The best online course platforms can make all the difference in creating and selling online courses. They can also save you time and money. But with so many options out there, how do you know which is the best online course platform for you?
That’s where we come in! We’ve tested over 30 course builders and evaluated them on 60+ key aspects to identify 2024’s best course platforms. Below, you can find our top picks, their pros and cons, and compare them side by side to make an informed decision.
Why Trust Our Content
- SellCoursesOnline has reviewed 30+ course platforms over the past 7 years
- We conduct thorough research and testing for each platform
- We use a detailed rating system to objectively find the best platforms
- We continuously track platforms and keep our reviews up to date
- Our team has 30+ years of experience in the online course space
- SellCoursesOnline has 100% editorial independence
- We only make money when you’re satisfied with our recommendations
Best Overall Course Platform
Thinkific
4.7
★★★★★
Pros of Thinkific
- Easy to use and set up
- Powerful learning tools
- Free and branded mobile apps
- Powerful reporting tools
- Thinkific app store with 90+ apps
- Flexible and affordable pricing
Cons of Thinkific
- Page builder isn’t very flexible
- Basic community builder
- Additional fee for using own gateways
Pricing: Free – $499/mo
Thinkific is the best overall online course platform for 2024. It gets the highest score (4.7 out of 5) among all evaluated platforms, excelling in ease of use, features, pricing plans, and customer support.
It is a hosted platform, meaning you don’t have to worry about the technical aspects of course hosting and delivery. Thinkific lets you host your content, create structured courses, sell them, deliver your content, and manage your students.
What We Like: Thinkific is among the most feature-rich online course platforms with powerful tools for course creation and learner engagement. It’s also the only hosted course platform with a dedicated app store, making it quite extendable. Still, the platform is easy to use and comes at an affordable price.
What We Don’t Like: While Thinkific’s website builder is decent, it’s not as customizable as some other platforms. It also doesn’t include a native blogging tool. Additionally, the community feature needs improvements.
Who Should Use It: Thinkific is suitable for all types of users, from solopreneurs to eLearning businesses and from those starting out to established creators. It can also cater to different types of knowledge products, from assessment-based courses to simple video ones and membership sites.
Ease of Use
Thinkific is pretty easy to use, even for beginners. The user interface is clean, and the individual tools are smartly divided into different sections, making it easier to find them. It can get accustomed to the platform and start creating your courses in no time.
Building a course is also straightforward. You can create your curriculum quickly using the drag-and-drop course builder and set a price, and the platform will take care of the rest.
A walkthrough of Thinkific’s user interface
Key Features
- Course Builder: Thinkific supports multiple content types, including videos, PDFs, quizzes, and text. Plus, the drag-and-drop interface makes it upload and structure your course content.
- Learning and Engagement: It comes with features like content dripping, quizzes, assignments, certificates, live classes, and communities.
- Content Delivery: The default course player is well-designed, with an easy-to-use navigation bar on the left and the content on the right. The platform also offers free and branded mobile apps.
- Website Builder: Thinkific has predesigned site themes and a drag-and-drop page builder, so you can create your course website and landing pages.
- eCommerce Tools: The platform supports flexible pricing options (including bundles and subscriptions), a well-designed checkout page, sales tax handling, and affiliate marketing.
- Student Administration: Thinkific offers detailed reports to track revenue, enrollments, and student progress. You can create student groups, manage profiles and enrollments, and email them directly from the platform. It also supports various admin roles.
- App Store: Thinkific has a dedicated app store where you can find 90+ third-party apps and integrations to extend the platform’s functionality.
Thinkific Pricing
Thinkific’s paid plans start from $49/month and support unlimited courses and students. The most popular plan among course creators costs $99/month, while the most expensive plan costs $499/month, which is more suitable for bigger businesses and organizations.
Thinkific also has a free plan where you can create one course and one community. You also get access to the eCommerce tools and the website builder.
Additional Info
- Read our in-depth Thinkific review to learn more about the platform.
- Check out our Thinkific tutorial for a step-by-step guide on creating your first course.
Back
Compare Platforms Side-by-Side
Overall Rating
Our overall rating based on a weighted average score of individual ratings.
4.7
4.6
4.4
4.2
4.1
4.1
4.1
4.0
3.9
3.6
4.0
3.8
3.7
3.5
3.3
Best For Award
Our ‘Best For’ award highlights how a course platform stands out from the competition and if you do not have time, this should help you quickly identify the one best suited to your needs.
Best All-Around Course Platform
Best All-In-One Course Platform
Affordable All-In-One Platform
Most User Friendly Course Builder
Most Affordable Course Builder
Best for Beginners
Best Assessment Tools
Best for Gamified Courses
Best All-In-One for Sales & Marketing
Not Recommeded
Best for Existing Wix Users
Existing SamCart Users Only
Not Recommended
Not Recommended
Not Recommended
Ease of Use
How easy the platform is to use for a complete beginner?
Course Creation & Engagement
Rating
How does the platform perform based on the features for course creation & engagement?
Curriculum Builder
How easy and flexible is the process of content upload and curriculum building?
Excellent
Drag-and-drop course builder, which supports features like bulk upload and video library. You can also add multiple content types in the same lesson.
