Looking for Kajabi alternatives that won’t drain your wallet or overcomplicate your workflow?
You’re not alone. Kajabi has become the go-to platform for course creators, coaches, and digital entrepreneurs — but it’s not the perfect fit for everyone. Sure, it looks sleek and does a lot under one roof, but between the high monthly cost and limited flexibility, many creators are starting to wonder: Is there a simpler, more affordable way to run my online business? Absolutely.
In this post, we’ll break down the best Kajabi competitors and alternatives in 2025 — from budget-friendly tools like Systeme.io and Podia to all-in-one powerhouses like Kartra and ThriveCart. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling fast, you’ll find a platform that fits your goals, style, and budget — no tech degree required.
Quick Comparison Table (For Readers in a Hurry)
If you just want the highlights, here’s a quick side-by-side look at Kajabi vs the top alternatives. Each platform has its own strengths — some focus on sales, others on simplicity, and a few on doing everything under one roof.
| Platform | Best For | Starting Price | Course Hosting | Email Marketing | Funnels | Community |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kajabi | All-in-one platform for creators | $149/mo | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| ThriveCart | Selling courses & digital offers | One-time $495 | ✅ Yes (Learn+) | ✅ Basic (via integrations) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Systeme.io | Beginners & budget creators | Free | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Basic |
| ClickFunnels | Marketers focused on funnels | $97/mo | ❌ No | ✅ Basic | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Teachable | Simple course hosting | $89/mo | ✅ Yes | ✅ Basic | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Kartra | All-in-one business management | $59/mo | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| SamCart | Checkout & selling simplicity | $79/mo | ✅ Basic | ✅ Basic | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Podia | Community-driven creators | $39/mo | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Basic | ✅ Yes |
Quick insight:
- Kajabi still wins for polish and seamless experience — but not for price.
- Systeme.io and Podia dominate the “value for money” space.
- Kartra and ThriveCart deliver real all-in-one power.
- ClickFunnels and SamCart shine when your main goal is sales, not teaching.
What to Look for in a Kajabi Alternative
Here’s the truth — switching from Kajabi isn’t just about saving money. It’s about finding a tool that fits how you actually work.
Before you jump into the list, take a second to decide what matters most for your business. Every platform on the market claims to be “all-in-one,” but their strengths vary wildly. Some shine in sales and funnels. Others focus on simplicity and community.
Here’s what to look for before making the switch:
- Course Creation & Hosting:
Make sure the platform lets you upload, organize, and deliver your content with ease. Bonus points if it supports memberships or bundles. - Email Marketing & Automation:
Your platform should handle automated emails, nurture sequences, and segmentation — without needing three other tools. - Funnel & Checkout Flexibility:
Want to build sales pages, upsells, and checkout flows easily? Then a tool like ThriveCart, Kartra, or ClickFunnels might be your best friend. - Community or Membership Features:
If engagement is your superpower, look for platforms that allow discussion boards, comments, or private communities (like Podia or Kajabi). - Ease of Use & Support:
A tool is only powerful if you can actually use it. The best Kajabi alternatives combine clean design with solid customer support and training. - Pricing & Scalability:
Kajabi starts at $149/month, which adds up fast. Choose something that fits your stage — whether that’s a free starter plan (Systeme.io) or a one-time lifetime deal (ThriveCart).
1. ThriveCart – Best for Selling Courses & Digital Offers (Lifetime Access)
If Kajabi’s monthly fee makes your stomach drop every billing cycle, ThriveCart is the refreshing opposite. It’s a one-time payment tool that handles sales pages, checkouts, and even course hosting — without the subscription trap.
ThriveCart started as a cart and checkout builder, but with ThriveCart Learn+, it’s become a full course delivery platform, making it one of the strongest Kajabi alternatives for digital product sellers who want freedom, control, and simplicity.
