5 Best Thinkific Alternatives for Creators to Monetize Their Expertise

Are you a creator eager to monetize your expertise? At first, you’ve probably considered Thinkific in your search for the perfect platform to make this a reality. You might have been attracted by Thinkific’s promise to simplify the process of turning knowledge into income. However, if you’re reading this, it might be that Thinkific didn’t fully cater to all your needs, leading you to explore other options. 

For creators like you, we’ve created this blog: to offer a handpicked selection of the best Thinkific alternative platforms that can assist you in monetizing your expertise effectively.

Why You Might Need a Thinkific Alternative?

While Thinkific is a popular choice for many course creators, it might not be the perfect fit for everyone. There are several reasons why you should consider looking for an alternative. Perhaps you need more advanced marketing tools, better customization options, or a platform that supports different types of content more seamlessly. 

Here, we’ll explore the pros and cons of Thinkific and why you might want to explore other platforms.

Pros of Thinkific:

1. Website Builder: Thinkific provides an intuitive drag-and-drop website builder. It simplifies the process of setting up your website and apps, making it user-friendly for creators.
2. Thinkific Plus: Designed for larger companies and extensive operations, Thinkific Plus serves as a robust learning management system. It caters to the needs of organizations seeking a comprehensive solution.
3. Customization and Flexibility: Thinkific allows you to customize your course content and match the look and feel of your brand or website. Additionally, you can set up a custom domain to make your course appear seamlessly integrated with your existing online presence.
4. Payment Options and Monetization Flexibility: With Thinkific, you can offer students various payment options, including monthly payment plans for expensive courses and recurring subscriptions for ongoing access. This flexibility enhances your ability to monetize your content effectively.
5. Free Plan with No Transaction Fees: Thinkific offers a Free plan that allows users to explore the platform and access limited features. With this plan, you can launch One course without incurring any transaction fees. It’s an excellent starting point for creators who want to test the waters and get a feel for the platform.

Thinkific Pricing Breakdown:

• Free Plan: Allows up to the launch of One course.
• Basic Plan: $49/month (monthly).
• Start Plan: $99/month (monthly).
• Grow Plan: $199/month (monthly).
• Thinkific Plus: Custom pricing. 

Cons of Thinkific:

1. Limited Digital Products: Thinkific’s Basic Plan ($36/month) restricts you to just 5 digital downloads. Imagine you’re a music teacher who wants to offer sheet music or practice tracks as digital downloads. With these constraints, your creativity gets restricted. To host unlimited digital products, you’ll have to upgrade to the Start Plan ($74/month) or the Grow Plan ($149/month). This limitation hampers your ability to provide valuable supplementary materials to your learners.
2. Mobile App Cost: Thinkific offers a mobile app, but it comes at an additional cost of $199 per month. Suppose you’re a language teacher who wants to engage students through a mobile app. This extra expense can significantly impact your budget, especially if you’re just starting out. It’s like paying for a premium feature on top of your subscription fees.
3. No In-Built Live Classes or Webinars: Thinkific lacks native support for live classes or webinars. As a business coach, imagine wanting to conduct live Q&A sessions with your course participants. Without built-in features, you’re forced to integrate third-party webinar tools like Zoom. This disrupts the user experience and also adds extra costs beyond your subscription fees.
4. Lack of Dedicated Support: Thinkific provides dedicated customer support only for Thinkific Plus Plan users (which has a custom pricing model). As a new creator, you need personalized assistance. Without it, troubleshooting technical issues becomes a frustrating ordeal. You’re left to figure things out on your own, wasting precious time.
5. Limited Customization and Add-on Apps: While Thinkific covers the basics, anything more specific or tailored is quite limited. Imagine you’re an artist trying to create a unique course experience. You want to add features like gamification, advanced quizzes, or interactive elements. Here’s where Thinkific’s app store comes in. However, each app you add from the store comes at an extra cost. It’s like buying individual tools for your toolbox, but these tools aren’t cheap. Want to integrate with Zapier? Pay extra. Need advanced analytics? Another expense. These costs add up, making customization a pricey endeavor beyond your initial subscription fees.
6. Community Management Limitations: In the Basic and Start Plans, you’re limited to creating just One community each. Imagine being a business coach with multiple courses—each requiring its own community space. Juggling interactions within a single community can hamper effective engagement. Even in the Grow Plan, where you can create multiple communities, the number is capped at Three. As a creator, you might yearn for more flexibility to boost engagement across different course communities.

