If you're looking for a comprehensive review of the online course platform Thinkific, you've come to the right place. In this Thinkific review, I take an in-depth look at Thinkific's features, pricing, and usability. I’ll also provide our thoughts on whether Thinkific is the right platform for your needs.
Thinkific Review – My Personal Experience
I’ve personally been using Thinkific since 2016 and was excited to finally write this Thinkific review. The one thing I can say for sure is that Thinkific is committed to continuous improvement. They are always looking for new ways to improve the experience, both for people who sell courses and for their students and it really shows.
The Thinkific Platform is quite refined and fairly simple to navigate. It may take a little getting used to but give yourself a few hours and you’ll be able to figure everything out. I personally love creating and selling courses and found Thinkific to be better than most other platforms I've used (and I've tried LOTS).
One thing I love is their video library, so you can literally upload your videos and drop them into any lesson… a great timesaving feature. While some people enjoy creating custom online courses with WordPress, this isn’t a feature you find in a WordPress-based Learning Management System (LMS) like LearnDash or LifterLMS.
In my experience, Thinkific customer support is excellent and they are very quick to respond to any issue. Their support staff is well-trained and incredibly knowledgeable about the platform and able to solve any problem fast.
- Thinkific Review – My Personal Experience
- Thinkific Overview
- Thinkific Pricing
- Thinkific Pros and Cons
- Who is Thinkific Best For?
- What Thinkific Is and What It Offers
- Thinkific Alternatives
- Things to Consider When Choosing an Online Course Platform
- Final Thoughts on Thinkific
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Thinkific legit?
- Is Thinkific free?
- What is the difference between Thinkific and Udemy?
- Is Thinkific easy to use?
- What are the advantages of using Thinkific?
- What are the disadvantages of using Thinkific?
- Is Thinkific worth the price to host online courses?
- How does Thinkific compare to other course creation platforms?
- Conclusion
Thinkific Overview
Thinkific is an online course platform that makes it easy to create and sell beautiful courses. With Thinkific, you can create a stunning website, design and launch your courses, track student progress, and manage your business—all in one place.
Thinkific is a great platform for anyone who wants to create and sell online courses. The platform is easy to use and has a lot of features, making it a great choice for course creators. The only downside is that Thinkific does not have a mobile app, so you'll need to access your courses on a computer.
If you're looking for an online course platform that is easy to use and has a lot of features, Thinkific is a great choice. However, if you want to be able to access your courses on a mobile device, you'll need to look elsewhere.
Thinkific Key Features:
- 24/seven customer support
- A user-friendly platform
- A wide range of features
- Pricing:
- Thinkific Free
- $0 per month
- Create and launch your first product with a website and checkout experience.
Thinkific Pricing
Thinkific Basic
$49 per month
Gain access to core features and essential tools you need to successfully launch your online learning business.
Thinkific Start
$88 per month
Unlock additional features designed to help drive student engagement and create an amazing student experience.
Thinkific Grow
$199 per month
Grow your online business with even more advanced tools that will help you sell more and expand into multiple learning products.
Thinkific Pros and Cons
Thinkific Pros
- Free 30-day trial
- Member communities and spaces built right in (no need for Facebook groups 🙌)
- Quizzes and surveys
- Built-in affiliate management
- Instant access to funds
- No transaction charges (this one is huge!)
- Custom Domain option
- White-labeling option
- Great third-party integrations
Thinkific Cons
- No integrated email marketing (you have to use third parties)
- Not an all-in-one system
Who is Thinkific Best For?
Thinkific is an excellent platform for content creators who want to build an online course or membership site. The tools and features offered by Thinkific make selling online courses easy. In addition, the platform provides everything you need to market and sell your courses effectively.
There are a few things to keep in mind while reading this Thinkific review and when deciding if Thinkific is the right platform for you.
First, Thinkific does one thing really well – helps course creators build and sell courses. It really doesn't do anything else. And that's not a dig… Thinkific is probably the best there is when it comes to online courses. You just need to be aware that it doesn't do everything. For example, you'll need a separate email marketing software like Active Campaign.