Key Features of ThriveCart
- One-Time Payment (Lifetime Deal):
Pay once, own it forever — no recurring fees. A huge advantage over Kajabi’s high monthly pricing. - High-Converting Checkout Pages:
Beautiful, customizable checkout templates proven to increase sales and reduce cart abandonment. - Built-In Course Platform (ThriveCart Learn+):
Host your online courses directly inside ThriveCart without third-party tools. - Order Bumps & Upsells:
Add extra offers during checkout to instantly boost average order value. - Affiliate Management System:
Easily set up and manage affiliates to promote your products with detailed tracking and automated payouts. - Sales Funnels & Automation Rules:
Build conversion-focused sales flows using triggers and smart rules — no coding needed. - Subscription & Payment Flexibility:
Support for one-time payments, subscriptions, trials, and payment plans to fit any pricing model. - Embeddable Checkout Forms:
Add checkout boxes directly to your landing pages or websites for a smoother buying experience. - Integrations with Popular Tools:
Connect ThriveCart with platforms like ActiveCampaign, ConvertKit, or Zapier to automate everything behind the scenes. - Advanced Analytics & Reporting:
Track revenue, refunds, and customer behavior in real-time to make smarter marketing decisions.
Best For:
Coaches, course creators, and digital entrepreneurs who want to sell offers online without paying monthly fees.
2. Systeme.io – Best Free All-in-One Kajabi Alternative
If you love the idea of running your entire online business from one platform — but Kajabi’s $149/month price tag feels painful — Systeme.io is your budget-friendly rescue. It gives you sales funnels, email marketing, automations, and even online course hosting… all for free (yes, really).
It’s one of the simplest Kajabi alternatives out there, especially for beginners and small business owners who just want something that works without all the tech drama.
Key Features of Systeme.io
- Free Forever Plan:
Get access to core tools — funnels, email marketing, and automation — with zero upfront cost. - Drag-and-Drop Funnel Builder:
Build landing pages, opt-ins, and full funnels visually, with pre-built templates that make setup quick. - Email Marketing & Automation:
Create automated email sequences and tags to nurture leads and deliver your offers hands-free. - Online Course & Membership Hosting:
Upload your videos, organize lessons, and protect your content behind secure membership areas. - Affiliate Program Management:
Launch your own affiliate program to grow your reach without extra plugins or costs. - Integrated Blog & Website Builder:
Build simple websites or publish blog content directly inside Systeme.io to attract organic traffic. - Payment & Subscription Management:
Sell digital products, manage subscriptions, and accept payments via Stripe or PayPal seamlessly. - Simple Automation Rules:
Create “if-this-then-that” automations to connect your marketing flow — no tech skills required.
Best For:
Solo creators, small business owners, or beginners who want an all-in-one system that’s simple, powerful, and free to start.
3. ClickFunnels – Best for Building Funnels That Actually Sell
If you’ve ever watched a marketing webinar or seen a “perfect funnel” ad, chances are it was built on ClickFunnels. It’s one of the most recognized tools in the online business world — and for good reason.
While Kajabi focuses on course creation, ClickFunnels focuses on conversion. It’s built for entrepreneurs who care more about turning leads into buyers than hosting fancy-looking content dashboards.
If you’re a coach, consultant, or marketer who thrives on automation and sales psychology, ClickFunnels is a serious contender.
Key Features of ClickFunnels
- Pre-Built Funnel Templates:
Instantly launch high-converting sales funnels without starting from scratch. - Drag-and-Drop Page Builder:
Build landing pages, upsells, and thank-you pages visually — no coding or design experience needed. - Integrated Email & Automation (Follow-Up Funnels):
Send follow-up emails and sequences directly from ClickFunnels to keep prospects engaged. - Sales and Checkout Pages:
Built-in checkout functionality lets you sell products or services with secure payment integrations. - A/B Testing:
Test multiple versions of pages and funnels to find what truly converts best. - Affiliate Management (Backpack):
Launch your own affiliate program and reward partners who drive sales. - One-Click Upsells & Downsells:
Add irresistible post-purchase offers that increase average order value. - Robust Integrations:
Works seamlessly with email tools, CRMs, and webinar platforms via Zapier or direct connections.