5 Best Thinkific Alternatives for Creators.

Now that we've discussed some of the reasons why Thinkific might not meet all your needs. Let's look at some other alternatives that could be a better fit for you.

1. Graphy. 

​Graphy is an all-in-one course creation platform solution for creators who want to monetize their expertise. Whether you’re an educator, coach, or artist, you can come on to Graphy, just focus on creating the content, and Graphy will handle the rest. It supports various types of content delivery, including live classes and webinars. Also, Graphy offers a robust platform that excels in community-building, and affiliate marketing features. It provides integrated marketing tools to help you grow your audience and monetize effectively.

Pros of Graphy:

1. Affordable Pricing: Graphy’s Launch plan starts at $36 per month (billed annually). Compared to other platforms like Thinkific, this pricing is competitive and offers great value for creators. Plus, when you sign up, you get a 14-day free trial during which you can launch unlimited products—such as courses, digital downloads, webinars, memberships, and Telegram communities—without additional costs. Imagine having the flexibility to create multiple products without worrying about extra costs!
2. Unlimited Products: Even with the Launch plan, you can create and manage an unlimited number of courses and products. Whether you’re a business coach, educator, or artist, Graphy gives you the freedom to expand your offerings without restrictions. Picture launching courses on diverse topics—from leadership skills to yoga classes—all under one platform, without worrying about extra fees.
3. Mobile Application Included: Graphy provides a mobile app for creators at no additional cost. In contrast, Thinkific charges $199 per month for their mobile app. It means your learners can access your content conveniently on their smartphones without incurring extra costs. Imagine your students learning on the go, whether they’re commuting or relaxing at home. It’s all about enhancing accessibility and engagement.
4. Built-in Live Classes and Webinars: Unlike some other platforms, Graphy natively supports live classes and webinars. As a business coach, you can seamlessly engage with your audience through real-time sessions, Q&A, and interactive workshops—all within the platform. This eliminates the need for third-party tools, saving you money and providing a smoother user experience. Think of it as hosting a virtual workshop where participants can actively participate and learn from you.
5. Content Security with Digital Rights Management (DRM): Graphy prioritizes content security. With built-in DRM features, you can protect your valuable course materials. Imagine sharing exclusive content like premium videos, e-books, or proprietary resources, knowing they’re safeguarded against unauthorized distribution.
6. Dedicated Support: Graphy offers personalized assistance even in the Launch plan. If you encounter any issues or have questions, our dedicated support team is there to help. In contrast, Thinkific provides dedicated customer support only for Thinkific Plus Plan users, which comes with a custom pricing model. Say goodbye to troubleshooting alone! Imagine having experts guide you through any technical challenges, ensuring a smooth experience for both you and your learners.
7. Unlimited Webinars: Whether you’re hosting guest speakers, workshops, or collaborative sessions, Graphy lets you conduct unlimited webinars. Engage your audience effectively without worrying about limitations. Picture yourself facilitating interactive webinars, sharing insights, and building a vibrant community, all without any extra costs.
8. Integrated Marketing Tools: Graphy provides built-in marketing tools to help you grow your audience. From email campaigns to social media promotions, you can reach potential learners and boost your course sales effortlessly. Imagine having a comprehensive toolkit to attract and retain students.
9. Robust Community Options: Graphy excels in community-building features. Create student forums and niche communities directly on the platform. In contrast, Thinkific limits you to just one community in the Basic and Start Plans and up to three in the Grow Plan. With Graphy, you can build connections among your learners, encourage discussions, and enhance their overall experience, without needing external tools or paying extra.
10. Country-Specific Pricing: Graphy allows its creators to set different pricing for different countries. This feature is beneficial for creators selling their courses in multiple locations, allowing them to tailor prices based on local market conditions and purchasing power. Imagine being able to offer your courses at a competitive price in each region, maximizing accessibility and sales.
11. Graphy Assist: Graphy Assist leverages AI to streamline your content creation and marketing efforts, resulting in a boost in sales. Here’s how these automated features help you convert more leads into paying customers:

