Teachable vs Thinkific

ByObeydul Haque Reading Time: 8 minutes

Teachable, founded in 2014, is a New York-based platform designed to simplify online course creation for entrepreneurs, educators, and businesses. It emphasizes user-friendliness, robust monetization tools, and a seamless experience for both creators and students. Teachable has powered over 100,000 creators and is known for its straightforward course builder and strong focus on sales features like upsells and affiliate marketing.

Thinkific, hailing from Canada and also launched in 2014, is a versatile platform that has evolved into an all-in-one solution for course creators. With over 11.4 million students enrolled across 164 countries, Thinkific is praised for its customization options, marketing tools, and community-building features. It appeals to creators who want flexibility and advanced engagement tools to create immersive learning experiences.

Both platforms are cloud-based, require no coding expertise, and allow creators to maintain full control over their content, pricing, and student data—unlike course marketplaces like Udemy. However, their differences in features, pricing, and user experience make them suited for different types of creators. Let’s break it down.

Course Creation and Customization

Teachable

Teachable’s course builder is intuitive and beginner-friendly, using a drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy to organize content like videos, quizzes, and downloadable files. Creators can upload multiple content types within a single lecture, enhancing engagement. Teachable also offers bulk upload capabilities, saving time for creators with extensive course materials. Its video hosting is robust, supporting 720p and 1080p resolutions with unlimited storage on paid plans, and includes video analytics for tracking student engagement.

Customization on Teachable is solid but somewhat limited compared to Thinkific. Creators can personalize colors, fonts, and layouts, and embed courses into third-party sites like WordPress. However, advanced customizations may require basic HTML knowledge, which could be a hurdle for non-technical users. Teachable’s course player is modern and responsive, adapting well to mobile devices, and it includes an iOS app for students, though it lacks in-app purchases or content management features.

Thinkific

Thinkific’s course builder is equally user-friendly, with a drag-and-drop interface that supports a wide range of content types, including videos, quizzes, assignments, and live lessons via Zoom integration. Thinkific stands out with its AI-powered tools, such as the Course Outline Generator and Quiz Generator, which streamline content creation. Its video library feature allows creators to reuse videos across courses, a time-saver for those managing multiple programs.

When it comes to customization, Thinkific takes the lead. It offers extensive design flexibility, including custom domains, branding, and page creation without requiring coding skills. Creators can build highly tailored learning experiences, from branded course players to custom progress tracking. Thinkific’s Communities feature allows for dedicated discussion forums, fostering student interaction. Additionally, Thinkific Mobile (available on Start plans and higher) provides a branded mobile app option, which is more customizable than Teachable’s iOS-only app.

Verdict: Thinkific wins for course creation and customization due to its advanced tools, AI features, and greater design flexibility. Teachable is simpler and faster for beginners but lacks the depth of Thinkific’s customization options.

Student Engagement and Learning Experience

Teachable

Teachable provides a clean, intuitive course player that’s easy for students to navigate. Features like progress tracking and completion certificates add basic gamification to keep learners motivated. The platform supports comments on lectures, but its community-building tools are limited, making it less ideal for fostering deep student interaction. Teachable’s mobile experience is decent, with responsive design and an iOS app, but it doesn’t offer the same level of engagement as Thinkific’s community features.

Thinkific

Thinkific excels in creating engaging learning experiences. Its course player is highly customizable, with features like search functionality and advanced gamification options, such as custom progress tracking and flexible certificates. The Communities feature is a standout, allowing creators to build discussion forums that encourage collaboration and a sense of belonging among students. Thinkific also supports memberships, webinars, and 1:1 coaching sessions, making it a more holistic platform for diverse learning formats. Its branded mobile app enhances accessibility and engagement, offering a seamless experience across devices.

Verdict: Thinkific is the clear winner for student engagement, thanks to its Communities feature, advanced gamification, and support for varied learning formats. Teachable is functional but lacks the same depth.

Pricing and Transaction Fees

Teachable

Teachable offers three paid plans and a limited free plan:

  • Free Plan: $0, but limited to 10 students and 10 videos, with a $1 + 10% transaction fee per sale.
  • Basic Plan: $39/month (billed annually), includes unlimited students, 5% transaction fees, and features like coupons and affiliate marketing.
  • Pro Plan: $119/month (billed annually), no transaction fees, includes live chat support and advanced features like public API access.
  • Business Plan: $499/month (billed annually), adds advanced customization and priority support.

Teachable’s 14-day free trial applies to paid plans, but its transaction fees on lower tiers can eat into profits, especially for high-volume creators. Annual billing offers a 33% discount compared to monthly.

Thinkific

Thinkific provides four plans, including a free option:

  • Free Plan: $0, unlimited students, three courses, no transaction fees, but limited features.
  • Basic Plan: $49/month (billed annually), unlimited courses, no transaction fees, includes coupons and email integrations.
  • Start Plan: $99/month (billed annually), adds memberships, live lessons, and Thinkific Mobile.
  • Grow Plan: $199/month (billed annually), includes phone support and advanced marketing tools.

Thinkific’s 30-day free trial is more generous than Teachable’s, and its lack of transaction fees across all plans is a significant advantage. Annual billing provides a 25% discount. While Teachable’s Basic Plan is cheaper ($39 vs. $49), Thinkific’s added value (no transaction fees, more features) often outweighs the price difference.

Verdict: Thinkific offers better value due to its zero transaction fees and longer free trial. Teachable’s lower entry price is appealing, but transaction fees can add up for creators on the Free or Basic plans.