Best For:
Entrepreneurs, marketers, and coaches who prioritize sales and conversion funnels over course management.
4. Teachable – Best for Simple, Course-Only Platforms
If Kajabi feels like too much — too many features, too high a price — Teachable might be your kind of simple. It’s a platform built specifically for online courses and coaching programs. No complicated marketing tools, no steep learning curve — just a clean space to upload lessons, enroll students, and get paid.
It’s ideal if you want to teach, not tinker with tech.
Key Features of Teachable
- User-Friendly Course Builder:
Create beautiful courses with drag-and-drop modules, videos, and downloadable resources. - Integrated Payment Gateway:
Accept payments through Teachable Pay, Stripe, or PayPal with automated payouts. - Coaching Product Support:
Offer one-on-one coaching packages with integrated scheduling and client tracking. - Custom Branding & Domains:
Match your school to your brand with logos, colors, and custom domain options. - Student Progress Tracking:
See how learners move through your content and identify where they drop off. - Course Compliance Tools:
Require video completions or quizzes before students can move on — perfect for structured learning. - Built-In Email Notifications:
Automatically notify students about enrollments, new lessons, and course updates. - Tax & Compliance Management:
Handles VAT and tax rules automatically — a lifesaver for international sales.
Best For:
Coaches, trainers, and educators who want to launch and sell online courses without managing complex marketing systems.
5. Kartra – Best All-in-One Kajabi Competitor for Automation & Growth
If you love Kajabi’s “all-in-one” promise but wish it had deeper automation and analytics, Kartra might be your dream setup. It combines email marketing, video hosting, funnels, checkout pages, memberships, and CRM tools — all under one roof.
It’s built for creators and online businesses that want powerful automation without juggling a dozen logins.
Key Features of Kartra
- All-in-One Business Platform:
Run your entire online business — sales pages, memberships, checkout, and emails — in one dashboard. - Advanced Automation Workflows:
Create personalized marketing sequences based on user behavior, tags, or purchases. - Membership Site Builder:
Host and organize courses or membership content with tiers, drip schedules, and gated access. - Kartra Mail (Built-In Email System):
Send broadcasts, automations, and behavioral campaigns with built-in analytics. - Video Hosting with Tracking:
Upload, host, and track engagement on videos without needing YouTube or Vimeo. - Affiliate Management Center:
Recruit affiliates, track performance, and manage commissions easily. - Sales Funnel & Page Templates:
Ready-to-use designs for landing pages, webinars, product launches, and more. - Built-In Helpdesk & Calendar Apps:
Offer customer support and schedule calls or sessions right from within the platform.
Best For:
Marketers, agencies, and online business owners who want an advanced all-in-one system that’s more automation-driven than Kajabi.
6. SamCart – Best for Checkout & Conversion Simplicity
If your biggest goal is selling — not managing a full-blown tech stack — SamCart deserves your attention. It started as a streamlined checkout tool but has evolved into a mini all-in-one platform with built-in course hosting, upsells, and powerful conversion features.
Think of it as a simpler, leaner Kajabi alternative focused on getting more people to click “buy.”
Key Features of SamCart
- Conversion-Optimized Checkout Pages:
Professionally designed templates built to increase conversions and reduce cart abandonment. - One-Click Upsells & Order Bumps:
Add irresistible post-purchase offers and upgrades to instantly boost revenue per customer. - Built-In Course Hosting:
Host your digital courses directly on SamCart with clean, distraction-free layouts. - Drag-and-Drop Page Builder:
Customize sales and checkout pages visually — no code, no overwhelm. - Subscription & Payment Plans:
Offer flexible billing options like subscriptions, trials, and split payments. - Affiliate Management Tools:
Launch and track your affiliate programs right from your SamCart dashboard. - A/B Testing & Analytics:
Test pages and funnels to find what works best, backed by real-time performance data. - Integrations with Top Marketing Tools:
Seamlessly connect with platforms like ActiveCampaign, ConvertKit, and Zapier for automation.
Best For:
Entrepreneurs, coaches, and course sellers who want a frictionless way to sell online without dealing with overly complex tech.
