Are you looking for the best online course platform to begin or grow your digital business in 2025? Thinkific has been a number one go-to for many years, but with some fresh faces moving in, is it still your go-to?
Here at Thinkific, we’re going to cover everything you need to know—its key features, cost, positives and negatives, and how it stacks up against comparable sites like Teachable, Kajabi, and Podia. Are you a seasoned pro or a newbie course creator? This in-depth guide will get you started, so you can decide if Thinkific is the platform that best fits you.
What Is Thinkific
Thinkific is an all-in-one online course platform where you can design, sell, and promote digital courses, memberships, and coaching programs. Founded in 2012, it has evolved as a multi-purpose tool for entrepreneurs, educators, and companies to make money out of their expertise.
Unlike others in the league, Thinkific puts you fully in charge of your branding, student experience, and payouts—without a transaction fee (on most plans).
Main Features of Thinkific in 2025
Thinkific has evolved over time, adding new features to keep up with the competition. Its flagship features in 2025 are as follows:
- Drag-and-Drop Course Builder
Thinkific’s intuitive course builder means you can structure lessons with ease through videos, quizzes, PDFs, and discussions. No coding skills necessary—drag, drop, and publish.
- Customizable Website & Branding
Your website needs to be branded. Thinkific templates are fully editable, and you can alter colors, fonts, and layouts with no restrictions.
- Improved Marketing & Sales Features
Coupons & discounts to drive conversions
Upsells & order bumps to drive revenue
Affiliate program (for more expensive plans)
Email marketing integrations (Mailchimp, ConvertKit, etc.)
- Membership & Subscription Plans
Want to offer a subscription model? Thinkific supports recurring payments, so it’s ideal for membership sites and drip-fed content.
- Quizzes & Certifications Built-in
Engage students with graded quizzes and automated certificates on course completion—ideal for professional training programs.
- Thinkific Communities (New in 2025!)
Another new addition is Thinkific Communities, a native discussion forum where students can engage, ask questions, and network.
Thinkific Pricing (2025 Plans)
Thinkific offers a free plan (with limitations) and three paid tiers:
PlanPrice (monthly)Key FeaturesFree$01 course, no certificates, basic websiteBasic$49/monthUnlimited courses, coupons, drip contentPro$99/monthMemberships, advanced quizzes, affiliate programPremier$499/monthBulk student enrollment, priority support
Note: Annual billing saves you 20%. No transaction fees on paid plans.
Thinkific Pros & Cons
???? Pros
- No transaction fees (compared to Teachable)
- Very highly customizable (better for branding compared to Kajabi)
- Good for both beginners & advanced users
- Integrated community features (new in 2025)
✅ Solid analytics & reporting
???? Cons
❌ No email marketing natively (requires integration)
❌ Less design control than WordPress + LMS plugins
❌ More costly than Podia for essential features
Thinkific vs. Alternatives (2025 Comparison)
What does Thinkific look like in comparison to its biggest rivals?
Thinkific vs. Teachable
Teachable has slightly better video hosting but charges transaction fees (5% on the Basic plan).
Thinkific offers greater customization and no transaction fees.
Best for: Full branding control seekers (Thinkific) versus ease-of-use champions (Teachable).
Thinkific vs. Kajabi
Kajabi has email marketing, blogging, and a full funnel builder—but at a higher price.
Thinkific is more affordable and ideal for clean course creation.
Best for: Business owners in all-in-one suits (Kajabi) versus dedicated course creators (Thinkific).
Thinkific vs. Podia
Podia is more affordable and offers a free plan with digital downloads.
Thinkific offers stronger course features (quizzes, memberships, communities).
Best for: Basic course creators (Podia) vs. those that require advanced features (Thinkific).
Who Is Thinkific Best For?
Thinkific suits:
✔ Beginners creating courses for the first time who desire hassle-free setup
✔ Coaches & consultants offering high-priced programs
✔ Corporations requiring white-labeled training programs
✔ Recurring revenue model owners of membership sites
It might not be the best choice if:
You require out-of-the-box email marketing (see Kajabi)
You are on a tight budget (Podia or LearnWorlds may be more suitable)
Final Verdict: Is Thinkific Worth It in 2025?
Yes! Thinkific remains one of the best online course platforms in 2025, especially if you require:
Full branding control
No transaction fees
Strong course & membership features
While other alternatives like Kajabi and Podia have their strengths, Thinkific achieves the ideal balance between functionality, customization, and price.
???? Sign up for free and test its features before upgrading.
Have you ever used Thinkific? Share your thoughts in the comments!
