7 Best Kajabi Alternatives – More Affordable Options

Kajabi as an Online Course Platform

You already know by now that Kajabi is one of the most recommended and popular online course platforms. It boasts of an easy-to-use interface that lets you organize and enrich your courses.

Many learners and teachers continue to choose Kajabi because it delivers high-quality creation features. And you don’t have to be an expert to use it.

It has essential features like email marketing tools, affiliate marketing capabilities, and sales funnels that help you grow your digital business to its fullest potential.

However, nothing is perfect. Kajabi, in all its greatness, still is no exception to a few flaws.

For one, it’s one of the priciest online course platforms available today. And because of that, many people would prefer to subscribe to a more affordable option.

Below, we list the 7 best Kajabi alternatives that are just as good, if not even better.

7 Best Kajabi Alternatives

If Kajabi isn’t the one for you, then go ahead and take your pick from this curated list of the best Kajabi alternatives that we highly recommend.

1. Teachable

If you’ve read our past articles, then you know that we tend to mention Teachable whenever Kajabi comes up. (We even have a Kajabi vs. Teachable article, if you’re interested in an in-depth comparison.)

But if you haven’t yet, then here’s the gist: What makes Teachable a worthy alternative to Kajabi is its many similarities to it in terms of interface and sales features.

Similar to Kajabi, Thinkific boasts of an extremely user-friendly interface. Even those without prior experience in web design and course creation can follow along.

Upon signing up, you’ll get to access a variety of customizable elements that you can add to your site. These will help set up your courses and give a uniform branding to your lessons.

Like Kajabi, you can upload different files and media types to serve as supplemental materials for your modules. Whether they’re video files, audio files, or PDFs, Teachable has you covered.

Plus, you can choose from different sales page templates to improve your conversion rates. These will help entice more students to subscribe to your courses and purchase digital products.

And once you’re all set up with your courses, you’ll easily be able to track your sales in real-time.

You can even create sales funnels on Teachable using the sales funnel builder. That way, you can create specific steps to follow for your sales process.

The cherry on top of Teachable’s awesome features is its security capabilities. You can add authentication codes to your user’s login details to ensure optimum security.

Teachable Pricing

As for pricing plans, Teachable has three paid plans that you can choose from, similar to Kajabi. All of them have features like:

• Unlimited video
• Unlimited courses
• Unlimited hosting
• Integrated payment processing
• Student management
• Lecture comments
• Basic quizzes
• No fees on free courses
• VAT (value-added tax) for EU

And even before you have to choose one paid plan, you’ll enjoy a free trial upon signing up for Teachable.

READ: Teachable Pricing

2. Thinkific

Thinkific is another one of the best Kajabi alternatives that we recommend. Much like Teachable, Thinkific also has a simple interface that isn’t too difficult to learn. You don’t need to be an expert to create a decent membership site.

It has a drag and drop editor that allows creators to easily add the elements they want to their site.

Pre-made templates and layouts are also available to speed up the site setup process.

For every course you create, you’ll be able to include advanced quiz elements and other important course content. Like Kajabi, you can upload different file types to enrich your lessons.

There’s also an option that lets you prepare your content offline before publishing it online. This is good news for those who are more comfortable using their own content creation software (like Microsoft Word, Typeform, etc.) before uploading content (like Microsoft Word, Typeform, etc.).

Once you’ve nailed down your course content, you’ll get to easily sell it through Thinkific’s marketing tools.

Thinkific allows for third-party app integration, as well as automated emailing. A third-party email application like MailChimp, for example, will help you send out emails that can reach new audiences.

But the catch with Thinkific is that this is only achievable via app integration. It doesn’t have its own email marketing tools as Kajabi does. It may become a challenge to find a good email tool that will suit you best.

As for the process of selling the courses, Thinkific has an online community and marketplace that includes all course creators. You can market your digital products there and buyers will, in turn, provide helpful reviews as well.

Finally, we should mention that Thinkific has the perk of being a cloud-based online course platform. Everything you create will be automatically saved onto its online database.

Thinkific Pricing

Thinkific has three paid plans that you can opt from. All of them are similar in having these features:

• Instant access to your funds
• Student notifications
• Full e-Commerce
• Upsell offers
• Easy drag and drop Course Builder
• Discussion forums
• Build out your entire website
• Secure cloud hosting
• Multiple instructor profiles
• Choose your site language
• Easy, built-in SSL certificates
• Email and phone support

Like any other course platform, Thinkific offers a free trial upon initial registration. Once that expires, you’re free to choose any paid plan you want.

