As an online creator, the two most common platforms that you might have come across are Gumroad and Teachable.
Both platforms provide an easy-to-use interface and great features for course creators, and choosing between the two can be a tough decision.
In this article, we will compare Gumroad and Teachable in detail and help you decide which platform will suit your needs better.
Gumroad vs. Teachable: Difference
The main difference between Gumroad and Teachable is that Gumroad is primarily designed for selling digital and physical products, while Teachable is focused on course creation and management.
Gumroad’s features are more geared towards product sales, such as the ability to sell physical goods, while Teachable offers more advanced course creation tools, such as graded quizzes and course completion certificates.
What is Gumroad?
Gumroad is an e-commerce platform designed for creators, artists, and entrepreneurs.
The platform allows creators to sell digital products such as e-books, videos, music, and software, along with physical products.
Gumroad provides an easy-to-use interface for creators to set up their products and start selling them quickly.
Gumroad Key Features
Here are some of the key features of Gumroad:
- Sell both digital and physical products
- Customizable checkout pages with your branding
- Unlimited bandwidth and product hosting
- Automated sales tax calculations
- Affiliate marketing program
- Payment processing with Stripe and PayPal
- Analytics and reporting dashboard
- Integration with third-party tools like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, and Zapier
Teachable Overview
Teachable is a platform that allows creators to create and sell online courses.
The platform provides a comprehensive set of features to help creators build and market their courses.
Teachable has over 100,000 course creators and has helped them earn over $1 billion in revenue.
Key Features of Teachable
Here are some of the key features of Teachable:
- Customizable course website with your branding
- Drag-and-drop course builder
- Drip content to release your course in sections
- Quizzes, surveys, and discussions
- Payment processing with Stripe and PayPal
- Affiliate marketing program
- Analytics and reporting dashboard
- Integration with third-party tools like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, and Zapier
Comparison of Gumroad and Teachable
Now that we have an overview of both platforms, let’s dive into the comparison of Gumroad and Teachable based on the following factors:
1. Pricing
Gumroad offers a free plan and a premium plan that costs $10 per month plus a 3.5% transaction fee.
The premium plan includes more advanced features such as custom domains, product updates, and pre-orders.
Teachable, on the other hand, offers three pricing plans: Basic ($39 per month), Pro ($119 per month), and Business ($299 per month).
Each plan includes different features such as custom domain support, advanced analytics, and bulk student enrollment.
2. Ease of Use
Both Gumroad and Teachable provide an easy-to-use interface for creators.
However, Teachable’s course builder is more user-friendly and customizable than Gumroad’s product creation page.
Additionally, Teachable provides more support and resources for creators, including a knowledge base, community forum, and email support.
3. Sales and Marketing Features
Gumroad and Teachable both provide similar sales and marketing features such as payment processing, affiliate marketing, and integration with third-party tools.
Teachable, on the other hand, provides more comprehensive marketing features such as email marketing campaigns, student segmentation, and custom landing pages.
4. Customizability
Both platforms provide some degree of customization, but Teachable allows creators to customize their course website with their branding, logo, and color scheme.
Gumroad, on the other hand, provides limited customization options for checkout pages and product pages.
Gumroad vs. Teachable: Real-World Examples
Now that we have compared the features of Gumroad and Teachable, let’s take a look at some real-world examples of companies that are using these platforms to sell their products and courses.
Who Uses Gumroad?
i). Nathan Barry
Nathan Barry is the founder of ConvertKit, an email marketing software for creators. Nathan used Gumroad to sell his e-book, Authority, which teaches readers how to build an audience and establish authority in their field. Nathan made over $200,000 in revenue by selling his e-book on Gumroad.
ii). Dan Mall
Dan Mall is a designer and creative director who used Gumroad to sell his book, Pricing Design. The book teaches designers how to price their services and sell their work. Dan made over $35,000 in revenue by selling his book on Gumroad.
Who Uses Teachable?
i). Melyssa Griffin
Melyssa Griffin is a blogger and entrepreneur who used Teachable to create and sell her course, Pinfinite Growth.
The course teaches bloggers how to use Pinterest to grow their audience and drive traffic to their websites. Melyssa made over $200,000 in revenue by selling her course on Teachable.
ii). Sarah Morgan
Sarah Morgan is a blogger and entrepreneur who used Teachable to create and sell her course, Dare to Grow.
The course teaches bloggers and entrepreneurs how to build and grow their businesses. Sarah made over $100,000 in revenue by selling her course on Teachable.
Gumroad vs. Teachable Pros and Cons
Gumroad Pros:
- Gumroad is easy to set up and use, even for beginners.
- Gumroad has a simple pricing structure and charges lower fees compared to Teachable.
- Gumroad supports both digital and physical product sales, making it a versatile platform for creators.
Gumroad Cons:
- Gumroad’s features are limited compared to Teachable, especially in terms of course creation and management.
- Gumroad’s checkout process can be clunky, and customization options are limited.
- Gumroad’s customer support is slower compared to Teachable.
Teachable Pros:
- Teachable offers more advanced features for course creation and management, making it a better option for creators who want to create and sell online courses.
- Teachable’s checkout process is more customizable, providing a better user experience for students.
- Teachable offers 24/7 customer support, which is more responsive compared to Gumroad.
Teachable Cons:
- Teachable is more expensive compared to Gumroad, especially for creators who are just starting out.
- Teachable’s pricing structure can be confusing, with different fees depending on the plan.
- Teachable’s user interface can be overwhelming for beginners.
What to Consider When Choosing an Online Course Platform or Software
When choosing a course platform, there are several factors to consider:
- Your budget: How much are you willing to spend on a course platform?
- Your goals: What do you want to achieve with your course, and what features do you need to achieve those goals?
- Your audience: Who is your target audience, and what kind of user experience do they expect from your course?
- Ease of use: How easy is the platform to set up and use, especially if you’re a beginner?
- Customer support: What kind of support does the platform offer, and how responsive are they to your needs?
Is Gumroad Better Than Teachable?
Both Gumroad and Teachable provide great features for creators, but they serve different purposes. If you are looking to sell digital and physical products, Gumroad might be the better option for you.
On the other hand, if you want to create and sell online courses, Teachable is the way to go. Ultimately, your decision should depend on your specific needs and goals as a creator.
In terms of pricing, Gumroad is more affordable than Teachable, but Teachable provides more comprehensive features for course creation and marketing.
Gumroad is more suitable for creators who want to sell a few products without the need for advanced features.
On the other hand, Teachable is better for creators who want to create and sell online courses with advanced features like quizzes, surveys, and discussions.
Overall, both platforms have their pros and cons, and the choice between the two ultimately comes down to what you need as a creator.
Summary
Both Gumroad and Teachable are great platforms for creators, depending on your needs and goals.
Gumroad is better suited for creators who want to sell digital and physical products, while Teachable is a better option for creators who want to create and sell online courses.
When choosing a course platform, it’s important to consider factors like pricing, features, ease of use, customer support, and your specific goals as a creator.