7 Best Online Course Creation Platforms in 2024 | Teachable vs. Thinkific vs. Kajabi vs. Podia

Summary

This video script offers an in-depth review of top course creation platforms, highlighting the differences between course creation platforms and marketplaces, and between all-in-one and specialist platforms. It provides updated insights on platforms like Teachable, Thinkific, Thrive Cart, and others, discussing their features, pricing, and suitability for various business needs. The script aims to guide online course creators in choosing the right platform for sustainable and scalable revenue.

Takeaways

• 📚 The importance of choosing the right course creation platform for online selling is emphasized, with a distinction made between course creation platforms and course marketplaces like Udemy and Skillshare.
• 🏬 A course marketplace offers exposure but limits earning potential due to commission structures, whereas a course creation platform allows selling directly and owning customer data for future marketing.
• 🔍 The difference between all-in-one platforms, which offer a suite of features for running an online business, and specialist platforms, which focus on course creation and student experience, is highlighted.
• 🛠️ All-in-one platforms are recommended for those seeking simplicity and a single solution, while specialist platforms are better for those who already have other tools or require more customization.
• 👍 Teachable is praised for its curriculum builder and payment processing but criticized for recent price increases and decreased functionality.
• 🌟 Thinkific is noted for its lesson types, including assignments and surveys, and its switch to a one-step checkout process, enhancing the buying experience.
• 🛒 ThriveCart is recognized for its customizable checkout platform and its introduction of ThriveCart Learn for course creation, though it requires external video hosting.
• 🔑 Circle is identified as user-friendly and suitable for community-focused courses, with mobile apps and interactive features, but may not be ideal for those seeking passive income without community involvement.
• 🎯 Kajabi stands out as an all-in-one platform offering a wide range of features including website creation, blogging, and community building, with a focus on simplicity and an established ecosystem.
• 💰 Podia is presented as a budget-friendly all-in-one option with a minimalist design, suitable for those valuing simplicity but possibly limiting for those needing advanced features.
• 📈 System is highlighted as the best budget course creation platform with a free plan, offering a lot of features but currently lacking in customization options.

Q & A

What is the main difference between a course creation platform and a course marketplace?

A course creation platform is a digital tool used to build and sell online courses directly through your business, while a course marketplace is a website where you can contribute courses to a catalog that includes other instructors. Marketplaces offer exposure but limit your earning potential due to their commission payout structure.

Why is it important to own your content when selling courses online?

Owning your content allows you to maintain full control over your intellectual property and gives you the freedom to market and sell your courses without being restricted by a marketplace's commission structure or rules.

What are the three essential features Melissa looks for in an all-in-one course creation platform?

The three essential features Melissa looks for are website creation, email marketing, and digital product creation, which includes the ability to create and sell online courses.

What is the advantage of using a specialist course creation platform over an all-in-one platform?

A specialist course creation platform excels at course creation, student experience, payment processing, and product delivery, allowing you to choose other specialist tools to complete a tech stack that suits your specific needs.

What are some of the pros and cons of using Teachable as a course creation platform?

Pros include an easy-to-use curriculum builder and strong payment processing. Cons are limited analytics dashboards, fewer customization options in the sales page builder, and recent price increases with decreased functionality in their plans.

How does Thinkific's course creation process differ from Teachable's?

Thinkific offers a few lesson types that not all platforms offer, including assignments, surveys, and more customizable quizzes. It also switched to a one-step checkout flow, which reduces friction in the buying process.

What is unique about ThriveCart's approach to course creation?

ThriveCart initially started as a checkout platform and later introduced a course creation feature called ThriveCart Learn, allowing users to create and sell courses entirely within the ThriveCart platform.

Why might Circle be a good choice for online course creators?

Circle is great for business owners interested in selling memberships or courses with virtual elements or community, as it offers community spaces and is highly user-friendly for both business owners and members.

What are the key advantages of using Kajabi as an all-in-one platform?

Kajabi allows you to sell online courses and digital products, create a full website, publish a blog or podcast, run a community, sell services, and build your email list all in one place, making it a comprehensive solution for online business owners.

How does Podia compare to Kajabi in terms of pricing and features?

Podia is more budget-friendly than Kajabi and offers a simplified, minimalist platform for creating courses and selling digital products. However, it might lack advanced customization and features compared to Kajabi.