And the nice thing about Thinkific is that, unlike Kajabi, it has a free plan. Yes, you heard that right. A free plan and not just a free trial!

You can choose to subscribe to a cost-free Thinkific plan for as long as you want. It will still include all the essential features you need for learning management and course creation.

READ: Thinkific Pricing Plans, Thinkific Alternatives

3. Podia

If you’re familiar with Podia, you’re probably wondering why we recommend it as a Kajabi alternative. This is since it’s more known for being a course marketplace instead of a learning management platform.

But just because it’s not as famous for being a course creation software doesn’t mean that it isn’t good enough. You’ll be happy to know that Podia is great for setting up and enriching your course content.

Upon registration, you’ll get to create sales pages for your course. This will help increase the conversion rates of your modules and digital products.

Plus, each lesson you make can be enriched with different file types. Powerpoints, audio files, and PDFs are only some of the media that you can add as supplemental materials.

Video course tutorials and paid webinars can also be hosted on the Podia platform. You can even send out coupons, bundles, and other online freebies to your subscribers using Podia’s custom settings.

And much like Kajabi, Podia supports affiliate marketing. You can promote your course to a wider set of audiences by running an affiliate program.

Podia Pricing

Unlike Kajabi, Podia only has two paid plans. What’s common to both is that they have all the basic features you need for getting set up with course creation like:

• Your own website
• Online courses
• Digital downloads
• Webinars
• Email marketing
• Messaging
• Additional teammates ($20/mo each)
• Zero transaction fees
• Unlimited everything
• 7-days-a-week support
• Free migrations

Both plans entitle you to a free trial of two months. Once that’s over, you’re free to choose which one suits you better.

The Mover plan has basic features while the Shaker plan has more advanced tools and settings that you can toggle. Of course, it’s also more expensive though.

4. Skillshare

Skillshare is an exceptional Kajabi alternative because it’s more than just your typical online course platform. It’s geared towards more creative content and lessons.

Students can choose from topics like the arts, lifestyle, and business. And what makes the lessons more special is that they’re created by professional teachers and experts.

Unlike Kajabi, which isn’t too strict about its authors, Skillshare is very particular about the course creators they let onto the platform. This is to ensure that every lesson and module is of the best quality.

Graphic designers, entrepreneurs, artists, and authors are only a few of the people that comprise of Skillshare’s course creators list. Other experts in a variety of industries have also provided content for the platform.

To name a few known personalities, there’s pattern designer Mel Armstrong, illustrator Hayden Aube, and drawing master Yoko Shimizu.

You’ll notice that the creators are mostly from creative industries and that’s why Skillshare caters more to those interested in creative topics.

All Skillshare courses are also pre-recorded. This allows for the students to go through the lessons and modules at their own pace. If you’re planning to study in between jobs, then Skillshare is a good option.

Plus, like Kajabi, it lets its users have discussions on the platform. That way, the students can ask one another about anything they might find confusing regarding a lesson. Instructors can also join in.

Finally, Skillshare has its own mobile application that learners can use. This allows for more flexible remote learning since students can study using their phones. No need to have a bulky PC or laptop all the time.

It also means that the users can sync the content they access throughout all their devices. You can start reading your module on your laptop and then continue later on with your phone.

Skillshare Pricing

Skillshare pricing is quite unique. When you first sign up for Skillshare, you get a free trial for 2 months. After that, you’ll have to avail of the premium subscription which can be billed monthly or annually.

You get to enroll in an unlimited number of classes and lessons when subscribed to Skillshare’s plans.

5. Udemy

Another highly-regarded Kajabi alternative is Udemy. Like the former, it also has a clean and simple interface that’s easy to navigate. Creating online courses and digital products is very easy when using this platform.

And apart from being an excellent course creation platform, it’s also an effective course marketplace. You can instantly market and sell your course through this membership site.

What stands out the most about its sales features is that all creators receive 97% of profits. That’s when they sell their course directly to the student.

When they sell their course via the Udemy marketplace, they gain 50% of the profit. Either way, they earn a huge chunk from everything they design on Udemy, unlike Kajabi.

For learners, Udemy is a great place to learn because they can choose from a diverse range of topics. The platform has lessons on different subjects like music, literature, and art.

Also, every penny spent enrolling in a course is worth it because you get access to it forever. There aren’t any expiration dates to the content.

Udemy is great at motivating enrolled students since it allows them to claim certificates of completion. It’s a great incentive to influence learners to finish their lessons quicker.

Lastly, all courses and modules on the platform can be taken at a student’s own pace. Each lesson can be paused and rewinded so there’s no need to feel rushed while taking a course.

