Ever wondered whether Kartra or Thinkific is the right platform for your online business? Both cater to digital entrepreneurs, offering tools to create and sell online courses.
However, they serve different needs—one being an all-in-one marketing platform, while the other specializes in course creation and delivery.
Having explored both extensively, I can break down their differences to help you determine which aligns with your goals.
Disclaimer:This article is based on publicly available information. Please verify pricing and features on the official websites, as updates may occur.
Table of Contents
Kartra vs Thinkific: Quick & Simple Comparison
| Feature | Kartra | Thinkific |
| Ease of Use | Beginner-friendly with a comprehensive suite of tools | User-friendly interface focused on course creation |
| Sales Funnels | Advanced funnel-building tools with detailed mapping | Lacks built-in sales funnel features; requires third-party integrations |
| Marketing Automation | Multi-channel automation including email, SMS, and memberships | Basic email automation; lacks advanced marketing tools |
| CRM & Lead Management | Robust contact management and segmentation | Basic student management without advanced CRM features |
| Membership & Courses | Fully integrated with sales funnels and marketing tools | Dedicated course creation tools with various content delivery options |
| Webinars | Built-in webinar hosting capabilities | No native webinar support; requires third-party tools |
| Landing Pages | Unlimited customizable landing pages with drag-and-drop builder | Basic landing page builder with limited customization |
| Integrations | Moderate third-party integrations; many features are native | Extensive third-party integrations to enhance functionality |
| Customer Support | 24/7 chat and email support | Email support and a community forum |
| Pricing | Starts at $119/month | Starts with a free plan; paid plans begin at $36/month |
| Free Trial | 30-day trial available | Free plan available |
| Best For | Entrepreneurs seeking an all-in-one marketing solution | Educators focused on course creation and delivery |
What is Kartra?
Kartra is a robust marketing platform that provides an all-in-one solution for running an online business. Whether you need sales funnels, email automation, course hosting, or lead management, Kartra handles everything in a single system. It was created by the team behind WebinarJam and officially launched in 2018. Since then, it has become a preferred choice for digital entrepreneurs who want a seamless business management system.
Who Should Use Kartra?
Kartra is designed for:
- Entrepreneurs managing online sales and marketing
- Course creators and coaches selling memberships
- Small businesses looking for a complete marketing solution
- Agencies managing multiple clients (with higher-tier plans)
If you want a centralized platform to manage marketing, sales, and automation, Kartra is a solid option.
What is Thinkific?
Thinkific is a platform designed specifically for creating and delivering online courses. It offers tools to build courses, create communities, and manage students. While it excels in course creation, Thinkific does not offer advanced marketing automation or CRM features like Kartra.
Who Should Use Thinkific?
Thinkific is perfect for:
- Educators and trainers focused on delivering structured learning experiences
- Institutions looking to offer online courses without extensive marketing needs
- Content creators who prioritize course quality and student engagement
If your primary focus is on course creation and student management rather than full-fledged business automation, Thinkific is a great option.
Kartra vs Thinkific – Key Similarities and Differences
While both platforms offer tools for online education, they differ in their approach. Let’s examine their similarities and differences.
Similarities
- ✅ Both offer tools to create and sell online courses.
- ✅ Each provides membership site capabilities.
- ✅ Both integrate with third-party tools to expand functionality.
- ✅ Each platform has a free trial or plan to test its features before committing.
Differences
| Feature | Kartra | Thinkific |
| Ideal For | Businesses needing full marketing automation | Educators focused on course creation |
| Sales Funnels | Advanced funnel mapping tools | Lacks built-in sales funnel features |
| CRM & Lead Management | Full contact tracking and sales automation | Basic student management |
| Membership & Courses | Integrated with marketing tools | Dedicated course creation tools |
| Webinar & Video Hosting | Includes built-in webinars and video hosting | No native webinar features |
| Landing Pages | Fully customizable templates | Basic landing pages with limited customization |
| Customer Support | Live chat, email, and ticket support | Email support and community forum |
Page Builder
Kartra
Kartra offers a robust drag-and-drop page builder, enabling users to create highly customizable landing pages, sales pages, and more. With a wide array of templates and design elements, users can craft professional-looking pages tailored to their brand. The platform’s flexibility allows for intricate designs, catering to both beginners and advanced users.