Good
Drag-n-drop course builder which supports features like bulk upload and cloud import. While you can add multiple content types in the same lesson, it's not very flexible.
Excellent
Drag-n-drop course builder which supports features like bulk upload and cloud import. Plus you have great flexibility in terms of adding multiple content types in the same lesson.
Excellent
Drag-and-drop course builder, which supports features like bulk upload and cloud import. You can also bulk manage lessons. Plus, the lesson editor is quite flexible.
Good
Drag-and-drop course builder with a flexible lesson editor. However, it doesn't support bulk uploading.
Good
Drag-and-drop course builder with support for bulk uploading. While you can add multiple content types to the same lesson, the lesson editor isn't quite flexible.
Poor
Drag-and-drop course builder, but it isn't user-friendly and doesn't support features like bulk upload and cloud import. Also doesn't give flexibility in terms of adding multiple content types in the same lesson.
Average
Drag-and-drop course builder. It doesn't support bulk uploading or adding multiple content types in the same lesson.
Below Average
The course builder isn't easy to use and it doesn't support bulk uploading and cloud import. However, it does give flexibility in terms of adding multiple content types in the same lesson.
Below Average
The course builder isn't easy to use and it doesn't support bulk uploading and cloud import. However, it does give flexibility in terms of adding multiple content types in the same lesson.
Good
Drag-and-drop course builder that supports adding multiple content types in the same lesson. But it doesn't support bulk uploading.
Average
Drag-n-drop course builder with the flexibility to add multiple content types in the same lesson. However, it doesn't support features like bulk upload and cloud import.
Below Average
The course builder isn't easy to use, and it doesn't support bulk uploading and cloud import. However, it does give flexibility in terms of adding multiple content types in the same lesson.
Average
Drag-n-drop course builder with the flexibility to add multiple content types in the same lesson. However, it doesn't support features like bulk upload and cloud import.
Below Average
The product builder is easy to use and it supports bulk uploading. However, it only supports files-based content. You can't add text or other lesson types.
Video Hosting
Does the platform offer inbuilt video hosting?
Unlimited
Unlimited video hosting on all plans.
Unlimited
Unlimited video hosting on all plans.
Unlimited
Unlimited video hosting on all plans.
Unlimited
Unlimited video hosting on all plans.
Limited
They limit the amount of videos you can host on the platform, but limits are generous.
Unlimited
Unlimited video hosting on all plans.
Unlimited
Unlimited video hosting on all plans.
Limited
The limit the amount of videos you can host on the platform.
Limited
You can host up to 50 videos on the entry-level plan. Unlimited video hosting is available on the higher levels.
No video hosting included. You'll need to host your videos outside and then embed them in your lessons.
Limited
You can host up to 5 hours of video on the Core plan and 10 hours on the Business plan.
Unlimited
Unlimited video hosting.
Limited
It offers 30 minutes of video storage with all of its website plans. To remove video storage limits, you need to purchase the highest-tier Digital Product Add-on plan.
Doesn't include native video hosting.
Unlimited
Unlimited video hosting.
Course Player Themes
Does the platform have any themes to customize the look and feel of the course player?
Single
Has a default course player theme, but it's well-designed.
Multiple
Offers four well-designed themes, so you can easily customize the look and feel of your course area.
Single
Has a default course player theme.
Single
Has a default course player theme.
Single
Has a default course player theme, but it's well-designed.
Single
Has a default course player theme, but it's well-designed.
Single
Has a default course player theme but has some options for design customization.
Single
It doesn't have a course player in the traditional sense. It has a simple layout with your video at the top and training actions below it. You can also show a comments section after that.
Multiple
Offers three well-designed themes, but all of them have a similar design.
Multiple
Minimal and Sidebar
Single
Has a default course player theme.
Single
Has a default course player theme, but it's well-designed.
Single
Has a default course player theme, but you can make minor layout changes.
Multiple
It has multiple course player themes to choose from.
None
Doesn't have an inbuilt course player. The videos play in the default browser player.
Mobile App
Does the platform offer native mobile app for the students?
Free + Branded
Offers Thinkific app for Android & iOS devices. You can also get branded mobile apps that support in-app purchases.
Free + Branded
Offers free Kajabi app for Android & iOS devices. You can also get branded apps for your courses and community that support in-app purchases.
Free only
Offers free Zenler app for Android & iOS devices. However, you can't get branded mobile apps for your school.
Free (iOS only)
Has an iOS app for students. There are no Android app or brand app options.
Free + Branded
Offers TrainerCentral app for Android & iOS devices. You can also get branded mobile apps for an extra fee.
Doesn't offer any mobile app functionality.
Branded Only
There are no LearnWorlds mobile apps but you can get a custom mobile app built for your brand. You'll need to pay separately for the same and it's not a done for you service.
Free only
Offers free Xpereincify app for Android & iOS devices. However, you can't get branded mobile apps for your school.
Doesn't offer any mobile app functionality.
Doesn't offer any mobile app functionality.
Free + Branded
Offers free Spaces mobile app for end-users. You can also get branded mobile apps for your business.
Doesn't offer any mobile app functionality.
No mobile app for students, only for creators.
Doesn't offer any mobile app functionality.
Free
Offers free Gumroad app for Android & iOS devices.