Udemy Pricing

What we love the most about Udemy’s pricing is that there are absolutely no extra transaction fees or hidden charges for creators. So you can keep creating courses without paying for anything at all.

And the reason that it can stay free for all creators is because it earns profit from the courses that are sold. It takes only 3% of revenue when a creator sells something directly and 50% when something is sold in the marketplace.

6. Lifter LMS

Lifter LMS is different from all the other Kajabi alternatives in this list. That’s because it’s not a standalone online course platform but a plug-in for your site.

Unlike membership sites that you can simply register to, Lifter LMS is accessible via WordPress.com. So if your website is on WordPress, you can use this with it.

But even though it’s different, it’s still an effective learning management system. You can get started quickly on creating online courses because Lifter LMS’ interface is fairly simple to learn how to use.

Each lesson you create can be supplemented with quizzes, assessments, and assignments. Students can also receive certificates of accomplishment, as well as be able to start discussions in community forums.

Creators can even do personal coaching with their students. Lifter LMS is one of the most interactive platforms for learning online courses because of this.

And much like all the other membership sites, Lifter LMS has e-commerce capabilities that can support your online business.

You can earn revenue from selling your courses, as well as offering coupons and freebies to your subscribers.

Lifter LMS Pricing

Since it’s a WordPress plug-in, it’s free to use on all WordPress websites. All the basic features that you’ll need for creating online courses will be accessible even though it’s free.

There’s still an option to avail of more advanced features via paid plans as well. They’re known as the Universe Bundle and Infinity Bundle.

All paid plans give you these features:

• At least 5 Active Sites 
• Priority support
• Up to 2 Tech support accounts 
• Design add-ons 
• E-commerce add-ons 
• Marketing & CRM add-ons 
• Form add-ons 

7. Learnworlds

This Kajabi alternative called Learnworlds is known for giving its students an interactive learning experience.

On the platform, students can access interesting resources like interactive eBooks and video lessons.

When we say interactive, we mean that there are hyperlinks, in-video check-ups, and pop-up messages that come up in the modules.

The unique format of the online courses makes it more motivating for the students to study. It also makes the lessons easier to follow and understand.

Creators can also reward their students with badges and certificates for every task they accomplish. It’s a great feature for motivating the learners to stay focused on the lessons.

The sales page builder on the platform is also made with an easy-to-use interface.

Whether you’re a novice or an expert, it’ll be quick to come up with sales pages and landing pages for your site. You’ll easily be able to sell and market your online courses with them.

Further customization is also possible on this platform. There are pre-made templates and layouts that creators can use to beautify their landing pages and courses.

Color schemes, official fonts, and standard photo sizes are easily editable on the site.

Learnworlds also allows its users to communicate with each other through its own social network that’s right on the site. Students can talk to each other and engage in discussions without having to leave the platform.

Like Kajabi, this platform lets you sell online courses better by allowing affiliate marketing. You can partner with affiliates to promote your courses elsewhere.

And you can also create subscription and coupon bundles to entice more users to enroll in your courses.

Other similarities with Kajabi include email marketing tools and other e-commerce settings too.

Learnworlds Pricing

The 3 paid plans on Learnworlds are geared for different levels of course creation expertise. But before all that, you can avail of a free trial that lets you access all the basic features.

Learnworlds’ basic features include:

• Unlimited courses
• Video library
• Multilingual UI
• Branding & theme editor
• Ready-made templates
• Coupons, bundles, upsells
• Built-in social network
• Interactive e-books
• Quizzes, assignments, exams
• Learner analytics
• Conversion tracking

Conclusion

While we still do highly recommend Kajabi as the best online course platform, the alternatives we listed above come very close to being of the same level.

They speed up and simplify online course creation, much like all other membership sites. This makes it easy for first-time users to get started with setting up their lessons and modules.

Teachable, in particular, is a great all-in-one platform for both course creation and marketing. It’s also significantly cheaper than Kajabi, considering that its Basic Plan is only $29 per month, compared to Kajabi’s Basic Plan that’s $129 per month.

Thinkific is also one of the most recommended Kajabi alternatives, once again because of its price. Not only is the Basic Plan much cheaper than Kajabi’s Basic Plan, but it also has a free plan that lasts forever.

Another one of the alternatives that we love is Podia. It is almost up to par with Kajabi’s capabilities with marketing online courses and digital products. And it doesn’t have any hidden charges or transaction fees either.

So if Kajabi just isn’t up your alley, then it’s not the end of the world. Just choose one of its alternatives to enjoy all the same course creation and marketing features.

For more options not on this list, you can also read through our Best Online Course Platforms article.

RELATED: Teachable Alternatives