Two of the Biggest Names in Online Course Platforms
If you're building an online course business, Teachable and Kajabi will almost certainly come up in your research. Both are legitimate, well-established platforms — but they're built for somewhat different users. This comparison breaks down the real differences so you can make a decision based on your actual needs, not marketing copy.
The Core Difference in a Sentence
Teachable is a focused course platform that's relatively affordable and straightforward. Kajabi is an all-in-one business platform that includes courses, but also email marketing, website building, pipelines, communities, and more — at a higher price point.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Teachable | Kajabi |
|---|---|---|
| Course hosting | Yes | Yes |
| Email marketing | Basic (broadcasts only) | Full automation included |
| Website builder | Basic sales pages | Full website builder |
| Community features | Limited | Built-in community |
| Affiliate management | Yes (paid plans) | Yes |
| Transaction fees | Yes on lower plans | None |
| Starting price (approx.) | Lower tier available | Higher starting price |
When Teachable Makes Sense
- You're launching your first course and want a simple, focused tool
- You already use an external email marketing platform (Mailchimp, ConvertKit, etc.)
- You have a limited budget and don't need all-in-one features yet
- You want to get to market quickly without a steep learning curve
When Kajabi Makes Sense
- You want to consolidate your tech stack into one platform
- You plan to build a membership community alongside your courses
- You want built-in email automations, funnels, and landing pages
- You're at a revenue stage where the higher monthly cost is justified
What Both Platforms Do Well
Both Teachable and Kajabi offer solid video hosting, student progress tracking, quiz and completion certificate features, and payment processing through Stripe and PayPal. Neither requires technical skills to get a course live. Support quality is reasonable on both platforms, and both have active user communities and documentation.
The Hidden Cost of "Cheaper" Options
Teachable's lower-tier plans include transaction fees on sales. At scale, these can add up. Kajabi has no transaction fees but charges more monthly. Run the numbers based on your expected revenue — at a certain sales volume, Kajabi's higher monthly fee can actually be the more cost-effective option.
Our Take
Start with Teachable if you're early-stage and cost-conscious. Move to (or start with) Kajabi if you want a complete business ecosystem and are ready to invest in a platform you won't outgrow quickly. Either way, the platform matters far less than the quality of your course content and your ability to market it.