Online education has seen a significant boom in recent years and with this growth has come a plethora of platforms for creating and selling online courses.
Udemy vs Teachable vs Thinkific are three of the most popular options and each is amazing with their own unique features and pricing structures.
Udemy vs Teachable vs Thinkific
In this article, we will compare these platforms with pricing, features and pros and cons to find the best choice.
Table of Contents
Pricing: Udemy vs Teachable vs Thinkific
Udemy offers a revenue share model for course instructors with the platform taking a percentage of the course sale price.
Teachable offers three pricing plans: Basic ($39/month), Pro ($119/month) and Business ($299/month).
Thinkific offers five pricing plans: Free, Basic ($49/month), Pro ($99/month), Premier ($499/month) and High Volume (custom pricing).
Features: Udemy vs Teachable vs Thinkific
Course Creation
When it comes to course creation, all three platforms offer a range of features such as video hosting, quiz creation and course completion certificates.
However, Teachable and Thinkific both offer more advanced customization options and the ability to create membership sites.
Udemy, on the other hand, offers a larger built-in audience through its marketplace which can help with course visibility and sales.
Course Management
In terms of course management, all three platforms offer basic features such as analytics and student management.
But Thinkific and Teachable offer more advanced features such as drip content and course bundling.
Udemy, again, stands out with its marketplace and built-in student management system.
Marketing and Sales
When we compare them on the basis of marketing and sales, all three platforms offer basic options such as discount codes and email marketing integrations.
However, Teachable and Thinkific both offer more advanced features such as affiliate management and the ability to create custom sales pages.
Again Udemy has the advantage of its built-in marketplace and audience.
Course Creation Tools
Udemy provides basic course creation tools, while Teachable and Thinkific offer advanced course creation tools.
With Teachable, for example, you can create quizzes, surveys and certificates for your students.
Customization
All three platforms offer some level of customization. However, Teachable and Thinkific provide more flexibility in terms of branding and design.
For example, Teachable allows you to use your own domain name and customize your site with CSS.
Pricing
Udemy offers a revenue share model, while Teachable and Thinkific offer monthly or yearly subscription plans.
With Teachable and Thinkific, you have more control over the pricing of your courses.
Community Building
Teachable and Thinkific allow you to create private communities where students can connect with each other and with you.
Udemy, on the other hand, does not have this feature.
Integrations
Teachable and Thinkific offer integrations with a wide range of third-party tools like email marketing platforms and payment gateways.
Udemy has fewer integrations available.
Mobile Optimization
All three platforms offer mobile optimization. However, Teachable and Thinkific provide more advanced mobile optimization features i.e. the ability to create a custom mobile app.
Customer Support
Teachable and Thinkific offer more personalized customer support with options for phone and live chat support.
Udemy offers support through a ticket system.
Course Marketplace
Udemy has a built-in marketplace where your courses can be discovered by millions of potential students. Teachable and Thinkific do not have a marketplace, but allow you to create your own course website and market your courses through your own channels.
White Labeling
Thinkific allows you to white label your course site, which means you can remove all Thinkific branding and customize the site to match your own brand.
Certifications
Teachable and Thinkific allow you to create and issue certifications to your students upon completion of a course. Udemy does not have this feature.
Lastly, each platform has unique features and advantages. Your choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and goals as a course creator.
Consider the features that are most important to you and weigh the pros and cons of each platform before making a decision.
Here is a comparison table for pricing and features of Udemy, Teachable and Thinkific,
Feature
Udemy
Teachable
Thinkific
Free Option
Yes
No
Yes
Basic
N/A
$39/month
$49/month
Pro
N/A
$119/month
$99/month
Business
N/A
$299/month
$499/month
Course Creation
Basic
Advanced
Advanced
Course Management
Basic
Advanced
Advanced
Marketing and Sales
Basic
Advanced
Advanced
Integrations
Basic
Advanced
Advanced
Membership Sites
No
Yes
Yes
Affiliate Management
Basic
Advanced
Advanced
Customer Support
Good
Good
Good
Mobile Optimization
Yes
Yes
Yes
Community Features
No
Yes
Yes
Course Marketplace
Yes
No
Yes
Note:
Advanced refers to a wide range of features and flexibility in customization.
Basic refers to a limited set of features and options.
N/A refers to a pricing plan that is not available on the platform.
Pros and Cons
Udemy’s built-in audience can be a significant advantage for course visibility and sales but the revenue share model may not be ideal for all course creators.
Teachable and Thinkific offer more advanced customization and course creation options but may require more technical knowledge and have higher pricing plans.
It is important to weigh these pros and cons against your specific needs and goals.
Udemy
Pros
Large marketplace with a wide reach and potential for high enrollment.
Offers a revenue share program that allows instructors to earn a percentage of course sales.
Built-in marketing tools and promotional options.
Cons
Limited control over pricing and payment options.
Heavy competition and difficulty standing out in a crowded marketplace.
Takes a percentage of course sales as a fee.
Teachable
Pros
Advanced course creation and customization options.
Robust affiliate management system.
Ability to create and sell memberships and bundle products together.
Cons
Higher pricing compared to other platforms.
No built-in marketplace or promotional options.
Limited community features and student engagement tools.
Thinkific
Pros
Easy-to-use course builder with drag-and-drop interface.
Offers a range of payment options and pricing models.
Provides comprehensive analytics and reporting.
Cons
Limited customization options compared to other platforms.
No built-in marketplace or promotional options.
Some features are only available on higher pricing tiers.
Similarities and Differences
All three platforms offer basic course creation and management features as well as marketing and sales options.
However, Teachable and Thinkific offer more advanced customization options and the ability to create membership sites while Udemy has the advantage of its marketplace and built-in student management system.
Here are some points discussed briefly,
Similarities
All three platforms offer course creation and management tools.
They all allow for international sales and support multiple currencies.
Creators can offer free courses on all three platforms.
Udemy has a built-in marketplace while Teachable and Thinkific do not.
Teachable has more advanced customization and affiliate management features.
Thinkific offers more payment and pricing options compared to the other two platforms.
FAQs
Can I sell courses internationally on these platforms?
Yes, all three platforms allow for international sales. Udemy and Teachable both offer multi-currency support which allows creators to price their courses in different currencies. Thinkific also supports multiple currencies and provides language options for course content.
Can I offer a free course on Udemy, Teachable or Thinkific?
Yes, all three platforms allow course creators to offer free courses. Udemy allows instructors to create and publish free courses but they do not pay instructors for enrollments in free courses. Teachable and Thinkific also allow creators to offer free courses and give them more control over their pricing and payment options.
Closing: Udemy vs Teachable vs Thinkific
In conclusion, choosing the right platform for your online course creation and sales depends on your specific needs and goals.
If you are looking for a built-in audience and easy student management, Udemy may be the best option for you.
If you are looking for more advanced customization options and the ability to create membership sites, Teachable or Thinkific may be the better choice.
We hope that this comparison has been helpful in guiding you towards the right decision.
Are you ready to create and sell your online course?
Visit the websites of Udemy, Teachable and Thinkific to learn more and make an informed decision.
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.