7. Podia – Best for Community-Driven Creators and Personal Brands
If Kajabi feels too business-like and you crave something simpler and more human, Podia is your kind of platform. It’s built for creators who want to sell courses, memberships, and digital products — all while building real community and conversation around their brand.
Unlike Kajabi, which leans heavy on automation, Podia focuses on connection. It’s a softer, more personal way to build an online business without endless tech overwhelm.
Key Features of Podia
- All-in-One Creator Platform:
Sell courses, digital downloads, memberships, and coaching — all from one clean dashboard. - Built-In Community Spaces:
Create private or public communities where your audience can connect and engage. - Zero Transaction Fees:
Keep 100% of your sales, even on lower plans — a huge win for small creators. - Email Marketing Included:
Send broadcasts, drip campaigns, and automated updates directly from your dashboard. - Unlimited Hosting:
Host as many products, videos, or courses as you want without extra charges. - Customizable Storefronts:
Build a beautiful, branded online shop in minutes — no coding needed. - Direct Messaging:
Chat with customers and students inside Podia to answer questions or share updates. - Simple Pricing Structure:
Transparent, affordable monthly plans — no hidden fees or complicated add-ons.
Best For:
Solo creators, educators, and small teams who want to build a community-centered business without managing multiple tools.
Which Kajabi Alternative Is Right for You? (Decision Guide)
By now, you’ve seen how Kajabi stacks up against the competition. But here’s the truth — the “best” platform isn’t about having the most features. It’s about fit. The right tool should match your stage, your goals, and how you actually like to work.
Let’s make it easy:
- If you’re just starting out and want something free and simple:
Go with Systeme.io. It’s an incredible value for beginners and includes funnels, email, and course hosting with zero upfront cost. - If you want to avoid monthly fees forever:
Choose ThriveCart. Its lifetime deal gives you powerful checkout tools and a built-in course platform without paying a dime in subscriptions. - If your business runs on funnels and sales pages:
ClickFunnels is your match. It’s built by marketers for marketers and has the best funnel templates in the industry. - If you’re a teacher or coach who just wants to teach:
Teachable keeps things beautifully simple — perfect if you don’t need heavy automation or complex setups. - If you want the most automation power under one roof:
Kartra is your best bet. It combines marketing, membership, CRM, and video tools in a single platform that’s built for scale. - If your focus is pure selling with minimal tech:
Go for SamCart. It’s lightweight, conversion-focused, and ideal for maximizing revenue per sale. - If you want to build a brand and a community:
Podia wins hands down. It’s friendly, intuitive, and lets you connect directly with your audience through built-in community tools.
Final Thoughts
Here’s the bottom line — Kajabi is great, but it’s not the only way to build and grow an online business. For many creators, the high price and rigid setup become more of a burden than a boost.
The good news? You’ve got plenty of Kajabi alternatives that deliver the same (or even better) results, often at a fraction of the cost.
If you’re looking for an affordable all-in-one system, start with Systeme.io.
If you’re ready to ditch monthly fees forever, ThriveCart is worth every penny of its lifetime deal.
If you want automation muscle and marketing power, Kartra has you covered.
And if your heart’s set on community and simplicity, Podia is pure joy to use.
The key is this — don’t let your platform slow you down. The best tool is the one that helps you share your message, serve your audience, and sell with confidence. Once you find that fit, growth gets a whole lot easier.
Try ThriveCart’s Lifetime Deal Before It’s Gone
If you’re tired of paying hundreds each month just to run your business, it might be time to simplify — and own your platform outright.
That’s where ThriveCart comes in. It gives you everything you need to sell digital products, courses, and memberships — without monthly fees. You’ll get high-converting checkout pages, powerful upsells, and a built-in course platform (ThriveCart Learn+) that rivals Kajabi… all for a one-time payment.
Once you buy it, it’s yours for life.
No renewals. No hidden charges. Just freedom.
👉 Grab the ThriveCart Lifetime Deal Now — and lock in access before the price goes up or the offer disappears.