Compare All LMS & E-Learning Software 2026
Side-by-side comparison of 5 lms & e-learning tools. Find the right fit for your team and budget.
LMS & E-Learning software pricing ranges from $39 to $499 per user per month in 2026. The category average is $148/user/month.
Quick Picks
Full Comparison Matrix
| Product | Starting Price | Popular Tier | Enterprise | Free Tier | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Podia | $39 /month | $64 /month | $89 /month | No | New creators selling their first digital products with simple needs |
| Thinkific | $49 /month | $99 /month | $499 /month | No | Solo creators launching their first courses with no transaction fees |
| Mighty Networks | $49 /month | $119 /month | $360 /month | No | Community builders starting a paid or free community without course needs |
| Teachable | $39 /month | $139 /month | $399 /month | No | New course creators testing their first online course |
| Kajabi | $143 /month | $321 /month | $499 /month | No | Solo creators testing their first digital product with an all-in-one platform |
Category Summary
5
Products
$64
Avg Starting
$148
Avg Popular
0
Free Tiers
LMS & E-Learning Pricing FAQ
01 What is an LMS platform?
An LMS (Learning Management System) or online course platform lets creators build, host, and sell digital courses, memberships, and coaching programs. Platforms like Teachable, Thinkific, and Kajabi provide course builders, payment processing, student management, and marketing tools in one package.
02 How much does an online course platform cost?
Online course platforms cost $0-$200+ per month. Free plans exist on Teachable and Thinkific with transaction fees (10% and limited features). Paid plans range from $39-$99/month for core features to $119-$199/month for advanced marketing, automation, and white-labeling. Kajabi is the most expensive starting at $69/month (annual) but includes email marketing.
03 Teachable vs Thinkific: which is better?
Teachable ($39-$199/month) has a better student experience, stronger checkout optimization, and built-in affiliate marketing. Thinkific ($36-$149/month) offers more customization, better community features, and a more generous free plan. Teachable is better for marketing-focused creators; Thinkific for those wanting more control over their learning experience.
04 What are the hidden costs of course platforms?
Hidden costs include: transaction fees on free/lower plans (5-10% per sale), payment processing fees (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction on all plans), premium themes and templates, third-party email marketing tools (if not included), custom domain SSL, and migration costs if switching platforms. Kajabi includes email marketing; others require separate tools.
05 Is Kajabi worth the higher price?
Kajabi ($69-$319/month) is worth it for creators who would otherwise pay separately for email marketing ($30-$100/month), website builder ($15-$40/month), and community tools ($20-$50/month). If you're already paying $100+/month across multiple tools, Kajabi consolidates everything. For creators just starting out, Teachable or Thinkific's lower plans are more appropriate.
06 Which platform is best for memberships?
Mighty Networks ($41-$360/month) is purpose-built for community-driven memberships with the strongest community features. Kajabi handles memberships well as part of its all-in-one platform. Podia ($39-$89/month) offers simple memberships with digital downloads. For pure course selling without community, Teachable and Thinkific are sufficient.
07 Can I sell courses without a platform?
Yes, using WordPress + LearnDash ($199/year) or self-hosted options, but you'll need to handle hosting, payment processing, and marketing separately. Gumroad and Payhip allow selling course files with minimal setup. However, dedicated platforms provide better student experiences, completion tracking, and course engagement tools that improve retention and referrals.
08 How much can I earn selling online courses?
Earnings vary enormously. The median course creator on Teachable earns $1,000-$5,000/year, while top 10% creators earn $50,000-$500,000+/year. Key factors are audience size, niche demand, pricing strategy, and marketing skills. Mini-courses ($47-$197) sell in higher volume; signature courses ($497-$2,000) generate more per sale but require stronger marketing.
09 What features are essential for an online course platform?
Essential features include: drag-and-drop course builder, video hosting (or integration), drip content scheduling, quizzes and certificates, payment processing with multiple options, student analytics, mobile-responsive design, and basic email notifications. Advanced features to consider: affiliate programs, community/forums, coaching tools, and white-labeling.
10 Which platform has the lowest transaction fees?
Thinkific and Kajabi charge 0% transaction fees on all paid plans—you only pay payment processor fees (Stripe/PayPal at 2.9% + $0.30). Teachable charges 5% on its free plan and 0% on paid plans. Podia charges 0% on paid plans. Always factor in the monthly subscription cost alongside transaction fees when calculating total platform cost.