Kajabi Alternatives
Kajabi has established itself as a leading all-in-one platform for online course creators, entrepreneurs, and digital marketers. With its robust features for building courses, websites, marketing funnels, and membership sites, it’s a popular choice for those looking to monetize their expertise. However, Kajabi’s pricing, which starts at $149 per month, and its specific feature set may not suit every creator’s needs or budget. Fortunately, the market offers a variety of Kajabi alternatives that cater to different priorities, such as affordability, customization, or niche-specific functionality. This article explores the top Kajabi alternatives, their key features, pricing, and how they stack up for course creators and online business owners.
Why Look for Kajabi Alternatives?
Before diving into the alternatives, it’s worth understanding why someone might seek options other than Kajabi. While Kajabi is powerful, it has limitations that may prompt creators to explore other platforms:
- Cost: Kajabi’s plans are relatively expensive, especially for beginners or small-scale creators.
- Complexity: Some users find Kajabi’s extensive features overwhelming if they only need basic course-hosting capabilities.
- Customization: Kajabi’s templates and design options, while sleek, may feel restrictive for those wanting highly customized branding.
- Niche Needs: Certain creators may require specialized tools (e.g., advanced gamification or community features) that Kajabi doesn’t prioritize.
With these factors in mind, let’s explore the best Kajabi alternatives available in 2025, focusing on their strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases.
1. Teachable
Overview
Teachable is one of the most well-known platforms for creating and selling online courses. It’s designed to be user-friendly, making it a great choice for beginners and experienced creators alike. Teachable focuses on course creation and delivery but also offers basic marketing and website-building tools.
Key Features
- Course Builder: Drag-and-drop interface for creating multimedia courses with videos, quizzes, and downloadable resources.
- Payment Processing: Supports multiple payment gateways, including PayPal and Stripe, with options for one-time payments, subscriptions, and payment plans.
- Student Management: Built-in tools for tracking student progress, issuing certificates, and managing enrollments.
- Marketing Tools: Basic email marketing, affiliate programs, and coupon codes.
- Customization: Custom domains and basic branding options for course pages and checkout.
Pricing
- Free Plan: $0, with a $1 + 10% transaction fee per sale and limited features.
- Basic: $59/month (billed annually), includes 5% transaction fees and basic features.
- Pro: $159/month (billed annually), no transaction fees, includes advanced features like quizzes and affiliate marketing.
- Business: $499/month (billed annually), for large-scale creators with priority support.
Pros
- Affordable entry-level plans compared to Kajabi.
- Intuitive interface, ideal for beginners.
- Strong focus on course delivery and student engagement.
Cons
- Limited marketing and funnel-building capabilities compared to Kajabi.
- Transaction fees on lower-tier plans.
- Less robust website-building features.
Best For
Teachable is ideal for creators who prioritize course creation over advanced marketing features and want a budget-friendly option to get started.
2. Thinkific
Overview
Thinkific is another strong contender in the online course platform space, offering a balance of affordability and functionality. It’s particularly popular for its free plan and flexible course-building tools, making it accessible to creators at all levels.
Key Features
- Course Creation: Supports unlimited courses, drip content, and multimedia lessons.
- Community Features: Built-in community tools for fostering student interaction, similar to a lightweight membership site.
- Website Builder: Customizable themes and drag-and-drop editing for branded websites.
- Integrations: Connects with tools like Zapier, Mailchimp, and Google Analytics.
- Analytics: Detailed reports on student progress, revenue, and engagement.
Pricing
- Free Plan: $0, with limited features and Thinkific branding.
- Basic: $49/month (billed annually), includes custom domains and basic integrations.
- Start: $99/month (billed annually), adds memberships and advanced features.
- Grow: $199/month (billed annually), includes priority support and no transaction fees.
Pros
- Free plan is great for testing the platform.
- No transaction fees on paid plans.
- Strong community and membership features.
Cons
- Marketing tools are less advanced than Kajabi’s email and funnel capabilities.
- Some advanced features (e.g., white-labeling) require higher-tier plans.
- Design flexibility is limited compared to dedicated website builders.
Best For
Thinkific suits creators who want an affordable, scalable platform with community-building tools and don’t need Kajabi’s extensive marketing suite.
3. Podia
Overview
Podia is an all-in-one platform that emphasizes simplicity and affordability. It supports online courses, digital downloads, memberships, and email marketing, making it a versatile alternative to Kajabi for small businesses and solo creators.
Key Features
- Course Hosting: Unlimited courses with multimedia support and drip scheduling.
- Memberships: Create subscription-based communities with tiered access.
- Digital Products: Sell eBooks, templates, and other digital downloads.
- Email Marketing: Built-in email campaigns and newsletters with segmentation.
- Zero Transaction Fees: No additional fees on any plan.
Pricing
- Free Plan: $0, with 8% transaction fees and limited features.
- Mover: $39/month (billed annually), includes courses and email marketing.
- Shaker: $89/month (billed annually), adds memberships and affiliate marketing.
- Earthquaker: $199/month (billed annually), includes priority support and advanced features.
Pros
- Affordable pricing with no transaction fees on paid plans.
- Simple, beginner-friendly interface.
- Strong email marketing and digital product capabilities.
Cons
- Limited advanced features (e.g., no native webinars or complex funnels).
- Fewer integrations compared to Kajabi.
- Course analytics are basic.
Best For
Podia is perfect for creators who want a straightforward, cost-effective platform for courses, memberships, and digital products without Kajabi’s complexity.
4. LearnWorlds
Overview
LearnWorlds stands out for its advanced learning features, such as interactive videos, gamification, and SCORM support. It’s designed for creators who want to deliver a highly engaging and professional learning experience.
