
Table of Contents
Teachable is a popular starting point for creators launching an online course. It makes uploading content and processing payments simple. However, as your business grows, you might find its features limiting. Common issues include rising transaction fees, weak community engagement tools, and a lack of built-in marketing features that force you to use multiple, separate tools. If these problems sound familiar, you're not alone. The market now offers many powerful platforms designed to solve these exact challenges.
This guide breaks down the 12 best Teachable alternatives to help you find a platform that fits your business needs. Whether you need an all-in-one marketing system, a community-first platform, or a more cost-effective solution, this list has an option for you.
We've analyzed each platform to give you practical, no-fluff insights. For every option, you'll find:
- A clear summary of key features and pricing.
- Honest pros and cons based on how people actually use them.
- Specific recommendations for who the platform is best for.
- Actionable advice to help you make a smart decision.
Each entry includes screenshots and direct links to get started. Our goal is to go beyond feature lists and give you the strategic information you need to confidently choose the right platform for your courses, community, and business.
1. Kampunity
Best All-in-One for Integrated Community and Courses
Kampunity is a top Teachable alternative because it combines community, courses, and events into one integrated system. Instead of just hosting courses, it helps you build an engaged learning environment. This approach is for creators who want to build a self-sustaining community, not just sell standalone products. It replaces the need for separate tools like chat apps, event calendars, and payment processors with a single, cohesive platform.
The platform’s best feature is its built-in gamification engine. You can create a reward system with up to nine levels, XP points, custom badges, and leaderboards. For example, a student could earn a "Fast Starter" badge for completing their first module within 24 hours. This is a strategic tool designed to increase student motivation, boost course completion rates, and foster healthy competition, turning passive learners into active members.
Key Features & Analysis
- Unified Platform: Kampunity integrates courses, community chat (with threads and media), and an events calendar. This saves you from paying for and connecting separate tools like Discord, Slack, and Eventbrite.
- Flexible Payments: The platform supports one-time purchases, subscriptions (with free trials), and different access levels. You can create landing pages for each course to streamline sales. For instance, you could offer a "Gold Tier" membership that includes access to all courses and a private coaching channel.
- Engaging Learning Tools: Beyond standard video lessons, you can build graded quizzes and assignments. This, combined with gamification, creates a more interactive and effective learning path.
- Community Management: You get access to moderation tools, user roles, and permissions to create safe and organized community spaces. You can set up a mix of public, private, and course-specific channels for different member groups.
Pricing Structure
- Free Plan: $0/month + 10% platform fee on all transactions.
- Pro Plan: $99/month per "camp" + 1.5% platform fee on all transactions. Note: Standard Stripe processing fees apply to both plans.
Ideal For
Kampunity is best for coaches, cohort-based course creators, and community builders who see member interaction as key to their success. If your goal is to build long-term relationships and high engagement rather than just selling courses, Kampunity provides the integrated tools to do it effectively.
Visit Kampunity: https://www.kampunity.com
2. Thinkific
Thinkific is one of the most powerful and established best Teachable alternatives, especially for creators who need structured learning experiences. It excels at creating a traditional online school with a robust course builder that supports videos, text, quizzes, assignments, and surveys.
This platform is ideal if you need to issue formal completion certificates, track student progress in detail, or sell courses in bulk to corporate clients. Unlike some competitors, Thinkific doesn’t limit the number of students on its core plans, making it easy to scale. Its new community and live event features make it a more well-rounded option. To see how it compares to other top platforms, check out this review of the best platforms to sell online courses on kampunity.com.
Who is Thinkific Best For?
Thinkific is the right choice for individual instructors, schools, and businesses that need powerful and scalable course delivery tools. It’s perfect for those who require features like assignments and detailed student reporting without the complexity of a full Learning Management System (LMS).
- Pricing: Starts with a Free plan. Paid plans include Basic ($49/mo), Start ($99/mo), and Grow ($199/mo).
- Pros: Strong course completion tools, no transaction fees on paid plans with Thinkific Payments, no student limits.
- Cons: Higher transaction fees apply if you don't use Thinkific Payments. Advanced developer tools are only available on expensive plans.
Website: https://www.thinkific.com
3. Kajabi
Kajabi is a premium, all-in-one platform and one of the most powerful best Teachable alternatives for serious entrepreneurs. It’s built for creators who want to manage their entire digital business—from courses and coaching to marketing funnels and email automation—in one place. This integrated approach means you don't have to piece together multiple separate tools.
