5 Best Teachable Alternatives for Creators to Monetize Their Expertise

Turning your valuable knowledge into a profitable venture is a dream for many entrepreneurs, educators, and creators. If you've been on the lookout for the right platform to help you share your expertise, Teachable might be a couple of first names to pop up. Known for its comprehensive toolset that aids in creating and selling learning products, Teachable aims to provide a seamless experience for creators.

However, it's not always the ideal solution for everyone. Whether it's the steep pricing, misaligned features with your business model, or a less-than-intuitive interface, you might find yourself looking for a better fit.

Here's the good news: there are plenty of other creator platforms out there that can cater to your unique needs. The bad news? The sheer number of options can be overwhelming, making it difficult to choose the best one.

That’s where we come in. We've done the heavy lifting for you by researching and comparing various platforms. If you're seeking alternatives to Teachable to effectively monetize your expertise, you're in the right place. We've curated a list of the top five Teachable alternatives to help you navigate your options without the headache.

Let's dive in.

Why You Might Need a Teachable Alternative?

Teachable is an established platform tailored for creators looking to sell online courses and coaching sessions. Ideal for creators aiming to share their knowledge, Teachable offers an intuitive interface, a seamless no-code course builder, and various flexible pricing plans to suit different needs. It provides options to sell ebooks, set up workshops, and even integrate services like email marketing and payment processors. It's a comprehensive platform that's particularly user-friendly for those just starting out in the world of online course creation.

However, Teachable isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. The platform, while easy to use, is limited in its customization options and the types of products you can offer. Advanced functionalities like email marketing, website building, and memberships and analytics tracking often require third-party integrations. These limitations could be a significant drawback for creators seeking more robust features.

Moreover, Teachable’s pricing and transaction fees can become costly, especially as you scale. While the Free plan allows you to start without any upfront cost, it comes with a $1 + 10% transaction fee per sale. The Basic plan, priced at $59 per month, reduces the transaction fee to 5% but still, limits you to only 5 published products of each type. For those needing more advanced capabilities and fewer limitations, the Pro plan at $159 per month or the Pro+ plan at $249 per month might be considered, but these higher costs could be a barrier.

Pros of Teachable:

User-Friendly Course Creation: Teachable's no-code course builder is designed for beginners, enabling you to create and publish your first course without any technical expertise. For example, a cooking instructor can quickly set up a cooking masterclass without writing a single line of code.
Quick Monetization Capabilities: One advantage of Teachable is its integrated e-commerce capabilities, including built-in payment processing. This allows creators to quickly monetize their courses without needing to delve into coding or new software, focusing instead on their expertise and course content.
Affiliate Management: Teachable has a robust affiliate management system and a student referral feature, making it easy to track and manage referrals. For example, if you collaborate with influencers or other partners, or encourage your students to refer others, this system helps you monitor their impact on your sales and compensates them accordingly.

Teachable Pricing Breakdown:

Free Plan: $0/month; ideal for those who want to try it out and start earning before they pay.
Basic Plan: $59/month; designed for those who are ready to start building their business with foundational tools.
Pro Plan: $159/month; perfect for those looking to scale their business with advanced tools and support.
Pro+ Plan: $249/month; suited for fast-growing businesses requiring more products and custom user roles.
Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing; ideal for large-scale operations needing premium support.

