Kajabi vs Thinkific

BY TOOLSRAY · UPDATED JULY 2026

// THE VERDICT

Both are top course platforms with different philosophies. Kajabi is an all-in-one business platform - courses, email, funnels, and payments in one - best if you want to run your whole business from one tool and will use the marketing features. Thinkific is a focused, polished course builder at a lower price (from about $49/mo), best if you want a great course experience and are happy to plug in your own email and marketing tools.

KajabiAll-in-one platform for knowledge businesses.FROM $69/MO
ThinkificPowerful course creation, no code.FROM $49/MO

Head to head

KajabiThinkific
Starting priceFrom $69/moFrom $49/mo
Best forAll-in-one course businessFocused, affordable courses
Entry priceFrom ~$69/moFrom ~$49/mo
Email marketingBuilt-in and robustBasic (use an external tool)
Funnels & checkoutIncludedCheckout yes, funnels limited
Transaction feesNoneNone on paid plans
Ease of useMore to configureClean and beginner-friendly

Which should you choose?

Choose Kajabi if…

  • You want courses, email, funnels, and payments in one place
  • You will actually use the built-in marketing and automations
  • You are building a course-led business, not just selling one course
  • You would rather replace several subscriptions with one
TRY KAJABI ↗

Choose Thinkific if…

  • You want a great course-building experience at a lower price
  • You want a course platform without a big all-in-one bill
  • You already have email and marketing tools you like
  • You prefer a simpler platform focused on teaching
TRY THINKIFIC ↗

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Frequently asked

Is Kajabi or Thinkific better?

Kajabi is better if you want an all-in-one platform and will use its email and funnels. Thinkific is better if you want a strong, affordable course builder and prefer to bring your own marketing tools.

Is Thinkific cheaper than Kajabi?

Yes. Thinkific starts around $49/mo versus Kajabi's ~$69/mo, and it does not bundle email and funnels, so it is cheaper if you already have those tools.

Does Thinkific have a free plan?

No. Thinkific retired its free plan and now starts at about $49/mo with a 30-day trial. Kajabi also has no free plan, only a trial.

Which is better for marketing?

Kajabi, because email, funnels, and automations are built in. With Thinkific you connect your own marketing stack.

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