The platform includes tools for memberships, podcasts, coaching, websites, and communities, all supported by powerful marketing automation. Its "Funnels" feature lets you build sales and marketing sequences with pre-built templates for generating leads or launching products. For example, you can use a "Product Launch" funnel to automatically send a series of emails to build excitement before your course goes live. Kajabi's focus on cohort courses and AI-driven features like video transcription makes it a top choice for creators scaling their knowledge business.
Who is Kajabi Best For?
Kajabi is best for established creators, coaches, and entrepreneurs ready to invest in a single platform to scale their business. It is ideal for those who need advanced marketing automation and sales funnel builders without the hassle of integrating different software.
- Pricing: Starts with a Basic plan ($149/mo), Growth ($199/mo), and Pro ($399/mo).
- Pros: True all-in-one system reduces software clutter, large library of templates and good support, powerful marketing automation and funnel-building tools.
- Cons: Much more expensive than Teachable, an extra fee may apply for using third-party payment processors where Kajabi Payments is available.
Website: https://kajabi.com
4. Podia
Podia is one of the most creator-friendly and simple best Teachable alternatives, designed for solo entrepreneurs who want an all-in-one solution without the complexity. The platform lets you sell online courses, digital downloads, coaching, and webinars from a single dashboard. Its main strength is its ease of use, allowing you to quickly set up a professional storefront and start selling.
Unlike platforms that hide features behind expensive plans, Podia gives you access to almost all its tools on every plan. Pricing is based on transaction fees and add-ons. It includes a website builder for your main site and landing pages, plus a basic email marketing tool. For example, you could sell an ebook, a video course, and a one-on-one coaching session from the same storefront. This integrated approach is ideal for creators who want to manage their entire business in one place. The focus is on launching quickly and simply.
Who is Podia Best For?
Podia is the perfect choice for solo creators, coaches, and marketers who value speed and an all-in-one toolkit. It’s best for those selling a mix of digital products like courses, ebooks, and webinars who want a simple platform with a low learning curve.
- Pricing: Offers a Free plan (10% transaction fee). Paid plans are Starter ($9/mo), Mover ($39/mo), and Shaker ($89/mo).
- Pros: Very easy to use and fast to launch, all core features available on every plan, great support and free migration service.
- Cons: The included email marketing tool requires add-on fees after a low subscriber limit. Lacks advanced corporate training features.
Website: https://www.podia.com
5. LearnWorlds
LearnWorlds is a powerful, education-focused best Teachable alternative for creators who prioritize interactive learning. It shines with its advanced assessment tools, making it a good fit for academic or corporate training. The platform’s standout feature is its interactive video player, which lets you add quizzes, buttons, and other elements directly into video lessons to boost engagement.
Beyond interactive video, LearnWorlds supports formal training with SCORM and HTML5 compatibility, making it useful for businesses that need to use existing eLearning content. Its detailed exam engine, automatic video transcriptions, and integrations with tools like Zoom make it a versatile choice for delivering structured educational programs. For example, you could create a certification program where students must pass a final exam with a minimum score to receive a certificate. This platform is less about simple course hosting and more about building a feature-rich online academy.
Who is LearnWorlds Best For?
LearnWorlds is best for professional trainers, corporate training departments, and schools that need a sophisticated Learning Management System (LMS) with strong assessment tools. It's perfect for creators who want to build highly interactive courses.
- Pricing: Starts with a Starter plan ($29/mo), followed by Pro Trainer ($99/mo) and Learning Center ($299/mo).
- Pros: Education-first tools with strong assessment options, SCORM support for corporate training, 24/7 email support on all plans.
- Cons: The Starter plan charges a fee for each course sale and does not allow free courses. A higher-tier plan is needed for a fully white-label experience.
Website: https://www.learnworlds.com
6. Mighty Networks
Mighty Networks is a powerful, community-first best Teachable alternative, designed for creators who believe engagement is as important as content. It flips the traditional model by building courses and events directly within a dynamic community space. This integrated approach means you don't have to connect separate platforms for learning and interaction.
The platform shines with its native livestreaming, member chat, and automation features that encourage member participation. Instead of being an add-on, the community is the central hub where learning happens. This makes it ideal for running cohort-based programs, paid memberships, and even fully branded mobile apps through its Mighty Pro plan. For a deeper look at its community features, see this comparison of the best online community platforms on kampunity.com.
Who is Mighty Networks Best For?
Mighty Networks is the perfect choice for creators, coaches, and brands whose business is built around a paid community. It excels for those who want to sell courses, run live events, and facilitate member connections all in one place, and potentially under their own branded app.
- Pricing: Starts with the Community Plan ($49/mo), Business Plan ($119/mo), and custom pricing for Mighty Pro.
- Pros: Excellent community experience tied directly to courses, powerful admin and analytics tools, proven to work for large paid communities.
