Is Podia holding your business back?
You started with Podia because it was simple. It promised an all-in-one solution to sell online courses, digital downloads, and memberships without the tech headache. But now, you’re realising that the 5% transaction fee on its Mover plan is eating into your profits, not to mention the additional payment processor fees. Moreover, the email marketing tools feel restrictive, and the community features are little more than comment sections.
As a course creator or small business owner, every dollar counts. If you’re scaling to $5k or $10k per month, that’s hundreds of dollars out your pocket every month – money that could be spent on ads or hiring help. Data from Store Leads shows that Podia has lost 34 merchants across Q4 2025 to other competitive platforms and might continue to do so.
Whether you need a high-converting checkout platform, a dedicated community platform, course hosting, or a comprehensive all-in-one solution with advanced automation, several Podia alternatives are waiting for you to try.
Key takeaways:
- Transaction fees are the silent killer of profitability; moving from Podia’s Mover plan to a 0% fee platform instantly increases your bottom line by 5%.
- Switching platforms in 2026 is easier than ever, with many tools offering free migration assistance to help you move your digital products.
- Choosing the right Podia alternative depends on your goals, whether it’s community engagement, selling digital downloads, or scaling your coaching sessions. Platforms like ThriveCart offer tools to help you grow without the friction of high transaction fees or limited features.
Podia vs. the top course platform alternatives (a quick glance)
| Feature | Podia | ThriveCart | Kajabi | Mighty Networks | Systeme.io | Teachable |
| Primary Focus | Generalist | Sales/Checkout/LMS | Course sales/funnel builder | Community | Course sales/funnel builder | Course sales |
| Pricing and Transaction Fees | Mover $39/mo (5% transaction fee) Shaker $89/mo (No transaction fee) | ThriveCart Basic $495 One-time payment ThriveCart Pro+ (annual) $790 then $295/year from year 2 Ultimate Bundle (one-time) $985 then $295/year from year 2 0% transaction fees on all its paid plans | Kickstarter $89/mo Basic $179/mo Growth $249/mo Pro $499/mo 0% transaction fee (pay standard payment processor rates) | The Community Plan $49/mo (billed annually) (3% transaction fee) The Courses Plan $129/mo (2% transaction fee) The Business Plan $229/mo (2% transaction fee) The Growth Plan $430/mo (1% transaction fee) Mighty Pro (Custom Pricing) (0% transaction fee) 14-day free trial (5% transaction fee) | Freemium $0 Startup $17/mo Webinar $47/mo Unlimited $97/mo 0% transaction fees on all its paid plans | Starter $39/mo (7.5% transaction fee) Builder $89/mo (0% transaction fee) Growth $189/mo (0% transaction fee) Advanced $399/mo (0% transaction fee) |
| Course Hosting | Basic | Two options: ThriveCart Learn and Learn+ | Good | Social/Cohort | Good | Good |
| Community Tools | Basic | Integrates via Zapier | Good | Good | Basic | Basic |
| Marketing Tools | Basic email | High-converting checkout pagesfunnels | Good | Basic | Good | Basic |
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5 Podia alternatives to consider
1) ThriveCart
If your priority is selling online while keeping more of your revenue, ThriveCart is one of the strongest tools you can try. With the addition of ThriveCart Learn and its more advanced course management platform Learn+, it’s an excellent Podia alternative.
Why ThriveCart wins on ROI
Unlike Podia’s monthly subscription model, which can be a drag on your expenses for years, ThriveCart operates on a lifetime license. You pay $495 once (on the Basic plan) and own the access forever.
High-converting checkout pages:
ThriveCart specializes in helping people make purchases. You can easily add order bumps (e.g., “Add this ebook for $17”) and one-click upsells. Podia’s checkout is functional but lacks this feature.
Course hosting included:
With ThriveCart Learn, you can create courses, structure modules, and drip content just like on a standard LMS.
