Selling course content online can be daunting for both beginners and seasoned business owners, the value Of online content can be underpriced in the beginning stages, however, the most popular strategy for kick-starting your sales is by making use of a popular online course platform to endorse your brand.
There are numerous online content platforms nowadays each with its unique features and pricing, Udemy and Thinkific are two of the biggest names in online content selling platforms. On this webpage, is an analysis of the characteristics, features, and differences between Udemy and Thinkific, to help you make the best decision that would suit and fast-track your business.
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Main Differences Between Udemy vs Thinkific (Summarized)
Below is a table that highlights the main differences between Udemy and Thinkific;
| Udemy | Thinkific | |
| Flexibility | It is rigid and doesn’t allow for customization of the platform | It is flexible and very easy to customize and personalize |
| Branding | It offers multiple courses on the platform with no room for white labels | It gives room for endorsing your brand and white labeling. |
| Course Pricing | Udemy restricts its sellers to pricing options | Thinkific sellers are free to sell their courses for whatever prices they want |
| Affiliate Programs | All Udemy courses are set to an affiliate commission of 50%. | Thinkific offers flexible affiliate commission. |
| Payment system | Instant withdrawals | Payment can take an extensive period |
| Free version | It offers a free trial and no free version | It offers a free version and a free trial |
Udemy vs Thinkific: Features and Capabilities
Udemy and Thinkific are two online course selling platforms that offer different features and capabilities. Below is a list of things you should know about them;
Key Features and Capabilities of Udemy
Here is a breakdown of Udemy’s key features and capabilities;
- Content Library – Create well-organized content for your courses
- Learner’s Portal – Create students account for enrolling in courses
- Progress Tracking – Keep track of milestones
- Built-in course Authoring – Be the author of your content
- Marketplace – Offer your courses for sale
- Analytics – Make better business decisions based on insights
Key Features and Capabilities of Thinkific
Here is a breakdown of Thinkific’s key features and capabilities;
- Activity Dashboard – Keep track of your activities and make better business decisions
- Certification and Licensing – Give your student industry-approved certificates and licenses
- Content Library -Create a better learning environment with an organized workflow
- Customizable Branding – Endorse your brand as a private tutor or corporation
- Audio and Video Recording – Simplified learning with the aid of recording tools
- Course Authoring – Be the author of your courses
- Course Publishing – Publish your course with the aid of Thinkific
- Assessment Management – Keep track of your student’s learning progress with assessments.
Udemy vs Thinkific: Pricing
Udemy and Thinkific offer varying subscription plans. Here are the things that you need to know about them;
Udemy Pricing Details
- Contact Udemy for a custom quote based on your organizational needs.
Thinkific Pricing Details
- FREE– $0
- BASIC – $39 per month
- PRO – $79 per month
- PREMIER – $399 per month
» MORE: Can You Make Serious Money On Thinkific? (Must Read)
Reasons to Choose Udemy over Thinkific
Here are the reasons why you should choose Udemy over Thinkific;
- Udemy has a huge marketplace
- Udemy helps you promote your course through their email marketing list
- Udemy places discounts on your courses for promotional purposes
- Udemy requires a one-time payment for its Premium plan
- Udemy gives you the option of choosing your course graphics
- Udemy allows you to buy a domain name and link it with your course
- Udemy allows you to update your course
Reasons to Choose Thinkific over Udemy
Here are the reasons why you should choose Thinkific over Udemy;
- Thinkific allows you to move your course and students to another platform without consequences if you’re unsatisfied with them.
- Thinkific offers a custom domain and hosting
- Thinkific takes no commission on your courses, it, however, requires a transaction fee of 0 to 10% based on your subscription plan
- Thinkific offers multiple payment options
- Thinkific grants instant access to the money generated on the platform
- Thinkific gives room for multiple instructors via one account
- Thinkific allows you to offer any amount of discount that you want
- Thinkific allows you to choose the price range of your courses
- It requires low-cost transaction fees
- Thinkific allows you to keep track of students’ progress
- Thinkific gives you complete control over your course material
- Thinkific allows you to customize and edit your site.
» MORE: Is Thinkific Worth It? Is It Safe & Reliable? (Must Read)
The Similarities between Udemy and Thinkific
Below is a list of some of the major similarities between Udemy and Thinkific;
- They both offer affiliate marketing promotions
- They both offer coupons
- They both give room for the creation of multiple courses
- They both allow you to keep track of student’s progress
- They both allow you to access your students with quizzes
- They both allow you to offer discounts for promotional purposes
- They both offer online course hosting services
» MORE: Is Thinkific SCORM Compliant? (Must Read)
Udemy and Thinkific Alternatives
The following are other excellent alternatives to Udemy and Thinkific;
- Kajabi – A great solution for increased productivity among students
- Teachable – it is an online course platform with excellent tools for effective course management
- Academy of Mine – it is an online course platform with the ability to offer your student’s industry allowed certificates
- Podia – is an excellent online course platform for simplified course content creation
- AcessAlly LMS – AcessAlly offers excellent Gamification tools to make your students more engaged
- Day One Technologies – It is an online course platform that offers flexible teaching methodologies
» MORE: How Does Thinkific Operate and What Uses Does It Serve? (Easily Described)
Udemy vs Thinkific: Final Verdicts
Udemy and Thinkific are both excellent online platforms however, Udemy is more restrictive and requires higher transaction fees, Udemy also focuses more on marketing than student follow-ups, Thinkific is the clear winner when it comes to student engagement and learning progress. It also increases offers a student feedback system.
Thinkific also offers a low cost of transaction and immediate access to money generated on the platform, which makes it more suitable for startups and course content creators who have an extensive interest in teaching for the long term. It also has flexible payment methods which are suitable for training international students.
Thinkific is more suitable for people who care about their students learning experience and maximized value, while, Udemy is suitable for course content creators solely focused on the monetary aspects of online course content creation. However, the best online course content platform is highly dependent on your organizational needs and personal preference.
» MORE: Does Thinkific Keep A Cut Of What You Sell?
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions on Udemy and Thinkific;
Which is better for long-term course training, Thinkific or Udemy?
Thinkific is more advisable for people who plan on creating online courses for an extensive period, it offers better student management capabilities and a richer more conducive platform for training students. It also gives room for white labeling and customizing your website.
What do Thinkific and Udemy offer?
Thinkific and Udemy are both online course training platforms that allow online course content creators to offer their digital products or courses for sale, they both offer free scalable trials.
Is Thinkific better than Udemy?
Thinkific is more valuable in terms of the overall student learning experience, while, Udemy offers better marketing services to its users.
» MORE: Could I Create a Website Using Thinkific?
References and Links
- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udemy
- https://www.whycampuscarry.com/thinkific-wikipedia/
- https://www.mycomputercareer.edu/news/what-are-online-learning-platforms/