If you’re interested in creating and selling online courses, you’ve probably heard of Thinkific and Skillshare. Both platforms offer a range of tools and features for course creators, but which one is right for you?
In this article, we’ll compare Thinkific and Skillshare to help you decide which platform is the best fit for your needs. We’ll take a closer look at the course creation and management tools, course marketplace and audience, pricing and revenue models, user experience and support, and more.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each platform and be able to make an informed decision about which one to use for your online courses.
Course Creation and Management
Creating and managing your courses is a crucial part of building a successful online course business. Let’s take a look at the course creation and management tools offered by Thinkific and Skillshare and compare them.
Thinkific’s Course Creation and Management Features:
Thinkific offers a wide range of features for creating and managing your online courses. You can upload videos, audio files, and PDFs and create quizzes and surveys to test your students’ knowledge. Thinkific also provides tools for managing student enrollment and progress and for issuing certificates of completion.
Skillshare’s Course Creation and Management Features:
Skillshare’s course creation and management features are designed to be simple and user-friendly. You can upload video lessons and class projects and add written and video prompts to encourage student participation. Skillshare also provides tools for managing student enrollment and engagement.
Comparison of the Two Platforms’ Course Creation and Management Tools:
Both Thinkific and Skillshare offer robust course creation and management tools, but they have some key differences. Thinkific is designed to be more comprehensive, with more features and customization options. Skillshare, on the other hand, is more focused on creating a community of learners and teachers, and has a more streamlined interface.
Ultimately, the best course creation and management tools for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Consider the features you need to create and manage your courses, and choose the platform that offers the most value for your business.
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Course Marketplace and Audience
When it comes to selling your online courses, having access to a large and engaged audience is essential. Let’s take a look at the course marketplace and audience features offered by Thinkific and Skillshare and compare them.
Thinkific’s Course Marketplace and Audience Features:
Thinkific does not have a course marketplace of its own, but it offers tools to help you create your own course website and attract your own audience. You can use Thinkific’s built-in landing pages and email marketing tools to promote your courses, or integrate your Thinkific site with your own website and social media channels.
Skillshare’s Course Marketplace and Audience Features:
Skillshare has a large and active community of learners and teachers, which can help you reach a wider audience for your courses. You can create and publish courses on Skillshare, and take advantage of the platform’s marketing and promotional tools to attract new students. Skillshare also offers a revenue-sharing model, which allows you to earn money from the subscriptions of students who enroll in your courses.
Comparison of the Two Platforms’ Course Marketplace and Audience Tools:
Thinkific and Skillshare offer different approaches to building and growing your audience. Thinkific gives you more control over your course website and marketing efforts, while Skillshare provides a ready-made community of learners and a range of promotional tools. Ultimately, the best course marketplace and audience tools for you will depend on your business goals and your audience-building strategy.
Consider the type of audience you want to reach, and the promotional and revenue-sharing models that work best for your business. With this information in mind, you can choose the platform that offers the best opportunities for your courses to be seen and sold.
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Pricing and Revenue Models
Pricing and revenue models are important considerations when choosing an online course platform. Let’s compare the pricing and revenue models offered by Thinkific and Skillshare.
Thinkific’s Pricing and Revenue Models:
Thinkific offers flexible pricing plans, which include a free plan, a basic plan starting at $49/month, and professional and premier plans with additional features. You can also sell your courses on a one-time fee or subscription basis. Thinkific charges transaction fees for all plans except the premier plan, where transaction fees are waived.
Skillshare’s Pricing and Revenue Models:
Skillshare operates on a subscription-based model, where students pay a monthly or annual fee for access to all courses on the platform. As a teacher, you can earn revenue from your courses through a royalty-based system. You will earn revenue based on the number of minutes watched by premium members, as well as a bonus payment for each premium referral.
Comparison of the Two Platforms’ Pricing and Revenue Models:
Thinkific and Skillshare offer different pricing and revenue models, which may suit different types of course creators. Thinkific’s pricing plans are based on course creation and selling tools, while Skillshare offers a membership-based model. Thinkific also allows for more flexibility in pricing options, while Skillshare offers a more predictable revenue stream.
When choosing between the two platforms, consider your business goals, course pricing and monetization strategy, and the type of audience you want to reach. Both Thinkific and Skillshare offer a variety of pricing and revenue models, so you can find the one that works best for you.
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User Experience and Support
User experience and support are important factors to consider when choosing an online course platform. Let’s take a look at the user experience and support features offered by Thinkific and Skillshare.
Thinkific’s User Experience and Support Features:
Thinkific offers an easy-to-use course builder and dashboard with customizable themes and templates. The platform also offers various features to enhance the student experience, such as quizzes, surveys, and course completion certificates. Additionally, Thinkific provides 24/7 customer support through email, phone, and chat, as well as a community forum and a knowledge base.
Skillshare’s User Experience and Support Features:
Skillshare’s platform is designed to be user-friendly and visually appealing. The platform also offers various features to enhance the student experience, such as class projects, peer feedback, and a built-in messaging system. Additionally, Skillshare provides 24/7 customer support through email, as well as a knowledge base.
Comparison of the Two Platforms’ User Experience and Support Tools:
Both Thinkific and Skillshare offer user-friendly platforms with various features to enhance the student experience. However, Thinkific offers more support options, including 24/7 customer support through phone and chat, as well as a community forum. Skillshare, on the other hand, offers a built-in messaging system for direct communication between students and teachers.
When choosing between the two platforms, consider the level of support you need for your business, as well as the features that would enhance the student experience in your courses. Both Thinkific and Skillshare offer user-friendly platforms with support and features to help you succeed.
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Pros and Cons
Thinkific and Skillshare each have their own unique advantages and disadvantages for course creators. Here are some of the most notable pros and cons of each platform:
Thinkific
Pros
- Customizable course builder with drag-and-drop interface
- Full control over branding and customization
- Wide range of marketing and sales tools
- Diverse pricing and revenue options
- Excellent customer support and user community
Cons
- Higher price point compared to some competitors
- Limited course marketplace and audience reach
- May require some technical expertise to use all features effectively
Skillshare
Pros
- Large and active course marketplace with a broad audience
- Easy-to-use course creation and management tools
- Simple revenue-sharing model with no additional fees
- Access to Skillshare’s extensive library of courses
Cons
- Limited customization options
- Limited pricing and revenue options
- Limited control over course branding and promotion
- Limited customer support and user community
Overall, both Thinkific and Skillshare offer unique features and benefits for course creators. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each platform to determine which is the best fit for your specific needs and goals.
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Conclusion
After a detailed comparison of Thinkific and Skillshare, it is evident that both platforms have their strengths and weaknesses. In terms of course creation and management, Thinkific provides more control and flexibility, while Skillshare is better suited for creative courses. Thinkific is more focused on helping users build their own brand, while Skillshare is geared more towards reaching a wider audience.
When it comes to pricing and revenue models, Thinkific is a more expensive option, but it also provides more monetization options. Skillshare, on the other hand, offers a subscription-based model that can provide consistent revenue, but with limited pricing control.
Regarding user experience and support, both platforms offer a seamless experience, but Thinkific’s customer support is known for being more responsive and helpful.
Overall, the choice between Thinkific and Skillshare ultimately depends on the individual’s needs and goals. If you want complete control over your course and branding, Thinkific is the way to go. But if you’re looking to reach a larger audience and showcase your creative skills, Skillshare might be the better option.