Kajabi Alternatives (2026): 10 Tools Compared

If you're weighing up Kajabi, you've probably noticed that it tries to be everything at once: a course platform, a website builder, an email tool, a membership area and a checkout. That's attractive when it all works together, and frustrating when you only use a fraction of it. Plenty of course creators and coaches go looking for something lighter, something more focused, or something that lets them start without a big commitment.

This page lists ten alternatives, from small independent platforms built for one kind of creator to the larger names you'll already have heard of. I've deliberately included the smaller tools, because their founders often serve a specific kind of teacher very well. I compared each tool's own website and documentation, and the tools are in no particular order, which in practice means alphabetical. If you're still deciding what kind of platform you need, my guides to online course platforms and course creation tools are good places to start.

A quick look at the Kajabi alternatives

The free plan column shows what each tool's own site says. Trial only means a free trial but no ongoing free plan. Plans change, so check the current plans before you sign up.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Disco	Community platform	Courses and cohort programmes inside one community space	Trial only
Heights Platform	Creator platform	Courses, communities and coaching with built-in AI helpers	Trial only
Learnyst	Course platform	Hosted courses with protected video and branded mobile apps	Trial only
Payhip	Digital store	Selling downloads, courses and memberships from one store	Yes
Podia	All-in-one creator platform	Courses, downloads, coaching, community and email together	Trial only
Ruzuku	Course platform	Straightforward courses and programmes for first-time teachers	Yes
Simplero	All-in-one platform	Products, courses, email, scheduling and affiliates in one login	Trial only
Systeme.io	Funnel and course platform	Funnels, email, courses and communities in one tool	Yes
Teachable	Course platform	Courses, coaching, memberships and digital downloads	Trial only
Thinkific	Learning platform	Courses, communities and memberships under your own brand	Trial only

Ten platforms to try instead of Kajabi

Disco

Best for: Coaches and community builders who want cohort-based programmes and the community together in one space.

Heights Platform

Best for: Creators who sell courses, challenges and coaching and want a modern, fairly simple builder.

Learnyst

Best for: Educators who want their own branded mobile app and video protection for their lessons.

Payhip

Best for: Solo creators who sell several kinds of digital product and want to start without a monthly commitment.

Podia

Best for: Creators who want one simple home for courses, files, community and email.

Ruzuku

Best for: Newer teachers who want a plain course platform and a starter plan to try it on.

Simplero

Best for: Small teams who want sales, courses, email and affiliate tools without stitching apps together.

Systeme.io

Best for: Solo founders who want funnels, email and courses together and a plan that lets them start.

Teachable

Best for: Course creators who want a widely used platform with a large library of help guides.

Thinkific

Best for: Course businesses that want a well-known platform with room to grow into communities.

Choosing a course platform to replace Kajabi

Start with what you sell and to whom, because that narrows the field faster than any feature list. A single self-paced course is a different job from a cohort programme with live calls, and both differ from a monthly membership.

• What are you selling? Self-paced courses, cohort programmes, coaching, downloads or a membership each suit different platforms.
• Do you need a community? Some tools build it in, others expect you to run it elsewhere.
• Email and funnels: decide whether you want these in the same tool or are happy to keep a separate email service.
• Your own domain and branding: check how much of the student area looks like your business rather than the platform's.
• Payments: look at which payment methods and tax handling the platform supports for the countries you sell to.
• Exporting: can you take your student list, content and email addresses with you if you leave?

Before you leave Kajabi: what to ask

Moving a live course business is more work than choosing a tool, so it pays to ask the awkward questions up front. They aren't glamorous, but they're the ones that save you a bad weekend. Write the answers down for each shortlisted platform.

• Can I import my existing students without making them reset passwords?
• Will my course videos transfer, or do I need to upload them again?
• What happens to my sales pages and checkout links when I move?
• How are affiliates, coupons and payment plans handled?
• Who answers support questions, and how quickly?
• Does the free plan or trial let me build a real lesson, not just a demo?

If community is the main reason you're moving, see my roundup of community platforms. And if you mostly sell files and templates rather than courses, platforms for selling digital products may be a closer fit.

Mistakes creators make moving off Kajabi

• Moving everything at once instead of launching one new course on the new platform first.
• Choosing on features you'll never use, then finding the basics fiddly.
• Forgetting to tell students where to log in, and losing track of who has access.
• Not exporting your email list and purchase history before cancelling anything.
• Rebuilding every page from scratch instead of reusing your best-performing copy.
• Ignoring the student view. Log in as a learner and check it's easy on a phone, because that's where many of them will be.

When a small platform beats Kajabi for a solo teacher

Smaller platforms are often built by people who teach or coach themselves, so they tend to focus on a clear audience and respond quickly to feedback. They can be simpler to learn and friendlier to a business of one. Before you commit, check that the product is still being updated, that you can export your content and students, and that someone answers support messages. Build one real lesson before you decide.

Do you make a course or membership platform? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Last steps before you commit to a Kajabi replacement

Shortlist two platforms, build one lesson and one checkout page in each, and go through the student experience on your phone. Choose the one that feels simple, fits how you sell and lets you take your content with you. If it doesn't, you'll find out before your students do. Then write down your launch plan so the move happens one course at a time.

Frequently asked questions

Why do people look for Kajabi alternatives?

Common reasons are wanting a simpler setup, needing only some of the features, wanting to start without a big commitment, or preferring a smaller team that's closer to its customers. Which reason applies to you decides which tool to shortlist.

Can I move my courses and students to a different platform?

Usually yes, but it takes planning. Check how each platform imports students and content, and export your email list and purchase history before you cancel anything.

Do I need an all-in-one platform?

Not always. All-in-one tools save you stitching apps together, while separate tools can be simpler and more flexible. Decide whether you want email, funnels and community in the same place.

Is there a free option for selling courses?

Some platforms have a free plan and others offer a free trial. The table shows which, but plans change, so check each site before you decide.

Should I choose a small or a well-known platform?

Either can work. Well-known platforms have more guides and integrations, while smaller ones can be simpler and more focused. Check that the product is actively updated and that you can export your content.