- Cons: Transaction fees (0.5%–2%) are applied on top of Stripe fees. The best features are locked behind expensive plans.
Website: https://www.mightynetworks.com
7. Skool
Skool is a popular best Teachable alternative for creators who want to build a tight-knit community around their courses. It combines a simple course area with a dynamic community feed, live stream capabilities, and event calendars in one clean interface. The platform's philosophy is simplicity and engagement, removing complex features for a user experience that is easy to understand.
This focus makes it very easy to launch and manage a paid membership or coaching program. Skool's built-in gamification, where members earn points and level up by contributing, is a powerful tool for driving interaction. For example, a member could reach "Level 3" after posting 10 helpful comments, unlocking access to a bonus Q&A session. For creators who find traditional platforms clunky or want to avoid using separate tools for courses and community, Skool provides a refreshingly simple, all-in-one solution.
Who is Skool Best For?
Skool is the perfect choice for coaches, masterminds, and course creators whose main goal is to build an active community. It's great for running coaching programs or paid memberships where member interaction is just as valuable as the course content.
- Pricing: One simple plan at $99/mo.
- Pros: Very easy to set up and manage, encourages high community engagement with gamification, simple pricing with a low transaction fee (2.9%).
- Cons: Lacks advanced course features like complex quizzes or certificates. Limited website customization and branding options.
Website: https://www.skool.com
8. Circle
Circle is a community-first best Teachable alternative, designed for creators who want to build an engaged audience. While Teachable adds community features to a course platform, Circle does the opposite: it integrates courses, events, and livestreaming into a powerful community hub. This approach is perfect for brands that want to build deep connections and offer a unified member experience.
The platform stands out with its excellent user interface, extensive customization, and powerful automations that can trigger actions based on member behavior. For example, you can set up an automation that sends a welcome direct message to every new member a few minutes after they join. Its API options provide flexibility for businesses that need to integrate the community into a custom website or mobile app. Circle provides a premium, branded space where discussions, courses, and events coexist seamlessly.
Who is Circle Best For?
Circle is ideal for established brands, membership site owners, and creators who prioritize building an interactive community as the core of their business. It’s perfect for those who need a flexible, highly-brandable hub that can be extended with APIs and automations.
- Pricing: Starts with the Professional plan at $99/mo. Business plan is $219/mo, and Enterprise is $399/mo.
- Pros: Excellent user experience and branding controls, flexible with APIs and headless options, strong reporting and migration services.
- Cons: Email Hub is an extra monthly fee. Advanced automation and API features are only available on higher-tier plans.
Website: https://circle.so
9. Systeme.io
Systeme.io is a unique best Teachable alternative because it offers an affordable, all-in-one marketing and business platform. It combines course hosting with sales funnels, email marketing, website creation, and an affiliate management system. This approach eliminates the need for multiple expensive tools, making it a great option for those on a tight budget.
The platform is best for solopreneurs and small teams who need marketing features like A/B testing, order bumps, and evergreen webinars integrated with their online courses. For instance, you could test two different sales page headlines to see which one converts more visitors into customers. While the design might not feel as polished as premium competitors, the number of features included in its free and low-cost plans is hard to beat. It's a practical choice for anyone who prioritizes marketing power and cost-efficiency.
Who is Systeme.io Best For?
Systeme.io is ideal for budget-conscious entrepreneurs, affiliate marketers, and course creators who need a single platform to manage their entire sales and marketing funnel. If your primary goal is to sell digital products using marketing automation without a high price tag, Systeme.io is for you.
- Pricing: Starts with a generous Free plan. Paid plans include Startup ($27/mo), Webinar ($47/mo), and Unlimited ($97/mo).
- Pros: Very low monthly pricing with generous limits, no platform transaction fees on any plan, unlimited students and file storage.
- Cons: The user interface and templates can feel less polished. The depth of some features may not match dedicated, high-end competitors.
Website: https://systeme.io
10. ThriveCart (Learn / Learn+)
ThriveCart is a powerful best Teachable alternative that focuses on the checkout process first. Primarily a best-in-class cart and funnel builder, it includes a capable learning management system called Learn. This combination is perfect for creators focused on maximizing sales with one-click upsells, order bumps, and A/B testing, who also need a solid platform to host their courses without monthly fees.
The platform's one-time payment for lifetime access is its most compelling feature. While the base Learn module is simple, the Learn+ upgrade adds more advanced features like student tagging and course bundles. For example, after a customer buys your introductory course, you can present them with a one-click offer to add your advanced course at a discount. Because its strength is in payment processing, it's smart to complement your knowledge with expert insights on online payments to get the most out of it.
