Thinkific vs Teachable for Fitness Coaches (2026 Comparison)

Quick Verdict

Thinkific wins for most fitness coaches. It offers a more flexible course builder, built-in community features, a free plan to start, and no transaction fees. Teachable is a solid alternative if you prioritize built-in marketing and sales page tools.

Feature	Thinkific	Teachable
Starting Price	$0/mo (Free)	$0/mo (Free)
Transaction Fees	None on paid plans	5% on Basic plan
Course Builder	Drag-and-drop, flexible	Simpler, less flexible
Community	Built-in	Not included
Mobile App	Yes (higher plans)	Yes (iOS)
Our Rating	9.2/10	8.5/10

Thinkific Overview

Thinkific is our #1 recommended platform for fitness coaches. It’s built for course creators and handles everything a fitness coach needs: video hosting, drip content for weekly program delivery, community features, and membership billing.

Best for: Coaches who want flexibility, community features, and a free plan to start.

Thinkific Pros

• Free plan to test before committing
• No transaction fees on any paid plan
• Drag-and-drop course builder works great for video programs
• Built-in community features for client engagement
• Drip scheduling for week-by-week program delivery

Thinkific Cons

• Mobile app only on higher-tier plans
• Limited email marketing tools (you’ll need a third-party tool)
• Community features still maturing compared to dedicated platforms

Teachable Overview

Teachable is a well-established platform with strong marketing tools. It’s particularly good at converting visitors into paying students with its built-in sales pages, checkout optimization, and email marketing.

Best for: Coaches who want built-in marketing and sales tools.

Teachable Pros

• Strong sales page builder and checkout optimization
• Built-in email marketing tools
• Dedicated “Coaching” product type for 1-on-1 sessions
• Native iOS app for student access
• Well-known brand (social proof)

Teachable Cons

• 5% transaction fee on Basic plan
• No built-in community features
• Less flexible course builder than Thinkific
• Affiliate commission limited to 12 months (vs lifetime for Thinkific)

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Course Building

Winner: Thinkific

Thinkific’s course builder is more flexible and intuitive. You get drag-and-drop content blocks, multimedia support, and better organization options. For fitness coaches creating video-heavy workout programs, this matters.

Teachable’s builder works but feels more rigid, with less control over layout and presentation.

Pricing & Fees

Winner: Thinkific

Both offer free plans, but Thinkific has a critical advantage: no transaction fees on any paid plan. Teachable charges 5% on its Basic plan ($59/mo). You need to be on Teachable Pro ($159/mo) to eliminate transaction fees.

For a fitness coach doing $2,000/month in sales on a Basic plan, that’s $100/month in lost transaction fees with Teachable.

Community Features

Winner: Thinkific

Thinkific includes built-in community features (discussions, groups) that let you create engagement between clients. For fitness coaching, this matters more than you’d think. Accountability and peer support drive better results and lower churn.

Teachable does not have native community features. You’d need a third-party tool like Circle or a Facebook Group.

Marketing & Sales

Winner: Teachable

This is where Teachable shines. Its built-in sales page builder, checkout optimization, and email marketing tools are more developed than Thinkific’s. If converting cold traffic is your priority, Teachable has the edge.

Mobile Experience

Tie

Both offer mobile access. Thinkific’s mobile app is available on higher plans. Teachable has a native iOS app. Your clients train at the gym, not at a desk, so this matters. Both handle it well enough.

Our Final Recommendation

Choose Thinkific if:

• You want a free plan to start
• You want no transaction fees
• Community features matter for client retention
• You’re building video-based workout programs

Choose Teachable if:

• You prioritize built-in sales and marketing tools
• You want a dedicated “Coaching” product type
• You already have a large audience to convert

For most fitness coaches, Thinkific is the better choice. The combination of no transaction fees, better course building, and community features gives it a clear edge for fitness program delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions