You’re confident that you have what it takes to be a successful educational entrepreneur. But have you found the right platform that allows you to do so?
Course management or LMS services let you create meaningful content, share them with your students and potential customers, and make substantial profits from selling them. There are many online LMS platforms available today, with some of the most impressive features you will find. But, with this influx, it can be pretty hard to choose which one suits you best.
Since I began selling courses, I have had many struggles finding the right place to learn my entrepreneurial skills. After becoming more confident, I moved from one platform to another until I found Kajabi. Although I might have found the right one for me, that doesn’t mean I can’t give sound advice to help you on your journey.
I will be giving you a brief overview of Kajabi and its alternative LMS services. We’ll take a close look at their distinct assets, the pros, the cons, what makes each other different or similar, and my opinion on whoever gets to use any of them!
For those of you who prefer a more visual experience, here is a video review from Legit Marketing Reviews’ YouTube channel. To get a comprehensive overview of Kajabi, you may still want to check out our article below.
Kajabi: A Brief Overview Kajabi Vs 504
Some of you may have recognized the name “Kajabi” in passing. But for most of you who are not well aware, it is a popular online course management service that’s best known for its all-in-one nature – essentially, you have nearly every solution imaginable to help you create and sell course content within your reach.
Course builder? It’s there. You need a reliable website builder. Got it. A wide range of pre-made templates and themes? Certainly. You will find a variety of great sales and marketing tools. Yes! No matter what you need to manage and sell your content, Kajabi has the tool to help you with that.
Kajabi‘s claim to be a one-stop shop is enough for established and developing edupreneurs to love. For this reason, it has received plenty of glowing reviews, though there are some valid criticisms here and there. It’s no wonder why Trustpilot has scored Kajabi an outstanding 4.6 out of 5.
Kajabi’s Key Features
Kajabi is best known for its intuitive interface, wide range of customization and flexible editing capabilities. Its course builder is designed to give you the tools needed to cultivate a convenient educational experience between you and your students. Its website editor and free hosting let you create a completely personalized space that you can share with anyone.
Kajabi offers so much more than this. Its built-in suites of marketing tools work as well as any third-party provider combined. It is notable that LMS platforms have sales pipelines included. Other LMS platforms require you to connect with a separate service that offers this feature. On the other, Kajabi’s learning and support resources are as reliable as you could expect.
Kajabi: The pros and cons
Kajabi follows a unique business model that’s not often used by other LMS platforms and is all-in-one in nature, and with it, there are plenty of perks. One of these is the minimization of needing to integrate with third-party apps, as nearly all the course management and marketing tools are found in-house. Another lies in revenue – Kajabi takes none of its shares, meaning you get to keep 100% of your profit from selling content.
While it’s worth noting the benefits of Kajabi’s business model, we shouldn’t fully ignore its downsides. The pricing alone is obvious as plans start at a whopping hundred dollars more than other services. The lack of a free plan doesn’t help either. Plus, many of its users don’t appreciate the lack of other essential course management tools within the platform, particularly certifications. Kajabi’s cons aren’t as severe as its pros. However, they are still worth considering. Kajabi Vs 504
Pricing plans start at: Kajabi Basic starting at $119/month
Does it have a free plan? No, but it offers a 14-day free trial
Kajabi is a great choice because you don’t need third-party integrations or platforms, it offers very affordable but very valuable plans, reliable user communities, and amazing customer support.
Kajabi is more suitable for Established professionals, newbies with enough financial resources to afford Kajabi’s features, experienced edupreneurs
Kajabi vs. Thinkific
Joining the likes of Kajabi in the lineup of leading online LMS platforms, Thinkific allows you to focus on the task at hand by exploring a diverse range of course-building tools and using it to your advantage to create content to share with your students. It’s known for its set of industry-level tools at a valuable price range, including a built-in certification tool, as well as its ability to integrate with thousands of third-party platforms through the Thinkific App Store.
> > Click Here to Check Out Kajabi < <
Thinkific has been my tool for creating and selling course content since before Kajabi. Although my needs might have outstripped the capabilities of Thinkific, I was able to appreciate how it allowed me to manage my courses throughout my tenure. With a free plan and a little cheaper premium one, Thinkific is seen by many as a solid Kajabi alternative for those with limited resources, particularly financial ones.
The Similarities
Thinkific is a one-stop shop that offers intuitive course management tools and a great learning experience. Much like Kajabi, it has a course builder, a customizable website editor, an outstanding range of business tools, and an opportunity to build a community where you and your students can interact.
Both platforms shine when it comes to their course option offerings. No matter which you prefer, you have the chance to create stable online courses and/or membership pages. You’d even get to whip up assessments within them injected with a ton of variety as well! My subscribers have had no difficulty using the Thinkific interface, just like Kajabi.
The Differences
Thinkific provides a range of industry-level features at an affordable price, even though it borrows the Kajabi 0% transaction fee model. If you can compare the cost of its premium entry-level plan to the other, you’ll see the difference right away. The former does not offer a free plan, but it offers a functional, though limited, one.
Other than the value pricing, Thinkific’s other bonuses include its far-more-accurate reports and analytics, as well as the way it handles security measures within the service.
The Pros and Cons of Thinkific
Thinkific’s ease-of-use is something I love about it. Another that I didn’t enjoy as much is the lack of depth some of its features have. Although I like its built-in credential system, it is not my favorite feature. However, the lack of advanced business tools or theme options for websites is a major downer. However, all of this has been compensated for by a greater range of integrations.
Pricing plans start at: Thinkific Start as low as $74/month
Is there a free plan? Yes
Why Thinkific? A premium starter plan that offers smooth career progression, superior analytics and reporting capabilities, and a super-intuitive user interface.
Thinkific is better suited for Newbie Edupreneurs with limited marketing skills and those who want to sell courses without using complex marketing jargon.
Kajabi vs. Teachable
Teachable is another popular service that shares the same premise as Thinkific in that it lets you build a completely integrated learning experience. It also takes care of all the technical stuff. It’s established by course creators for fellow course creators, so it makes sense that the focus at hand here is concentrated on course management.
Both beginners and professionals have praised Teachable. It is especially popular with beginners due to its low price and ease of use. Pros, meanwhile, come back to it because of its set of comprehensive course management tools, robust content analytics, and well-versed editing and customization capabilities. Teachable, like Thinkific, offers a fully functioning built-in certification tool, something Kajabi, unfortunately, does not have.
The Similarities
Teachable’s course building features are of the same quality as Kajabi’s. Looking both ways, you’d be satisfied with how they let you create courses, memberships, or any product with seamless versatility. While you could technically take advantage of these with any of the two, it’s clear now that Teachable has the upper hand. Kajabi Vs 504
Accessibility is a key component in course creation. Therefore, it’s important that students can access your content from any device at all times and places. Both Kajabi and Teachable address this with mobile apps that you can download on any handheld device, whether it’s powered by iOS or Android.
The Differences
Teachable is a great course creator and manager, but it’s not as good in other areas. Its native marketing suite, for example, doesn’t bear the same weight as Kajabi’s – it’s obvious that the latter gives its version the same attention as its course-building tools. Despite this, I gotta admire how well both platforms hold up in terms of reporting and analysis, though Teachable is a bit more detail-oriented.
> > Click Here to Check Out Kajabi < <
Teachable’s general interface looks simpler and less complicated. Even though you won’t have to code a lot, especially if it’s new to the process, Teachable gives you the freedom to go beyond its limitations with its Power Editor.
The Pros and Cons of Teachable
Teachable is, and remains to be, extremely affordable, making it a solid hit for newbies and budget-conscious pros alike – so much so that I was strongly considering hopping on it when I entered into the course business! The platform’s course management features, which are robust and simple to use, are also a strong point. As for the cons, it falls short in its customization offerings and marketing tools, although it’s evident what the platform truly focuses on.
Pricing plans start with Teachable Basic starting at $29/month
Does it have a free plan? Yes
Teachable is a great choice because of its user-friendly interface, advanced course management and analytics, and simple interface that allows for advanced-level adjustments.
Teachable is more suitable for Absolute beginner edupreneurs, established business professionals, budget-conscious power users
Kajabi vs. ClickFunnels
ClickFunnels is a top online service used by entrepreneurs and businesses all over the world. Although this sounds great, ClickFunnels operates in a different way than Kajabi or the other LMS platforms we have covered. It offers the usual course management, marketing and analytics tools but focuses heavily on the marketing aspect. Kajabi Vs 504
ClickFunnels can be described as a digital marketing platform. It allows users to spread their content/products across the internet and expects to make a profit. It has a wide variety of competitive business features that can be used for any purpose. It’s pretty versatile, too – not only can you use it to promote your courses, but also your physical products if you have them! ClickFunnels is best recognized for its rich library of sales funnel templates, split testing, and intuitive landing page builder.
The Similarities
ClickFunnels shares a common feature with Kajabi: the sales funnel feature. Both platforms offer a wide range of templates each strategically designed to encourage a bountiful flow of profit and optimized for any objective. Although both versions leave an impression, ClickFunnels offers more, as their primary strategy is to build sales pipelines.
ClickFunnels’ interface is just as intuitive as Kajabi. Both services can’t be beaten as well when it comes to marketing and sales – the checkout and payment tools, in particular, are as instinctive as you could expect. Plus, their customer service is equally top-notch!
The Differences
A landing page is just as important in digital marketing as creating automated e-mails or crafting well-designed pipelines. Kajabi and ClickFunnels both have page-building abilities, but Kajabi only allows you to create a fully functioning website. ClickFunnels, however, limits you to a handful of page options, including the landing page.
Hiring affiliates within your member base is a guaranteed way to collect more leads and both services allow you to do just that with simple yet industry-grade tools. With ClickFunnels, you get to use this function if you have either a physical or digital product. Kajabi allows you to access your digital content and your courses.
The Pros and Cons of ClickFunnels
I may not be that knowledgeable with deep marketing/sales jargon, but some of my colleagues who are can attest that ClickFunnels excels when it comes to delivering what it’s supposed to do. ClickFunnels is guaranteed to give entrepreneurs a better conversion rate turnout, and the funnel-building and landing page creation tools are equally outstanding. Otherwise, it does not excel at all in terms of course-building – it’s clear as day that this aspect doesn’t matter as much for its developers.
> > Click Here to Check Out Kajabi < <
Pricing plans start at: ClickFunnels Basic starting at $127/month
Does it have a free plan? No, but it offers a 14-day free trial
ClickFunnels is a strategic focus on digital marketing. This guarantees a higher sales turnout. ClickFunnels also allows for flexible integration with other apps, such as LMS platforms.
ClickFunnels is more suitable for Edupreneurs with big budgets, individuals who want to sell both digital courses and physical products Kajabi Vs 504
Kajabi vs. Kartra
Kartra is another popular option for market-savvy edupreneurs, as it specializes best in product selling, marketing campaigns, and other fail-proof schemes. This one is very interesting. It functions in a similar way to Kajabi, allowing you to create courses and memberships right away. However, it also works similarly to ClickFunnels with other aspects such as page building and marketing tools. You can sell physical and digital products.
Kartra is designed to increase engagement and leave subscribers asking for more. It has a large archive of full sales pipelines or campaigns, an easy scheduling system, additional widget options, and a unique scheduling system. You can also share your campaigns with fellow Kartra users, and even acquire a 360-degree view of where your leads are heading.
The Similarities
Kajabi and Kartra excel in offering an impressive range of business features that are industry-leading. You’d be able to succeed no matter where you are because both have optimized templates. You’d also have access to a wide range of marketing tools, including automations.
Nearly the same thing can be said about their page-building capabilities. While Kartra offers more options, they are still the most flexible and performant platform. I’d just like to add my two cents here: though there are notable similarities both Kartra and Kajabi share, I also think the same applies to ClickFunnels, considering there are certain characteristics that are identical to the other.
The Differences
ClickFunnels may be losing to Kartra, which has a good number of course management tools. If you compare it to Kajabi’s version of Kartra, you might find that Kartra isn’t able to keep up with it as well. Despite this, Kartra is a great marketing and lead generation tool.
If you take a look at the widget options in its website builder, you may find stuff like countdowns, pop-ups, and anything that can easily convince potential customers. I guess that’s what happens when you run a platform that prioritizes one thing a bit more than the rest – there may be cons, but there will certainly always be pros. Kajabi Vs 504
Kartra’s Pros and Cons
Kartra is robust in its offering of features from business to page creation, and its set of plans is worth great value as you could make the most out of its core tools no matter where you look. While Kartra may shine in its business tools, the same can’t be said with its course building. Plus, I heard it can be quite difficult to explore sometimes, especially for first-timers.
Pricing plans begin with: Kartra Starter, as low as $79/month
Is there a free plan? No, and it doesn’t offer a free trial either
Reasons to choose Kartra: Top-quality business tools that don’t always require code, expanded customer retention options, powerful video hosting
Kartra is more suitable for Individuals who want to sell both digital and physical products, entrepreneurs with a keen eye for better marketing
Kajabi vs. Podia
A fan favorite and an underrated one, Podia is an LMS platform best known for its very affordable price range, extremely easy-to-explore user interface, and a list of valuable yet functional course and business features. It is similar to Kajabi but a lighter and more accessible version. Many course creators consider Podia and the Teachable a great place to start their careers.
This is something I can attest to as Podia helped me to get into the field. Without Podia, I wouldn’t have learned about course-building and wouldn’t use Kajabi or other high-end services. Podia is a leader in communication. It allows users to easily message their customers without any hassle. Kajabi Vs 504
The Similarities
Podia is poised to be a kind of LMS that’s all-in-one in nature, much like Kajabi and, to some extent, Thinkific. While the other two are renowned for their premium-level advanced tools, Podia adjusts its version to be more budget-friendly and easy to use. You’ll find tons of functionality no matter where your eyes go.
With that in mind, Podia contains a fair share of dynamic and flexible functions across nearly all aspects of course management, from the course builder and player to the tasteful range of page themes to even sales funnels and other useful marketing tactics.
The Differences
Although the idea of an all-in-one platform that is budget-friendly may sound appealing, Podia, as it is designed, can be guessed now that there will always be limits. Compare its features to Kajabi’s, and you’ll notice one is less high-end than the other.
Podia may have the right platform to help beginners grow, but not enough to further develop them into experts – it’s for this reason that I had to switch to Thinkific once I felt it was the right time. Although Podia is not as sophisticated as Kajabi’s, it is still very functional and straightforward for the price. Its interface is so easy to use that it’s loved by both beginners and professionals.
The Pros and Con of Podia
With Podia, you get to create as many courses as you like, plus you’ll be rewarded with unlimited storage – this comes in handy if you’re sort of a power user. All premium plans include transaction fees, and you don’t have to pay any transaction fees. Although Podia offers a free plan with no restrictions, there may be some limitations that could hinder your ability to use it. Kajabi Vs 504
> > Click Here to Check Out Kajabi < <
Pricing plans start at: Podia Mover, starting at $33/month
Is there a free plan? Yes
Reasons to choose Podia: Flexible and convenient ease of use, creator-friendly course management features, great affiliate marketing and drip campaign tools
Podia is more suitable for DIY entrepreneurs, absolute newbies, those looking for a test drive in course management
Kajabi vs. Mighty Networks
Mighty Networks started as a social media network. It has since grown to be a popular platform with a large following.
With a strong emphasis on forging connections and building communities, it allows you to utilize its course-building and marketing functions and share what you’ve made through its customizable social media feed that you can personalize. You can also use your feed to share updates, let your members sound off in the comments, and even inform them you’re holding a live stream if you want. Mighty Networks is a similar to Facebook, I would say.
The Similarities
Similar to Kajabi, Mighty has enough tools to let you create courses, memberships, and other kinds of content in-house. Both have decent video hosting and live-streaming, which means, if you’re into teaching through the video format, you could film and upload them to any either platform scot-free.
Both services offer mobile apps that you, or your students, can download to interact with your content anywhere and anytime. This is a great advantage because they are compatible with both iOS and Android devices. Accessibility is high assured. Mighty has recently added an affiliate program, but since it’s new, it might take many years to be as robust as Kajabi’s. Kajabi Vs 504
The Differences
The major distinction between Mighty and Kajabi has to be what it specializes best – the former focuses more on community-building, and the other on the courses, coupled with a bunch of other things. And, as you can expect, it’s clear that Mighty’s course-building capabilities are… not at their best. They are functional but not as advanced and sophisticated as Kajabi’s.
Kajabi‘s communication tools, meanwhile, are decent enough, but they’re not as dynamic as Mighty’s. I get that Kajabi is going all-in as a one-stop platform, but, compared to Mighty’s social feed, messaging, and comments capabilities, it can’t keep up as much as it could – I can even vouch for this as a Kajabi user myself!
The Pros and Cons of Mighty Networks
It’s obvious by now that Mighty Networks shines best in its community-building skills. It has been deemed an ideal platform for networking. It can be used for course content as well as for many other products. It’s been established that Mighty’s ability to create course content is very limited. To add insult to injury, this feature is only available to subscribers to higher business plans.
Pricing plans begin with: The Community Plan, as low as $33/month
Does it offer a free plan? No, but it offers a 14-day free trial
Mighty Networks is a great choice: A highly-optimized social network for you and your friends, a more-functional mobile app, and minimal course-building and other marketing tools
Mighty Networks is better suited for Edupreneurs, who believe communication is the core of course management, and professionals who want to integrate it with other services.
Conclusion Kajabi Vs 504
As we reach the end of this comprehensive list of reviews, I hope that this one helped you in any way in forming your final decision. Although choosing the right LMS platform is not an easy task, there are many credible resources and opinions available from other users that can help you make a decision.
If you’re considering a service that I use, Kajabi, I can assume that your professional skills are developed enough to make you want to try it out if you’re planning on stepping into the edupreneur’s world. I can also bet that you have enough finances to afford it. Kajabi’s products are well-priced and offer a lot of features. You may feel that they are worth the investment.
If you don’t feel confident with your current resources – whether it’s monetary funds or professional skills – and you feel that Kajabi may be too difficult for you, you might not be ready. If this is the case, I am always happy to give you my other suggestions.
If you’re into connecting with your members yet don’t mind about the barebones course tools, Mighty Networks may be your best bet. If you’re running short on budget, it’s either between Teachable or Podia. What are the best marketing and sales tools? Either between ClickFunnels or Katra. Affordable alternatives to Kajabi itself? Look no further than Thinkific and Podia.
No matter what you choose, what matters most is that you have a platform to mold you into a better edupreneur. Again, I am glad that I was able to help you select the right LMS for your course business career.
