Best course platforms for solopreneurs
Teachable, Thinkific, Kajabi, Podia and Gumroad compared for one-person course creators: fees, features and when each fits.
Pick a course platform based on what you sell. Is it a single course, a library of courses, or a membership with community and email?
| Platform | Best for | Model |
|---|---|---|
| Gumroad | Selling your first product with no monthly fee | Per-sale fee |
| Podia | Courses plus downloads and a simple site | Monthly plans |
| Teachable | Dedicated course business | Monthly plans plus fees on some tiers |
| Thinkific | Structured courses and cohorts | Monthly plans, free tier |
| Kajabi | All-in-one: courses, email, site, community | Higher monthly plans |
Gumroad: best for validating your first paid product
No monthly fee, so you only pay when you sell.
- Price: See current pricing
- Watch out: Per-sale fees add up as you grow.
Thinkific: best for structured courses on a budget
A free tier and solid course-building tools.
- Price: See current pricing
- Watch out: Advanced features need paid plans.
Kajabi: best for replacing several tools at once
Courses, email, website and community in one place.
- Price: See current pricing
- Watch out: Expensive if you only need courses.
Rule of thumb
Pre-sell the course before you build it: if fewer than 10 people buy at launch price, rework the offer before investing in a platform.
Based on vendor documentation and public pricing (checked 21 Oct 2026), not hands-on testing. See how we research tools. Prices change: confirm on the vendor's site.
Update history
- : first published; figures checked against the sources listed.