Do you need an all-in-one solution?
Second, while Thinkific offers a lot of features and tools, and you can create your sales pages for our Thinkific courses directly inside their platform, most course creators also use a third-party sales funnel tool like ClickFunnels to maximize sales.
Is Thinkific Easy to Use?
Finally, the learning curve – Thinkific is a great platform for content creators who are comfortable with technology. The platform is easy to use, but it does require some technical know-how, particularly when it comes to integrations with other software.
If you're a content creator who wants to build an online course or membership resource library site, Thinkific is an excellent platform to consider. The tools and features offered by the platform make it easy to create and deliver high-quality courses.
Thinkific gives you the ability to sell either a self-paced platform or a drip course, allowing you to create the best experience for your students based on the type of content you provide.
What Thinkific Is and What It Offers
Thinkific is an online course platform that enables you to create, market, and sell your own online courses. With Thinkific, you can share your knowledge with the world and make money doing what you love.
Thinkific offers a variety of features to help you create and sell your courses, including
- A drag-and-drop course site builder
- A built-in payment gateway
- Analytics and reporting
- A course player
- And more!
If you're looking for a way to share your knowledge with the world and make some extra income, Thinkific is definitely worth checking out. Click here to get started today.
Thinkific Alternatives
Thinkific vs Teachable
While both Thinkific and Teachable are popular online course platforms, they have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Let's take a look at some of the key differences between these two platforms.
Teachable offers a wide range of features, including customizable templates, integrated payment processing, and powerful reporting tools. It also provides advanced analytics to help you understand your customer behavior.
Teachable is known for its simple and user-friendly interface. But while it's easy to use, their sales pages are somewhat janky and don't always display correctly on mobile.
Teachable is cheaper than Thinkific but they also have tighter limits on the number of courses you can have and charge a hefty transaction fee unless you pay for their Pro level ($119/month).
Thinkific also gives you the ability to run an online community right inside their platform which Teachable doesn't.
So if you don't mind paying a little more, you'll be able to create more courses and get more features, while skipping the processing fees.
Thinkific vs SamCart
When it comes to ecommerce platforms, there are a few key players in the market. Two of the most popular options are Thinkific and SamCart. Here’s a look at how they compare:
Both platforms offer similar features, such as the ability to create courses and products, set up payment gateways, and track customer behavior. However, there are some key differences. For example, Thinkific offers more customization options, while SamCart is better for those who want a more streamlined process. Additionally, Thinkific has a larger user base and is considered to be a more robust course platform than SamCart.
Thinkific vs ThriveCart Learn+
Both Thinkific and ThriveCart Learn+ offer online course platforms that allow users to create and sell courses. However, there are some key differences between the two services.
Thinkific is more expensive than ThriveCart Learn+, but it offers a wider range of features, including the ability to create quizzes and surveys, and track student progress. Thinkific does not offer these features.
However, ThriveCart Learn+ is somewhat easier to use than ThriveCart Learn+, and it has a lower cost. Additionally, ThriveCart Learn+ allows users to create unlimited courses, while Thinkific has a limit on how many courses you can create based on your account level.
Thinkific has an emphasis on student experience, emersion, and tracking, while ThriveCart Learn+ is primarily focused on conversions and the checkout process.
Thinkific vs LearnDash
Both Thinkific and LearnDash are online course platforms that allow you to create, manage, and sell your courses. But there are some key differences between the two platforms which may make one more suitable for your needs than the other. Let’s take a closer look at each platform to see how they compare.
LearnDash is a WordPress-based learning management solution – it is a more feature-rich platform than Thinkific, with options such as drip content delivery, automated enrollment & grading, and forum integration. It also integrates with many different external services such as WooCommerce, Gravity Forms, and Zapier. Pricing starts at $129/year for up to 3 courses.
