In a rapidly evolving digital world, selling courses online has become a lucrative and scalable business model. Entrepreneurs, educators, and creators are constantly on the lookout for the best platform to help them sell, manage, and market their courses. Three of the most popular platforms in this space are Kajabi, Teachable, and WordPress. Each of these tools has its strengths and weaknesses, and your choice of platform should align with your goals, technical skills, and business needs.
In this detailed comparison, we’ll explore the pros, cons, pricing, and key features of each tool to help you make an informed decision. By the end of this blog, you’ll have a clear understanding of which platform is best suited for your online course business.
1. Kajabi: All-in-One Platform for Digital Entrepreneurs
Kajabi positions itself as an all-in-one platform specifically designed for digital entrepreneurs looking to sell online courses, memberships, coaching programs, and more. Kajabi’s main selling point is its seamless integration of tools needed to create, market, and sell courses without relying on third-party plugins or additional services.
Key Features:
- Course Builder: A drag-and-drop course builder allows for the easy creation of multimedia courses.
- Marketing Automation: Kajabi includes built-in email marketing, funnels, and automation to manage and nurture your leads.
- Website Builder: Kajabi offers customizable website themes and templates, which require no coding.
- Memberships: You can easily bundle your courses and offer memberships or subscriptions.
- Mobile App: Kajabi has a dedicated mobile app, that allows your students to access content on the go.
Pros:
- All-in-One Solution: Everything you need to run your course business is built-in, reducing the need for third-party services.
- Excellent Support: Kajabi offers 24/7 customer support with live chat, which is a bonus for non-tech-savvy users.
- Great for Scaling: Kajabi’s built-in features like email marketing, landing pages, and automation help you grow your business without additional tools.
Cons:
- Expensive: Starting at $149/month, Kajabi is pricier than its competitors. This makes it less accessible for smaller creators or those just starting.
- Limited Customization: While the website builder is user-friendly, it lacks the depth of customization that some users may want.
- Learning Curve: Though it’s an all-in-one tool, it takes time to master Kajabi’s numerous features.
Pricing:
- Basic Plan: $149/month
- Growth Plan: $199/month
- Pro Plan: $399/month
2. Teachable: User-Friendly Platform with Strong Course Creation Tools
Teachable is one of the most widely recognized platforms for selling courses. Known for its ease of use and beginner-friendly interface, Teachable is ideal for those who want to get up and running quickly without the technical complexities of WordPress or the higher price of Kajabi.
Key Features:
- Course Creation: Teachable offers an intuitive drag-and-drop builder that allows you to add multimedia elements to your lessons.
- Student Management: Built-in student progress tracking, quizzes, and completion certificates help you engage your learners.
- Sales and Marketing: Teachable integrates with various payment gateways and offers upsells, coupons, and VAT management.
- Third-Party Integrations: Teachable integrates with tools like Mailchimp, Zapier, and more for enhanced marketing capabilities.
Pros:
- Beginner-Friendly: Teachable’s user interface is straightforward, making it easy for beginners to set up their courses.
- Affordable: Starting at $39/month, Teachable is a more affordable option compared to Kajabi.
- Great Course Creation Features: It offers everything needed to create structured, engaging courses.
- Free Plan Available: Teachable offers a free plan, allowing new creators to test the platform before committing.
Cons:
- Limited Customization: While you can customize the look of your school, it’s limited compared to WordPress.
- No Marketing Automation: Unlike Kajabi, Teachable does not have built-in marketing automation, requiring additional tools to manage leads.
- Transaction Fees: The basic plan comes with a 5% transaction fee, which can add up over time.
Pricing:
- Free Plan: Transaction fees apply
- Basic Plan: $39/month + 5% transaction fee
- Pro Plan: $119/month
- Business Plan: $299/month
Also Read: 7 Best WordPress Plugins for Writers In 2024
3. WordPress: Flexible, Customizable, and Ideal for Tech-Savvy Users
WordPress is a self-hosted platform that is known for its flexibility and customization options. To sell online courses with WordPress, you’ll need to use a Learning Management System (LMS) plugin such as LearnDash, LifterLMS, or TutorLMS. WordPress is ideal for users who want complete control over their website and don’t mind using third-party plugins and services to achieve specific functionality.
Key Features:
- Unlimited Customization: With thousands of themes and plugins, WordPress allows you to fully customize your course website.
- LMS Plugins: Popular plugins like LearnDash and TutorLMS offer powerful tools to create and manage courses, quizzes, and student engagement.
- Ownership of Content: Since WordPress is self-hosted, you own your content, and you’re not tied to a third-party platform’s terms and conditions.
- SEO-Friendly: WordPress has great SEO capabilities, especially with plugins like Yoast SEO, giving your site the chance to rank higher in search engines.
- Membership Plugins: You can create memberships, bundles, and subscriptions using plugins like MemberPress and Restrict Content Pro.
Pros:
- Affordable: WordPress itself is free, and the costs come from hosting, themes, and plugins, giving you the flexibility to scale as you grow.
- Limitless Flexibility: There’s virtually no limit to what you can do with WordPress, as long as you have the necessary technical skills or can hire a developer.
- Control: You have full control over your website, data, and integrations.
Cons:
- Technical Skills Needed: WordPress has a steeper learning curve compared to Kajabi and Teachable, and you’ll need some technical skills to manage plugins, security, and updates.
- Additional Costs: While WordPress is free, costs can add up when you factor in premium plugins, themes, and hosting.
- Not an All-in-One Solution: Unlike Kajabi, WordPress requires third-party services for things like email marketing and landing pages.
Pricing:
- Hosting: Typically ranges from $5 to $30/month depending on your provider.
- LMS Plugins: LearnDash ($159/year), TutorLMS (Free with premium add-ons)
- Other Costs: Themes, email marketing tools, and additional plugins can vary in cost.
Also Read: 7+ Best Photoshop Filter Plugins for WordPress Websites In 2024
Which Platform is Right for You?
Choosing the best platform for selling courses ultimately depends on your specific needs, budget, and level of technical expertise. Here’s a quick recap to help you decide:
- Choose Kajabi if you want an all-in-one solution: Kajabi is best for entrepreneurs who want to run their entire business—courses, memberships, marketing, and more—from one platform. However, it comes with a high price tag.
- Choose Teachable if you’re a beginner or on a budget: Teachable offers a user-friendly interface and affordable pricing, making it a great choice for creators who want to get started quickly without much hassle.
- Choose WordPress if you need flexibility and control: WordPress is ideal for users who have the technical knowledge to build and maintain their site or are willing to hire help. It’s perfect for those who need complete customization and scalability.
Finding the Best Fit for Your Course Business
Whether you’re a seasoned course creator or just starting, Kajabi, Teachable, and WordPress each offer unique benefits that cater to different types of users. Kajabi’s all-in-one nature is appealing to those looking for a hands-off, integrated solution, while Teachable’s affordability and simplicity make it a solid choice for beginners. On the other hand, WordPress stands out for its flexibility and control, though it requires more hands-on management.
Interesting Reads:
Top TablePress Alternatives For Creating Tables in WordPress Website
