Kajabi vs. Udemy | Podcastbricks

Kajabi, launched in 2010, markets itself as a comprehensive solution for entrepreneurs. It combines course creation, website building, email marketing, sales funnels, and analytics into one ecosystem. Kajabi is ideal for creators who want to build a branded online presence without relying on third-party tools. Its focus is on giving users control over their content, audience data, and monetization strategies.

Udemy, founded in 2010, is one of the largest online learning marketplaces, hosting over 250,000 courses and serving millions of students worldwide. It’s designed for instructors who want to reach a massive audience quickly, leveraging Udemy’s built-in user base. However, this comes with less control over pricing, branding, and student relationships compared to Kajabi.

Feature Comparison

Course Creation and Customization

Kajabi offers robust tools for building courses with a high degree of customization. You can create multimedia-rich lessons using videos, quizzes, downloadable resources, and drip-fed content. Its drag-and-drop interface allows you to design courses without coding skills. Kajabi also supports memberships, communities, and coaching programs, making it versatile for various business models. The platform’s templates ensure a polished, professional look, and you can tailor every aspect to match your brand.

Udemy provides a straightforward course creation process but with fewer customization options. Instructors upload videos, quizzes, assignments, and resources, but the platform enforces a standardized format to maintain consistency across its marketplace. You’re limited in how much you can differentiate your course’s appearance or structure. Udemy’s focus is on content delivery rather than brand personalization, which may feel restrictive for creators prioritizing aesthetics.

Verdict: Kajabi wins for customization and flexibility, while Udemy is better for quick course setup with minimal design effort.

Website and Branding

Kajabi shines in branding. It provides a website builder to create a fully branded online hub, complete with custom domains, landing pages, and blogs. You control the user experience from start to finish, ensuring your courses, memberships, and marketing align seamlessly. This is crucial for creators building a long-term brand identity independent of a marketplace.

Udemy offers no website-building capabilities. Your course lives within Udemy’s ecosystem, and your branding is limited to your instructor profile and course content. Students associate your course with Udemy’s brand, which can dilute your personal identity. If you want a standalone website, you’ll need to use another platform, adding complexity and cost.

Verdict: Kajabi is the clear choice for branding and owning your digital presence.

Marketing and Sales Tools

Kajabi is a marketing powerhouse. It includes built-in email marketing, sales funnels, and automation tools to nurture leads and convert them into customers. You can create landing pages, offer upsells, and run affiliate programs to boost revenue. Kajabi’s analytics track student progress, sales, and engagement, helping you optimize your strategies. The platform also integrates with payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal for seamless transactions.

Udemy handles most marketing for you, leveraging its massive audience and search engine visibility. It runs promotions and discounts to attract students, but this comes at a cost: you have little control over pricing or marketing tactics. Udemy’s affiliate program can drive sales, but instructors often earn less per sale due to revenue splits. You can’t build email lists directly, as Udemy owns student data, limiting your ability to market to students off-platform.

Verdict: Kajabi offers superior marketing control and tools, while Udemy excels at driving traffic through its marketplace.

Monetization and Pricing Control

Kajabi gives you full control over pricing. You can charge one-time fees, subscriptions, or tiered memberships, with no restrictions on how much you earn per sale (minus payment gateway fees). This flexibility suits creators targeting premium audiences or building recurring revenue streams. Kajabi doesn’t take a cut of your earnings, but you’ll need to factor in its subscription costs.

Udemy operates on a revenue-sharing model. If a student finds your course organically, you earn 97% of the sale (after a 3% fee). However, if Udemy’s marketing or affiliates drive the sale, you may earn only 25-50% of the discounted price, which can be as low as $10 during promotions. You can’t set your own prices freely, as Udemy enforces a range (typically $10-$200) and frequently discounts courses to boost sales volume.

Verdict: Kajabi is better for maximizing revenue and pricing control, while Udemy prioritizes volume over profit margins.

Audience Ownership

Kajabi lets you own your audience. You have direct access to student emails and data, allowing you to build relationships and market additional products. This is critical for long-term business growth, as you’re not dependent on a third party to connect with your customers.

Udemy restricts access to student data. You can communicate with students through Udemy’s messaging system, but you can’t export email lists or market to them outside the platform without violating terms. This limits your ability to upsell or build a loyal following.

Verdict: Kajabi is far superior for audience ownership and relationship-building.