Quizzes
What features are available for creating quizzes and exams?
Advanced
Allows you to add different types of questions, and you can also add images to them. Offers the ability to bulk import questions and also create a randomized question bank. Also integrates directly with a powerful exam solution—Brillium.
Intermediate
Allows you to add different types of questions, and you can also add images to them. Doesn't have the ability to bulk import questions or create a randomized question bank. You can also use Assessments for creating marketing quizzes.
Advanced
Allows you to add different types of questions and you can also add images to them. Offers the ability to bulk import questions, create a randomized question bank as well as create timed exams.
Intermediate
Allows you to add different multiple-choice and multiple-response questions, and you can also add images to them. It doesn't have the ability to bulk import questions or create a randomized question bank.
Advanced
Allows you to add different types of questions, and you can also add images to them. Offers the ability to bulk import questions and also create timed exams and randomized question banks.
Very Basic
Allows you to create only multiple choice questions with no support for adding images to your questions. Doesn't have the ability to set a passing grade, bulk import questions or create a randomized question bank.
Advanced
Supports many different types of questions, including advanced ones like matching and sorting. It also supports advanced features, such as randomized question banks and timed exams.
Doesn't let you create full quizzes. You can add only single questions to your trainings.
Intermediate
Allows you to add different types of questions, and you can also add images and videos to them. Doesn't have the ability to bulk import questions or create a randomized question bank.
The platform doesn't support quizzes.
Intermediate
Allows you to add different types of questions and create graded quizzes. You can't bulk import questions and create randomized questions or timed exams.
Basic
Allows you to create graded quizzes with only multiple choice questions. Doesn't have the ability to bulk import questions or create a question bank.
The platform doesn't support native quizzes.
Doesn't let you add quizzes natively.
Doesn't include quiz creation capability.
Assignments
Can you collect assignments from students and assess them?
You can collect assignments from students and approve them manually.
You can collect assignments from students. It also supports manual grading.
You can collect assignments from students and manually approve them.
You can collect assignments from students, but you can't approve/reject them manually.
You can collect assignments from students and approve them manually.
Doesn't allow you to collect assignments from students natively.
You can collect assignments from students.
Doesn't allow you to collect assignments from students natively.
Doesn't allow you to collect assignments from students natively.
The platform doesn't support assignments.
You can collect assignments from students, but it doesn't support manual grading.
Has a Worksheets feature that lets you create assignments and surveys. However, it doesn't have a file upload option for students and doesn't support manual grading.
You can't create assignments.
Doesn't let you add assignments natively.
You can't create assignments.
Certificates
Does the platform allow you to create and send certificates natively?
Allows you to create and send certificates natively. Includes pre-designed certificate templates as well.
Allows you to create and send certificates natively but has just one certificate template.
Allows you to create and send certificates natively. Includes pre-designed certificate templates as well.
Allows you to create and send certificates natively. Includes pre-designed certificate templates as well.
Allows you to create and send certificates natively. Includes pre-designed certificate templates as well.
Allows you to create and send certificates natively but has just one certificate template.
Allows you to create and send certificates natively. Doesn't include any pre-designed certificate templates.
Allows you to create and send certificates natively. However, it's not a visual certificate builder.
Doesn't have a native certificate builder.
You can't create certificates.
Allows you to create and send certificates natively. Includes pre-designed certificate templates as well.
Doesn't have a native certificate builder.
Doesn't have a native certificate builder.
Doesn't let you create certificates natively.
You can't create certificates of completion.
Live Classes
Can you set up live classes for your students from inside the platform?
Zoom
Native Zoom integration, but you'll need to buy Zoom subscription separately. You can schedule a class from inside the platform, and students can attend the session from both the Zoom app as well as the course player.
Native
You can create live lessons inside your course and deliver them using the native live video feature.
Zoom
Native Zoom integration, so you can schedule a class from inside the platform. Your students can attend the session only from the Zoom app. Includes a Zoom subscription in your New Zenler plan.
Zoom
Native Zoom integration, so you can schedule a class from inside the platform. Your students can access the live class by clicking the button in the lesson area.
Native
You can create live lessons inside your course and deliver them using the native live video feature. You can also sell and deliver standalone live workshops.
Native Zoom integration, so you can schedule a class from inside the platform (not inside your course). Your students can attend the session only from the Zoom app.
Zoom
Native Zoom integration, so you can schedule a class from inside the platform. Your students can attend the session from both the Zoom app as well as from inside the student's area.
You can't create live classes natively or through Zoom.
No native Zoom integration, but you can still do live classes by setting up a meeting in Zoom and sharing the link.
No native Zoom integration but you can still do live classes by setting up a meeting in Zoom and sharing the link.
Native
You can create live lessons inside your course using the Events app and deliver them using the native live video feature.
No support for live classes.
No support for live classes.
No support for live classes.
Doesn't have native live streaming capability or a Zoom integration.
Interactive Video
Can you add interactive elements inside your videos?
Doesn't have a feature for creating interactive videos. But you can use a third-party app to create interactive media elements.
Doesn't have a feature for creating interactive videos.
Doesn't have a feature for creating interactive videos.
Doesn't have a feature for creating interactive videos.
Doesn't have a feature for creating interactive videos. But you can use a third-party app to create interactive media elements.
