Key Takeaways
Finding the right learning management system (LMS) can be challenging. With so many platforms offering various tools and features, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Whether you're an educator, coach, or entrepreneur, choosing the right LMS is crucial for delivering a smooth learning experience.
Kajabi is a popular choice for many, but some users find it limiting due to its higher cost and learning curve. If you've found Kajabi isn't quite right for you, you're not alone—many are looking for better-suited alternatives that offer flexibility, affordability, or ease of use.
Here are the top 10 Kajabi alternatives:
- EdisonOS
- LearnDash
- Thinkific
- Podia
- Mighty Networks
- Udemy
- Ruzuku
- Teachery
- LearnWorlds
- Skillshare
Curious to know which one fits your needs? We’ve done a deep dive into each of these platforms to help you make an informed decision. Check out our in-depth reviews to find the right LMS alternative for you!
What is Kajabi and why are users looking for Kajabi alternatives?
Kajabi is an all-in-one platform that helps users create, manage, and sell online courses and digital products. It provides tools for course creation, video lessons, eBooks, landing pages, and more, making it a popular choice for course creators and entrepreneurs.Kajabi is widely used by content creators and educators who want to share their knowledge online. Its marketing tools, such as sales funnels and email automation, make it easier for users to reach their target audience, boost sales, and manage the entire customer journey.Kajabi’s popularity comes from its ability to combine course creation and marketing tools in one platform. It is especially favored by users who want a seamless way to launch and grow their online business without needing multiple tools or technical skills.
Why Are Companies Looking for an Alternative to Kajabi?
Reason 1: Limited Customization Options
Kajabi users often mention the platform’s lack of flexibility when it comes to customization. Many course creators find it difficult to tailor their websites, emails, and course layouts to meet specific needs, making it hard to provide a unique experience for their audience.
G2 Review
"There are not a lot of options when you want to do more granular tracking for email marketing. It's also hard to set up more dynamic email sequences."
— Tiffany L, G2 Reviewer
Reason 2: Expensive Pricing
Kajabi’s pricing is another reason many users seek alternatives. For small businesses or course creators who don’t need all the advanced features, the high cost of the platform often outweighs its benefits.
G2 Review
"We use Kajabi to host our eLearning courses. It is fairly easy to use, but can be pricy per month."
— Christopher M, G2 Reviewer
Reason 3: Poor Customer Support
Several users have expressed dissatisfaction with Kajabi’s customer support. The slow response times and inability to resolve technical issues frustrate many users, especially when paying a premium for the platform.
G2 Review
"The support is hands down the worst aspect of Kajabi. I have never encountered such a poor excuse for a support organization while paying such a premium for an offering."
— Ryan B, G2 Reviewer
Reason 4: Complex and Clunky Interface
While Kajabi provides an all-in-one solution, its interface can be complicated to navigate, especially for those without a technical background. Users often feel that the platform’s design makes simple tasks more challenging.
G2 Review
"The funnel builder creates everything for you but then puts things in odd places. Landing pages haven’t converted for me, and it doesn’t track email stats correctly."
— Brady P, G2 Reviewer
Reason 5: Bugs and Performance Issues
Kajabi users report encountering bugs and performance issues that interfere with essential features. This can be frustrating when you are trying to manage a course or business and rely on smooth functionality.
G2 Review
"Unfortunately, when most of the features don't work consistently, you spend more time dealing with the support team than you do running your business."
— Verified User, Information Technology
1. EdisonOS
EdisonOS is a learning management system that simplifies course creation for organizations and individual course creators. It offers all the essential tools needed to build and manage online courses without technical hassle, making it a great alternative to Kajabi for those looking for a straightforward solution.
EdisonOS is ideal for educators, trainers, and businesses that want complete control over their courses. It allows users to customize their platform with white-labeling, create branded mobile apps, and integrate third-party tools. These features help deliver engaging learning experiences while keeping everything organized and easy to manage.
Choose EdisonOS as an alternative to Kajabi if you need a flexible and feature-rich platform. With SCORM compliance, a built-in website builder, email marketing capabilities, and real-time tracking tools, EdisonOS offers a complete package. It also integrates easily with payment processors like Stripe, and its customer support is highly regarded, making it a strong choice for course creators.
