Thinkific vs Graphy | Podcastbricks

Thinkific, founded in 2012, is a Canadian-based platform designed to make online course creation accessible to educators of all levels. It’s known for its user-friendly interface, scalability, and flexibility, catering to solo creators, small businesses, and large organizations. Thinkific emphasizes simplicity, allowing users to create professional-looking courses without needing advanced technical skills. With over 50,000 course creators and a strong reputation, Thinkific is a go-to choice for those prioritizing ease of use and customization.

Graphy, a product of Unacademy (India’s leading online learning platform), is a newer entrant launched to empower course creators globally. Graphy focuses on providing an all-in-one solution, combining course creation, marketing, community building, and mobile app integration. It’s particularly popular in markets like India due to its affordability and support for local payment gateways, but it’s gaining traction worldwide. Graphy aims to streamline the course creation process by reducing reliance on third-party tools.

Both platforms are cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions, but their feature sets and philosophies cater to slightly different needs. Let’s dive into a detailed comparison across key areas.

1. Course Creation and Features

Thinkific

Thinkific offers a robust course creation experience with a drag-and-drop builder that’s intuitive for beginners. Key features include:

Multimedia Support: Upload videos, audio, PDFs, quizzes, and text to create engaging courses.
Drip Content: Schedule content release to keep students engaged over time.
Certificates: Issue customizable certificates upon course completion.
Assignments and Quizzes: Create interactive assessments to test student knowledge.
Live Lessons: Integrate with Zoom or other third-party tools for live sessions.
Custom Domains: Host courses on your own domain for a branded experience.

Thinkific’s course player is clean and modern, with recent updates improving navigation and aesthetics. However, it lacks built-in live class hosting, requiring external tools like Zoom, which may increase costs.

Graphy

Graphy also provides a comprehensive course creation toolkit, with a focus on multimedia and interactivity. Its features include:

Multimedia Courses: Support for videos, audio, PDFs, and SCORM files.
In-Built Live Classes: Host live sessions directly on the platform, eliminating the need for third-party tools like Zoom.
Quizzes and Exams: Advanced assessment tools, including question banks and timed exams.
Drip Scheduling: Similar to Thinkific, content can be released gradually.
Certificates: Customizable certificates for course completion.
Mobile App Integration: Create branded mobile apps for iOS and Android, allowing students to access courses on the go.

Graphy’s standout feature is its in-built live class functionality, which simplifies the process for creators and students. Its mobile app integration is also a significant advantage for creators targeting mobile-first audiences.

Verdict: Graphy has an edge for creators who prioritize live classes and mobile apps, while Thinkific excels in simplicity and flexibility for pre-recorded content. If you rely heavily on live sessions, Graphy’s built-in tools may save time and money. For static courses, Thinkific’s polished interface is a strong contender.

2. Ease of Use

Thinkific

Thinkific is renowned for its beginner-friendly interface. The dashboard is clean, with clear navigation for course creation, student management, and marketing. The drag-and-drop builder requires no coding knowledge, and pre-designed templates help creators get started quickly. Setting up a course typically takes a few hours, even for novices. Thinkific also offers a free plan, allowing users to test the platform without financial commitment.

Graphy

Graphy’s interface is equally intuitive, with a focus on streamlining workflows. The platform guides users through course setup, website creation, and marketing with step-by-step prompts. Its all-in-one approach reduces the learning curve by consolidating tools (e.g., live classes, email marketing) within the platform. However, some advanced features, like affiliate marketing or app customization, may require a slight learning curve for non-technical users.

Verdict: Both platforms are user-friendly, but Thinkific has a slight advantage for absolute beginners due to its straightforward design. Graphy’s broader feature set may feel overwhelming initially but becomes manageable with time.

3. Customization and Branding

Thinkific

Thinkific shines in customization, allowing creators to build branded course websites. Key options include:

Custom Domains: Connect your own domain for a professional look.
Website Themes: Choose from customizable templates to match your brand.
CSS Customization: Advanced users can tweak designs with custom code.
White-Labeling: Higher plans remove Thinkific branding for a fully branded experience.

However, lower-tier plans include Thinkific branding, which may detract from professionalism for some creators.

Graphy

Graphy emphasizes a fully white-labeled experience across all plans. Customization features include:

Branded Websites: Build a website with your logo, colors, and domain.
Mobile Apps: Create branded iOS and Android apps, a rare feature among competitors.
SEO Tools: Optimize course pages with meta tags, keywords, and clean HTML.
No Platform Branding: Graphy ensures your brand remains front and center.

Graphy’s mobile app feature is a game-changer for creators targeting younger or mobile-savvy audiences, but its website templates are less varied than Thinkific’s.

Verdict: Graphy wins for white-labeling and mobile app support, making it ideal for creators prioritizing brand consistency. Thinkific offers more website design flexibility, especially for advanced users.

4. Pricing

Thinkific

Thinkific’s pricing is structured to accommodate different budgets:

Free Plan: $0/month, limited to one course, no transaction fees.
Basic Plan: $49/month ($39/month annually), includes unlimited courses, basic features, and email support.
Start Plan: $99/month ($79/month annually), adds assignments, drip content, and priority support.
Grow Plan: $199/month ($159/month annually), includes advanced features like custom branding and affiliate tools.
Plus Plan: Custom pricing for enterprises.

Thinkific doesn’t charge transaction fees, even on the free plan, which is a significant advantage. However, advanced features like white-labeling require higher-tier plans.

