LearnWorlds and Thinkific are popular platforms that allow course creators to make and sell their courses online. Are you looking to learn which one is better for you? Stay tuned and find out more in this LearnWorlds vs Thinkific comparison.
I must first tell you that these platforms are made for slightly different audiences. Thinkific is great for beginners looking to sell their first course and they don’t need any advanced features. LearnWorlds is better for larger course providers, businesses, and corporations that will need those features. So, your needs will impact your buying decision.
Can’t Wait? Here’s Our Verdict…
As you can see, it’s a very close comparison, that’s for sure. We simply can’t call a clear winner, as these two platforms do very well at what they’re good at. It really depends on what you’re after.
LearnWorlds promises a premium platform for large course creators who need more advanced features. Thinkific is easier to use and is perhaps better for single course creators or beginners.
Honestly, they both free options (Thinkific with a free plan and LearnWorlds with a free trial), if I was you, I’d sign up to both and play around to see which one you prefer to use.
Product Backgrounds
LearnWorlds
LearnWorlds was established in 2014 as a relatively small platform for course providers. In the subsequent years, it grew quickly with the help of funding and it started gaining traction.
Today, LearnWorlds is one of the best around when it comes to intricate and detailed course creation. It caters to a broad array of creators, from small, single creators to large, multi-million companies.
Although its advanced features and plans are better suited for larger course providers rather than beginners.
Thinkific
Thinkific was founded in 2012 again, as a relatively small course creation platform for individuals and businesses. Today, it has around 100 employees and an estimated revenue of $15M per year.
A big selling point of Thinkific is its ease of use. With the drag-and-drop course builder, this platform is accessible even for beginners.
There are some similarities with LearnWorlds, although a major difference between the two is their target audience. LearnWorlds markets itself as a premium course builder, while Thinkific is better for individuals.
Course Creation
LearnWorlds
The course creation process with LearnWorlds is truly one of the best around. I’ve tested many course creation platforms, but few reach the detailed building process you can have with this platform.
Even though the interface can be slightly confusing, it becomes fairly easy once you get into the course creation itself. One of the big selling points is the ability to add and create interactive videos for your courses, which makes the student experience unforgettable.
How deep you go into the details of course creation is completely up to you, though. You can create a fairly simple course quickly, or you can dive deep and make the most detailed course on the internet.
Thinkific
I’ve read a lot of good things about Thinkific’s course creation, and I didn’t believe them until I tried it myself.
I was shocked by how easy it is to use the course creation!
With the drag-and-drop builder, you can select the files you want and just throw them into the course. It’s really intuitive, and you can add a great variety of multimedia to the course.
You can also add drip content if you want, or create parts of your course to be mandatory viewing before the student moves on to the next chapter. Again, it’s all up to you how you create the course.
Winner: LearnWorlds. It’s a close call, this one, as both platforms have a very good course builder. LearnWorlds’ course builder is slightly more powerful with interactive videos, SCORM files, and gamification.
Ease of Use
LearnWorlds
LearnWorlds has an interface that might be intimidating for beginners at first. There’s a LOT of information to process on the starting page.
But once you start creating your course, you’ll find out that it’s actually quite simple to use. Yes, the analytics might be daunting at first. But it won’t take you long to get the hang of it.
One thing to note is that there’s not active customer support or tutorial, which makes it slightly more complex.
Thinkific
Thinkific has one of the best course builders I’ve seen. The drag-and-drop functionality makes for a pleasant experience.
You only need to upload your content, and then drag it to your course. It’s as simple as that. And there are also various documentation files and instructions to help you along the way.
Winner: Thinkific wins this one, no doubt. LearnWorlds has an interface that can be daunting for beginners, and the course creation with Thinkific is perhaps the easiest around.
Integrations and Features
LearnWorlds
Even with a premium platform like LearnWorlds, you’re eventually going to need some additional integrations.
You get access to some of them in their Basic plan already. Although for better integrations and features, you might need to get a higher-priced plan.
You will be able to use integrations such as Zapier, Google Analytics, and Google Tag Manager, SumoMe, Mailchimp, Hubspot, Intercom, Mixpanel, and many others.
In terms of features, we can safely say that LearnWorlds is above most course creation platforms – Interactive Videos, SCORM files, SSO, no transaction fees, 20+ admins, and more.
Thinkific
Thinkific offers email integration tools, such as ConvertKit, AWeber, Mailchimp, and ConstantContact. There’s also the Zapier integration which enables 1000+ additional integrations. Other notable integrations include Infusionsoft and ActiveCampaign.
The features will mostly depend on the plan you choose. With the Basic plan, you get some nice features like custom domain and drip content, although, at higher echelons, Thinkific is left behind by LearnWorlds.
Winner: LearnWorlds, but only thanks to its more advanced plans and the additional features it offers at those levels.
Educational Benefits
LearnWorlds
You can add quizzes, assignments, exams, and tests at every step of the way. Plus, you have the ability to add certifications for your course, and you can add them under every section if you want.
Drip content is also there, and you can also create a built-in community, which comes available at the lowest pricing level.
Thinkific
You can add ungraded quizzes and assignments even with the free plan of Thinkific, which is nice. Although you’ll only be able to hand out certifications with higher-priced plans.
Only with the Growth Plan, you will be able to add graded and timed tests, as well as more advanced features. And you can only build a community in the Pro plan.
Winner: Tie. Both platforms are similar in terms of educational benefits.
Marketing Tools
LearnWorlds
Both platforms will require you to use additional integrations, especially for email marketing. Although there are some basic marketing tools available.
LearnWorlds offers you sales pages and landing page customization. You can create 1-click funnels, as well as manage your affiliates.
Thinkific
Thinkific also has some basic marketing tools, but you will need to use emailing tools for a more comprehensive marketing effort.
There are similar tools available here: sales pages, landing pages, affiliate management. With the Growth plan, you’ll also get the chance to manage your mailing list, but you’ll be better off by using one of the integrated tools.
Winner: Tie. Both offer similar marketing tools, and there’s a need to use integrations for more comprehensive marketing.
Support
LearnWorlds
You’ll get 24/5 support with the basic plan, and 24/7 support with the more advanced plans. But there’s a notable lack of live chat support as well as telephone support.
However, the support LearnWorlds has is fantastic. They are super responsive and friendly, and you can clearly see they care.
Thinkific
There’s a super-friendly and accomodating customer service with Thinkific, even on their free plan. They answer questions immediately, and again, they care about you.
You can call them, send them an email, or chat with them. They’re not available 24/7, though.
Winner: It’s a tie, because both of these platforms have fantastic customer service, regardless of the plan you choose.
Price
LearnWorlds
There are pricing plans for almost everyone with LearnWorlds.
Single course creators can use the Starter Plan if they’re starting out, or the Pro Trainer plan if they are serious about this.
For larger businesses or corporations, there are additional plans: the Learning Center plan and Corporate plans, which have more features but are more expensive.
Thinkific
There’s a nice free plan with Thinkific that offers you some neat features, although they are limited, which is to be expected. You can only create 3 courses with that plan.
There’s the Basic plan, as well as the Pro plan, which is both great for individual creators. For larger creators, there’s the Premier plan. We have a full article on Thinkific pricing options if you want to learn more.
Winner: Thinkific as it’s more affordable and has a free plan on offer.
Final Verdict
Here are the final scores of our experiment:
LearnWorlds: 2
Thinkific: 2
Tie: 3
The scores suggest it’s a very tight one. Both platforms are great, albeit for slightly different audiences. LearnWorlds is for larger course creators who need more features, Thinkific is for beginners and single course creators looking to create a course easily.
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