Key Features:
- Advance classroom and content creation capabilities.
- Real-time dashboard for tracking student progress.
- White-labeling options for full brand control.
- SCORM compliance.
- Integration with Stripe for payments.
- Branded mobile apps for students.
Pros:
- Comprehensive set of tools for course creation.
- Seamless payment integration.
- Excellent customer support.
Cons:
- Higher starting price compared to some competitors.
Integrations:
- Stripe, PayPal, and more than 1000 third-party apps for business and marketing.
Pricing:
- Starts at $159/month for individuals.
Why We Picked EdisonOS: EdisonOS stands out as a cheaper alternative to Kajabi with excellent scalability and flexibility for educators, allowing them to create courses, manage students, and track performance without worrying about the technical stuff.
Ratings:
- 4.7/5
Customer Review
“With EdisonOS, it’s easy to track where students are struggling and improving. The platform helps me create a better test prep experience.”
— Tina Wiles, Co-Founder, My2tor
2. LearnDash
LearnDash is an excellent choice for making and marketing an online course. It is a WordPress plug-in that, unlike Kajabi, enables you to develop online courses using WordPress' built-in functionality. LearnDash offers frameworks like quizzes, assignments, course builders, and user tracking to increase content engagement.
These elements may improve user acquisition and retention rates while producing an insightful learning environment. Like Kajabi, LearnDash lets you award certificates to students who finish their courses. You can also divide the content into smaller, better-organized sections or add extra layers of content.
With LearnDash, you have total control over the pricing strategy and may establish a unique price for every course. One-time deals, memberships, and even grouping many courses are options. The 30-day money-back guarantee ensures you're covered against any ambiguity. The lack of a free plan is the only drawback. Otherwise, it satisfies all the facets and is the best alternative to Kajabi.
Key Features:
- WordPress plug-in for course creation.
- Quizzes, assignments, and user tracking for enhanced engagement.
- Supports course completion certificates.
Pros:
- Perfect for WordPress users.
- Advanced course-building features.
- Customizable pricing for each course.
Cons:
- There is no free plan.
- Limited native marketing tools.
Integrations:
- It integrates multiple payment methods, such as PayPal and Stripe.
Pricing:
- Starts at $159/year.
Why We Picked LearnDash: We selected LearnDash for its seamless integration with WordPress and robust course creation tools, making it one of the best Kajabi alternatives for those who prefer using WordPress.
Ratings:
- 4.5/5
3. Thinkific
Thinkific is developed for course creators and novice educators who need an online course platform to create courses and landing pages. It comes with a comprehensive course builder that is user-centric enough for new educators to start quickly.
Thinkific allows users to integrate other marketing tools, but it also comes with native automation and certain affiliate marketing features. If you are already occupied in a coaching business and have some complex needs to be satisfied, Thinkific can make it possible. Although Thinkific has a landing page creation tool, it's not robust and won't be enough for most coaches.
You can select from various templates, such as mini-courses, flagship courses, webinar replays, etc., to create your course. After each lesson, you can include quizzes and explain incorrect responses. Users of Thinkific can also create conversion funnels. For instance, you can set up a funnel so that users registering on the platform can view free content, but advanced content requires payment.
Key Features:
- User-friendly course builder with templates.
- Integration with marketing tools and native automation.
- A free plan is available with 0% transaction fees.
Pros:
- Great for beginners and new course creators.
- No upfront cost for starting with the free plan.
- Conversion funnel features for upselling.
Cons:
- Limited landing page creation tools.
- Lacks advanced learning authoring tools.
Integrations:
- Integrates with thousands of marketing tools and third-party apps.
Pricing:
- Free plan available. Paid plans start from $36/month.
Why We Picked Thinkific: Thinkific's ease of use and free plan makes it an ideal free Kajabi alternative for new course creators looking to start without upfront investment.
Ratings:
- 4.6/5
4. Podia
Podia is another system that includes various modern tools for course creation, memberships, and online course hosting. It is considered one of the best online learning management systems thus far, offering advanced marketing automation features, no transaction fees, and no technical expertise.
For content, Podia is a go-to option for creators who wish to spread their knowledge to the world and get paid for it; marketers eager to promote their content-based digital material will also find Podia a great choice. Overall, it's a unique online community and online learning platform that doubles as a means of selling different kinds of digital goods.
Podia allows you to easily launch an all-in-one online store and take orders. You can also process payments and send emails and newsletters using Podia itself. Because of these many features, it is now our top pick as a Kajabi online course platform substitute.
Key Features:
- Advanced marketing automation.
- No transaction fees.
Pros:
- Technical expertise is optional.
- Email marketing built-in.
- Flexible payment options.
Cons:
- Limited customisation compared to some competitors.
Integrations:
- Built-in email marketing and integration with payment processors like Stripe and PayPal.
Pricing:
- Free plan available. Paid plans start from $33/month.
Why We Picked Podia: Podia's simplicity and lack of transaction fees make it a better solution than Kajabi for creators who want an all-in-one platform.
Ratings:
- 4.5/5
5. Mighty Networks
Mighty Networks assists you in building an online learning community of eager readers ready to access your content as a learning management system (LMS). With Mighty Networks, you can easily house your learning community, e-learning courses, and corporate website under one roof.
Using social media, membership sites and education, you can easily market courses to a chosen group of potential clients while optimising your audience's learning potential! The goal is to provide a space to house your memberships, community, and courses.
You can start small with a free community with Mighty Networks and build it up to become an empire with your website, a whole course, paid live-streaming events, and even a branded mobile app that is uniquely yours.
Mighty Networks stands apart from other platforms primarily due to its next-generation growth features, which are absent from other platforms. Mighty Networks offers more options for community interaction between community members and ways to gamify, engage, and monetize your community.
Doing this will ignite the snowball effect within your groups and accelerate your growth significantly.
Key Features:
- Build online learning communities.
- Create and host e-learning courses, memberships, and websites.
- Branded mobile apps for your community.
Pros:
- Superior community-building features.
- Built-in live-streaming capabilities.
- Gamification options to engage members.
Cons:
- Lacks focus on content creation tools compared to other platforms.
- Transaction fees can add up depending on the plan.
Integrations:
- Integrates with various social media platforms and payment processors like Stripe.
Pricing:
- Community Plan: 2% transaction fee, Business Plan: 3% transaction fee + monthly fees.
Why We Picked Mighty Networks: Mighty Networks offers a unique blend of community-building tools and course-creation features. It is a great alternative to Kajabi for those looking to build an interactive learning community.
Ratings:
- 4.3/5
6. Udemy
Udemy is a well-known online course platform that differs from other options because it is an online course marketplace, not a typical course creation platform. It is free and lets educators deliver online courses under the Udemy brand.
For course creators without a large following, Udemy is a great choice. Furthermore, using sophisticated tools for creating online courses, such as the "Instructor Dashboard" and an extensive library of lessons, is entirely free.
Once your online course is live on Udemy, you can use various marketing tactics to spread the word about it. Successful courses can be rinsed and repeated numerous times without incurring any fee.
However, you must split your profits with Udemy: 3% from sales from your marketing initiatives (such as coupons) or up to 50% from sales resulting from Udemy's natural traffic.
Key Features:
- Online course marketplace.
- Access to over 40 million students worldwide.
- Free-to-use platform for educators.
Pros:
- No upfront cost to start creating courses.
- Wide reach due to Udemy’s large user base.
- Tools like the Instructor Dashboard make it easy to manage courses.
Cons:
- High commission on sales made through Udemy's organic traffic.
- Limited branding control for course creators.
Integrations:
- Native integration with Udemy’s tools, no external integrations needed.
Pricing:
- Free for educators. Revenue-sharing model (97% for your promotions, 37% for organic traffic).
Why We Picked Udemy: Udemy is a free Kajabi alternative for educators looking for passive income through courses without having to do their own marketing, as the platform already has a massive audience.
Ratings:
- 4.2/5
7. Ruzuku
If you are in the education business and want to teach students seamlessly, Ruzuku is one of the best options for selling your course. Ruzuku is a learning management system developer for course creators who wish to sell their courses online quickly. It is also a popular platform for its peer-to-peer learning support.
