Graphy vs Udemy | Podcastbricks

Graphy, launched by Unacademy, is a relatively new player designed for creators who want to build and sell their own branded online courses. It’s a white-label platform, meaning you can create a fully customized learning experience under your own brand, complete with a personalized website and mobile app. Graphy emphasizes flexibility, allowing creators to manage content, pricing, and marketing while providing tools for community engagement and analytics.

Udemy, established in 2010, is one of the largest online learning marketplaces, hosting over 250,000 courses and serving millions of students worldwide. It’s a go-to platform for learners seeking affordable, diverse courses on topics ranging from coding to yoga. For instructors, Udemy offers access to a massive audience but with less control over branding and pricing, as courses are sold through Udemy’s marketplace.

Key Features Comparison

Course Creation and Customization

Graphy: Graphy excels in giving creators full control over their course design. You can upload multimedia content (videos, PDFs, quizzes, etc.), create drip-fed lessons, and integrate live sessions via Zoom or YouTube Live. Its drag-and-drop interface is beginner-friendly, and you can customize the look and feel to match your brand. Graphy also supports SCORM files for advanced e-learning compatibility.

Udemy: Udemy provides a straightforward course creation process with tools to upload videos, quizzes, and assignments. However, customization is limited—you’re restricted to Udemy’s template, and your course lives on their platform, not a branded site. Udemy’s focus is on ease of use, but it lacks the white-label flexibility Graphy offers.

Verdict: Graphy wins for creators prioritizing branding and customization. Udemy is better for those who want a quick, no-fuss setup.

Marketing and Audience Reach

Graphy: Graphy puts marketing in your hands. You can integrate tools like Google Analytics, Mailchimp, and payment gateways to drive traffic and conversions. Features like affiliate programs, discount codes, and SEO optimization help you attract students. However, you’re responsible for building your audience from scratch, which can be challenging without an established following.

Udemy: Udemy’s biggest strength is its built-in audience. With millions of users searching for courses daily, your content gets instant visibility. Udemy also runs promotions and discounts to boost sales, though this often means lower per-course revenue. The downside? You’re competing with thousands of similar courses, and Udemy controls much of the marketing.

Verdict: Udemy is ideal for tapping into a ready-made audience. Graphy suits creators with a marketing strategy and existing reach.

Monetization and Pricing Control

Graphy: Graphy offers complete pricing freedom. You can sell courses as one-time purchases, subscriptions, or bundles, and set prices in multiple currencies. Graphy charges a subscription fee (starting at $39/month) or a transaction fee (3-10% depending on the plan), but you keep most of your revenue. This makes it cost-effective for high-ticket courses or large student bases.

Udemy: Udemy’s revenue model is complex. If you sell a course through your own marketing, you keep 97% of the revenue (after a 3% fee). However, sales through Udemy’s promotions or marketplace split revenue 50/50, and organic sales via their platform give instructors only 37%. Udemy frequently discounts courses, which can erode earnings but increase volume. You have no control over discounts or final pricing.

Verdict: Graphy offers better revenue potential and pricing control. Udemy’s model favors volume over per-course profit.

Branding and Ownership

Graphy: Graphy’s white-label approach means your courses are entirely yours. You get a custom domain, branded mobile apps (iOS and Android), and no Graphy branding on your content. You also own your student data, including email lists, which is crucial for long-term marketing.

Udemy: On Udemy, your course is part of their ecosystem. There’s no custom domain or app, and Udemy’s branding is prominent. You don’t fully own student data—communication happens through Udemy’s platform, limiting your ability to build direct relationships.

Verdict: Graphy is the clear winner for branding and ownership.

Community and Engagement Tools

Graphy: Graphy emphasizes community-building with features like discussion forums, live Q&As, and gamification (badges, certificates). You can create private groups for students, fostering interaction and loyalty. These tools are especially valuable for cohort-based courses or memberships.

Udemy: Udemy offers basic engagement tools like Q&A sections and announcements. Students can leave reviews, which help credibility but don’t foster deep community ties. Interaction is limited compared to Graphy’s robust suite.

Verdict: Graphy provides superior tools for engagement and community.

Analytics and Reporting

Graphy: Graphy’s analytics dashboard tracks student progress, revenue, and marketing performance. You can monitor completion rates, quiz results, and traffic sources, giving you insights to optimize your courses. Integration with third-party tools enhances data flexibility.

Udemy: Udemy provides basic analytics, such as enrollment numbers, revenue, and student feedback. However, you can’t dive deep into student behavior or export detailed data, limiting strategic adjustments.

Verdict: Graphy offers more comprehensive analytics.

Mobile Apps

Graphy: Graphy’s standout feature is its branded mobile apps for iOS and Android. Students access your courses seamlessly on their devices, enhancing user experience and retention. Apps are included in higher-tier plans or as an add-on.

Udemy: Udemy courses are accessible via their app, but it’s Udemy-branded, not yours. The app is polished and widely used, but you lose the personalized touch.

Verdict: Graphy wins for branded mobile experiences.

Pricing and Plans

Graphy

Graphy operates on a subscription model with three main plans:

Basic ($39/month): 500 students, 1 admin, basic features.
Pro ($99/month): 5,000 students, 3 admins, advanced marketing tools.
Business ($199/month): Unlimited students, 10 admins, white-label apps.

Transaction fees apply (10% for Basic, 5% for Pro, 3% for Business) unless you opt for annual billing, which lowers costs. Graphy’s pricing suits creators planning to scale, but it’s an upfront investment.

Udemy

Udemy is free to join, with no upfront costs. Instead, they take a revenue share (3-63% depending on the sale source). This makes Udemy appealing for beginners or those testing the waters, but long-term earnings can suffer due to discounts and splits.

Verdict: Udemy is cheaper to start, but Graphy’s model is more predictable and profitable for serious creators.

Target Audience

Graphy

Graphy is best for:

Coaches, educators, or businesses building a brand.
Creators with an existing audience or marketing skills.
Those offering high-ticket or niche courses.
Anyone wanting full control over content and student relationships.

Udemy

Udemy suits:

New instructors looking for exposure.
Creators targeting a broad, global audience.
Those offering affordable, general-interest courses.
Instructors who prefer minimal setup and marketing effort.

Pros and Cons

Graphy

Pros:

Full branding and customization.
Flexible pricing and monetization.
Branded mobile apps and website.
Ownership of student data.
Robust community and analytics tools.

Cons:

Requires upfront investment.
No built-in audience.
Marketing is entirely your responsibility.

Udemy

Pros:

Massive audience reach.
No upfront costs.
Easy course creation process.
Trusted platform with global recognition.

Cons:

Limited branding and control.
Revenue splits reduce earnings.
Frequent discounts devalue courses.
Competition from similar courses.

Use Cases

When to Choose Graphy

You’re a Coach or Expert: If you’re building a personal brand (e.g., fitness, life coaching), Graphy’s white-label tools let you stand out.
You Have an Audience: If you’ve got a following on social media or a blog, Graphy helps you convert them into students.
You Want Long-Term Growth: Graphy’s ownership and analytics support scaling a sustainable education business.
You’re Selling Premium Courses: High-ticket courses thrive on Graphy’s pricing flexibility.

When to Choose Udemy

You’re Starting Out: Udemy’s low barrier to entry is perfect for first-time creators.
You Want Quick Exposure: Tap into Udemy’s audience to gain traction fast.
You’re Teaching Broad Topics: Subjects like coding or photography attract Udemy’s diverse learners.
You Don’t Want Marketing Hassles: Let Udemy handle promotion while you focus on content.

Integration and Scalability

Graphy: Graphy integrates with tools like Zapier, Google Analytics, and payment gateways (Stripe, PayPal, Razorpay). It supports multi-language courses and global payments, making it scalable for international audiences. The platform’s flexibility suits creators planning to expand into memberships or live workshops.

Udemy: Udemy’s integrations are minimal, focusing on their internal ecosystem. Scalability is limited—you’re tied to their marketplace, and branching out requires starting over elsewhere. It’s less suited for creators with long-term, diversified goals.

Verdict: Graphy is far more scalable and integration-friendly.

Student Experience

Graphy: Students get a tailored experience with your branding front and center. The platform supports interactive elements like quizzes, live classes, and forums, plus offline access via apps. However, the quality depends on your ability to design engaging content.

Udemy: Udemy offers a consistent, familiar experience with a polished interface. Students enjoy lifetime access, certificates, and mobile learning, but the platform feels generic, and course quality varies widely.

Verdict: Graphy provides a premium, branded experience; Udemy delivers accessibility and familiarity.

Support and Community

Graphy: Graphy offers email and chat support, with dedicated account managers for higher plans. Their creator community provides resources and webinars to help you grow.

Udemy: Udemy’s support includes a knowledge base, forums, and email. Their instructor community is massive, offering peer advice, but personalized help is limited.

Verdict: Graphy’s support feels more hands-on, while Udemy relies on scale.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between Graphy and Udemy boils down to your goals as a course creator. If you’re looking for creative control, branding, and long-term profitability, Graphy is the better choice. Its white-label platform, flexible pricing, and robust tools empower you to build a sustainable education business, though it demands marketing effort and upfront costs.

Udemy, on the other hand, is perfect for beginners or those seeking instant audience access. Its marketplace model minimizes setup and marketing hurdles, but you sacrifice control, branding, and a chunk of your revenue.