Are you considering creating an online course but unsure which platform to use? Look no further, as we compare two popular options – Thinkific and Teachable. Both platforms offer a user-friendly interface and powerful features to help you create, market, and sell your online courses. However, there are some key differences between the two that may influence your decision. In this article, we will delve into these differences and help you determine which platform is best suited for your online course needs.
Overview of Thinkific and Teachable
Before we dive into the comparisons, let’s take a brief look at what Thinkific and Teachable have to offer. Both platforms are cloud-based, meaning that you do not need to download any software to use them. They offer a variety of features such as unlimited courses, quizzes and assessments, customizable landing pages, and built-in payment processing. Additionally, both platforms have a free trial period for you to test out their services before committing to a paid plan.
Now, let’s explore the key differences between Thinkific and Teachable to help you make an informed decision about which platform is right for you.
Course Creation and Customization
When it comes to course creation and customization, both Thinkific and Teachable offer powerful tools to help you create engaging and interactive courses. However, there are some notable differences between the two platforms.
Course Creation
Thinkific offers a drag-and-drop course builder which allows you to easily add and rearrange course content. This feature is particularly useful for those who are less tech-savvy or do not have coding skills. On the other hand, Teachable uses a block-based editor that allows you to customize each section of your course with different elements such as videos, text, images, and quizzes. While this may seem more complicated at first, it gives you more control over the design and layout of your course.
Moreover, Thinkific offers more options for multimedia content such as audio and PDF files, making it a better choice for instructors who want to incorporate multiple forms of media into their courses. On the other hand, Teachable allows you to upload only videos, which may be limiting for some instructors.
Customization
Both platforms offer customizable landing pages to showcase and promote your courses. However, Thinkific has more templates and customization options to choose from, allowing you to create a unique and visually appealing page that reflects your brand. Teachable, on the other hand, has fewer templates but provides more freedom for customization, including the option to add custom code.
Overall, when it comes to course creation and customization, both platforms have their strengths. If you prefer a user-friendly and simple course builder, Thinkific may be the better option. However, if you want more control over the design and layout of your course, Teachable could be a better fit.
Pricing and Plans
Pricing is often a deciding factor when choosing an online course platform. Therefore, it is essential to compare the pricing plans of Thinkific and Teachable to determine which one fits your budget and needs.
Thinkific
Thinkific offers four pricing plans – Free, Basic ($49/month), Pro ($99/month), and Premier ($499/month). The free plan is suitable for those just starting out or wanting to test out the platform’s features. However, it has limited features, and you will have to pay transaction fees for each sale. The Basic plan offers unlimited students, courses, and quizzes, along with email integrations and basic marketing tools. The Pro and Premier plans have additional features such as advanced reporting, course compliance, and bulk student enrollments.
Teachable
Teachable offers three pricing plans – Basic ($39/month), Pro ($119/month), and Business ($299/month). The Basic plan includes standard features such as unlimited courses, video hosting, and integrated payment processing. The Pro plan includes advanced features such as graded quizzes, course completion certificates, and the ability to add custom code. The Business plan has all the features of the Pro plan, along with additional marketing tools and priority support.
Overall, both platforms offer competitive pricing plans, but Teachable’s plans are slightly more affordable than Thinkific’s. Moreover, Thinkific charges transaction fees on its lower-priced plans, while Teachable does not charge any transaction fees on any of its plans.
Marketing and Sales
Marketing and sales are crucial elements for the success of your online course. Both Thinkific and Teachable provide built-in tools to help you market and sell your courses effectively. However, there are some notable differences between the two platforms in terms of marketing and sales features.
Marketing
Thinkific offers several marketing tools such as email marketing integrations, affiliate marketing, and upselling options. Its landing page templates also have built-in SEO optimization, making it easier for potential students to find your courses through search engines. On the other hand, Teachable provides limited marketing tools, with only basic options for email marketing and affiliate tracking.
Sales
Both Thinkific and Teachable have built-in payment processing, allowing you to easily collect payments from your students. However, Thinkific offers more payment options, including PayPal, Stripe, and offline payments, giving your students more flexibility in how they pay for your courses. In contrast, Teachable only offers Stripe and PayPal as its payment gateways. Additionally, Thinkific allows you to create multiple price points for your courses, making it easier to offer discounts or promotions to your students.
Overall, both platforms offer effective marketing and sales tools, but Thinkific may have a slight edge when it comes to variety and flexibility in these features.
Support and Resources
As an online course instructor, it is essential to have reliable support and access to resources to help you navigate the platform and troubleshoot any issues that may arise. Let’s take a closer look at the support and resources offered by Thinkific and Teachable.
Support
Thinkific offers email support with all its plans, while higher-priced plans also include phone support. They also have a vast library of articles, tutorials, and webinars to help you learn the platform and troubleshoot any issues. Teachable offers 24/7 email support on all its plans and live chat support on its higher-priced plans. They also have extensive documentation and a community forum for peer-to-peer support.
Resources
Both platforms offer a variety of resources to support your course creation journey. Thinkific has a blog with regular updates and tips for course creators, as well as a podcast specifically focused on online course creation. Teachable offers a comprehensive knowledge base, including best practices and success stories from their top instructors.
In terms of support and resources, both platforms have a strong offering, with slight differences in the types of support available. Ultimately, it will depend on your personal preference and needs when determining which platform has better support and resources.
FAQs
1. Which platform is more suitable for beginners – Thinkific or Teachable?
Both platforms offer a user-friendly interface and have resources to help beginners get started. However, Thinkific may be a better option for those just starting out due to its drag-and-drop course builder and more straightforward customization options.
2. Can I switch between plans on Thinkific and Teachable?
Yes, you can upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time on both platforms.
3. Are there transaction fees on Thinkific and Teachable?
Thinkific charges transaction fees on its lower-priced plans, while Teachable does not charge any transaction fees on any of its plans.
4. Can I offer discounts or promotions on my courses?
Both Thinkific and Teachable allow you to create multiple price points for your courses, making it easier to offer discounts or promotions to your students.
5. How do I receive support on Thinkific and Teachable?
Thinkific offers email support with all its plans, while Teachable has 24/7 email support on all its plans and live chat support on its higher-priced plans.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Thinkific and Teachable offer powerful features to help you create and sell your online courses. While there are some notable differences between the two platforms, ultimately, the decision will depend on your personal preferences and needs. Thinkific may be a better option for beginners and those looking for more customization options, while Teachable may be more suitable for those on a budget and wanting more control over their marketing and sales. We hope this comparison has helped you determine which platform is the right fit for you. Happy course creation!