You may give course names and add content to each lesson you create using Ruzuku. Creating a course by following these easy steps takes only a few minutes. Texts, pictures, and reference papers can also be added. If you wish to design some basic-level courses, Ruzuku can be a suitable choice as it allows educators to create landing pages easily.
An open-source learning management system called Ruzuku makes it simpler for educational establishments to monitor and oversee their students' progress.
Ruzuku is another wonderful choice where you can move your courses if you're looking for an alternative to any course platform or course marketplace. With their cost-effective pricing plans, you won't have to pay for resources, and you'll be able to keep more of your money because you can determine your prices, and there are no transaction costs, so it will eventually boost your sales funnels.
Hundreds of producers are already using Ruzuku to design and market courses.
Key Features:
- Easy-to-use course builder.
- Peer-to-peer learning support.
- Live meetings and discussion forums.
Pros:
- Simple course-building process.
- No transaction fees.
- Ideal for beginner course creators.
Cons:
- Limited advanced features for more experienced educators.
- Minimal customization options for landing pages.
Integrations:
- Integrates with Stripe and PayPal for payments.
Pricing:
- Paid plans start at $99/month.
Why We Picked Ruzuku: Ruzuku is a great Kajabi alternative for those who value simplicity in building courses and want a platform with no transaction fees and solid peer-to-peer learning support.
Ratings:
- 3.1/5
8. Teachery
If you've never built a course before and are just getting started, Teachery will give you the motivation to start making money off your passion by selling digital downloads. In addition to selling bundles, you can develop affiliate programs and sales pages, offer online memberships and courses, and more. The main feature that sets Teachery apart is how easy and intuitive it is to create and sell online courses.
You can choose from two customizable and interactive templates on the platform based on your requirements. You can make learning enjoyable for your students by incorporating text, audio, or video into your courses. It also allows you to style your course in any way you want to align with your brand and draw in customers.
This platform also facilitates the process of selecting your payment options for each course. Finally, Teachery offers a simple pricing structure without limits on either plan. This implies that you have infinite courses to create and students to enroll.
Key Features:
- Streamlined course creation process.
- Two customizable course templates.
- No limits on courses or students.
Pros:
- Extremely beginner-friendly.
- Flexible course creation options.
- No transaction fees or limits on courses.
Cons:
- Lacks some advanced features seen in other platforms.
- Limited customization options.
Integrations:
- Stripe and PayPal for payments.
Pricing:
- $49/month or $470/year.
Why We Picked Teachery: Teachery’s ease of use and straightforward pricing make it a cheaper alternative to Kajabi, especially for beginners looking to launch their first courses without complications.
Ratings:
- 4.0/5
9. LearnWorlds
LearnWorlds is a robust learning management system (LMS) with many course administration, promotion, and intricacy features. With tools for course creation, website, branded mobile app creation, and marketing, LearnWorlds is an all-in-one platform. Additionally, this platform offers good reporting features.
It can be tricky to use at first because of all the features. Moreover, a lack of focus is a result of complexity. It might appear more like a content platform than an educational one. Additionally, compared to other Kajabi alternatives, its design could be more seamless.
Customizable software helps educators and trainers reach a wider audience with interactive, captivating, outcomes-based content. LearnWorlds can be used to launch an online education program from the ground up. Using the platform, entrepreneurs can create a school with efficient LMSs and all the resources needed to promote, sell, and streamline every aspect of the operation.
The abundance of available templates and widgets simplifies creating a brand. Similarly, you can enable custom development and thorough in-house training for staff, partners, and employees in corporate settings by utilizing the LearnWorlds platform.
Key Features:
- All-in-one platform with course creation, website, and marketing tools.
- Interactive video hosting.
- Customizable branded mobile apps.
Pros:
- Advanced reporting features.
- Interactive video content to engage students.
- No limits on students or landing pages for higher-tier plans.
Cons:
- Higher learning curve due to complexity.
- Design could be more seamless.
Integrations:
- Integrates with payment gateways like Stripe and various marketing tools.
Pricing:
- The starter plan starts at $30/month, the Pro Trainer plan at $100/month, and the Learning Center plan at $300/month.
