Course and community platform pricing (2026)
The real monthly cost of Kajabi, Thinkific, Teachable, Podia, Skool and Circle: yearly and monthly billing, transaction fees, limits and every recent price change.
Last full check 6 Nov 2026. US pricing in USD. Card processing (about 2.9% + 30¢) is extra everywhere.
The cheapest paid plan of each platform, side by side. Billed yearly unless noted.
| Platform | Entry plan | Billed yearly | Billed monthly | Fee on sales | Free option | Last change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skool | Hobby | $7.50 | $9 | 10% + 30¢ | 14-day trial | — |
| Teachable | Starter | $29 | $39 | 7.5% | 7-day trial | Free plan dropped, 2026 |
| Podia | Mover | $42 | $49 | 5% | 14-day trial, no card | — |
| Thinkific | Start | $82 | $109 | 0% | Free trial | Basic retired, 26 Oct 2026 |
| Circle | Professional | $89 | $99* | 2% + card | 14-day trial, no card | — |
| Kajabi | Basic | $143 | $179 | 0%** | 14-day trial, card | $69 plan retired, Jan 2026 |
Per month, US pricing. *Circle monthly price from a dated third-party source. **No Kajabi fee with Kajabi Payments; card processing (about 2.9% + 30¢) applies on every platform. Skool's fee includes processing.
The cheapest choice depends on your situation
All guides in this category
Teachable vs Thinkific 2026: Builder at $69 or Start at $82?
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Kajabi vs Skool 2026: The Real Cost of Each, Like for Like
Skool Pro is $80 a month cheaper than Kajabi Basic at every sales level. When Kajabi is still worth the extra money.
Kajabi Pricing 2026: Every Plan, Fee and the 2,500-Contact Catch
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Kajabi vs Thinkific 2026: Which Costs Less at Your List Size?
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Skool Pricing 2026: Hobby $9 vs Pro $99, and the Fee That Decides It
Hobby is $9 a month and takes 10% of sales. Pro is $99 and takes 2.9%. The exact point where Pro wins.
Skool vs Circle: Same $99 Price, Very Different Bill
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Thinkific Pricing 2026: Basic Is Gone, Start Is $82 (Full Breakdown)
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Circle Pricing 2026: $89 a Month, Plus the Fees and Add-ons That Raise It
Professional is $89 a month, but a 2% fee, paid email and Business-only automations push the real bill up.
Teachable Pricing 2026: Starter’s 7.5% Fee and When to Upgrade
Starter is $29 a month but takes 7.5% of every sale. Above $533 a month in sales, Builder is cheaper.
Podia Pricing 2026: Mover vs Shaker and the $840 Rule
Mover is $42 a month but takes 5% of every sale. Above $840 a month in sales, Shaker is the cheaper plan.
Course and community platform pricing: common questions
What is the cheapest course platform in 2026?
Among the big names, Teachable Starter at $29 a month billed yearly, but it takes 7.5% of each sale. For a free all-in-one, Systeme.io's free plan includes one course. For communities, Skool Hobby is $9 a month.
Do Kajabi, Thinkific, Teachable or Podia have a free plan?
No. All four offer free trials instead of free plans in 2026.
Are transaction fees the same as card fees?
No. A platform fee goes to the platform. Card processing (about 2.9% + 30¢) goes to Stripe or PayPal and applies almost everywhere. Skool is the exception: its fee includes processing.
Which course platforms changed price recently?
Thinkific retired its Basic plan on 26 Oct 2026, raising its entry price from $40 to $82 a month billed yearly. Kajabi closed its $69 Kickstarter plan to new customers in January 2026, and Teachable dropped its free plan.