When choosing an online course platform, pricing is one of the most critical factors to consider. Thinkific and Teachable are two of the most popular platforms in this space, and both offer a range of features to help educators create, market, and sell their online courses. While pricing might seem straightforward, the various features included in different plans can create a nuanced comparison. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at Thinkific’s pricing, compare it with Teachable, and help you determine which platform may be the better choice for you.
Overview of Pricing Plans
Thinkific Pricing Plans
Thinkific offers several pricing tiers to accommodate different needs:
1. Free Plan: This plan allows you to create and sell your courses with limited features. You can build up to three courses, and you won’t incur any transaction fees, making it a great option for those just starting.
2. Basic Plan: Priced at approximately $49 per month (when billed annually), this plan includes more comprehensive features, such as unlimited courses, quizzes, basic emails, and integrations with third-party tools.
3. Pro Plan: At about $99 per month (when billed annually), the Pro Plan includes everything in the Basic Plan, but adds advanced customization options, certificates, memberships, and advanced marketing features.
4. Premier Plan: This plan requires a custom quote for pricing, targeting larger organizations with extensive needs. It includes all features from the Pro Plan, plus advanced analytics, dedicated success manager, and priority support.
Teachable Pricing Plans
Teachable has a slightly different pricing structure, featuring:
1. Free Plan: Teachable also offers a free plan, though it charges a transaction fee of 10% on courses sold. You can create an unlimited number of courses but limited features are included.
2. Basic Plan: Starting at around $39 per month (when billed annually), this plan provides unlimited courses, quizzes, and basic marketing features, but it also includes a 5% transaction fee.
3. Pro Plan: Priced at about $119 per month (when billed annually), this plan eliminates transaction fees, adds advanced integrations, and provides additional customization options.
4. Business Plan: At $299 per month (when billed annually), this plan is designed for larger businesses, offering advanced features like team management, user management, and customized reporting tools.
Feature Comparison
When comparing the pricing of Thinkific and Teachable, it’s important to consider not just cost but also the specific features offered in each pricing tier.
1. Course Creation and Management:
– Both platforms allow you to create and manage an unlimited number of courses in their Basic plans and above.
– Thinkific offers a user-friendly course builder with drag-and-drop functionality, while Teachable also provides robust tools but may require a bit more technical know-how for beginners.
2. Custom Branding and Design:
– Thinkific shines in this area, offering extensive branding customization right from the Basic Plan. You can remove Thinkific branding and customize your site design.
– In contrast, Teachable’s Basic Plan has limited customization options, with more flexibility available in the Pro Plan.
3. Sales and Marketing Features:
– Thinkific’s Pro Plan includes advanced marketing tools, including affiliate marketing capabilities, upsells, and more granular control of pricing.
– Teachable similarly offers sales pages and checkout customization, but the advanced marketing tools also become available mainly at the Pro tier.
4. Analytics and Reporting:
– While both platforms provide some level of analytics on student performance, Thinkific’s higher-tier plans offer advanced reporting to track course engagement, revenue, and sales funnels.
– Teachable also has solid reporting features but generally does not provide as much depth unless you are at the Business Plan level.
5. Payment Processing:
– Both platforms handle payments seamlessly, integrating with popular payment processors like Stripe and PayPal.
– A distinction arises with transaction fees. Thinkific charges no fees on any plan, while Teachable charges transaction fees on lower-tier plans, which can cut into revenue.
6. Support and Resources:
– Thinkific offers 24/7 customer support along with a comprehensive online knowledge base and community.
– Teachable provides email support and live chat on higher plans but does not have 24/7 support.
Ease of Use
User Experience
– Thinkific: Offers a very intuitive and user-friendly interface, particularly for those new to building online courses. The drag-and-drop functionality allows users to organize content easily.
– Teachable: While also user-friendly, some users find the interface less intuitive compared to Thinkific, especially when navigating course creation.
Audience Targeting
Thinkific: Tends to appeal to educators, coaches, and businesses wanting extensive customization and no transaction fee structure. It’s particularly valuable for those looking to create a highly branded and tailored course experience.
Teachable: Often preferred by individual creators and smaller entrepreneurs looking for simplicity and ease of use. The platform is great for those who want to quickly launch a course with fewer upfront complexities.
Conclusion
Choosing the right platform between Thinkific and Teachable depends on several factors, including your budget, technical expertise, and specific needs.
Choose Thinkific if:
– You want comprehensive customization and branding options.
– You’re looking to avoid transaction fees entirely.
– You need advanced marketing and analytics features to track and optimize course performance.
– You value accessibility to 24/7 support.
Choose Teachable if:
– You prefer a quick and easy setup process, especially as a beginner.
– You’re okay with transaction fees on lower-tier plans in exchange for a lower monthly cost.
– You may not need extensive customization and are looking for a more straightforward course creation process.
Ultimately, both platforms have strengths and weaknesses. Reviewing their features, pricing, and the specific needs of your online course will help you make an informed decision. If budget allows, you might also consider testing the free plans of each platform to see which aligns better with your preferences before committing to a paid plan. This hands-on experience can provide great insight into what each platform offers and how they might support your online education goals.
