Thinkific and Teachable are two well-known online course platforms that help creators market and sell their expertise through digital courses. They offer essential tools like payment processing, marketing features, analytics, and student engagement tools.
While both platforms are strong contenders, they may not fully cater to creators who want a platform that combines ease of use, scalability, and seamless functionality.
In this guide, we will explore the differences between Thinkific and Teachable. By the end, we’ll also introduce you to an alternative that could offer the perfect balance of simplifying the course creation process while maximizing profits in selling courses.
What is Thinkific?
Thinkific is an online course platform for individuals and businesses to create, market, and sell online courses without requiring coding or technical skills.
One of its features is the drag-and-drop course builder, which allows you to organize lessons, upload videos, and include interactive elements like quizzes and surveys.
Thinkific also provides advanced branding and customization options that let you design courses and websites to match your unique style and identity.
It supports integrations with popular tools like Zoom, Mailchimp, and HubSpot to expand its functionality according to business needs.
What is Teachable?
Teachable is another widely-used online course platform that's well-suited for beginners due to its intuitive interface and easy setup process. You can upload multimedia content such as videos, PDFs, and quizzes to build engaging learning experiences.
It offers built-in sales and marketing tools, which include affiliate marketing, upselling, and email campaign capabilities. It helps you grow your audience and increase revenue without relying on third-party tools.
With its focus on simplicity and integrated features, Teachable is a powerful solution for those who want to focus on content creation while leaving the technical details to the platform.
What is CustomerHub?
CustomerHub is a plug-and-play platform specifically designed for coaches, consultants, and course creators who want to monetize expertise.
The platform lets you easily launch memberships, create online courses, and sell digital products. Its simplicity and speed allow you to go from idea to income in days rather than weeks, with minimal setup or tech headaches.
This online course platform offers a range of intuitive features, including customizable onboarding experiences to guide members through their journey.
It also has a centralized product library for managing and delivering digital products and a private customer feed for engaging members and boosting retention.
Also, CustomerHub integrates with thousands of existing tools like email platforms, CRMs, and payment processors through direct connections and Zapier for effortless workflow automation.
Beyond its ease of use, CustomerHub provides personalized, responsive customer support and optional Done-for-You services to help you overcome obstacles like platform migration or initial setup.
Ready to turn your expertise into a thriving online business? Sign up for a free trial today and experience the simplicity and power of CustomerHub firsthand!
Features Comparison: Teachable vs Thinkific
When comparing Thinkific and Teachable, the features they offer can help determine which platform is better suited for your needs. Let’s break down their key features and how they stack up against each other.
Course Creation Tools
Thinkific offers an advanced drag-and-drop course builder for easy course structuring. The platform supports various content types, including videos, quizzes, surveys, assignments, and downloadable resources.
It also allows you to create private or hidden courses, ideal for exclusive or limited-access offerings. Thinkific provides customization options to fully align the design of your courses and websites with your branding.
Teachable also provides a drag-and-drop course builder, but it emphasizes speed over deep customization. It supports multimedia content like videos, audio, PDFs, and quizzes.
While Teachable’s course builder is user-friendly, its customization options are limited compared to Thinkific.
Users can add their logo and basic branding elements, but the overall design is less customizable unless you’re using external tools. For most beginners, this simplicity can be a time-saver.
Student Engagement and Interaction
Thinkific offers tools designed to keep learners motivated and connected. It allows you to issue certificates of completion, which can be fully customized to reflect the branding of your course or business.
The platform also includes discussion forums so students can interact with one another and build a sense of community. It supports progress tracking, quizzes, and surveys to evaluate student performance and gather feedback.
Teachable also has course reporting tools, but they are only available on the Pro plan and higher. These reports provide detailed insights, such as lesson completion rates, quiz performance, video engagement, and leaderboards.
Marketing and Sales Features
Teachable provides a range of built-in marketing and sales tools, including email marketing, affiliate management, upselling, and abandoned cart recovery to re-engage potential buyers.