Why We Picked LearnWorlds: LearnWorlds offers a comprehensive solution for educators and trainers. It provides an extensive set of course creation and marketing tools, making it one of the best Kajabi alternatives for scaling e-learning programs.
Ratings:
- 4.4/5
10. Skillshare
Skillshare is a well-known website where people can teach and learn new skills. Its platform, with a more user-friendly interface and a marketplace feel, makes it a good Kajabi alternative.
The growing popularity of Skillshare can be attributed to the diverse range of content providers who have chosen to offer courses on the platform. Compared to other Teaching options, this suggests that teachers will have access to a larger pool of potential students, which is advantageous for them.
Using the integrated features of the platform, creators and entrepreneurs can create and promote online courses on Skillshare. The primary type of content you will make on Skillshare is videos.
The platform's prefabricated feature will help people nervous about public speaking use it more efficiently, but it might also make the courses less attractive.
Online course marketplace solutions can be constructive because you need to know who might find your course through a keyword search. But because markets are so competitive, they can also make it hard for your work to be recognized.
Key Features:
- Video-based courses with interactive learning features.
- Marketplace for course creators with access to a large audience.
- Project-based assignments for real-world learning.
Pros:
- Large student community.
- Great for instructors who prefer video-based content.
- Courses include real-world projects and assignments.
Cons:
- Limited branding control for instructors.
- Revenue-sharing model can reduce income.
Integrations:
- Skillshare’s built-in tools for course creation and delivery.
Pricing:
- Revenue-sharing model with no upfront cost for instructors. Premium plan for students.
Why We Picked Skillshare: Skillshare’s marketplace model makes it an ideal Kajabi alternative for instructors who want to teach skills-based courses to a broad audience without worrying about self-promotion.
Ratings:
- 4.3/5
What to Look for in a Kajabi Alternative?
Choosing the right platform to replace Kajabi requires careful consideration of several key factors that can impact your success as a course creator. Here are the most important aspects to evaluate when comparing alternatives:
1. Ease of Use:
A user-friendly platform saves time and frustration. Look for a system that lets you set up and manage your courses with minimal technical know-how. This is especially crucial if you’re new to course creation and want to focus on content, not complicated tools.
2. Customization:
Your brand is unique, and your platform should reflect that. Choose a solution that allows you to easily customize your course pages, emails, and user experience. The ability to control your branding will help you stand out and create a cohesive experience for your audience.
3. Pricing:
Budget is always a factor, but make sure you’re getting value for your money. Compare the features offered at different pricing tiers to ensure the platform meets your needs without overcharging for unnecessary tools. Look for free trials or entry-level plans to get started without heavy upfront costs.
4. Integrations:
Your platform should work seamlessly with the tools you already use. Whether it’s email marketing services, CRMs, or payment gateways, check that the platform can integrate with these systems to streamline your workflow and save time.
5. Support and Resources:
Reliable customer support can make all the difference when you hit a roadblock. Make sure the platform offers responsive support and a robust knowledge base to guide you through any challenges. Look for resources such as tutorials, webinars, and communities that can help you succeed.
6. Marketing Features:
Beyond course creation, you’ll need tools to grow your audience and boost sales. Choose a platform that includes built-in marketing features like sales funnels, email marketing automation, and promotion tools. These can help you engage your audience and drive revenue without needing external marketing software.
Why Should You Choose EdisonOS as a Kajabi Alternative?
EdisonOS provides all the tools you need to create, manage, and sell your courses without worrying about the technical aspects. It offers robust marketing tools, white-labelling options, and real-time analytics, making it a powerful, cost effective alternative to Kajabi. EdisonOS integrates seamlessly with third-party apps, allowing you to scale your business without limitations.
Final Thoughts
Selecting the best Kajabi alternative depends on your needs, such as course creation flexibility, community engagement, or ease of use. Whether you're looking for a cheaper alternative, a free alternative, or a platform better than Kajabi, each option mentioned above provides unique features that cater to different aspects of online learning and digital product selling.
EdisonOS remains the top choice due to its scalability, flexibility, and comprehensive toolset for creating and managing courses. Ready to try EdisonOS as a Kajabi alternative? Book a demo now to see how it can elevate your e-learning experience.
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