Key Features
- Interactive Courses: Add quizzes, assignments, and interactive video elements.
- Gamification: Badges, points, and leaderboards to boost student engagement.
- White-Labeling: Fully customizable branding and mobile apps for higher-tier plans.
- eCommerce: Flexible payment options, including subscriptions and bundles.
- Mobile Learning: Native mobile app builder for iOS and Android.
Pricing
- Starter: $29/month (billed annually), with $5 per sale fee.
- Pro Trainer: $99/month (billed annually), includes advanced features and no transaction fees.
- Learning Center: $299/month (billed annually), adds white-labeling and premium support.
- High Volume: Custom pricing for large organizations.
Pros
- Robust learning features, ideal for professional educators.
- Mobile app and white-labeling options for branding.
- Strong eCommerce and payment flexibility.
Cons
- Higher learning curve due to advanced features.
- Pricing can escalate quickly for premium features.
- Marketing tools are less comprehensive than Kajabi’s.
Best For
LearnWorlds is best for educators and businesses focused on delivering interactive, high-quality learning experiences with strong branding.
5. Kartra
Overview
Kartra is an all-in-one marketing platform that rivals Kajabi in terms of functionality. It combines course hosting, email marketing, sales funnels, and CRM tools into a single solution, making it ideal for creators who prioritize automation and conversions.
Key Features
- Funnel Builder: Drag-and-drop builder for creating sales funnels and landing pages.
- Course Hosting: Host courses and memberships with drip content and quizzes.
- Email Marketing: Advanced automation, segmentation, and A/B testing.
- CRM: Built-in tools for managing leads and customer relationships.
- Analytics: Detailed tracking of funnel performance and customer behavior.
Pricing
- Starter: $119/month (billed annually), includes basic features for small businesses.
- Growth: $229/month (billed annually), adds advanced automation and CRM tools.
- Professional: $549/month (billed annually), for large-scale businesses with premium support.
Pros
- Comprehensive marketing and automation tools.
- Strong funnel-building capabilities.
- All-in-one solution with no need for extensive integrations.
Cons
- Higher pricing than some alternatives.
- Course creation features are less robust than dedicated platforms like Teachable.
- Steeper learning curve for beginners.
Best For
Kartra is ideal for creators who need advanced marketing funnels and automation alongside course hosting.
6. Systeme.io
Overview
Systeme.io is a budget-friendly all-in-one platform designed for entrepreneurs and small businesses. It offers course hosting, email marketing, sales funnels, and affiliate management at a fraction of Kajabi’s cost.
Key Features
- Course Hosting: Unlimited courses with drip content and student tracking.
- Funnel Builder: Create landing pages and sales funnels with templates.
- Email Marketing: Automated campaigns and basic segmentation.
- Affiliate Program: Built-in tools for managing affiliates and commissions.
- Blogging: Basic blogging functionality for content marketing.
Pricing
- Free Plan: $0, with limited features and 2,000 contacts.
- Startup: $27/month (billed annually), includes 5,000 contacts and basic features.
- Webinar: $47/month (billed annually), adds webinars and 10,000 contacts.
- Unlimited: $97/month (billed annually), includes unlimited contacts and advanced features.
Pros
- Extremely affordable, especially for beginners.
- All-in-one solution with no transaction fees.
- Simple interface for quick setup.
Cons
- Limited design customization compared to Kajabi.
- Fewer advanced features for large-scale businesses.
- Customer support can be slow.
Best For
Systeme.io is perfect for budget-conscious creators who need an all-in-one platform to start selling courses and building funnels.
Comparing Kajabi Alternatives
Platform | Starting Price (Annual) | Free Plan | Transaction Fees | Best For |
---|---|---|---|---|
Teachable | $59/month | Yes | 10% (Free), 5% (Basic) | Beginners, course-focused creators |
Thinkific | $49/month | Yes | None (Paid plans) | Community-driven courses |
Podia | $39/month | Yes | 8% (Free) | Digital products, memberships |
LearnWorlds | $29/month | No | $5/sale (Starter) | Interactive learning experiences |
Kartra | $119/month | No | None | Advanced marketing and funnels |
Systeme.io | $27/month | Yes | None | Budget-conscious entrepreneurs |
How to Choose the Right Kajabi Alternative
Selecting the best Kajabi alternative depends on your specific needs, budget, and technical expertise. Here are some key considerations:
- Budget: If cost is a concern, Systeme.io, Podia, or Thinkific’s free plans are excellent starting points. For premium features, LearnWorlds and Teachable offer affordable paid plans.
- Course Complexity: For advanced learning features like gamification or interactive videos, LearnWorlds is the top choice. Teachable and Thinkific are better for straightforward courses.
- Marketing Needs: If you rely heavily on sales funnels and email marketing, Kartra or Systeme.io provide robust tools. Kajabi’s marketing suite is still superior, but these alternatives come close.
- Branding and Customization: LearnWorlds and Thinkific offer strong branding options, while Podia and Systeme.io are more limited in design flexibility.
- Scalability: For creators planning to scale, Kartra and LearnWorlds provide advanced features for large audiences, while Teachable and Thinkific are more beginner-friendly.
Conclusion
Kajabi remains a top-tier platform for online course creators, but its pricing and feature set may not align with every creator’s goals. Alternatives like Teachable, Thinkific, Podia, LearnWorlds, Kartra, and Systeme.io offer compelling options tailored to different needs and budgets. Whether you’re a beginner looking for affordability, an educator seeking advanced learning tools, or a marketer focused on funnels, there’s a platform that fits your vision. By evaluating your priorities—cost, ease of use, marketing capabilities, or customization—you can choose the perfect Kajabi alternative to build and grow your online business in 2025.