Zero transaction fees:
You never pay a platform fee on your sales. You only pay standard processing fees (Stripe/PayPal, etc).
When to get an upgrade
If you need full ecommerce and reporting capabilities, upgrade to ThriveCart Pro+. This is an upgrade to the basic plan that adds advanced sales, tax, payment, and reporting tools.
Additional features include:
- Multiple order bumps
- Tax automation
- QR codes
- Affiliate and JV payout automation
- Subscription dunning and analytics
- Crypto payments
- BI reporting
- Custom branding/domains
- Multi-user accounts
Another upgrade to consider, especially if you need a full-featured LMS, is the ThriveCart Ultimate plan. This plan includes everything in Pro+ plus ThriveCart’s advanced Learn+ LMS.
Advanced features unique to the Ultimate plan are:
- Custom tags and gated content
- Course bundles
- Time-limited access/drips
- Student import via CSV
- Rewards/bonus content
- Advanced course analytics
Ultimate bundles Pro+ features with expanded course management tools, so it’s best if more specialized course delivery and student experience are highly essential to your business.
2) Kajabi
Kajabi describes itself as an all-in-one platform that combines course hosting, email marketing, websites, and funnels in a single system. It’s commonly used by creator businesses managing multiple products, automations, or team members. The platform operates entirely on higher-tier monthly subscriptions.
Pricing:
- Kickstarter ($89/month)
- Basic ($179/month)
- Growth ($249/month)
- Pro ($499/month)
Key features:
- Course and membership hosting
- Visual funnel (pipeline) builder
- Built-in email marketing and automation
- Website and blog builder
- Multiple admin users (Growth and above)
- Integrated checkout and payments
When you’d pick it over Podia:
If you expect to run multi-step funnels or need larger team/admin controls, and are willing to pay higher recurring fees.
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3) Mighty Networks
Mighty Networks is a platform designed primarily for building paid communities and memberships. Courses exist as a secondary content format rather than the main focus. The platform emphasizes member interaction, events, and ongoing engagement.
Pricing:
- Community Plan ($49/month, billed annually)
- The Courses Plan ($129/month)
- The Business Plan ($229/month)
- The Growth Plan ($430/month)
- Mighty Pro (custom pricing)
Key features:
- Community feeds and discussion spaces
- Live events and streaming
- Group chats and member messaging
- Native iOS and Android apps (higher tiers)
- Membership access controls
- Basic course content support
When you’d pick it over Podia:
If your primary product is a community or membership experience rather than standalone courses or downloads.
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4) Systeme.io
Systeme.io combines funnels, email automation, course hosting, and basic CRM features into a single platform. It targets creators looking for broad functionality at lower monthly costs. Feature availability and interface depth vary by plan level.
Pricing:
- Startup plan ($17/month)
- Webinar plan ($47/month)
- Unlimited plan ($97/month)
Key features:
- Funnel and landing page builder
- Email marketing and automation rules
- Course and membership hosting
- Basic checkout and order forms
- Contact tagging and CRM-style management
When you’d pick it over Podia:
If budget is the primary concern, and you want funnels, automation, and course delivery in one system.
5) Teachable
Teachable is an online course platform focused on structured learning and student management. Ecommerce tools are included but secondary to its learning management features. Pricing and transaction fees depend on the selected plan.
Pricing:
- Starter $39/month
- Builder $89/month
- Growth $189/month
- Advanced $399/month.
Key features:
- Course hosting and student management
- Quizzes, certificates, and completion tracking
- Built-in payment processing
- Course and product limits on some plans
- Transaction fees on lower tiers
When you’d pick it over Podia:
If you prioritize additional course management options, or specific LMS features, and are okay with navigating plan limits/fees.
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Why course creators choose ThriveCart over Podia
ThriveCart combines tools that help you sell more with a one-time payment model, which differs significantly from the typical monthly subscription model. It has features designed to improve every step of the customer’s journey, from checkout to course access.