Who is ThriveCart Best For?
ThriveCart is ideal for entrepreneurs and marketers who prioritize conversion optimization and want to eliminate ongoing software costs. It's perfect for those who sell multiple digital products (not just courses) and need a robust checkout system that can grow with their business without increasing monthly costs.
- Pricing: Starts with a one-time lifetime license for Standard ($495). Learn+ is an additional one-time fee. Pro upgrade adds an annual cost.
- Pros: One-time payment for lifetime access, excellent checkout and funnel-building tools, 0% platform transaction fees.
- Cons: The LMS (Learn) is more basic than dedicated platforms unless you upgrade to Learn+. Advanced features require the Pro plan.
Website: https://thrivecart.com
11. Payhip
Payhip is a simple and direct storefront that serves as one of the best Teachable alternatives for creators who want affordability and ease of use. It is an e-commerce platform that lets you sell digital downloads, memberships, coaching, and physical products alongside your online courses, all from one clean interface. This makes it very versatile for creators with a diverse range of products.
The platform's standout feature is its pricing. Unlike competitors that lock features behind expensive plans, Payhip gives every user access to all its tools, including course hosting and VAT handling, regardless of their plan. The only difference between the free and paid plans is the transaction fee, which makes it a very low-risk option to start selling right away. For more on its e-commerce strengths, this guide to the best platforms for selling digital products on kampunity.com offers more insights.
Who is Payhip Best For?
Payhip is perfect for budget-conscious creators, artists, and entrepreneurs who need a simple way to sell multiple types of digital and physical products, including simple courses. It's ideal for those who don't need advanced LMS features and want to get a storefront live with minimal setup and cost.
- Pricing: Free plan (5% transaction fee), Plus ($29/mo, 2% fee), Pro ($99/mo, 0% fee). All plans are subject to standard Stripe/PayPal processing fees.
- Pros: Very easy to start with no monthly fees, all features are available on all plans, handles EU/UK VAT automatically.
- Cons: Lacks advanced course and community features. You'll always pay Stripe/PayPal processing fees on top of any platform fees.
Website: https://payhip.com
12. LearnDash
For creators who want to build their course business on WordPress, LearnDash is one of the most powerful and flexible best Teachable alternatives. As a Learning Management System (LMS) plugin, it transforms any WordPress site into a full-featured online school. It gives you complete ownership and control over your content, branding, and student data.
LearnDash is excellent for creating structured learning paths with its drag-and-drop course builder, advanced quizzing, and assignments. Its "Focus Mode" provides a distraction-free learning environment for students. The real power of LearnDash is its flexibility; a huge marketplace of third-party add-ons allows you to integrate memberships, e-commerce, gamification, and almost any custom feature you need. For example, you could use a gamification add-on to award points and badges to students as they complete lessons. For those who want the power without managing hosting, the new LearnDash Cloud offers a ready-to-use solution.
Who is LearnDash Best For?
LearnDash is ideal for WordPress-savvy entrepreneurs and schools that require maximum customization and control. It's the perfect choice for those who need to integrate their courses with other WordPress plugins (like WooCommerce or MemberPress) or want to build a unique, branded learning experience.
- Pricing: Plugin starts at $199/year for 1 site. LearnDash Cloud (hosted solution) starts at $29/mo.
- Pros: Own your platform on WordPress with maximum flexibility, large add-on ecosystem for advanced needs, good for B2B and multi-instructor setups.
- Cons: Requires you to manage WordPress (unless using LearnDash Cloud), more technical than hosted SaaS solutions.
