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For a first paid course, compare the plan that can deliver your actual lessons, collect payment in your country, and handle your first cohort. A low subscription can look different once you add the platform’s percentage fee and the tools you already pay for.
Quick answer. Shortlist Teachable Starter if you want a lower monthly commitment and can budget for its percentage fee. Consider Thinkific Start if features such as unlimited courses matter early. Compare Podia Mover if website, course and email tools could replace separate subscriptions.
What each plan costs
These are selected prices from the providers’ public US pricing pages on November 15, 2026. Podia figures below are annual commitments. Payment processing, taxes and optional tools can affect your total.
| Platform | Advertised subscription (USD) | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Thinkific Start | $109 | Check Thinkific Payments availability and gateway fees |
| Teachable Starter | $39 | 7.5% platform transaction fee; five products |
| Teachable Builder | $89 | 0% platform transaction fee on supported payment arrangements |
| Podia Mover | $504/year ($42/month equivalent) | 5% platform fee; up to 100 email subscribers on the displayed plan |
| Podia Shaker | $1,008/year ($84/month equivalent) | 0% platform fee; up to 500 email subscribers on the displayed plan |
When does the higher tier pay for itself?
On Teachable’s monthly billing, Builder costs $50 more per month than Starter. At a 7.5% platform fee, the two subscription-plus-platform-fee totals meet at roughly $667 in monthly course sales, assuming the same processing costs. If your course costs $99, seven sales put you just above that point. Check payment eligibility and any added charges before relying on the calculation.
At Podia’s displayed annual prices, Shaker costs $504 more per year. On platform fees alone, avoiding Mover’s 5% fee covers that difference at $10,080 in annual sales. A feature such as PayPal support or a higher included email allowance may matter before you reach that number.
Test one lesson and one checkout
Build a short sample containing the same mix of video, text and downloads you intend to sell. Use the platform’s student preview to find the lesson on a phone, then verify where buyers land after payment and how they get the login link. Check whether coupons, installments, completion rules or certificates are essential for your launch, and verify that the plan you’re comparing includes them.
Before committing annually, write down your expected number of students, gross monthly sales and email subscriber count. Price two scenarios: a small launch, and one successful cohort. Choose the plan you can operate during both.