Cons of Teachable:

Charges Revenue Share: Teachable imposes transaction fees on its lower-tier plans. It can cut into the profits of new small-scale creators. For example, the Free plan charges a $1 + 10% transaction fee per sale. And even the Basic Plan at $59 per month has a 5% transaction fee.
No Mobile Application: Teachable does not provide a mobile app, which limits accessibility for students on the go. Imagine a student wanting to learn a new language during their commute—Teachable's lack of a mobile app makes this inconvenient.
No Native Support for Live Cohorts & Webinars: Teachable does not offer built-in live classes or webinars. Creators need to use external tools or integrations for these features. For a business coach wanting to conduct live Q&A sessions, this means additional costs and potential disruptions in the user experience.
Poor Customer Support: Personalized assistance with Teachable is limited, especially on lower-tier plans. Creators facing technical issues might spend a lot of time troubleshooting on their own.
Email Marketing Limitations: Teachable provides basic email marketing capabilities, but to fully manage and nurture your email list, you’ll need to integrate third-party tools like Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign.
Course and Product Limitations: With Teachable’s tiered pricing plans, the number of published products is limited. For example, the Basic Plan allows for only five published products of each type, and even the Pro Plan caps it at 50. This constraint can hinder creators looking to expand their offerings without facing higher exorbitant costs.
Advanced Features Require Higher-Tier Plans: To access more advanced features like unlimited membership tiers, affiliate marketing, and public API access, creators must subscribe to the higher-tier Pro ($159/month) or Pro+ ($249/month) plans. This requirement can become costly for those needing these advanced functionalities.

5 Best Teachable Alternatives for Creators.

Now that we've discussed some of the reasons Teachable might not meet all your needs, let's look at some alternatives that could be a better fit for you.

Graphy

Graphy is an all-in-one course creation platform tailored for creators seeking to monetize their expertise. Whether you're an educator, coach, or artist, Graphy allows you to focus on content creation while it handles the technical complexities. It supports a variety of content delivery methods, including live classes and webinars, and stands out with robust community-building and affiliate management features. Additionally, native marketing tools further aid in audience growth and effective monetization.

Pros of Graphy:

Affordable Pricing: Graphy’s pricing plans are notably more affordable compared to Teachable. The Launch plan starts at $49 per month, providing a cost-effective solution for beginners. For $99 per month with Graphy’s Rise plan, you can create unlimited products, get both Android and iOS apps, and host up to 500 webinar participants. This cost-effective model makes Graphy a more budget-friendly choice for creators aiming to maximize their offerings without straining their finances.
Unlimited Products: Even with Graphy’s Launch plan at $49 per month, creators can produce and manage an unlimited number of courses and products. On Teachable, the Basic plan at $59 per month still limits you to 5 published products of each type. Imagine if you’re an artist, educator, or business coach wanting to launch multiple courses, workshops, or supplementary materials—you can do so freely on Graphy without worrying about plan constraints.
Mobile Application Included: Included in both its Rise ($99/month) and Scale ($249/month) plans, Graphy offers mobile apps at no additional cost. This makes it easier for your learners to access content on-the-go, enhancing their experience without you incurring additional expenses. For instance, fitness trainers can share workout videos instantly, ensuring that their audience stays engaged regardless of location.
Built-in Live Classes and Webinars: Unlike Teachable, which lacks native support for live classes or webinars, Graphy provides these features directly within the platform. Suppose you’re a business coach running interactive workshops or Q&A sessions—you can seamlessly engage with your audience in real time. Avoiding the need for third-party tools reduces costs and simplifies the user experience, making it easier for you and your participants to stay connected.
Content Security with Digital Rights Management (DRM): Graphy ensures the utmost security for your valuable content with built-in DRM features, a level of protection Teachable lacks. As a creator sharing exclusive materials like premium coaching videos or proprietary e-books, knowing your content is safeguarded against unauthorized access or distribution gives peace of mind.
Dedicated Support: Graphy offers dedicated customer support even in its most affordable Launch plan. In contrast, Teachable’s personalized assistance is limited, especially on lower-tier plans. Having immediate access to expert assistance is crucial, especially for new creators. Imagine having technical support at your fingertips, easing the process of delivering a smooth learning experience for your users without needing to upgrade to a costly higher-tier plan.
Unlimited Webinars: Graphy allows you to conduct unlimited webinars across all plans. Whether hosting guest speakers, running workshops, or facilitating collaborative sessions, this flexibility ensures effective audience engagement without additional costs. For instance, regularly hosting interactive webinars can significantly enhance learner engagement and build a strong community.
Integrated Marketing Tools: Graphy equips you with built-in marketing tools to grow your audience and boost course sales effortlessly. Unlike Teachable, where essential marketing features might require third-party tools, Graphy offers a comprehensive toolkit including email campaigns and social media promotions right from the start. This holistic approach makes it easier to attract and retain students, driving growth and engagement.
Robust Community Options: Graphy excels in community-building features, allowing for the creation of student forums and niche communities directly on the platform. This integrated approach fosters deeper connections among learners and enhances their overall educational journey.
Country-Specific Pricing: Graphy allows creators to set different pricing for various countries, catering to local market conditions and purchasing power. This flexibility ensures your courses are competitively priced in each region, maximizing accessibility and potential sales. Imagine the freedom of offering your content at reasonable rates worldwide, thus attracting a more diverse audience.
Graphy Assist: Graphy Assist leverages AI to streamline content creation and marketing efforts, boosting sales at no extra cost. Features like SEO automation, social proof through "Footfall Insights," cart abandonment reminders, and landing page promotions transform your platform into a conversion powerhouse. For example, showcasing real-time enrolment notifications or sending automated reminders to potential customers can significantly increase your conversion rates. These AI-driven strategies ensure you attract and retain more learners, driving growth efficiently and effectively.

