Choosing the right online learning platform can feel like a daunting task especially when you’re just starting out.
Thinkific and Teachable are both popular choices and while they share some similarities they offer distinct features and cater to different types of online instructors.
As someone who’s been creating and selling online courses for years I’ve had my fair share of experience with both platforms.
Let me walk you through my personal experience and insights comparing the two and hopefully helping you find the perfect fit for your unique needs.
Thinkific – A Versatile Tool for Building Your Online Academy
Thinkific has become a favorite for many course creators.
It’s a versatile platform that allows you to build a white-labeled online academy much like any other learning management software (LMS). You can create beautiful landing pages for your courses and easily integrate with payment gateways for smooth transactions.
Thinkific’s Pricing Plans: A Closer Look
Thinkific offers a free plan and four paid plans.
While the variety might seem a bit overwhelming let’s break down each plan to see where they fit in:
Thinkific Free Plan:
- The free plan is perfect for testing the waters and seeing if Thinkific is the right fit for you.
- You can create one course build a community and have one admin account.
- It’s great for beginners but you’ll be limited to basic features and can’t connect your website to your online school.
Thinkific Basic Plan:
- This is a great option for first-time course creators and solopreneurs.
- You get unlimited courses basic marketing features like coupons and discounts and can start using AI tools to generate outlines and quizzes.
- You can also connect your website to your online school which is a big plus.
Thinkific Start Plan:
- This plan unlocks more options for your courses including private and hidden courses subscriptions and bundles.
- It also includes features like live sessions and completion certificates making it suitable for more complex course structures.
Thinkific Grow Plan:
- The Grow plan is perfect for small businesses and established solopreneurs.
- It lets you create up to three communities and add multiple admin accounts.
- You get more advanced features like group analytics and can share revenue with partners.
- This is Thinkific’s most popular plan as it provides a robust set of tools for scaling your business.
Thinkific Plus Plan:
- This is the enterprise-level plan designed for larger corporations and businesses.
- You get unlimited products admins and partners along with advanced features like single sign-on (SSO) and a dedicated customer success manager.
Thinkific’s Strengths:
- Versatile Platform: Thinkific is very versatile and adapts well to different course structures and business models.
- Robust Marketing Features: It offers a strong set of marketing tools to help you sell and upsell your courses.
- Integrations: Thinkific has a large app store with integrations that can enhance your course functionality.
- Pricing Transparency: There are no hidden transaction fees although your payment gateway might charge fees.
- Free Plan: A free plan lets you test the platform before committing to a paid subscription.
Thinkific’s Weaknesses:
- Limited Learning Experience Features: Thinkific’s focus is more on marketing and selling than on providing an immersive learning experience.
- Limited Site-Building Capabilities: It has a decent website builder but customization options are limited compared to other platforms.
- No SCORM Support: You can’t easily add external content to your online school which may be a drawback for certain types of courses.
- No Mobile App: Thinkific doesn’t offer a branded mobile app which can be a disadvantage for learners who prefer learning on the go.
Teachable: The Easy-to-Use Platform for Course Creators
Teachable is another popular cloud-based LMS that’s often recommended to those new to online course creation.
It’s particularly attractive to entrepreneurs who are focused on coaching and want to monetize their expertise.
Teachable’s Pricing Plans: A Detailed Look
Teachable offers five pricing plans: Free Basic Pro Pro+ and Business.
You can choose a monthly or annual subscription with the annual option offering a 33% discount.
Here’s a breakdown of each plan:
Teachable Free Plan:
- The free plan lets you have unlimited students and hosting.
- It offers one product (course coaching or digital download) and basic quizzes.
- You can also upload and host video tutorials accept payments and utilize the AI curriculum generator.
Teachable Basic Plan:
- This plan offers reduced transaction fees more products and basic marketing features like coupons and order bumps.
- You can also connect your website to your online courses and access drip content and community features.
Teachable Pro Plan:
- The Pro plan unlocks essential features like an affiliate program course completion certificates graded quizzes and a branded website.
- You can create a public API and access advanced reporting and analytics.
Teachable Pro+ Plan:
- This plan is similar to Pro but allows for more products and introduces custom roles.