Thinkific
Thinkific provides a user-friendly page builder focused primarily on course creation. While it offers essential customization options, its capabilities are more limited compared to Kartra. The builder is intuitive, making it easy for educators to set up course pages, but it may lack the advanced design flexibility some users desire.
Comparison Table: Page Builder
| Feature | Kartra | Thinkific |
| Customization | Highly customizable with advanced design options. | Basic customization suitable for straightforward course pages. |
| Templates | Extensive library of templates for various needs. | Limited template selection focused on educational content. |
| Ease of Use | May require a learning curve for advanced features. | Intuitive and straightforward for course creation. |
Pricing
Kartra
Kartra’s pricing is structured to cater to businesses seeking an all-in-one marketing solution.
- starter Plan: $199/month – Offers up to 12,500 leads, 3 custom domains, and additional features like unlimited emails and bandwidth.
- Growth Plan: $299/month – Supports up to 25,000 leads, 5 custom domains, and all features included in lower tiers.
- Professional Plan: $499/month – Accommodates up to 50,000 leads, 10 custom domains, and comprehensive access to all features.
Thinkific
Thinkific’s pricing is designed to support educators at various stages.
- Basic Plan: $36/month – Includes unlimited courses, 1 administrator, and essential tools.
- Start Plan: $74/month – Adds features like live lessons, memberships, and advanced course-building options.
- Grow Plan: $149/month – Offers additional administrators, bulk enrollment, and priority support.
- Plus Plan: Custom pricing – Tailored for enterprises with advanced needs.
Comparison Table: Pricing
| Plan | Kartra Pricing | Thinkific Pricing |
| Entry-Level | $99/month (Starter Plan) | $36/month (Free Plan) |
| Mid-Tier | $199/month (Silver Plan) | $74/month (Start Plan) |
| Advanced | $299/month (Gold Plan) | $149/month (Grow Plan) |
| Enterprise | $499/month (Platinum Plan) | Custom pricing (Plus Plan) |
Community
Kartra
Kartra offers built-in membership and course management tools, but it lacks a dedicated community feature. While you can create private membership portals and discussion areas, they don’t provide the same level of interaction as standalone community platforms. For businesses looking to foster engagement, integrating Kartra with third-party community platforms like Facebook Groups or Circle might be necessary.
Thinkific
Thinkific includes a built-in community feature that allows course creators to engage with students within the platform. Users can create discussion forums, host live Q&As, and encourage peer-to-peer interaction. This feature makes Thinkific a great option for educators and online course sellers looking to build a loyal student community.
Comparison Table: Community
| Feature | Kartra | Thinkific |
| Community Feature | Limited (via membership portals) | Built-in community functionality |
| Engagement Tools | Basic forums, third-party integrations | Discussion boards, live Q&As |
🏆 Winner:
Thinkific – Best for educators who want built-in community engagement.
Kartra – Best for businesses that prefer integrating third-party platforms.
Quizzes and Surveys
Kartra
Kartra provides quiz and survey features as part of its funnel-building tools. These tools help businesses capture leads, assess customer preferences, and segment users for marketing campaigns. However, the customization options for quizzes are relatively basic compared to dedicated quiz platforms.
Thinkific
Thinkific excels in quizzes and assessments, offering built-in quiz modules, graded assignments, and certificates for students. This makes it ideal for educators and course creators who want to test student knowledge and track progress. The platform also supports various question formats, providing more flexibility in creating engaging assessments.
Comparison Table: Quizzes and Surveys
| Feature | Kartra | Thinkific |
| Quiz Options | Basic lead-capturing quizzes | Advanced quizzes, graded assignments |
| Customization | Limited customization | Multiple question types, certificates |
🏆 Winner:
Thinkific – Best for structured assessments and certification programs.
Kartra – Best for marketers using quizzes for lead generation.
Integrations
Kartra
Kartra provides a range of built-in tools, reducing the need for third-party integrations. However, for additional functionality, Kartra supports integrations with email marketing platforms, CRMs, and payment gateways. It also offers API and webhook support for custom integrations, though fewer native integrations than Thinkific.
Thinkific
Thinkific integrates seamlessly with a variety of third-party tools, including email marketing services (Mailchimp, ConvertKit), payment processors (Stripe, PayPal), and automation platforms like Zapier. This makes it more flexible for businesses looking to connect multiple software solutions.