1) Earn more money with ThriveCart’s structured funnel system
ThriveCart’s suite of sales funnel tools is designed to convert visitors into potential buyers. It uses proven methods to increase your earnings. Basic features, such as unlimited course creation and smart funnel automation, enable special paths that guide customers to additional offers.
The platform also focuses on getting more sales through its checkout pages. These are enhanced with templates and A/B testing, ensuring your sales process is as effective as possible.
2) Flexible payment and subscription options
ThriveCart offers comprehensive subscription and payment tools. This provides both you and your customers with flexibility through various payment options and easy methods for managing recurring payments. The platform works with over 20 payment providers, including PayPal, Stripe, and Apple Pay, and also offers options such as Buy Now, Pay Later and split payments.
This payment system enables you to sell digital downloads, coaching programs, and online courses in over 100 countries.
For ThriveCart Pro+ and Ultimate, you can automatically handle failed payments. This helps you recover lost money and maintain a steady cash flow.
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3) Great learning experiences with ThriveCart Learn and Learn+
ThriveCart does more than process payments. It also includes a built-in learning management system (LMS) designed for selling and delivering digital education.
ThriveCart Learn is the standard LMS included with ThriveCart. It allows you to host and deliver online courses and memberships directly within the platform.
ThriveCart Learn+, available on the Ultimate plan or as an add-on to Pro+, expands these capabilities with more advanced learning features for creators who want greater control and scalability.
With both options, you can manage course content, student access, and memberships without relying on third-party course platforms. This helps reduce costs and keeps your entire sales and delivery process in one place. 
4) Easy connections and smart automation
ThriveCart understands that all the tools you need must work seamlessly together. It offers many integrations and automations with over 50 other platforms. This includes popular email marketing tools and customer management systems, ensuring your marketing and sales efforts align.
These direct connections enable advanced automation without the need for complicated and expensive external tools. In other words, they make your work smoother and reduce the need for manual tasks.
The platform’s built-in affiliate center (available on Pro+ and Ultimate) also allows you to manage your own affiliate program, helping you reach a wider audience and increase revenue.
5) Smart decisions with advanced data and reports
To grow your business, it’s essential to understand your current performance. ThriveCart provides strong analytics and reporting features to give you a clear view of your sales and conversion data. The main business dashboard provides insights into your income, trends, and subscriptions, enabling you to make informed choices based on data.
With product and sales reports, comparisons of sales funnels, and coupon tracking on the Pro+ and Ultimate bundle, you can quickly see what’s working and improve your strategies. This comprehensive reporting system helps you track key metrics and refine your offerings for optimal results.
FAQs
Does Podia still have a free plan in 2026?
Podia has largely shifted to a 30-day free trial model for its full features. The “free forever” options are now non-existent compared to competitors, which is a key reason creators seek alternatives.
Which platform has the lowest transaction fees?
ThriveCart Learn+ offers zero transaction fees and lifetime pricing, making it the ideal all-in-one platform for maximizing ROI.
Does ThriveCart replace Podia completely?
It can. With ThriveCart Learn+, you can host modules and videos. If you use WordPress or Squarespace for your main site, ThriveCart along with ThriveCart Learn is a perfect (and more affordable) alternative to Podia’s entire platform.
Can I move my course from Podia to ThriveCart?
Yes. Since ThriveCart includes an LMS, you can recreate your course modules there. While there isn’t a “one-click” import button for the content itself, moving video files and text is straightforward. You will then connect your payment gateway to ThriveCart to start processing sales with zero transaction fees.
Final word
If you’re looking for an alternative to Podia that operates as an excellent sales platform, full course delivery system, and a unique one-time payment model, ThriveCart is a compelling choice. It enables you to sell digital products, courses, and coaching sessions effectively, while also increasing your profits by reducing fees and eliminating monthly costs.
Find out how ThriveCart can change your online business and help you reach your income goals.