Its one-step checkout process and flexible payment options, like "Buy Now, Pay Later," simplify the buying experience and improve conversions.
Thinkific offers essential marketing features like coupons, upselling, and affiliate programs but focuses more on integrations for advanced capabilities.
It also includes AI-assisted landing pages and sales funnels to help convert leads into customers.
Integrations and Workflow Automation
Thinkific supports a wide range of integrations and connects with tools like Zoom for live sessions, Mailchimp for email marketing, and Zapier for broader workflow automation. These integrations allow you to customize its functionality to meet your specific needs.
Teachable also offers direct integrations with several email service providers, including ActiveCampaign, AWeber, Mailchimp, MailerLite, and ConvertKit. It can also connect with Zapier for broader automation and a wider range of applications.
Certificates and Completion Tracking
Thinkific provides customizable completion certificates. You can choose from seven different templates and personalize them to align with your brand. The certificates are automatically issued to students upon completing a course and can be downloaded as PDFs.
It also offers tools to track individual student advancement through courses, assess quiz performance, and gather insights into overall engagement. This data helps identify areas where students may need additional support.
Teachable also allows for the creation of course completion certificates with its three out-of-the-box templates. It allows creators to add quizzes and track course completion, but certificates are only available on higher plans (Pro plan and up).
If you have no coding expertise, Teachable has the option to design custom certificates using CSS. Certificates are linked to specific courses and are automatically sent to students upon completion.
Mobile Accessibility
Thinkific provides a mobile app available for both iOS and Android devices, which allows learners to access course materials conveniently on their preferred devices. It offers a branded mobile app option if you're seeking a personalized experience.
Teachable offers a mobile app currently available only for iOS devices to view and complete lectures and courses on their iPhones or iPads.
However, the app does not support Android devices at this time. It also doesn’t allow for in-app purchases, content management, or interaction with students.
Support and Resources
Thinkific offers email and live chat support on all paid plans, with priority support available on higher tiers. While responsive, live chat availability depends on the user’s subscription level, and basic users may face longer wait times.
It also maintains an extensive Help Center with articles, tutorials, and guides covering various aspects of course creation and platform utilization. Additionally, users can engage with peers through the Thinkific community forum.
Teachable provides live chat support starting on the Pro Plan, alongside email support for all plans. Like Thinkific, access to faster and more personalized support is tied to higher-tier plans.
It has a Help Center featuring a wide range of resources, including articles and tutorials to assist users in navigating the platform. While Teachable provides support resources, its community engagement features are less prominent, unlike Thinkific.
Pricing and Plans
Pricing plays a major role in deciding which platform is the better choice. Both Thinkific and Teachable offer various plans tailored to different needs, but their pricing structures and features differ. Here’s how they compare.
Thinkific provides a range of plans tailored to different stages of business growth and does not charge transaction fees on any of its plans.
- Basic: $49/month with a custom domain, live chat support, and unlimited student courses
- Start: $99/month with live lessons, memberships, payment plans, and advanced course tools
- Grow: $199/month with bulk enrollments, API access, and white-label apps
- Thinkific Plus: Custom pricing for enterprise solutions, including unlimited administrators and dedicated support
Teachable also offers several pricing tiers but imposes a 5% transaction fee on sales. But its higher-tier plans eliminate these fees.
- Basic: $69/month with email marketing, community building, and up to 5 products. Includes a 5% transaction fee
- Pro: $159/month with advanced features like affiliate marketing, live chat support, and no transaction fees
- Pro+: $249/month with all Pro features, up to 200 products, and custom user roles.
- Enterprise: Custom pricing for large businesses with premium support, migration assistance, and a dedicated manager
Teachable's plans have limits on the number of products you can sell per type, whereas Thinkific offers unlimited courses across all paid plans.
Both platforms offer varying levels of support and features across their plans. It's important to assess which specific tools and assistance are essential for your business when choosing a plan.
