The Best Kajabi Alternative: Why Coaches Are Switching to highMpact

For content creators and coaches selling courses, memberships, or digital products, Kajabi is an all-in-one tool loaded with features.

There’s a catch, though: the starter plan starts at $89/month, and even with access, you’re limited in terms of what you build. That price and those limits may feel like a hurdle for budding and growing creators.

Thankfully, there are plenty of options that offer the same freedom to create and scale, with some outpacing Kajabi in important facets.

In this guide, I’ll review the best Kajabi alternatives that I’ve tested, along with which of those are worth your time to help grow your business.

Why Seek a Kajabi Alternative?

It's undeniable that Kajabi has a great deal going for it. The platform makes it easy to build courses, establish membership sites, and even launch marketing funnels without the need to combine multiple tools. Its drag-and-drop builder and polished templates enable even non-tech-savvy users to get started quickly.

However, as many creators soon discover, Kajabi comes with significant trade-offs:

• High pricing / shrinking free plan – Kajabi’s plans aren't inexpensive, and the generous free tier it once offered has been scaled back. For small creators or those just starting out, it can feel like an expensive gamble.
  
  

• Limited customization – Although Kajabi is user-friendly, it lacks deeper flexibility. Certificates, assessments, and advanced automation are either absent or require workarounds.
  

• Transaction fees & hidden costs – Certain features can end up costing more than expected, leaving creators paying higher monthly bills than they planned.
  

• Community features lag behind competitors – As online business shifts toward community-driven models, Kajabi’s built-in tools feel shallow compared to dedicated platforms.
  

That’s why so many entrepreneurs are searching for cheaper Kajabi options, a true Kajabi substitute, or a flexible course platform that grows with their business instead of holding them back.

Key Factors When Choosing a Kajabi Competitor

If you’re considering a move away from Kajabi, the key to success lies in understanding what truly matters for long-term growth. The best alternatives should offer more than just course hosting – they should provide you with the tools necessary to run and scale your entire business.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Course & community management – A strong learning platform should handle not only lessons but also active communities where members connect and stay engaged.
  
  

• Built-in automation & integrations – Seamless workflows are essential. Look for platforms that connect easily with your existing tools and automate repetitive tasks.
  
  

• Affordable & scalable pricing – Pricing shouldn’t punish you for growing. The right platform scales with your business without forcing constant plan upgrades.
  
  

• Strong CRM for client journeys – Beyond “collecting emails,” a true CRM helps you track every touchpoint, nurture relationships, and guide leads into paying clients.
  
  

• Multichannel communication – Modern businesses don’t rely on email alone. SMS, calls, live chat, and even social messaging can make or break customer engagement.
  
  

The challenge is, Many Kajabi competitors nail one or two of these features, but very few cover the full picture. That’s why creators and agencies often juggle multiple tools and why the search for the right all-in-one solution is so important.

Top Kajabi Alternatives Compared

Here's what you need to know about each major contender - the good, the bad, and whether they're worth your time and money.

1. highMpact: The True All-in-One Contender

highMpact describes itself as the "All-in-One Business Management System for Scaling Coaches & Creators." And it does seem to be the case. This platform pulls ahead of the competition by streamlining the all-in-one functions of CRM, course building, community, and advanced automation.

highMpact's level of support is what really sets them apart. They do not leave you to figure things out alone; they provide done-with-you setup, weekly coaching calls, and what they label "concierge-level" onboarding. For creators and builders of other businesses who have been blocked by the tech, this support can be life-changing.

With the platform, there are no limits placed on the number of courses you can create or host, landing pages, contacts, or websites, which really surmounts the frustrating limitations of other platforms. The automation engine is as powerful as those of other dedicated marketing platforms, and the affiliate management system is built-in, not an afterthought.

Pros:

• A complete feature set that replaces several tools.

• Unlimited everything in base plans (courses, contacts, pages).

• Excellent support with setup assistance and ongoing coaching.

• Built-in CRM that works well for creators.

• Strong automation features.

• Integrated affiliate management system.

• No contracts; you can cancel anytime.

Cons:

• Text messaging features come with an extra cost.

• There may be a learning curve because of the extensive feature set.

• An upfront investment is required.

Bottom Line: If you're serious about scaling and want one platform that actually handles everything without compromises, highMpact is worth the investment. The support alone justifies the cost for most creators who value their time.

2. Thinkific: The Education-First Choice

Thinkific built its reputation through a sharp focus on course creation and student experience. If you come from a traditional educational background or need strong assessment tools, Thinkific is one of the few to meet your needs.

The platform helps educators structure learning experiences with comprehensive quiz systems, certificates, prerequisites, and detailed progress tracking. Students receive a polished learning experience, and the platform overall is professional and engaging.

Pros:

• Excellent tools for creating courses and assessing students.

• Unlimited students and courses on paid plans.

