Choosing the right platform is crucial to achieving your goals!
So let me compare these platforms based on course creation and management, membership and subscription models, monetization and payouts, marketing and promotion, and customer support and community.
Patreon vs Teachable: Features Comparison
Let’s compare the features of Patreon and Teachable in terms of course creation and management, membership and subscription models, monetization and payouts, marketing and promotion and customer support and community.
All features comparison one by one between teachable and patreon
Features
Patreon
Teachable
Course Creation
Limited course creation tools; ideal for creators with established following
Robust course creation tools; ideal for educators starting out
Membership Models
Subscription-based membership model
One-time purchase or subscription-based membership model
Payouts
Monthly payout, 5% transaction fee
Monthly or weekly payout, 0% transaction fee (on higher tier plans)
Marketing and Promotion
Limited promotional tools, geared towards existing followers
Built-in email marketing, affiliate program, and SEO features
Customization
Limited branding options
Fully customizable branding options
Integration
Integrates with major social media platforms and websites
Integrates with a variety of third-party tools and software
Mobile Accessibility
Mobile app available for both iOS and Android
Fully responsive design for mobile and desktop users
Support and Community
Robust support community and customer service options
Comprehensive customer support and community features
Course Creation and Management
Patreon is designed for ongoing content creation, such as podcasts and blogs, and offers limited course creation features. In contrast, Teachable is specifically built for creating and managing standalone courses, providing robust course-building tools, and custom branding options. Patreon does not charge any course fees, but it does take a cut of the monthly revenue generated by creators. On the other hand, Teachable charges transaction fees on each course sale, but creators get to keep all revenue beyond those fees.
For example, the creator of the podcast “The Daily Beans” uses Patreon to create ongoing content, while the creator of the online course “Modern Calligraphy” uses Teachable to deliver a standalone course.
Patreon’s recurring membership model is ideal for creators who want to offer exclusive content to a dedicated fanbase. Patreon offers creators the option to offer different membership tiers, each with its own set of rewards and access levels. Teachable, on the other hand, offers more flexibility in pricing and access levels, allowing creators to offer one-time course purchases, payment plans, and various subscription models.
For example, the creator of the “Critical Role” web series uses Patreon to offer different membership tiers with access to exclusive content, while the creator of the “Healthy Meal Prep” course uses Teachable to offer one-time course purchases and payment plans.
Monetization and Payouts
Patreon takes a percentage of each creator’s monthly revenue, ranging from 5% to 12%, depending on the creator’s membership tier. Teachable, on the other hand, charges transaction fees on each course sale, ranging from 0% to 10%, depending on the creator’s pricing plan. Both platforms offer direct payout options, with Patreon offering payouts via PayPal and Teachable offering payouts via PayPal or bank transfer.
For example, the creator of the YouTube channel “Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell” uses Patreon to generate monthly revenue from dedicated fans, while the creator of the online course “The Complete Python Bootcamp” uses Teachable to earn revenue from course sales.
Marketing and Promotion
Patreon focuses on building a community of dedicated fans who support creators on an ongoing basis, while Teachable offers various marketing and promotion tools for creators to reach a wider audience. Teachable provides creators with customizable sales pages, email marketing tools, and affiliate marketing programs. Patreon provides creators with various engagement tools, such as live chats and community polls, to interact with their fans.
For example, the creator of the podcast “Reply All” uses Patreon to engage with dedicated fans and offer exclusive content, while the creator of the “Digital Marketing Masterclass” course uses Teachable’s email marketing tools to promote their course to a wider audience.
Customer Support and Community
Both Patreon and Teachable offer customer support via email and chat, with Teachable also offering phone support for its higher-tier pricing plans. Patreon emphasizes community engagement through features such as live chats and polls, while Teachable offers various feedback mechanisms, such as course reviews and student feedback surveys.
For example, the creator of the YouTube channel “CGP Grey” uses Patreon to engage with fans through live chats and exclusive content, while the creator of the online course “The Science of Well-Being” uses Teachable’s feedback mechanisms to improve the course based on student feedback.
Similarities
Both Patreon and Teachable provide online platforms for creators and educators to monetize their content.
Both platforms offer features for course creation and management, membership and subscription models, monetization and payouts, marketing and promotion, customer support and community building.
Both Patreon and Teachable have built-in payment processing systems, which simplify transactions for creators and educators.
Dissimilarities
Patreon focuses on recurring revenue through membership and subscription models, while Teachable allows for one-time purchases and payment plans.
Teachable offers more customization options and branding features, allowing creators and educators to create a fully-branded course website, while Patreon offers limited customization options.
Patreon has a stronger community-building focus, with features such as exclusive content for members and a Patreon-only messaging system, while Teachable’s focus is on course creation and management.