Doesn't have a feature for creating interactive videos.
Allows you to edit your videos on the fly and add interactive elements like questions, buttons, etc. inside them.
Doesn't have a feature for creating interactive videos.
Doesn't have a feature for creating interactive videos.
Doesn't have a feature for creating interactive videos.
Doesn't have a feature for creating interactive videos.
Doesn't have a feature for creating interactive videos.
Doesn't have a feature for creating interactive videos.
Doesn't have a feature for creating interactive videos.
Doesn't have a feature for creating interactive videos.
Community
Does the platform include an online community builder?
Basic
Includes the ability to create a community area that you can either offer as part of your online course or sell separately. Doesn't support features like livestreaming or group chats.
Advanced
Has a full-fledged community builder with support for circles, challenges, events, live calls, group chats, and more.
Basic
Includes the ability to create a community area that you can either offer as part of your online course or sell separately. Doesn't support features like livestreaming or group chats.
Basic
Includes the ability to create a community area that you can either offer as part of your online course or sell separately. Doesn't support features like livestreaming or group chats.
Doesn't have a native community feature. Supports in-lesson comments only.
Basic
Includes the ability to create a community area that you can either offer as part of your online course or sell separately. Doesn't support features like livestreaming or group chats.
Includes the ability to create a site-wide community. Doesn't support features like livestreaming or group chats.
Intermediate
Community builder with support for groups, spaces, posts, member directory, direct messaging, and personalized notification.s
Doesn't have a native community feature.
Doesn't have a native community feature or integration with community builders.
Includes the ability to create a community area that you can either offer as part of your online course or sell separately. It doesn't support features like spaces for community organization and group chats for engagement.
Doesn't have a native community (or even lesson comments) feature.
Doesn't have a native community feature.
Doesn't have a native community (or even lesson comments) feature.
Doesn't have a native community feature.
Coaching
Does the platform have a feature to manage coaching programs?
Has a Coaching product, but only single-session coaching is supported. You can't create coaching packages or group coaching programs.
Supports a product called Coaching which allows you to create and manage one-on-one and group coaching programs.
Lets you create one-on-one bookable sessions and deliver the sessions through Zoom integration. But you can't create coaching packages or group coaching programs.
Supports a product called Coaching which allows you to create one-on-one coaching packages and provide feedback to students via private messaging.
Doesn't support a 1:1 coaching product.
Has a Coaching product, but only single-session coaching is supported. You can't create coaching packages or group coaching programs.
You can offer bookable sessions, but you can't create coaching packages or group coaching programs.
Doesn't support a 1:1 or group coaching product.
Doesn't support a 1:1 coaching product.
Doesn't support a 1:1 coaching product.
You can sell one-off sessions or coaching packages using Wix Bookings. You can't create group coaching programs
Doesn't support a 1:1 or group coaching products.
Doesn't support a 1:1 coaching product.
Doesn't support a 1:1 or group coaching products.
Doesn't support a 1:1 coaching product.
Content Drip
Can you drip your course content over time?
Includes the ability to drip content over time. However, you can't send email notifications.
Includes the ability to drip content over time. You can also notify students via email.
Includes the ability to drip content over time and send email notifications.
Includes the ability to drip content over time. You can also notify students via email.
Includes the ability to drip content over time. You can also notify students via email.
Includes the ability to drip content over time. You can also notify students via email.
Includes the ability to drip content over time. You can also send email notifications.
Flexible content dripping options.
Includes the ability to drip content over time.
Includes ability to drip content over time.
Includes the ability to drip content over time. However, you can't send email notifications.
Includes the ability to drip content over time. However, you can't send email notifications.
You can't drip content over time.
Includes the ability to drip content over time. However, you can't send email notifications.
You can't drip content over time.
Course Compliance
Can you prevent students from skipping lessons and ensure course compliance?
You can set course compliance based on lecture completion or passing a quiz. In addition, you can also ensure video watch compliance.
You can set course compliance based on lecture completion or passing a quiz. Doesn't support video watch compliance.
You can set course compliance based on lecture completion or passing a quiz. Doesn't support video watch compliance.
You can set course compliance based on lecture completion or passing a quiz. In addition, you can also ensure video watch compliance.
You can set course compliance based on lecture completion or passing a quiz. In addition, you can also ensure video watch compliance.
Doesn't have any course compliance features.
You can set course compliance based on lecture completion or passing a quiz. In addition, you can also ensure video watch compliance.
Flexible content locking options. You can lock specific trainings/modules or lock the entire course.
You can force linear progression through the course, but it's not flexible.
You can set course compliance based on lecture completion.
You can set course compliance at a course level, forcing students to watch the entire course in order. But you can't set specific lessons as prerequisite.
You can set course compliance based on lecture completion or passing a quiz. Doesn't support video watch compliance.
You can't restrict course progress based on lecture completion or passing a quiz.
You can set course compliance based on lesson/module completion. Doesn't support video watch compliance.
You can't set course compliance based on lecture completion or passing a quiz.
Gamification
Can you create a gamified learning experience for students?
It doesn't have native gamification tools, but you can gamify your courses using Thinkific apps.
It doesn't have gamification tools, but you can do some basic gamification using the Automations feature.