Comparison Table: Integrations
| Feature | Kartra | Thinkific |
| Built-in Tools | Many all-in-one features | Requires third-party integrations |
| API & Webhooks | Available but limited | Strong third-party API support |
🏆 Winner:
Thinkific – Best for businesses that rely on external tools.
Kartra – Best for users who prefer an all-in-one solution with fewer integrations.
Affiliates
Kartra
Kartra includes a built-in affiliate management system that allows businesses to create affiliate programs, set commission structures, track referrals, and automate payments. This feature is highly useful for online businesses looking to leverage affiliate marketing without external tools.
Thinkific
Thinkific also offers an affiliate program feature but requires integration with tools like Rewardful for advanced tracking and commission management. While functional, it is not as seamless as Kartra’s built-in affiliate system.
Comparison Table: Affiliates
| Feature | Kartra | Thinkific |
| Built-in System | Yes, full affiliate management | Requires third-party tools |
| Automation | Automated tracking & payments | Manual setup needed |
🏆 Winner:
Kartra – Best for businesses looking for a built-in affiliate marketing solution.
Thinkific – Suitable for course creators who don’t need advanced affiliate tools.
Kartra
Kartra provides an advanced email marketing system with automation, segmentation, and behavioral triggers. Users can create drip campaigns, personalized follow-ups, and dynamic email sequences, making it ideal for marketers who rely on email-based nurturing and sales funnels.
Thinkific
Thinkific includes basic email notifications for students but lacks built-in marketing automation. To create advanced email campaigns, users need to integrate third-party tools like ConvertKit, Mailchimp, or ActiveCampaign.
Comparison Table: Email
| Feature | Kartra | Thinkific |
| Built-in Email | Advanced automation, sequences | Basic notifications only |
| Third-Party Tools | Not necessary (but available) | Required for advanced campaigns |
🏆 Winner:
Kartra – Best for businesses focused on email marketing automation.
Thinkific – Suitable for course creators who use external email platforms.
Analytics
Kartra
Kartra offers detailed analytics, including sales reports, funnel performance, and customer behavior tracking. Users can monitor how leads interact with content, helping them refine marketing strategies. The platform also integrates with Google Analytics for additional insights.
Thinkific
Thinkific provides analytics focused on student engagement, course completion rates, and sales reports. While it offers useful insights for educators, it lacks the advanced sales funnel tracking capabilities found in Kartra.
Comparison Table: Analytics
| Feature | Kartra | Thinkific |
| Data Insights | Sales, funnel tracking, conversions | Course engagement, student progress |
| Google Analytics | Supported | Supported |
🏆 Winner:
Kartra – Best for tracking marketing and sales performance.
Thinkific – Best for analyzing student engagement.
Support
Kartra
Kartra provides multiple support options, including live chat, email, a knowledge base, and an active user community. Users also get access to video tutorials and training resources to help them maximize the platform’s features.
Thinkific
Thinkific offers strong customer support, including email, live chat (on higher plans), and an extensive knowledge base. They also provide community support and Thinkific Academy, which helps users build better courses.
Comparison Table: Support
| Feature | Kartra | Thinkific |
| Support Channels | Live chat, email, knowledge base | Email, live chat (higher plans) |
| Training Resources | Video tutorials, user community | Thinkific Academy, community forums |
🏆 Winner:
Tie – Both platforms offer great support but cater to different user needs.
Pros and Cons of Kartra
Pros
✅ All-in-One Business Platform
Kartra is a complete business solution, offering email marketing, landing pages, membership sites, funnels, video hosting, and more in a single platform.
✅ Advanced Sales Funnel Builder
With Kartra, users can design, automate, and optimize sales funnels without needing third-party integrations.
✅ Built-In Email Marketing & Automation
Kartra includes an integrated email marketing tool with behavior-based automation, segmentation, and tracking.
✅ Membership Site & Course Hosting
Offers a membership site builder, allowing users to host and sell courses, create multiple tiers, and manage student access.
✅ Affiliate Management System
Kartra allows businesses to manage their affiliate programs, track commissions, and automate payments seamlessly.
✅ Landing Page & Website Builder
A robust drag-and-drop builder that allows users to create professional landing pages and full websites.
✅ Helpdesk & Live Chat Support
Unlike many competitors, Kartra provides a built-in helpdesk with ticketing and live chat features to support customers.
