thinkific vs udemy: Which Is Better? [Comparison]

Thinkific is an online course platform that allows individuals and businesses to create, market, and sell their own courses. Its primary purpose is to provide tools for course creation and management, enabling instructors to deliver educational content effectively.

Quick Comparison

Feature thinkific udemy
Course Creation Yes Yes
Revenue Model Subscription-based Commission-based
Custom Branding Yes Limited
Student Interaction Yes Yes
Marketing Tools Basic Advanced
Course Pricing Set by instructor Set by instructor
Platform Ownership Instructor-owned Udemy-owned

What is thinkific?

Thinkific is an online course platform that allows individuals and businesses to create, market, and sell their own courses. Its primary purpose is to provide tools for course creation and management, enabling instructors to deliver educational content effectively.

What is udemy?

Udemy is an online learning platform that offers a wide range of courses created by various instructors. Its primary purpose is to connect learners with educators, allowing users to access a diverse library of courses across multiple subjects.

Key Differences

Which Should You Choose?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create free courses on Thinkific?

Yes, Thinkific allows instructors to create free courses alongside paid options.

Is Udemy suitable for all types of courses?

Udemy supports a wide range of courses, but it is best suited for general topics rather than specialized or niche subjects.

How do I get paid on Thinkific?

Instructors on Thinkific receive payments directly from their students, based on the pricing they set for their courses.

Are there any upfront costs for using Udemy?

No, there are no upfront costs to create courses on Udemy, but the platform takes a percentage of the revenue generated from course sales.

Conclusion

Thinkific and Udemy serve different purposes in the online education space. Thinkific focuses on providing tools for course creation and management, while Udemy emphasizes connecting learners with a wide variety of courses. The choice between the two depends on individual needs and goals.

Last updated: 2026-02-08