Marketing and Sales Features

Teachable

Teachable shines in sales and marketing, particularly for creators focused on conversions. Its checkout pages are highly customizable, supporting upsells, one-time payments, and subscriptions. The platform’s affiliate marketing tools are robust, with automated payouts to affiliates, a feature Thinkific lacks. Teachable also automates US sales taxes and EU VAT collection, reducing administrative burdens. Its coupon system is dynamic, allowing single-use and bulk coupon creation, even on the Basic plan.

Thinkific

Thinkific offers strong marketing tools, including upsells, discount coupons, and email automation. Its sales funnels and lead capture tools are built-in, making it easier to grow an audience. Thinkific integrates with email marketing platforms like Mailchimp and ActiveCampaign, and its Zapier triggers enhance automation. However, its affiliate marketing features are less advanced than Teachable’s, and it doesn’t offer automated tax handling. Thinkific’s strength lies in its all-in-one approach, combining marketing with community and engagement tools.

Verdict: Teachable edges out Thinkific for sales and marketing due to its superior affiliate tools and tax automation. Thinkific is better for creators prioritizing integrated marketing and audience engagement.

Customer Support and Resources

Teachable

Teachable’s support varies by plan. The Free and Basic plans offer email support, which some users report as slow or unhelpful. Pro and Business plan users get live chat and, on higher tiers, group coaching calls. Teachable’s knowledge base is extensive, with tutorials, guides, and a creator-led resource library (t:u coaches). However, it lacks phone support, which Thinkific provides on higher plans.

Thinkific

Thinkific offers email support across all plans, with phone support available on the Grow plan and above. Its knowledge base is comprehensive, covering how-to articles and best practices. Thinkific also has an active user community where creators can exchange advice. Some users report inconsistent support experiences, but the 30-day free trial allows ample time to test the platform’s resources.

Verdict: Thinkific slightly outperforms Teachable due to its phone support and longer trial period, though both platforms have robust knowledge bases and community resources.

Integrations and Third-Party Tools

Teachable

Teachable supports integrations with email marketing services (e.g., Mailchimp), analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics), and payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal. It also integrates directly with tools like ThriveCart, which is a plus for creators using external checkout systems. However, its integration options are slightly less extensive than Thinkific’s.

Thinkific

Thinkific excels in integrations, offering a broader range of connections with email marketing platforms, CRMs, and analytics tools. Its Zapier integration allows for custom workflows, and it supports more payment gateways than Teachable. Thinkific’s ability to integrate with tools like ActiveCampaign and ConvertKit makes it ideal for creators with established marketing stacks.

Verdict: Thinkific wins for integrations due to its wider range of supported tools and flexibility with automation.

Scalability and Business Growth

Teachable

Teachable is well-suited for creators focused on monetization and scaling through sales. Its affiliate tools, upsell features, and automated tax handling make it easier to grow revenue without administrative overhead. The platform supports multiple product types (courses, coaching, digital downloads), diversifying income streams. However, its limited community features and customization options may hinder creators aiming for complex, community-driven businesses.

Thinkific

Thinkific is built for scalability, particularly for creators who want to grow beyond courses. Its memberships, communities, and marketing automation tools make it a more complete platform for building a long-term audience. Thinkific’s analytics are detailed, providing insights into student engagement and revenue, which help creators optimize their offerings. The platform’s ability to handle complex course structures and integrations supports businesses with ambitious growth plans.

Verdict: Thinkific is better for scalability due to its all-in-one approach and advanced engagement tools. Teachable is strong for sales-focused growth but less versatile.

Who Should Choose Teachable?

Teachable is ideal for:

  • Beginners: Its simple interface and drag-and-drop builder make it easy to get started.
  • Sales-focused creators: Robust affiliate tools, upsells, and tax automation are perfect for maximizing revenue.
  • Small budgets: The $39 Basic Plan is affordable, though transaction fees apply.
  • Coaching businesses: Teachable’s built-in coaching product is a standout feature.

However, Teachable may not suit creators needing extensive customization or community-building tools.

Who Should Choose Thinkific?

Thinkific is best for:

  • Customization enthusiasts: Extensive design options and AI tools allow for tailored experiences.
  • Community-driven creators: The Communities feature and memberships foster student engagement.
  • Marketing-focused businesses: Built-in funnels, automation, and integrations support audience growth.
  • Long-term scalability: Thinkific’s all-in-one approach suits creators planning to expand beyond courses.

Thinkific may overwhelm beginners who prioritize simplicity over advanced features.

Final Verdict

Both Teachable and Thinkific are excellent platforms, but their strengths cater to different needs. Teachable is the go-to choice for beginners and creators prioritizing ease of use, affordability, and sales features like affiliate marketing and upsells. Its straightforward interface and tax automation make it a low-maintenance option for monetizing expertise. However, its customization and community tools are limited, which may frustrate creators with complex needs.

Thinkific is the superior platform for creators seeking flexibility, scalability, and engagement. Its advanced customization, Communities feature, and marketing tools make it ideal for building immersive learning experiences and growing a loyal audience. The lack of transaction fees and generous free trial add significant value, though its higher entry price and learning curve may deter absolute beginners.

Ultimately, the choice depends on your goals. If you’re just starting out and want a simple, sales-driven platform, Teachable is your best bet. If you’re aiming for a robust, customizable, and scalable course business with strong student engagement, Thinkific is the way to go. Test both platforms—Teachable’s 14-day trial and Thinkific’s 30-day trial—to see which feels right for your vision.

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