It doesn't have any gamification tools.
It doesn't have any gamification tools.
It doesn't have any gamification tools.
It doesn't have any gamification tools.
It doesn't have any gamification tools for online courses, but it does have some basic gamification for its community builder.
Advanced
Includes gamification tools, like points, badges, leaderboards, celebrations, and experience engine.
It doesn't have any gamification tools.
It doesn't have any gamification tools.
It doesn't have gamification features out of the box. But you can achieve basic gamification using other apps.
It doesn't have gamification tools.
Doesn't have any gamification tools.
It doesn't have gamification tools.
It doesn't have any gamification tools.
Copyright Protection
What features the platform offers to protect the copyright of your videos and other content?
Basic
Has basic protection to prevent file downloads. You can also stop your students from copying lesson texts.
Basic
Has basic protection to prevent file downloads.
Basic
Has basic protection to prevent file downloads.
Basic
Has basic protection to prevent file downloads.
Basic
Has basic protection to prevent file downloads.
Basic
Has basic protection to prevent file downloads.
Advanced
Has basic protection to prevent file downloads. Plus you can add watermarks to your videos/PDFs to discourage sharing.
Basic
Has basic protection to prevent file downloads. You can also stop your students from copying lesson texts.
Basic
Has basic protection to prevent file downloads.
Basic
Has basic protection to prevent file downloads.
Basic
Has basic protection to prevent file downloads.
Basic
Has basic protection to prevent file downloads.
Basic
Has basic protection to prevent file downloads.
Basic
Has basic protection to prevent file downloads.
Basic
Has basic protection to prevent file downloads.
Site Design & Customization
Rating
How does the platform perform based on the features for site design & customization?
Hosting
Does the platform include hosting for your website?
Unlimited
Your subscription includes unlimited website hosting and a free SSL certificate.
Unlimited
Your subscription includes unlimited website hosting and a free SSL certificate.
Unlimited
Your subscription includes unlimited website hosting and a free SSL certificate.
Unlimited
Your subscription includes unlimited website hosting and a free SSL certificate.
Unlimited
Your subscription includes unlimited website hosting and a free SSL certificate.
Unlimited
Your subscription includes unlimited website hosting and a free SSL certificate.
Unlimited
Your subscription includes unlimited website hosting and a free SSL certificate.
Unlimited
Your subscription includes unlimited website hosting and a free SSL certificate.
Limited
Supports 50GB bandwidth on the entry-level plan. Unlimited bandwidth is available on the higher levels.
Unlimited
Your subscription includes unlimited website hosting and a free SSL certificate.
Unlimited
Your subscription includes unlimited website hosting and a free SSL certificate.
Unlimited
Your subscription includes unlimited website hosting and a free SSL certificate.
Unlimited
Your subscription includes unlimited website hosting and a free SSL certificate.
Unlimited
Your subscription includes unlimited website hosting and a free SSL certificate.
Unlimited
Your subscription includes unlimited website hosting and a free SSL certificate.
Custom Domain
Can you use a custom domain for your course website?
You get a free subdomain for your website by default but you can also use a custom domain if you want.
You get a free subdomain for your website by default but you can also use a custom domain if you want.
You get a free subdomain for your website by default but you can also use a custom domain if you want.
You get a free subdomain for your website by default but you can also use a custom domain if you want.
You get a free subdomain for your website by default, but you can also use a custom domain if you want.
You get a free subdomain for your website by default, but you can also use a custom domain if you want.
You get a free subdomain for your website by default but you can also use a custom domain if you want.
You get a free subdomain for your website by default but you can also use a custom domain if you want.
You get a free subdomain for your website by default, but you can also use a custom domain if you want.
You get a free subdomain for your website by default but you can also use a custom domain if you want.
You get a free subdomain for your website by default but you can also use a custom domain if you want.
You get a free subdomain for your website by default, but you can also use a custom domain if you want.
You get a free subdomain for your website by default, but you can also use a custom domain if you want.
You get a free subdomain for your website by default, but you can also use a custom domain if you want.
Your store gets a URL on the Gumroad domain by default but you can also use a custom domain if you want.
Site Themes
Does the platform offer pre-built site themes?
Has a library of themes that you can install on your website in a single click.
Has a library of themes that you can install on your website in a single click.
Doesn't offer any site themes and all sites built on the platform use the default template.
Doesn't offer any site themes and all sites built on the platform use the default template.
Has a library of themes that you can use to design your website and course pages.
Doesn't offer any site themes and all sites built on the platform use the default template.
Has a library of themes that you can install on your website in a single click.
Doesn't have any site themes. No site level color and font settings available as well.
Doesn't offer any site themes, and all sites built on the platform use the default template.
Doesn't offer any site themes and all sites built on the platform use the default template.
Has an extensive library of themes that you can install on your website in a single click.
Doesn't offer any site themes and all sites built on the platform use the default template.
Has a library of themes that you can install on your website in a single click.
Doesn't offer any site themes and all sites built on the platform use the default template.
Doesn't offer any site themes and all sites built on the platform use the default template.
Page Builder
How powerful the page builder is for creating and customizing pages?
Intermediate
Has a visual drag & drop page builder, which you can use to design & build sales pages and other pages on your website. The page builder has a number of pre-built sections and offers some customization capabilities as well.