• Turn Clicks into Committed Students: Ranking high in search results is like having a neon sign screaming "Enroll here!" to the online world. Graphy Assist fuels that excitement with SEO on autopilot. Graphy’s smart AI crafts perfect meta descriptions and keywords for your courses. This skyrockets your search rankings and drives organic traffic to your landing pages, meaning more potential students discover your expertise.
• Turn Lookers into Learners with Social Proof: People love to follow the crowd, and Graphy Assist capitalizes on that. It uses "Footfall Insights" to showcase real-time learner activity on your landing pages. Imagine this: a potential student visits your course page, but they're unsure if it's right for them. Suddenly, they see a notification pop up – "John Doe just enrolled in this course!" These real-time nudges showcase the popularity of your courses and build trust with potential students. Every sale you make becomes a nudge for the next, turning your website into a conversion machine!
• Win Back Those Almost-Customers (and Their Cash!) with Automated Reminders: Let's face it, sometimes website visitors get distracted or cold feet before hitting "purchase." But with Graphy Assist, you don't have to lose those potential sales. It automatically sends out friendly reminder emails to folks who abandon their carts, gently nudging them back to checkout and potentially turning them into paying customers.   
• Boost Sales with Strategic Landing Page Promotions: Have you ever walked into a store and been lured in by a special offer? Graphy Assist lets you create those same irresistible promotions for your online courses. Design targeted promo code banners that appear directly on your landing pages. These eye-catching discounts incentivize potential students to take action and enroll in your programs, memberships, or courses.

These features collectively ensure that you attract more learners and retain them, boosting your overall revenue and growth—at no additional cost.

Cons of Graphy:

1. While Graphy doesn't have a dedicated podcasting tool yet, you can upload audio files as courses, creating a podcast-like experience for your audience. However, this approach might limit access to features commonly found on dedicated podcast platforms, such as podcast-specific analytics or subscription options. For creators who focus heavily on podcasting, this limitation might require seeking additional tools.
2. Challenges with One-on-One Interactions: Graphy doesn't have a built-in feature for personalized consultations. While live classes offer a potential workaround, they might not be ideal for frequent one-on-one sessions. This could be a disadvantage for creators who rely heavily on individual consultations with their learners and require dedicated scheduling and management tools.
   
3. Managing Multiple Schools Requires External Solutions: Presently, Graphy doesn't allow managing multiple online schools under one account. This creates a hurdle for creators who want separate branding and communities for different topics or audiences. You would need to use external tools to manage multiple schools effectively, potentially adding complexity to your workflow.

2. Kajabi​

​Kajabi is an all-in-one platform empowering creators to sell courses, digital products, coaching, memberships, and podcasts. It provides a comprehensive suite of tools, including email marketing, affiliate management, website building, and analytics.

Pros of Kajabi:

1. Automated Sales Funnels: Kajabi sales funnels streamline the sales process by nurturing leads and converting them into paying customers, all within one platform. Imagine you're a business coach launching a new program – these sales funnels can be a game-changer for your marketing efforts!
2. No Transaction Fees: Kajabi doesn’t charge transaction fees on any plans, allowing creators to keep more of their earnings. This can be particularly beneficial for those with high sales volumes.
3. Advanced Marketing Tools: Kajabi offers marketing tools for email campaigns, welcome flows, weekly updates, and more. These tools help creators effectively engage their audience and boost sales.
4. Optimized Landing Pages and Checkout: Kajabi provides optimized landing pages and a streamlined checkout process that supports multiple currencies. This feature enhances the user experience and facilitates international sales.