Analytics and Reporting

Kajabi provides detailed analytics on course performance, student engagement, and revenue. You can track metrics like completion rates, sales funnels, and email campaign effectiveness, enabling data-driven decisions to grow your business.

Udemy offers basic analytics, such as enrollment numbers, revenue, and student reviews. While useful, these insights are less granular, and you can’t track off-platform marketing efforts or student behavior in depth.

Verdict: Kajabi’s analytics are more comprehensive for business owners.

Pricing and Costs

Kajabi Pricing

Kajabi operates on a subscription model with three plans (as of April 2025, subject to change):

Basic: ~$149/month – 3 products, 3 funnels, 1,000 active members, 1 website.
Growth: ~$199/month – 15 products, 15 funnels, 10,000 active members, advanced automation.
Pro: ~$399/month – 100 products, 100 funnels, 20,000 active members, premium features.

Kajabi offers a 14-day free trial, and annual plans provide discounts. There are no transaction fees, but you’ll need a budget for marketing to drive traffic, as Kajabi isn’t a marketplace.

Udemy Pricing

Udemy is free to join and publish courses, with no upfront costs. However, its revenue-sharing model impacts earnings:

3% fee for organic sales.
50% share for Udemy-driven sales (e.g., ads, promotions).
Lower splits for affiliate sales or discounted courses.

Udemy’s low barrier to entry makes it attractive for beginners, but frequent discounts and revenue splits can erode profits, especially for premium courses.

Verdict: Udemy is cheaper upfront, but Kajabi’s flat pricing offers better value for serious entrepreneurs scaling their business.

Ease of Use

Kajabi has a learning curve due to its extensive features, but its intuitive dashboard and templates simplify the process. Setting up a course, website, and marketing funnels takes time, especially for beginners, but Kajabi’s support and tutorials help. It’s ideal for users comfortable with basic tech and willing to invest time in setup.

Udemy is beginner-friendly, with a streamlined interface for uploading content. You don’t need to worry about website design or marketing, as Udemy handles those. However, adhering to Udemy’s course quality guidelines and limited customization can frustrate advanced users.

Verdict: Udemy is easier for quick starts, while Kajabi rewards effort with greater control.

Support and Community

Kajabi offers 24/7 live chat support, email assistance, and a robust knowledge base. Its Kajabi University provides free training, and the Kajabi Hero community connects users for networking and advice. Premium plans include advanced support options.

Udemy provides instructor support via email and a help center, but response times vary. Its Instructor Community forums allow peer-to-peer advice, and Udemy offers resources like the Teaching Center for course creation tips. However, support is less personalized than Kajabi’s.

Verdict: Kajabi’s support is more responsive and tailored to entrepreneurs.

Ideal Use Cases

When to Choose Kajabi

You want full control over branding, pricing, and student data.
You’re building a long-term online business with courses, memberships, or coaching.
You’re willing to invest in a premium platform and drive your own traffic.
You need integrated marketing tools like email campaigns and funnels.
Examples: Coaches, consultants, or niche experts targeting premium audiences.

When to Choose Udemy

You’re new to course creation and want a low-risk way to start.
You prioritize reaching a large audience quickly without marketing effort.
You’re okay with limited control over pricing and branding.
You’re creating a one-off course rather than a full business.
Examples: Hobbyists, part-time instructors, or those testing the market.

Pros and Cons

Kajabi Pros

Complete control over branding and pricing.
All-in-one platform with marketing, website, and analytics tools.
Own your audience and student data.
Flexible monetization (one-time, subscriptions, memberships).
No revenue sharing.

Kajabi Cons

High monthly cost, especially for beginners.
Requires effort to drive traffic and build an audience.
Steeper learning curve for new users.

Udemy Pros

Free to start with no upfront costs.
Massive built-in audience and discoverability.
Easy-to-use platform for quick course launches.
Handles marketing and promotions.

Udemy Cons

Limited branding and customization.
Revenue sharing reduces earnings.
No access to student email lists.
Frequent discounts can devalue your course.

Conclusion

Kajabi and Udemy serve distinct purposes in the online course landscape. Kajabi is the go-to for entrepreneurs who want to build a scalable, branded business with full control over their content and audience. Its all-in-one tools justify the cost for those committed to long-term growth, but it requires effort to drive traffic. Udemy, meanwhile, is perfect for beginners or creators who want to tap into a massive audience without upfront investment or marketing expertise, though it sacrifices control and profit margins.