Teachable vs Thinkific
Teachable and Thinkific are two of the most popular platforms for selling online courses, and they overlap heavily. Both offer limited free plans and beginner-friendly course builders, so the difference comes down to fees and feel. Here's how they compare for a creator deciding where to launch.
Quick answer
Thinkific stands out for not charging a platform cut on your sales even on lower tiers, while Teachable can add transaction fees until you upgrade, though its course-building and checkout feel especially polished. Both are beginner-friendly with limited free plans. If you'd rather keep 100% of every sale and sell more than just courses, OneSol is a free all-in-one alternative built around a single link.
Teachable vs Thinkific at a glance
| Feature | Teachable | Thinkific |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Free (limited) | Free (limited) |
| Sell courses & coaching | Yes | Yes |
| Platform cut on sales | Fees on lower plans | No platform cut |
| Payments to your account | Stripe / PayPal | Stripe / PayPal |
| Digital downloads | Yes | Yes |
| Email marketing built in | Basic | Basic / add-on |
| Ease of use | Simple | Simple |
| Pricing | Paid plans | Paid plans |
Competitor features and pricing can change — check their current plans before deciding.
1. Who Teachable is best for
Teachable is a good fit for creators who value a polished student and checkout experience and want to get a course live fast. The catch is transaction fees on its free and lower-tier plans, which take a slice of each sale until you upgrade.
2. Who Thinkific is best for
Thinkific suits creators who want to keep more of their revenue, since it doesn't charge a platform cut even on lower tiers. Its course-building tools are flexible, though its email and marketing features are lighter and may need add-ons.
3. The cost that's easy to miss
With Teachable, the easy-to-miss cost is transaction fees on cheaper plans; with Thinkific, it's paying extra for advanced marketing and email as add-ons. Both charge a fixed monthly fee whether or not you make sales.
The verdict
Thinkific keeps more of your money on lower tiers; Teachable delivers a slightly more polished course experience. If keeping every dollar matters, OneSol sells, books and gets you paid from one free link, sending 100% of your sales straight to your own Stripe account.
FAQ
Which charges lower fees, Teachable or Thinkific?
Thinkific generally avoids platform transaction fees across its plans, while Teachable adds them on lower tiers until you upgrade. Compare total cost at your expected sales volume, not just the monthly price.
Do both have free plans?
Yes, both Teachable and Thinkific offer limited free plans, which makes them a low-risk way to test your course idea before paying for a subscription.
Which is easier for beginners?
Both are beginner-friendly. Teachable's checkout and student experience feel especially polished, while Thinkific's course builder is flexible, so pick based on which feels more natural to you.
Is there a free alternative that keeps all my sales?
Yes. OneSol is a free all-in-one platform where you sell courses, downloads, tickets and bookings from one link, with payments going straight to your own Stripe account and 100% of sales kept.