These features collectively ensure that you attract more learners and retain them, boosting your overall revenue and growth—at no additional cost.

Cons of Graphy:

Limited Podcasting Tools: Graphy currently lacks a dedicated podcasting tool. While creators can upload audio files as courses to mimic a podcast experience, it may not offer specific analytics or subscription options that traditional podcast platforms provide. This limitation can be a drawback for those whose primary focus is podcasting.
Challenges with One-on-One Interactions: Graphy does not currently feature built-in tools for personalized consultations. While live classes can serve as a workaround, they are not ideal for frequent one-on-one sessions that require dedicated scheduling and management.
Managing Multiple Schools: Graphy doesn't support managing multiple online schools under a single account. This can hinder creators who wish to have separate branding and community spaces for different topics or audiences, potentially requiring external solutions to manage multiple schools.

Kajabi

Kajabi is a comprehensive course creation platform designed to help creators monetize their content effectively. Renowned for its all-in-one solution, Kajabi offers various functionalities like online courses, memberships, website management, emails, and analytics under one roof. This versatility makes Kajabi a top-tier choice for educators, coaches, and entrepreneurs.

Pros of Kajabi:

All-in-One Platform: Kajabi amalgamates multiple functionalities, allowing you to manage your courses, memberships, websites, emails, analytics, and payment processing in a single dashboard. This helps in reducing overhead costs by eliminating the need for multiple third-party tools.
Automated Sales Funnels: Kajabi’s automated sales funnel features streamline your sales process by nurturing leads and converting them into paying customers. This makes it efficient to manage marketing activities.
Zero Transaction Fees: Kajabi doesn't charge transaction fees on any plans, letting you retain a larger portion of your earnings. This is particularly beneficial for high-volume sellers.
Optimized Landing Pages and Checkout: With Kajabi, you get optimized landing pages and a streamlined checkout process, enhancing user experience and boosting conversion rates.
Content Monetization Flexibility: Kajabi allows the monetization of various content types, such as online courses, podcasts, and memberships. This flexibility suits multi-faceted creators looking to diversify their offerings.