Teachable Business Plan:
- This is the enterprise-level plan offering advanced reporting unlimited products custom themes and priority support.
- It’s best suited for larger businesses with a strong team and a substantial customer base.
Teachable’s Strengths:
- Ease of Use: Teachable is known for its intuitive interface and straightforward setup.
- Focus on Selling: It’s well-suited for quickly setting up and selling your online courses.
- Teachable Payments: Its payment gateway solution simplifies accepting payments.
- Discover Marketplace: This marketplace allows you to reach a wider audience but comes with a 30% revenue share.
Teachable’s Weaknesses:
- No White Labeling: You can’t completely customize the platform to match your brand. Your students will always have to create a Teachable account.
- High Transaction Fees: Especially on the free plan transaction fees can be significant.
- Limited Page Builder: The website builder is simple and lacks advanced customization options.
- Limited Learning Features: Teachable is not as focused on providing an immersive learning experience as some other platforms.
- Limited AI Features: The AI features are primarily focused on curriculum generation.
- Only iOS Mobile App: There is no Android app available.
LearnWorlds: The Powerhouse Platform for a Superior Learning Experience
Now let’s talk about LearnWorlds.
I believe it’s a must in the world of online learning platforms.
It’s my top choice for providing the best learning experience for your students while giving you complete control over your brand and customization options.
LearnWorlds: A More Comprehensive Solution
LearnWorlds stands out from Thinkific and Teachable in several ways:
- Branded Websites and Mobile Apps: You can create your own branded website with customizable templates no coding required and launch a branded mobile app for increased accessibility.
- Powerful AI Assistant: LearnWorlds’ AI assistant can help you generate outlines write eBooks create assessments and refine your content quickly and effortlessly.
- Superior Learning Experience Features: It offers a wealth of features for creating engaging and effective learning experiences including interactive videos gamification and advanced assessments.
- Comprehensive Customization: Learnworlds provides extensive customization options for creating a truly unique and immersive learning environment.
- White-Labeling: You can fully white-label your platform making it your own.
- Excellent Customer Support: Learnworlds provides responsive and helpful customer support across all plans.
LearnWorlds: A Smart Choice for Your Business
LearnWorlds’ focus is firmly on providing the best possible learning experience for your students while empowering you with the tools to create a thriving online business.
While you can always get a free trial to see if it suits your needs here are some reasons why it might be the best platform for you:
- You prioritize a robust learning experience: If you want to go beyond just delivering content and create an engaging and interactive learning environment Learnworlds is the platform for you.
- You want complete control over your brand: Learnworlds gives you full customization options to create a website and mobile app that truly reflects your brand.
- You need a powerful AI assistant: LearnWorlds’ AI assistant can significantly streamline your content creation process.
- You value top-notch customer support: Learnworlds has consistently received positive reviews for its exceptional customer support.
Choosing the Right LMS: Beyond Features
Ultimately choosing the right LMS is a personal decision that depends on your individual needs and priorities.
- What is your primary goal? Are you focused on selling courses building a community or providing a high-quality learning experience?
- What features are essential for your business? Do you need a strong marketing suite an intuitive website builder or advanced learning features?
- What’s your budget? Each platform offers a range of pricing options so you need to consider what fits your financial constraints.
Don’t Forget About the User Experience
The user experience is crucial for both you as the instructor and your students.
A platform that is easy to use and navigate will make your course creation process more enjoyable.
A platform that is visually appealing and engaging will make it more likely that your students will stick with your courses.
Consider User Feedback
Read reviews and testimonials from other online course creators.
Look at the different platforms’ user interfaces and see which one feels more intuitive and user-friendly.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to the platform’s customer support to ask any questions you might have.
The Bottom Line
While Thinkific and Teachable are great platforms I’ve found Learnworlds to offer a more comprehensive solution that prioritizes both learner experience and business growth.
Its powerful features impressive customization options and commitment to excellent customer support make it a strong contender for any serious online course creator.
Ultimately the best platform for you is the one that aligns with your unique goals and needs.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with free trials and choose the platform that feels right for you and your students.
I’m confident you’ll find the perfect platform to launch your online learning journey and achieve success.