Kajabi vs Thinkific: which should you choose?
Quick answer: Kajabi is built for established creators and coaches, while Thinkific suits course-first creators. For most users Kajabi is the stronger default, but Thinkific can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case. Thinkific has the lower entry price.
Kajabi and Thinkific look similar on the surface; the differences show up in practice. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| Kajabi | Thinkific | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | all-in-one course platform | online course platform |
| What it's known for | Premium all-in-one platform combining courses, memberships, email marketing, funnels, website and payments in a single subscription. | Course creation platform with no transaction fees on paid plans, strong course-building tools and an app marketplace. |
| Pricing | No free plan; Kickstarter from ~$89/mo, Basic from ~$149/mo, Growth and Pro tiers higher (annual billing discounts). | Free plan (1 course); Basic from ~$36/mo, Start/Grow tiers higher, Plus is custom enterprise pricing (billed annually for best rate). |
| Best audience | Established creators and coaches running a real business who want everything in one platform without plugins. | Course-focused creators who want to scale a catalog without per-sale platform cuts. |
| Best for | Established creators and coaches, All-in-one (no plugins), High-ticket course businesses | Course-first creators, No transaction fees, Scaling course catalogs |
| Entry price | $179/mo ($143 annual) | $49/mo ($36 annual) |
| Biggest strength | Genuine all-in-one, replaces several separate subscriptions. | 0% platform transaction fees on every plan in primary markets like the US. |
| Main caveat | Expensive: no plan under $179/mo monthly billing in 2026. | Permanent free plan was retired (now a 30-day trial only). |
Features compared
Beyond the spec sheet, these are the capabilities that define each tool:
Kajabi key features
- All-in-one: courses, memberships, coaching and digital products
- Email marketing and marketing automations
- Sales funnels (Pipelines) and landing pages
- Website builder and blog
Thinkific key features
- Drag-and-drop course builder, unlimited courses on paid plans
- Communities with spaces, live lessons and assignments
- Certificates and assessments
- Memberships and bundles
Pricing tiers side by side
Kajabi plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $179/mo ($143 annual) | Entry tier |
| Growth | $249/mo ($199 annual) | Adds advanced automations + affiliate program |
| Pro | $499/mo ($399 annual) | Adds API access |
Thinkific plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $49/mo ($36 annual) | Unlimited courses, 5 community spaces |
| Start | $99/mo ($74 annual) | Memberships, certificates, assessments |
| Grow | $199/mo ($149 annual) | |
| Plus | Custom | Enterprise |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where Kajabi wins
The premium all-in-one for creators who want courses, email, funnels and a site under one roof and will pay for it.
- Genuine all-in-one, replaces several separate subscriptions.
- 0% platform transaction fees (you only pay processing).
That makes it the stronger pick for established creators and coaches running a real business who want everything in one platform without plugins.
Where Thinkific wins
Course-first platform with no platform transaction fees and unlimited courses from the cheapest paid tier.
- 0% platform transaction fees on every plan in primary markets like the US.
- Unlimited courses even on the entry Basic plan.
That makes it the stronger pick for course-focused creators who want to scale a catalog without per-sale platform cuts.
Verdict: choose by fit
Pick by fit rather than by an overall score.
- Choose Kajabi if you fit its core audience — established creators and coaches running a real business who want everything in one platform without plugins.
- Choose Thinkific if you fit its core audience — course-focused creators who want to scale a catalog without per-sale platform cuts.
FAQ
Is Kajabi better than Thinkific?
Kajabi is the stronger default for most users, but Thinkific can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between Kajabi and Thinkific?
Kajabi is the premium all-in-one for creators who want courses, email, funnels and a site under one roof and will pay for it. Thinkific is course-first platform with no platform transaction fees and unlimited courses from the cheapest paid tier.
Which is cheaper, Kajabi or Thinkific?
Entry pricing differs: Kajabi starts at $179/mo ($143 annual), while Thinkific starts at $49/mo ($36 annual). Compare the tiers above against your usage.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for Kajabi and Thinkific: