LearnDash vs Thinkific

ByObeydul Haque Reading Time: 7 minutes

LearnDash is a learning management system (LMS) plugin designed specifically for WordPress. Launched in 2013, it has become a go-to solution for businesses, universities, and individual course creators who want to integrate an LMS into their existing WordPress websites. LearnDash offers robust course-building tools, seamless integrations with WordPress plugins, and full control over content and user experience. However, it requires a WordPress site, which means users need to handle hosting, domain management, and potentially some technical setup.

Thinkific is a standalone, cloud-based platform launched in 2012, designed to simplify the process of creating, marketing, and selling online courses. As a software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution, Thinkific provides hosting, templates, and an intuitive interface that requires no coding knowledge. It’s particularly popular among entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to launch courses quickly without managing technical infrastructure. Thinkific also offers advanced features like AI-powered course creation tools and community-building capabilities.

Key Comparison Parameters

To provide a thorough comparison, we’ll evaluate LearnDash and Thinkific based on seven key parameters crucial for running a successful e-learning business: Features, Ease of Use, Hosting and Setup, Design and Customization, Monetization, Support, and Pricing.

1. Features

LearnDash Features

LearnDash is packed with features tailored for creating engaging and flexible online courses:

  • Course Creation: Drag-and-drop course builder, drip-feed content, and prerequisites for structured learning paths.
  • Quizzes and Assessments: Advanced quiz options with multiple question types, time limits, and customizable grading.
  • Certificates and Badges: Award certificates and badges to motivate learners.
  • Focus Mode: A distraction-free learning interface for students.
  • Integrations: Seamless integration with WordPress plugins like WooCommerce, MemberPress, BuddyPress, and payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe.
  • Media Support: Supports various media types, including videos, audio, HTML5, and SCORM.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Detailed reports on student progress and course performance.

LearnDash is ideal for creators who want deep control over course structure and functionality, especially for academic or corporate training programs. However, some advanced features require additional paid add-ons, which can increase costs.

Thinkific Features

Thinkific offers a robust set of features designed to streamline course creation and enhance the student experience:

  • Course Builder: Intuitive drag-and-drop builder with pre-built templates for quick course creation.
  • AI Tools: AI Course Outline Generator and AI Quiz Generator to automate content creation.
  • Communities: Built-in community features to foster student engagement and sell access separately.
  • Live Lessons and Webinars: Integration with Zoom for live sessions and coaching.
  • Digital Downloads: Sell guides, templates, and other resources alongside courses.
  • Marketing Tools: Built-in affiliate programs, coupons, and landing page builders.
  • Mobile App: A branded mobile app for students to access courses on the go (available on higher-tier plans).

Thinkific excels in providing a holistic platform that goes beyond course creation, offering tools for community engagement and diverse digital products. Its AI-powered features are particularly appealing for creators looking to save time.

Winner: Both platforms offer rich features, but Thinkific has an edge for its all-in-one approach and AI tools, while LearnDash is better for those needing advanced quiz and integration options within WordPress.

2. Ease of Use

LearnDash Ease of Use

LearnDash operates within the WordPress ecosystem, which can be a double-edged sword. For users familiar with WordPress, the setup is straightforward, with a setup wizard guiding you through course creation, payment settings, and integrations. However, for non-technical users, setting up a WordPress site, securing hosting, and configuring plugins can be daunting. LearnDash’s interface is functional but not as polished as standalone platforms, and advanced customizations may require developer assistance.

Thinkific Ease of Use

Thinkific is designed with beginners in mind. Its drag-and-drop interface is intuitive, and the platform provides step-by-step onboarding to guide users through course creation, site setup, and marketing. No coding or technical knowledge is required, and the platform’s clean UI makes it easy to navigate. Thinkific’s premade templates further simplify the process, allowing creators to launch courses quickly.

Winner: Thinkific is the clear winner for ease of use, especially for non-technical users who want a plug-and-play solution.

3. Hosting and Setup

LearnDash Hosting and Setup

As a WordPress plugin, LearnDash requires you to have a WordPress site, which means you’re responsible for securing hosting, a domain, and SSL certificates. This gives you full ownership of your content but adds complexity. Setup involves installing the LearnDash plugin, configuring settings, and potentially integrating with other plugins for payments or memberships. While LearnDash offers a demo site for testing, the initial setup can be time-consuming, especially for beginners.

Thinkific Hosting and Setup

Thinkific is a fully-hosted platform, meaning hosting, security, and updates are managed by Thinkific. You can start creating courses immediately after signing up, with no need to worry about servers or technical maintenance. Thinkific also provides a subdomain (e.g., yoursite.thinkific.com) or allows you to connect a custom domain. The platform’s onboarding sessions (especially for enterprise plans) make setup even smoother.

Winner: Thinkific wins for its hassle-free, fully-hosted setup, while LearnDash is better for those who prefer self-hosted control.

4. Design and Customization

LearnDash Design and Customization

LearnDash leverages WordPress’s flexibility, allowing near-limitless customization through themes and plugins. You can use page builders like Elementor or Divi to design your course pages, ensuring a unique look and feel. However, achieving a polished design often requires additional plugins or developer skills, and the default LearnDash interface may feel dated without customization. LearnDash’s Focus Mode provides a clean student interface, but the admin side can feel clunky.

Thinkific Design and Customization

Thinkific offers a range of customizable templates for course pages, landing pages, and websites. Its drag-and-drop builder makes it easy to adjust layouts, colors, and branding without coding. While Thinkific’s customization options are robust for a SaaS platform, they’re less flexible than WordPress. Advanced customizations may require hiring a developer from Thinkific’s “Experts” portal, but the platform’s designs are modern and student-friendly out of the box.

Winner: LearnDash wins for its unparalleled customization potential, but Thinkific is better for creators who want professional designs without technical expertise.

5. Monetization

LearnDash Monetization

LearnDash offers flexible monetization options through WordPress integrations. You can sell courses via one-time payments, subscriptions, memberships, or bundles using plugins like WooCommerce, Easy Digital Downloads, or MemberPress. Payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and others are supported, and you have full control over pricing models. However, setting up complex monetization strategies may require additional plugins, which can add to costs.

Thinkific Monetization

Thinkific provides built-in monetization tools, including PayPal and Stripe integrations, with no transaction fees on paid plans. You can sell courses, memberships, digital downloads, or coaching sessions, and offer discounts, coupons, and affiliate programs to boost sales. Thinkific’s landing page builder and marketing analytics help optimize conversions. The platform also supports multiple currencies and instant payouts, making it ideal for global audiences.

Winner: Thinkific has a slight edge for its native monetization tools and marketing features, but LearnDash is highly competitive for those comfortable with WordPress integrations.

6. Support

LearnDash Support

LearnDash offers support via email and a ticket system, with a comprehensive knowledge base and community forums. Higher-tier plans (Plus and Pro) provide faster support, but there’s no dedicated account manager. For complex issues, users may need to rely on third-party WordPress developers, which can be costly. LearnDash’s community is active, but support response times can vary.

Thinkific Support

Thinkific provides 24/7 email and live chat support across all plans, with priority support and dedicated customer success managers for higher-tier users. The platform’s Help Center is extensive, offering articles, video tutorials, and a creator community for peer support. Thinkific’s onboarding sessions for enterprise users further enhance the support experience.

Winner: Thinkific wins for its more accessible and comprehensive support options, especially for beginners.

7. Pricing

LearnDash Pricing

LearnDash’s pricing is annual and straightforward, with no free plan:

  • Basic: $199/year (1 site license)
  • Plus: $229/year (10 site licenses)
  • Pro: $399/year (25 site licenses)

Additional costs may include WordPress hosting ($50-$200/year), premium add-ons ($49/year each), and third-party plugins for payments or memberships. There’s a 15-day money-back guarantee but no free trial.

Thinkific Pricing

Thinkific offers a free plan and flexible pricing:

  • Free: Limited to 1 course, ideal for testing.
  • Basic: $49/month ($36/month if paid annually)
  • Start: $99/month ($74/month if paid annually)
  • Grow: $199/month ($149/month if paid annually)

Thinkific’s paid plans include unlimited courses, and there are no transaction fees. Higher-tier plans unlock advanced features like communities and mobile apps. A free trial is available for paid plans.

Winner: Thinkific is more accessible with its free plan and monthly billing, while LearnDash is more cost-effective for long-term use, especially for multiple sites.

Pros and Cons

LearnDash Pros

  • Full control over content and customization via WordPress.
  • Robust quiz and assessment tools.
  • Flexible monetization with third-party integrations.
  • Cost-effective for multiple sites.
  • Seamless integration with WordPress ecosystem.

LearnDash Cons

  • Requires WordPress knowledge and hosting management.
  • Steeper learning curve for beginners.
  • Additional costs for premium add-ons and plugins.
  • Support is less comprehensive than Thinkific.

Thinkific Pros

  • Easy to use with no technical skills required.
  • Fully-hosted with built-in hosting and security.
  • AI-powered tools for faster course creation.
  • Strong marketing and monetization features.
  • Comprehensive 24/7 support and free plan.

Thinkific Cons

  • Less customization flexibility than LearnDash.
  • Higher ongoing costs for premium plans.
  • Some advanced features locked behind higher tiers.

Which Platform is Right for You?

Choosing between LearnDash and Thinkific depends on your technical expertise, business goals, and budget.

Choose LearnDash If:

  • You’re comfortable with WordPress and want full control over your site.
  • You need advanced quiz and assessment features for academic or corporate training.
  • You prefer a one-time payment model and plan to scale across multiple sites.
  • You want to leverage WordPress plugins for custom functionality.

Choose Thinkific If:

  • You’re a beginner or non-technical user looking for a quick, hassle-free setup.
  • You want a fully-hosted platform with built-in marketing and community tools.
  • You value AI-powered features and modern templates for course creation.
  • You prefer a free plan or monthly billing for flexibility.

Conclusion

Both LearnDash and Thinkific are exceptional platforms for creating and selling online courses, but they serve different audiences. LearnDash is a powerhouse for WordPress users who prioritize customization, control, and advanced LMS features. Its flexibility makes it ideal for complex training programs or businesses with existing WordPress sites. Thinkific, however, shines for its ease of use, all-in-one functionality, and modern features like AI tools and community building. It’s the better choice for entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to launch courses quickly without technical overhead.

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