Systeme.io vs Teachable: Which is Better for Courses?
If you’re planning to launch your first course, the tool you choose can either fuel your success—or drain your momentum fast. That’s why today we’re comparing Systeme.io vs Teachable, two top contenders in the online course space.
I’ve used both. I’ve helped clients launch with both. And I’m here to help you decide which one fits your needs without getting lost in tech specs or hype.
Quick Snapshot Comparison
Here’s a simple head-to-head view:
| Feature | Systeme.io | Teachable |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free (no trial) | Free plan, but limited |
| Course Builder | Drag-and-drop | Drag-and-drop |
| Built-in Email Marketing | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (needs 3rd party) |
| Sales Funnels | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Affiliate Program Management | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
| Membership Site | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Customer Support | Email & tutorials | Chat + Help Docs |
Pricing: What Do You Actually Pay?
Systeme.io offers a forever-free plan with up to 2,000 contacts, 3 sales funnels, and 1 course. That’s huge for beginners. Paid plans start at $27/month.
Teachable also has a free plan, but it’s more limited—and they take $1 + 10% of each sale. Ouch. Their paid plans start at $39/month, but you still don’t get advanced marketing tools built in.
✅ Takeaway: If you want to keep startup costs low, Systeme.io is way more generous out of the gate.
Features That Matter for Course Creators
Course Creation Tools
Both let you build and host beautiful courses. But Systeme.io’s interface is tightly integrated with marketing features, so everything feels smoother. No hopping between apps.
Sales Funnels & Automation
Systeme.io shines here. You can build complete funnels, upsells, downsells, and even automate emails—all in one place.
Teachable? You’ll need to connect with other tools like ConvertKit or Mailchimp to do anything fancy.
Email Marketing
Systeme.io includes email sequences, broadcasts, and tagging—free. Teachable doesn’t do email at all.
Memberships, Coaching, Digital Products
Both platforms support these. But Systeme.io lets you sell everything from one dashboard. It just feels simpler.
✅ Takeaway: Systeme.io is the true all-in-one. Teachable is solid but depends on third-party tools.
Ease of Use: Which One Feels Simpler?
If you’re not “techy,” Systeme.io is refreshingly straightforward. Its templates are clean, its funnels make sense, and you’re guided each step of the way.
Teachable’s dashboard is polished—but can feel like a maze if you’re trying to set up more than just a course.
✅ Takeaway: Systeme.io wins for beginners and solo creators. Less clicking around. More doing.
Who It’s Best For (Use Cases)
Choose Systeme.io if…
- You’re starting with a small budget
- You want a true all-in-one tool
- You value simplicity over tons of integrations
- You want to build full funnels + email automations
Choose Teachable if…
- You already use tools like ConvertKit or Zapier
- You want deep customization and design control
- You’re focused only on course creation (not funnels)
Final Verdict: My Honest Take
Both tools are legit. But for most people starting out?
👉 Systeme.io just makes more sense.
It’s budget-friendly, beginner-focused, and powerful enough to grow with you. You don’t need a bunch of logins or monthly subscriptions just to get your course out there.
If you’re a seasoned creator with an existing tech stack, Teachable might still fit. But if you want fast results with fewer moving parts, start with Systeme.io.
Here’s What to Do Next
Still unsure? Try Systeme.io’s free plan and test it yourself—no credit card needed. You’ll get your course online faster than you think.
👉 Get your free Systeme.io account today
No pressure. Just progress.