LearnDash and Teachable are both popular and powerful tools for course creation, but they work quite differently.
Teachable is a fully hosted platform, designed to make it easy to get your course up and running quickly, even if you’re not very technical while LearnDash is a WordPress plugin that gives you full control and flexibility, but you will need some tech savvy to use it properly.
In this guide, we will compare LearnDash and Teachable in terms of features, pricing, ease of use, customization, and more, so you can decide which platform suits your teaching goals best.
Comparison Table
Quick Overview
LearnDash
LearnDash is best for course creators who already use WordPress or want full control over their website. It is feature-rich and flexible, letting you build structured learning paths, drip content, and create powerful quizzes and assignments. Since it’s a WordPress plugin, you’ll need web hosting and some technical know-how to get started, but the advantage is total ownership and deeper customization.
Teachable
Teachable is an all-in-one platform built for simplicity, you can create courses, coaching. Digital downloads, memberships and communities. Everything; course hosting, updates, and security, is taken care of for you. It comes with built-in tools for marketing, course delivery, payments, and student communication, making it great for creators who want a ready-to-go solution without the technical stress of managing it.
Course Creation and Learning Tools
LearnDash:
LearnDash is packed with advanced course creation features. You can structure courses with lessons, topics, and quizzes, create drip schedules, assign prerequisites, and award certificates. It also supports SCORM and Tin Can (xAPI), making it a solid choice for corporate or academic use. You can even integrate it with tools like H5P to add interactive content.
Teachable:
Teachable also has very good course creation features and makes it easy to upload video, text, and quizzes. You can issue completion certificates, schedule content, and host live sessions, all from a simple dashboard. However, it is less flexible than LearnDash in how you organize course structure or learning pathways.
Winner: LearnDash
If deep customization and structured learning are your priorities, LearnDash is the better option.
Sales and Marketing Features
LearnDash:
Since it is based on WordPress, LearnDash does not have built-in marketing tools, but it integrates smoothly with WordPress plugins like WooCommerce, Mailchimp, ConvertKit, and other marketing plugins. You can create funnels, upsells, bundles, and more, but you will need to set it up by yourself or hire an expert to do it for you.
Teachable:
Teachable offers ready-to-use marketing tools like one-click upsells, affiliate marketing, email automation, and customizable checkout pages. It also handles sales tax and payouts automatically, making life easier for non-tech users.
Winner: Teachable
Teachable is the better choice if you want built-in marketing and sales tools.
Pricing and Plans
LearnDash:
LearnDash charges a one-time yearly fee:
- 1 Site License: $199/year
- 10 Site License: $399/year
- Unlimited Sites: $799/year
There are no transaction fees, but you’ll need to pay separately for hosting, themes, plugins, and possibly a developer if you are not tech-savvy.
Teachable:
Teachable offers monthly and annual pricing:
- Free Plan: $1 + 10% transaction fee
- Starter: $39/month (7.5% transaction fee)
- Builder: $89/month (no transaction fee)
- Growth: $189/month (no transaction fee)
- Advanced: $399/month (no transaction fee)
Winner: LearnDash
While LearnDash only offers annual plans which means a higher upfront cost, it is more affordable over time since there are no transaction fees.
Design and Customization
LearnDash:
Since LearnDash is built on WordPress, you have full control over your site’s look and feel. You can use themes like Astra or BuddyBoss, customize page layouts, and even customize code. You can also completely customize your course website and landing pages to match your brand perfectly.
Teachable:
Teachable allows some customization through themes and branding options, but the level of control is limited unless you are on higher-tier plans. Custom code editing is available, but it does not come close to the full design freedom of WordPress.
Winner: LearnDash
If branding and design matter to you, LearnDash offers unmatched control.
Community Features
LearnDash:
LearnDash does not provide community features built-in but you can build a community using WordPress plugins like BuddyBoss or bbPress. These plugins let you create forums, groups, private messaging, and social-style member areas, but this means you’ll have to pay extra for the plugin and it requires extra setup and configuration.
Teachable:
Teachable has built-in community features like spaces and threads. While it is simpler than what you can have with Wordpress plugins on LearnDash, it provides a quick way to create student engagement without any extra effort.
Winner: Teachable
Teachable wins because creating a community with it is simple, fast and easy. LearnDash is good if you want more complex community features and you’re willing to pay extra for the plugin and setup.
Mobile Experience
LearnDash:
LearnDash does not have a mobile app, but with some themes like BuddyBoss, you can create a mobile-responsive experience or even build your own white-labeled mobile app. This requires extra effort and extra cost.
Teachable:
Teachable has a mobile app that allows students to watch videos, complete lessons, and track progress. The app is well-designed and ready to go, no extra setup needed.
Winner: Teachable
For most users, the ease of Teachable’s mobile app is a big plus.
Ease of Use
LearnDash:
LearnDash has a medium to high learning curve because you’ll need to manage plugins, updates, and integrations. However, once it’s set up, it offers a powerful platform for running your courses.
Teachable:
Teachable was made with ease in mind. Everything is pre-configured, and the user interface is very friendly. You can set up your course online in a few hours without any technical issues.
Winner: Teachable
If you want something simple to use, Teachable is your best bet.
Customer Support
LearnDash:
LearnDash provides support through tickets and a helpful documentation library. The LearnDash community is also active in forums and Facebook groups. However, there's no live chat or phone support.
Teachable:
Teachable offers email support to all users, and live chat on premium plans. Their help center is detailed, and they host regular webinars for training.
Winner: Teachable
Faster support response and live chat give Teachable an edge.
Pros and Cons
LearnDash Pros
- No transaction fees
- Deep customization and branding
- Advanced course structure
- Integrates with many tools
LearnDash Cons
- Requires WordPress hosting and setup
- Not beginner-friendly
- No built-in sales features
- Many extra costs because of third party tools needed
- Requires technical knowledge
Teachable Pros
- All-in-one platform
- Built-in email, affiliate, and checkout tools
- Mobile app included
- Easy to set up and launch
- No need for many third party integrations
Teachable Cons
- High transaction fees on lower plans
- Limited design flexibility
- Some features are locked behind higher plans
Which Platform Is Best for You?
Choose LearnDash if you want:
- Full control over your course website
- More advanced educational features
- A self-hosted platform with no transaction fees
Choose Teachable if you want:
- An easy-to-use, hosted solution
- Built-in sales, payments, and tax tools
- A platform with built-in sales and marketing tools
- Better customer support options
Conclusion: LearnDash vs Teachable
LearnDash and Teachable are built for different types of creators. If you want full control, plenty of customization options, and are comfortable with WordPress, or have a developer to help, LearnDash is a powerful solution that gives you total ownership of your site and content.
If you want an easy, ready-to-go platform with marketing and sales features and that does not require advanced tech knowledge, Teachable is your best bet.
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