Advanced
Has a visual drag & drop page builder which you can use to design & build sales pages, homepage and other pages on your website. The page builder is really powerful and offers a lot of pre-built elements.
Advanced
Has a visual drag & drop page builder, which you can use to design & build sales pages and other pages on your website. The page builder is really powerful and offers a lot of pre-built elements.
Basic
Has a drag & drop page builder, which you can use to design & build sales pages and other pages on your website. However, the page builder has limited customization options.
Basic
Has a drag & drop page builder, which you can use to design & build sales pages and other pages on your website. However, the page builder has limited customization options.
Intermediate
Has a drag & drop page builder, which you can use to design & build sales pages and other pages on your website. While it has limited prebuilt sections, there are lots of design options for these sections.
Advanced
Has a visual page builder that you can use to design & build sales pages, homepages, and other pages on your website. The page builder is really powerful and offers a lot of pre-built elements.
Intermediate
Has a visual drag & drop page builder, which you can use to design & build sales pages on your website. Not suitable for creating full websites.
Advanced
Has a visual drag & drop page builder, which you can use to design & build sales pages, homepage, and other pages on your website. The page builder is really powerful and offers a lot of pre-built elements and templates for them.
Very Basic
The page builder is rudimentary. It has a pre-built layout and you can't even change the order of page sections.
Advanced
It has a visual drag & drop page builder, which you can use to design & build sales pages, homepages, and other pages on your website. The page builder is really powerful and offers complete freedom to design your pages.
It just has a checkout page builder, but you can't create standalone sales pages or website pages.
Advanced
Has a visual point-and-click page builder, which you can use to design & build sales pages, homepage, and other pages on your website. The page builder is really powerful and offers a lot of pre-built elements and templates for them.
It just has a checkout page builder, but you can't create standalone sales pages or website pages.
Doesn't include a page builder. The platform supports elementary customization for product pages and you can't create additional pages.
Advanced Customization
Does the platform give you access to the site backend to do advanced code customization?
You can build and import custom themes into your website. You can also edit your theme's code and customize as you like.
You can build and import custom themes into your website. You can also edit existing theme's code.
Doesn't have any ability to customize the site themes or make any changes in the backend.
Doesn't allow you to import custom themes. However, you can use the Power Editor for advanced customization purposes.
Doesn't have any ability to customize the site themes or make any changes in the backend.
Doesn't have any ability to customize the site themes or make any changes in the backend.
Doesn't have any ability to customize the site themes or make any changes in the backend.
Doesn't have any ability to customize the default theme or make any changes in the backend. You can only add some css.
Doesn't have any ability to customize the site themes or make any changes in the backend.
Doesn't have any ability to customize the site themes or make any changes in the backend.
You can create and import your own template. While you can add custom code to individual pages or entire site, you can't edit site's HTML.
Doesn't have any ability to customize the site themes or make any changes in the backend.
You can create your own template, as well as add custom code to individual pages to customize your website
Doesn't have any ability to customize the site themes or make any changes in the backend.
Doesn't have any ability to customize the site themes or make any changes in the backend.
Blogging
Can you build a blog for your brand?
Doesn't have built-in blogging functionality.
Has inbuilt blogging capability which can be used to build a fully functional blog.
Has built-in blogging tools, which can be used to build a fully functional blog.
Doesn't have built-in blogging functionality.
Doesn't have built-in blogging functionality.
It has built-in blogging tools.
Has built-in blogging capability which can be used to build a fully functional blog.
Doesn't have built-in blogging functionality.
Doesn't have inbuilt blogging functionality.
Doesn't have inbuilt blogging functionality.
Has native blogging capability, which can be used to build a fully functional blog.
Doesn't have built-in blogging functionality.
Has native blogging capability, which can be used to build a fully functional blog.
Doesn't have built-in blogging functionality.
Doesn't have inbuilt blogging functionality.
Podcasts
Can you create a podcast on the platform?
Doesn't have a podcast feature.
Has a Podcast feature that allows you to create, host, distribute, and monetize podcasts.
Doesn't have a podcast feature.
Doesn't have a podcast feature.
Doesn't have a podcast feature.
Doesn't have a podcast feature.
Doesn't have a podcast feature.
Doesn't have built-in podcasts functionality.
Doesn't have a podcast feature.
Doesn't have a podcast feature.
You can create a podcast and share it on podcasting services via an RSS feed.
Doesn't have a podcast feature.
You can create a podcast and share it on podcasting services via an RSS feed.
Doesn't have a podcast feature.
Doesn't have a podcast feature.
White-Labeling
Can you complete white-label the platform and make it your own?
Ability to completely white-label your website as well as students' area. You can also white-label your emails.
Ability to completely white-label your website as well as students' area.
Ability to completely white-label your website as well as students' area.
Partial
You can white-label your website and student's area but the signup, login and checkout pages still use Teachable's domain.
Ability to completely white-label your website as well as students' area. You can also white-label your emails.
Ability to completely white-label your website as well as students' area.
Ability to completely white-label your website as well as students' area.
Ability to completely white-label your website as well as students' area. You can even do email white-labeling.
Ability to completely white-label your website as well as the student area.