✅ Video Hosting with Lead Capture Features
Users can host videos directly on Kartra, adding CTAs, lead capture forms, and analytics.
Cons
❌ Expensive Subscription Model
Kartra operates on a monthly subscription basis, starting at $99/month, which can be costly for small businesses.
❌ Steep Learning Curve
Due to its vast features, Kartra requires time to master, making it less ideal for absolute beginners.
❌ Limited Course Features Compared to Thinkific
While Kartra supports membership sites, it lacks some advanced course creation tools such as quizzes, certificates, and student progress tracking.
❌ Limited Payment Gateway Options
Supports only PayPal, Stripe, and a few other options, which might be restrictive for some businesses.
Pros and Cons of Thinkific
Pros
✅ Best-in-Class Course Creation Tools
Thinkific is designed specifically for course creators, offering quizzes, certificates, course completion tracking, and advanced student engagement tools.
✅ No Transaction Fees on Paid Plans
Unlike many competitors, Thinkific does not charge transaction fees on paid plans, allowing users to keep more of their revenue.
✅ Flexible Course Pricing & Bundling
Creators can set up one-time payments, subscriptions, memberships, and course bundles with ease.
✅ Drip Content & Student Progress Tracking
Thinkific allows for content dripping and detailed student tracking, improving engagement and retention.
✅ Customizable Course Player
A modern, branded course player ensures a professional learning experience for students.
✅ Mobile-Optimized Learning Experience
While it doesn’t have a dedicated mobile app, Thinkific ensures a fully responsive experience on mobile browsers.
✅ Built-In Community Features
Allows creators to build a community around their courses, fostering student engagement.
Cons
❌ Limited Marketing & Funnel Features
Thinkific focuses on course creation and lacks advanced funnel-building, automation, and email marketing tools like Kartra.
❌ No Built-In Email Automation
Unlike Kartra, Thinkific does not have a full-fledged email marketing system, requiring integrations with third-party tools.
❌ No Live Chat Support on Lower Plans
Support is mainly through email and a knowledge base, with live chat available only on higher-tier plans.
❌ Fewer Customization Options for Sales Pages
Thinkific’s sales page builder is not as flexible as Kartra’s website and landing page builder.
Which One Should You Choose?
💡 Go with Kartra if:
✅ You need an all-in-one business solution with email marketing, funnels, and sales automation.
✅ You want built-in affiliate management and marketing automation.
✅ You sell digital products or memberships and need a complete marketing platform.
✅ You require video hosting with lead capture and engagement tracking.
💡 Go with Thinkific if:
✅ You are a course creator looking for advanced learning tools and student engagement features.
✅ You want flexible course pricing, bundling, and drip content options.
✅ You prefer a dedicated platform for hosting and selling online courses.
✅ You need a professional course player with a seamless student experience.
Final Thoughts
Now that we’ve broken down the key differences between Kartra and Thinkific, which one is right for you?
- Kartra is ideal for businesses looking for an all-in-one platform to handle marketing, automation, sales, and membership sites.
- Thinkific is best suited for educators, course creators, and online trainers who need a robust learning management system with student-focused features.
🚀 Both platforms offer free trials, so why not test them out and see which one aligns with your business goals?
FAQs
- Which platform is better for course creation?
Thinkific offers comprehensive tools specifically for building and managing courses.
- Can I use Kartra for online courses?
Yes, Kartra supports basic course hosting through its membership tools.
- Does Thinkific have sales funnel tools?
No, Thinkific does not have built-in sales funnel features.
- Which platform offers better email marketing?
Kartra provides advanced email marketing with segmentation, while Thinkific requires third-party integrations.
- Does Thinkific offer a free plan?
Yes, Thinkific offers a free plan with limited features for course creation.
- Which platform is more affordable for beginners?
Thinkific’s free and lower-priced plans make it ideal for beginners. Kartra is better for businesses ready to invest in a complete marketing solution.
Srishti Gaur is an accomplished SEO Associate with a strong background in content creation and software technology. With a knack for crafting strategies that drive traffic and improve search rankings, she combines her expertise in SEO with a deep understanding of tech tools and platforms. Passionate about bridging the gap between technology and impactful content, Srishti helps businesses grow their online presence and achieve measurable results.
