When comparing Thinkific and Kajabi, both platforms excel in creating and selling online courses but cater to different needs. Thinkific stands out for its intuitive course builder, flexible pricing options, and user-friendly interface. It’s ideal for beginners or those looking for a cost-effective solution, offering free and no transaction fees on paid plans. Thinkific supports various content types and integrates well with third-party tools like MailChimp and Zapier. However, it has limited built-in marketing tools and fewer design templates.
Kajabi, on the other hand, is an all-in-one platform that combines course creation with powerful marketing and sales tools. It features a comprehensive suite for digital marketing, email automation, and sales funnel creation. Kajabi’s higher pricing reflects its extensive built-in features, making it suitable for those looking to scale their business with advanced marketing capabilities. It offers high-quality templates, easy customization, and robust community engagement tools. While Kajabi has a steeper learning curve and transaction fees on lower-tier plans, it provides a seamless, integrated solution for those willing to invest more.
Thinkific is best for those seeking a straightforward, cost-effective course creation tool. At the same time, Kajabi is ideal for users wanting an all-encompassing platform with advanced marketing and sales features. Your budget and unique needs will determine which option you take.
Things to remember
When comparing Thinkific and Kajabi, two top e-commerce platforms for online courses, each has unique strengths tailored to different needs. Thinkific excels with its user-friendly course creation, flexible pricing options, and cost-effective solutions, including a free plan and no transaction fees on paid plans. It supports various content types and integrates smoothly with third-party tools like MailChimp and Zapier, making it ideal for beginners or those looking for a straightforward course builder.
Kajabi, however, offers a comprehensive all-in-one solution, combining course creation with advanced marketing and sales tools. It includes features for digital marketing, email automation, and sales funnel creation, making it suitable for scaling businesses. Kajabi provides high-quality templates, easy customization, and robust community engagement tools. While it has a higher price point and a steeper learning curve, it offers a seamless, integrated platform for those ready to invest more.
Thinkific is best for those seeking a straightforward, affordable course creation tool. At the same time, Kajabi is ideal for users wanting an all-encompassing platform with advanced marketing and sales capabilities. Your budget and unique needs will determine which option you select.
Comparison Summary: Thinkific vs. Kajabi
Thinkific and Kajabi are powerful platforms for creating and selling online courses. Each has distinct advantages that cater to different needs.
Thinkific:
- Ease of Use: Intuitive and user-friendly, ideal for beginners.
- Course Creation: Supports various content types (video, text, quizzes).
- Pricing: Offers a free plan with essential features and no transaction fees on paid plans.
- Customization: Highly customizable course pages and websites.
- Integrations: Works well with third-party tools like MailChimp and Zapier.
- Limitations: Limited built-in marketing tools and fewer design templates.
Kajabi:
- All-in-One Solution: Combines course creation, website building, email marketing, and sales funnels.
- Advanced Marketing: Built-in email marketing automation and sales funnel tools.
- Customization: Extensive library of high-quality templates and easy customization.
- Student Engagement: Community features, advanced quizzes, and gamification.
- Pricing: Higher price point, reflecting its comprehensive features.
- Learning Curve: More complex due to the extensive feature set.
What is Thinkific?
Thinkific is an online platform that facilitates the creation, promotion, and sale of online courses by individuals and companies. It features an intuitive drag-and-drop builder that supports various content types like videos, text, quizzes, and assignments. Thinkific offers flexible pricing options, including one-time payments, subscriptions, and free trials, with no transaction fees on paid plans. Customizable course pages, custom domains, and integrations with tools like MailChimp and Zapier enhance its flexibility. Built-in community features, discussion forums, and certificates of completion engage students effectively. Thinkific is cost-effective, with a free plan and multiple pricing tiers, making it ideal for beginners, educators, and businesses seeking a user-friendly and scalable solution for online course creation.
Benefits of Thinkific vs. Kajabi
Thinkific and Kajabi offer robust platforms for creating and selling online courses but cater to different needs and preferences. Here are the key benefits of each:
Thinkific
- Ease of Use:
- User-friendly interface is ideal for beginners.
- Intuitive drag-and-drop course builder simplifies course creation.
- Cost-Effectiveness:
- Offers a free plan with essential features.
- No transaction fees on any paid plans allow you to keep more of your revenue.
- Different price points to meet a range of needs and budgets.
- Customization and Flexibility:
- Highly customizable course pages and websites.
- Supports custom domains and SSL certificates for secure transactions.
- Integrates with numerous third-party tools like MailChimp, Zapier, and Google Analytics.
- Student Engagement:
- Built-in discussion forums and community features to foster interaction.
- Advanced quiz and survey options to enhance learning.
- Certificates of completion to motivate and recognize students.
Kajabi
- All-in-One Solution:
- Combines course creation, website building, email marketing, and sales funnels in one platform.
- Provides a complete package of digital marketing and automation solutions, eliminating the need for several tools.
- Advanced Marketing Tools:
- Built-in email marketing automation with customizable templates.
- Sales funnel builder to create effective marketing campaigns.
- Affiliate marketing capabilities to expand your reach.
