thinkific closely over the coming months because I reckon it will become a bigger rival to Kajabi.

As for Teachable… Meh.

It’s a distinctly average platform with a high price tag. There’s no reason to pick it over Kajabi or Thinkific.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kajabi has a very low learning curve and exceptional user experience and is, therefore, the best option for beginner users. Thinkfic is also a good option for beginners, especially since it offers a free plan.

Kajabi is best for scaling your business because it provides the largest and highest-quality feature set. The all-in-one platform suits businesses of all sizes, and bespoke plans are offered to those who exceed existing plan limits.

Neither Thinkific, Teachable, nor Kajabi are suitable for selling physical products. They have been designed with features for selling digital products only.

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About Authors

  • Janette Bonnet

    Janette Bonnet is a Senior Writer at SupplyGem. She’s been in the teaching and training field for over 10 years and has been writing about it for more than 5 years. She knows a lot about online course tools like GoHighLevel, Systeme.io, and Teachable. Thanks to her long experience and a professional training certification she earned from CIPD, she’s great at helping readers understand these platforms. When you read her articles, you’re getting advice from someone who’s actually used and knows these tools inside out. Beyond her professional endeavors, Janette has dedicated many years to volunteering, especially in animal welfare, showcasing her commitment to giving back to the community.

  • Nicole Marron

    Nicole Marron is an editor at SupplyGem. She brings over three years of editing expertise and a strong academic background to her role. Equipped with her High Level Proofreading Pro certification, Nicole has collaborated with numerous coaches, course creators, and authors to refine their messaging and amplify their impact. With her eye for detail and intuitive grasp of flow, Nicole elevates the clarity and effectiveness of the content she refines.

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Disclosure: I am an independent Kajabi Affiliate, not an employee. I receive referral payments from Kajabi. The opinions expressed here are my own and are not official statements of Kajabi.

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