Ability to completely white-label your website as well as students' area.
Ability to completely white-label your website as well as the students' area.
Ability to completely white-label your website as well as the students' area.
Ability to completely white-label your website as well as the students' area.
Ability to completely white-label your website as well as the students' area.
You can't white-label the platform at all. Your users will create an account on the Gumroad website rather than your own website.
Change Site Language
Can you change your website language in a single click?
The platform supports 30+ different languages out of the box.
The platform supports 15+ different languages out of the box.
The platform supports 10+ different languages out of the box.
The platform supports only English language out of the box. You'll have to manually translate all the text to a different language.
The platform supports only English language out of the box. You'll have to translate all the text to a different language manually.
The platform supports 10+ different languages out of the box.
The platform supports 15+ languages out of the box.
The platform supports only English language out of the box. You'll have to manually translate all the text to a different language.
The platform supports only the English language out of the box.
The platform supports only the English language out of the box and you can't modify the language or wording.
The platform supports 20+ different languages out of the box.
The platform supports several languages out of the box.
The platform supports 10+ different languages out of the box.
The platform supports several languages out of the box.
The platform automatically translates the default site text to users' browser language.
Modify Default Text
Can you customize the default interface text?
You can modify the default interface text in all places.
You can modify the default text only in some places.
You can modify the default interface text in all places.
You can modify the default interface text in all places.
You can modify the default interface text in all places.
You can't modify the default interface text.
You can modify the default interface text in all places.
You can modify the default interface text in all places.
You can't modify the default interface text.
You can't modify the default interface text.
You can't modify the default interface text.
You can't modify the default interface text.
You can modify the default interface text.
You can't modify the default interface text.
Sales & Marketing
Rating
How does the platform perform based on the features for sales & marketing?
Product Pricing Options
What pricing options does the platform allow you to offer for your products?
Multiple
Allows you to create one-time pricing, subscriptions as well as payment plans. You can also create multiple tiers for your product.
Multiple
Allows you to create one-time pricing, subscriptions as well as payment plans. You can also create multiple tiers for your product.
Multiple
Allows you to create one-time pricing, subscriptions as well as payment plans. You can also create multiple tiers for your product.
Multiple
Allows you to create one-time pricing, subscriptions as well as payment plans. You can also create multiple tiers for your product.
Multiple
Allows you to create one-time pricing, subscriptions as well as payment plans. You can also create multiple tiers for your product.
Multiple
Allows you to create one-time pricing, subscriptions as well as payment plans. You can also create multiple tiers for your product.
Multiple
Allows you to create one-time pricing, subscriptions as well as payment plans. You can also create multiple tiers for your product.
Multiple
Allows you to create one-time pricing, subscriptions as well as payment plans. You can also create multiple tiers for your product.
Multiple
Allows you to create one-time pricing, subscriptions as well as payment plans. You can also create multiple tiers for your product.
Multiple
Allows you to create one-time pricing, subscriptions as well as payment plans.
Multiple
Allows you to create one-time pricing, subscriptions as well as payment plans. You can also create multiple tiers for your product.
Multiple
Allows you to create one-time pricing, subscriptions, and payment plans. You can also create multiple tiers for your product.
Multiple
Allows you to create one-time pricing, subscriptions as well as payment plans. You can also create multiple tiers for your product.
Multiple
Allows you to create one-time pricing, subscriptions, and payment plans. You can also create multiple tiers for your product.
Multiple
Supports one-time pricing, subscriptions, rentals, and pay-what-you-want models. You can't create payment plans though.
Coupons
Can you create coupons to discount your products?
Allows you to create coupons to offer a fixed amount or a percentage off on your courses. You choose to apply a coupon to either an individual course or multiple courses.
Allows you to create coupons to offer a fixed amount or a percentage off on your courses. You choose to apply a coupon to either an individual course or multiple courses.
Allows you to create coupons to offer a fixed amount or a percentage off on your courses but coupons are tied to individual products only.
Allows you to create coupons to offer a fixed amount or a percentage off on your courses. You choose to apply a coupon to either an individual course or multiple courses.
Allows you to create coupons to offer a fixed amount or a percentage off on your courses. You choose to apply a coupon to either an individual course or multiple courses.
Allows you to create coupons to offer a fixed amount or a percentage off on your courses. You choose to apply a coupon to either an individual course or multiple courses.
Allows you to create coupons to offer a fixed amount or a percentage off on your courses. You choose to apply a coupon to either an individual course or multiple courses.
Allows you to create coupons to offer a fixed amount or a percentage off on your courses.
Allow you to create coupons to offer a fixed amount or a percentage off your courses. You choose to apply a coupon to either an individual course or multiple courses.
Allows you to create coupons to offer a fixed amount or a percentage off on your courses. You can only create coupons for individual courses.
Allows you to create coupons to offer a fixed amount or a percentage off on your courses. You choose to apply a coupon to either an individual course or multiple courses.
Allows you to create coupons to offer a fixed amount or a percentage off on your courses. You choose to apply a coupon to either an individual course or multiple courses.
Allows you to create coupons to offer a fixed amount or a percentage off on your courses. You choose to apply a coupon to either an individual course or multiple courses.