- Customization and Design:
- Extensive library of high-quality templates for websites and landing pages.
- Easy drag-and-drop customization for a professional look.
- Supports custom domains and SSL certificates.
- Student Engagement and Community:
- Robust community features, including membership sites and discussion forums.
- Advanced quiz and survey options to assess learning.
- Gamification elements like badges and certificates to increase engagement.
Key Features: Thinkific vs. Kajabi
Thinkific
- Course Creation and Management:
- Drag-and-drop builder
- Supports multimedia (videos, text, quizzes, surveys, assignments)
- Drip content scheduling
- Flexible course pricing (one-time payments, subscriptions, memberships, free trials)
- Customization and Flexibility:
- Customizable course pages
- Custom domains
- Integrates with third-party tools (MailChimp, Zapier, Google Analytics)
- Student Engagement:
- Built-in discussion forums
- Interactive quizzes and surveys
- Certificates of completion
- Monetization and Marketing:
- Affiliate marketing capabilities
- Email marketing integrations
- No transaction fees on paid plans
- Support and Resources:
- Dedicated customer support
- Educational resources (tutorials, webinars, guides)
Kajabi
- All-in-One Platform:
- Combines course creation, website building, email marketing, and sales funnels
- Built-in digital marketing tools
- Course Creation and Management:
- Intuitive builder supporting video, audio, text, quizzes
- Drip content scheduling
- Advanced assessment and survey tools
- Customization and Design:
- Extensive library of high-quality templates
- Drag-and-drop customization
- Custom domains
- Marketing and Sales:
- Email marketing automation
- Sales funnel builder
- Built-in affiliate marketing capabilities
- Student Engagement and Community:
- Membership site creation
- Discussion forums
- Gamification elements (badges, certificates)
- Support and Resources:
- Comprehensive customer support (live chat, phone support)
- Educational resources (Kajabi University, webinars, community support)
Summary
- Thinkific:
- User-friendly and cost-effective
- Ideal for beginners
- Flexible pricing and robust student engagement
- Good third-party tool integration
- Kajabi:
- Comprehensive all-in-one solution
- Advanced marketing and sales features
- Suitable for scaling businesses
- Extensive built-in tools for marketing, automation, and community engagement
Pros and Cons Thinkific vs. kajabi
Thinkific
Pros:
- Ease of Use: Intuitive and user-friendly interface, ideal for beginners.
- Cost-Effective: Offers a free plan and multiple pricing tiers; no transaction fees on paid plans.
- Customization: Highly customizable course pages and websites with support for custom domains.
- Integrations: Seamlessly integrates with third-party tools like MailChimp, Zapier, and Google Analytics.
- Student Engagement: Built-in discussion forums, interactive quizzes, surveys, and certificates of completion.
- Flexibility: Supports various content types and flexible course pricing options.
Cons:
- Limited Built-In Marketing Tools: Requires reliance on third-party integrations for advanced marketing needs.
- Fewer Design Templates: Limited selection of templates compared to other platforms.
- Basic Automation: Lacks some advanced automation features found in all-in-one platforms.
Kajabi
Pros:
- All-in-One Platform: Combines course creation, website building, email marketing, and sales funnels in one solution.
- Advanced Marketing Tools: Built-in email marketing automation, sales funnel builder, and affiliate marketing capabilities.
- Customization and Design: Extensive library of high-quality templates and easy drag-and-drop customization.
- Comprehensive Student Engagement: Features like membership sites, discussion forums, and gamification elements.
- Integration: Built-in tools for marketing and sales eliminate the need for multiple platforms.
- Support: Comprehensive customer support, including live chat and phone support.
Cons:
- Higher Pricing: More expensive than many other platforms, reflecting its comprehensive feature set.
- Learning Curve: The wide range of features makes this confusing for novices.
- Transaction Fees: Transaction fees apply to lower-tier plans.
Summary
Thinkific is best for those seeking an easy-to-use, cost-effective solution with flexibility in course creation and pricing. It’s ideal for beginners or those who already have external marketing tools.
Kajabi is perfect for users looking for an all-in-one platform with advanced marketing, sales, and community engagement tools. It suits those willing to invest more in a comprehensive, integrated solution.
Choosing Thinkific and Kajabi will depend on your specific needs and budget and whether you prefer a straightforward or an all-encompassing platform.
Thinkific vs. Kajabi: Pricing and Features Comparison Table
| Feature/Plan | Thinkific Free | Thinkific Basic ($49/month) | Thinkific Pro ($99/month) | Thinkific Premier ($499/month) | Kajabi Basic ($149/month) | Kajabi Growth ($199/month) | Kajabi Pro ($399/month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Courses | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Unlimited Students | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Course Builder | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Quizzes & Surveys | Basic | Basic | Advanced | Advanced | Advanced | Advanced | Advanced |
| Drip Content | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Memberships/Bundles | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Certificates | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Custom Domain | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Email Marketing | Integrations | Integrations | Integrations | Integrations | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sales Funnels | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Affiliate Marketing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Advanced Reporting | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Community Features | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webinars | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Landing Pages | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
| Contacts | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 10,000 | 25,000 | 100,000 |
| Active Members | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 1,000 | 10,000 | 20,000 |
| Admin Users | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 25 |
| Priority Support | ✓ | ✓ | Chat Support | 24/7 Chat Support | 24/7 Chat Support | ||
| Advanced Automation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Customizable Templates | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Affiliate Program | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| SSL Certificates | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| API Access | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
| Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ | ||||||
| Onboarding Package | ✓ | ||||||
| Advanced Customization | ✓ | Code Editor |
Thinkific vs. Kajabi: Pricing, Features, and Descriptions
Thinkific Pricing and Features
| Plan | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/month | – Unlimited students – Course creation – Basic quizzes and surveys – Content hosting |
| – Instant access to funds – No transaction fees | ||
| Basic | $49/month | – All Free plan features – Unlimited courses and students – Coupons and promotions |
| – Email and drip content – Affiliate reporting – Custom domain – Email integrations | ||
| – Zapier triggers – Manual student enrollment and exports | ||
| Pro | $99/month | – All Basic plan features – 2 site admin accounts – 5 course admins/authors |
| – Private and hidden courses – Advanced course pricing options – Memberships and bundles | ||
| – Certificates – Priority support – Live lessons with Zoom – Advanced reports | ||
| Premier | $499/month | – All Pro plan features – 5 site admin accounts – 15 group analysts |
| – 50 course admins/authors – Single sign-on (SSO) – API access – White labeling | ||
| – Onboarding package – Advanced support | ||
| Growth | Starts at $99/month | – Advanced segmentation – Group calls – Additional admin accounts – Onboarding and training |
Kajabi Pricing and Features
| Plan | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $149/month | – 3 products – 3 pipelines – Unlimited landing pages – Unlimited marketing emails |
| – 10,000 contacts – 1,000 active members – 1 website – 1 admin user | ||
| – Kajabi University access – Webinars and events – Assessments and quizzes – Chat support | ||
| Growth | $199/month | – All Basic plan features – 15 products – 15 pipelines – 25,000 contacts |
| – 10,000 active members – 1 website – 10 admin users – Advanced automation | ||
| – Ability to remove Kajabi branding – Affiliate program – 24/7 chat support | ||
| Pro | $399/month | – All Growth plan features – 100 products – 100 pipelines – 100,000 contacts |
| – 20,000 active members – 3 websites – 25 admin users – Code editor for advanced customizations |
Thinkific vs. Kajabi: Payment Processing Services Comparison Table
| Feature/Plan | Thinkific | Kajabi |
|---|---|---|
| Supported Payment Gateways | Stripe, PayPal | Stripe, PayPal |
| Transaction Fees | No transaction fees on paid plans | No transaction fees |
| Currency Support | Multiple currencies | Multiple currencies |
| Payment Methods | Credit cards, PayPal | Credit cards, PayPal |
| Recurring Payments | Subscriptions, memberships | Subscriptions, memberships |
| One-Time Payments | Yes | Yes |
| Payment Processing Time | Immediate payouts with Stripe | Immediate payouts with Stripe |
| Tax Handling | Customizable tax settings | Automatic tax calculations |
| Affiliate Payments | Manual through integrations | Built-in affiliate management |
| Coupon Codes | Yes | Yes |
| Refund Processing | Yes, via Stripe and PayPal | Yes, via Stripe and PayPal |
| Sales Reporting | Basic and advanced reports | Detailed sales analytics |
Thinkific vs. Kajabi: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What are the main differences between Thinkific and Kajabi?
Thinkific focuses on user-friendly course creation and affordability, with extensive customization and third-party integrations. Kajabi is an all-in-one platform with advanced marketing, sales, and automation tools, ideal for scaling businesses but at a higher price.
- Which platform is more cost-effective for beginners?
Thinkific is more cost-effective, offering a free plan and multiple affordable pricing tiers without transaction fees. Kajabi starts at $149/month and includes more built-in tools.
- How do Thinkific and Kajabi handle payment processing?
Both support Stripe and PayPal, allowing multiple currencies and payment methods with immediate payouts and no transaction fees. They handle one-time payments, subscriptions, and memberships.
- Can I integrate third-party tools with Thinkific and Kajabi?
Thinkific integrates with tools like MailChimp, Zapier, and Google Analytics. Kajabi supports integrations but offers comprehensive built-in tools to reduce the need for third-party apps.
- Which platform offers better student engagement features?
Both offer robust features. Thinkific includes discussion forums, quizzes, surveys, and certificates. Kajabi adds membership sites, community tools, and gamification elements like badges and certificates.
Thinkific vs. Kajabi: Resource Guide
Are You Prepared to Make and Market an Online Course?
Explore the best platform for your needs and start building your online course today!
- Thinkific
- Website: Thinkific
- Description: Thinkific is a user-friendly, cost-effective solution for creating and selling. It is ideal for beginners and small businesses with online courses. With extensive customization options, flexible pricing, and seamless third-party small companies.
- Kajabi
- Website: Kajabi
- Description: Kajabi is an all-in-one platform that combines course creation with advanced marketing, sales, and automation tools. It’s perfect for those looking to scale their business with a comprehensive, integrated solution.