• Strong features for tracking compliance and progress.

• Professional interface for course players.

• No transaction fees on paid plans.

• Good ecosystem for integrations.

Cons:

• Limited capabilities for marketing automation and CRM.

• Few community features.

• Basic website builder with limited customization options.

• Some areas have an outdated interface.

• Needs extra tools for a complete marketing setup.

Bottom Line: Choose Thinkific if your main focus is on delivering courses and enhancing the student experience. However, be ready to use other tools for your marketing and CRM needs.

3. Podia: The Beginner's Best Friend

Podia earned its reputation by making course creation accessible to complete beginners. The interface is clean, the learning curve is minimal, and you can launch your first course faster than almost any other platform.

At $39/month for the basic plan, Podia offers incredible value. It includes email marketing, affiliate tools, unlimited digital products, and other features that cost extra elsewhere. for creators just starting out.

Pros:

• Very beginner-friendly interface

• Affordable pricing with good feature inclusion

• Unlimited digital products on all plans

• Built-in email marketing tools

• No transaction fees on higher plans

• Quick setup and launch process

Cons:

• Limited customization and branding options

• Basic community and engagement features

• 5% transaction fees on the lowest plan

• Lacks advanced automation capabilities

• No mobile app for students

Bottom Line: This platform is perfect for beginners or creators who prefer simplicity over complexity. It’s great for testing ideas, but you might outgrow it as your needs grow.

4. Teachable: The Streamlined Solution

Teachable offers a middle ground between simplicity and functionality. The drag-and-drop curriculum builder is easy to use, as is the course player, which looks modern and professional.

The platform includes features like VAT/GST support, which global creators value, and manages international payments well, but It still feels more like a course hosting platform than a complete business solution.

Pros:

• Clean, intuitive course builder.

• Modern student interface.

• Good support for international payments.

• Supports coaching and digital downloads.

• Unlimited courses and students on paid plans.

• Built-in affiliate program.

Cons:

• Basic marketing and funnel tools.

• Limited website building features.

• Transaction fees on lower plans can add up.

• Minimal community features.

• Less customization than competitors.

Bottom Line: This is a solid choice if you already have marketing tools ready and just need a reliable course platform. It’s less ideal if you want everything integrated.

5. ClickFunnels: The Marketing Machine

ClickFunnels revolutionized online marketing with its funnel-building approach, and it remains unmatched for creating high-converting sales sequences. If your business depends on sophisticated marketing funnels, ClickFunnels delivers the tools and templates you need.

The platform excels at order bumps, upsells, downsells, and all the conversion optimization tactics that serious marketers rely on. However, it wasn't built with educators in mind, and the course delivery experience reflects that.

Pros:

• Top-notch funnel builder

• Wide selection of templates for marketing pages

• Solid tools for improving conversions

• Strong automation for sales processes

• Great split-testing features

• Large community and training resources

Cons:

• Poor course delivery and student experience

• Limited educational features like quizzes and assessments

• Steeper learning curve for those not in marketing

• Course functionality seems like an afterthought

• High pricing starting at $97/month

Bottom Line: Choose ClickFunnels if your main focus is on marketing and sales funnels. Be prepared to use extra tools for course delivery.

Why highMpact Outperforms Every Other Option

Here's the uncomfortable truth about Kajabi alternatives: they all address parts of a puzzle, not the complete picture.

Thinkific offers solid courses, but it leaves you searching for marketing tools. Podia keeps things simple, but it limits your growth potential. ClickFunnels converts well but fails to provide a good learning experience. Even Kajabi has its restrictions, leaving gaps in key areas like advanced CRM and real automation.

If you've encountered these obstacles, you don’t need another course platform with some marketing features. You need a business operating system designed for significant growth.

That's exactly what highMpact delivers.

Think of it as what Kajabi could have become if they had focused on serious creators instead of appealing to the mass market. It represents the evolution of the all-in-one concept - a true business platform that blends education, relationship management, and marketing into a seamless system.

What Makes highMpact Different (And Why It Matters)

1. CRM That Works for Creators: Most platforms treat your audience like just email addresses. highMpact views them as real relationships. You can segment by behavior, purchase history, engagement level, or any custom criteria you choose. Track every interaction from the first visit to the final sale. You’ll know exactly where each lead is in your sales process and what they need next.

This goes beyond organization; it improves revenue. When you understand your audience like this, you can create targeted offers that convert better than what other platforms achieve.

2. Course and Membership Delivery Without Compromise: You get all the course creation tools you'd expect from specialists like Thinkific, but everything is integrated. Drip content, assessments, certificates, and community spaces are all included. Unlike standalone course platforms, your educational content works smoothly with your marketing funnels and CRM data.

Your students don't just consume content; they become part of a system that helps you serve them better and find upsell opportunities naturally.