Why is CustomerHub A Better Alternative?
CustomerHub stands out as the easiest platform for knowledge entrepreneurs to scale their expertise.
Unlike Thinkific and Teachable, CustomerHub provides unlimited memberships, courses, and digital products across all its plans. There are no transaction fees or product limits, so you can grow your business without worrying about paying more as you scale.
It offers free access for 14 days and a flat fee of just $79/month after your trial (including unlimited products, users, and multimedia).
CustomerHub’s pricing is also more accessible for those starting out compared to Teachable’s higher-tier plans while still offering the scalability Thinkific provides.
You get everything you need—simplicity, scalability, and support, with no hidden costs and transaction fees.
Which Platform Should You Choose: Thinkific or Teachable?
Your choice depends on your level of experience, goals, and specific business needs. Here's a breakdown of who each platform is best suited for:
Best Platform for Beginners
Thinkific is regarded as the best platform for beginners due to its intuitive design and pre-built templates. With built-in marketing tools and a quick setup process, you can focus on creating content without being overwhelmed by technical complexities.
CustomerHub as a Better Alternative for Beginners
For beginners who want a fast, hassle-free setup and the ability to grow without limitations, CustomerHub is a better choice.
With its plug-and-play setup, even new creators can launch memberships, courses, and digital products without dealing with complex features or integrations.
Best Platform for Established Course Creators
Thinkific is the ideal choice for experienced creators who need advanced customization and scalability. Its features, including API access, white-label options, and advanced admin controls, allow you to build unique course experiences.
CustomerHub as a Simpler Option for Experienced Creators
Experienced creators who want scalability without the technical headaches will find CustomerHub to be a powerful alternative.
It combines ease of use with powerful features, offering unlimited memberships, seamless integrations, and built-in engagement tools.
Best Platform for Entrepreneurs with Specific Needs
Teachable provides native coaching features for one-on-one or group sessions. Meanwhile, Thinkific’s integration with tools like Zoom offers more flexibility for live or hybrid setups.
While Thinkific offers features like bulk enrollments and white-label options for managing memberships, it requires integrations for engagement tools.
Similarly, Teachable provides built-in community-building features, but its product limits and transaction fees can hinder long-term growth for scaling businesses.
CustomerHub’s Unlimited Memberships and Community Tools
If you're scaling memberships or basic online communities, CustomerHub is the standout platform. Its centralized product delivery makes managing memberships simple.
The private customer feed allows you to engage members, share updates, and boost retention within the platform.
Why is CustomerHub Better Than Thinkific and Teachable?
CustomerHub takes the lead as the superior platform for coaches, consultants, and course creators by prioritizing simplicity, scalability, and an unparalleled focus on supporting knowledge entrepreneurs. Here’s what sets CustomerHub apart:
Plug-and-Play Simplicity
Thinkific and Teachable may require a steeper learning curve or assembling various integrations to get started. CustomerHub eliminates these hurdles with its effortless plug-and-play functionality.
You can launch memberships, courses, and digital products in record time, with no technical skills required. This process saves time and lets you focus on sharing your expertise and growing your business.
Scalability Without Complexity
While Thinkific and Teachable are popular for course creation, both come with limitations that can hinder growth:
- Thinkific requires advanced customization for scaling, which can be overwhelming for creators without technical expertise
- Teachable imposes product limits on lower-tier plans and charges a 5% transaction fee that eats into your profits as you grow
CustomerHub, by contrast, removes these roadblocks by offering unlimited course and membership capabilities, no hidden fees, and no product restrictions.
Built-In Seamless Integrations
CustomerHub lets you connect with a wide array of applications to improve your platform's functionality.
Through its pre-built Zapier connector, it integrates over 7,000 apps, including email platforms, CRMs, and payment processors. This setup promotes efficient workflow automation without the need for complex configurations or additional software.
In comparison, platforms like Thinkific and Teachable also support integrations but often rely on third-party tools for advanced features.
