Podia recently dropped its free tier, leaving creators searching for platforms with similar ease, course-building features, or storefront flexibility, without paying monthly. Here’s your go-to guide for the top free alternatives to Podia in 2025, we’ll explore some great platforms that let you start selling courses, memberships, or digital products without upfront costs.
1. Systeme.io
Best for: Creators who want an all-in-one solution without monthly fees
Pricing: Free plan available
Platform Fees: None (only standard payment processor fees)
Systeme.io is one of the strongest Podia alternatives for anyone who wants more than just a course platform. With its free plan, you get access to tools for courses, sales funnels, email marketing, automation, and even blogging, all in one place.
On the free plan, you can build one course, run up to three funnels, and manage 2,000 contacts. That’s enough to validate an idea, build an audience, and make sales without investing upfront.
Pros:
- All-in-one platform (courses, funnels, emails, and automations)
- Free plan comes with generous limits
- No platform transaction fees
- Smooth scaling as your business grows
- Easy to use for beginners
Cons:
- Limited design customization
- Free plan caps the number of courses and funnels
- Course player isn’t as polished as Podia’s
If you’re looking for a free Podia alternative that handles both teaching and marketing, Systeme.io is a great place to start.
2. Gumroad
Best for: Creators who want a simple storefront for digital products and courses
Pricing: Free plan available
Platform Fees: 10% on the free plan (plus payment processor fees)
Gumroad is a long-time favorite for creators who want a no-fuss way to sell digital products and memberships. With the free plan, you can sell unlimited items, from ebooks and art to courses and coaching sessions.
Unlike Podia, Gumroad doesn’t give you a dedicated course player. Instead, your content is delivered as files or access links. That said, it is incredibly flexible, you can sell courses alongside memberships, physical products, and digital downloads.
Pros:
- Free plan with unlimited products and customers
- Works for digital downloads, memberships, and coaching
- No upfront costs, only pay when you sell
- Built-in tax/VAT handling for international sales
- Very quick to set up
Cons:
- 10% fee per sale on the free plan
- No dedicated course player or advanced LMS tools
- Limited customization
If you want simplicity and flexibility without platform fees up front, Gumroad is a solid Podia alternative.
3. Teachable
Best for: Course creators who want a polished learning platform
Pricing: Free plan available
Platform Fees: $1 + 10% per transaction (plus processor fees)
Teachable is one of the most recognized names in online courses, and it still offers a free plan. With it, you can publish one course, enroll unlimited students, and start selling right away.
The trade-off? Teachable’s transaction fees are on the high side. But you do get a professional course builder, video hosting, and a streamlined checkout system, all things Podia users value.
Pros:
- User-friendly and professional course builder
- Unlimited students even on the free plan
- Supports coaching and digital downloads in addition to courses
- Built-in tax handling for global sales
Cons:
- High transaction fees on the free plan
- Only one course allowed without upgrading
- Fewer customization options than WordPress-based solutions
If you want something close to Podia’s learning experience but still free to start, Teachable is a strong option.
4. Payhip
Best for: Selling digital products and courses with simple setup
Pricing: Free plan available
Platform Fees: 5% per transaction on the free plan (plus processor fees)
Payhip is a free platform designed for creators who sell digital products, memberships, or online courses. The free plan includes unlimited products, unlimited revenue potential, and even built-in EU VAT handling.
Compared to Podia, Payhip is more product-focused. While it offers a course builder, it doesn’t have Podia’s community features. Still, it’s simple, free, and powerful for getting started.
Pros:
- Unlimited products and revenue potential
- Works for digital downloads, courses, and memberships
- Built-in tax/VAT handling
- Easy setup and clean storefronts
Cons:
- 5% fee on every transaction (unless you upgrade)
- Fewer community-building tools than Podia
- Limited design flexibility
If you want to sell products and courses without monthly costs, Payhip is one of the best free Podia alternatives available.
5. Tutor LMS
Best for: Creators who want full ownership of their online school
Pricing: Free plugin (with optional paid add-ons)
Platform Fees: None (only standard payment processor fees like PayPal/Stripe)
Tutor LMS is a WordPress plugin that transforms your website into a full learning management system. The free version allows unlimited courses, lessons, and quizzes, making it a powerful starting point if you already use WordPress.
Unlike Podia, which hosts your courses for you, Tutor LMS gives you complete ownership of your website, student data, and branding. It requires more setup, but it also gives you full flexibility.
Pros:
- Free plugin with unlimited courses and students
- Complete control over your content and branding
- Works with WooCommerce and popular payment gateways
- Highly customizable with WordPress themes and plugins
Cons:
- Requires WordPress hosting and setup
- No built-in email or funnel tools (need extra plugins)
- Some advanced features are paid add-ons
If you value control and scalability over convenience, Tutor LMS is one of the best free Podia alternatives.
6. Moodle (Self-Hosted)
Best for: Educators and organizations who want open-source freedom
Pricing: Free and open-source (hosting may cost extra)
Platform Fees: None (only hosting and processing fees)
Moodle is a long-standing open-source learning platform that is completely free to use. It supports unlimited courses, users, and advanced features like quizzes, grading, and certifications.
Unlike Podia, Moodle is more complex and requires self-hosting or paid support. But the flexibility is unmatched, and it’s widely used in schools and organizations worldwide.
Pros:
- 100% free and open-source
- Unlimited courses and users
- Advanced LMS features like assignments and grading
- Highly customizable with plugins and themes
Cons:
- Requires technical setup and hosting
- Interface feels less modern than Podia
- No built-in marketing or sales tools
If you want a free Podia alternative that can scale for serious education, Moodle is a powerful choice.
Conclusion
Podia is a polished platform, but its lack of a free plan makes it harder for new creators to get started. Thankfully, in 2025 there are plenty of free Podia alternatives, from Systeme.io for all-in-one marketing to Gumroad for product sales, Payhip for flexible digital stores, and Tutor LMS or Moodle for those who want total control.
The best choice depends on your goals. All of these platforms let you start for free, so you can test ideas and grow without financial risk.
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