3. Marketing Automation That Thinks Like You: Forget simple email sequences. highMpact's automation engine creates personalized customer journeys based on behavior, interests, and engagement patterns. Someone who downloads your free guide but doesn’t open emails receives a different follow-up sequence than someone who watches every video but hasn't made a purchase yet.

The system learns from your audience's actions and adjusts the experience accordingly. It’s like having a marketing team that works around the clock and never forgets a detail.

4. True Multichannel Communication: Email is just the start. Reach your audience through SMS, direct chat, phone calls, social messaging, and even video messages, all from one dashboard. No more jumping between platforms or losing conversations.

When a lead texts you a question, you can see their entire history: which courses they’ve accessed, which emails they’ve opened, and which pages they’ve visited. This context turns casual conversations into chances to convert.

5. Built for Growth, Not Limits: There are no artificial limits on products, funnels, or contacts. No "upgrade to send more emails" nonsense. No surprise fees for basic features. As your business expands, highMpact grows with you without pushing you into costly tier upgrades that offer little value.

Plus, if you're an agency or want to white-label the platform for clients, that option is available. Good luck trying to do that with Kajabi or most other alternatives.

The Real Value Proposition

Here's what this means for your business: highMpact doesn't just replace Kajabi - it replaces your entire tech stack.

No more paying for separate tools for CRM, email marketing, course hosting, funnel building, appointment scheduling, affiliate management, and community building. No more dealing with integrations that break or data that doesn't sync properly.

Everything works together because it was built together. Your course completion data informs your email sequences. Your CRM insights shape your content strategy. Your marketing automation feeds directly from student behavior.

The result? Higher conversion rates, better student experiences, and the kind of business intelligence that lets you make decisions based on data, not guesswork.

Most importantly, you get the freedom to focus on what you do best - creating value for your audience - instead of managing a bunch of disconnected tools that barely talk to each other.

That's not just an upgrade from Kajabi. That's a complete transformation of how you run your business.

Key Advantages Over Kajabi

When stacked side by side, the differences become clear:

• CRM depth – Kajabi offers a basic contact list. MY CRM delivers full client lifecycle management with segmentation, pipelines, and advanced nurturing.
  
  

• Multichannel marketing – Kajabi stops at email. MY CRM unifies email, SMS, calls, chat, and social into a single system.
  
  

• Value – Kajabi locks advanced features behind expensive plans. MY CRM provides robust tools at lower cost.
  
  

• Flexibility & branding – Kajabi is rigid in structure. MY CRM allows white-labeling, customization, and tailored client journeys.
  
  

• Scalability – Kajabi is best for solo creators. MY CRM is built to scale with coaches, agencies, and growing businesses who need serious automation.

7. Conclusion

Kajabi has built a strong reputation as a powerful all-in-one platform. However, in 2025, it is no longer the best option. Its rising costs, limited CRM, and single-channel automation make it difficult for ambitious businesses to expand.

Most alternatives focus on specific areas; some emphasize courses, others on funnels or communities. MY CRM by highMpact is different. It combines course delivery, an advanced CRM, marketing automation, and multichannel communication into one efficient platform.

For creators, coaches, agencies, and growing businesses, the choice is clear: MY CRM is the top Kajabi alternative in 2025; it is the platform designed to grow with you.

8. FAQs

1. What is the best Kajabi alternative for online course creation?
There are several strong options. Thinkific, Teachable, and LearnWorlds are popular for structured learning. However, if you want a platform that merges educational tools with business features, highMpact CRM by highMpact goes beyond course hosting by adding CRM and automation in the same ecosystem.

2. Can I migrate my courses from Kajabi easily?
Yes. Most Kajabi alternatives provide import tools or migration support. With highMpact CRM, you can transfer your existing course materials, member data, and email lists while setting up more advanced automations from day one.

3. Which platform is most affordable for beginners?
Podia and Systeme.io are often noted as budget-friendly starting points. However, they may feel limited as your business grows. highMpact CRM provides affordable entry pricing with greater scalability, so you won’t have to switch later.

4. Do alternatives support memberships, communities, and coaching businesses?
Yes; platforms like Circle and Mighty Networks focus heavily on communities, while Thinkific and Teachable excel at memberships. But highMpact CRM integrates courses, communities, and client management in one place, making it ideal for coaching and hybrid businesses.

5. Which alternatives include built-in automation & CRM?
This is where most platforms fall short. Kajabi offers basic email automation but has a limited CRM. Tools like ClickFunnels excel at funnels but lack educational features. highMpact CRM combines both. automation for funnels, follow-ups, and client journeys along with a full CRM.

6. Is highMpact CRM suitable for agencies?
Absolutely. Unlike Kajabi, highMpact CRM provides white-label options, team collaboration, and multi-account management. Agencies can rebrand the platform, manage multiple clients, and deliver scalable marketing and education solutions from one dashboard.