Thinkific offers a variety of integrations through its app store, including connections with email marketing services and analytics tools. Teachable provides essential integrations, though its range may be more limited compared to Thinkific.
Private Customer Feed for Engagement
A unique standout feature of CustomerHub is its private customer feed, which allows you to share updates, announcements, and content with members.
Its guided onboarding journeys, prerequisites, and progress tracking also create a tailored experience for each student.
These features eliminate the need for extra plugins or third-party solutions, which are often required with Thinkific or Teachable to achieve the same level of engagement.
No Transaction Fees = Higher Profits
Teachable’s Basic Plan charges a 5% transaction fee, cutting into your revenue as your business grows. CustomerHub, however, charges no transaction fees, so you keep 100% of your profits.
Exceptional Personalized Support
CustomerHub goes the extra mile with its customer-first approach to support. It offers unlimited chat support, a comprehensive help center, and even Done-for-You services to help with onboarding, setup, or platform migration.
Thinkific and Teachable provide decent support, but personalized assistance like DFY onboarding is usually reserved for enterprise-level plans. With CustomerHub, even first-time creators receive high-touch support for optimal success.
With no tech headaches, no transaction fees, and unmatched support, CustomerHub delivers everything you need to turn your expertise into a thriving business.
Simplify Your Setup, Maximize Your Potential—Choose CustomerHub!
Thinkific and Teachable both have their strengths, but why settle for compromises? CustomerHub offers the perfect solution by combining simplicity, scalability, and functionality all in one user-friendly platform.
Whether you’re a coach, consultant, or course creator, CustomerHub makes it easier than ever to turn your knowledge into a thriving online business without technical setup or hidden fees.
CustomerHub is designed to save you time while maximizing your growth potential. With unlimited course capabilities, a plug-and-play setup, and built-in tools for engagement, it eliminates the hurdles that slow you down on other platforms.
Plus, with no transaction fees, every dollar you earn stays in your pocket, so you can grow your business with confidence.
Don’t get stuck juggling integrations or paying for features you don’t need. CustomerHub offers a simpler, smarter way to scale your expertise.
Sign up for a free trial today and see why it’s the go-to platform for every creator!
FAQs About Thinkific vs Teachable
Why is Thinkific better than Teachable?
Thinkific is better for creators who want more control over their courses and no transaction fees.
Unlike Teachable, Thinkific doesn’t charge transaction fees on any of its plans, making it a cost-effective choice for scaling businesses. It also provides advanced customization options for course design, allowing creators to fully align their courses with their brand.
Also, Thinkific offers tools like private or hidden courses, customizable certificates of completion, and community-building features such as discussion forums that Teachable lacks or limits to higher-tier plans.
What platform is better than Teachable?
While Teachable is a strong platform, alternatives like Thinkific and CustomerHub may be better depending on your needs. Thinkific offers more customization options, doesn’t impose transaction fees, and supports unlimited course creation, even on its free plan.
CustomerHub is another excellent alternative for creators looking for plug-and-play simplicity, scalability, and unique features like a private customer feed for member engagement.
Can you do live classes on Thinkific?
Yes, Thinkific allows you to host live classes by integrating with tools like Zoom or other video conferencing platforms. This feature lets creators conduct live webinars, coaching sessions, or workshops as part of their course offerings.
The integration is seamless and enables live sessions to complement pre-recorded content, providing a more dynamic and interactive learning experience for students. While live classes require integration, Thinkific’s flexibility makes it easy to incorporate into your courses.
How much does Thinkific cost per month?
Thinkific offers four pricing tiers to fit different budgets and needs:
- Basic: $49/month with custom domain, live chat support, and unlimited student enrollments
- Start: $99/month with live lessons, memberships, payment plans, and advanced course creation tools
- Grow: $199/month with bulk enrollments, API access, and white-label options for branding
- Thinkific Plus: Designed for enterprise users, featuring unlimited administrators and dedicated support.