Cons of Kajabi:

High Subscription Costs: Kajabi’s plans are pricey, especially for new creators. The Basic Plan is $149/month but limits you to three products and three funnels. Essential features are often only available in higher-tier plans, making it tough for beginners.
Pricey Mobile Apps: Kajabi charges an extra $199/month for its mobile app. For educators wanting to offer mobile access to their content, this significant additional cost can strain your budget.
Content Security Challenges: Kajabi lacks advanced security features like data encryption and DRM. If your courses include premium or exclusive content, this vulnerability to unauthorized access can be a major concern.
No Built-In Live Classes/Webinars: Kajabi doesn’t support native live classes or webinars. You’ll need to integrate third-party tools like Zoom, which involves extra costs and a more complicated setup.
Poor Customer Support: The lower-tier plans lack dedicated customer support. The $149/month Basic Plan doesn’t offer 24/7 assistance, which is available only in the Growth Plan ($199/month) and Pro Plan ($399/month). This can result in extended problem-solving times.
Disjointed Course Community Integration: Kajabi’s "Community 2.0" requires separate logins and apps for course and community access. This disjointed integration complicates the experience for users wanting seamless access.
Two Separate Apps: Kajabi uses two apps: one for courses and another for community interactions. This requires two logins and downloads, complicating the user experience for both creators and followers.
Customization Complexities: While Kajabi offers extensive customization, it’s not always user-friendly. Tailoring features to your specific needs may require technical expertise, making it less straightforward than other platforms.

Thinkific

Thinkific stands out as an all-in-one course creation platform offering robust tools for educators, coaches, and entrepreneurs to create, market, and sell their online courses.

Pros of Thinkific:

Website Builder: Thinkific streamlines the process of setting up your course website with its intuitive drag-and-drop website builder. This user-friendly tool makes it easier for creators to get started without needing any technical skills.
Thinkific Plus: Tailored for larger enterprises, Thinkific Plus serves as a powerful learning management system, catering to organizations seeking comprehensive solutions for their training programs.
Payment Options and Monetization Flexibility: Thinkific offers multiple payment methods, including monthly payments and recurring subscriptions. This flexibility enables you to monetize your content effectively with payment plans that cater to your audience’s preferences.
Free Plan with No Transaction Fees: Thinkific offers a Free plan like Teachable that lets users explore the platform and launch a single course without incurring any transaction fees—a great option for new creators who want to try out the platform’s features.

Cons of Thinkific:

Limited Digital Products: Thinkific’s basic plans impose restrictions on the number of digital downloads. For example, the Basic Plan at $49 per month limits users to just 5 digital downloads, which can curb your ability to diversify offerings. To access more extensive options, you need to upgrade to higher-priced plans.
Mobile App Cost: Thinkific offers a mobile app at an extra cost of $199 per month. This additional expense can be a burden, particularly if you want to provide on-the-go access for your students.
No Built-in Live Classes or Webinars: Thinkific lacks native support for live classes or webinars, necessitating third-party integrations that may disrupt the user experience and elevate overall costs.
Lack of Dedicated Support: Thinkific provides dedicated customer support solely for Thinkific Plus plan users, which involves custom pricing. Lower-tier plans do not include this level of support, posing a hurdle for new creators needing timely assistance.
Limited Customization and Add-on Apps: While Thinkific meets basic needs, more advanced customizations often require additional apps, each adding to the cost. This can quickly accumulate, unlike platforms that offer these features within higher tiers at a single price.\

LearnWorlds

LearnWorlds is a dynamic course creation platform specifically designed to enhance student engagement through its array of interactive features. With the ability to sell unlimited courses and flexible payment options, it serves as a robust alternative for instructors and educators looking to diversify their revenue streams.

Pros of LearnWorlds:

Interactive Video Elements: LearnWorlds offers unique interactive features, which improve student involvement. For example, a cooking instructor can add clickable recipe overlays or quizzes directly within the video. This kind of interactivity can significantly enhance learner engagement and retention.
Annotation Tools: Creators can annotate videos, simplifying complex topics. For instance, a coding instructor can demystify intricate code snippets with clear, in-video annotations.
No Transaction Fees: Unlike some platforms that withhold a percentage of your earnings, LearnWorlds does not charge transaction fees. This allows educators to take home a higher portion of their revenue.
Accessibility Features: LearnWorlds provides automatic subtitles and transcripts, enhancing course accessibility and comprehension. This feature is especially beneficial for non-native speakers and those with hearing impairments.

