Best Learning Management Systems 2024
Create, sell, and deliver online courses with powerful LMS platforms. Course creation tools, student engagement, and marketing automation.
Problem Solved: Need to create and sell online courses with professional presentation. Student management, payment processing, and course delivery in one platform.
LMS Platform Overview
Teachable
User-friendly course platform with strong marketing tools, affiliate programs, and simple course creation.
Best for: Ease of UseThinkific
Comprehensive course creation platform with advanced customization, white-labeling, and business tools.
Best for: CustomizationLearnDash
WordPress-based LMS with advanced features, gamification, and complete control over your platform.
Best for: WordPress UsersKajabi
All-in-one business platform combining courses, marketing, websites, and email automation.
Best for: All-in-One BusinessFeature Comparison
| Feature | Teachable | Thinkific | LearnDash | Kajabi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $59/mo | Free | $199/yr | $149/mo |
| Transaction Fees | 5% (Basic) | 0% (Free plan) | 0% | 0% |
| Course Creation | ✓ Drag & Drop | ✓ Advanced Builder | ✓ WordPress Editor | ✓ Visual Builder |
| Marketing Tools | ✓ Good | ✓ Basic | ⚠️ Requires plugins | ✓ Comprehensive |
| White Labeling | ✓ Pro+ plans | ✓ Start plan+ | ✓ Full control | ✓ All plans |
| Mobile App | ❌ No | ✓ iOS/Android | ✓ With plugin | ✓ iOS/Android |
Pricing Breakdown
Teachable
Basic Plan
- ✓ Unlimited students
- ✓ Course completion certificates
- ✓ Basic quizzes
- ⚠️ 5% transaction fee
Pro: $119/mo - 0% fees
Business: $399/mo - Advanced
Thinkific
Free Plan
- ✓ 1 course, unlimited students
- ✓ Basic quizzes and surveys
- ✓ Course completion certificates
- ✓ 0% transaction fees
Start: $49/mo - More features
Grow: $99/mo - Advanced
LearnDash
Single Site
- ✓ WordPress plugin
- ✓ Advanced quizzing
- ✓ Drip-feed content
- ✓ Forums integration
Plus: $329/yr - 10 sites
Pro: $549/yr - 25 sites
Kajabi
Basic Plan
- ✓ 3 products, 3 pipelines
- ✓ Website builder
- ✓ Email marketing
- ✓ 10,000 contacts
Growth: $199/mo - More products
Pro: $399/mo - Everything
Course Creation & Delivery
Content Creation Tools
Teachable
- • Drag-and-drop course builder
- • Video, audio, text, and PDF support
- • Basic quizzes and assignments
- • Course completion certificates
- • Drip content scheduling
- • Student discussion areas
Thinkific
- • Advanced course builder with templates
- • Multimedia content support
- • Sophisticated quiz engine
- • Assignments and surveys
- • Community features
- • White-label mobile apps
Advanced Learning Features
LearnDash
- • WordPress-based with full customization
- • Advanced quiz and assignment types
- • Gamification with points and badges
- • Prerequisites and course dependencies
- • Forum integration (bbPress)
- • Extensive reporting and analytics
Kajabi
- • Visual course builder with templates
- • Live coaching and webinar tools
- • Assessment and certification features
- • Community building platform
- • Integrated website and blog
- • Complete marketing automation
Pros & Cons Summary
Teachable
Pros
- • Very user-friendly interface
- • Strong affiliate marketing tools
- • Good customer support
- • Excellent for course creators
- • Built-in payment processing
Cons
- • Transaction fees on lower plans
- • Limited customization options
- • No mobile app for students
LearnDash
Pros
- • Complete control and customization
- • Advanced learning features
- • Gamification capabilities
- • No transaction fees
- • WordPress ecosystem integration
Cons
- • Requires WordPress knowledge
- • Need hosting and maintenance
- • Steeper learning curve
Thinkific
Pros
- • Excellent free plan
- • Advanced course builder
- • White-label mobile apps
- • No transaction fees
- • Strong community features
Cons
- • Limited marketing tools
- • Less intuitive than Teachable
- • Advanced features cost extra
Kajabi
Pros
- • Complete all-in-one solution
- • Powerful marketing automation
- • Beautiful templates and design
- • Excellent for course business
- • Great customer support
Cons
- • Most expensive option
- • Overkill for simple courses
- • Learning curve for all features
Which LMS Should You Choose?
Choose Teachable If You...
- • Want the easiest course creation experience
- • Need strong affiliate marketing capabilities
- • Are primarily focused on selling courses
- • Want excellent customer support
- • Don't need extensive customization
Choose Thinkific If You...
- • Want to start for free with room to grow
- • Need white-label branding and mobile apps
- • Want advanced course building features
- • Prefer no transaction fees from the start
- • Need community and engagement features
Choose LearnDash If You...
- • Already use WordPress for your website
- • Need complete control and customization
- • Want advanced learning features and gamification
- • Have technical knowledge or developer support
- • Need integration with WordPress plugins
Choose Kajabi If You...
- • Want an all-in-one business platform
- • Need powerful marketing and automation tools
- • Plan to build a complete online business
- • Want professional design without technical work
- • Have budget for premium features
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I migrate my courses between platforms?
Most platforms allow content export, but migration complexity varies. Teachable and Thinkific have similar structures making migration easier. LearnDash to other platforms can be complex due to WordPress integration. Always backup content before switching.
Which platform is best for selling corporate training?
LearnDash excels for corporate training with advanced reporting, SCORM compliance, and enterprise features. Thinkific offers good B2B features with white-labeling. Kajabi works well for small business training. Teachable is better suited for individual course creators.
Do these platforms handle payment processing?
Yes, all platforms handle payments. Teachable, Thinkific, and Kajabi have built-in payment processing with Stripe/PayPal. LearnDash requires separate payment gateway setup through plugins. Consider transaction fees when calculating total costs.
Can students access courses offline?
Thinkific and Kajabi offer mobile apps with offline capability. LearnDash has mobile app options through third-party plugins. Teachable is web-only but works on mobile browsers. Consider student needs when choosing platforms.
What about customer support and training?
Teachable and Kajabi offer excellent customer support with live chat and extensive resources. Thinkific provides good support with knowledge base and community. LearnDash relies more on community support and documentation as a WordPress plugin.
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Disclaimer
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