Teachable provides more in-depth analytics and reporting capabilities compared to Patreon.
Patreon allows creators to monetize various types of content, such as podcasts, music, and webcomics, while Teachable is primarily focused on educational content.
Patreon offers an affiliate program, which allows creators to earn additional income by promoting other creators’ content, while Teachable does not have a built-in affiliate program.
Teachable is more scalable than Patreon, as it can handle a larger number of students and courses.
Teachable has a more mobile-friendly user interface compared to Patreon, which may be more accessible for learners on the go.
In addition to course creation, membership, monetization, and marketing features, it’s important to consider other factors that can impact your experience as a creator or educator on Patreon or Teachable.
Patreon vs Teachable: Ease of Use and UI
Ease of use and user interface are crucial for any online platform. In terms of user-friendliness, Teachable is often considered more intuitive and easier to navigate than Patreon.
Customization Options and Branding
However, Patreon offers more advanced customization options and branding features for creators, such as the ability to create a custom landing page for their profile.
Integration with Other Tools and Software
Integration with other tools and software is also an important consideration. Teachable integrates with a wide range of third-party apps and services, such as email marketing tools, while Patreon’s integrations are more limited.
UI
Affiliate Program
However, Patreon does offer an affiliate program that allows creators to earn additional income by promoting other creators’ content to their own audience.
Patreon vs Teachable: Scalability
Scalability is another key factor to consider if you plan to grow your business over time. Both Patreon and Teachable are designed to accommodate creators and educators at various stages of their careers, but Teachable may be a better option for those who anticipate rapid growth due to its more extensive feature set.
Patreon vs Teachable: Mobile Accessibility
Mobile accessibility is also important, as an increasing number of users access online content from their smartphones and tablets. Both Patreon and Teachable have mobile apps that allow creators and students to access content on the go, but Teachable’s app is more robust and user-friendly.
User interface and user experience (UI/UX) can greatly impact how engaged and satisfied creators and students are with the platform. Both Patreon and Teachable have received positive reviews for their UI/UX, but individual preferences may vary. It’s recommended to explore both platforms and try out their different features to determine which one feels the most intuitive and user-friendly for your needs.
Teachable vs Patreon: Pros and Cons
Here are some pros and cons of Patreon and Teachable,
Patreon:
Pros:
Great for ongoing support from fans through recurring donations
Offers a variety of membership and subscription models to monetize content
Allows for community building through messaging and posts
Offers a low-cost option for creators to get started
Cons:
Limited course creation and management features compared to Teachable
Takes a 5% commission on all earnings, plus payment processing fees
Limited customization options for branding and course design
Teachable:
Pros:
Comprehensive course creation and management features
Offers a variety of pricing models and payment options
Provides analytics and reporting capabilities for tracking student progress and course performance
Integrates with a variety of tools and software
Cons:
Higher pricing compared to Patreon
Limited community building features compared to Patreon
No built-in monetization options outside of course sales
It’s important to note that what may be a pro or con for one person may not be for another, as it depends on individual needs and goals.
What are the differences between Patreon and Teachable?
Patreon is primarily focused on membership and subscription models, while Teachable is focused on course creation and management. Patreon also has community-building features, while Teachable offers more customization options and integration with other tools and software.
How much does it cost to use Patreon and Teachable?
Patreon takes a percentage of the income earned by creators, while Teachable charges a monthly fee depending on the plan selected. Both platforms also charge transaction fees for processing payments.
Can I use Patreon and Teachable together?
Yes, many creators and educators use both platforms in conjunction with each other to offer a variety of content and monetization options to their audience.
What kind of customer support and community features do Patreon and Teachable offer?
Both platforms offer various support channels, such as email and chat support, as well as community engagement and feedback mechanisms.
Are my data and content secure on Patreon and Teachable?
Both platforms have security and privacy measures in place to protect user data and content. However, it is important for creators and educators to also take their own precautions to ensure the safety of their information and intellectual property.
How can I choose the right platform for my needs and goals?
Consider factors such as the type of content you want to offer, your target audience, your preferred monetization and payout options, and your desired level of customization and integration with other tools and software. It can also be helpful to research and compare the features and success stories of other creators and educators on each platform.
Conclusion
Both Patreon and Teachable have unique features that cater to different needs and goals. To choose the right platform, consider your course type, pricing model, revenue-sharing preferences, promotional needs, and desired level of community engagement.
Explore both platforms and experiment with different features to find what works best for you. With the right platform and strategy, you can successfully monetize your content and build a loyal following of students and fans.
Meet Mr. Afzal, Also the founder as well as author of Comparlify (comparison-based website). I am writing comparisons for a long while on many websites and struggling hard for you so that you can be awesome in Course Creation.
