Teachable vs Thinkific
A head-to-head comparison for 2026 — pricing, features, and which platform is better for different use cases.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Teachable | Thinkific |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $39/mo | Free–$36/mo |
| Transaction Fee | 5% (basic), 0% (pro) | 0% |
| Free Trial | 7 days | Free plan |
| Course Builder | Drag-and-drop | Drag-and-drop |
| Best For | Dedicated course sellers | First-time creators |
| Mobile App | Branded app | Student app |
Teachable — Overview
Teachable is the most popular online course platform with 100,000+ creators and $1B+ in course sales. Drag-and-drop builder, quizzes, certificates, and a branded mobile app. Starting at $39/mo with a 5% transaction fee on the basic plan.
Thinkific — Overview
Thinkific offers a genuinely useful free plan — one course with unlimited students at zero cost. Paid plans start at $36/mo with 0% transaction fees. The best way to test a course idea with no financial risk.
Key Differences
The two most popular course-only platforms. Teachable has more creators (100K+) and a better mobile app. Thinkific has a free plan and 0% transaction fees from the start. Teachable charges 5% on its basic plan. If you're testing a course idea, Thinkific's free plan is unbeatable. For established course creators, Teachable's ecosystem is more proven.
The Verdict
Choose Teachable for the most proven course platform with a branded mobile app. Choose Thinkific for the best free plan and 0% transaction fees.