Cons of LearnWorlds:

Additional Cost for Mobile App: LearnWorlds offers a mobile app but requires an extra payment. For example, a life coach aiming to provide accessible content on-the-go may find this added expense restrictive
Limited Support Options: Support is limited to email, which may not be sufficient for urgent issues. In comparison, Teachable offers more comprehensive support options, including live chat and phone support.
Content Security Gaps: Similar to other platforms, LearnWorlds lacks advanced content security features such as data encryption and Digital Rights Management (DRM). This can be a drawback for educators providing premium or proprietary content.

Podia

Podia is an accessible platform tailored for creators to sell online courses, memberships, digital downloads, and webinars. Although it may lack some of the advanced features found in Teachable, it is particularly attractive for beginners due to its ease of use and affordability.

Live Engagement with Zoom Webinars (Optional Purchase): Podia allows creators to integrate Zoom for webinars, enhancing real-time engagement. This optional feature is valuable for creators looking to conduct live sessions, similar to Teachable's offering but with an add-on cost.
Marketing Tools (At Premium Plans): In its premium plans, Podia includes marketing tools such as email campaigns, landing pages, and conversion tracking. These tools help expand audience reach and increase sales, akin to the features provided by Teachable in its higher-tier plans.
No Transaction Fees: Podia's policy of not charging transaction fees on sales is appealing to creators who want to maximize their revenue. This is particularly beneficial for high-volume sellers who wish to retain more of their earnings.

Cons of Podia:

Revenue Share Charges: Podia takes a share of your revenue, which may result in lower overall earnings. This can be a drawback for new creators, such as artists selling digital content, as it could significantly cut into their profits.
Additional Cost for Zoom Webinars: The Zoom webinar integration requires an extra purchase, increasing the overall cost. For creators such as fitness instructors who need live workout sessions, this could be a financial strain.
Marketing Tools and Affiliate Marketing (Premium Plans Only): Essential features like marketing and affiliate tools are only available in Podia’s premium plans ($39/month and $89/month). In comparison, Teachable offers similar tools in its higher-tier plans but may provide a more integrated experience.
Chat Support Only: Podia's support is limited to chat. For urgent or complicated issues, this might be less effective compared to Teachable, which offers more extensive support options in its premium plans.
No Mobile Application: Podia does not offer a mobile app, limiting access for students who prefer to learn on the go. This is a notable disadvantage compared to Teachable, which provides mobile app access for enhanced learner convenience.

Teachable V/s Kajabi V/s Graphy V/s Thinkific V/s Learnworlds V/s Podia

Way Forward

We hope this detailed list has offered you valuable insights into some top alternatives to Teachable. Each platform discussed provides unique advantages, catering to varying needs and preferences. While Teachable is well-known for its ease of use and solid feature set, it's crucial to weigh its pricing and limitations against what other platforms offer.

As you consider these options, take the time to evaluate the unique features and services of each platform in relation to your specific needs and budget. Whether you're looking for interactive course features, advanced marketing tools, or cost-efficiency, your choice should align with your individual requirements.

Remember, the objective is to find a platform that best fits your vision and helps you effectively monetize your expertise. Kajabi, for example, is an excellent option with its comprehensive and robust features, but it does come at a higher price point. Alternatively, Graphy excels with its affordability, extensive feature set, and user-friendly interface, making it a superior choice for creators seeking a reliable yet budget-friendly solution.

Take advantage of free trials, explore the features thoroughly, and make an informed decision that will support your journey in the online course creation space. Here’s to finding the perfect platform to help you achieve your goals and grow your business seamlessly.

5 Best Teachable Alternatives for Creators to Monetize Their Expertise