Cons of Kajabi:​

1. Price Can Be a Hurdle: Kajabi’s pricing is higher compared to other platforms, which can be a barrier for those just starting out. For example, the Basic Plan costs $149 per month, making it significantly more expensive than Thinkific’s Basic Plan at $49 per month. It can be a barrier for those who are just starting out.
2. Mobile App (At Additional Cost): The mobile app costs an additional $199, which can be expensive for many creators. For example, a fitness trainer who wants to offer on-the-go workout videos may find this additional cost burdensome. Thinkific also charges $199 per month for its mobile app, but Graphy would be a great choice over here as it includes a mobile app at no extra cost in its plans.
3. Content Security Concerns:  Kajabi lacks advanced security features like data encryption and digital rights management (DRM). It can be an issue for creators offering premium content, such as exclusive coaching videos. Graphy, on the other hand, includes DRM to protect valuable course materials.
4. No Built-in Live Classes or Webinars Options: Kajabi does not offer native support for live classes or webinars, requiring creators to use external tools or integrations like Zoom at an extra cost. Imagine a yoga instructor wanting to conduct live sessions; they would need to use additional software. Thinkific similarly lacks native live class features, while Graphy includes built-in live classes and webinars.
5. No Dedicated Customer Support: Dedicated customer support options are limited on Kajabi’s lower plans. It can impact timely issue resolution for new creators. For instance, the Basic Plan of $149 per month does not include 24/7 support, which is only available on higher-tier plans. Thinkific also restricts dedicated support to its Thinkific Plus Plan, whereas Graphy offers personalized assistance even in its Launch Plan of $49 per month.​

3. Teachable​

​Teachable is an online course platform allowing creators to sell unlimited courses and coaching programs. It offers customizable sales pages, coupons, and affiliate management.

Pros of Teachable:

1. Unlimited Courses and Coaching Programs: Teachable allows creators to sell unlimited courses and coaching programs. For example, a fitness coach can offer separate courses for strength training, nutrition, and mindfulness without any restrictions on the number of courses they can provide. This flexibility enables creators to expand their offerings without worrying about hitting limits.

2. Customizable Landing Pages: Teachable offers customizable landing pages that can be tailored to match your brand. A language teacher, for example, can create a compelling and visually appealing sales page for their language course, enhancing the marketing appeal and potentially increasing enrollment.

3. Affiliate Management: Teachable has a robust affiliate management system, making it easy to track and manage referrals. If you collaborate with influencers or other partners, this system can help you monitor their impact on your sales and compensate them accordingly.

4. Basic Email Functionality: Teachable includes basic email functionality that allows you to communicate with students about course updates, assignments, and announcements. This feature helps maintain engagement and keeps your students informed about important course-related information.

5. Interactive Features and Course Completion Perks: Teachable lets you add interactive elements like quizzes to your courses and enable course completion certificates. These features enhance the learning experience and can motivate students to complete the course, knowing they'll receive a certificate at the end.

​Cons of Teachable:

1. Charges Revenue Share: Teachable charges a revenue share on certain plans. For example, the Basic Plan of $59 per month has a 5% transaction fee. For a new entrepreneur, these fees can add up and significantly eat into their profits. In contrast, Graphy offers 0% transaction fees on all its plans, making it a more cost-effective option for creators looking to maximize their earnings.
2. No Mobile Application: Teachable does not provide a mobile app, which limits accessibility for students on the go. A student wanting to learn a new language during their commute would find this inconvenient. In contrast, Graphy includes a mobile app at no additional cost, enhancing accessibility for learners.
3. No Built-in Live Classes or Webinars Options: Similar to Thinkific, Teachable does not offer in-built live classes or webinars. Creators need to use external tools or integrations for these features. For a business coach wanting to conduct live Q&A sessions, this means additional costs and potential disruptions in the user experience. Graphy, on the other hand, includes built-in live classes and webinars at no extra cost.
4. Content Security Concerns: Teachable lacks advanced content security features like Digital Rights Management (DRM). This can be a concern for creators who sell premium content, such as a photographer offering high-value editing tutorials. Without DRM, there is a higher risk of unauthorized distribution of your content.
5. No Dedicated Customer Support: Personalized assistance with Teachable is limited, especially on lower-tier plans. Creators facing technical issues might spend a lot of time troubleshooting on their own. Graphy offers dedicated support even in its Launch plan, ensuring that creators have access to help whenever they need it.

