Thinkific vs Teachable: plans, fees and features compared
Two of the best-known course platforms, side by side: what each costs at every tier, where the transaction fees are, which features sit on which plan, and who each one suits. Prices checked on 25 September 2026.
The short version
- Cheapest entry: Teachable Starter at $29 a month billed annually, but with a 7.5% transaction fee. Thinkific Basic is $40 a month with no platform fee on sales.
- Live teaching: Thinkific includes live cohorts with Zoom sessions and attendance tracking from its Start plan. Teachable is built around self-paced products.
- Mobile apps: Teachable lists iOS and Android student apps on all plans. Thinkific's branded app is a $199-a-month add-on.
- Certificates and branding removal: Thinkific gives certificates on Start and removes its branding on Grow. Teachable does both on Growth.
Pricing side by side
| Tier | Thinkific (annual · monthly) | Teachable (annual · monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Basic: $40 · $54 | Starter: $29 · $39, plus 7.5% transaction fee |
| Middle | Start: $82 · $109 | Builder: $69 · $89, 0% transaction fee |
| Upper | Grow: $164 · $219 | Growth: $139 · $189, 0% transaction fee |
| Top | Plus: custom | Custom: contact sales |
| Annual saving | Up to 25% | Up to 22% |
| Trial | Free trial | 7-day free trial, 30-day guarantee |
Sources: thinkific.com/pricing and teachable.com/pricing, checked 25 September 2026. US dollars per month, before tax. Payment processing fees apply separately on both.
At every tier Teachable's plan price is lower, but its entry plan takes 7.5% of sales. Past roughly $530 a month in sales, Teachable Builder is cheaper than Starter, and Thinkific Basic is also cheaper than Teachable Starter once sales exceed about $150 a month. Full breakdowns: Thinkific pricing and Teachable pricing.
Features compared
| Feature | Thinkific | Teachable |
|---|---|---|
| Number of courses or products | Unlimited courses on every plan | 5, 10 or 50 products by plan |
| Community | 1 community on Basic, 3 on Grow | Check Teachable's plan details |
| Live cohorts and attendance | From Start | Not a core feature |
| Completion certificates | From Start | From Growth |
| Payment plans and memberships | From Start | Check Teachable's plan details |
| Remove platform branding | From Grow | From Growth |
| Affiliate programme | Check Thinkific's plan details | From Builder |
| API and webhooks | From Grow | Check Teachable's plan details |
| SSO and SCORM | Plus | Check Teachable's plan details |
| Mobile apps | Branded app add-on, $199/mo | Student apps on all plans |
| Sales tax handling | Check Thinkific's plan details | Global payments and taxes on all plans |
Where a cell says "check the plan details", the vendor's pricing page does not state it clearly, so confirm with the vendor before relying on it.
Which should you choose?
Choose Thinkific if…
- You want unlimited courses without counting products.
- You run live cohorts or coaching alongside self-paced courses.
- You sell to companies and need group orders, invoicing and an API.
Choose Teachable if…
- You are starting out with a small number of products and want the lowest monthly price.
- You want student mobile apps included on every plan.
- You sell internationally and want sales tax handled for you.
Consider neither if…
Your teaching is built around live batches, timetables, tests and mock exams, or you need separate branches or client organisations. Both platforms focus on selling courses, not running classes. AcadifyLab combines courses, live classes with automatic attendance, tests, certificates and payments, with no fee on sales and your own branded apps on higher plans. See online course platform or our guides to Thinkific alternatives and Teachable alternatives.
Thinkific vs Teachable questions
Is Thinkific or Teachable cheaper?
Teachable's plan prices are lower at every tier, starting at $29 a month billed annually against Thinkific's $40. But Teachable Starter charges a 7.5% transaction fee, so Thinkific Basic is cheaper once your sales pass about $150 a month.
Does Thinkific or Teachable charge transaction fees?
Teachable charges 7.5% on its Starter plan and 0% on Builder and above. Thinkific charges no platform fee on sales. Payment processing fees apply on both.
Which is better for live classes?
Thinkific, which includes live cohorts with Zoom sessions and attendance tracking from its Start plan. For timetabled live batches with tests, a platform such as AcadifyLab is built for that.
Which has a mobile app?
Teachable lists iOS and Android student apps on all plans. Thinkific sells a branded iOS and Android app as a $199-a-month add-on.
Can I move from Teachable to Thinkific or the other way?
Yes. Export your content and student list, rebuild pricing and coupons, then redirect students. Our LMS migration checklist covers the steps.
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