Allows you to create coupons to offer a fixed amount or a percentage off on your courses. You choose to apply a coupon to either an individual course or multiple courses.
Allows you to create coupons to offer a fixed amount or a percentage off on your products. You can choose to apply a coupon to either an individual product or all products.
Payment Gateways
What gateways does the platform support for payment processing?
Thinkific Payments + Stripe + PayPal
Thinkific Payments is the default gateway in most countries. You can also use Stripe and PayPal, but there's an extra fee for it.
Stripe + PayPal + Others
Supports Stripe and PayPal for both one-time as well as recurring payments. It also has a managed gateway called Kajabi Payments that supports additional payment methods like digital wallets and Buy Now Pay Later.
Stripe + PayPal + Others
Supports Stripe, PayPal, and Razorpay gateways for one-time and recurring payments.
Teachable Payments
Supports only Teachable Payments. You can't use your own Stripe and PayPal accounts for payment processing except in a few countries where Teachable payments isn't supported.
Stripe + PayPal + Others
Supports several payment gateways, including Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net, and RazorPay.
Stripe + PayPal
Supports Stripe and PayPal gateways but Paypal isn't supported for recurring payments.
Stripe + PayPal + Others
Supports Stripe, PayPal, and Shopify gateways to process one-time payments, but for recurring payments, only Stripe is available.
Stripe + PayPal
PayPal is supported only for one-time payments, while Stripe also supports recurring payments.
Stripe + PayPal + Others
Supports Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net, and two other gateways for both one-time and recurring payments.
Stripe
Stripe is the only payment processor with direct integration with Teachery.
Stripe + PayPal + Others
Supports a range of payment gateways, including Stripe and PayPal. Also, has a managed service called Wix Payments.
Stripe + PayPal + Others
Supports multiple gateways, including Stripe, PayPal, Braintree, and a managed gateway called SamPay.
Stripe + PayPal
Supports Stripe and PayPal. However, PayPal doesn't work for recurring payments.
Stripe + PayPal + Others
Supports multiple gateways, including Stripe, PayPal, and Authorize.net.
Gumroad
Gumroad manages payments on your behalf and you can't use your own Stripe/Paypal account. However, your users will see both the card and the PayPal options.
Checkout Process
Does the platform have a well-optimized checkout process?
Has a well-optimized checkout process where users first make a payment and are then prompted to create an account.
Has a well optimized checkout process where users first make a payment and are then prompted to create an account.
Has a well optimized checkout process where users first make a payment and are then prompted to create an account.
Has a well-optimized checkout process where users first make a payment and are then prompted to create an account.
Average
Doesn't have a well-optimized checkout process. Users are first prompted to create an account and then make a payment.
It has a well-optimized checkout process where users first make a payment and are then prompted to create an account.
Has a well optimized checkout process where users first make a payment and are then prompted to create an account.
Has a well-optimized checkout process where users first make a payment and are then prompted to create an account.
Has a well-optimized checkout process where users first make a payment and are then prompted to create an account. Plus, you can choose from dozens of checkout page templates.
Has a well-optimized checkout process where users first make a payment and are then prompted to create an account.
Average
Doesn't have a well-optimized checkout process. Users are first prompted to create an account and then make a payment.
Excellent
Has a well-optimized checkout process where users first make a payment and are then prompted to create an account. Plus, you can choose from dozens of checkout page templates.
Average
Doesn't have a well-optimized checkout process. Users are first prompted to create an account and then make a payment.
Excellent
Has a well-optimized checkout process where users first make a payment and are then prompted to create an account. Plus, you can choose from dozens of checkout page templates.
Has a well-optimized checkout process where users first make a payment and are then prompted to create an account.
1-Click Upsells
Does the platform have support for order bumps and 1-click upsells?
Ability to create order bumps and 1-click upsells on your thank you page.
Allows to add an order bump to your checkout page as well as create 1-click upsells on your thank you page.
Allows to add an order bump to your checkout page as well as create 1-click upsells on your thank you page.
Allows to add an order bump to your checkout page as well as create 1-click upsells on your thank you page.
Doesn't have a well-optimized checkout process. Users are first prompted to create an account and then make a payment.
Ability to create 1-click upsells on your thank you page but you can't add an order bump to your checkout page.
Doesn't allow you to create 1-click upsells or order bumps.
You can't add order bumps or upsells.
Allows to add an order bump to your checkout page and create 1-click upsells on your thank you page.
You can't create 1-click upsell on the thank you pages.
Ability to create 1-click upsells on your thank you page. However, you can't add order bumps to your checkout pages.
Allows to add an order bump to your checkout page as well as create 1-click upsells on your thank you page.
Doesn't allow you to create 1-click upsells or order bumps.
Allows to add an order bump to your checkout page as well as create 1-click upsells on your thank you page.
You can't offer upsells during checkout.
Sales Taxes
Can the platform handle sales taxes (e.g. EU VAT) natively?
You can charge sales taxes in various jurisdictions using Thinkific Payments. Thinkific will also remit taxes.
You can charge sales taxes in various jurisdictions using Kajabi Payments. You'll be responsible for remitting taxes to the authorities.
Supports global tax management. You can collect and charge EU VAT as sales taxes for all countries. They will even pay EU VAT to the authorities on your behalf.