4. LearnWorlds​

​LearnWorlds is a course creation platform designed to captivate your students with interactive video features and boost content engagement. Creators can sell unlimited courses with various payment options.

Pros of Learnworlds:

1. Interactive Video Features: LearnWorlds enhances engagement through interactive elements. For example, a cooking course can have clickable recipe overlays for detailed instructions or quizzes to reinforce learning. This feature significantly boosts learner interaction and retention.
2. Content Annotation Tools: Creators can add annotations to videos. For instance, a coding instructor can annotate code snippets to explain complex concepts step by step. This makes complex subjects more accessible and easier to understand.
3. Flexible Payment Options: LearnWorlds allows creators to offer different payment models. You can sell courses as one-time purchases, subscriptions, or bundles. This flexibility helps maximize revenue and cater to diverse student preferences.
4. No Transaction Fees: LearnWorlds doesn't deduct transaction fees, which is beneficial for creators who want to maximize their revenue.
5. Subtitles and Transcripts: LearnWorlds lets you generate subtitles and automatic transcripts for your course videos, enhancing accessibility and comprehension for all learners.

Cons of Learnworlds:

1. Mobile App (At Additional Cost): While LearnWorlds offers a mobile app, it comes at an extra cost. Creators need to consider this when planning their budget. For example, a personal development coach might find the additional cost burdensome when offering their course.
2. ​Email Support Only: LearnWorlds provides email support, but some users may prefer more immediate assistance through chat or phone. A creator experiencing a critical issue might find the lack of live support problematic.
3. ​Content Security Concerns: Similar to Thinkific, LearnWorlds lacks advanced security features like data encryption and digital rights management (DRM). This can be a concern for creators offering high-value content like proprietary business strategies.

5. Podia​

​Podia is a user-friendly platform designed to help creators sell online courses, memberships, digital downloads, and webinars. It offers a clean and straightforward interface, making it a good option for beginners.

Pros of Podia:

1. Live Engagement with Zoom Webinars (An Optional Purchase): Podia allows you to integrate Zoom webinars (additional purchase required) for live sessions, workshops, or Q&A sessions. It can be a game-changer for creators who want to interact with students in real time and boost engagement.
2. Marketing Tools (At Premium Plans): Creators can access marketing features. For example, you can set up email campaigns, create landing pages, and track conversions. These features empower you to reach a wider audience and grow your sales.
3. No Transaction Fees: Podia doesn't charge transaction fees, making it attractive for creators who want predictable revenue. This can be a big win for creators, especially those with high sales volume, as they get to keep more of their hard-earned cash.

Cons of Podia:

1. Charges Revenue Share: Podia takes a revenue share, so creators should weigh this against the benefits. A new artist selling digital art might find this reduces their overall earnings.
2. Zoom Webinars (At Additional Cost): Zoom webinars must be purchased separately, adding to the overall cost. A fitness instructor wanting to conduct live workout sessions might find this extra cost burdensome.
3. Marketing Tools and Affiliate Marketing (At Premium Plans Only): These features are only available in the Movers ($39 per month) and Shaker Plan ($89 per month). A new entrepreneur might need to upgrade to access these essential tools.
4. Only Chat Support: Podia provides support only through chat, which might not be sufficient for all users. A creator needing immediate assistance might find chat support inadequate.
5. No Mobile Application: Podia does not offer a mobile app, limiting accessibility for students on the go. A language student wanting to learn during their commute would find this inconvenient.

Read more about - Top 5 platforms to Sell online courses in 2024.

Moving Forward.

We hope this comprehensive list has provided you with valuable insights into some top alternatives to Thinkific. Each platform discussed here offers unique advantages and caters to different needs and preferences. There truly is something for every creator.

As you reflect on these options, take the time to analyze the unique offerings of each platform in relation to your specific needs and financial obligations. Whether you're looking for advanced community-building features, robust marketing tools, or flexible pricing plans, the right choice will depend on your individual requirements.

Remember, the goal is to find a platform that aligns best with your vision and helps you effectively monetize your expertise. Take advantage of free trials, explore the features, and make an informed decision that will support your journey in the online course creation space.