Kartra vs Kajabi: Comparing the 2 Most Popular Online Course Platforms

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When it comes to building, selling, and managing online courses, memberships, and digital products, two platforms often come to mind – Kartra and Kajabi. Both promise to be your all-in-one solution, but which one is best for you?

I’ve been using Kartra for years, and it’s been instrumental in growing my business. However, I also teach Kajabi and appreciate its ease of use and modern design. Let’s break down the key features and see which platform may be the best fit for your online business.

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Special Links and Promotions ⚡️

• Free 40 day trial of Kartra + 40% off your first purchase

• Free 30 day free trial of Kajabi

*This blog post was updated May 7, 2025

Pricing:

Kartra Pricing:

Kajabi Pricing:

Course & Membership Areas:

Kartra:

• Highly customizable course area with drag-and-drop builder

• Add action steps, progress bars, buttons, and more

• Multiple design options for lesson pages

• Ability to sell products directly inside the course area

I love how I can drag and drop every element in Kartra. I can customize each lesson, add headers, buttons, and even sell products directly in the course area.

Kajabi:

• Simpler, structured layout – limited customization

• AI integration for course creation

• Modern look but less flexibility

• Downloads and videos are fixed in specific areas

Where I struggle: Kajabi’s structure is more rigid. If you want to move things around or customize each lesson page, you’re limited. I prefer having full control over my course layout.

💡 My Verdict: If customization is key, Kartra wins.

Email Marketing:

Both platforms include email marketing with funnels, broadcasts/newsletters, and sequences. Here’s my take:

• Kartra: You can use evergreen countdown timers on pages, but not reliably in emails. My workaround? Use timers only on the page and avoid embedding them in emails.

• Kajabi: No built-in evergreen timer, but you can use Deadline Funnel to replicate this. However, this be an additional cost and setup process.

💡 My Verdict: Both are capable, but Kartra’s countdown timers can give you a slight edge if you use them strategically on pages (not in emails).

Page Builder:

Kartra:

• Drag-and-drop builder with extensive customization options

• Clone pages to maintain consistent branding

I love cloning pages in Kartra. Once I’ve built a page I love, I just duplicate it for future launches. It’s a massive time-saver. That said, the learning curve is steeper because the page builder is more complex.

Kajabi:

• Section-based builder – easier to use but less flexible

💡 My Verdict: Kajabi’s builder looks more modern but isn’t as flexible. If you want more creative control, Kartra wins.

Community Features:

Kartra: No native community feature. Instead, you’ll need to use something like Facebook Groups, Circle.so. I use Facebook Groups because people are already there, and engagement is higher. I’ve tried other platforms, but people just seem to show up more on Facebook.

Kajabi: Built-in community area with chat, challenges, and live rooms. You can host meetups, create challenges, and keep everything in one spot.

💡 My Verdict: Kajabi wins here!

Mobile Capability:

Kartra: Mobile-friendly but no dedicated app.

Kajabi: Dedicated app for students, plus a custom branded app option for an additional $199/month.

💡 My Verdict: Kajabi clearly wins here. Their custom branded app could be a game changer if you’re building a large community or membership site. For smaller courses, it may not be worth the extra cost.

Webinars:

Kartra: Just added webinar functionality – limited to the Growth Plan.

Kajabi: No built-in webinar tool, but you can use the Community live room as a workaround.

💡 My Verdict: Kartra’s webinar feature is great.

Coaching:

Kartra: Call scheduler only.

Kajabi: Coaching product includes shared notes, resources, and live sessions – a standout feature for one-on-one coaching.

💡 My Verdict: If you’re a coach, Kajabi’s coaching feature provides a better customer experience. But if you just need a simple scheduler, or are happy with Zoom, Kartra will do the job.

Kartra wins for:

✅ Course & Membership Areas

✅ Email Marketing

✅ Page Builder

✅ Webinars

Kajabi wins for:

✅ Pricing

✅ Community

✅ Mobile Capability

✅ Coaching

Final Thoughts: My Personal Recommendations

Choose Kartra if you want:

• Maximum customization for courses and pages

• Evergreen countdown timers (with my page-based workaround)

Choose Kajabi if you prefer:

• A simple, modern design

• Built-in community and coaching features

• Custom Branded App

Both platforms are powerful, but they cater to slightly different needs. If you’re like me and want control over every element, Kartra is the winner. But if you value simplicity, community features, and a modern design, Kajabi is a solid choice. Try the free trials and see which one clicks for you.

• Free 40 day trial of Kartra + 40% off your first purchase

• Free 30 day free trial of Kajabi

Any questions about what either platform can do? Let me know in the comments below!

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