Graphy

Graphy’s pricing is more affordable, particularly for creators in cost-sensitive markets:

Basic Plan: ~$40/month (₹3,000/month in India), includes unlimited courses, live classes, and most features except mobile apps.
Pro Plan: ~$80/month (₹6,000/month), adds mobile apps and advanced marketing tools.
Business Plan: ~$135/month (₹10,000/month), includes premium support and large-scale webinars.

Graphy also avoids transaction fees and offers a free trial. Its pricing is competitive, especially for features like mobile apps, which are typically premium add-ons elsewhere.

Verdict: Graphy is more cost-effective, offering advanced features like live classes and mobile apps at lower price points. Thinkific’s free plan is great for testing, but its paid plans are pricier for similar functionality.

5. Marketing and Sales Tools

Thinkific

Thinkific provides solid marketing tools, including:

Coupons and Discounts: Create promotional offers to attract students.
Email Integrations: Connect with MailChimp, ConvertKit, or ActiveCampaign for email marketing.
Affiliate Marketing: Available on higher plans, allowing partners to promote courses.
Upsells and Bundles: Sell multiple courses or add-ons together.
Payment Gateways: Supports Stripe and PayPal for global payments.

Thinkific’s marketing tools are robust but rely heavily on third-party integrations for advanced automation, which may increase costs.

Graphy

Graphy’s marketing features are built into the platform, reducing reliance on external tools:

Built-In Email Campaigns: Send automated emails without third-party services.
Affiliate Program: Available on all plans, with a dashboard to track conversions.
SEO Optimization: Tools to boost course visibility on search engines.
Country-Specific Pricing: Adjust prices based on students’ locations.
Push Notifications: Engage students via web and app notifications.
Payment Gateways: Supports UPI, Stripe, PayPal, and local options for markets like India.

Graphy’s all-in-one approach and support for local payment methods make it particularly appealing for international creators.

Verdict: Graphy takes the lead with its integrated marketing tools and global payment flexibility. Thinkific’s tools are effective but less comprehensive without integrations.

6. Community and Engagement

Thinkific

Thinkific offers basic community features, such as:

Discussion Forums: Foster student interaction within courses.
Student Management: Track progress and engagement via dashboards.
Integrations: Connect with third-party community platforms like Circle.

However, Thinkific’s native community tools are limited, and robust engagement often requires external solutions.

Graphy

Graphy excels in community building, with features like:

Real-Time Chat: Facilitate live discussions among students.
Discussion Forums: Create interactive spaces for collaboration.
Branded Mobile Apps: Enhance engagement with push notifications and mobile access.
Webinars: Host large-scale events to boost interaction.

Graphy’s focus on community fosters higher student retention and engagement, a critical factor for course success.

Verdict: Graphy outperforms Thinkific in community features, offering more tools to keep students connected and engaged.

7. Customer Support

Thinkific

Thinkific provides support via:

Free Plan: Access to a help center with guides and FAQs.
Paid Plans: Email support, with priority response on higher tiers.
Community Forums: Peer-to-peer troubleshooting.

Thinkific’s support is reliable but lacks live chat or phone options, and free plan users rely solely on self-help resources.

Graphy

Graphy offers more comprehensive support:

All Plans: Chat, email, and phone support, depending on the tier.
Help Center: Guides, tutorials, and a knowledge base.
Response Times: Fast replies, often within minutes via chat.
Webinars: Live training sessions for creators.

Graphy’s proactive support and multiple channels make it more accessible, especially for urgent issues.

Verdict: Graphy provides superior support with faster response times and more contact options.

8. Security

Thinkific

Thinkific ensures security with:

SSL Encryption: Protects data during transactions.
Cloud Hosting: Reliable servers with regular backups.
GDPR Compliance: Meets global privacy standards.

Graphy

Graphy prioritizes security with:

Multi-Layer Encryption: Secures video content and user data.
DRM Protection: Prevents unauthorized course downloads.
GDPR and Local Compliance: Adheres to international and regional regulations.

Verdict: Both platforms are secure, but Graphy’s DRM and video protection give it a slight edge for content creators concerned about piracy.

9. Scalability

Thinkific

Thinkific is highly scalable, supporting solo creators to large enterprises. Its Plus plan caters to organizations with advanced needs, and integrations allow for growth without switching platforms.

Graphy

Graphy is built for scalability, with features like large-scale webinars, unlimited memberships, and mobile apps. Its affordability makes it accessible for creators planning to grow without budget constraints.

Verdict: Both platforms scale well, but Graphy’s lower cost and built-in features make it more accessible for rapid growth.

10. Who Should Choose Each Platform?

Choose Thinkific If:

You’re a beginner looking for a simple, intuitive platform.
You prioritize website customization and don’t need mobile apps.
You want a free plan to test the waters.
You’re comfortable integrating third-party tools for live classes or marketing.

Choose Graphy If:

You want an all-in-one platform with live classes and marketing tools.
You’re targeting mobile-first or international audiences.
You need affordable pricing with advanced features like mobile apps.
Community building and student engagement are priorities.

Conclusion

Thinkific and Graphy are both powerful platforms, but they cater to slightly different needs. Thinkific is ideal for creators who value simplicity, flexibility, and a polished course creation experience. Its free plan and extensive integrations make it a great starting point for beginners. Graphy, on the other hand, offers a feature-rich, cost-effective solution with built-in live classes, mobile apps, and marketing tools, making it perfect for creators aiming to scale quickly or engage international audiences.

Ultimately, your choice depends on your budget, technical skills, and business goals. If affordability and all-in-one functionality are key, Graphy is the winner. If you prefer a streamlined, customizable platform with a proven track record, Thinkific is the way to go. Test both platforms’ free trials to see which aligns best with your vision.