When it comes to creating and selling online courses, Teachable often gets a lot of attention—and rightfully so. It’s easy to use and pretty popular among creators. But if you’ve spent any time exploring the platform, you’ve probably noticed some limitations—especially if you’re looking for advanced features, lower transaction fees, or just more flexibility.
The good news? Teachable isn’t the only player in the game. In fact, there are several other platforms that offer compelling features that might suit your needs even better. Whether you’re a coach, content creator, educator, or entrepreneur, there’s something here for you.
Let’s explore 10 of the best Teachable alternatives to help you build, market, and sell your online courses with confidence.
1. Thinkific – The All-Around Champion
If you’re after flexibility, affordability, and user-friendliness, Thinkific leads the pack. Its standout features include:
- Unlimited courses and students—even on the free plan
- Drag-and-drop course builder
- Custom branding and design control
- Affiliate selling on all paid plans
- 90+ integrations, automated tax handling, and community spaces
Thinkific’s free plan is generous: no transaction fees and full access to one course and community. Paid plans start at just $36/month.
🟢 Ideal for creators who want creative freedom without worrying about platform-imposed limitations.
2. Podia – The Ultimate All-in-One Toolkit
Looking for a single platform that can handle courses, memberships, digital products, your website, and email marketing? Enter Podia.
- No need for third-party integrations (unless you want them)
- Built-in email marketing with performance analytics
- Beautiful, professional templates—no coding required
- Seamless sales setup with webinars and downloads
Podia’s free plan lets you sell one coaching product and one digital download. Paid plans start at $33/month, with no transaction fees.
🟢 Best for creators who want to manage their entire business in one dashboard.
3. Kajabi – Premium Features for Serious Coaches
If you’re in the coaching space—or just want a super high-powered platform—Kajabi might be worth the higher price tag.
- Offer courses, memberships, coaching programs, podcasts, and communities
- Fully customizable design tools
- Marketing automation and analytics
- Podcast hosting built-in
Prices range from $119 to $319/month, but you can start with a 14-day free trial.
🟢 A top pick for coaches and content pros ready to scale with style.
4. LifterLMS – The WordPress Powerhouse
Already running a WordPress site? LifterLMS transforms your site into a learning platform without needing to start from scratch.
- Multimedia course creation, quizzes, and certificates
- 1:1 coaching, CRM, and community integration
- Works with most WordPress themes
- Easy onboarding with a setup wizard
Plans begin at $199/year. It’s a solid choice if you love WordPress and want to keep everything in one ecosystem.
🟢 Perfect for WordPress users who want native course integration.
5. LearnDash – Another WordPress Gem
Another powerful WordPress-based LMS, LearnDash offers slightly more advanced course-building tools:
- Drag-and-drop course builder
- Student badges and certifications
- AI-powered quizzes and dynamic course paths
- Integration with popular themes like Kadence and Astra
Licensing starts at $199/year.
🟢 Best for educators who want professional-level features baked into their WordPress site.
6. Udemy – Instant Audience, Instant Sales
Want access to a built-in audience of millions? Udemy could be your launchpad.
- Free to create a course
- Massive reach without needing to build your own audience
- Course quality is key—approval required before publishing
Revenue share varies: you keep 97% from your own referrals, but only 37% from Udemy-driven sales.
🟢 Great for beginners or creators without an existing audience.
7. Skillshare – Royalty-Based Teaching
Skillshare flips the script. Instead of direct sales, you earn royalties based on watch time across the platform.
- Built-in audience
- Average teachers earn $3,000/year; top earners hit six figures
- $10 flat referral bonus for new signups
- You must apply and provide a sample video
🟢 Excellent for creators who want recurring income and aren’t focused on high-ticket courses.
8. LearnWorlds – Interactive Learning Meets Serious Customization
LearnWorlds excels when it comes to interactive, engaging learning experiences.
- White-labeled mobile apps
- Great for corporate training and branded content
- Built-in marketing tools
No free plan, but there’s a 30-day trial. Paid plans range from $24 to $249/month.
🟢 Best for brands or businesses that need interactive, high-quality training tools.
9. Gumroad – Simple, Affordable, and Creator-Friendly
Though best known for digital products, Gumroad also works well for simple online courses.
- No monthly fees—just a 10% transaction cut
- Easy to use and great for selling video tutorials and files
- Limited interactivity (no quizzes or certificates)
🟢 Ideal for creators with basic course needs or who want to avoid upfront costs.
10. FreshLearn – Budget-Friendly with Premium Features
If you’re launching your course on a tight budget, FreshLearn gives you serious bang for your buck.
- Free plan covers up to 25 sales
- Offers email marketing, gamification, certificates, advanced assessments
- Drag-and-drop builder with mobile apps
Paid plans are very reasonable: $39/month for Pro, or $69/month for the “No Brainer” package.
🟢 A hidden gem for first-time course creators looking for advanced features without the price tag.
Final Verdict: What’s the Best Teachable Alternative?
If you’re looking for the best overall Teachable alternative, Thinkific takes the crown. It balances ease of use, affordability, and powerful features better than almost any competitor—plus, that unlimited student count on the free plan is a game-changer.
Need an all-in-one suite? Podia shines. Running a coaching empire? Kajabi is your best bet. Want a native WordPress option? Go with LifterLMS or LearnDash.
No matter your niche or business model, there’s a platform out there ready to support your journey as an online educator. Now the only thing left to do? Pick your platform and start building!