Website: https://www.learndash.com
Top 12 Teachable Alternatives Comparison
| Platform | Core features | Quality (★) | Pricing / Value (💰) | Target audience (👥) | Unique selling points (✨) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 Kampunity | Chat, courses, events, payments, gamification, analytics | ★★★★ | 💰 Free (10% fee) or $99/mo per camp + 1.5% | 👥 Creators, coaches, cohort leaders, community managers | ✨ All‑in‑one community+course + gamification & conversion tools |
| Thinkific | Structured course builder, certificates, communities | ★★★★ | 💰 Free + paid plans; gateway fees may apply | 👥 Course creators, academies, SMBs | ✨ Robust curriculum tools & B2B invoicing |
| Kajabi | Courses, funnels, email, automations, communities | ★★★★ | 💰 Premium monthly plans; native payments | 👥 Marketers, course sellers, entrepreneurs | ✨ Built‑in marketing stack and automation |
| Podia | Courses, downloads, coaching, webinars, site pages | ★★★ | 💰 Simple plans; low startup cost, transaction model | 👥 Solo creators, makers | ✨ Fast setup, all features on core plans |
| LearnWorlds | Interactive video, exams, SCORM/HTML5, learning paths | ★★★★ | 💰 Tiered pricing; starter has enrollment fees | 👥 Academies, corporate training | ✨ Pedagogy‑first interactive assessment tools |
| Mighty Networks | Communities, cohorts, livestreams, mobile apps | ★★★★ | 💰 Premium pricing; 0.5%–2% transaction fees | 👥 Large paid communities, creators | ✨ Best‑in‑class community UX + branded apps |
| Skool | Community + courses, live streaming, analytics | ★★★ | 💰 Two clear plans (Hobby/Pro); low Pro fees | 👥 Coaches, small cohorts, program creators | ✨ Very quick to launch; simple monetization |
| Circle | Discussions, courses, events, workflows, APIs | ★★★★ | 💰 Paid tiers; Email Hub add‑on extra | 👥 Brands, teams, community managers | ✨ Headless APIs & strong branding controls |
| Systeme.io | Funnels, email, courses, automations, affiliates | ★★★ | 💰 Very low monthly pricing; no platform fees | 👥 Solopreneurs, small teams | ✨ Affordable all‑in‑one funnels + courses |
| ThriveCart (Learn / Learn+) | High‑conversion checkout, upsells, Learn LMS | ★★★★ | 💰 One‑time license; Learn+ adds annual fees | 👥 Sellers prioritizing checkout optimization | ✨ Lifetime license + 0% platform fees on sales |
| Payhip | Storefront for courses, downloads, memberships | ★★★ | 💰 Low overhead; plan controls platform fee | 👥 Budget creators, indie sellers | ✨ Simple storefront with tax & payout handling |
| LearnDash | WordPress LMS, quizzes, certificates, add‑ons | ★★★★ | 💰 Annual license (hosted or self‑hosted options) | 👥 WordPress owners, enterprises, training orgs | ✨ Full site control + large add‑on ecosystem |
How to Choose the Right Platform for Your Business
Choosing a Teachable alternative is easier when you focus on your main business goals. The "best" platform isn't the one with the most features; it's the one with the right features to support your specific needs.
Your choice comes down to one critical question: What is the primary engine of your business? Answering this will point you to the right platform.
Re-evaluating Your Business Priorities
Before you decide, think about what matters most. This will stop you from choosing a platform that solves the wrong problems. Consider these three common business models and see which one fits you best:
Focus on Community-Led Learning: You believe engagement, member interaction, and live events are the most important part of the learning experience. Courses serve the community, not the other way around. In this case, your ideal platform needs strong tools for live chat, events, and member organization. Platforms like Kampunity, Skool, and Circle are built for this model.
Focus on Marketing and Sales Funnels: Your main goal is to attract leads, nurture them with email sequences, and sell a range of digital products. You need powerful marketing automation, sales tools, and analytics. For this model, an all-in-one solution like Kajabi or the affordable Systeme.io will provide the integrated marketing tools you need.
Focus on Ultimate Control and Customization: You want to own your platform, control every detail of the design, and integrate with any tool you choose. You are willing to handle a steeper learning curve for long-term flexibility. The WordPress ecosystem, with plugins like LearnDash and a powerful cart like ThriveCart, is your best choice for building a custom educational business.
Actionable Next Steps to Make Your Final Decision
Once you know your primary focus, use this step-by-step guide to make your final choice.
- Shortlist Your Top 2-3 Platforms: Based on your business model, pick the platforms from this list that match your goals. Don't get distracted by features that don't serve your main objective.
- Analyze Your Marketing Needs: Your platform must help you attract students. See how well your top choices create high-converting landing pages and connect with your email marketing service. A great course is useless if no one signs up for it.
- Map Out the Move: Switching platforms is a big job. Think about the practical steps. Will you need to re-upload videos? Can you import your student list? Platforms like Podia and Thinkific often offer free migration services, which can be a huge help if you have a lot of content and students.
- Sign Up for a Free Trial: This step is essential. Spend a week actively using the platform. Upload a test lesson, create a sample community space, and test the checkout process. This hands-on experience will show you things a feature list can't. Pay attention to how easy it is to use for both you and your future students.
Ultimately, choosing one of the best Teachable alternatives is a strategic decision. By matching your platform to your core business model, you set yourself up for long-term growth.
If your goal is to build a vibrant, profitable learning community where content, conversation, and connection all live in one place, then Kampunity was designed for you. Stop connecting different tools and discover how an integrated platform can transform your student experience. Explore Kampunity today and see why it’s a leading choice for creators prioritizing community-led growth.