While it has more features and is much less expensive it is also much more complex to set up and manage. If you are not already very familiar with WordPress and don't want to spend a ton of time configuring your course, I'd recommend Thinkific.
Things to Consider When Choosing an Online Course Platform
Choosing a course platform is an important decision. It can be the difference between a successful online course and one that struggles to attract students. Here are some things to consider when choosing a course platform:
The cost of the platform.
Some platforms charge a monthly fee, while others take a percentage of each sale. Make sure you know what you're paying for and whether it fits into your budget.
The features of the platform.
Each platform offers different features, so it's important to choose one that has everything you need. For example, if you plan on selling courses, make sure the platform has a payment gateway.
The ease of use.
Some platforms are easier to use than others. If you're not tech-savvy, choose a platform that is user-friendly and easy to navigate.
The support offered by the platform.
Some platforms offer 24/seven support, while others only offer limited support. Choose a platform that offers the level of support you need.
Keep these things in mind when choosing a course platform and you'll be sure to choose one that's right for you.
Final Thoughts on Thinkific
Thinkific is a great e-learning platform that provides users with everything they need to create and sell beautiful online courses. While it may not be the cheapest option on the market, its features and functionality more than makeup for its price tag.
If you're serious about creating and selling online courses, Thinkific should definitely be at the top of your list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Thinkific legit?
Yes, Thinkific is a legitimate e-learning platform that offers users a wide range of features to create and sell online courses. It is used by some of the world’s leading online educators, including Tim Ferris, Marie Forleo, and Lewis Howes.
Is Thinkific free?
There is a free version of Thinkific available, however, it is quite limited in terms of features and functionality, and you will pay The paid plans start at $49 per month.
What is the difference between Thinkific and Udemy?
The main difference between Thinkific and Udemy is that Thinkific allows users to create and sell their own courses, while Udemy only allows users to sell courses that they have created. In addition, Thinkific course offers a much wider range of features than Udemy, making it a more comprehensive e-learning platform.
Is Thinkific easy to use?
Yes, Thinkific is relatively easy to use, even for those with no prior experience in creating online courses. The online training platform is designed to be user-friendly and offers a wide range of features to make course landing page creation easy.
What are the advantages of using Thinkific?
There are many advantages to using Thinkific, including the ability to create and sell your own flagship course, a wide range of features, and an easy-to-use platform. In addition, Thinkific offers a free plan for those who are just starting out.
Does Thinkific charge transaction fees?
No. Even on Thinkific's free plan, they don't charge transaction fees, which is a big selling feature if you truly plan on selling courses.
What are the disadvantages of using Thinkific?
The main disadvantage of using Thinkific is that it isn't an all-in-one system, which means you still need to invest in 3rd party software to run the rest of your business. This isn't necessarily a bad thing as they do the job of online course management better than just about any other platform – just go in knowing you'll need additional software.
Is Thinkific worth the price to host online courses?
This is a difficult question to answer as it depends on the individual user’s needs. However, many users find that the features and functionality offered by Thinkific are well worth the price. The software and support are exceptional so a premium price isn't a surprise. Besides, you can always start at a lower-tier account and upgrade as necessary.
How does Thinkific compare to other course creation platforms?
Thinkific doesn’t charge transaction fees and is one of the leading e-learning platforms on the market, offering a wide range of features and an easy-to-use interface. It is more expensive than some of the other options on the market, but many users feel that it is worth the price.
Conclusion
I hope this information was helpful in getting to know Thinkific a little better. If you're still on the fence about whether this Thinkific platform is right for you and your course creation needs, we recommend checking out some of the other options on our list of the best online course platforms. Still have more questions? Leave a comment below.
That is a great detailed review! Would you mind reviewing CourseFunnels too? It’s one of the most budget-friendly tools I’ve come across. It provides templates, SEO-friendly features, email automation, and so much more. Truly one of a kind!
Hey Jess! Thanks for the kind words… glad you enjoyed the review 🙂 I’ll definitely check out CourseFunnels and let you know if I post a review!
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